JP3138207U - Automotive fluid heater - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an automotive fluid heater that can efficiently transfer heat generated by a heating element to a fluid, that can be easily replaced and repaired, and that can flexibly respond to required heating performance.
A heat exchanger (3) and at least one heating element (2) are formed. The heat exchanger (3) forms a shell with a material having a high thermal conductivity, and has a fluid heat exchange tank (31) inside. The front and rear end surfaces of the heat exchange tank 31 are sealed with sealing plates 32 and 33, and fluid connectors 34 and 35 through which fluid enters and exits the sealing plate 32 are provided. The heating element 2 is provided on both sides of the heating plate 21 which is an electric heating member. Further, a positive electrode plate 22 and a negative electrode plate 24 for supplying electric power to the heating plate 21 are laminated to form a thin plate, and the negative electrode plate 24 is attached to the surface of the heat exchanger 3 so as to overlap.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention heats fluids such as window shield glass, headlamps and other cleaning fluids, and viscous oils such as diesel oil, hydraulic fluid, and lubricating oil to lower the viscosity and activate oil molecules with residual heat. The present invention relates to an automotive fluid heater for improving engine performance.

In cold regions where the temperature is below freezing, the viscosity of all automotive fluids, such as fuel, lubricants, and windowshield glass cleaning fluids, will increase in the winter, reducing the primary function.
In general, in order to solve the problems caused by the cold climate, a heating system is combined with the fluid storage tank, and the fluid is heated to improve the characteristics under the cold condition. Fast start-up, warming up the car in a short time, and frost on the window shield glass and headlamp can be removed immediately.

As a conventionally known heating system, for example, there is a water contact type heating system as shown in FIG. This heating system is configured by installing a water contact type heating member 12 inside a fluid storage tank 11 having an inlet 111 and an outlet 112 at front and rear ends, respectively, and the fluid entering from the inlet 111 exchanges heat with the heating member 12. , The heated fluid flows out of the outlet 112.
However, in this heating system, the heating member 12 must be tightly sealed so that it does not come into contact with the fluid, the heating member is formed of a material that can withstand corrosion, and the heating timing is precisely controlled, There is a technical difficulty that safety must be ensured.

Also, there is a type that uses magnesium oxide as a packaging material, covers a filament to form a plate-like heat generating member, affixes it to one side of a heating tank, and heats the fluid placed in the heating tank with the heat . However, this has a drawback that it is easily damaged by an external force.
Furthermore, although the thing of patent document 1 has formed the heating unit with the some PTC arranged face-to-face, it is comparatively difficult to prevent the leakage between the water channels arranged in parallel or in series. Because of the stacked structure, there is a problem that a gap is generated and the heat transfer path is interrupted.

In the heating system shown in FIG. 2, the heat generating member 14 provided with the electrode plate 141 around is installed in the internal chamber 132 of the heat exchange tank 13, and a fluid passage 131 is formed inside the heat exchange tank 13 outside the internal chamber. Thus, heat exchange is performed between the fluid flowing in the fluid passage 131 and the heat generating member 14.
The drawback of this heating system is that the heat generating member 14 is easily broken by thermal stress, and the broken heat generating member 14 cannot be repaired. Therefore, if the heat generating member 14 loses its function, the entire heating system must be replaced, and the burden of environmental protection is great.
In addition, none of the above conventional heating systems can flexibly cope with the required work rate, and it is necessary to prepare products with different work rate standards, which increases the inventory cost. There is also worry.

US Pat. No. 6,093,909

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the heat generated by the heating element can be efficiently transferred to the fluid, the parts can be easily replaced and repaired, and the fluid heating for automobiles can flexibly meet the required heating performance. To provide a vessel.

  The fluid heater for automobiles of the present invention includes a heat exchanger and at least one heating body, and the heat exchanger forms a shell with a material having high thermal conductivity and heat exchange of fluid inside. And a heat connector for sealing the front and rear end surfaces of the heat exchange tank with a sealing plate, and providing a fluid connector through which fluid enters and exits the sealing plate. A positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate for supplying electric power to the plate are laminated, and the negative electrode plate of the heating body is attached to the surface of the heat exchanger.

The following configuration may be adopted.
A configuration in which a plurality of connection sections are formed on the surface of the heat exchanger, and the heating body is attached to at least one of the connection sections.
The structure which attached the said heating body to the said heat exchanger by adhesion | attachment.
The structure which adhered the said heating body to the said heat exchanger with the adhesive agent which consists of an insulated heat conductive material.
A configuration in which the heating element is bonded to the heat exchanger with an adhesive made of a conductive heat conductive material.
A configuration in which the outer surface of the positive electrode plate is coated with a glue layer having high insulating properties and moisture resistance.

A configuration in which a back plate is mounted on the outer surface of the positive electrode plate.
A configuration in which an insulating plate is interposed between the positive electrode plate and the back plate.
A configuration in which an insulating plate is interposed between the heating body and the heat exchanger.
A configuration in which the positive electrode plate is elastically deformable.
A configuration in which an elastic buffer member is interposed between the heating body and the heat exchanger.
A configuration in which the heat exchanger made of a conductive material and the negative electrode plate are electrically connected, and the negative electrode plate or the heat exchanger is connected to a ground circuit of an automobile wiring system.

The sealing plate is made of a plastic material having a low thermal conductivity and a high insulating property, and a positioning hole for engaging a terminal of the electrode plate is formed.
The sealing plate is made of metal and is formed with a positioning hole for engaging the terminal of the electrode plate in an insulated state.
The heating plate is made of a positive temperature coefficient ceramic resistance material (PTC).
The heating plate is made of a polymer plastic resistance material having an electrothermal function.
A configuration in which a heating wire is disposed on the heating plate.
A configuration in which a reinforcing plate is stacked on an outer surface of the sealing plate, and the sealing plate is pressed and fixed to an end surface of the heat exchange tank via the reinforcing plate.
The sealing plate is bonded to the end face of the heat exchange tank.
The structure which interposed the elastic sealing material between the end surface of the said heat exchange tank, and the said sealing board.

  According to the present invention, since the thin plate-like heating element is mounted on the surface of the heat exchanger, the heat generated by the heating element can be efficiently transmitted to the heat exchanger, and the heating element can be replaced or repaired. It is easy, and the required heating performance can be easily accommodated by changing the number of heating elements attached to the heat exchanger.

FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
The automotive fluid heater 10 of the present invention includes a heat exchanger 3 having a heat exchange tank 31 and a thin plate-like heating body 2 disposed in parallel with the heat exchange tank 31 and attached to the surface thereof.
The heating body 2 is formed by overlapping electrode plates 22 and 24 on both sides of the heating plate 21. The heating plate 21 is a sheet-like electric heating member, and power is supplied from the electrode plates 22 and 24. The operation of the heating plate 21 can be controlled by an external power switching mechanism that is operated manually or automatically.

The heating plate 21 can be, for example, a positive temperature coefficient ceramic resistance material (PTC). The PTC heating plate has an electrothermal self-adjusting function, and can detect the temperature and vary the current, so that the safety is high. In addition, since the PTC has high rigidity, the mechanical strength is improved and the coefficient of thermal expansion is compared. Therefore, there is little dimensional deviation between the assembled members, and high precision can be ensured.
The heating plate 21 may be made of a polymer plastic resistance material having an electric heating function, or may be provided with a heating wire.

On the outer surface of the electrode plate 22 on the side opposite to the heat exchange tank 31, an insulating plate 23, a buffer member 25, and a back plate 26 are sequentially laminated.
The insulating plate 23 is made of a material having a high dielectric constant and a thermal conductivity as required. For example, aluminum oxide (AL ₂ O ₃ ) having a high thermal conductivity, mineral ceramic, or a plastic material that blocks heat can be used.
The buffer member 25 is made of an elastic material such as a belt-like spring, polymer silicon, or other rubber material, and absorbs mechanical stress and thermal stress.

The heat exchanger 3 is formed by forming a heat exchange tank 31 inside an outer shell made of a material having high thermal conductivity. A fluid passage 310 is formed in the heat exchange tank 31, and the front and rear end surfaces of the heat exchange tank 31 are sealed by sealing plates 32 and 33, respectively.
The sealing plates 32 and 33 are preferably made of a plastic material having a low thermal conductivity coefficient and conductivity, and the heat generated by the heating element 2 is effectively utilized by reducing heat loss, and the electrode plates 22 and 24 are used. Isolate to prevent short circuit. In addition, fluid connectors 34 and 35 are integrally formed on one sealing plate 32.
In addition, when a plastic material cannot be used, a metal is used. In this case, a fluid connector is separately formed and incorporated in the sealing plates 32 and 33.

Engaging grooves 320 and 330 are formed around the back surfaces of the sealing plates 32 and 33, and the sealing materials 5 a and 5 b are fitted into the engaging grooves 320 and 330. The sealing materials 5a and 5b are made of an elastic material having high heat resistance and insulation properties such as rubber, and a groove 51 for engaging the end surface of the heat exchange tank 31 is formed on the back surface thereof. If necessary, a partition 50 is provided in the sealing member 5a that engages with one of the sealing plates 32 so that the fluid that enters and exits through the fluid connectors 34 and 35 flows through a predetermined path of the fluid passage 310. .
Further, the sealing plates 32 and 33 are held on the end face of the heat exchange tank 31 by bolts 6 installed therebetween. When the bolt 6 is tightened, the sealing materials 5a and 5b are compressed and deformed, and can be reliably sealed without a gap.

A plurality of parallel connection sections 30 are formed on the surface of the heat exchanger 3, and the heating element 2 is attached to at least one connection section 30. Since the number of the heating bodies 2 to be attached can be determined according to the required heating performance, it is not necessary to newly design the heat exchanger 3 having different standards.
The electrode plate 24 is joined to the connection section 30 and the heating element 2 is attached to the heat exchanger 3, the electrode plate 22 is conducted to the positive electrode, and the electrode plate 24 is conducted to the negative electrode.
When the electrode plate 24 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the vehicle body, the vehicle body can have a large capacitor, and creeping discharge and electric jump can be avoided.
It is desirable that the electrode plate 24 be elastically deformable so as to absorb deformation due to mechanical stress and heat.

When the fluid is supplied to the heat exchange tank 31 through one of the fluid connectors 34 and 35 and the fluid enters the fluid passage 310, the heat generated by the heating element 2 is transmitted to the fluid. The fluid may flow continuously through the fluid passage 310 or may stop intermittently.
After the heat exchange is completed, the fluid heated to a predetermined temperature is discharged from the heat exchange tank 31 through the other of the fluid connectors 34 and 35.
The fluid to be heated in the heat exchange tank 31 is defrosting, window shield glass, headlamps, cleaning liquids such as the image capturing unit, or fuel or oil such as diesel oil, hydraulic fluid, or lubricating oil. Warming can reduce viscosity or preheat the fuel to promote rapid explosion and complete combustion.

In order to join the heating element 2 to the connection section 30 of the heat exchanger 3, it can be bonded using an adhesive having high conductivity and high thermal conductivity. The adhesive is applied to the entire joint surface between the heating element 2 and the connection section 30 and solidified while applying mechanical external force via the back plate 26 to ensure mechanical strength and electrical connection.
Moreover, like Example 2 shown in FIG. 4, the pressing plate 4 is piled up on the upper surface of the back plate 26 of the heating body 2, and the screw 41 is fastened to the heat exchanger 3 from above the pressing plate 4, so that the heating body 2 May be pressed against the heat exchange tank 31. In this case, if the screw 41 is loosened and the pressing plate 4 is removed, the heating element 2 can be repaired or replaced easily.
When it is necessary to join a large number of heating elements 2 to the heat exchanger 3, connection sections 30 are formed on both surfaces of the heat exchanger 3 as in Example 3 shown in FIGS. The heating element 2 may be attached to the compartment 30.

When the electrode plate 24 and the heat exchanger 3 formed of a conductive material are electrically connected, the electrode plate 24 and the heat exchanger 3 are integrated to form the negative electrode of the heating plate 21.
When the electrode plate 24 or the heat exchanger 3 is conducted to the ground circuit of the automobile wiring system, the negative electrode is grounded through the vehicle body, and an excessive charge during a surge can be allowed, so that a spark is scattered. Is avoided, the safety of the automobile is improved, and wiring is simple.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In automobiles equipped with highly flammable liquids or gases, automobiles using interior materials that are flammable, etc., an insulating plate 23 having high thermal conductivity is installed between the heat exchanger 3 and the electrode plate 24 to heat the vehicle. The body 2 and the heat exchanger 3 are electrically shielded and heat is efficiently transmitted.
In addition, an elastic buffer member having a high thermal conductivity is interposed between the heating element 2 and the heat exchanger 3, so that a dimensional deviation due to a difference in thermal expansion coefficient can be absorbed.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
A plurality of storage spaces 70 are formed in a row in a positioning frame 7 made of an insulating material such as ceramic or plastic, and PTC heating pieces 211, 212, 213 are stored in the respective storage spaces 70, and the elongated heater 2 Is formed.
According to this embodiment, the heating body 2 having a predetermined size can be easily formed, and insulation around the heating body 2 is automatically achieved, and positioning between the electrode plates 22 and 24 of the adjacent heating body 2 is performed. Since a gap corresponding to the width W of each side of the frame 7 is formed, unstable creeping discharge and electric jump can be prevented.

FIG. 9 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
The insulating plate 23, the buffer member 25, the back plate 26 and the like are exposed on the outer surface of the positive electrode plate 22 of the heating body 2 without being attached, and an insulating glue layer 8 is formed to prevent electric shock and short circuit with peripheral equipment. When this automobile fluid heater 10 is mounted on an automobile, it can be protected by being enclosed by a plastic case or the like, and heat loss can also be suppressed.
Since the insulating glue layer 8 has a very low mechanical strength, the positive electrode plate 22 can be elastically deformed relatively freely, and can absorb a deviation in dimensions due to thermal expansion. Further, since the insulating glue layer 8 is formed, moisture resistance and oxidation resistance are enhanced.

  Moreover, the sealing plates 32 and 33 must have sufficient strength to press and fix to the end face of the heat exchange tank 31. Therefore, when the material of the sealing plates 32 and 33 is relatively soft or fragile, the reinforcing plate 9 is placed on the outer surface of the sealing plates 32 and 33, and the bolt 6 passed through the reinforcing plate 9 is tightened to tighten the sealing plate. 32 and 33 are pressed and fixed to the end face of the heat exchange tank 31.

FIG. 10 shows Embodiment 7 of the present invention.
Positioning holes 321 and 331 for engaging terminals 220 and 240 extending from the electrode plates 22 and 24 are formed in the sealing plates 32 and 33. According to this embodiment, since the terminals 220 and 240 of the electrode plates 22 and 24 protrude before and after the sealing plates 32 and 33 at accurate positions, it is easy to connect to the corresponding conductors and connectors.
When the sealing plates 32 and 33 are made of metal, the terminals 220 and 240 are engaged with the positioning holes 321 and 331 in an insulated state.

Sectional drawing of the conventional water contact type heater. Sectional drawing of the conventional internal installation type heater. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an automotive fluid heater showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The perspective view of the fluid heater for motor vehicles which shows Example 2 of this invention. The principal part disassembled sectional view of the fluid heater for cars showing Example 3 of the present invention. The principal part sectional drawing of the fluid heater for motor vehicles which shows Example 3 of this invention. The principal part decomposition | disassembly sectional drawing of the fluid heater for motor vehicles which shows Example 4 of this invention. The principal part perspective view of the fluid heater for motor vehicles which shows Example 5 of this invention. The perspective view of the fluid heater for motor vehicles which shows Example 6 of this invention. The principal part perspective view of the fluid heater for motor vehicles which shows Example 7 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automotive fluid heater 2 Heating body 21 Heating plate 211, 212, 213 PTC heating piece 22, 24 Electrode plate 220, 240 Terminal 23 Insulating plate 25 Buffer member 26 Back plate 3 Heat exchanger 30 Connection section 31 Heat exchange tank 310 Fluid passage 32, 33 Sealing plate 320, 330 Engaging groove 321, 331 Positioning hole 34, 35 Fluid connector 5a, 5b Sealing material 50 Partition 51 Groove 6 Bolt 7 Positioning frame 70 Storage space 8 Insulating glue layer

Claims (20)

  A heat exchanger and at least one heating element, wherein the heat exchanger includes an outer shell made of a material having a high thermal conductivity, and a fluid heat exchange tank inside. The front and rear end surfaces are sealed with a sealing plate, and a fluid connector through which fluid enters and exits the sealing plate is provided. The heating body has a positive electrode plate that supplies power to the heating plate on both sides of the heating plate, which is an electric heating member, and A fluid heater for automobiles, wherein negative electrode plates are laminated to form a thin plate, and the negative electrode plate is attached to the surface of the heat exchanger.   The automotive fluid heater according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of connection sections are formed on a surface of the heat exchanger, and the heating element is attached to at least one of the connection sections.   The automotive fluid heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating body is attached to the heat exchanger by adhesion.   The automotive fluid heater according to claim 3, wherein the heating body is bonded to the heat exchanger with an adhesive made of an insulating heat conductive material.   The fluid heater for automobiles according to claim 3, wherein the heating body is bonded to the heat exchanger by an adhesive made of a conductive heat conductive material.   The fluid heater for automobiles according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer surface of the positive electrode plate is covered with a glue layer having high insulation and moisture resistance.   An automotive fluid heater in which a back plate is mounted on the outer surface of the positive electrode plate.   The fluid heater for automobiles according to claim 7, wherein an insulating plate is interposed between the positive electrode plate and the back plate.   The fluid heater for automobiles according to claim 7, wherein an insulating plate is interposed between the heating body and the heat exchanger.   The fluid heater for an automobile according to claim 7, wherein the positive electrode plate is elastically deformable.   The fluid heater for automobiles according to claim 7, wherein an elastic buffer member is interposed between the heating body and the heat exchanger.   The heat exchanger made of a conductive material and the negative electrode plate are electrically connected, and the negative electrode plate or the heat exchanger is electrically connected to a ground circuit of an automobile wiring system. The fluid heater for automobiles according to 1.   The automotive fluid according to claim 1, wherein the sealing plate is made of a plastic material having a low thermal conductivity and a high insulating property, and a positioning hole that engages a terminal of the electrode plate is formed. Heater.   The fluid heater for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sealing plate is made of a metal and has a positioning hole for engaging a terminal of the electrode plate in an insulated state.   15. The automotive fluid heater according to claim 1, wherein the heating plate is made of a positive temperature coefficient ceramic resistance material (PTC).   The automotive fluid heater according to claim 1, wherein the heating plate is made of a polymer plastic resistance material having an electric heating function.   The automotive fluid heater according to claim 1, wherein a heating wire is disposed on the heating plate.   The automotive fluid heater according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein a reinforcing plate is stacked on an outer surface of the sealing plate, and the sealing plate is pressed and fixed to an end surface of the heat exchange tank via the reinforcing plate.   The automotive fluid heater according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the sealing plate is bonded to an end face of the heat exchange tank.   The fluid heater for automobiles according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein an elastic sealing material is interposed between an end face of the heat exchange tank and the sealing plate.

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