Vehicle heat exchanger

Abstract

To reduce material cost when a heat exchanger is constituted by brazing a plurality of plates, and brazing a pipe member to the plates.SOLUTION: A first flow channel constituting plate 10 which is brought into contact with the outer surface of a battery and is made of metal, and a second flow channel constituting plate 20 which is joined to a side opposite to the battery and is made of metal are brazed to each other. A flow channel capable of circulating a liquid heat exchange medium is provided between the first flow channel constituting plate 10 and the second flow channel constituting plate 20. The first flow channel constituting plate 10 is formed with an insertion hole 11a to which a base end side part of a pipe member 30 for supplying / discharging the heat exchange medium is inserted. A part positioned in the flow channel in the base end side part of the pipe member 30 is provided with a brazing part brazed to the inner surface of the first flow channel constituting plate 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle heat exchanger that adjusts the temperature of a battery mounted on a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in an electric vehicle, a high-voltage battery that supplies power to a driving motor is mounted separately from an auxiliary battery. Since the high-voltage battery becomes difficult to supply power or has a shortened lifespan when it reaches a high temperature due to heat generated during charging and discharging, it is cooled by a heat exchanger. In addition, when the high-voltage battery reaches an extremely low temperature, the charging and discharging performance deteriorates extremely, so it is also heated by a heat exchanger.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling mechanism that cools a battery module with a liquid medium. This cooling mechanism is provided with a refrigerant flow path constituted by a partition wall portion and a cover plate, and while the liquid medium flows through the refrigerant flow path, heat exchange occurs between the liquid medium and the battery module, and the battery module is cooled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when cooling or heating a battery, a heat exchanger for heat exchange with a heat exchange medium is required. Since it is necessary to form a flow path through which the heat exchange medium can flow in the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger must be configured by combining a plurality of members as in Patent Document 1, and further, a pipe member for supplying and discharging the heat exchange medium to and from the heat exchanger must be provided.

[0006] Here, it is conceivable to construct a heat exchanger with internal flow channels by brazing two metal plates, for example, a first plate and a second plate, together. Since a sacrificial layer is required at the brazing surface, a sacrificial layer is required on the surface of the first plate facing the second plate (the inner surface of the first plate) and on the surface of the second plate facing the first plate (the inner surface of the second plate).

[0007] If a pipe member is provided based on this configuration, the pipe member can be brazed to the outer surface of the first plate while it is inserted through the insertion hole formed in the first plate. This allows the pipe member to be brazed to the first plate simultaneously with the brazing of the first and second plates, thus improving the manufacturing efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0008] However, when attempting to braze a pipe member to the outer surface of the first plate, a sacrificial layer must also be provided on the outer surface of the first plate. In other words, a first plate with sacrificial layers on both sides must be prepared, which leads to the problem of increased material costs.

[0009] This disclosure is made in view of the above, and its purpose is to reduce material costs when constructing a heat exchanger by brazing multiple plates together and further brazing pipe members to the plates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of this disclosure may be based on a vehicle heat exchanger used for temperature control of a battery that supplies power to a traction motor mounted on a vehicle. A first metal flow path component plate that contacts the outer surface of the battery and a second metal flow path component plate positioned on the opposite side of the first flow path component plate from the battery are brazed together. A flow path through which a liquid heat exchange medium can flow is provided between the first flow path component plate and the second flow path component plate. The first flow path component plate has an insertion hole through which the base end portion of a pipe member for supplying and discharging the heat exchange medium is inserted. The portion of the base end portion of the pipe member that is inside the flow path is provided with a brazed portion that is brazed to the inner surface of the first flow path component plate.

[0011] With this configuration, when brazing the first channel configuration plate and the second channel configuration plate, a sacrificial layer is provided on the surface of the first channel configuration plate facing the second channel configuration plate (the inner surface of the first channel configuration plate) and on the surface of the second channel configuration plate facing the first channel configuration plate (the inner surface of the second channel configuration plate), and these first and second channel configuration plates can be brazed together. The plate having the sacrificial layer can be made of, for example, a clad material.

[0012] When brazing the pipe member to the first flow channel component plate, the brazing portion of the pipe member is located on the inside of the flow channel and is brazed to the inner surface of the first flow channel component plate. Therefore, there is no need to provide a sacrificial layer on the outer surface of the first flow channel component plate. Thus, it is sufficient to prepare a first flow channel component plate and a second flow channel component plate, each having a sacrificial layer on one side, resulting in lower material costs compared to using plates with sacrificial layers on both sides.

[0013] A flat portion may be provided in the portion of the first flow path configuration plate corresponding to the flow path. In this case, the through hole is formed to penetrate the flat portion, and the brazing portion can be brazed to the inner surface of the flat portion. The flat portion has a simpler shape than the curved portion, allowing for higher molding accuracy, and brazing the brazing portion to this portion improves brazing performance.

[0014] The first channel configuration plate and the second channel configuration plate may be made of plate material in which a sacrificial layer is provided only on the surface that is brazed to the other. This ensures a reduction in the material cost of the first channel configuration plate and the second channel configuration plate.

[0015] The first flow path configuration plate is positioned to contact the bottom surface of the battery and may have a shape that is elongated in a predetermined direction along the bottom surface. In this case, the second flow path configuration plate can be positioned below the first flow path configuration plate and formed to extend in the predetermined direction. This makes it possible to control the temperature over a wide area of ​​the bottom surface of the battery.

[0016] The pipe member may include a first pipe member provided on one longitudinal side of the first flow path configuration plate for supplying a heat exchange medium to the flow path, and a second pipe member provided on the other longitudinal side of the first flow path configuration plate for discharging the heat exchange medium in the flow path. In this case, a first through hole can be formed on one longitudinal side of the first flow path configuration plate through which the base end portion of the first pipe member is inserted, and a second through hole can be formed on the other longitudinal side of the first flow path configuration plate through which the base end portion of the second pipe member is inserted. Furthermore, a first brazed portion can be provided on the inner surface of the first flow path configuration plate at the base end portion of the first pipe member that is located in the flow path, and a second brazed portion can be provided on the inner surface of the first flow path configuration plate at the base end portion of the second pipe member that is located in the flow path. This allows multiple pipe members for supplying and discharging the heat exchange medium to be brazed simultaneously, thereby reducing manufacturing man-hours.

[0017] The brazed portion may be composed of a projection that extends radially outward from the outer surface of the pipe member and circumferentially. The projection can close the space between the outer surface of the pipe member and the inner surface of the insertion hole, thereby ensuring a high level of sealing performance.

[0018] The first flow path configuration plate may be provided with a temporary fixing portion for temporarily fixing the pipe member to the first flow path configuration plate. With this configuration, the pipe member is prevented from falling off or shifting position before being brazed to the first flow path configuration plate, so that the pipe member can be brazed to the predetermined position on the first flow path configuration plate with high precision.

[0019] The temporary fixing portion may be composed of a caulking portion caulked and fixed to the pipe member. Thereby, the pipe member can be firmly temporarily fixed to the first flow path forming plate. In this case, a insertion hole into which a caulking tool is inserted may be formed on the radially outer side of the insertion hole rather than the caulking portion in the first flow path forming plate. Thereby, the caulking and fixing work can be easily performed.

[0020] Also, the brazing portion of the pipe member may be arranged so as to block the insertion hole from the inside of the flow path. Thereby, while the caulking and fixing work can be easily performed, leakage of the heat exchange medium in the flow path from the insertion hole can be suppressed.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] As described above, since the first flow path forming plate and the second flow path forming plate are brazed to form a flow path, and the supply / discharge pipe member is brazed to the inner surface of the first flow path forming plate in a state of being inserted through the insertion hole of the first flow path forming plate, a heat exchanger can be configured using a flow path forming plate having a sacrificial layer on one side, and the material cost can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view seen from above of the vehicle heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a battery temperature adjustment device. [Figure 3] It is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view seen from above of the vicinity of the inlet side pipe member of the vehicle heat exchanger. [Figure 5] It is a plan view of the vicinity of the inlet side pipe member of the vehicle heat exchanger. [Figure 6] It is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is an exploded view corresponding to line VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 8]This is a diagram equivalent to Figure 6, showing the crimping tool before it is inserted into the insertion hole. [Figure 9] This is a diagram equivalent to Figure 6, showing the crimping tool inserted into the insertion hole. [Figure 10] This figure corresponds to Figure 5 in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI, relating to Embodiment 2, showing the state before crimping. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI, relating to Embodiment 2, showing the state after crimping. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The following description of preferred embodiments is essentially illustrative and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0024] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a vehicle heat exchanger 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a battery temperature control device 100 equipped with the vehicle heat exchanger 1. The battery temperature control device 100 is used to control the temperature of a battery B installed in a vehicle such as an automobile. The battery B is a battery that supplies power to a drive motor (not shown) installed in an automobile, and is configured to have a higher voltage and larger capacity than a general auxiliary battery. The battery B is located outside the vehicle, for example, under the floor panel of the automobile. The bottom surface of the battery B is formed to extend horizontally. This battery B may be composed of a battery unit having multiple cells. The type of battery B is not particularly limited, but examples include lithium-ion batteries. The battery B may be located, for example, inside the passenger compartment or in the cargo compartment.

[0025] The vehicle may be an electric vehicle without an internal combustion engine, or a hybrid vehicle equipped with both an internal combustion engine and a drive motor. In the case of a hybrid vehicle, it may also be a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles can be charged from external charging facilities or by regenerative braking from the drive motor.

[0026] The battery temperature control device 100 is configured to control the temperature of the battery B using a liquid heat exchange medium. Examples of heat exchange mediums include coolant, but are not limited to this; any fluid heat exchange medium is acceptable. In addition to the vehicle heat exchanger 1, the battery temperature control device 100 includes a temperature control unit 101 for controlling the temperature of the heat exchange medium, a pump 102 for supplying the heat exchange medium, an inlet pipe 103, an outlet pipe 104, and an intermediate pipe 105. The discharge side of the pump 102 is connected to the inlet side of the vehicle heat exchanger 1 via the inlet pipe 103. The outlet side of the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is connected to the temperature control unit 101 via the outlet pipe 104. The temperature control unit 101 and the suction side of the pump 102 are connected via the intermediate pipe 105. This connects the vehicle heat exchanger 1, the temperature control unit 101, and the pump 102, creating a circulation path that allows for the circulation of the heat exchange medium.

[0027] The temperature control unit 101 may be composed of, for example, a heat exchanger that cools the heat exchange medium by exchanging heat with external air, or it may be composed of a heater that heats the heat exchange medium, or it may be composed of a device that can both cool and heat the heat exchange medium. Although not shown, a separate temperature control unit for cooling the heat exchange medium and a separate temperature control unit for heating the heat exchange medium may also be provided. When cooling the battery B, the temperature control unit 101 cools the heat exchange medium, while when heating the battery B, the temperature control unit 101 heats the heat exchange medium. The temperature control unit 101 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). The control unit detects the temperature state of the battery B and the charge / discharge state of the battery B, and controls the temperature control unit 101 so that the temperature range of the battery B is within an appropriate range.

[0028] The pump 102 is also controlled by the control unit. The control unit detects the temperature state and charge / discharge state of the battery B, and controls the pump 102 so that the temperature range of the battery B is within an appropriate range.

[0029] The vehicle heat exchanger 1 is used to regulate the temperature of the battery B by exchanging heat between the battery B and the heat exchange medium, so that the temperature range of the battery B is within an appropriate range. When the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is placed below the battery B, the temperature of the battery B can be regulated from below, but it is not limited to this, and the vehicle heat exchanger 1 may also be placed above the battery B or to the side of the battery B. In addition, multiple vehicle heat exchangers 1 may be placed above and below the battery B. Furthermore, multiple vehicle heat exchangers 1 may be connected in series or in parallel. "Series" means arranging and connecting multiple vehicle heat exchangers 1 in the direction of the flow of the heat exchange medium, and "parallel" means arranging and connecting the vehicle heat exchangers 1 so that the heat exchange medium flows into multiple vehicle heat exchangers 1 simultaneously.

[0030] This embodiment describes the case where a vehicle heat exchanger 1 is located below a battery B. The vehicle heat exchanger 1 comprises an upper flow path configuration plate (first flow path configuration plate) 10 located above the vehicle heat exchanger 1 and a lower flow path configuration plate (second flow path configuration plate) 20 located below the vehicle heat exchanger 1. Since the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is located below a battery B, the upper flow path configuration plate 10 is a contact member that contacts the bottom surface (outer surface) of the battery B, while the lower flow path configuration plate 20 is located below the upper flow path configuration plate 10 and is a member joined to the lower side (opposite side from the battery B) of the upper flow path configuration plate 10.

[0031] Furthermore, the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is provided with an inlet pipe member (first pipe member) 30 for supplying the heat exchange medium supplied from the pump 102 to the flow path R of the vehicle heat exchanger 1, and an outlet pipe member (second pipe member) 40 for discharging the heat exchange medium in the flow path R to the outside of the vehicle heat exchanger 1. In this embodiment, the side on which the inlet pipe member 30 is provided is the front side, and the side on which the outlet pipe member 40 is provided is the rear side. For the sake of explanation, the front side is referred to as the front of the vehicle, and the rear side as the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, the side that is to the right when viewed from the front of the vehicle is referred to as the right side, and the side that is to the left is referred to as the left side. The left-right direction of the vehicle coincides with the width direction. This definition of direction does not limit the direction in which the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is mounted on the vehicle; it may be mounted on the vehicle so that the front-rear direction is reversed, or so that the left-right direction faces the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle heat exchanger 1 as a whole has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-back direction (a predetermined direction) along the bottom surface of the battery B, and therefore both the upper flow path configuration plate 10 and the lower flow path configuration plate 20 are formed to extend in the front-to-back direction. Also, because it is long in the front-to-back direction, the front-to-back dimension of the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is shorter than the left-to-right dimension. The vehicle heat exchanger 1 may also be long in the left-to-right direction, or the front-to-back dimension and the left-to-right dimension may be the same. The front side of the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is designated as one side in the longitudinal direction, and the rear side of the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is designated as the other side in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, a flow path R through which a heat exchange medium can flow is formed between the upper flow path configuration plate 10 and the lower flow path configuration plate 20. The flow path R extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle heat exchanger 1. That is, the upper flow path configuration plate 10 has an upper bulge portion 10a that bulges upward and an upper extension plate portion 10b that extends horizontally outward from the periphery of the upper bulge portion 10a towards the flow path R. The upper bulge portion 10a and the upper extension plate portion 10b are made from a single aluminum alloy plate. When forming the upper bulge portion 10a and the upper extension plate portion 10b, for example, a press forming method can be used. The upper flow path configuration plate 10 is made from a plate material in which a sacrificial layer 10c is provided only on the surface (bottom surface) facing the lower flow path configuration plate 20, i.e., a plate material clad with brazing material (also called clad material).

[0034] The lower flow path configuration plate 20 has a lower bulge portion 20a that bulges downward and a lower extension plate portion 20b that extends horizontally outward from the periphery of the lower bulge portion 20a toward the flow path R. The lower bulge portion 20a and the lower extension plate portion 20b are made of a single aluminum alloy plate material, similar to the upper flow path configuration plate 10. The lower flow path configuration plate 20 is made of a plate material in which a sacrificial layer 20c is provided only on the surface (upper surface) facing the upper flow path configuration plate 10, i.e., a plate material clad with brazing material. The thickness of the upper flow path configuration plate 10 and the lower flow path configuration plate 20 may be the same or different.

[0035] The upper bulge 10a constitutes the upper wall portion of the flow path R and corresponds to the flow path R. The portion corresponding to the flow path R is the portion that demarcates the flow path R. The bottom surface of the battery B is in contact with the upper surface of this upper bulge 10a. On the other hand, the lower bulge 20a is formed to be located directly below the upper bulge 10a and constitutes the lower wall portion of the flow path R. The bulge amounts of the upper bulge 10a and the lower bulge 20a determine the vertical dimension of the flow path R, and the left-right dimensions of the upper bulge 10a and the lower bulge 20a determine the left-right (width) dimension of the flow path R. Furthermore, the front-rear dimensions of the upper bulge 10a and the lower bulge 20a determine the front-rear (length) dimension of the flow path R. In this embodiment, the vertical dimension of the flow path R is set to be shorter than the width dimension, and therefore the flow path R has a horizontally flattened cross-sectional shape.

[0036] The heat exchange medium flowing through the channel R exchanges heat with the battery B via the upper bulge 10a. In this case, since the upper bulge 10a is made of an aluminum alloy and composed of a material with high thermal conductivity, the heat transfer efficiency can be improved.

[0037] The front portions of the upper bulge 10a and the lower bulge 20a are formed such that the middle portion in the left-right direction protrudes forward compared to the left and right sides. The rear portions of the upper bulge 10a and the lower bulge 20a are formed such that the middle portion in the left-right direction protrudes rearward compared to the left and right sides. As a result, the front portion of the flow path R has a shape in which the middle portion in the left-right direction protrudes forward, and the rear portion of the flow path R has a shape in which the middle portion in the left-right direction protrudes rearward.

[0038] The upper extension plate portion 10b is formed in an annular shape around the entire circumference of the periphery of the upper bulge portion 10a and is substantially flat. The lower extension plate portion 20b is formed in an annular shape around the entire circumference of the periphery of the lower bulge portion 20a and is substantially flat, similar to the upper extension plate portion 10b. The lower extension plate portion 20b is positioned directly below the upper extension plate portion 10b, so that the upper extension plate portion 10b and the lower extension plate portion 20b overlap in a plan view.

[0039] The upper extension plate portion 10b and the lower extension plate portion 20b form a brazing allowance, and the lower surface of the upper extension plate portion 10b and the upper surface of the lower extension plate portion 20b are brazed together around their entire circumference. By brazing the upper extension plate portion 10b and the lower extension plate portion 20b together, a sealing performance is ensured between the upper extension plate portion 10b and the lower extension plate portion 20b.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, a horizontally extending circular front flat portion 11 is provided on the front part of the upper bulge 10a of the upper flow channel configuration plate 10. The front flat portion 11 is formed to be one step higher than the front part of the upper bulge 10a. Accordingly, a front inclined surface portion 12 is formed on the periphery of the front flat portion 11, which is inclined so that it is located lower as it extends radially outward.

[0041] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the front portion of the lower bulge 20a of the lower flow channel configuration plate 20 is provided with a horizontally extending circular front flat portion 21. The front flat portion 21 is formed to be lower than the front portion of the lower bulge 20a. Accordingly, a front inclined surface portion 22 is formed on the periphery of the front flat portion 21, which is inclined so that it is positioned higher as it extends radially outward. The front flat portion 21 of the lower flow channel configuration plate 20 and the front flat portion 11 of the upper flow channel configuration plate 10 are arranged to overlap in a plan view.

[0042] A front insertion hole (first insertion hole) 11a is formed in the front flat portion 11 through which the base end portion of the inlet pipe member 30 is inserted. The front insertion hole 11a is circular in shape and penetrates the front flat portion 11 in the thickness direction (vertical direction). Because the front flat portion 11 is planar, the lower surface (inner surface) of the front flat portion 11 is also planar, and the surface around the front insertion hole 11a is also planar.

[0043] The inlet pipe member 30 is made of a cylindrical member made of aluminum alloy and is attached to the upper flow path configuration plate 10 in a position where its axis extends in the vertical direction. A brazed portion 31 (first brazed portion) is provided on the inner surface of the upper flow path configuration plate 10, specifically on the inner surface of the front flat portion 11, at the base end portion of the inlet pipe member 30, located inside the flow path R. The brazed portion 31 is made of an annular projection that protrudes radially outward from the outer surface of the inlet pipe member 30 and extends continuously in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the brazed portion 31 is provided at the base end of the inlet pipe member 30, but it is not limited to this, and the brazed portion 31 may be provided at a location further away from the base end towards the tip of the inlet pipe member 30.

[0044] An annular groove 32 extending continuously in the circumferential direction is also formed on the outer surface of the inlet-side pipe member 30. The groove 32 is located closer to the tip side of the inlet-side pipe member 30 than the brazed portion 31 and is adjacent to the brazed portion 31. When the brazed portion 31 is in contact with the inner surface of the front flat portion 11, the height of the groove 32 and the inner surface of the front insertion hole 11a are at the same height.

[0045] The front flat portion 11 of the upper flow path configuration plate 10 is provided with a plurality of crimping portions 11b for temporarily fixing the inlet pipe member 30 to the upper flow path configuration plate 10. In this embodiment, three crimping portions 11b are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the front insertion hole 11a. The crimping portions 11b are formed from a part of the peripheral edge of the front insertion hole 11a, and therefore, when the brazed portion 31 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the front flat portion 11, the crimping portions 11b are positioned at the same height as the groove portion 32 of the inlet pipe member 30.

[0046] On the radially outer side of the front insertion hole 11a of the upper flow channel configuration plate 10, ahead of the crimping portion 11b, there are insertion holes 11c into which a crimping tool 200 (shown in Figures 8 and 9) is inserted. The number of insertion holes 11c is the same as the number of crimping portions 11b, and the insertion holes 11c and crimping portions 11b are located in the same position in the circumferential direction of the front insertion hole 11a.

[0047] As shown in Figure 9, when the crimping tool 200 is inserted into each insertion hole 11c and force is applied radially inward to the front insertion hole 11a, each crimping portion 11b undergoes plastic deformation so as to move radially inward to the front insertion hole 11a. At this time, since each crimping portion 11b and the groove portion 32 of the inlet pipe member 30 are positioned at the same height, each crimping portion 11b enters the groove portion 32 and is crimped and fixed to the inlet pipe member 30. This temporarily fixes the inlet pipe member 30 before it is brazed to the upper flow path configuration plate 10. In other words, each crimping portion 11b is a temporary fixing portion that temporarily fixes the inlet pipe member 30 to the upper flow path configuration plate 10.

[0048] The radial protrusion of the brazed portion 31 of the inlet-side pipe member 30 is set so that the brazed portion 31 is positioned directly below the insertion hole 11c and can close the insertion hole 11c. In other words, with the inlet-side pipe member 30 temporarily fixed to the upper flow path configuration plate 10, the brazed portion 31 is positioned to close the insertion hole 11c from the inside of the flow path R.

[0049] Furthermore, the number of insertion holes 11c and crimping portions 11b is not limited to three, but can be set to any number of two or fewer, or four or more. There may even be only one insertion hole 11c and one crimping portion 11b. In addition, the crimping portion 11b may be brought into contact with the outer surface of the inlet-side pipe member 30 without forming a groove portion 32 in the inlet-side pipe member 30.

[0050] As shown in Figure 1, the rear portion of the upper bulge 10a of the upper flow channel configuration plate 10 is provided with a rear flat portion 13 and a rear inclined surface portion 14, similar to the front flat portion 11. Although not shown, the rear portion of the lower bulge 20a of the lower flow channel configuration plate 20 is formed with a rear flat portion and a rear inclined surface portion, similar to the front flat portion 21.

[0051] A rear insertion hole (second insertion hole) 13a is formed in the rear flat portion 13 through which the base end portion of the outlet pipe member 40 is inserted. The rear insertion hole 13a is the same as the front insertion hole 11a.

[0052] The outlet pipe member 40 is constructed similarly to the inlet pipe member 30, and although not shown, it is provided with a brazed portion (second brazed portion) and a groove. The rear flat portion 13 of the upper flow path configuration plate 10 is provided with multiple crimping portions for temporarily fixing the outlet pipe member 40 to the upper flow path configuration plate 10, and insertion holes for inserting a crimping tool, similar to the front portion.

[0053] The inlet pipe member 30 and the outlet pipe member 40 can be brazed simultaneously when the upper flow path configuration plate 10 and the lower flow path configuration plate 20 are brazed. That is, after temporarily fixing the inlet pipe member 30 and the outlet pipe member 40 to the upper flow path configuration plate 10, the upper flow path configuration plate 10 is held in a state where it is superimposed on the lower flow path configuration plate 20. In this state, the upper extension plate portion 10b and the lower extension plate portion 20b overlap in the vertical direction.

[0054] Subsequently, the upper flow path configuration plate 10, to which the inlet pipe member 30 and outlet pipe member 40 are temporarily fixed, and the lower flow path configuration plate 20 are brought into a brazing furnace and heated to the melting temperature of the brazing material, and then removed from the furnace. As the brazing material solidifies, the inlet pipe member 30 and outlet pipe member 40 are brazed to the upper flow path configuration plate 10, and the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is obtained with the upper extension plate portion 10b and lower extension plate portion 20b also brazed. Alternatively, the upper flow path configuration plate 10 and the lower flow path configuration plate 20 may be brazed after the inlet pipe member 30 and outlet pipe member 40 have been brazed to the upper flow path configuration plate 10.

[0055] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, when brazing the upper flow channel configuration plate 10 and the lower flow channel configuration plate 20, sacrificial layers 10c and 20c are provided on the inner surface of the upper flow channel configuration plate 10 and the inner surface of the lower flow channel configuration plate 20, respectively, and these upper flow channel configuration plate 10 and lower flow channel configuration plate 20 can be brazed together.

[0056] When brazing the inlet pipe member 30 to the upper flow path component plate 10, the brazed portion 31 of the inlet pipe member 30 is located inside the flow path R and is brazed to the inner surface of the upper flow path component plate 10. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a sacrificial layer on the outer surface of the upper flow path component plate 10. Thus, it is sufficient to prepare an upper flow path component plate 10 and a lower flow path component plate 20, each having a sacrificial layer on one side, resulting in lower material costs compared to plates with sacrificial layers on both sides. The same applies when brazing the outlet pipe member 40.

[0057] Furthermore, since the inlet pipe member 30 and the outlet pipe member 40 can be temporarily fixed to the upper flow path configuration plate 10 before brazing, it is possible to prevent the inlet pipe member 30 and the outlet pipe member 40 from falling off or shifting position before brazing. As a result, the inlet pipe member 30 and the outlet pipe member 40 can be brazed accurately to their predetermined positions on the upper flow path configuration plate 10.

[0058] (Embodiment 2) Figures 10 to 12 relate to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, in which the temporary fixing structure of the inlet-side pipe member 30 and the outlet-side pipe member 40 to the upper flow path configuration plate 10 differs from that of Embodiment 1.Hereafter, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in Embodiment 1 and their descriptions are omitted, while the different parts will be described in detail.

[0059] In Embodiment 2, the inlet pipe member 30 is provided with a flange portion 33 on the part located outside the flow path R. In addition, an annular burred portion 11e is provided around the front insertion hole 11a in the front flat portion 11, which is burred so as to protrude upward. The base end portion of the inlet pipe member 30 is inserted through the burred portion 11e. With the pipe member inserted through the burred portion 11e, the upper end of the burred portion 11e abuts against the lower surface of the flange portion 33 to position it in the insertion direction.

[0060] By using a device (not shown) to expand the diameter of the base end 34 of the inlet pipe member 30 from the inside of the pipe member 30, the inlet pipe member 30 can be temporarily fixed to the upper flow path configuration plate 10. In this state, by transporting it into a brazing furnace, the portion of the inlet pipe member 30 located inside the flow path R at the base end is brazed to the inner surface of the burring portion 11e of the upper flow path configuration plate 10. In other words, in Embodiment 2, the outer surface of the base end portion of the inlet pipe member 30 becomes the brazed portion. Therefore, Embodiment 2 can achieve the same effects as Embodiment 1, and material costs can be reduced.

[0061] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. Furthermore, any modifications or changes that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention. For example, Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 can be applied to a single vehicle heat exchanger 1. Also, the protruding direction of the inlet pipe member 30 and the outlet pipe member 40 is not limited to the upward direction, but may be downward. In this case, the vehicle heat exchanger 1 can be used in an inverted state. [Industrial applicability]

[0062] As described above, the vehicle heat exchanger according to the present invention can be used, for example, to regulate the temperature of a battery mounted in a vehicle. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1. Vehicle heat exchanger 10 Upper channel configuration plate (first channel configuration plate) 11 Front plane part 11a Front insertion hole 11b Crimping part 11c insertion hole 20 Lower channel configuration plate (second channel configuration plate) 30 Inlet side pipe section 31 Brazed section 40 Outlet side pipe section 200 crimping tools B Battery R channel

Claims

1. A vehicle heat exchanger used to regulate the temperature of a battery that supplies power to a traction motor mounted on a vehicle, A first metal channel configuration plate that contacts the outer surface of the battery and a second metal channel configuration plate positioned on the opposite side of the first channel configuration plate from the battery are brazed together. A flow path is provided between the first flow path plate and the second flow path plate through which a liquid heat exchange medium can flow. The first flow path configuration plate has an insertion hole through which the base end portion of a pipe member for supplying and discharging the heat exchange medium is inserted. A vehicle heat exchanger characterized in that a brazed portion is provided on the inner side of the flow path at the base end portion of the pipe member, which is brazed to the inner surface of the first flow path component plate.

2. In the vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1, A flat portion is provided in the portion of the first flow path configuration plate corresponding to the flow path, The insertion hole is formed to penetrate the flat portion, The heat exchanger for vehicles is characterized in that the brazed portion is brazed to the inner surface of the flat portion.

3. In the vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1, A vehicle heat exchanger characterized in that the first flow channel configuration plate is made of a plate material on which a sacrificial layer is provided only on the surface facing the second flow channel configuration plate.

4. In the vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1, A vehicle heat exchanger characterized in that the second flow channel configuration plate is made of a plate material on which a sacrificial layer is provided only on the surface facing the first flow channel configuration plate.

5. In the vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1, The first flow path configuration plate is positioned to contact the bottom surface of the battery and has a long shape in a predetermined direction along the bottom surface. The vehicle heat exchanger is characterized in that the second flow channel configuration plate is positioned below the first flow channel configuration plate and is formed to extend in the predetermined direction.

6. In the vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 5, The pipe member includes a first pipe member provided on one longitudinal side of the first flow path configuration plate for supplying a heat exchange medium to the flow path, and a second pipe member provided on the other longitudinal side of the first flow path configuration plate for discharging the heat exchange medium in the flow path. A first insertion hole is formed on one longitudinal side of the first flow path configuration plate, through which the base end portion of the first pipe member is inserted. A second insertion hole is formed on the other longitudinal side of the first flow path configuration plate, through which the base end portion of the second pipe member is inserted. A first brazed portion is provided in the portion of the base end of the first pipe member that is located within the flow path, and is brazed to the inner surface of the first flow path component plate. A vehicle heat exchanger characterized in that a second brazed portion is provided on the base end portion of the second pipe member, located within the flow path, and brazed to the inner surface of the first flow path configuration plate.

7. In the vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1, The heat exchanger for vehicles is characterized in that the brazed portion is composed of a projection that protrudes radially outward from the outer surface of the pipe member and extends in the circumferential direction.

8. In the vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1, A vehicle heat exchanger characterized in that the first flow path configuration plate is provided with a temporary fixing portion for temporarily fixing the pipe member to the first flow path configuration plate.

9. In the vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 8, The heat exchanger for vehicles is characterized in that the temporary fixing portion is composed of a crimped portion that is crimped and fixed to the pipe member.

10. In the vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 9, A vehicle heat exchanger characterized in that an insertion hole for inserting a crimping tool is formed radially outward from the crimped portion of the first flow path configuration plate.

11. In the vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 10, The brazed portion is arranged to close the insertion hole from the inside of the flow path, characterized in that it is a heat exchanger for a vehicle.

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