Heat exchanger assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger assembly. In an embodiment, the heat exchanger assembly may comprise: a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber therein; a heat exchanger disposed outside the housing; a control unit accommodated in the first chamber; and a heater unit accommodated in the second chamber. The heat exchanger may comprise: a first channel through which a first fluid flows; a second channel through which a second fluid flows; and a heat exchange core in which heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid occurs. A third channel, which communicating with the first channel and through which the first fluid flows, may be formed inside the housing. The first fluid flowing through the third channel may exchange heat with the heater unit.

Description

heat exchanger assembly

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger assembly, and to a layout structure between a heat exchanger and a housing accommodating a control unit and a heater unit.

[0002] Recent advances in eco-friendly technology have led to a rapid shift from internal combustion engines to electric and hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are adopting refrigerant and coolant systems to effectively manage internal heat generation. Efficient cooling of electrical components, particularly batteries, plays a key role in enhancing vehicle performance and lifespan.

[0003] Accordingly, various studies are being conducted on electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles, including adding heat pumps to the air conditioning system to allow them to serve as a heat source, or installing separate heat sources such as electric heaters. Electric heaters, among others, are widely used for indoor heating and battery thermal management, as they can more easily heat coolant.

[0004] Controlling an electric heater requires a control unit, such as a PCB. To maintain the performance of the control unit, it's crucial to minimize the heat transfer from the electric heater to the control unit, ensuring the unit maintains an appropriate temperature. Therefore, the capacity of the electric heater is determined by the ability of the control unit to maintain an appropriate temperature, and increasing its capacity is currently challenging.

[0005] [Prior Art Literature]

[0006] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0091584 (Published on August 16, 2018)

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger assembly capable of applying a heater unit with improved heat generation capacity can be provided.

[0008] In addition, a heat exchanger assembly having improved heat exchange efficiency between a heater unit and a heat exchange fluid can be provided.

[0009] Additionally, the entire package can provide a reduced heat exchanger assembly.

[0010] In addition, a heat exchanger assembly with improved assembly convenience can be provided with external devices (compressor, condenser, water pump, radiator, etc.).

[0011] The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0012] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger assembly, comprising: a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber therein; a heat exchanger disposed outside the housing; a control unit accommodated in the first chamber; and a heater unit accommodated in the second chamber; wherein the heat exchanger includes a first channel through which a first fluid flows, a second channel through which a second fluid flows, and a heat exchange core through which heat exchange occurs between the first fluid and the second fluid, and a third channel through which the first fluid flows is formed inside the housing, the third channel being in communication with the first channel, and the first fluid flowing in the third channel can exchange heat with the heater unit.

[0013] The housing may be provided with the first chamber on one side of the bent portion by bending a predetermined portion, and the second chamber on the other side of the bent portion, and the control unit and the heater unit may be arranged to form a predetermined angle with each other.

[0014] The above control unit and the above heater unit can be arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0015] The third channel is formed at least partially along the periphery of the heater unit, so that the first fluid flowing through the third channel can exchange heat with the heater unit.

[0016] The first fluid can pass through the third channel after passing through the first channel.

[0017] The first fluid can pass through the first channel after passing through the third channel.

[0018] The above heater unit may include a plurality of heat dissipation fins formed toward the third channel.

[0019] The heat exchanger includes a first channel inlet through which the first fluid flows into the first channel and a first channel outlet through which the first fluid flows out of the first channel, and the housing includes a third channel inlet through which the first fluid flows into the third channel and a third channel outlet through which the first fluid flows out of the third channel, and the third channel inlet is connected to the first chamber and the third channel outlet is connected to the second chamber, such that a part of the third channel can be formed in the first chamber and a remaining part of the third channel can be formed in the second chamber.

[0020] The control unit includes a heating element, and the third channel is formed such that a portion thereof is formed along the periphery of the heating element in the first chamber, and the remaining portion thereof is formed along the heater unit in the second chamber, so that a first fluid flowing through the third channel can sequentially flow through the first chamber and the second chamber to exchange heat with the heating element in the first chamber and to exchange heat with the heater unit in the second chamber.

[0021] The above heater unit includes a heating means for heating the first fluid flowing through the third channel, and the heating means may be formed of any one of a thick film heater, a PTC heater, a sheath heater, and a casting heater.

[0022] The heater unit includes at least one heating means, and the heating means are formed in a plate shape and have a structure in which they are stacked on each other, and each can be individually heat-generating.

[0023] If the bent portion of the above housing is called a corner portion, the heat exchanger is placed on the outside of the housing but on the inside of the corner portion, and the heat exchanger can be assembled as one piece with the housing.

[0024] The heat exchanger includes a first channel inlet through which a first fluid flows into the first channel, a first channel outlet through which the first fluid flows out of the first channel, a second channel inlet through which a second fluid flows into the second channel, and a second channel outlet through which the second fluid flows out of the second channel, and the housing includes a third channel inlet through which the first fluid flows into the third channel, and a third channel outlet through which the first fluid flows out of the third channel, and the third channel inlet can be directly connected to the first channel outlet.

[0025] The first channel outlet may be formed toward the housing, and the first channel inlet, the second channel inlet, and the second channel outlet may be formed toward the opposite direction in which the housing is located.

[0026] If the surface located on one side of the corner portion of the housing and facing the first chamber is called the first chamber surface, and the surface located on the other side of the corner portion and facing the second chamber is called the second chamber surface, the heat exchanger may have one surface facing the first chamber surface and the other surface facing the second chamber surface.

[0027] The above heat exchanger can be placed at a predetermined distance from the second chamber surface.

[0028] The heat exchanger may be in contact with at least a portion of the first chamber surface.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat generation capacity of a heater unit of a heat exchanger assembly can be increased.

[0030] Additionally, the heat exchange efficiency between the heater unit and the heat exchange fluid can be improved.

[0031] Additionally, the entire package can provide a reduced heat exchanger assembly.

[0032] Additionally, the convenience of assembly with external devices (compressor, condenser, water pump, radiator, etc.) can be improved.

[0033] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heat exchanger assembly according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger assembly of Figure 1 viewed from the front.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a housing according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a control unit and a heater unit housed inside a housing.

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a modified example of a third channel according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 6 shows a modified example in which the flow of the first fluid is formed in the opposite direction.

[0040] Figure 7 is an example showing a plurality of heat dissipation fins formed in a heater unit.

[0041] Fig. 8 shows an example of two heating means being stacked.

[0042] Fig. 9 shows that heat dissipation fins are formed on only one side of the heater unit, and Fig. 10 shows that heat dissipation fins are formed on both sides of the heater unit.

[0043] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a sheath heater according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing showing a heating means according to an example of the present disclosure, which is composed of a sheath heater and a casting heater.

[0045] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of the heat exchanger (100) and housing (200) among the cross-sectional views of Fig. 2.

[0046] Figure 14 shows an enlarged view of area A of Figure 13.

[0047] Figure 15 shows an enlarged view of area B of Figure 13.

[0048] FIG. 16 is a full perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly (1000B) according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 16 viewed from the front.

[0050] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, these are merely exemplary and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described as examples.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heat exchanger assembly (1000) according to an example of the present disclosure. The heat exchanger assembly (1000) according to an example of the present disclosure can be applied to vehicles, including hybrid electric vehicles, fuel vehicles, and pure electric vehicles. The heat exchanger assembly can also be applied to other heat exchange fields, such as household or industrial applications, and can also be used in some equipment required for cooling and heating.

[0052] A heat exchanger assembly (1000) according to an example of the present disclosure may largely include a heat exchanger (100), a housing (200), a control unit (300) accommodated within the housing (200), and a heater unit (400). As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger (100) may be disposed outside the housing (200).

[0053] Hereinafter, an example of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger assembly (1000) of FIG. 1 viewed from the front.

[0054] The heat exchanger (100) is placed outside the housing (200), includes a first channel (120) through which a first fluid (F1) flows, a second channel (130) through which a second fluid (F2) flows, and includes a heat exchange core (110) through which heat exchange occurs between the first fluid and the second fluid.

[0055] The first fluid (F1) and the second fluid (F2) may both be composed of coolant, and the first fluid (F1) may be composed of coolant and the second fluid (F2) may be composed of refrigerant. Since the temperatures of the first fluid (F1) and the second fluid (F2) are different from each other, the first fluid (F1) and the second fluid (F2) may exchange heat within the heat exchange core (110).

[0056] The heat exchange core (110) may be, for example, a fin-type in which heat transfer between a first fluid and a second fluid is performed through a plurality of fins, a plate-type in which multiple layers of thin plates are laminated to perform heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid through the plates, etc., and the shape of the heat exchange core (110) is not limited to the above-described types.

[0057] In order to enable heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid in the heat exchange core (110), a first channel (120) through which the first fluid flows and a second channel (130) through which the second fluid flows may be formed inside the heat exchange core (110).

[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates the shapes of the first channel (120) and the second channel (130) formed inside the heat exchange core (110), and it is sufficient if the shape allows heat exchange without mixing the fluid flowing into the first channel (120) and the fluid flowing into the second channel (130).

[0059] A third channel (230) may be formed inside the housing (200), and the third channel (230) may be connected to the first channel (120), so that the first fluid (F1) passing through the first channel (120) may flow into the third channel and flow inside the housing (200). Hereinafter, a housing (200) according to an example of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a housing (200) according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0060] The housing (200) may include a housing body (220) and a housing cover (210). The housing body (220) is a body that forms the internal space of the housing (200) and may be configured as a single, non-disassembled body. The housing cover (210) is provided on the upper portion of the housing body (220) and covers the housing body (220). A control unit (300) may be attached to the lower surface of the housing cover (210), so that the control unit (300) may be accommodated inside the housing (200) by assembling the housing cover (210) to the housing body (220).

[0061] To prevent foreign substances such as dust and moisture from entering the housing (200), a packing member, a sealing member, etc. may be provided between the housing body (220) and the housing cover (210).

[0062] The housing body (220) may be provided with at least one connector, and the connector may be connected to an external device to supply power to the control unit (300) or transmit an electric signal of the control unit (300) to the outside.

[0063] The housing (200) may have a first chamber (C1) and a second chamber (C2) inside, and as shown in FIG. 2, the first chamber (C1) may accommodate a control unit (300), and the second chamber (C2) may accommodate a heater unit (400).

[0064] The housing (200) may be formed by bending a predetermined portion and having a first chamber (C1) on one side of the bent portion and a second chamber (C2) on the other side of the bent portion. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing (200) may be bent in an 'ㄱ' shape, and the control unit (300) may be accommodated in one chamber centered on the bent portion, and the heater unit (400) may be accommodated in the other chamber, thereby minimizing the contact area between the control unit (300) and the heater unit (400).

[0065] In detail, the control unit (300) is accommodated in the first chamber (C1), and the heater unit (400) is accommodated in the second chamber (C2). The control unit (300) and the heater unit (400) can be arranged to form a predetermined angle with respect to each other. In terms of structural usability, it is preferable that the control unit (300) and the heater unit (400) are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0066] As described above, the control unit (300) and the heater unit (400) can be housed in separate chambers and arranged at a predetermined angle to each other to minimize the area of ​​contact between the control unit (300) and the heater unit (400), thereby minimizing the amount of heat generated by the heater unit (400) transferred to the control unit (300).

[0067] Therefore, according to one example of the present disclosure, it is possible to maintain an appropriate temperature of the control unit even if the heat generation capacity of the heater unit is increased, thereby providing an advantage in that a heater unit having a large heat generation capacity can be applied.

[0068] A third channel inlet (231) and a third channel outlet (232), which will be described later, are formed in the housing (200), and the first fluid (F1) that has passed through the first channel (120) flows into the housing (200) through the third channel inlet (231) and is discharged from the housing (200) through the third channel outlet (232). The first fluid (F1) discharged from the housing (200) may be, for example, coolant, and the coolant can cool or heat indoor air through heat exchange with air, and can be used for purposes such as battery or electrical equipment heat management.

[0069] Hereinafter, the control unit (300) and the heater unit (400) will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the control unit (300) and the heater unit (400) housed inside the housing (200).

[0070] The control unit (300) is a means for controlling the connected devices by being electrically connected to external devices, and may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 310, and various electronic components may be arranged on the PCB (310). A connecting portion (320) connected to the heater unit (400) may be formed in an area of ​​the PCB (310) that is arranged close to the second chamber (C2) among the PCBs (310), and the on / off of the heater unit (400) may be controlled or the heat generation amount of the heater unit (400) may be controlled through the connecting portion (320).

[0071] The heater unit (400) may include a heating means that emits heat to the outside, and the heating means may be, for example, an electric heater. Specifically, the heating means may be composed of any one of a thick film heater, a PTC heater, a sheath heater, and a cast heater.

[0072] The heater unit (400) may be positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the control unit (300). It is preferable that the heating surface of the heating means be positioned far from the control unit (300) in order to prevent temperature rise of the control unit (300), and therefore, it may be preferable that the heater unit (400) and the control unit (300) be positioned close to each other perpendicularly.

[0073] Hereinafter, the heater unit (400) and the third channel (230) will be described in detail. At least a portion of the third channel may be formed in the periphery of the heater unit (400). That is, the first fluid (F1) introduced into the third channel absorbs heat generation of the heater unit (400) while flowing in the periphery of the heater unit (400), and the first fluid (F1) with an increased temperature may be discharged outside the housing (200) to heat indoor air or be used for purposes such as battery heat management. In this way, according to one example of the present disclosure, the heater unit is configured as a water-cooled type so that the heater unit and the first fluid can efficiently exchange heat, thereby having the advantage of quickly transferring the heat amount of the heater unit to the first fluid.

[0074] The first fluid (F1) that has passed through the first channel (120) of the heat exchanger (100) can flow into the third channel (230), and can flow into the third channel (230) through the third channel inlet (231) formed in the housing (200). The introduced first fluid (F1) can pass through the third channel (230) and be discharged to the outside of the housing (200) through the third channel outlet (232).

[0075] As described above, at least a portion of the third channel (230) may be formed along the periphery of the heater unit (400), and FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates that the third channel (230) is formed from the upper side to the lower side of one surface of the heater unit (400) and from the lower side to the upper side of the other surface, so that the first fluid (F1) flows in a U shape along the periphery of the heater unit (400).

[0076] The shape of the third channel (230) is not limited to the structure described above, and may be formed in a spiral shape along the periphery of the heater unit (400) as shown in FIG. 5, or may be formed in various shapes, such as a shape in which the third channel is divided into several branches around the heater unit (400) and then reunited just before the third channel outlet (232).

[0077] Depending on the shape of the third channel (230), the location of the third channel outlet (232) may also be appropriately designed and changed. However, it may be preferable for the third channel outlet (232) to be formed in an external direction (the right or lower direction in FIG. 4) rather than in the direction in which the heat exchanger (100) is arranged (the left direction in FIG. 4), in terms of convenience of assembly with external devices (e.g., pumps, coolers, radiators, etc.) other than the heat exchanger assembly (1000) and space utilization.

[0078] Hereinafter, referring again to FIG. 2, the flow paths of the first fluid (F1) and the second fluid (F2) in the heat exchanger assembly according to an example of the present disclosure will be described. In FIG. 2, the solid arrows indicate the flow of the first fluid, and the dotted arrows indicate the flow of the second fluid, respectively.

[0079] The flow of the first fluid (F1) and the second fluid (F2) in the heat exchanger (100) will be examined. As described above, the heat exchanger (100) may include a first channel (120) through which the first fluid (F1) flows and a second channel (130) through which the second fluid (F2) flows, so that heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid can occur within the heat exchanger core (110). The first fluid (F1) flowing through the first channel and the second fluid (F2) flowing through the second channel exchange heat with each other within the heat exchange core (110) of the heat exchanger (100).

[0080] At this time, the second fluid (F2) introduced into the heat exchanger (100) passes only through the second channel (130) formed inside the heat exchange core (110) and is discharged to the outside of the heat exchanger (100), whereas the first fluid (F1) passes through the first channel (120) and is introduced into the inside of the housing (200) rather than being discharged to the outside.

[0081] That is, the first channel (120) and the third channel (230) are configured to be connected to each other, so that the first fluid that has completed heat exchange with the second fluid in the heat exchanger flows into the housing (200), passes through the third channel (230), and is then discharged to the outside of the housing (200).

[0082] Hereinafter, a modified example of a heat exchanger assembly according to an example of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0083] As shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 6, the first fluid (F1) may first pass through the third channel (230) and then flow into the first channel (120) that is connected to the third channel (230).

[0084] That is, in the modified example of the present disclosure, the flow may be formed opposite to the flow of the first fluid (F1) described above, and accordingly, the positions of the third channel inlet (231) and the third channel outlet (232) may be appropriately designed and changed.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 6, the first fluid (F1) is first introduced into the interior of the housing (200) and heat exchange with the heater unit (400) is performed primarily, and the first fluid (F1) whose temperature has increased through the heat exchange is introduced into the heat exchanger (100) and heat exchange can be performed secondarily with the second fluid flowing through the second channel (130).

[0086] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the heater unit (400) according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12.

[0087] Fig. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing a plurality of heat dissipation fins (430) formed in a heater unit (400). The heater unit (400) may include a plurality of heat dissipation fins (430) formed toward the third channel (230). By forming the heat dissipation fins (430), the heat transfer area of ​​the heater unit (400) is expanded, and the heat amount of the heater unit (400) can be efficiently transferred to the first fluid flowing in the third channel (230).

[0088] In Fig. 7, it is shown that a plurality of heat dissipation fins (430A, 430B) are formed on the left and right sides, respectively, with the heater unit (400) as the center, but a plurality of heat dissipation fins (430A) may be formed only on the left side with the heater unit (400) as the center.

[0089] The temperature of the cooling water flowing in the area near the third channel inlet (231) through which the first fluid flows in among the third channels (230) is relatively low, so that the heat generated by the heater unit (400) can be efficiently absorbed in that area. In terms of heat exchange efficiency, it may be desirable to provide heat dissipation fins (430A) only on the area near the third channel inlet (231) with the heater unit (400) as the center.

[0090] Meanwhile, the heater unit (400) may include a heating means for heating the cooling water flowing through the third channel (230), and the heating means may be formed of any one of a thick film heater, a PTC heater, a sheath heater, and a casting heater.

[0091] At least one heating means may be provided, and FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates two heating means (410A, 410B) stacked. The heating means are formed in a plate shape and may be configured to be stacked on top of each other. Each heating means may be individually heated.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 9, when the heating means located on the left generates heat, the heat dissipation fin (430A) can be formed only on the heating means (410A) on the left, and as shown in Fig. 10, when both the left and right heating means generate heat, the heat dissipation fins (430A, 430B) can be formed on the left heating means (410A) and the right heating means (410B), respectively.

[0093] FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram showing a sheath heater according to an example of the present disclosure, and FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a heating means according to an example of the present disclosure consisting of a sheath heater (440) and a cast heater.

[0094] Referring to Fig. 11, a heating means according to an example of the present disclosure may be formed of a tube-shaped sheath heater. The tube shape of the sheath heater may be formed in various shapes as shown in Fig. 11. Referring to Fig. 12, two heating means may be provided, and may be formed of a sheath heater (440) and a cast heater (450). In this case, the sheath heater (440) and the cast heater (450) may be combined by a heater case (460). The cast heater (450) may be manufactured by casting and may be formed of aluminum, etc., which has high thermal conductivity.

[0095] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, the arrangement relationship between the heat exchanger (100) and the housing (200) according to an example of the present disclosure will be examined in detail. FIG. 13 schematically illustrates the heat exchanger (100) and the housing (200) among the cross-sectional views of FIG. 2, FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of area A of FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of area B of FIG. 13.

[0096] If the bent portion of the housing (200) is called a corner portion, the heat exchanger (100) is placed on the outside of the housing (200), but can be placed on the inside of the corner portion, and the heat exchanger (100) and the housing (200) can be assembled as one unit.

[0097] Specifically, the heat exchanger (100) includes a first channel inlet (121) through which a first fluid flows into a first channel (120), a first channel outlet (122) through which the first fluid flows out of the first channel (120), a second channel inlet (131) through which a second fluid flows into a second channel (130), and a second channel outlet (132) through which the second fluid flows out of the second channel (130), and the housing (200) includes a third channel inlet (231) through which a first fluid flows into a third channel (230) and a third channel outlet (232) through which the first fluid flows out of the third channel, and the third channel inlet (231) can be directly connected to the first channel outlet (122).

[0098] Here, the meaning of being directly connected means that the first channel outlet (122) and the third channel inlet (231) are directly connected without a separate connecting member such as a hose, pipe, etc., and can be connected by a method such as screw connection, bolting connection, brazing connection, etc. In the part where the first channel outlet (122) and the third channel inlet (231) are directly connected, a separate additional member (insert, etc.) that improves the bonding strength between the two can be further provided.

[0099] Since the heat exchanger (100) is placed inside the corner of the housing (200), the heat exchanger assembly (1000) according to the present disclosure can be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIG. 13 or FIG. 1, thereby providing an advantage in that a heat exchanger assembly with an optimized volume of the entire package can be provided.

[0100] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a packaged heat exchanger assembly can be provided, which can be conveniently installed in a narrow space inside a vehicle, thereby providing an advantage of increasing space utilization inside the vehicle.

[0101] Meanwhile, the first channel outlet (122) may be formed toward the housing (200), and the first channel inlet (121), the second channel inlet (131), and the second channel outlet (132) may be formed toward the opposite direction to which the housing (200) is located.

[0102] The first channel outlet (122) can be formed toward the housing (200) so that the first channel (120) and the third channel (230) can be naturally circulated. The first channel inlet (121), the second channel inlet (131), and the second channel outlet (132) can be formed toward the opposite direction from which the housing (200) is located, so that an external device (compressor, condenser, water pump, radiator, etc.) and the heat exchanger (100) can be conveniently assembled.

[0103] Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. According to one example of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger (100) may be placed inside a corner portion of the housing (200) and may face some surfaces of the housing (200).

[0104] Specifically, if a surface located on one side of a corner portion of a housing (200) and facing the first chamber (C1) is referred to as a first chamber surface (201), and a surface located on the other side of the corner portion and facing the second chamber (C2) is referred to as a second chamber surface (202), then one surface (101) of the heat exchanger (100) may face the first chamber surface (201) and the other surface (102) may face the second chamber surface (202). At this time, the heat exchanger (100) may be arranged at a predetermined distance (D2) from the second chamber surface (202). A heater unit (400) is accommodated in the second chamber (C2). If the second chamber surface (202) and the heat exchanger (100) are arranged without a gap, the heat of the heater unit (400) may be conducted to the heat exchanger (100). To prevent this, it may be desirable to separate them by a predetermined gap.

[0105] Meanwhile, the heat exchanger (100) can be in contact with at least a portion of the first chamber surface (201). The first chamber (C1) accommodates a control unit (300), and when the heat exchanger (100) is in contact with a predetermined portion of the first chamber surface (201), the control unit (300) can be cooled, which may be desirable in terms of maintaining the temperature of the control unit.

[0106] In the above, a heat exchanger assembly (1000) according to an example of the present disclosure has been described, and below, a heat exchanger assembly (1000B) according to another example of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0107] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly (1000B) according to another example of the present disclosure, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 viewed from the front.

[0108] The heat exchanger (100) includes a first channel inlet (121) through which a first fluid flows into a first channel (120) and a first channel outlet (122) through which the first fluid flows out of the first channel (120), and the housing (200) includes a third channel inlet (231) through which the first fluid flows into a third channel (230) and a third channel outlet (232) through which the first fluid flows out of the third channel.

[0109] The third channel inlet (231) is connected to the first chamber (C1), and the third channel outlet (232) is connected to the second chamber (C2), so that a part of the third channel (230) can be formed in the first chamber (C1), and the remaining part of the third channel (230) can be formed in the second chamber (C2). Accordingly, the first fluid introduced into the third channel (230) can sequentially flow inside the first chamber (C1) and the second chamber (C2).

[0110] The control unit (300) may include a PCB (310), and various types of electronic components may be arranged on the PCB. Among the electronic components on the PCB, there may be power components, amplifier components, power components, etc. that generate a lot of heat, and components that generate a lot of heat are hereinafter referred to as heat-generating components.

[0111] The control unit (300) may further include the above-described heating element (330), and in order to stably operate the PCB (310), it is necessary to appropriately cool the heating element (330). According to another example of the present disclosure, a part of the third channel (230) is formed in the first chamber (C1), so that the first fluid (F1) can flow through the first chamber, and the PCB (310) and heating element (330) accommodated in the first chamber can be cooled.

[0112] Specifically, the third channel (230) may be formed partly along the periphery of the heating element (330) in the first chamber (C1), and the remaining part may be formed along the heater unit (400) in the second chamber (C2).

[0113] The first fluid (F1) flowing through the third channel (230) sequentially flows through the first chamber (C1) and the second chamber (C2), so that heat can be exchanged with the heating element (330) in the first chamber (C1) and heat can be exchanged with the heater unit (400) in the second chamber (C2).

[0114] In other words, the first fluid (F1) introduced into the third channel first flows around the periphery of the heating element (330) and then flows around the periphery of the heater unit (400), thereby absorbing the heat of the heating element (330) and efficiently cooling the heating element (330) while simultaneously absorbing the heat of the heater unit (400) secondarily, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system.

[0115] As described above, according to the heat exchanger assembly of the present disclosure, it is possible to maintain an appropriate temperature of the control unit even if the heat generation capacity of the heater unit is increased, thereby providing an advantage in that a heater unit having a large heat generation capacity can be applied.

[0116] In addition, the heater unit is configured as a water-cooled unit, so that the heater unit and the fluid can efficiently exchange heat, thereby providing the advantage of quickly transferring the heat amount of the heater unit to the fluid.

[0117] In addition, the entire package can provide a reduced heat exchanger assembly, and by providing a reduced heat exchanger assembly in the package, it can be conveniently installed even in a narrow space inside a vehicle, thereby providing the advantage of increasing space utilization inside the vehicle.

[0118] In addition, the layout structure between the heat exchanger and the housing is optimized, providing the advantage that the heat exchanger assembly can be conveniently assembled with external devices (compressor, condenser, water pump, radiator, etc.).

[0119] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

[0120] [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1000 (1000A, 1000B): Heat exchanger assembly

[0122] 100: Heat exchanger

[0123] 110: Heat exchange core

[0124] 120: Channel 1

[0125] 121: Channel 1 inlet

[0126] 122: Channel 1 outlet

[0127] 130: Channel 2

[0128] 131: Second channel inlet

[0129] 132: Second channel outlet

[0130] 200: Housing

[0131] C1: Chamber 1

[0132] C2: Second Chamber

[0133] 201: 1st chamber surface

[0134] 202: Second chamber surface

[0135] 230: Third Channel

[0136] 231: Third channel inlet

[0137] 232: Third channel outlet

[0138] 300: Control unit

[0139] 310: PCB

[0140] 330: Heating element

[0141] 400: Heater unit

[0142] 410 (410A, 410B): Heating means

[0143] 430A, 430B: Radiator fins

[0144] F1: First fluid

[0145] F2: Second fluid

Claims

1. A housing having a first chamber and a second chamber inside; A heat exchanger disposed outside the housing; a control unit accommodated in the first chamber; and A heater unit accommodated in the second chamber; The heat exchanger includes a first channel through which a first fluid flows, a second channel through which a second fluid flows, and a heat exchange core through which heat exchange occurs between the first fluid and the second fluid. A third channel is formed inside the housing, which is connected to the first channel and through which the first fluid flows, and the first fluid flowing through the third channel exchanges heat with the heater unit. Heat exchanger assembly.

2. In paragraph 1, The above housing is provided with the first chamber on one side of the bent portion by bending a predetermined portion, and the second chamber on the other side of the bent portion, The above control unit and the above heater unit are arranged at a predetermined angle to each other. Heat exchanger assembly.

3. In paragraph 2, The above control unit and the above heater unit are arranged perpendicular to each other, Heat exchanger assembly.

4. In paragraph 1, The third channel is formed at least partially along the periphery of the heater unit, so that the first fluid flowing through the third channel exchanges heat with the heater unit. Heat exchanger assembly.

5. In paragraph 4, The first fluid passes through the first channel and then passes through the third channel. Heat exchanger assembly.

6. In paragraph 4, The first fluid passes through the third channel and then passes through the first channel. Heat exchanger assembly.

7. In paragraph 4, The heater unit includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins formed toward the third channel. Heat exchanger assembly.

8. In paragraph 4, The heat exchanger includes a first channel inlet through which the first fluid flows into the first channel and a first channel outlet through which the first fluid flows out of the first channel, The housing includes a third channel inlet through which the first fluid flows into the third channel and a third channel outlet through which the first fluid flows out of the third channel, The third channel inlet is connected to the first chamber and the third channel outlet is connected to the second chamber, A part of the third channel is formed in the first chamber, and the remaining part of the third channel is formed in the second chamber. Heat exchanger assembly.

9. In paragraph 8, The above control unit includes a heating element, The third channel is formed partly along the periphery of the heating element in the first chamber, and the remaining part is formed along the heater unit in the second chamber. The first fluid flowing through the third channel sequentially flows through the first chamber and the second chamber to exchange heat with the heating element in the first chamber and to exchange heat with the heater unit in the second chamber. Heat exchanger assembly.

10. In paragraph 1, The heater unit includes a heating means for heating the first fluid flowing through the third channel, The above heating means is composed of one of a thick film heater, a PTC heater, a sheath heater, and a cast heater. Heat exchanger assembly.

11. In paragraph 10, The above heater unit comprises at least one heating means, The above heating means is formed in a plate shape and has a structure that is laminated to each other, and each heating means is individually capable of heating. Heat exchanger assembly.

12. In paragraph 1, If the above housing is bent at a corner, The above heat exchanger is placed outside the housing, but inside the corner portion, The above heat exchanger is assembled integrally with the housing, Heat exchanger assembly.

13. In paragraph 12, The heat exchanger includes a first channel inlet through which a first fluid flows into the first channel, a first channel outlet through which the first fluid flows out of the first channel, a second channel inlet through which a second fluid flows into the second channel, and a second channel outlet through which the second fluid flows out of the second channel. The housing includes a third channel inlet through which a first fluid flows into the third channel and a third channel outlet through which the first fluid flows out of the third channel, The third channel inlet is directly connected to the first channel outlet. Heat exchanger assembly.

14. In paragraph 13, The above first channel outlet is formed toward the housing, The first channel inlet, the second channel inlet and the second channel outlet are formed facing opposite directions to where the housing is located. Heat exchanger assembly.

15. In paragraph 12, In the above housing, if the surface located on one side of the corner portion and facing the first chamber is called the first chamber surface, and the surface located on the other side of the corner portion and facing the second chamber is called the second chamber surface, The heat exchanger has one side facing the first chamber side and the other side facing the second chamber side. Heat exchanger assembly.

16. In paragraph 15, The above heat exchanger is arranged at a predetermined distance from the second chamber surface. Heat exchanger assembly.

17. In paragraph 15, The heat exchanger is in contact with at least a portion of the first chamber surface, Heat exchanger assembly.

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