JP2014031069A - Liquid heating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To mainly perform heating of a liquid heat medium by an electric heater and cooling of an electric component by the liquid heat medium at the same time in and out of a liquid tank.SOLUTION: A liquid heating device 12 comprises a liquid tank part 21 through which a liquid heat medium 8 can be circulated and an electric heater 22 which is capable of heating the liquid heat medium 8 which is circulated inside the liquid tank part 21. A first flow channel 35 in which the electric heater 22 is installed, and a second flow channel 36 which is divided from the first flow channel 35, are provided in the liquid tank part 21. An electric component E for supplying electric power to the electric heater 22 is attached to an outer surface of the liquid tank part 21 which faces the second flow channel 36.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid heating device used for an air conditioner such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

A vehicle such as an automobile is provided with an air conditioner (air conditioner) for adjusting the temperature in the passenger compartment.
Such an air conditioner is usually provided with an air heater (heater core) for heating air for air conditioning using the heat of engine cooling water.

However, in the case of a vehicle that does not use an engine as a drive source, such as an electric vehicle, or a vehicle that has only a small engine, such as a hybrid vehicle, the heat of engine cooling water is (sufficiently) used. Therefore, a liquid heat medium (liquid heat medium) heated by an electric heater instead of engine cooling water is sent to the above-described air heater.
For this purpose, a liquid heating apparatus is used in which the liquid heat medium is heated with an electric heater.

  On the other hand, an electric vehicle or the like is known in which electric parts such as an inverter and a traveling motor are cooled by cold water stored at night (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 05-330331 A

However, the air conditioner for electric vehicles described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems.
That is, in order to send cold water to electric parts such as inverters and driving motors, a dedicated external pipe is provided and this external pipe is routed around the vehicle body, so there is a problem that the space efficiency is poor. there were.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a liquid heating apparatus comprising a liquid tank part capable of circulating a liquid heat medium and an electric heater capable of heating the liquid heat medium circulated inside the liquid tank part. In the liquid tank section, the liquid tank section facing the second flow path is provided with a first flow path in which the electric heater is installed and a second flow path partitioned from the first flow path. An electric component for supplying electric power to the electric heater is attached to the outer surface of the electric heater.
In the above, the liquid tank portion has a container-like tank body having an opening on one surface, and a lid portion attached so as to be able to seal the opening portion of the tank body, and inside the lid portion, A second flow path may be formed, and the electrical component may be attached to the outer surface of the lid portion so as to face the second flow path.
In the above, the tank main body may be provided with a liquid introduction part that guides the liquid heat medium to the inlet part of the second flow path.
In the above, a transit time delay unit that delays the transit time of the liquid heat medium flowing through the second flow path may be provided.
In the above, the passage time delay unit may be a channel resistance generation unit that delays the passage time of the liquid heat medium by increasing the channel resistance.
In the above, a flow path length changing unit that performs at least one of adjusting the flow path length of the first flow path or increasing the flow path length of the second flow path may be provided.
In the above description, the flow path length changing unit may be a shape changing unit that changes the flow path length by changing the shape inside the flow path.
In the above, the electric component may be a switch element for switching on / off of electric power supplied to the electric heater.

  According to the present invention, the heating of the liquid heat medium by the electric heater and the cooling of the electric components by the liquid heat medium can be performed simultaneously on the inner and outer surfaces of the liquid tank portion without routing the external piping.

It is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle air conditioner. It is a basic circuit diagram of the control system of a liquid heating device. It is a disassembled perspective view of the liquid heating apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is a perspective view of the assembly state of the liquid heating apparatus of FIG. It is a see-through | perspective perspective view of the liquid heating apparatus which shows a 1st flow path and a 2nd flow path. It is a see-through | perspective perspective view of a liquid heating apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the near side edge part of a liquid heating apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of the liquid heating apparatus which looked at the cover part from the back side. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 7 concerning a modification. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 7 concerning another modification. It is the side view which looked at FIG. 10 from the cover part side. It is the enlarged view which looked at the 2nd flow path from the cover part side.

  A vehicle such as an automobile is provided with an air conditioner (air conditioner) for adjusting the temperature in the passenger compartment. Such an air conditioner is provided with an air heater (heater core) for heating air for air conditioning.

For example, in the case of a vehicle that does not use an engine as a drive source, such as an electric vehicle, or a vehicle that has only a small engine such as a hybrid vehicle, the engine coolant is used as a heat source for the air heater. It is not possible to use as, or it is difficult to use as such, a liquid heat medium (liquid heat medium) is heated using an electric heater, and the liquid heat medium thus heated is sent to the above air heater, It is used as a heat source for the air heater.
The following liquid heating apparatus is used to heat the liquid heat medium described above with an electric heater.

Hereinafter, examples embodying the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1-12 shows this Example and its modification.

<Configuration> The configuration will be described below.
First, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 1 provided in a vehicle.

The air conditioner 1 includes a flow path-shaped air conditioner body 4 having an air intake port 2 and an air intake port 3. Inside the air conditioner main body 4, at least a fan 6 for sucking the air-conditioning air 5 and an air heater 7 for heating the sucked air-conditioning air 5 are provided.
Although not particularly illustrated, the air conditioner 1 may be provided with, for example, an air cooler in addition to the above.

  The air heater 7 is connected to a loop-shaped heat medium flow path 9 for circulating the liquid heat medium 8 serving as a heat source. A pump 11 for driving circulation of the liquid heat medium 8 and a liquid heating device 12 according to this embodiment are provided in the middle of the heat medium flow path 9. And the control apparatus 15 which sends the control signals 13 and 14 with respect to these pumps 11 and the liquid heating apparatus 12 is provided.

  Further, the liquid heating device 12 is provided with a heat detection member 16 (heat detection means or heat detection device) such as a heat detection sensor (for example, a temperature sensor), and a detection signal 17 from the heat detection member 16 is Are sent to the control device 15 described above. When the detection signal 17 from the heat detection member 16 detects that the temperature of the liquid heating device 12 has risen to a predetermined value or more, the control device 15 stops the pump 11 or uses the liquid heating device 12. The heating can be stopped.

  FIG. 2 is a basic circuit diagram of the control system of the liquid heating device 12 described above.

  The liquid heating device 12 described above includes a liquid tank portion 21 that can circulate the liquid heat medium 8 and an electric heater 22 that can heat the liquid heat medium 8 that is circulated inside the liquid tank portion 21. The liquid heat medium 8 is heated to about 60 ° C. by the electric heater 22, for example.

  And the above-mentioned electric heater 22 is connected between the high voltage power supply 23 which has the voltage of 350V, and the ground GL, for example. Moreover, the above-described control device 15 is connected between, for example, the low-voltage power supply 24 having a voltage of 12 V and the ground GL.

  Further, a switch element 25 for switching on / off of electric power supplied to the electric heater 22 is connected between the high-voltage power source 23 and the electric heater 22 and between the electric heater 22 and the ground GL. ing. A control signal 14 from the control device 15 is sent to the pair of switch elements 25 described above to control the switch elements 25.

  The switch element 25 is composed of an electrical component E (high-power electrical component or power circuit electrical component) called IGBT or the like. As described above, by providing a pair of switch elements 25, a double safety circuit that assumes a failure is configured.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid heating device 12 described above, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled state of the liquid heating device 12.

  As shown mainly in FIG. 3, the liquid heating device 12 described above includes a container-like tank body 27 having an opening 26 on one surface, and the inside of the tank body 27 (so as to be inserted from the opening 26). The electric heater 22 is installed, and a lid 28 is attached to the opening 26 of the tank body 27 so that the opening 26 can be sealed. The liquid tank unit 21 described above includes a tank body 27 and a lid unit 28.

The switch element 25 and the heat detection member 16 described above are disposed on the outer surface side of the lid portion 28, and the control device 15 connected to the low-voltage power supply 24 and other protection circuits (not shown) are mounted. An electronic substrate 31 is provided.
At this time, the switch element 25 and the electronic board 31 are electrically connected to each other in a state in which the component installation surfaces are aligned, and are protected by being covered with a protective cover 32 attached to the outer surface of the lid portion 28. .
In this way, by arranging the switch element 25 and the heat detection member 16 and the electronic substrate 31 with the orientation of the component installation surface on the outer surface side of the lid portion 28, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the handling of the strong electric cable, Cost and layout can be increased.
The orientation of the component installation surface is aligned, for example, by aligning all the main body portions of each component toward the lid portion 28 in the switch element 25 and the electronic substrate 31 and all the terminal portions of the respective components as the protective cover 32. It is to arrange toward the side.
Or, conversely, in the switch element 25 and the electronic substrate 31, all the main body portions of each component are aligned toward the protective cover 32 side, and all the terminal portions of each component are aligned toward the lid portion 28 side. .

  In addition to the basic configuration as described above, the present embodiment has the following configuration.

(Configuration 1)
As shown in FIG. 5 (see also FIG. 6), a first flow path 35 in which the electric heater 22 is installed inside the liquid tank portion 21, and a second flow partitioned from the first flow path 35. A path 36 is provided.
An electric component E for supplying electric power to the electric heater 22 is attached to the outer surface of the liquid tank portion 21 facing the second flow path 36.

(Supplementary explanation 1)
Here, the above-mentioned “liquid heat medium 8” is literally a liquid heat medium. The liquid heat medium 8 is used to heat the air-conditioning air 5 by heat exchange in the air heater 7 (see FIG. 1) of the air-conditioning apparatus 1 described above. Water, antifreeze (LLC), and other liquids can be used for the liquid heat medium 8. In this case, an antifreeze is used.

The above-described “liquid tank portion 21” is provided with a heat medium supply port 37 and a heat medium discharge port 38 for supplying and discharging the liquid heat medium 8 on the upper surface thereof. The heat medium supply port 37 and the heat medium discharge port 38 are installed separately from one end side (front side) and the other end side (back side) of the liquid tank portion 21 in the depth direction. In this case, the heat medium supply port 37 and the heat medium discharge port 38 are short tubular.
Here, the reason why the heat medium supply port 37 and the heat medium discharge port 38 are provided on the upper surface of the liquid tank unit 21 is to allow the bubbles accumulated in the liquid tank unit 21 to be efficiently removed. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the “electric heater 22” described above has a coil-shaped winding portion 22 a and a pair of linear portions 22 b extending tangentially from both ends of the winding portion 22 a. . In this case, the winding portion 22a has its axis extending in the depth direction and is wound clockwise or counterclockwise. The pair of straight line portions 22b has one end side (front side) in the depth direction positioned on the upper side, the other end side (back side) positioned on the lower side, and extends in the lateral direction toward the lid portion 28. Is formed.

  The “first flow path 35” described above serves as a heat medium heating flow path for heating the liquid heat medium 8 using the electric heater 22. Therefore, the first flow path 35 is a high temperature side flow path. Alternatively, the first flow path 35 is a spiral flow path in which the liquid heat medium 8 flows spirally along the winding portion 22 a of the electric heater 22.

On the other hand, the above-described “second flow path 36” is a flow path for cooling the electrical component E for cooling the electrical component E. Therefore, the second flow path 36 is a low temperature side flow path for flowing the liquid heat medium 8 having a low temperature before being heated by the electric heater 22. Alternatively, the second flow path 36 is a bypass flow path that bypasses between the upstream side and the downstream side of the first flow path 35.
The above-mentioned “electric part E” will be described later. The electrical component E is cooled by the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the second flow path 36.

(Configuration 2)
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second flow path 36 is formed inside the lid portion 28.
Then, the electric component E is attached to the outer surface of the lid portion 28 so as to face the second flow path 36.

(Supplementary explanation 2)
Here, the above-described “tank body 27” has the above-described opening 26 on one side surface (the left side surface in FIG. 7 and the right side surface in FIG. 8). The tank body 27 has a composite shape in which a portion on the opening 26 side (substantially the left half in FIG. 7) and a portion on the opposite side (the other side) (substantially the right half in FIG. 7) have different shapes. It is said that. In this case, the tank body 27 has a rectangular parallelepiped portion 27a on the opening 26 side and a semi-cylindrical portion 27b on the opposite side (the other side).
Among these, the rectangular parallelepiped portion 27a has a height equal to the diameter of the semicylindrical portion 27b and a width dimension equal to or greater than the radius of the semicylindrical portion 27b, and extends in the depth direction. ing.
The semi-cylindrical portion 27b described above has an axis extending in the depth direction. The axis of the semi-cylindrical part 27 b is substantially coincident with the axis of the winding part 22 a of the electric heater 22.
A flange portion 27 c for attaching the lid portion 28 is integrally formed on one side surface of the tank body 27 so as to surround the periphery of the opening portion 26.

Further, the above-described “lid portion 28” is formed with a terminal outlet for taking out the terminal portion 22c formed at the end portion of the linear portion 22b at both ends of the electric heater 22 to the outside. 7, the terminal outlet on the near side in the depth direction in FIG. 7 is formed at the upper position of the lid portion 28, and the terminal outlet on the rear side is formed at the lower position of the lid portion 28. In this case, the front (upper) terminal portion 22c is a positive pole, and the rear (lower) terminal portion 22c is a negative pole.
In order to form the second flow path 36 inside the lid portion 28, a cavity that becomes the second flow path 36 is formed inside the lid portion 28. Although not particularly illustrated, when necessary to form the second flow path 36, the lid portion 28 is configured by combining two members, for example, an outer lid portion and an inner lid portion. It is good as well.

The lid portion 28 is provided with an inlet portion 36a and an outlet portion 36b (see FIG. 8) through which the liquid heat medium 8 enters and exits the second flow path 36. The inlet portion 36a and the outlet portion 36b are provided on the near side and the far side in the depth direction of the lid portion 28, respectively.
At this time, the inlet portion 36 a and the outlet portion 36 b of the second flow path 36 are respectively provided at positions relatively close to the heat medium supply port 37 and the heat medium discharge port 38 in the depth direction inside the tank body 27. To be able to. Alternatively, the inlet portion 36 a and the outlet portion 36 b of the second flow path 36 are provided at positions relatively close to the winding start and winding end of the electric heater 22.

Here, the second flow path 36 may be provided inside the entire lid portion 28, but in this case, the second flow path 36 is provided inside the lower half of the lid portion 28. . The electrical component E is attached to the lower half of the lid portion 28 in correspondence with the installation position of the second flow path 36.
As described above, by providing the second flow path 36 in the lower half of the lid portion 28, the liquid heat having a low temperature immediately after entering the liquid tank portion 21 and before being heated by the electric heater 22. More medium 8 can be taken into the second flow path 36 more advantageously.

(Configuration 3)
In the above description, the tank body 27 is provided with the liquid introduction part 41 that guides the liquid heat medium 8 to the inlet part 36 a of the second flow path 36.

(Supplementary explanation 3)
Here, the above-described “liquid introduction part 41” efficiently guides the liquid heat medium 8 that has entered the tank body 27 from the heat medium supply port 37 toward the inlet 36a of the second flow path 36. It is a guide to do.
In this case, the liquid introduction part 41 is provided in the extended shape part 42 formed at the front side end part of the tank main body 27.

  The extended shape portion 42 includes a horizontal portion 42 a provided by extending the upper surface of the front side end portion of the tank body 27 to the other side in the lateral direction (the side opposite to the lid portion 28), and the front side end of the tank body 27. And the vertical portion 42b provided by extending the upper half of the other side surface in the vertical direction.

The above-described heat medium supply port 37 is connected to a position near the vertical portion 42 b (on the side opposite to the lid portion 28) in the horizontal portion 42 a of the extended shape portion 42. In this case, the heat medium supply port 37 extends in the vertical direction so as to be directed in the tangential direction of the semi-cylindrical portion 27b. Thereby, the inner surface of the vertical portion 42 b of the extended shape portion 42 is made to be a straight guide portion 41 a (vertical guide portion) of the liquid introduction portion 41.
The curved guide in which the inner surface along the semi-cylindrical portion 27b and the inner surface along the lower surface of the rectangular parallelepiped portion 27a in the lower half of the expanded shape portion 42 are directed toward the inlet portion 36a of the second flow path 36, respectively. It becomes the part 41b and the linear guide part 41c (lateral direction guide part). The liquid guide portion 41 described above is configured by the linear guide portion 41a, the curved guide portion 41b, and the linear guide portion 41c.

The inlet portion 36 a of the second flow path 36 is provided at a position where the liquid heat medium 8 starts to be heated by the electric heater 22. That is, when viewed from the front side, the inlet portion 36a of the second flow path 36 is provided at a position (or a position before the liquid heat medium 8 makes a round of the first flow path 35). .
The above-described heat medium discharge port 38 is connected to a position closer to one side surface (the lid portion 28) on the upper surface of the rear end portion of the tank body 27.

(Configuration 4)
In the above, the first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36 need to allow the liquid heat medium 8 to flow without stagnation during operation. For this purpose, for example, a stay prevention portion for allowing the liquid heat medium 8 to flow without any stagnation is provided in at least one of the first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36.

(Supplementary explanation 4)
Here, “in operation” described above is a state in which at least one of the electric heater 22 and the electric component E is actually operating.
“The liquid heat medium 8 stagnates” means that at least one of the first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36 stops.

“The liquid heat medium 8 is smoothly distributed” means that the flow of one of the first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36 becomes extremely good compared to the flow of the other, or It is thought to be caused by becoming too bad.
Therefore, in order to prevent the stagnation of the liquid heat medium 8, the balance between the first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36 should be balanced so that a large (flow) difference does not occur. It will be good. For that purpose, the flow path design (or balance design) of the first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36 is the most important configuration.

  In this case, in particular, in order to balance the second flow path 36 having a small flow path resistance and a short flow path length and the first flow path 35 having a large flow path resistance and a long flow path length, As the “preventing part”, the shape and size of the inlet part 36a of the second flow path 36 described above, the shape and size of the outlet part 36b, the cross-sectional shape inside the flow path between the inlet part 36a and the outlet part 36b, etc. Designed optimally so that the liquid heat medium 8 does not stagnate.

  In addition, in order to prevent the stagnation of the liquid heat medium 8, the following configuration may be supplementarily added as the above “residence prevention unit”.

(Configuration 5)
For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, in order to prevent a stagnation between the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the first flow path 35 and the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the second flow path 36, for example, A transit time delay unit 45 that delays the transit time of the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the second flow path 36 is provided.

(Supplementary explanation 5)
Here, the “passing time delay unit 45” described above has the passage time of the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the first flow path 35 and the passage time of the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the second flow path 36 substantially substantially the same. Or delay so that there is a difference within an allowable range (necessary to prevent stagnation) between the passage times of the two. The passage time delay unit 45 can be provided for the first flow path 35, the second flow path 36, or both. In this case, the second channel 36 is provided.

(Configuration 6)
More specifically, the passage time delay unit 45 can be a flow path resistance generation unit 46 that delays the passage time of the liquid heat medium 8 by increasing the flow path resistance.

(Supplementary explanation 6)
Here, the above-mentioned “flow path resistance generating portion 46” is installed (or protruded) in the flow path entrance and the flow path of the first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36, thereby substantially flowing. The road resistance is increased. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the flow path resistance generation unit 46 may be a rib 46 a, a boss (not shown), or other protrusion in the flow path.
In this case, as an example, the flow path resistance generator 46 includes a plurality of ribs 46a extending in parallel from the inlet 36a to the outlet 36b of the second flow path 36. However, the flow path resistance generator 46 is not limited to these, and the arrangement of the ribs 46a and the bosses can be arbitrarily optimized.

(Configuration 7)
Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, in order to prevent stagnation between the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the first flow path 35 and the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the second flow path 36. In addition, a flow path length changing unit 47 that performs at least one of adjusting the flow path length of the first flow path 35 or increasing the flow path length of the second flow path 36 is provided.

(Supplementary explanation 7)
Here, the above-described “flow path length changing unit 47” is changed so that the flow path length of the first flow path 35 and the flow path length of the second flow path 36 are substantially equal, or This is to change the flow path length between the two so as to have a difference within an allowable range (necessary for preventing stagnation). The flow path length changing unit 47 can be provided for the first flow path 35, the second flow path 36, or both. The above-mentioned “change” means a change or modification to the initial shape of the first flow path 35 or the second flow path 36, and the flow paths of the first flow path 35 or the second flow path 36. The variable length is not included.

(Configuration 8)
More specifically, the channel length changing unit 47 can be a shape changing unit 48 that changes the channel length by changing the shape inside the channel.

(Supplementary explanation 8)
Here, the above-described “shape changing portion 48” is installed inside the first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36 to substantially adjust the flow path length or increase the flow path length. As long as it can be used, it may be anything. The above “change” means that the initial shape of the first flow path 35 or the second flow path 36 is changed or modified, and the length of the first flow path 35 or the second flow path 36 is changed. The variable shall not be included.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the shape of the channel wall shape on the outer peripheral side of the winding portion 22a of the electric heater 22 is a semi-cylindrical shape as the shape changing portion 48 with respect to the inside of the rectangular parallelepiped shape portion 27a of the first flow passage 35 A semi-cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 48a for aligning the shape is provided (see also FIG. 8). The semi-cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 48a is for stabilizing the flow path length of the liquid heat medium 8 by forming a regular spiral flow along the outer periphery of the winding portion 22a of the electric heater 22. is there.

  The axis of the semi-cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 48 a substantially coincides with the axis of the semi-cylindrical portion 27 b of the tank body 27 and the axis of the winding portion 22 a of the electric heater 22. Further, the inner diameter of the semi-cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 48 a is set to be the same as the inner diameter of the semi-cylindrical portion 27 b of the tank body 27. A constant gap is formed in the radial direction between the inner peripheral surfaces of the semicylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 48 a and the semicylindrical portion 27 b and the outer diameter portion of the winding portion 22 a of the electric heater 22. To do. The semi-cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 48a is integrally provided on the inner surface side of the lid portion 28.

Further, in addition to the semi-cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 48a, or separately from the semi-cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 48a, the shape changing portion 48 is located at the axial center position inside the electric heater 22 with respect to the first flow path 35. The cylindrical inner peripheral wall part 48b is inserted and arranged as a nest.
The cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion 48b restricts the liquid heat medium 8 from flowing directly in the axial direction in a short-circuited manner, and the regular spiral flow along the inner periphery of the winding portion 22a of the electric heater 22. This is to stabilize the flow path length of the liquid heat medium 8 by forming the path.

  The axial line of the cylindrical inner peripheral wall part 48 b substantially coincides with the axial line of the semi-cylindrical part 27 b of the tank body 27 and the axial line of the winding part 22 a of the electric heater 22. Further, the outer diameter of the cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion 48 b is set smaller than the inner diameter of the winding portion 22 a of the electric heater 22. A constant gap is formed in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion 48 b and the inner diameter portion of the winding portion 22 a of the electric heater 22.

  Although not particularly illustrated, in order to more accurately define the spiral flow path with respect to the inner peripheral surfaces of the semicylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 48a and the semicylindrical portion 27b and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion 48b. A spiral groove or the like may be formed.

  The above is the shape changing part 48 (flow path defining wall part) provided in the first flow path 35.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, as a shape changing portion 48 (channel defining wall portion), a partition for reciprocally folding between the inlet portion 36a and the outlet portion 36b inside the second channel 36. One or a plurality of wall portions 48c (ribs) may be provided.
In this case, the liquid heat medium 8 is reciprocated halfway in the depth direction by the two partition walls 48c (ribs), but is not limited thereto. The partition wall portion 48c (rib) can be provided integrally or separately from the lid portion 28.

  The passage time delay unit 45 and the flow path length changing unit 47 described above constitute a part of the retention preventing unit described above. The passage time delay unit 45 and the channel length changing unit 47 described above can be combined. Further, the flow path length changing unit 47 can also be used as the passage time delay unit 45.

(Configuration 9)
In the above description, the electric component E is the switch element 25 for switching on and off the power supplied to the electric heater 22.

(Supplementary explanation 9)
Here, the above-described “switch element 25” is a heat-generating component that generates heat to a high temperature by switching on / off of electric power from the high-voltage power source 23 connected to the electric heater 22, and requires cooling. The switch element 25 is heated to about 100 ° C. or more depending on the operating condition. Therefore, the liquid heat medium 8 that is heated only to about 60 ° C. can be sufficiently cooled.

<Operation> The operation of this embodiment will be described below.
In the liquid heating device 12, most of the liquid heat medium 8 that has entered the liquid tank unit 21 from the heat medium supply port 37 passes through the first flow path 35 and is heated by the electric heater 22 in the first flow path 35. It is discharged from the discharge port 38.

At this time, a part of the liquid heat medium 8 that has entered the liquid tank portion 21 from the heat medium supply port 37 is guided to the second flow path 36 from the upstream side of the first flow path 35, and passes through the second flow path 36. And used for cooling the electrical component E.
The liquid heat medium 8 that has cooled the electrical component E is heated by the heat of the electrical component E, exits from the second flow path 36 to the downstream side of the first flow path 35, and is downstream of the first flow path 35 by the electric heater 22. The heated liquid heat medium 8 in the first flow path 35 is merged and discharged from the heat medium discharge port 38.

<Effect> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(Operation effect 1)
The liquid heating device 12 includes a liquid tank section 21 and an electric heater 22, the electric heater 22 is installed in the first flow path 35, and the electric component E faces the second flow path 36. Accordingly, the heating of the liquid heat medium 8 by the electric heater 22 and the cooling of the electric component E by the liquid heat medium 8 can be performed simultaneously on the inner and outer surfaces of the liquid tank portion 21.
Thereby, for example, compared with the case where the heating mechanism that heats the liquid heat medium 8 and the cooling mechanism that cools the electrical component E are separately (independently) installed, the structure and functions are consolidated, Space efficiency can be improved, and it is possible to eliminate the need to route external piping that supplies the liquid heat medium 8 to the heating mechanism and the cooling mechanism that are separately configured.
Further, there is no external piping for handling as described above, and the flow path length of the liquid heat medium 8 as a whole is shortened, so that the capacity and energy saving of the pump for feeding the liquid heat medium 8 can be reduced. Can be achieved.
In addition, when the electric component E is simply attached to the outer surface of the liquid tank portion 21 without providing the second flow path 36, the electric component E may be heated by the electric heater 22, By providing the two flow paths 36 and partitioning the second flow path 36 from the first flow path 35 so that the heated liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the first flow path 35 does not enter the second flow path 36, It is possible to reliably cool the electrical component E with the liquid heat medium 8.

(Operation effect 2)
The liquid tank portion 21 has a tank body 27 and a lid portion 28, the second flow path 36 is formed inside the lid portion 28, and the electric component E is opposed to the second flow path 36 with the lid portion 28. By being attached, the second flow path 36 can be advantageously provided by using the lid portion 28 (configured separately from the tank body 27) of the liquid tank portion 21.
In addition, the electrical component E can be easily attached using the lid portion 28 described above. Therefore, it is possible to collectively install a mechanism for cooling the electrical component E with respect to the lid portion 28, and the handling and maintenance properties can be improved.

(Operation effect 3)
By providing the liquid introduction part 41 in the tank body 27, the liquid introduction part 41 can efficiently guide the liquid heat medium 8 in the tank body 27 to the inlet part 36 a of the second flow path 36. .

(Operation effect 4)
The first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36 are configured so that the liquid heat medium 8 flows without stagnation during operation, so that the functions of the first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36 are achieved. Can be maintained in a normal state.
On the other hand, if the liquid heat medium 8 stays in the first flow path 35, the liquid heat medium 8 heated by the electric heater 22 cannot be sent to the air heater of the external air conditioner. The heating performance of the device will be reduced.
On the contrary, if the liquid heat medium 8 stays in the second flow path 36, the electric component E cannot be cooled well, and the electric component E may run out of heat.
Therefore, by making it possible to prevent the stagnation of the liquid heat medium 8 in the first flow path 35 and the second flow path 36, it is possible to eliminate the problems as described above.

(Operation effect 5)
The passage time delay unit 45 delays the passage time of the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the second flow path 36, thereby causing the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the first flow path 35 and the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the second flow path 36. And the degree of heating of the liquid heat medium 8 by the electric heater 22 in the first flow path 35 and the degree of cooling of the electric component E by the liquid heat medium 8 in the second flow path 36 are liquid. It can be set optimally depending on the passage time of the heat medium 8.

(Operation effect 6)
By using the passage time delay unit 45 as the channel resistance generation unit 46, the channel resistance generation unit 46 increases the channel resistance and delays the passage time of the liquid heat medium 8. The transit time can be delayed.
Further, for example, the cooling performance for the electrical component E can be improved by increasing the flow resistance of the second flow path 36 and delaying the passage time of the liquid heat medium 8.
The flow path resistance generator 46 can be used to finely adjust the passage time of the liquid heat medium 8 later, which is convenient.

(Operation effect 7)
The flow path length changing unit 47 adjusts the flow path length of the first flow path 35 or increases the flow path length of the second flow path 36 to flow through the first flow path 35. The stagnation between the liquid heat medium 8 and the liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the second flow path 36 is prevented, the degree of heating of the liquid heat medium 8 by the electric heater 22 in the first flow path 35, and the second flow path. The degree of cooling of the electrical component E by the liquid heat medium 8 in 36 can be optimally set by the flow path length.

(Operation effect 8)
By changing the channel length changing unit 47 to the shape changing unit 48, the shape changing unit 48 changes the shape inside the channel, thereby adjusting the channel length of the first channel 35, or the second channel 36. It is possible to increase the length of the flow path or at least one of them.

(Operation effect 9)
By using the electrical component E as the switching element 25, the switching element 25 is heated to a high temperature by switching on and off the power from the high-voltage power supply 23 connected to the electrical heater 22, The liquid heat medium 8 flowing through the flow path 36 makes it possible to cool the switch element 25 so as to prevent thermal runaway or to keep cooling.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the embodiments are only examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. Needless to say, design changes and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the invention are included in the present invention. Further, for example, when each embodiment includes a plurality of configurations, it is a matter of course that possible combinations of these configurations are included even if not specifically described. Further, when a plurality of embodiments and modifications are shown, it is needless to say that possible combinations of configurations extending over these are included even if not specifically described. Further, the configuration depicted in the drawings is of course included even if not particularly described. Further, when there is a term of “etc.”, it is used in the sense that the equivalent is included. In addition, when there are terms such as “almost”, “about”, “degree”, etc., they are used in the sense that they include those in the range and accuracy recognized by common sense.

8 Liquid Heating Medium 12 Liquid Heating Device 21 Liquid Tank Unit 22 Electric Heater 25 Switch Element (Electrical Component)
26 Opening portion 27 Tank body 28 Lid portion 35 First flow path 36 Second flow path 36a Inlet section 36b Outlet section 41 Liquid introduction section 45 Passing time delay section (residence prevention section)
46 Channel resistance generator 47 Channel length change unit (residence prevention unit)
48 Shape change part E Electrical parts

Claims (8)

A liquid tank capable of circulating a liquid heat medium;
In a liquid heating apparatus provided with an electric heater capable of heating a liquid heat medium circulated inside the liquid tank part,
A first flow path in which the electric heater is installed inside the liquid tank part,
A second flow path partitioned from the first flow path,
An apparatus for heating a liquid, wherein an electric component for supplying electric power to the electric heater is attached to an outer surface of the liquid tank portion facing the second flow path. The liquid heating apparatus according to claim 1,
The liquid tank part is a container-like tank body having an opening on one surface;
A lid attached to the tank body so that the opening of the tank body can be sealed;
The second flow path is formed inside the lid,
The liquid heating apparatus, wherein the electric component is attached to an outer surface of the lid portion so as to face the second flow path. The liquid heating apparatus according to claim 2,
The liquid heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a liquid introducing unit that guides the liquid heat medium to the inlet of the second flow path is provided in the tank body. The liquid heating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A liquid heating apparatus comprising a passage time delay unit for delaying a passage time of the liquid heat medium flowing through the second flow path. The liquid heating apparatus according to claim 4,
The liquid heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the passage time delay unit is a channel resistance generation unit that delays the passage time of the liquid heat medium by increasing the channel resistance. The liquid heating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A liquid heating apparatus, comprising: a flow path length changing unit that performs at least one of adjusting a flow path length of the first flow path or increasing a flow path length of the second flow path. The liquid heating apparatus according to claim 6,
The liquid heating apparatus, wherein the flow path length changing unit is a shape changing unit that changes a flow path length by changing a shape inside the flow path. A liquid heating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The liquid heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric component is a switch element for switching on and off of electric power supplied to the electric heater.