KR20210045783A - Heater device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heater device for a vehicle. The heater includes: a plurality of heat dissipation units spaced apart to dissipate heat; one or more thermal element units which are press-fitted into the heat dissipation units, include ceramic and carbon conductors, and generate heat when power is applied; a terminal unit connected to thermal element units and supplying power; and a housing part which supports the heat dissipation unit and is coupled to the terminal unit, thereby improving assembly and improving heat dissipation efficiency and thermal efficiency.

Description

Vehicle heater device {HEATER DEVICE FOR VEHICLE}

The present invention relates to a vehicle heater device, and to a vehicle heater device capable of improving assembly properties and improving heat dissipation efficiency and thermal efficiency by using a thermal element including ceramic and carbon conductors.

As interest in eco-friendly energy increases, the development of eco-friendly vehicle-related parts such as electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles is being actively carried out. Since an engine is not provided in such an eco-friendly vehicle, heating cannot be realized using waste heat from the engine, and thus a separate heater capable of stably heating using electric energy is required. Further, in the case of a diesel engine, when the vehicle is initially started, it takes a considerable amount of time to heat the heat exchange medium that cools the engine, and a separate heater is required.

In general, as a heating device for vehicles, a heater employing a PTC thermistor (Positive Temperature Coefficient thermistor) that has a low risk of fire and can be used semi-permanently is used, but the manufacturing cost of the conductive ceramic as the main raw material is high and the weight is heavy. There was. In addition, since a separate overheating prevention circuit is required to control the temperature of the heater, the structure of the heater is complicated and the manufacturing cost is high. Therefore, there is a need to improve this.

The background technology of the present invention is published in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2010-0064597 (published on June 15, 2010, title of the invention: PC rod assembly and PC heater using the same).

The present invention was derived to improve the above problems, and improved assembly properties, heat dissipation efficiency and thermal efficiency may be improved by using a thermal element including a ceramic insulating part and a carbon conductor. An object thereof is to provide a vehicle heater device that improves insulation efficiency.

A vehicle heater device according to the present invention includes: a plurality of heat dissipating units spaced apart to emit heat; At least one thermal element unit press-fit into the heat dissipation unit, including a ceramic and a carbon conductor, and generating heat when power is applied; A terminal part connected to the thermal element part to supply power; And a housing part supporting the heat dissipation part and coupled to the terminal part.

The heat dissipation part may include a heat dissipation plate part through which the thermal element part passes; And a heat dissipation insertion part extending from an end of the heat dissipation plate part and inserted into the housing part.

The heat dissipation plate portion includes a plate body portion having a through hole portion through which the thermal element portion is formed; And a plate contact portion protruding laterally from the plate body portion and in close contact with the thermal element portion penetrating the plate body portion.

The thermal element portion is in contact with the terminal portion, the heating portion generating heat when power is applied; And an insulating part formed on the surface of the heating part, contacting the heat dissipating part, and blocking current flow.

The heating unit is characterized in that a mixture of ceramic and carbon conductor is integrally formed, the ceramic includes a non-conductive ceramic oxide layer, and the carbon conductor includes at least one of carbon, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. It is done.

The insulating portion is characterized in that the oxide film formed on the surface of the heating portion.

The terminal portion includes a terminal case portion mounted at both ends of the housing portion; And at least one terminal supply unit mounted on the terminal case unit and contacting the column element unit to supply power.

In the heater device for a vehicle according to the present invention, a thermal element portion is pressed into the heat dissipation unit, thereby increasing a bonding force therebetween and improving heat dissipation performance.

In the vehicle heater device according to the present invention, since the plate contact portion is in close contact with the thermal element, the adhesion is increased to improve heat dissipation performance, and the bonding force may be improved.

Since the heater device for a vehicle according to the present invention is insulated by the surface oxide film of the thermal element portion, stable driving at a high voltage is possible, and installation of a separate insulator may be omitted.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a vehicle heater device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view schematically showing a heat dissipation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram schematically showing a thermal element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a terminal unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a terminal unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view schematically showing a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle heater device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, the thickness of the lines or the size of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. In addition, terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to the intention or custom of users or operators. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout the present specification.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a vehicle heater device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle heater device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a heat dissipation unit 10, a thermal element unit 20, a terminal unit 30, and a housing unit 40.

The heat dissipation unit 10 is arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and is in contact with the thermal element unit 20 to emit heat from the thermal element unit 20. For example, a plurality of radiating units 10 may be disposed in a length direction of the thermal element unit 20, and air passing through the radiating unit 10 may be heated. The heat dissipation unit 10 may perform heat conduction and may include a metal material that is in contact with air to emit heat.

One or more thermal element units 20 are press-fit into the heat dissipation unit 10, include ceramic and carbon conductors, and generate heat as power is applied. For example, the plurality of thermal element units 20 may pass through the heat dissipation unit 10 in a horizontal direction to maintain a connected state with the heat dissipation unit 10.

The terminal part 30 is connected to the thermal element part 10 to supply power. For example, both ends of the thermal element unit 20 passing through the plurality of heat dissipation units 10 may be connected to the terminal unit 30. The terminal unit 30 may be directly connected to a vehicle connector to receive power.

The housing part 40 supports the heat dissipation part 10 and is coupled to the terminal part 30. For example, the housing part 40 may be an insulator including a plastic material. A part of the terminal part 30 is disposed in the housing part 40, and insertion of a vehicle connector may be induced.

2 is a view schematically showing a heat dissipation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a heat dissipation unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a heat dissipation plate unit 11 and a heat dissipation insert 12.

The heat dissipation plate part 11 has a plate shape having a vertical length, and a plurality of heat dissipating plate parts are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction, and the thermal element part 20 passes through the plurality of heat dissipating plate parts 11. For example, the heat dissipation plate unit 11 may include a metal material capable of dissipating heat by contacting the thermal element unit 20.

The heat dissipation insertion part 12 extends from the end of the heat dissipation plate part 11 and is inserted into the housing part 40. For example, the heat dissipation insertion part 12 may be integrally formed with the heat dissipation plate part 11, and both ends may be fitted to the housing part 40 to be fixed in position. In addition, the heat dissipation insertion part 12 may be mounted on the heat dissipation plate part 11 and then inserted into the housing part 40.

The heat dissipation plate part 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plate body part 111 and a plate contact part 112.

A through-hole part 119 is formed in the plate body part 111 to allow the thermal element part 20 to pass therethrough. The plate contact portion 112 protrudes laterally from the plate body portion 111 and is in close contact with the thermal element portion 20 penetrating the plate body portion 111. For example, a through-hole part 119 is formed in the plate body part 111, and the plate body part 111 located around the through-hole part 119 protrudes through a burring process so that the plate contact part 112 Can be formed. On the other hand, when the thermal element part 20 passes through the through-hole part 119, the plate contact part 112 is in close contact with the thermal element part 20. For this reason, when the contact area between the thermal element unit 20 and the heat dissipation unit 10 is increased, the heat exchange area is increased to promote heat dissipation. In addition, when the coupling force between the thermal element unit 20 and the heat dissipation unit 10 is increased, noise due to vibrations between each other can be suppressed. In addition, the plate contact portion 112 may support the adjacent plate body portion 111 to maintain a gap between the heat sink portions 10.

The heat sink unit 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a plate expansion unit 113. In the plate expansion part 113, a part of the plate body part 111 is embossed to protrude from the plate body part 111. Accordingly, the plate expansion unit 113 may have an increased air contact area than before, thereby improving heat generation efficiency.

3 is a diagram schematically showing a thermal element according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, a thermal element unit 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a heating unit 21 and an insulating unit 22.

The heating part 21 is in contact with the terminal part 30 and generates heat when power is applied. In addition, the insulating part 22 formed on the surface of the heat generating part 21 is in contact with the heat dissipating part 10 and blocks current flow.

The heating part 21 is integrally formed of a mixture of ceramic and carbon conductors. In this case, the ceramic includes a non-conductive structural ceramic, and the carbon conductor may include at least one of carbon, carbon nanotubes, and graphene.

Meanwhile, the structural ceramic may include fine ceramic, alumina ceramic, zirconia ceramic, silicon carbide, and the like. For example, the ceramic may be made of alumina (Al2O3) and silicon oxide (SiO2) as main components. In addition, the ceramic may further include other incidental components. That is, the ceramic may further include iron oxide (Fe2O3), potassium oxide (K2O), and the like.

The carbon conductor may have conductivity. For this reason, since the carbon conductors are entirely distributed in the plurality of heating parts 21, the heating parts 21 may have conductivity. Carbon may have a structure in which atoms forming a hexagonal structure are stacked. The carbon nanotube may have a structure in which a hexagonal structure of a single carbon layer is cylindrical. Graphene can have a structure in which only one layer of the hexagonal structure constituting carbon is removed.

On the other hand, each heating part 21 preferably includes about 60 to 95% by weight of ceramic, and may include about 5 to 40% by weight of a carbon conductor. For example, carbon nanotubes are known to have excellent properties similar to those of copper in terms of electrical conductivity, and have a high strength of almost 100 times that of steel in terms of strength. Graphene also has excellent properties in terms of electrical conductivity and strength, and it is known that the electrical conductivity is about 100 times stronger than that of silicon and the strength is about 200 times stronger than that of steel. These carbon conductors, for example, have a lower specific gravity than aluminum, are lighter, and are relatively inexpensive. Therefore, if these materials are mixed with ceramic in an appropriate amount, very excellent properties can be obtained in terms of electrical conductivity and strength. The content of the ceramic and carbon conductor may be determined in consideration of the price, specific gravity, weight, strength, and resistance value of the raw material. That is, when the content of the carbon conductor is less than 0.03% by weight, the electrical properties as an electric heater are not good because the specific resistance value per unit area is too large, and when the content of the carbon conductor exceeds 2.0% by weight, the bonding strength of the ceramic is weak and the strength It is also weak, and there is a problem that the resistivity value is too low. Therefore, the content of the carbon conductor is preferably between 0.03% by weight and 2.0% by weight. According to the above numerical range, it is possible to manufacture a high-strength, lightweight heater having a strength of a general structural ceramic and having a low specific gravity.

The insulating part 22 may be an oxide film formed on the surface of the heating part 21. For example, the surface of the heating part 21 may react with oxygen to form an alumina (Al2O3) oxide film. Since the insulating part 22 is formed on the surface of the heating part 21 itself, assembling or designing a separate insulating layer may be omitted. In addition, the insulating part 22 may cover the outside of the heating part 21 as a separate component. Meanwhile, the insulating part 22 may be formed over the entire heating part 21 except for both ends of the heating part 21 so that the ends of the heating part 21 can be energized with the terminal part 30.

4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a terminal unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The terminal portion 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal case portion 31 and a terminal supply portion 32.

Both ends of the terminal case part 31 are mounted on the housing part 40. For example, the pair of terminal case portions 31 may be formed to have a vertical length, and may be disposed at both ends of the column element portions 20 disposed in the left and right longitudinal directions. The terminal case part 31 may include an insulating material.

The terminal supply unit 32 is mounted on the terminal case unit 31 and contacts the thermal element unit 20 to supply power. As an example, the terminal supply part 32 may be exposed from the terminal case part 31 to make surface contact with the heating part 21. In addition, the terminal supply unit 32 is embedded in the terminal case unit 31, and the heating unit 21 is inserted into a groove formed in the terminal case unit 31 to be connected to the terminal supply unit 32. In addition, various connection methods may be applied to the terminal supply unit 32 so as to energize the heating unit 21.

On the other hand, the terminal supply unit 32 is welded or forced to the heating unit 21 to improve contact resistance and durability.

5 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a terminal unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, a terminal unit 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention may supply a voltage to operate a heater. In this case, since the heating unit 21 comes into direct contact with the terminal unit 30, a heater having high thermal efficiency and a simple structure can be provided.

Since the terminal part 30 includes a PTC thermistor (refer to PTC1 and PTC2 in FIG. 5), when the heating part 21 is above the appropriate temperature range, the resistance of the PTC thermistor increases to block or minimize the current, and accordingly, the heating part Heat of (21) stops (off when high temperature). In addition, when the heating unit 21 is less than the appropriate temperature range, the resistance of the PTC thermistor is lowered and current flows, so that the heating unit 21 may generate heat. Accordingly, the heater has a simple structure and can automatically control ON/OFF of heat in an appropriate temperature range, thereby avoiding the risk of fire due to overcurrent.

More specifically, the terminal part 30 includes a first cover 210, a second cover 220, a first guide part 230, a second guide part 240, a terminal 250, one or more first PTC thermistors. (PTC1), one or more first insulating parts INS1, one or more second PTC thermistors PTC2, and one or more second insulating parts INS2.

The first and second covers 210 and 220 include first and second PTC thermistors (PTC1, PTC2), first and second insulation parts (INS1, INS2), terminals 250, and first and second guides. The units 230 and 240 are housed. The first cover 210 is combined with the second cover 220 to provide first and second PTC thermistors (PTC1, PTC2), first and second insulating parts (INS1, INS2), terminals 250, and first and second insulating parts. 2 It is possible to surround the guide portions 230 and 240. The first and second covers 210 and 220 may be formed of metal. For example, the first and second covers 210 and 220 may include aluminum.

The first guide part 230 is disposed between the terminal 250 and the second cover 220, and the second guide part 240 is disposed between the terminal 250 and the first cover 210. The first guide part 230 and the second guide part 240 may be coupled to each other to surround the terminal 250. The first and second guide portions 230 and 240 may be formed of an insulating material that does not conduct electricity.

A first opening 232 and a second opening 234 may be formed in the first guide part 230. The first PTC thermistor PTC1 is accommodated in the first opening 232, and the first insulating part INS1 is accommodated in the second opening 234. Accordingly, the first PTC thermistor PTC1 may directly contact the terminal 250 and the first cover 210.

A third opening 242 and a fourth opening 244 may be formed in the second guide part 240. The second PTC thermistor PTC2 is accommodated in the third opening 242, and the second insulating part INS2 is accommodated in the fourth opening 244. Accordingly, the second PTC thermistor PTC2 may directly contact the terminal 250 and the second cover 220.

One or more first PTC thermistors PTC1 and one or more first insulating parts INST1 may be alternately disposed in the longitudinal direction of the first guide part 230. One or more second PTC thermistors PTC2 and one or more second insulating parts INST2 may be alternately disposed in the length direction of the second guide part 240. The first PTC thermistor PTC1 may be arranged to overlap the second insulating portion INST2, and the second PTC thermistor PTC2 may be arranged to overlap the first insulating portion INST1, respectively.

One end of the terminal 250 may be exposed from the first and second guide portions 230 and 240 and the first and second covers 210 and 220 to be connected to the vehicle connector. The terminal 250 may include metal. For example, the terminal 250 may include copper.

The first and second PTC thermistors PTC1 and PTC2 may include a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) device. For example, the first and second PTC thermistors PTC1 and PTC2 may be formed of barium titanate-based ceramics and have a property of rapidly increasing electrical resistance when the temperature increases.

The first and second PTC thermistors (PTC1, PTC2) allow the heater to automatically control ON/OFF of heat generation in an appropriate temperature range, and according to the design of the constituent materials of the first and second PTC thermistors (PTC1, PTC2), as required. It is possible to obtain an appropriate temperature range and avoid the risk of fire due to overcurrent. In addition, the first and second insulating portions INS1 and INS2 may be formed of an insulating material that does not conduct electricity.

On the other hand, current flows from the terminal 250 to the heating unit 21 through the first or second PTC thermistors (PTC1, PTC2) and the first or second cover (210, 220), the first or second PTC thermistors (PTC1, PTC2). ) Are above the appropriate temperature range, the current is cut off and the heat generation of the heating unit 21 stops, and when the first or second PTC thermistors (PTC1, PTC2) are below the appropriate temperature range, current flows and the heating unit 21 generates heat. I can. Accordingly, it is possible to control heat generation within an appropriate temperature range without a separate ON/OFF switch, and to avoid a risk of fire due to overcurrent.

6 is a view schematically showing a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6, the housing part 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a heat dissipation part 10 having a vertical length, a lower housing part 41 supporting a lower end of the terminal part 30, and a heat dissipation part. (10) It may include an upper housing portion 42 for supporting the upper end of the terminal portion 30.

The lower housing part 41 includes a lower body part 411, a lower insertion part 412 formed on the upper side of the lower body part 411 and into which the lower end of the radiating part 10 is inserted, and a lower body part 411 It may include a lower coupling portion 413 formed on both side ends of the terminal portion 30 is inserted and coupled to the lower end. In this case, the terminal part 30 may be hooked with the lower housing part 41.

The upper housing part 42, the upper body part 421, the upper insertion part 422 formed under the upper body part 421 and into which the upper end of the radiating part 10 is inserted, and the upper body part 421 It may include an upper coupling portion 423 formed at both end portions and inserted into the upper end portion of the terminal portion 30 to be hooked. In addition, the terminal portion 30 is exposed to the upper connector portion 424 formed on the upper body portion 421, and the vehicle connector is inserted into the upper connector portion 424 to maintain a connected state with the terminal portion 30. .

The assembly process of the vehicle heater device according to an embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described as follows.

A thermal element part 20 including ceramic and carbon conductors is fabricated. For example, the thermal element part 20 may be formed by injecting a raw material including carbon nanotubes into a mold. Since an oxide film is formed on the surface of the thermal element unit 20 to perform an insulating function, it is not necessary to additionally mount a separate insulator.

The manufactured plurality of thermal element parts 20 are mounted on the heat dissipation part 10 through the plurality of heat dissipation parts 10 arranged vertically. At this time, the outer surface of the thermal element unit 20 is in surface contact with the heat dissipation unit 10. Both ends of the thermal element unit 20 are in contact with the terminal unit 30 to conduct electricity, respectively, and the terminal unit 30 is coupled to the housing unit 40.

In the above-described state, when power is applied to the terminal unit 30, the heat generated by the thermal element unit 20 is discharged through the heat dissipation unit 10, and the fluid passing through the heat dissipation unit 10 is heated to be supplied to the vehicle interior. I can.

In the vehicle heater device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the thermal element unit 20 is pressed into the heat dissipation unit 10 to increase a bonding force between each other and improve heat dissipation performance.

In the vehicle heater device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the plate contact portion 112 is in close contact with the thermal element unit 20, the adhesion is increased, thereby improving heat dissipation performance and improving the bonding force.

The vehicle heater device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is insulated by the surface oxide film of the thermal element unit 20, so that it can operate at a high voltage, and a separate insulator installation may be omitted.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is only illustrative, and those of ordinary skill in the field to which the technology pertains, various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible. I will understand. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the following claims.

10: heat dissipation part 11: heat dissipation plate part
12: heat dissipation insert 20: thermal element
21: heating part 22: insulation part
30: terminal part 31: terminal case part
32: terminal supply part 40: housing part

Claims (7)

A plurality of heat dissipation units spaced apart to emit heat;
At least one thermal element unit press-fit into the heat dissipation unit, including a ceramic and a carbon conductor, and generating heat when power is applied;
A terminal part connected to the thermal element part to supply power; And
And a housing part that supports the heat dissipation part and is coupled to the terminal part.
The method of claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation unit
A heat dissipating plate portion through which the thermal element portion is passed; And
And a heat dissipation insertion part extending from an end of the heat dissipation plate part and inserted into the housing part.
The method of claim 2, wherein the heat sink part
A plate body portion having a through hole through which the thermal element portion passes; And
And a plate contact portion protruding laterally from the plate body portion and in close contact with the heat element portion penetrating the plate body portion.
The method of claim 1, wherein the thermal element unit
A heating unit that is in contact with the terminal unit and generates heat when power is applied; And
And an insulating part formed on the surface of the heating part, contacting the heat dissipating part, and blocking current flow.
The method of claim 4,
The heating part is integrally formed of a mixture of ceramic and carbon conductor,
The ceramic includes a non-conductive ceramic oxide layer,
The carbon conductor is a vehicle heater device, characterized in that it comprises at least one of carbon, carbon nanotubes and graphene.
The method of claim 4,
The heater device for a vehicle, characterized in that the insulating portion is an oxide film formed on the surface of the heating portion.
The method of claim 1, wherein the terminal portion
A terminal case portion mounted at both ends of the housing portion; And
And one or more terminal supply units mounted on the terminal case unit and contacting the thermal element unit to supply power.

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