JP2020053242A - Heat medium heating device and air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress a thermal effect of PTC elements and enhance durability of a frame member.SOLUTION: A heat medium heating device 25 includes a PTC heater 33 for heating a heat medium in a heat medium flow path formed in a casing 31. The PTC heater 33 includes a plate-like PTC element 61, a plate-like type heater main body 60 having a first electrode plate 62 and a second electrode plate 63 which are laminated on both sides of the PTC element 61, a frame member 80 which is made of an insulating material and provided so as to surround the side surface of the heater main body 60, and a gap forming portion which is formed in at least one of the heater main body 60 and the frame member 80, and contacts a part of the side surface of the heater main body 60 so as to form a gap 88 between the side surface of the heater main body 60 and the inner side surface of the frame member 80. When viewed along a thickness direction, gaps 88 are formed on both sides of the gap forming portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat medium heating device and a vehicle air conditioner.

  2. Description of the Related Art Some heat medium heating devices constituting a conventional vehicle air conditioner include a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) element having a PTC heater having a heating element as a heating element.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a configuration including a PTC heater provided along a flow direction of a heat medium flow path. The PTC heater includes a PTC element and electrode plates provided on both sides of the PTC element. A resin frame member is provided on the periphery of the PTC heater.

JP-A-2017-218116

  Incidentally, the resin frame member is in surface contact with the outer peripheral end surfaces of the PTC element and the electrode plate at the peripheral edge of the PTC heater. In a PTC heater, when a voltage is applied to an electrode plate, the PTC element generates heat and becomes hot. At this time, the heat of the PTC element is transmitted to the resin frame member. When the heat from the high-temperature PTC element is transmitted to the frame member, there is a possibility that the frame member made of resin may deteriorate with long-term use.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat medium heating device and a vehicle air conditioner that can suppress deterioration of a frame member due to heat generation of a PTC element.

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
The heat medium heating device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a casing in which a heat medium flow passage through which a heat medium flows is formed, and is disposed in the casing, and heats the heat medium in the heat medium flow passage. A PTC heater, wherein the PTC heater has a plate-shaped PTC element and a flat heater body having a pair of electrode plates provided on both sides of the PTC element in a thickness direction of the PTC element. And a frame member made of an insulating material provided so as to surround a side surface of the heater main body facing a direction intersecting the thickness direction, and a side surface of the heater main body formed on at least one of the heater main body and the frame member And a part of the side surface of the heater body or a part of the inner surface of the frame member so as to form a gap between the side surface of the heater body and the inner surface of the frame member facing the heater member. And a gap forming portion, when viewed from the thickness direction, the gap on both sides of the gap forming portion is formed.

  With such a configuration, a gap is formed in the other portion while a part of the side surface of the heater main body and the inner surface of the frame member are in contact with each other by the gap forming portion. Thereby, the contact area between the heater main body and the frame member is suppressed. As a result, heat generated when the PTC element generates heat is less likely to be transmitted to the frame member.

  In the heat medium heating device according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the gap forming portion is a convex portion protruding from at least one of a side surface of the heater body and an inner surface of the frame member. Is also good.

  With such a configuration, the side surface of the heater main body and the inner side surface of the frame member are in contact only with the convex portion as the gap forming portion, and are not in contact with other portions. This makes it difficult for heat generated when the PTC element generates heat to be transmitted to the frame member.

  In the heat medium heating device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the convex portion has a semicircular shape when viewed from the thickness direction, and has a side surface of the heater main body at only a vertex and the side. It may contact the inner surface of the frame member.

  With such a configuration, the contact area between the side surface of the heater main body and the inner surface of the frame member can be greatly reduced. This makes it more difficult for heat generated when the PTC element generates heat to be transmitted to the frame member.

  In the heat medium heating device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the convex portion may be formed on the frame member and may contact only one side of the pair of electrode plates. .

  When the PTC element generates heat, the temperature of the PTC element at the center in the thickness direction is the highest, and the temperature decreases toward the surface of the PTC element at both ends in the thickness direction. Therefore, the temperature of the electrode plate laminated on the surface of the PTC element is lower than the highest temperature in the center of the PTC element in the thickness direction. Therefore, when the protrusion contacts only one side of the electrode plate, the amount of heat transmitted from the heater main body to the frame member is reduced, and the influence of heat on the frame member can be suppressed.

  In the heat medium heating device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the PTC elements are arranged in a plurality along the surface of the electrode plate, and the projections are formed when viewed from the thickness direction. The plurality of PTC elements may contact the electrode plate in a region where a space is provided between the PTC elements.

  With such a configuration, in the region where the PTC element is not arranged in the electrode plate, the amount of heat transmitted from the PTC element becomes smaller. Thereby, the thermal influence from the heater main body to the frame member can be effectively suppressed.

  Further, in the heat medium heating device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fifth aspects, in the thickness direction, the protrusion may be arranged such that the frame is closer to the electrode plate side in the thickness direction. The projecting dimension from the member may be increased.

  With such a configuration, the projection can be brought into contact with only the electrode plate with a simple shape, and the heat of the PTC element is less likely to be transmitted to the frame member. In addition, the strength of the projection is increased as compared with a configuration in which the projection is projected only at a portion that contacts the electrode plate.

  Further, in the heat medium heating device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the gap forming portion is, with respect to the heater body, when viewed from the thickness direction. First gap forming portions respectively provided on both sides in an intersecting direction intersecting with a direction in which the heat medium flow path extends, and a direction in which the heat medium flow path extends with respect to the heater main body when viewed from the thickness direction. And second gap forming portions respectively provided on both sides of the second gap.

  With such a configuration, the position of the heater main body with respect to the frame main body can be held with high accuracy.

  In the heating medium heating device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, a plurality of the first gap forming portions may be provided at intervals in a direction in which the heating medium flow path extends.

  With such a configuration, the heater main body is less likely to be inclined with respect to the frame member. Therefore, the position of the heater main body with respect to the frame main body can be held with high accuracy.

  Further, a vehicle air conditioner according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle air conditioner, wherein the heat medium heating device according to any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, a blower that causes a flow of outside air or air in a vehicle cabin, A cooler provided downstream of the cooler for cooling the outside air or the air, and a cooler provided downstream of the cooler and heating the outside air or the air by the heat medium heated by the heat medium heating device A radiator.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to suppress deterioration of the frame member accompanying the heat generation of a PTC element.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the above-mentioned heating medium heating device. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the said heat medium heating apparatus, and is an AA arrow sectional drawing in FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the said heat medium heating apparatus, and is BB arrow sectional drawing in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the frame member provided in the PTC heater provided in the said heat medium heating apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a heater main body of a PTC heater provided in the heat medium heating device. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a heater main body provided in the heat medium heating device. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a PTC heater provided in the heat medium heating device, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 4. It is sectional drawing which shows the frame member of the PTC heater which concerns on the modification of embodiment of the said heat medium heating device. It is a top view showing a frame member of a PTC heater concerning a modification of an embodiment of the above-mentioned heating medium heating device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a heating medium heating device and a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to only these embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle air conditioner 10 includes a housing 11, a blower 13, a cooler 15, a radiator 16, an air mix damper 17, and a heat medium circulation circuit 19. The vehicle air conditioner 10 is, for example, an air conditioner applicable to a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, and the like.

  The housing 11 has an inlet 11A, an outlet 11B, and a channel 11C. The intake 11 </ b> A is provided at one end of the housing 11. The intake port 11 </ b> A takes outside air or air in the vehicle compartment (hereinafter simply referred to as “air”) into the housing 11. The discharge port 11B is provided at the other end of the housing 11. The discharge port 11B discharges the air in the housing 11. The outlet 11B is connected to a plurality of outlets provided in the vehicle interior. The flow path 11C communicates between the intake port 11A and the discharge port 11B. In the flow path 11C, the air taken in from the intake port 11A flows toward the discharge port 11B.

  The blower 13 is provided at a position near the intake port 11A in the flow path 11C. The blower 13 sucks air from the intake port 11A into the flow path 11C and sends the air toward the discharge port 11B. In the flow path 11C, a flow of air is generated by the blower 13 from the intake port 11A toward the discharge port 11B.

  The cooler 15 is provided in the flow path 11C on the downstream side of the blower 13 (on the side of the discharge port 11B). The cooler 15 is arranged so as to close a part of the flow path 11C. The cooler 15 forms a refrigerant circuit together with a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve (not shown). The cooler 15 cools the air passing through the cooler 15 by evaporating the refrigerant adiabatically expanded by the expansion valve.

  The radiator 16 is provided downstream of the cooler 15 in the flow path 11C. The radiator 16 heats the air by exchanging heat between the air cooled by the cooler 15 and a heat medium supplied from a heat medium circulation circuit 19 described later. The radiator 16 has an inlet 16A and an outlet 16B. The inlet 16A and the outlet 16B are connected to the heat medium circulation circuit 19. A heat medium is introduced from the heat medium circulation circuit 19 to the inlet 16A. The heat medium having passed through the radiator 16 is led out to the heat medium circulation circuit 19 from the outlet 16B.

  The air mix damper 17 is provided in parallel with the radiator 16 in the flow path 11C. The air mix damper 17 adjusts the amount of air flowing bypassing the radiator 16. The air that has passed through the air mix damper 17 is mixed with the air that has passed through the radiator 16 on the downstream side of the radiator 16 and the air mix damper 17. The air mix damper 17 adjusts the temperature of the mixed air of the air passing through the radiator 16 and the air flowing bypassing the radiator 16.

  The heat medium circulation circuit 19 includes a circulation line 21, a tank 23, a pump 24, and a heat medium heating device 25. The circulation line 21 is arranged outside the housing 11. The circulation line 21 connects the inlet 16A and the outlet 16B of the radiator 16, the tank 23, the pump 24, and the heat medium heating device 25. The circulation line 21 circulates the heat medium between the radiator 16, the tank 23, the pump 24, and the heat medium heating device 25.

  When the vehicle air conditioner 10 is applied to a hybrid vehicle, for example, engine cooling water of the hybrid vehicle is used as the heat medium. When the vehicle air conditioner 10 is applied to an electric vehicle without an engine, the heat medium may be, for example, an aqueous solution of calcium chloride, an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, an aqueous solution of magnesium chloride, ethylene, which is used as brine for a refrigerator. A glycol aqueous solution or the like is used.

  The tank 23 is provided downstream of the radiator 16 (on the outlet 16B side) in the circulation line 21. A heat medium is stored in the tank 23.

  The pump 24 is provided in the circulation line 21 on the downstream side of the tank 23. The pump 24 supplies the heat medium in the tank 23 to the heat medium heating device 25.

  The heat medium heating device 25 is provided between the pump 24 and the radiator 16 in the circulation line 21. The heat medium heating device 25 heats the heat medium with a PTC heater 33 described later.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the heating medium heating device 25 will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the heat medium heating device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the heat medium heating device, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is a view showing the internal structure of the heat medium heating device, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a frame member provided in the PTC heater provided in the heating medium heating device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a heater main body of a PTC heater provided in the heat medium heating device. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a heater main body provided in the heat medium heating device. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a PTC heater provided in the heat medium heating device, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heat medium heating device 25 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. In the following description, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the heat medium heating device 25 (the direction in which the heat medium flow path extends, the extending direction), and the Y direction is the short direction of the heat medium heating device 25 orthogonal to the X direction ( The cross direction) and the Z direction indicate the thickness direction of the heating medium heating device 25 orthogonal to the XY plane (a virtual plane through which the X direction and the Y direction pass). That is, the thickness direction is a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the heat medium flow path extends and the cross direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the heat medium heating device 25 includes a casing 31, a PTC heater 33 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and a control board 37 (see FIG. 3).

  The casing 31 has a first casing part 41 and a second casing part 42.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first casing part 41 has a substrate housing member 45, a first flow path forming member 46, and a first lid member 47. The first lid member 47, the substrate housing member 45, and the first flow path forming member 46 are provided to be stacked in the thickness direction Z.

  The substrate housing member 45 is provided between the first flow path forming member 46 and the first lid member 47 in the thickness direction Z. The substrate housing member 45 has a substrate housing space 45A, a first channel forming recess 45B, a heat medium inlet 45C, and a heat medium outlet 45D.

  The substrate housing space 45A is formed on the side of the substrate housing member 45 facing the first lid member 47. The substrate housing space 45A is formed so as to be surrounded by a plate-shaped bottom plate portion 45e and a housing outer peripheral wall portion 45f rising from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom plate portion 45e to the first lid member 47 side. The bottom plate portion 45e is a member that extends inside the casing 31 along the XY plane. The housing outer peripheral wall 45f is a member that forms a part of the side surface of the casing 31. Thereby, the substrate housing space 45A is formed as a concave portion that is depressed from the side facing the first lid member 47 toward the first flow path forming member 46.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a control board 37 is housed in the board housing space 45A. The control board 37 controls the operation of a PTC heater 33 described later. The control board 37 has a board body 66, a first electronic component 68 and a second electronic component 69.

  The substrate main body 66 is fixed to the substrate housing member 45. The substrate main body 66 has a plate shape and is arranged in parallel with the bottom plate portion 45e of the substrate housing member 45. The substrate main body 66 is electrically connected to the PTC heater 33 via a connection (not shown).

  The second electronic component 69 is mounted on the substrate surface 66 a facing the first lid member 47 side in the substrate main body 66. The first electronic component 68 is mounted on the back surface 66b of the board body 66 facing the bottom plate 45e. The first electronic component 68 is provided so as to be in contact with the bottom plate 45e. The first electronic component 68 is an electronic component that generates heat more easily than the second electronic component 69. As the first electronic component 68, for example, an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor: an insulated gate bipolar transistor), an FET (Field Effect Transistor), or the like can be exemplified.

  The first flow passage forming recess 45B is formed on the first flow passage forming member 46 side of the substrate housing member 45. The first flow path forming recess 45B is formed so as to be surrounded by a bottom plate part 45e and a housing outer peripheral wall part 45i rising from the outer peripheral part of the bottom plate part 45e to the first flow path forming member 46 side. The housing outer peripheral wall 45i is a member that forms a part of the side surface of the casing 31 together with the housing outer peripheral wall 45f. The housing outer peripheral wall 45i is formed integrally with the housing outer peripheral wall 45f and extends in the thickness direction Z. The first flow passage forming recess 45B is formed to be recessed toward the first lid member 47 from the side facing the first flow passage forming member 46. That is, the first channel forming recess 45B is a recess formed on the opposite side in the thickness direction Z with respect to the substrate housing space 45A with the bottom plate 45e interposed therebetween.

  The heat medium inlet 45C is provided on one end side of the casing 31 in the longitudinal direction X. The heat medium inlet 45C is connected to the circulation line 21 (see FIG. 1) that circulates the heat medium. As shown in FIG. 4, an introduction-side flow path 45p is formed between the heat medium introduction port 45C and the first flow path forming recess 45B. The introduction-side flow path 45p communicates the heat medium introduction port 45C with the first flow path forming recess 45B. The heat medium introduction port 45C introduces the heat medium from the circulation line 21 into the first flow path forming recess 45B via the introduction-side flow path 45p.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heat medium outlet 45D is provided at the other end of the casing 31 in the longitudinal direction X. The heat medium outlet 45D is connected to the circulation line 21 (see FIG. 1) that circulates the heat medium. As shown in FIG. 4, an outlet-side channel 45q is formed between the heat medium outlet 45D and the first channel forming recess 45B. The heat medium outlet 45D guides the heat medium in the first channel forming recess 45B to the circulation line 21 through the outlet channel 45q.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first flow path forming member 46 has a first plate-shaped portion 46A, a plurality of first fins 46B, a heater accommodating concave portion 46C, and a first outer peripheral wall portion 46f. The first flow path forming member 46 is provided with the first outer peripheral wall 46f abutting against the housing outer peripheral wall 45i. The first outer peripheral wall portion 46f is a member that forms a part of the side surface of the casing 31. The first outer peripheral wall portion 46f extends in the thickness direction Z.

  The first plate-shaped portion 46A is provided at an interval in the thickness direction Z with respect to the bottom plate portion 45e of the substrate housing member 45. The first plate-shaped portion 46A is a member that extends along the XY plane inside the casing 31 in parallel with the bottom plate portion 45e. Both ends in the short direction Y of the first plate-shaped portion 46A are connected to the first outer peripheral wall portion 46f. Both ends in the longitudinal direction X of the first plate-shaped portion 46A are spaced apart from the first outer peripheral wall 46f. A first heat medium passage (heat medium passage) 48 is formed between the first plate portion 46A and the bottom plate portion 45e of the substrate housing member 45. The first heat medium flow path 48 is a space defined by the first plate portion 46A, the outer peripheral wall portion 45i, and the bottom plate portion 45e. In the first heat medium flow path 48, the heat medium introduced from the heat medium inlet 45C into the first flow path forming recess 45B flows toward the heat medium outlet 45D along the longitudinal direction X.

  The plurality of first fins 46B are provided on the first plate-shaped portion 46A on the side facing the bottom plate 45e of the substrate housing member 45. The plurality of first fins 46B are provided at intervals in the short direction Y. Each first fin 46B protrudes toward the bottom plate 45e. Each first fin 46B extends in the longitudinal direction X. The plurality of first fins 46 </ b> B are arranged in the first heat medium flow path 48. In the first heat medium flow path 48, the heat medium flows in the longitudinal direction X along the plurality of first fins 46B.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heater accommodating concave portion 46C is formed on the second casing portion 42 side opposite to the substrate accommodating member 45 with respect to the first plate-shaped portion 46A. At both ends in the longitudinal direction X of the first plate-shaped portion 46A, a peripheral wall portion 46w that rises toward the second casing portion 42 is formed. The peripheral wall portion 46w extends parallel to the first outer peripheral wall portion 46f at a position apart from the first outer peripheral wall portion 46f in the longitudinal direction X. The heater accommodating concave portion 46C is formed so as to be surrounded by the first plate portion 46A and the peripheral wall portion 46w. The heater accommodating concave portion 46C is formed as a concave portion that is depressed toward the substrate accommodating member 45 from the side facing the second casing portion 42.

  The first lid member 47 is fixed to the housing outer peripheral wall 45f with a plurality of screws (not shown). The first lid member 47 closes the substrate housing space 45A. The first lid member 47 faces the control board 37 disposed in the board accommodation space 45A.

  The second casing part 42 has a second flow path forming member 53 and a second lid member 54. The second flow path forming member 53 and the second lid member 54 are provided to be stacked in the thickness direction Z.

  The second flow path forming member 53 is provided on the first flow path forming member 46 so as to be stacked in the thickness direction Z. The second flow path forming member 53 integrally includes a second plate-shaped part 53A, a second flow path forming concave part 53B, a plurality of second fins 53C, and a second outer peripheral wall part 53f.

  The second plate-shaped portion 53A is provided at a predetermined interval in the thickness direction Z with respect to the first plate-shaped portion 46A. In the second plate-like portion 53A, a groove 53m is formed on the side facing the first plate-like portion 46A. In the groove 53m, a part of a frame member 80 provided on an outer peripheral portion of the PTC heater 33 described later is accommodated. The groove 53m is formed over the entire outer periphery of the second plate-shaped portion 53A.

  Between the second plate-like portion 53A and the first plate-like portion 46A, a heater accommodating portion 50 that is an accommodating space for accommodating the PTC heater 33 is formed by the heater accommodating concave portion 46C and the groove 53m. The heater accommodating portion 50 is a space surrounded and isolated by the second plate-shaped portion 53A, the second outer peripheral wall 53f, the first plate-shaped portion 46A, the first outer peripheral wall 46f, and the peripheral wall 46w. is there. Thus, the heater accommodating portion 50 is formed between the first heat medium flow path 48 and a second heat medium flow path 56 described later in the thickness direction Z.

  The second flow path forming recess 53B is formed on the second lid member 54 side of the second flow path forming member 53 opposite to the first casing section 41 side. The second flow path forming recess 53B is formed by being surrounded by the second plate-shaped portion 53A and a second outer peripheral wall 53f rising from the outer peripheral portion of the second plate-shaped portion 53A to the second lid member 54 side. I have. The second flow passage forming recess 53B is a recess formed in the second flow passage forming member 53 by being recessed from the second lid member 54 side to the first casing portion 41 side.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of second fins 53C are provided on the second lid member 54 side in the second plate-shaped portion 53A. The plurality of second fins 53C are provided at intervals in the short direction Y. Each of the second fins 53C is formed to protrude from the second plate-shaped portion 53A toward the second lid member 54. Each second fin 53C extends in the longitudinal direction X.

  The second lid member 54 is fixed to the second outer peripheral wall 53f with a plurality of screws (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a second heat medium flow path (heat medium flow path) 56 is formed between the second lid member 54 and the second flow path forming recess 53B. The plurality of second fins 53C are arranged in the second heat medium flow path 56. The second heat medium flow path 56 is a space defined by the second plate-like portion 53A, the second outer peripheral wall 53f, and the second lid member 54. In the second heat medium flow path 56, the heat medium flows in the longitudinal direction X along the plurality of second fins 53C.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second heat medium flow path 56 communicates with the first heat medium flow path 48 through the upstream communication part 43A and the downstream communication part 43B. The upstream communication portion 43A is formed by a first upstream communication port 51A and a second upstream communication port 55A. The downstream communication portion 43B is formed by a first downstream communication port 51B and a second downstream communication port 55B.

  The first upstream communication port 51A and the first downstream communication port 51B are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction X of the first plate-shaped portion 46A. The first upstream communication port 51A and the first downstream communication port 51B are openings between the first plate-shaped portion 46A and the first outer peripheral wall portion 46f in the longitudinal direction X. The first upstream communication port 51A and the first downstream communication port 51B have a long hole shape that extends long in the short direction Y when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

  The second upstream communication port 55A and the second downstream communication port 55B are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction X of the second plate-shaped portion 53A. The second upstream communication port 55A and the second downstream communication port 55B are openings between the second plate portion 53A and the second outer peripheral wall portion 53f in the longitudinal direction X. The second upstream communication port 55A and the second downstream communication port 55B are formed in the same shape at the same position as the first upstream communication port 51A and the first downstream communication port 51B when viewed from the thickness direction Z. .

  Thus, the heat medium introduced from the heat medium inlet 45C into the first heat medium flow path 48 flows into the second heat medium flow path 56 through the upstream communication portion 43A. The heat medium flows in the second heat medium flow path 56 in the longitudinal direction X along the plurality of second fins 53C, passes through the downstream communication portion 43B, passes through the first heat medium flow path 48 to the heat medium outlet 45D. Flowing towards.

  The liquid gasket 32 as a seal member is provided at a portion where the first flow path forming member 46 and the second flow path forming member 53 directly abut each other. The liquid gasket 32 seals between the first flow path forming member 46 and the second flow path forming member 53.

  Specifically, the liquid gasket 32 includes a first outer peripheral wall portion 46f that continues along the outer shape of the first flow path forming member 46, and a second outer circumferential wall 46f that continues along the outer shape of the second flow path forming member 53. It is provided between the wall 53f. Further, the liquid gasket 32 has a peripheral wall portion 46w continuous along the outer peripheral portion of the heater accommodating concave portion 46C in the first plate-shaped portion 46A of the first flow path forming member 46, and an outer peripheral surface of the groove 53m in the second flow path forming member 53. It is provided between the peripheral wall portion 53w continuous along the portion.

  As the liquid gasket 32, for example, an organic solvent type liquid gasket, a solventless type liquid gasket, an aqueous type liquid gasket, or the like can be used. As the organic solvent type liquid gasket, for example, a modified alkyd type, cellulose ester type, or synthetic rubber type liquid gasket can be used. As the solvent-free liquid gasket, for example, a phenol-based, modified ester-based, silicone-based, acrylic-based liquid gasket can be used. As the aqueous type liquid gasket, for example, an aqueous acrylic liquid gasket can be used.

  The PTC heater 33 is housed in the heater housing 50. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the PTC heater 33 is disposed between the first heat medium flow path 48 and the second heat medium flow path 56 in the thickness direction Z. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the PTC heater 33 includes a heater main body 60 and a frame member 80.

  The heater main body 60 has a flat plate shape and is disposed between the upstream communication portion 43A and the downstream communication portion 43B in the longitudinal direction X. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the heater main body 60 has a first electrode plate (electrode plate) 62, a second electrode plate (electrode plate) 63, and a PTC element 61.

  The first electrode plate 62 is provided on the side closer to the first plate portion 46A with respect to the PTC element 61. The first electrode plate 62 has a first electrode plate main body 621 and a first terminal 622.

  The first electrode plate main body 621 has a plate shape parallel to the first plate portion 46A. The first electrode plate main body 621 is joined to the PTC element 61 by an adhesive (not shown). A first insulating sheet 65A (see FIG. 5) is provided between the first electrode plate main body 621 and the first plate-shaped portion 46A. The first terminal 622 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral portion of the first electrode plate main body 621. The first terminal 622 is electrically connected to the control board 37.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, in the present embodiment, the first electrode plate 62 has an upstream electrode plate 62A, a middle electrode plate 62B, and a downstream electrode plate 62C as a plurality of electrode plates. The upstream electrode plate 62A, the midstream electrode plate 62B, and the downstream electrode plate 62C are in the flow direction F (the longitudinal direction X in the present embodiment) of the heat medium flowing in the first heat medium flow path 48 and the second heat medium flow path 56. They are provided at intervals.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the upstream electrode plate 62A, the midstream electrode plate 62B, and the downstream electrode plate 62C have a first electrode plate main body 621 and a first terminal 622, respectively. The first electrode plate main body 621 of the upstream electrode plate 62A is referred to as an upstream first electrode plate main body 621a, and the first terminal 622 thereof is referred to as an upstream first terminal 622a. The first electrode plate main body 621 of the middle current electrode plate 62B is referred to as a middle current first electrode plate body 621b, and the first terminal 622 thereof is referred to as a middle current first terminal 622b. The first electrode plate body 621 in the downstream electrode plate 62C is referred to as a downstream first electrode plate body 621c, and the first terminal 622 thereof is referred to as a downstream first terminal 622c.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the second electrode plate 63 is provided on the side closer to the second plate-shaped portion 53 </ b> A with respect to the PTC element 61. The second electrode plate 63 has a second electrode plate main body 631 and a second terminal 632.

  The second electrode plate body 631 has a plate shape parallel to the first electrode plate body 621. The second electrode plate main body 631 is joined to the PTC element 61 by an adhesive (not shown) on the side opposite to the first electrode plate main body 621 in the thickness direction Z. As shown in FIG. 5, a second insulating sheet 65B is provided between the second electrode plate main body 631 and the second plate portion 53A. The second terminal 632 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral portion of the second electrode plate main body 631. The second terminal 632 is electrically connected to the control board 37.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the PTC element 61 is sandwiched between the first electrode plate 62 and the second electrode plate 63. That is, the first electrode plate main body 621 and the second electrode plate main body 631 are provided on both sides of the PTC element 61 in the thickness direction Z. The PTC element 61 has, for example, a rectangular plate shape. The first surface 61a of the PTC element 61 facing the first plate-shaped portion 46A in the thickness direction Z is in contact with the first electrode plate main body 621. Specifically, the first surface 61a is disposed in contact with the widest surface of the first electrode plate main body 621 facing the second plate-shaped portion 53A. The second surface 61b of the PTC element 61 facing the second plate-shaped portion 53A in the thickness direction Z is in contact with the second electrode plate main body 631. Specifically, the second surface 61b is a surface facing the opposite side to the first surface 61a in the thickness direction Z. The second surface 61b is arranged in contact with the widest surface of the second electrode plate body 631 facing the first plate-shaped portion 46A.

  The PTC element 61 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the dimension in the thickness direction Z connecting the first surface 61a and the second surface 61b is smaller than the dimensions in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. A plurality of PTC elements 61 are arranged in at least one of the longitudinal direction X (the flow direction F of the heat medium) and the transverse direction Y intersecting the longitudinal direction X. Specifically, a plurality of PTC elements 61 of the present embodiment are provided between the first electrode plate 62 and the second electrode plate 63 in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the present embodiment, a total of 28 PTC elements 61 are arranged in four rows in the short direction Y and in seven rows in the long direction X. More specifically, the PTC elements 61 of the present embodiment are divided into a plurality (three) groups (circuits) along the flow direction F by a plurality of first electrode plates 62.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the first group 61A arranged on the most upstream side in the flow direction F, the upstream first electrode plate body 621a and the second electrode plate body 631 located at the most upstream end in the flow direction F The PTC element 61 is arranged between them. The PTC elements 61 of the first group 61A provided with the first surface 61a facing the upstream first electrode plate main body 621a are arranged in a plurality of rows in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y, respectively. In the present embodiment, the PTC elements 61 of the first group 61A are arranged in two rows in the longitudinal direction X by four in the short direction Y. That is, a total of eight PTC elements 61 are arranged in the first group 61A.

  One first gap (space) 100A is formed as a gap between the plurality of PTC elements 61 of the first group 61A. The first gap portion 100A communicates with the outside of the upstream first electrode plate main body 621a and the second electrode plate main body 631 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Specifically, the first gap 100A extends in the longitudinal direction X. The first gap 100A is provided between a pair of PTC elements 61 adjacent to each other in the lateral direction Y. The first gap 100A is provided at the center of the PTC elements 61 arranged four by four in the lateral direction Y. In other words, the PTC elements 61 are arranged on both sides of the first gap 100A in the short direction Y so as to be arranged two by two in the short direction Y. One end of the first gap portion 100A in the longitudinal direction X is communicated with the heater accommodating portion 50 which is a space outside the PTC heater 33 on one side 62p in the longitudinal direction X of the upstream first electrode plate main body 621a. It is open. The other end of the first gap portion 100A in the longitudinal direction X is on the other side 62q in the longitudinal direction X of the upstream electrode plate 62A, and a first space (space) 62S between the upstream electrode plate 62A and the midstream electrode plate 62B. (A space connected to the heater accommodating portion 50).

  In the second group 61B disposed in the middle of the flow direction F, the PTC element 61 is disposed between the middle first electrode plate body 621b and the second electrode plate body 631 located in the middle part of the flow direction F. . The PTC elements 61 of the second group 61B provided with the first surface 61a opposed to the middle flow first electrode plate main body 621b are arranged in a plurality of rows in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y, respectively. In the present embodiment, the PTC elements 61 of the second group 61B are arranged in two rows in the longitudinal direction X by four in the lateral direction Y. That is, a total of eight PTC elements 61 are arranged in the second group 61B.

  One second gap (space) 100B is formed as a gap between the plurality of PTC elements 61 of the second group 61B. The second gap 100B communicates with the outside of the middle first electrode plate body 621b and the second electrode plate body 631 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Specifically, the second gap 100B extends in the longitudinal direction X. The second gap 100B is formed such that the position in the short direction Y is the same as the first gap 100A when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The second gap 100B is provided between a pair of PTC elements 61 adjacent to each other in the lateral direction Y. The second gap 100B is provided at the center of the PTC elements 61 arranged four by four in the lateral direction Y. In other words, the PTC elements 61 are arranged on both sides of the second gap 100B in the short direction Y so as to be arranged two by two in the short direction Y, respectively. One end of the second gap portion 100B in the longitudinal direction X is opened on one side 62r side in the longitudinal direction X of the midstream first electrode plate main body 621b so as to communicate with the first space 62S, that is, the heater accommodating portion 50. I have. The other end of the second gap portion 100B in the longitudinal direction X is a second space (space) 62TT between the middle current electrode plate 62B and the downstream electrode plate 62C on the other side 62s in the longitudinal direction X of the middle current electrode plate 62B. (A space connected to the heater accommodating portion 50).

  In the third group 61C disposed on the most downstream side in the flow direction F, the PTC element 61 is disposed between the downstream first electrode plate main body 621c and the second electrode plate main body 631 located at the most downstream end in the flow direction F. Have been. The PTC elements 61 of the third group 61C provided with the first surface 61a facing the downstream first electrode plate main body 621c are arranged in a plurality of rows in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y, respectively. In the present embodiment, the PTC elements 61 of the third group 61C are arranged in three rows in the longitudinal direction X by four in the lateral direction Y. That is, a total of twelve PTC elements 61 are arranged in the third group 61C.

  One third gap (space) 100C is provided as a gap between the plurality of PTC elements 61 of the third group 61C. The third gap 100C communicates with the outside of the downstream first electrode plate main body 621c and the second electrode plate main body 631 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Specifically, the third gap 100C extends in the longitudinal direction X. The third gap 100C is formed such that the position in the lateral direction Y is the same as the first gap 100A and the second gap 100B when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The third gap 100C is provided between a pair of adjacent PTC elements 61 in the short direction Y. The third gap 100C is provided at the center of the PTC elements 61 arranged four by four in the lateral direction Y. In other words, the PTC elements 61 are arranged on both sides of the third gap 100C in the short direction Y such that two PTC elements 61 are arranged in the short direction Y. One end of the third gap 100C is open on one side 62t in the longitudinal direction X of the downstream first electrode plate main body 621c so as to communicate with the second space 62T, that is, the heater accommodating section 50. The other end of the third gap 100C is open on the other side 62u in the longitudinal direction X of the downstream first electrode plate main body 621c so as to communicate with the heater accommodating portion 50.

  Under the control of the control board 37, the heater main body 60 applies a voltage to each of the upstream electrode plate 62A, the middle electrode plate 62B, and the downstream electrode plate 62C separately via the first terminal 622 and the second terminal 632. When a voltage is applied to the upstream electrode plate 62A located at the most upstream end in the flow direction F of the heat medium, the plurality of PTC elements 61 in the first group 61A generate heat. When a voltage is applied to the midstream electrode plate 62B located in the middle part of the flow direction F of the heat medium, the PTC elements 61 in the second group 61B generate heat. When a voltage is applied to the downstream electrode plate 62C located at the most downstream end in the flow direction F of the heat medium, the plurality of PTC elements 61 in the third group 61C generate heat.

  The heat generated in the heater main body 60 in this manner is transmitted to the first plate portion 46A, the second plate portion 53A, the first fin 46B, and the second fin 53C. Thereby, the heat medium flowing through the first heat medium flow path 48 and the second heat medium flow path 56 is heated. Further, the heat medium flowing through the first heat medium flow path 48 is also heated by the heat of the first electronic component 68 that easily generates heat via the bottom plate portion 45e of the substrate housing member 45. The heat medium thus heated by the heat medium heating device 25 is discharged to the circulation line 21 via the heat medium outlet 45D. Thereafter, the heated heat medium is supplied to the radiator 16 through the inlet 16A of the radiator 16.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the frame member 80 is provided so as to surround the side surface of the heater main body 60 facing the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. The frame member 80 is formed from an insulating material such as a resin. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the frame member 80 integrally includes a frame main body 81, an insertion portion 82, and a gap forming portion 85.

  The frame main body 81 is provided so as to surround the side surface of the heater main body 60. The frame main body 81 has a rectangular ring shape that can accommodate the heater main body 60 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The frame main body 81 has a first side portion 81a and a second side portion 81b integrally.

  The first side portions 81a are provided on both sides of the heater body 60 in the lateral direction Y, respectively. The first side portion 81a has a rectangular shape extending long in the longitudinal direction X. The first side portion 81a extends in parallel with the long side 60m extending in the longitudinal direction X in the heater main body 60. When viewed in the thickness direction Z, the first side portion 81a is provided at a distance in the short side direction Y with respect to the long side surface 60f which is the side surface of the heater main body 60 at the long side 60m. The first side portion 81a has a first inner side surface 81f parallel to the long side surface 60f of the heater main body 60.

  The second side portions 81b are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction X of the heater main body 60, respectively. The second side portion 81b has a rectangular shape extending long in the short direction Y. The second side portion 81b is connected to both ends in the longitudinal direction X of the first side portion 81a. That is, the frame body 81 is formed in a rectangular ring shape by connecting both ends of the pair of second sides 81b to both ends of the pair of first sides 81a. The second side portion 81b extends in the heater main body 60 in parallel with a short side 60n extending in the short direction Y. The second side portion 81b is provided at a distance in the longitudinal direction X from a short side surface 60g which is a side surface of the heater main body 60 at the short side 60n when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The second side portion 81b has a second inner side surface 81g that is a surface parallel to the short side surface 60g of the heater main body 60. The second inner surface 81g, together with the first inner surface 81f, forms an inner surface 80g of the frame member 80 facing the side surface of the heater main body 60.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the insertion portion 82 is provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral portion of the frame main body 81 in the thickness direction Z. The insertion portion 82 is formed so as to be continuous over the entire circumference of the frame main body 81. That is, the insertion portions 82 are formed on the first side portion 81a and the second side portion 81b, respectively. The insertion portion 82 has a shape that can be fitted into the groove 53m.

  The gap forming portion 85 is formed on the inner surface 80 g of the frame member 80. The gap forming portion 85 contacts a part of the side surface of the heater main body 60 so as to form a gap 88 between the side surface of the heater main body 60 and the inner side surface of the frame member 80. In the frame member 80, only the gap forming portion 85 contacts the side surface of the heater main body 60. Therefore, gaps 88 are formed on both sides of the gap forming portion 85 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The gap forming part 85 of the present embodiment is a convex part 86 protruding from the frame main body 81 toward the heater main body 60. The projection 86 has a semicircular shape when viewed from the thickness direction Z, as shown in FIG. When viewed from the thickness direction Z, the convex portion 86 is in contact with the side surface of the heater main body 60 only at the apex formed closest to the side surface of the heater main body 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the convex portion 86 is in contact with only the second electrode plate 63. The protrusion 86 is formed such that the protrusion dimension from the frame body 81 increases in the thickness direction Z as it approaches the second electrode plate 63 side.

  Specifically, the projection 86 has a tip portion 86s and a tapered portion 86t integrally. The tip portion 86s is provided on the side closer to the second electrode plate 63 in the thickness direction Z in the convex portion 86. The tip portion 86s is in contact with the second electrode plate 63. The tapered portion 86t is formed integrally with the tip portion 86s so as to be continuous on the first electrode plate 62 side in the thickness direction Z. The tapered portion 86t is formed such that the dimension of the protrusion from the frame main body 81 toward the heater main body 60 gradually increases as the distance from the first electrode plate 62 to the second electrode plate 63 increases in the thickness direction Z. That is, the protrusion amount of the tapered portion 86t increases toward the distal end portion 86s.

  As shown in FIG. 8, such convex portions 86 are provided on a first convex portion (first gap forming portion) 86A provided on a first side portion 81a of the frame main body 81 and on a second side portion 81b. A second convex portion (second gap forming portion) 86B.

  The first convex portions 86A are provided on both sides of the heater main body 60 in the short direction Y when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The first convex portion 86A of the present embodiment is formed on the first side portion 81a. The first convex portion 86A provided on the first side portion 81a protrudes in the short direction Y from the first inner side surface 81f toward the long side surface 60f. The vertex of the distal end portion 86s of the first convex portion 86A is in contact with the second electrode plate 63 on the long side surface 60f. A plurality of first convex portions 86A are formed for one first side portion 81a at intervals in the longitudinal direction X. Specifically, two first protrusions 86A are provided at a distance in the longitudinal direction X with respect to one first side 81a. The first convex portion 86A is, in the first side portion 81a, a region where the plurality of PTC elements 61 are arranged with a space therebetween when viewed from the thickness direction Z, that is, the first space 62S and the second space 62T. Is provided in the region facing the. The first protrusion 86A is in contact with the second electrode plate 63 at a position where the position in the longitudinal direction X overlaps the first space 62S and the second space 62T when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

  The second protrusions 86B are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction X with respect to the heater main body 60 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The second convex portion 86B of the present embodiment is formed on the second side portion 81b. The second convex portion 86B provided on the second side portion 81b protrudes in the longitudinal direction X from the second inner surface 81g toward the short side surface 60g. The vertex of the tip portion 86s of the second convex portion 86B is in contact with the second electrode plate 63 at the short side surface 60g. Only one second convex portion 86B is formed at the center of the second side portion 81b in the lateral direction Y. The second convex portion 86B is, in the second side portion 81b, a region where the plurality of PTC elements 61 are arranged with a space therebetween when viewed from the thickness direction Z, that is, the first gap portion 100A and the third gap portion. It is provided in a region facing the part 100C. The second convex portion 86B is in contact with the second electrode plate 63 at a portion where the position in the short direction Y overlaps the first gap portion 100A and the third gap portion 100C when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

  Thus, in the frame member 80, only the first convex portion 86A and the second convex portion 86B are in contact with the long side surface 60f and the short side surface 60g of the heater main body 60. Therefore, when viewed from the thickness direction Z, a gap 88 is formed between the inner side surface 80g of the frame member 80 and the side surface of the heater main body 60 in a region other than the first protrusion 86A and the second protrusion 86B. You.

  When the PTC element 61 generates heat in the heater main body 60, the PTC element 61 has the highest temperature in the central portion in the thickness direction Z, and the first surface 61a and the second surface 61b of the PTC element 61 at both ends in the thickness direction Z. The temperature decreases toward. Accordingly, the amount of heat transmitted from the heater main body 60 to the first electrode plate 62 stacked on the first surface 61a and the second electrode plate 63 stacked on the second surface 61b is reduced. Further, in the first space 62S, the second space 62T, the first gap 100A, and the third gap 100C, which are regions where the PTC elements 61 are arranged with a space therebetween, the first electrode plate is separated from the PTC element 61. The amount of heat transmitted to 62 and the second electrode plate 63 is further reduced. As a result, in the first electrode plate 62 and the second electrode plate 63, in particular, in the regions corresponding to the first space 62S, the second space 62T, the first gap 100A, and the third gap 100C, the temperature does not easily increase. Has become. In such a portion, the first convex portion 86A and the second convex portion 86B come into contact with the heater main body 60, so that the influence of the heat of the PTC element 61 on the frame member 80 is suppressed.

  According to the heating medium heating device 25 and the vehicle air conditioner 10 described above, the side surface of the heater body 60 and the inner surface 80 g of the frame member 80 are partially contacted by the convex portion 86 that is the gap forming portion 85. Meanwhile, gaps 88 are formed in other portions. Thereby, the contact area between the heater main body 60 and the frame member 80 is suppressed. Therefore, heat generated when the PTC element 61 generates heat is less likely to be transmitted to the frame member 80. As a result, it is possible to prevent the frame member 80 from deteriorating due to the thermal influence of the PTC element 61, and to enhance the durability.

  Further, the heater main body 60 and the frame member 80 come into contact only at the portion where the convex portion 86 as the gap forming portion 85 is formed, and do not contact at other portions. This makes it difficult for the heat of the PTC element 61 to be transmitted to the frame member 80. In addition, since the protrusions 86 need only be formed on the frame member 80 formed of resin, the gap forming portions 85 can be formed with a simple structure. Therefore, the cost increase due to the provision of the gap forming portion 85 can be suppressed, and the heat medium heating device 25 can be manufactured at low cost.

  In particular, the convex portion 86 has a semicircular shape when viewed from the thickness direction Z, and is formed so as to contact the side surface of the heater main body 60 only at the apex. Therefore, the convex portion 86 is close to the point contact with the heater main body 60. As a result, the contact area with the heater main body 60 can be greatly reduced. Thereby, the heat generated when the PTC element 61 generates heat becomes less likely to be transmitted to the frame member 80.

  In addition, the projection 86 contacts only the second electrode plate 63. The temperature of the second electrode plate 63 is lower than the center of the PTC element 61 in the thickness direction Z, which is the highest temperature. Therefore, even when the second electrode plate 63 comes into contact with the PTC element 61, the amount of heat transmitted from the heater main body 60 to the frame member 80 is smaller than when the second electrode plate 63 directly contacts the PTC element 61. it can.

  The first convex portion 86A is in contact with the second electrode plate 63 at a portion overlapping the first space 62S and the second space 62T. Further, the second convex portion 86B is in contact with the second electrode plate 63 at a portion overlapping the first gap portion 100A and the third gap portion 100C. That is, when viewed from the thickness direction Z, all the protrusions 86 are in contact with the second electrode plate 63 in a region where the PTC element 61 is not arranged. In the region where the PTC element 61 is not arranged in the second electrode plate 63, the amount of heat transmitted from the PTC element 61 becomes smaller. Thereby, the thermal influence from the heater main body 60 to the frame member 80 can be effectively suppressed.

  In addition, the protrusions of the protrusions 86 gradually increase in size in the thickness direction Z toward the second electrode plate 63 from the frame member 80. With such a configuration, only the distal end portion 86s of the convex portion 86 can be brought into contact with the second electrode plate 63, and the contact area with the heater main body 60 can be largely suppressed. As a result, the heat of the PTC element 61 is less likely to be transmitted to the frame member 80.

  In addition, since the convex portion 86 is provided with the tapered portion 86t continuous to the distal end portion 86s, the strength of the convex portion 86 is increased as compared with a configuration in which only the distal end portion 86s protrudes from the frame main body 81.

  Further, the first convex portion 86A is provided on the first side portion 81a extending in the longitudinal direction X, and the second convex portion 86B is provided on the second side portion 81b extending in the lateral direction Y. Thereby, the positions of the heater main body 60 in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y with respect to the frame main body 81 can be held with high accuracy, and the positioning can be performed reliably.

  Further, a plurality of first convex portions 86A are provided for one first side portion 81a. With such a configuration, the heater main body 60 is less likely to be inclined with respect to the frame member 80. Therefore, the heater main body 60 is positioned in a state of being parallel to the side of the frame member 80, and can be prevented from being displaced in a direction of rotating around an axis extending in the thickness direction Z.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, each configuration in each embodiment and a combination thereof are merely examples, and addition and omission of configurations are not deviated from the scope of the present invention. , Substitutions, and other changes are possible. The present invention is not limited by the embodiments, but is limited only by the claims.

(First Modification of Embodiment)
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the convex portion 86 is integrally provided with the distal end portion 86s that comes into contact with the heater main body 60 and the tapered portion 86t, but is not limited thereto. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a frame member of a PTC heater according to a modification of the embodiment of the heating medium heating device. As shown in FIG. 9, a protrusion 86 </ b> D that protrudes from the frame main body 81 toward the heater main body 60 and contacts only the second electrode plate 63 may be provided.

(Second Modification of Embodiment)
Further, the convex portion 86 has the tapered portion 86t, but is not limited thereto. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a frame member of a PTC heater according to a modification of the embodiment of the heat medium heating device. A shape having a tip surface 86r that is arc-shaped when viewed from the thickness direction Z so as to be in line contact with the side surface of the heater main body 60 without having the tapered portion 86t may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first gap 100A, the second gap 100B, and the third gap 100C are provided between the plurality of PTC elements 61. However, a configuration without these may be provided.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the distal end portion 86s of the convex portion 86 has a semicircular shape when viewed from the thickness direction Z when viewed from the thickness direction Z, but is not limited thereto. For example, the convex portion 86 may be formed in a prism shape extending from the frame main body 81 to the heater main body 60 side, and may be brought into contact with the side surface of the heater main body 60 with a slight surface.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the distal end portion 86s of the convex portion 86 is formed so as to be in contact with the second electrode plate 63 in the thickness direction Z, but is not limited to such a structure. For example, the tip portion 86s may be formed so as to contact the first electrode plate 62 in the thickness direction Z, or may be formed so as to contact the PTC element 61 in the thickness direction Z.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the convex portion 86 is provided on both the first side portion 81a and the second side portion 81b of the frame member 80, but may be provided on only one of the first side portion 81a and the second side portion 81b. Further, the number of protrusions 86 provided on the frame member 80 can be changed as appropriate.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the convex portion 86 is provided on the frame member 80, but is not limited to this. For example, the protrusion 86 may be provided on the heater main body 60 so as to project from the side surface of the heater main body 60 toward the inner side surface 80g of the outer frame member 80.

  For example, if a plurality of PTC elements 61 constituting the PTC heater 33 are arranged along at least one of the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y, there is no limitation on the number of PTC elements 61 arranged in the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. It does not do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle air conditioner 11 Housing 11A Intake 11B Outlet 11C Flow path 13 Blower 15 Cooler 16 Radiator 16A Inlet 16B Outlet 17 Air mix damper 19 Heat medium circulation circuit 21 Circulation line 23 Tank 24 Pump 25 Heat medium Heating device 31 Casing 32 Liquid gasket 33 PTC heater 37 Control board 41 First casing part 42 Second casing part 43A Upstream communicating part 43B Downstream communicating part 45 Substrate accommodating member 45A Substrate accommodating space 45B First channel forming recess 45C Heat medium inlet 45D Heat medium outlet 45e Bottom plate part 45f Outer peripheral wall part 45i Outer peripheral wall part 45p Inlet-side channel 45q Outlet-side channel 46 First channel forming member 46A First plate-shaped portion 46B First fin 46C Heater-housing recess 46f One outer peripheral wall 46w Peripheral wall 47 First lid member 48 Heat medium flow (heat medium channel)
50 Heater accommodating portion 51A First upstream communication port 51B First downstream communication port 53 Second flow path forming member 53A Second plate-shaped section 53B Second flow path forming concave section 53C Second fin 53f Second outer peripheral wall section 53m Groove section 53w Peripheral wall 54 Second lid member 55A Second upstream communication port 55B Second downstream communication port 56 Second heat medium flow path (heat medium flow path)
60 heater main body 60f long side 60g short side 60m long 60n short side 61 PTC element 61A first group 61B second group 61C third group 61a first surface 61b second surface 62 first electrode plate 621 first electrode plate Main body 622 First terminal 62A Upstream electrode plate 62B Midstream electrode plate 62C Downstream electrode plate 621a Upstream first electrode plate body 621b Midstream first electrode plate body 621c Downstream first electrode plate body 622a Upstream first terminal 622b Midstream first terminal 622c Downstream First terminals 62p, 62r, 62t, 62q, 62s, 62u Side 63 Second electrode plate 631 Second electrode plate main body 632 Second terminal 65A First insulating sheet 65B Second insulating sheet 66 Substrate main body 66a Substrate front surface 66b Substrate rear surface 68 First electronic component 69 Second electronic component 80 Frame member 80g Inner surface 81 Frame main body 81a First side 81b second side portion 81f first inner surface 81g second inner surface 82 the insertion portion 85 gap forming portions 86,86D, 86E protrusion 86A first protrusion (first gap forming portion)
86B Second convex part (second gap forming part)
86r Tip surface 86s Tip portion 86t Taper portion 88 Gap 100A First gap (space)
100B Second gap (space)
100C Third gap (space)
F Flow direction X Longitudinal direction Y Short direction Z Thickness direction

Claims (9)

A casing in which a heat medium flow path through which the heat medium flows is formed,
A PTC heater arranged in the casing and heating the heat medium in the heat medium flow path;
The PTC heater includes:
A plate-shaped PTC element, and a plate-shaped heater body having a pair of electrode plates provided on both sides of the PTC element in a thickness direction of the PTC element;
A frame member made of an insulating material provided so as to surround a side surface of the heater main body facing a direction intersecting the thickness direction;
A side surface of the heater body formed on at least one of the heater body and the frame member to form a gap between a side surface of the heater body and an inner surface of the frame member facing the side surface of the heater body. And a gap forming portion that contacts a part of the inner surface of the frame member.
A heat medium heating device in which the gap is formed on both sides of the gap forming portion when viewed from the thickness direction.   The heating medium heating device according to claim 1, wherein the gap forming portion is a protrusion protruding from at least one of a side surface of the heater main body and an inner surface of the frame member.   The heating medium heating device according to claim 2, wherein the convex portion has a semicircular shape when viewed from the thickness direction, and contacts a side surface of the heater body and an inner surface of the frame member only at a vertex.   The heating medium heating device according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion is formed on the frame member, and contacts only one side of the pair of electrode plates. A plurality of the PTC elements are arranged along a surface of the electrode plate;
The heating medium heating device according to claim 4, wherein the projection is in contact with the electrode plate in a region where the plurality of PTC elements are arranged with a space when viewed from the thickness direction.   The heat medium heating device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the protrusion has a size that protrudes from the frame member in the thickness direction as it approaches the electrode plate side. The gap forming section,
When viewed from the thickness direction, first gap forming portions provided on both sides in a cross direction intersecting with the direction in which the heat medium flow path extends with respect to the heater body,
7. The heater according to claim 1, further comprising second gap forming portions provided on both sides of the heater main body in a direction in which the heat medium flow path extends, when viewed from the thickness direction. 8. Heat medium heating device.   The heat medium heating device according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of the first gap forming portions are provided at intervals in a direction in which the heat medium flow path extends. A heat medium heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A blower that creates a flow in the outside air or the air in the passenger compartment;
A cooler that is provided downstream of the blower and cools the outside air or the air,
A radiator that is provided downstream of the cooler and heats the outside air or the air with the heat medium heated by the heat medium heating device,
A vehicle air conditioner comprising:

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