Surface contact heat exchanger

Abstract

To ensure surface contact between a contact surface and a heat exchange object in a surface-contact type heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the heat exchange object placed on an outer surface of a heat exchanger body and fluid circulating inside the heat exchanger body.SOLUTION: A surface-contact type heat exchanger comprises: a heat exchanger body 5 having opposing, approximately parallel first and second surfaces 1, 2 on an inside surface, at least one of which has a contact surface 4 with a heat exchange object 3 formed on its outer surface, through which fluid 13 flows; and a support part that supports a space between the first surface 1 and the second surface 2, where one or more compression stoppers 6 that limit approach between the first surface 1 and the second surface 2 are formed on at least one of the first surface 1 and the second surface 2 as the support part, and the tip of the compression stopper 6 is not joined to the other surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a surface contact type heat exchanger that exchanges heat between an object to be heat-exchanged attached to the outer surface side and a fluid flowing through the inner surface side.

Background Art

[0002] A general surface contact type heat exchanger has substantially parallel first and second surfaces facing each other on its inner side, and a flow path through which a fluid flows is formed between them. And between this first surface and the second surface, mainly in order to ensure pressure resistance against the internal pressure of the flow path, support portions such as protrusions and ridges are provided. In addition, a contact surface with an object to be heat-exchanged is formed on the outer surface side of the heat exchanger.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, especially when the contact surface is large, it is difficult to form a high flatness of the contact surface from the viewpoint of manufacturing accuracy, and there is a problem that sufficient surface contact with the object to be heat-exchanged cannot be ensured.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to sufficiently ensure surface contact between the contact surface and the object to be heat-exchanged.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention according to claim 1 has substantially parallel first and second surfaces 1 and 2 facing each other on the inner surface side, a contact surface 4 with an object to be heat-exchanged 3 is formed on at least one outer surface side thereof, and a heat exchanger body 5 through which a fluid 13 flows inside, and a support portion that supports between the first surface 1 and the second surface 2. In a surface contact type heat exchanger, as the support portion, on at least one of the first surface 1 and the second surface 2, one or more compression stoppers 6 that limit the approach of the first surface 1 and the second surface 2 project, and a tip of the compression stopper 6 is not joined to the other surface. It is a surface contact type heat exchanger characterized by that.

[0006] The present invention as described in claim 2 is a surface contact type heat exchanger as described in claim 1, This surface-contact type heat exchanger is characterized in that the compression stopper 6 is provided protruding from the inner surface of the outer surface on which the contact surface 4 is formed.

[0007] The present invention as described in claim 3 is a surface contact type heat exchanger as described in claim 1, The compression stopper 6 is a protrusion 6a, This surface-contact type heat exchanger is characterized in that the protrusion 6a is provided on the first surface 1 or the second surface 2, which is opposite to the inner surface of the outer surface on which the contact surface 4 is formed.

[0008] The present invention as described in claim 4 is a surface contact type heat exchanger as described in claim 1, This surface-contact type heat exchanger is characterized in that one compression stopper 6b is provided protruding from the first surface 1, and the other compression stopper 6c is provided in a pair on the second surface 2, and the pair of compression stoppers 6b and 6c also constitute an expansion stopper that limits the separation of the first surface 1 and the second surface 2 by locking the compression stoppers 6b and 6c together.

[0009] The present invention as described in claim 5 is a surface contact type heat exchanger as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, This surface-contact type heat exchanger is characterized in that a bellows-shaped portion 10, which can expand and contract in the opposing direction, is formed on the outer circumference of the heat exchanger body 5. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In the invention described in claim 1, one or more compression stoppers 6 are provided protruding from at least one of the first surface 1 and the second surface 2 of the heat exchanger body 5 as support portions between the first surface 1 and the second surface 2, and the tips of the compression stoppers 6 are not joined to the other surface. Since the tip of the compression stopper is not joined to the other surface, the contact surface 4 can be displaced and deformed along the outer surface of the heat exchange object 3 by the mechanically applied pressure to bring the heat exchange object 3 and the contact surface 4 into surface contact, the pressure due to the weight of the heat exchange object 3, etc., thereby improving the surface contact between the contact surface 4 and the heat exchange object 3. Furthermore, if the contact surface 4 is displaced or deformed along the outer surface of the heat exchange object 3 due to the mechanically applied pressure to bring the heat exchange object 3 and the contact surface 4 into surface contact, or due to the pressure from the heat exchange object 3's own weight, excessive displacement or deformation due to pressure is suppressed by the stopper 6 contacting the opposing inner surface. Also, any lifting or separation of the contact surface 4 from the heat exchange object 3 is suppressed by the stopper 6 contacting the opposing inner surface, which presses the contact surface 4 against the heat exchange object.

[0011] In the invention described in claim 2, the compression stopper 6 is provided protruding from the inner surface of the outer surface on which the contact surface 4 is formed, so that the compression stopper 6 acts as a heat transfer fin, thereby improving heat transfer between the fluid 13 and the object to be heat exchanged 3.

[0012] In the invention described in claim 3, the compression stopper 6 is a protrusion 6a, and the protrusion 6a is provided on the first surface 1 or the second surface 2 that is opposite to the inner surface to the outer surface on which the contact surface 4 is formed. As a result, the bending rigidity of the surface on which the protrusion 6a is formed is increased, and unnecessary deformation of the surface on which the protrusion 6a is formed is suppressed.

[0013] In the invention described in claim 4, one compression stopper 6b is provided protruding from the first surface 1, and the other compression stopper 6c is provided in a pair protruding from the second surface 2, and the pair of compression stoppers 6b and 6c also constitute an expansion stopper that limits the separation of the first surface 1 and the second surface 2 by locking the compression stoppers 6b and 6c together. With this configuration, if the flow path expands due to the internal pressure of the fluid 13 and the two parallel surfaces 2 deform in a direction that separates them from each other, this deformation is limited by the contact and locking of the opposing compression stoppers 6b and 6c, thus suppressing excessive expansion deformation. Furthermore, if the contact surface 4 is displaced or deformed along the outer surface of the heat exchange object 3 due to the mechanically applied pressure to bring the heat exchange object 3 and the contact surface 4 into surface contact, or due to the pressure from the heat exchange object 3's own weight, excessive pressure-induced displacement and deformation are suppressed by the compression stopper 6b or 6c contacting the opposing surface. In addition, any lifting or separation of the contact surface 4 from the heat exchange object 3 is suppressed by the compression stopper 6b or 6c contacting the opposing surface, thereby pressing the contact surface 4 against the heat exchange object 3.

[0014] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that a bellows-shaped portion 10 with a cross-sectional shape that can expand and contract in the opposing directions of the first surface 1 and the second surface 2 is formed on the outer circumference of the heat exchanger body 5. This facilitates expansion and contraction in the opposing directions between the first surface 1 and the second surface 2, and also facilitates elastic expansion and contraction of the contact surface 4. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] An exploded perspective view of a surface-contact type heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view along the line II-II in Figure 1 (A), and enlarged view of section B in Figure 2 (A) (B). [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view (A) of a surface-contact type heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and enlarged view (B) of part B in Figure 3(A). [Figure 4] An exploded perspective view of a surface-contact type heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view along the VV line in Figure 4 (A), and enlarged view of section B in Figure 5 (A) (B). [Figure 6] A surface-contact type heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 6(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA line in Figure 6(B), and Figure 6(B) is an exploded perspective view. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The surface contact type heat exchanger of the present invention is suitable as a cooler for cooling batteries, inverters, etc. used in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc., but can also be used as a heater for heating heat exchange objects.

Example

[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a surface contact type heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2(A) is a sectional view taken along the arrow II-II of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(B) is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. 2(A). As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger body 5 of this example has a plate formed in a dish shape and a plate for closing its opening. A second surface 2 is formed on the inner surface side of the plate formed in a dish shape, and a first surface 1 is formed on the inner surface side of the plate for closing its opening. The first surface 1 and the second surface 2 face each other substantially in parallel. A flow path through which the fluid 13 flows is formed between the first surface 1 and the second surface 2. Further, a contact surface 4 that is in surface contact with the outer surface of the heat exchange object 3 is formed on the outer surface side of at least one of the first surface 1 and the second surface 2. In addition, a pair of holes 12 are formed in the heat exchanger body 5, and pipes 11 are connected to these holes 12. The fluid 13 flows into the heat exchanger body 5 from one pipe 11 and flows out from the other pipe 11.

[0018] As a support portion for supporting between the first surface 1 and the second surface 2 of the heat exchanger body 5, a compression stopper 6 that restricts the approach of the first surface 1 and the second surface 2 projects from the inner surface side surface of the first surface 1 where the contact surface 4 is formed. In this example, as the compression stopper 6, a number of ridges 6a are arranged at intervals so as to be substantially parallel to the flow direction of the fluid 13 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The ridge 6a joined to the first surface 1 has a free end at the tip of the ridge 6a and is not joined to the second surface 2. The shape of the compression stopper 6 may be a ridge 6a as in this embodiment, or it may be a columnar projection. Also, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to form multiple compression stoppers 6, but one may also be formed.

[0019] Since the tip of the compression stopper 6 is not joined to the other surface, the contact surface 4 can be displaced and deformed along the outer surface of the heat exchange object 3 by the mechanically applied pressure to bring the heat exchange object 3 and the contact surface 4 into surface contact, the pressure due to the weight of the heat exchange object 3, etc., thereby improving the surface contact between the contact surface 4 and the heat exchange object 3. As a result, sufficient heat transfer occurs between the heat exchange object 3 and the fluid 13. Furthermore, if the contact surface 4 is displaced or deformed along the outer surface of the heat exchange object 3 due to the mechanically applied pressure to bring the heat exchange object 3 and the contact surface 4 into surface contact, or due to the pressure from the heat exchange object 3's own weight, excessive displacement or deformation due to pressure is suppressed by the tip of each protrusion 6a contacting the opposing second surface 2. Also, any lifting or separation of the contact surface 4 from the heat exchange object 3 is suppressed by the contact of each protrusion 6a with the opposing second surface 2, pressing the contact surface 4 against the heat exchange object. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since a protrusion 6a is provided on the first surface 1 on the inner side where the contact surface 4 is formed, this protrusion 6a also acts as a heat transfer fin, improving heat transfer between the fluid 13 and the first surface 1. [Examples]

[0020] Next, Figure 3(A) is a cross-sectional view of a surface-contact type heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3(B) is an enlarged view of part B of Figure 3(A). The difference between this example and the first embodiment is that the compression stopper 6, which is a ridge 6a, is joined to the second surface 2 rather than the first surface 1. In this embodiment, the compression stopper 6 is preferably a ridge. When formed in this way, the bending rigidity of the surface on which the ridge 6a is formed (the second surface 2 in this example) is increased, and unnecessary deformation of the second surface 2 is suppressed. Although not shown in the diagram, the first and second embodiments can be used in combination. In other words, compression stoppers 6 can be provided protruding from both the first surface 1 and the second surface 2. In this case as well, the tip of each compression stopper 6 is a free end and is not joined to the opposing inner surface. [Examples]

[0021] Next, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a surface-contact type heat exchanger according to the third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the VV line in Figure 4, and Figure 5(B) is an enlarged view of section B in Figure 5(A). The compression stopper 6 in this example is formed from a pair of compression stoppers 6b and 6c. As shown in Figure 5(A), one compression stopper 6b is projected from the first surface 1, and the other compression stopper 6c is projected from the second surface 2 in a pair, with the side walls 6d of these compression stoppers 6b and 6c facing each other. A hook portion 6e is formed at the tip of each compression stopper 6b and 6c, which is bent toward the side wall 6d. As shown in Figure 5(B), in this example, the hook portion 6e of one compression stopper 6b is not joined to the inner surface of the opposing second surface 2. Similarly, the hook portion 6e of the other compression stopper 6c is not joined to the inner surface of the opposing first surface 1. Furthermore, the hook portion 6e of one compression stopper 6b and the hook portion 6e of the opposing compression stopper 6c do not normally come into contact with each other.

[0022] With this structure, when the flow path expands due to the internal pressure of the fluid 13 and the first surface 1 and the second surface 2 deform in a direction that separates them from each other, this deformation is limited by the contact between the hook portions 6e of the opposing compression stoppers 6b and 6c, thus suppressing excessive expansion deformation. Furthermore, if the contact surface 4 is displaced or deformed along the outer surface of the heat exchange object 3 due to the mechanically applied pressure to bring the heat exchange object 3 and the contact surface 4 into surface contact, or due to the pressure from the heat exchange object 3's own weight, excessive pressure-induced displacement and deformation are suppressed by the compression stopper 6b or 6c contacting the opposing inner surface. In addition, any lifting or separation of the contact surface 4 from the heat exchange object 3 is suppressed by the compression stopper 6b or 6c contacting the opposing surface, pressing the contact surface 4 against the heat exchange object 3. In this third embodiment, a large number of compression stoppers 6b and 6c are arranged as a unit, but there may also be a case where there is only one compression stopper 6b and 6c. [Examples]

[0023] Next, Figure 6 shows a heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this example and the previous embodiment is that a bellows-shaped portion 10 is formed around the entire outer circumference of the heat exchanger body 5. In other words, a bellows-shaped peripheral edge is formed on the outer circumference of the lower plate that constitutes the heat exchanger body 5. This facilitates expansion and contraction of the outer circumference, thereby facilitating expansion and contraction in opposing directions between the first surface 1 and the second surface 2, and also facilitating elastic expansion and contraction of the contact surface 4. [Industrial applicability]

[0024] This invention can be used as a surface-contact type heat exchanger, such as a flat-plate type battery cooler. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0025] 1 Front page 2 Side 2 3. Objects subject to heat exchange 4 Contact surface 5 Heat exchanger body 6. Compression stopper 6a Projection 6b Compression stopper 6c Compression Stopper 6d side wall 6e Hook section 10 Bellows-like section 11 pipes 12 holes 13 Fluid

Claims

[Claim 1] The heat exchanger body (5) has opposing, substantially parallel first surfaces (1) and second surfaces (2) on its inner side, and at least one of its outer surfaces has a contact surface (4) with the object to be heat exchanged (3), and a fluid (13) flows through its interior, and a support part that supports the space between the first surface (1) and the second surface (2), In a surface-contact type heat exchanger, the support portion includes one or more compression stoppers (6) protruding from at least one of the first surface (1) and the second surface (2) to restrict the approach of the first surface (1) and the second surface (2), and the tip of the compression stopper (6) is not joined to the other surface, A surface-contact type heat exchanger characterized in that one compression stopper (6b) is provided protruding from the first surface (1), and the other compression stopper (6c) is provided in a pair on the second surface (2), and the pair of compression stoppers (6b, 6c) also constitute an expansion stopper that restricts the separation of the first surface (1) and the second surface (2) by locking the compression stoppers (6b, 6c) together.

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