JP2007298241A - Electric heater system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric heater system capable of improving heat efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The electric heater system is provided with a heater laminated body formed by laminating a long heating member provided with a PTC element, and a heat radiation member provided in contact with the heating member. A support plate 50 is provided in a side opposite to the heating member with respect to the heat radiation member, and position regulating flanges 50b, 50c regulating relative displacement of more than a predetermined amount in a width direction of adjacent heat radiation members are formed on the support plate 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric heater device including a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) element as a heat source.

  Conventionally, a heater unit provided with a heat radiating member in contact with a long heat generating member provided with a PTC element that generates heat upon energization, and a plurality of the heater units are stacked in the arrangement direction of the heat generating member and the heat radiating member. There is known an electric heater device that includes the heater laminate and a pair of housing members that support both ends of the heater laminate in the longitudinal direction.

Further, in such an electric heater device, when the heater laminate is formed, the heat radiating member rises a flange over the entire length of the edge of the heat generating member as a means for preventing the width direction from coming off. Those are known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
European Patent 0575649

  However, in the above-described prior art, as a means for preventing the heat radiating member from falling off in the width direction, the flange is raised over the entire length above and below the width direction both end edges of the heat generating member. Therefore, the thermal efficiency was adversely affected.

  That is, in the heat radiating member, the portion in contact with the heat generating member is at the highest temperature, but the flange raised on the heat generating member prevents air from hitting the hottest portion of the heat radiating member. It was deteriorating.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric heater device capable of improving the thermal efficiency.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention described in claim 1 includes a long heat generating member provided with a PTC element that generates heat by energization, a heat dissipating member provided in contact with the heat generating member, An electric heater device comprising a pair of housing members that support both ends in the longitudinal direction of a heater laminate formed by laminating a heat generating member, on the side opposite to the heat generating member across the heat radiating member In addition, a position restricting member having both ends attached to both housing members while restricting movement in the width direction is provided, and the position restricting member restricts relative displacement of the adjacent heat dissipating member in the width direction by a predetermined amount or more. An electric heater device characterized in that means is provided.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the electric heater device according to claim 1, wherein the heater laminate includes a heater unit in which a pair of heat dissipating members are stacked with a heat generating member interposed therebetween, the heat generating member being A plurality of layers are stacked in the arrangement direction of the heat radiating member, and the restricting means is formed on the position restricting member so as to be able to restrict the movement of the pair of heat dissipating members disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction. Thus, an electric heater device is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electric heater device according to the first or second aspect, the position restricting member is formed of a single plate material, and the restricting means is a width of the position restricting member. The electric heater device is a position regulating flange formed by bending both end edges in the direction.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electric heater device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the position restricting flange includes two of a normal flange and a reverse flange, the rising direction of which is different in the stacking direction. The electric heater device is characterized in that the types of flanges are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction in which the position regulating flange extends.

  In the electric heater device of the present invention, the prevention of the radiating member from coming off in the width direction is regulated by the regulating means provided on the position regulating member provided on the opposite side of the heat generating member across the radiating member.

  Therefore, even if this restricting means prevents air from hitting the heat radiating member, this part is the part of the heat radiating member that is farthest from the heat generating member and has a lower temperature than the heat generating member. As described above, it is possible to improve the thermal efficiency as compared with the case where air is prevented from hitting the hottest portion of the heat radiating member.

  In the invention according to claim 2, one position restricting member restricts the displacement of the pair of heat dissipating members arranged adjacent to the position restricting member, and the retaining is achieved. Therefore, the number of necessary position restricting members can be reduced and the number of parts can be reduced compared with the case where each of the heat dissipating members is prevented from being detached using one position restricting member. This makes it possible to reduce the number of assembling steps, manufacturing costs, weight, and size.

  In addition, in the configuration in which the heater units are stacked in this way, the heat dissipating members are arranged adjacent to each other, and a member that supports them is necessary.However, the position restricting member also serves as this, thereby reducing the number of parts. It is possible to reduce the number of assembling steps, manufacturing costs, weight, and size.

  In the invention according to claim 3, since the position restricting flange that is bent at both ends in the width direction of the position restricting member formed of a single plate material is used to restrict the release of the heat radiating member. The number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where a separate regulating means is attached. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the number of assembling steps, the manufacturing cost, the weight, and the size.

  In the invention according to claim 4, since the position restricting flange is formed by alternately changing the rising direction forward and reverse, the movement of both heat radiating members arranged on both sides of the position restricting member is prevented. Be regulated.

  Therefore, it is possible to regulate the movement of the heat dissipation member with a small number of parts compared to the case where the position regulating flange is raised only on one side, and even in the present invention, the number of parts is reduced, and further assembly man-hours, manufacturing costs, and weights are reduced. Reduction and downsizing can be achieved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The electric heater device of this embodiment includes a long heat generating member (70) provided with a PTC element (72) that generates heat when energized, and a heat dissipating member (80) provided in contact with the heat generating member (70). And a pair of housing members (20, 30) for supporting both ends in the longitudinal direction of the heater laminate (10) formed by laminating the heat radiating member (80) and the heat generating member (70). In the electric heater device, both ends of the electric heater device are attached to both housing members (20, 30) with the movement in the width direction restricted on the opposite side of the heat generating member (70) with the heat radiating member (80) interposed therebetween. Position restricting members (50, 60) are provided, and restricting means (50b, 50c,) for restricting relative displacement of the heat dissipating member (80) adjacent to the position restricting members (50, 60) in the width direction by a predetermined amount or more. 60a) And an electric heater unit according to claim.

  Below, based on FIGS. 1-18, the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  The electric heater device A according to the first embodiment is applied to the vehicle air conditioning unit ACU shown in FIG.

  The vehicle air conditioning unit ACU includes a blower fan 2, an evaporator 3, and a heater core 4 in order from the air intake 1 a side of the unit housing 1. In addition, an air mix door 5 is provided in the vicinity of the heater core 4, and the mixing ratio of the cold air that has passed through the evaporator 3 and the warm air that has passed through the heater core 4 can be arbitrarily adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the air mix door 5. And the temperature of the air blown from each of the air outlets 1b, 1c, 1d is adjustable.

  The electric heater device A according to the first embodiment generates heat when energized, and is arranged in parallel with the heater core 4, and is energized to generate heat when the heat generation temperature of the heater core 4 is insufficient. Used for vehicles with relatively low cooling water for propulsion devices (not shown) such as diesel vehicles.

  Below, the detail of the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electric heater device A has a front housing (housing member) 20 and an end housing (housing member) 30 attached to both ends of the heater laminate 10 in the longitudinal direction (arrow CD direction). Is formed.

  The heater laminate 10 has three heater units 40, 40, 40 vertically arranged with support plates (position regulating members) 50, 50 interposed therebetween (the arrow LD direction in this figure is hereinafter referred to as the vertical direction). It is formed by stacking and mounting end plates (position regulating members) 60, 60 on the top and bottom.

  The heater unit 40 is formed by stacking heat radiating fin members (heat radiating members) 80 and 80 on top and bottom of the heat generating member 70.

  The heat radiating fin member 80 is formed in a wave shape as shown in FIG. 3 by a metal plate material (for example, a plate material made of aluminum or aluminum alloy) having excellent thermal conductivity, and the heat transferred from the heat generating member 70. Is transmitted to the air flowing in the width direction that is the direction of the arrow FL.

  The front housing 20 and the end housing 30 are formed of a material excellent in electrical insulation and heat resistance, for example, fiber reinforced PBT (Polybutylene terephthalate). This fiber-reinforced PBT has excellent dimensional stability due to its low water absorption coefficient and thermal expansion coefficient, and also has excellent electrical insulation properties, small change in electrical properties due to moisture absorption, and high dielectric breakdown voltage. is doing.

  The front housing 20 is formed with a box-shaped laminated body insertion portion 21 and a connector connection portion 22.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the laminated body insertion portion 21 includes a concave insertion recess 21 a into which one end of the heater laminated body 10 is inserted when the laminated body 10 is attached to the heater laminated body 10. It is formed long in the LD direction). Further, a tube insertion groove 20a, a support plate insertion groove 20b, an end plate insertion groove 20c, and a plate retaining claw 20d, which will be described later, are formed in the insertion recess 21a.

  In the end housing 30, a concave insertion recess 31 a for inserting the other end of the heater laminate 10 when attached to the heater laminate 10 is formed long in the lamination direction of the heater laminate 10 (arrow LD direction). Yes. In addition, a tube insertion groove 30a, a support plate insertion groove 30b, an end plate insertion groove 30c, and a plate retaining claw 30d, which will be described later, are formed in the insertion recess 31a.

  Further, in the front housing 20, the connector connecting portion 22 is formed with an insertion recess 22 a into which an unillustrated connector for supplying power is inserted. In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the laminated body insertion part 21 and the connector connection part 22 are partitioned off by the vertical wall 23, The detail is mentioned later.

  Next, the heat generating member 70, the support plate 50, and the end plate 60 described above will be described in detail in order.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the heating member 70 includes a position frame 71, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of PTC elements 72, a first contact sheet 73 and a second contact sheet 74, and a tube member 75. I have.

  The position frame 71 is a plate in which a plurality of PTC elements 72 are arranged in the longitudinal direction (arrow CD direction) at predetermined intervals, and is formed in a plate shape from a material excellent in insulation and heat resistance (for example, polyamide). As shown in FIG. 5, notches 71a, 71a, 71a, 71a for holding the PTC element 72 are formed at four locations.

  Further, a pair of upper and lower engaging claw members 71b and 71b are integrally formed at both ends of the position frame 71 in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 6 shows the set of engaging claw members 71b and 71b in an enlarged manner, and they are arranged from the main body of the position frame 71 with a gap set in advance in the vertical direction. Then, both contact sheets 73 and 74 are inserted into the gaps, respectively, so that the engaging claw members 71b and 71b are in contact with the contact sheets 73 and 74, respectively. Engagement is performed so as to regulate relative displacement away in the direction of arrow LD (see FIG. 4).

  The PTC element 72 is a semiconductor ceramic mainly composed of barium titanate (BaTiO3), generally called PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient), and has a characteristic of generating heat when energized. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and is disposed by being fitted into the notch 71 a of the position frame 71.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first contact sheet 73 and the second contact sheet 74 are arranged with the PTC element 72 sandwiched from above and below, and the contact sheets 73 and 74 are respectively connected to the plus and minus of the power source outside the figure. By connecting, the PTC element 72 is energized.

  Therefore, in order to connect to a connector not shown, as shown in FIG. 4, the first contact sheet 73 and the second contact sheet 74 have first end portions on the side where the front housing 20 is mounted, respectively. The energizing terminal 76 and the second energizing terminal 77 are integrally formed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the end portion of the first contact sheet 73 (the end portion on the side where the front housing 20 is mounted) extends straight in the direction of the arrow CD to the outside of the tube member 75. The first energization terminal 76 is formed in this portion.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second energizing terminal 77 is integrated with a portion extending outward of the tube member 75 at the end of the second contact sheet 74 on the side where the front housing 20 is mounted. Is formed.

  Further, a bent piece (bent portion) 77 a is provided between the second energizing terminal 77 and the second contact sheet 74. The bent piece 77a is formed by bending the second energizing terminal 77 so that the interval between the second energizing terminal 77 and the first energizing terminal 76 matches the terminal interval on the connector side (not shown). . Therefore, in the present Example 1, the 2nd electricity supply terminal 77 is formed in the substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape seeing from the side by the bending piece 77a of the base end side, and the terminal part 77b of the front end side, and is bent. In the drawing of the piece 77 a, it is bent at substantially right angles at the upper and lower end positions, and the terminal portion 77 b extends substantially in parallel with the first energizing terminal 76.

  The first energizing terminal 76 described above is provided in all the heat generating members 70, 70, 70, whereas the second energizing terminal 77 having the shape shown in FIG. 4 is the first and second from the top in FIG. The heat generating members 70 are provided.

  Then, at the end of the second contact sheet 74 of the third heat generating member 70 from the top, as shown in FIG. 8, the energization for press contact for the purpose of press contact with the second energization terminal 77 arranged thereon is provided. A terminal 78 is provided, details of which will be described later.

  Further, for the purpose of reducing the weight and size of the contact sheets 73 and 74, the thickness of the contact sheets 73 and 74 is approximately ½ the thickness of the terminal portions 77b of the first energizing terminal 76 and the second energizing terminal 77. Is formed. That is, the terminal portions 77 b of the first energizing terminal 76 and the second energizing terminal 77 are formed by folding and overlapping the portions forming the general portions of the contact sheets 73 and 74. , 77 are formed to the required plate thickness.

  8 is entirely formed to have the same thickness as that of the general portion of the second contact sheet 74. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the tube member 75 is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape that is short in the up-down direction, and is formed in a vertically divided structure on the male tube 75a and the female tube 75b.

  An engagement flange 75c is bent at the opening edge of the female tube 75b toward the inside of the opening.

  On the other hand, the opening edge of the male tube 75a is formed with an engagement flange 75d having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is inserted inside the opening of the female tube 75b and faces the engagement flange 75c substantially in parallel.

  When the engagement flange 75d of the male tube 75a and the engagement flange 75c of the female tube 75b are engaged in the up-down direction, the tube member 75 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

  In addition, an elastic member 79 that presses in the direction in which the distance between the flanges 75c and 75d is increased is press-fitted between the engagement flange 75c and the engagement flange 75d. The elastic force generated by the press-fitting of the elastic member 79 urges the space between the general portion of the male tube 75a and the general portion of the female tube 75b to become narrow as indicated by arrows a and a, and both tubes 75a, The contact pressure of 75b, both contact sheets 73 and 74, and the PTC element 72 is obtained.

  The elastic member 79 is formed of an insulating elastic material such as resin or rubber, and lip portions 79a and 79a are integrally formed as shown in FIG. 9 which is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. ing. The lip portions 79a and 79a are inserted between the distal end surfaces of the respective engagement flanges 75c and 75d and the other tubes 75a and 75b, and the tubes 75a and 75b are in the direction perpendicular to the dividing direction from the combined state (arrow FL When the relative displacement is made in the direction), the tip surfaces of the engagement flanges 75c and 75d and the other tubes 75a and 75b are prevented from coming into contact with each other and short-circuiting. In the drawing, the distance L1 between the lower surface of the engagement flange 75c and the male tube 75a facing the lower surface of the engagement flange 75c is also secured to prevent the short circuit.

  Both ends of the heat generating member 70 having the above-described configuration are provided in a tube insertion groove 30a formed in the end housing 30 shown in FIG. 10 and tube insertion grooves 20a, 20a formed in the front housing 20 shown in FIG. 20a is inserted until its tip abuts against a groove bottom (not shown), and supported in a state in which movement in the longitudinal direction (arrow CD direction) and width direction (arrow FL direction) is restricted. .

  Returning to FIG. 2, the support plate 50 is a plate (for example, made of aluminum / aluminum alloy) having excellent thermal conductivity that supports the heat dissipating fin members 80, 80 positioned between the heater unit 40 and the heater unit 40. Plate).

  The support plate 50 is formed in a band plate shape as shown in FIG. 12, and position restricting claws 50a and 50a for restricting the longitudinal position of the radiating fin member 80 are formed vertically at both ends in the longitudinal direction. ing.

  Further, in the support plate 50, eight position restricting flanges (restricting means) 50b and 50c for restricting the movement of the radiating fin member 80 in the width direction are provided at both end edges in the width direction (arrow FL direction), respectively. It is formed one by one.

  The position restricting flanges 50b and 50c are a position restricting flange 50b bent upward in one of the drawings in the stacking direction indicated by the arrow LD, and a position restricting flange 50c bent downward in the other view in the stacking direction. And are formed. Further, these position restricting flanges 50b and 50c are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction and arranged so as to overlap with each other in the direction of the arrow FL, so that the bending directions are reversed.

  As for this support plate 50, both ends in the longitudinal direction have a support plate insertion groove 30b formed in the end housing 30 shown in FIG. 10, and a support plate insertion groove 20b formed in the front housing 20 shown in FIG. Are supported in a state in which movement in the longitudinal direction (arrow CD direction) and the width direction (arrow FL direction) is restricted.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the end plate 60 is a strip-shaped metal plate that forms upper and lower edges of the heater laminate 10, and is formed of, for example, a galvanized steel plate.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the end plate 60 is formed with position restriction flanges 60a and 60a for restricting relative movement in the width direction (arrow FL direction) of the radiating fin member 80 at both end edges in the arrow FL direction. , Formed in a substantially C-shaped vertical cross-sectional shape.

  A pair of retaining holes 60b and fin regulating claws 60c are formed at both ends of the end plate 60 in the longitudinal direction. The retaining hole 60b is formed in the end plate 60 in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The fin restricting claw 60c is cut and raised in the same direction as the rising direction of the position restricting flange 60a. The fin restricting claw 60c is engaged with the end of the heat dissipating fin member 80 in the longitudinal direction so that the heat dissipating fin member 80 is relative to the arrow CD direction. Restrict movement.

  These end plates 60 are respectively inserted into an end plate insertion groove 30c formed in the end housing 30 shown in FIG. 10 and an end plate insertion groove 20c formed in the front housing 20 shown in FIG. Yes. In this inserted state, the plate retaining claw 30d formed on the end housing 30 shown in FIG. 10 and the plate retaining formed on the front housing 20 shown in FIG. By engaging the retaining claws 20d, the relative movement of the end plate 60 in the longitudinal direction with respect to both the housings 20 and 30 is restricted.

  Next, the relationship between the above-described energization terminals 76 and 77 and the press-contact energization terminal 78 and the front housing 20 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 14, five terminal insertion holes 24, 24, 24, 24, 25 for inserting the respective current-carrying terminals 76, 77 are formed in the vertical wall 23 that partitions the laminated body insertion part 21 and the connector connection part 22. It is formed side by side in the vertical direction.

  That is, as described above, among the three heat generating members 70, the third heat generating member 70 from the top does not have the second current-carrying terminal 77 intended for connection with a connector outside the figure, so that the terminal insertion hole The total number of 24 and 25 is 5.

  To explain this, as shown in FIG. 15, among the three heat generating members 70, the heat generating member 70 arranged third from the top is the first and second heat generating members 70, 70 from the top. The upper and lower electrodes are arranged upside down, and the current-carrying terminal 78 for pressure contact of the third heat generating member 70 is pressure-contacted to the second current-carrying terminal 77 of the second heat generating member 70 from above, and both are combined into one. An energization terminal 778 is formed. When connecting a connector (not shown), the three first energization terminals 76, 76, and 76 are connected to one of positive and negative polarities, and the second energization terminal 77 and the connection energization terminal 778 are positive and negative. The other contact polarity is also connected, and the press-connecting energizing terminal 78 is also connected to the same polarity as the second energizing terminal 77.

  In the connection energization terminal 778, the second energization terminal 77 functions as an energization terminal connected to the connector.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the press-contact energizing terminal 78 rises in a direction away from the first energizing terminal 76, and the leading end of the rising portion 78 a is substantially parallel to the first energizing terminal 76. And an abutting portion 78b extending in a substantially inverted J shape.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the rising portion 78 a is at a substantially right angle with respect to the second contact sheet 74, and the contact portion 78 b is positioned above the second energization terminal 77. The terminal portion 77b is formed in such a length as to be press-contacted. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the rising portion 78a is inclined so that the contact portion 78b is in a state of being slightly separated from the terminal portion 77b before the front housing 20 is mounted. θa is set to an angle smaller than 90 degrees.

  The contact portion 78b is formed in a length that does not reach the terminal insertion hole 25, and has a curved shape that protrudes upward so as to be in a line contact state when contacting the terminal portion 77b. Has been.

  Returning to FIG. 14, the description of the front housing 20 will be continued. In the stacked body insertion portion 21 of the vertical wall 23 of the front housing 20, a pressure receiving protrusion 26 as a pressure receiving portion is provided above the fourth terminal insertion hole 25 from the top. Is formed so as to project in the direction of the arrow CD in the figure, and a pressing deformation projecting piece 27 as a pressing member is formed so as to project substantially parallel to the pressure receiving projecting piece 26 at a lower position.

  The pressure receiving protrusion 26 is formed so as to be disposed along the upper surface of the terminal portion 77b of the second energizing terminal 77 of the second heating member 70 from the top in the assembled state shown in FIG. An obliquely downward guide surface 26a is formed on the lower side of the tip.

  In addition, guide surfaces 24 a and 24 a are formed on the upper and lower sides of the laminated body insertion portion 21 in the other terminal insertion holes 24 excluding the terminal insertion holes 25 adjacent to the pressure receiving protrusions 26. In the terminal insertion hole 25 provided adjacent to the pressure receiving protrusion 26, a guide surface 25a is formed only on the lower side.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, a stopper member 90 is attached to the heater laminate 10 at the end of each heat generating member 70 on the side where the front housing 20 is attached.

  This stopper member 90 is formed of a material excellent in electrical insulation and heat resistance, such as fiber reinforced PBT, as in the case of the housings 20 and 30, and as shown in FIG. 91 and 91 are integrally formed in a shape in which two rod portions 92 and 92 are coupled.

  The sandwiching portion 91 is integrally formed with a pair of sandwiching pieces 91b and 91b that are arranged vertically opposite to each other with the insertion space 91a interposed therebetween, and a pressing piece 91c in which one end of each sandwiching piece 91b and 91b is continuous. It is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape. The insertion space 91a is an end portion of the heat generating member 70 and can sandwich a portion protruding from the tip of the tube member 75, that is, a portion where both the contact sheets 73 and 74 overlap on both upper and lower sides of the position frame 71. It is formed at intervals. An engaging claw 91d that engages with the edge of the heat generating member 70 when the heat generating member 70 is inserted into the insertion space 91a is formed at the tip of each clamping piece 91b.

  Therefore, when the end of the heat generating member 70 is inserted into the insertion space 91a, the heat generating member 70 is restricted from relative movement in the width direction (arrow FL direction) by the holding piece 91c and the engaging claws 91d and 91d. The

  The rod portion 92 of the stopper member 90 is formed in a rectangular column shape having a rectangular cross section, and a flat stopper surface 92a formed flush with the clamping portion 91 is formed on one side surface facing the front housing 20 side. Yes.

  In the tube mounting state in which the end portions of the heat generating members 70 are inserted into the respective holding portions 91 as shown in FIG. 16, the holding portions 91 are connected to the engaging claw members 71 b of the position frame 71 in the longitudinal direction ( The stopper surface 92a is formed so as to abut against the bent piece 77a of the second energizing terminal 77 in this state.

  Next, the assembly procedure of the electric heater device A according to the first embodiment will be described.

 First, using an unillustrated jig or the like, the end plate 60, the radiating fin member 80, the heat generating member 70, the heat radiating fin member 80, the support plate 50, the heat radiating fin member 80, the heat generating member 70, and the heat radiating fin member 80 in order from the bottom. The heater laminate 10 is formed by stacking the support plate 50, the radiating fin member 80, the heat generating member 70, the radiating fin member 80, and the end plate 60.

  Next, the end housing 30 is attached to one end of the heater laminate 10 as shown in FIG. 15, and then the stopper member 90 is attached to the other end of the heating members 70, 70, 70 of the heater laminate 10. Finally, the front housing 20 is mounted to complete the assembly.

  When the front housing 20 is assembled, the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 of the heat generating member 70 shown in the third from the top in FIG. 16 is brought into contact with the second energizing terminal 77 constituting the connection energizing terminal 778, and the contact pressure thereof. The deformation which raises is made.

  Here, the deformation operation of the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 in the connection energizing terminal 778 will be described.

  The bent portion 77a of the second energizing terminal 77 is raised at a substantially right angle, whereas the rising portion 78a of the energizing terminal 78 for pressure contact has an initial inclination angle θa of 90 as shown in FIG. It is formed at an angle smaller than degrees.

  That is, when the heater laminate 10 is assembled, the energization terminals 76 and 77 are arranged at intervals that match the intervals between the terminal insertion holes 24 and 25 provided in the vertical wall 23 of the front housing 20. In the assembled state of the heater laminate 10, the rising portion 78a is inclined at an inclination angle θa, and the abutting portion 78b of the energizing terminal 78 for press contact is close to the second energizing terminal 77 disposed above it. Has been.

  In this state, since the rising portion 78a is not elastically deformed, an elastic force that widens the interval does not act on the two energizing terminals 76 and 77 arranged on both sides of the press-contact energizing terminal 78. There is no need for a dedicated tool or process for maintaining the interval between the energizing terminals 76 and 77 at the interval between the terminal insertion holes 24 and 25.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, when the end housing 30 is attached to one end of the heater laminate 10, next, the front housing 20 is attached to the other end of the heater laminate 10 while moving in the arrow CD direction.

  At this time, the current-carrying terminals 76 and 77 projecting from the heater laminate 10 are inserted into the terminal insertion holes 24 and 25 of the front housing 20, but the positions of the current-carrying terminals 76 and 77 and the terminal insertion holes 24 and 25 Even if the position 25 is slightly deviated in the vertical direction, it is smoothly guided by the guide surfaces 24a and 24a of each terminal insertion hole 24, the guide surface 25a of the terminal insertion hole 25, and the guide surface 26a of the pressure receiving protrusion 26. Plugged into.

  When the energization terminals 76 and 77 are inserted into the terminal insertion holes 24 and 25, as shown in FIG. 8, the leading end surface of the pressing deformation projecting piece 27 has the rising portion 78 a of the press-contact energization terminal 78. Press and elastically deform the tilt angle θa in the rising direction. Due to this elastic deformation, the abutting portion 78 b of the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is brought into pressure contact with the terminal portion 77 b of the second energizing terminal 77 constituting the connection energizing terminal 778.

  Further, since the pressure receiving protrusion 26 is disposed in contact with the upper side of the terminal portion 77b of the second energizing terminal 77, the terminal portion 77b of the second energizing terminal 77 is prevented from being deformed by this pressure contact. Thus, deformation and pressure contact of the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 are ensured.

  Note that the pressing deformation projecting piece 27 is set such that the dimension in the direction of the arrow CD is such that the inclination angle θb of the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is substantially perpendicular at the end of assembly shown in FIG. Yes.

  At this time, the heating member 70 is mounted with the stopper member 90, and the input in the arrow CD direction from the pressing deformation projecting piece 27 to the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is received by the stopper surface 92 a of the stopper member 90. Thus, the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is prevented from being excessively deformed. Incidentally, the input to the stopper member 90 is received by the end housing 30 because the position frame 71 of the heat generating member 70 with which the stopper member 90 is engaged is abutted against the end housing 30.

  A connector (not shown) is connected to the electric heater device A of Example 1 assembled as described above. When this connector is connected, an input is received in the direction of the arrow CD with respect to the energization terminals 76 and 77. At this time, since the first energization terminal 76 is formed linearly and continuously with the first contact sheet 73, this input is received by the end housing 30 at the other end.

  On the other hand, the second energizing terminal 77 has a bent piece 77a bent in an L shape, and the input in the arrow CD direction to the terminal portion 77b of the second energizing terminal 77 is the bent piece 77a. Acts in the direction of increasing the startup angle. Here, in the first embodiment, since the stopper surface 92a of the stopper member 90 is provided in contact with the back surface of the bent piece 77a of the second energizing terminal 77, the force acting on the bent piece 77a is applied to the stopper member 90. And the bent piece 77a is prevented from being deformed.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of contact failure due to the deformation of the bent piece 77a of the second energizing terminal 77.

  As described above, in the electric heater device according to the first embodiment, a total of five electrical connections to the first and second contact sheets 73 and 74 provided on the three heat generating members 70 are provided. As in the case of the first and second energization terminals 76 and 77 of the book, the space required for connection is reduced, and the distance between the energization terminals 76 and 77 is secured.

  Furthermore, in order to reduce the number of second energization terminals 77, in the first embodiment, the second contact sheet 74 of the third heat generating member 70 from the top is connected to the second energization terminal 77 of the second heat generating member 70 from the top. A pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is provided for pressure contact with each other, and the pressure contact between the two is performed in accordance with the mounting operation of the front housing 20.

  For this reason, compared with the case where the current-carrying terminal 78 for pressure welding and the second current-carrying terminal 77 are connected in advance by welding, or both are connected using connecting parts, the work man-hours and the number of parts are reduced. Excellent workability and economy.

  In addition, when the heater laminate 10 is formed, it is possible to save dedicated parts and labor compared to the case where the press-contacting current-carrying terminal 78 and the second current-carrying terminal 77 are pressed. That is, in the case where the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 and the second energizing terminal 77 are brought into pressure contact with each other when the heater laminated body 10 is formed, as shown in FIG. The energizing terminal 78 for pressure contact is set so that the distance between the second energizing terminal 77 and the first connecting terminal 76 that is also wide is equal to the distance between the terminal insertion holes 24 and 24 as shown in FIG. It is necessary to press contact by elastic deformation. In the state shown in FIG. 18 (b), the heat generating members 70, 70 having these are about to be separated by the restoring force generated by elastically deforming the pressure contact energizing terminal 78. A dedicated component or tool for maintaining the energization terminal 78 in an elastically deformed state is required, and work for that purpose is required.

  In the first embodiment, when the front housing 20 is mounted, the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is pressed to be deformed, so that the elastic state of the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is maintained before the front housing 20 is mounted. Therefore, the dedicated parts and tools for that purpose and the work thereof are unnecessary, and the workability is excellent and the economy is also excellent.

  Moreover, in the first embodiment, as described above, since the elastic deformation of the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is performed by the elastic deformation in which the inclination angle of the rising portion 78a is increased, the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is in pressure contact. It is easy to form a state in which the front housing 20 is not in pressure contact with the mounting operation direction of the front housing 20, and the above-described effects of excellent workability and economy can be easily exhibited.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, when the pressing deformation projecting piece 27 of the front housing 20 elastically deforms the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 and the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is pressed against the second current energizing terminal 77, the second The pressure receiving protrusions 26 arranged along the upper surface of the energizing terminal 78 receive this pressure contact force.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second energization terminal 77 of the connection energization terminal 778 from being deformed by the pressure contact force of the pressure contact energization terminal 78, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as poor contact due to this deformation. it can.

  Furthermore, since the press contact energizing terminal 78 is formed thinner than the other energizing terminals 76 and 77, the operation of making the press contact energizing terminal 78 elastically deformed and press contacting can be easily performed. .

  In the first embodiment, the heat generating member 70 in which the first and second contact sheets 73 and 74 for plus and minus and the PTC element 72 are inserted into the tubular tube member 75 is used, and the PTC element 72 is required. Electrical contact was made within the heat generating member 70.

  Therefore, it is easier to avoid a problem that a short circuit or the like occurs due to contact with other metal members, compared to the case where a heat radiating member such as the heat radiating fin member 80 is used as an electrode.

  In addition, the first and second contact sheets 73 and 74 are inserted into the tube member 75, but the second energizing terminal 77 is bent in an L shape, so that the energizing terminals 76 and 77 are in contact with each other. Defects are less likely to occur. Further, the pressure contact with the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is facilitated, and the elastic deformation allowance of the pressure contact energizing terminal 78 is easily secured.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, the radiating fin member 80 is prevented from coming off in the width direction (arrow FL direction) by the position regulating flanges 50b and 50c formed on the support plate 50 shown in FIG. 12, and the end plate shown in FIG. As in the case of the 60 position regulating flanges 60a, 60a, the heat generating member 70 is configured not to be provided with a flange that obstructs the flow of air for heat exchange.

  Thus, the structure which prevents the radiation fin member 80 from coming into contact with the air flow is disposed at a position farthest from the heat generating member 70 which is a heat source in the heat radiation fin member 80, and the heat generation which is a heat source of the heat radiation fin member 80. There is nothing that obstructs the air flow at the portion in contact with the member 70.

  Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency of the radiating fin member 80 is improved as compared with the case where a flange for preventing the radiating fin member 80 from being removed is formed on the heat generating member 70 side.

  Further, in the first embodiment, when the heater laminated body 10 is formed, three heater units 40 formed by sandwiching one heat generating member 70 between a pair of radiating fin members 80 and 80 are laminated to form the heater laminated body 10. Is forming. With this configuration, in each heater unit 40, the heat generated by one heat generating member 70 can be transmitted to the two heat radiating fin members 80 and 80 and efficiently radiated. In such a configuration, when the heater units 40 are stacked, a member (support plate 50) for supporting both units 40 is required between the two units 40. In the first embodiment, this support plate is used. 50 is effectively used to prevent the radiating fin member 80 from being removed. Compared with a case where these functions are provided separately, the number of parts is reduced, and the assembly man-hours, manufacturing cost, and weight are reduced. Reduction and downsizing can be achieved.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, the position restricting flanges 50b, 50c, 60a for restricting the movement of the radiating fin member 80 in the width direction are formed integrally with the support plate 50 and the end plate 60, respectively. Can be reduced in number of parts compared with the case where these plates are provided separately on these plates, thereby reducing the number of assembling steps, manufacturing costs, weight, and size.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, when the position restricting flanges 50b and 50c are formed on the support plate 50, the ones in which the rising directions of the flanges are different from each other in the stacking direction are alternately formed. In the pressing process, it is possible to prevent the radiating fin members 80 and 80 adjacent to both the upper and lower sides from being detached. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and further reduce the assembly man-hours, manufacturing cost, weight, and size.

  Further, in the first embodiment, a stopper member 90 is mounted on the heat generating member 70, the second energizing terminal 77 bent in an L shape, the bent piece 77a of the press-contact energizing terminal 78, and the back surface of the rising portion 78a. The stopper surface 92a is disposed in contact with or in close proximity to. As a result, even when a load is applied in the direction of the arrow CD to the second energizing terminal 77 and the pressing energizing terminal 78 during the pressing operation of the pressing energizing terminal 78 and the connector connecting operation, the bent piece 77a. Further, it is possible to prevent the riser 78a from being deformed by being excessively bent.

  Therefore, the occurrence of poor connection can be prevented by this deformation. In particular, in the first embodiment, in order to reduce the weight, each contact play 73, 74 is thinner than each energizing terminal 76, 77, and the rising portion 78a of the energizing terminal 78 for press contact is used. This is particularly effective in such a configuration.

  Moreover, when the heater laminate 10 is assembled, the position of the end portions of the three heat generating members 70, 70, 70 on the front housing 20 side in the stacking direction (arrow LD direction) is positioned by the stopper member 90. I made it. For this reason, the intervals between the current-carrying terminals 76 and 77 are also maintained at predetermined intervals, and it is smooth to insert the current-carrying terminals 76 and 77 into the terminal insertion holes 24 and 25, and the stopper member 90 is not provided. Compared to the case, the mounting operation of the front housing 20 can be performed smoothly.

  In the first embodiment, the tube member 75 of the heat generating member 70 is a two-part structure of a male tube 75a and a female tube 75b, and is an elastic member that is interposed between the tubes 75a and 75b and biases it. 79 is made of an insulating material, and the first and second contact sheets 73 and 74 are brought into direct contact with both the tubes 75a and 75b, thereby eliminating the insulator interposed between at least one of them. did.

  For this reason, the number of components of the heat generating member 70 can be suppressed, and the cost and the number of assembling steps can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the thickness of the heat generating member 70 and the electric heater device A can be reduced by suppressing the plate thickness of the heat generating member 70 (dimension L2 in FIG. 7). Or if a device is the same size, the dimension of the radiation fin member 80 can be enlarged relatively, and the improvement of heat exchange efficiency can be aimed at.

  In addition, since the first and second contact sheets 73 and 74 are in direct contact with both the tubes 75a and 75b, it is possible to improve heat transfer performance and improve energy efficiency.

  Further, in the connection energization terminal 778, only the second energization terminal 77 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 25, so that the energization terminal of the connection energization terminal 778 can be formed with the same plate thickness as the other energization terminals 76 and 77. Manufacturing is easy.

  Next, an electric heater device according to Example 2 of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Since the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, only the difference will be described, and the description of the same configuration and operational effects as the first embodiment will be omitted.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the support plate 250 as a position regulating member. Similar to the end plate 60, the support plate 250 is formed by joining two members 251 and 252 having position restricting flanges 251a and 252a extending over the entire length in the longitudinal direction at both end edges in the width direction.

  The position restricting flanges 251a and 252a may be formed in a single plate shape over the front length of the support plate 250. For example, as shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure which is hard to prevent the flow of the air for heat exchange.

  Further, when the support plate 250 is formed of resin, the members 251 and 252 can be formed as a single member, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The embodiment of the present invention and Examples 1 and 2 have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and Example 1, and the gist of the present invention is described. Design changes that do not deviate are included in the present invention.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments, an example in which the heater unit 40 is formed by stacking three stages as the heater stack 10 has been described. Good.

  In the first embodiment, the position restricting flanges 50a, 50b, and 60a formed integrally with the support plate 50 and the end plate 60 as position restricting members are shown as restricting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As a restricting means, a member separate from the position restricting member may be bonded by other means.

  Moreover, in Example 1, 2, although the heat radiating fin member 80 was shown as a heat radiating member, if it is a member excellent in the property to sleep, it is not limited to the member of such a fin structure.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, the plate-like members (50, 60, 250) are shown as the position restricting members. However, the shape may be an optimum shape as appropriate according to the shape of the heat dissipation member. For example, you may form in shapes, such as a semi-cylinder shape.

  Moreover, in Examples 1-4, although the example which has arrange | positioned the 1st, 2nd contact sheets 73 and 74 as an electrode in the heat generating member 70 was shown, this invention is the radiation fin member 80 like a prior art. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which a heat dissipating member such as is used as an electrode and the current-carrying member is integrally connected to the heat dissipating member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a vehicle air conditioning unit ACU to which an electric heater device A of Example 1 of the best mode of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the radiation fin member 80 applied to the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the edge part of the heat generating member 70 applied to the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) is the state which abbreviate | omitted the 2nd contact sheet 74 and the tube member 75 (B) has shown the completion state which does not abbreviate | omit both. It is a perspective view which shows the position frame 71 applied to the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention. 4 is an enlarged view showing an end portion of the position frame 71. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the heat generating member 70 applied to the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention, (a) shows the whole cross section, (b) shows only the tube member 75. Yes. It is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the principal part of the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention, (a) shows the initial state which mounts the front housing 20, (b) shows the front housing 20 It shows the end of wearing. It is an expanded sectional view showing an important section of tube member 75 applied to electric heater device A of Example 1 of an embodiment of the invention. It is a perspective view which shows the end housing 30 applied to the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the front housing 20 applied to the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the support plate 50 applied to the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention, (a) has shown the whole, (b) has shown the edge part. It is a perspective view which shows the end plate 60 applied to the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention, (a) has shown the whole, (b) has shown the edge part. It is a longitudinal section of front housing 20 applied to electric heater device A of Example 1 of an embodiment of the invention. It is work explanatory drawing of the assembly | attachment operation | work of the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the heater laminated body 10 of the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the stopper member 90 applied to the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the comparative example for demonstrating an effect | action of the electric heater apparatus A of Example 1 of embodiment of this invention, (a) shows the state before mounting | wearing of the front housing 20, (b) It shows the end of mounting the front housing. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the electric heater apparatus of Example 2 of embodiment of this invention, (a) is the sectional drawing, (b) is the perspective view.

Explanation of symbols

10 Heater laminate 20 Front housing (housing member)
20b Support plate insertion groove 30 End housing (housing member)
30b Support plate insertion groove 50 Support plate (position regulating means)
50b Position restriction flange 50c Position restriction flange 60 End plate (position restriction means)
60a Position restriction flange 70 Heat generating member 72 PTC element 80 Heat radiating fin member (heat radiating member)
250 Support plate (position regulating means)
251a Position restriction flange 252a Position restriction flange

Claims (4)

A long heat generating member provided with a PTC element that generates heat when energized;
A heat dissipating member provided in contact with the heat generating member;
A pair of housing members that support both ends in the longitudinal direction of the heater laminate formed by laminating the heat radiating member and the heat generating member;
An electric heater device comprising:
On the opposite side of the heat-generating member across the heat-dissipating member, there are provided position-regulating members whose both ends are attached to both housing members with restricted movement in the width direction,
An electric heater device, wherein the position restricting member is provided with restricting means for restricting relative displacement of an adjacent heat dissipating member in the width direction by a predetermined amount or more. The heater laminate is formed by stacking a plurality of heater units in which a pair of heat dissipating members are stacked with a heat generating member interposed therebetween in the arrangement direction of the heat generating member and the heat dissipating member,
2. The electric heater device according to claim 1, wherein the restricting unit is formed on the position restricting member so as to be able to restrict the movement in the width direction of a pair of heat radiating members arranged adjacent to each other. The position restricting member is formed of one plate material,
The electric heater device according to claim 1, wherein the restricting means is a position restricting flange formed by bending both end edges in the width direction of the position restricting member.   In the position restriction flange, two types of flanges, a normal flange and a reverse flange, whose rising directions are different from each other in the stacking direction, are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction in which the position restriction flange extends. The electric heater device according to claim 3, wherein the electric heater device is provided.

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