HEAT EXCHANGER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-164130 filed on Sep. 20, 2024 with the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002]The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger.

[0003]Japanese Patent No. 4989574 discloses a cooling device for a semiconductor that comprises: a base plate including a semiconductor mounting surface and a cooling surface on the opposite side thereof; and a cover portion that is arranged so as to face the cooling surface and that forms, together with the base plate, a flow path through which cooling water passes. The cooling device further comprises: multiple fins that extend from the cooling surface to the cover portion and that partition the flow path; and multiple protrusions each provided between the corresponding fins. Each protrusion is provided so as to protrude from the cooling surface, to extend from one of the fins to another fin adjacent thereto, and to be located only near an end of the fin on the cooling surface side.

SUMMARY

[0004]In the cooling device described above, when the cooling water flowing through the flow path hits the protrusion, a vortex is generated from a tip of the protrusion toward a downstream side. Since this vortex is generated periodically and is unsteady, significant turbulence of the flow of the cooling water occurs, resulting in the fear of slowing down the flow velocity of the cooling water. This may lead to a decrease in the cooling efficiency.

[0005]It is desirable that one aspect of the present disclosure improve the heat-exchange efficiency in a heat exchanger while reducing a decrease in the flow velocity of a heat exchange medium.

[0006]One aspect of the present disclosure is a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with an object, and the heat exchanger comprises a first plate portion, a second plate portion, multiple partitioning portions, and multiple protrusions. The first plate portion is configured to come in contact with the object. The second plate portion is arranged so as to face the first plate portion and forms, between the first plate portion and the second plate portion, a flow path through which a heat exchange medium passes. The multiple partitioning portions are portions via which the first plate portion and the second plate portion are joined, and the multiple partitioning portions extend in a flow direction of the heat exchange medium and are arranged alongside in a width direction intersecting with the flow direction to partition the flow path. The multiple protrusions are each arranged between a first partitioning portion and a second partitioning portion adjacent to each other, of the multiple partitioning portions, and protrude within the flow path. The multiple protrusions each extend from at least one of the first partitioning portion or the second partitioning portion and from the second plate portion, and are spaced apart from the first plate portion. The multiple protrusions each include an inclined surface inclined so as to be closer to the first plate portion with distance from an upstream edge of each of the multiple protrusions toward a downstream side.

[0007]In such a configuration, the heat exchange medium flowing through the flow path hits the multiple protrusions, and the heat exchange medium is thereby guided toward the first plate portion, resulting in improving the heat transfer coefficient between the first plate portion and the heat exchange medium. Moreover, since the heat exchange medium is guided toward the first plate portion along the inclined surface while flowing in the flow direction, the flow of the heat exchange medium is less likely to be obstructed. This makes it possible to improve the heat exchange effectiveness in the heat exchanger while inhibiting reduction in the flow velocity of the heat exchange medium.

[0008]In one aspect of the present disclosure, the multiple partitioning portions may form multiple heat exchange flow paths each located between the first partitioning portion and the second partitioning portion in the flow path. At least one of the multiple protrusions may be arranged in each of the multiple heat exchange flow paths.

[0009]Such a configuration makes it possible to improve the heat exchange effectiveness in the heat exchanger while inhibiting reduction in the flow velocity of the heat exchange medium.

[0010]In one aspect of the present disclosure, two or more of the multiple protrusions may be arranged in each of the multiple heat exchange flow paths.

[0011]Such a configuration makes it possible to improve the heat exchange effectiveness in the heat exchanger while inhibiting reduction in the flow velocity of the heat exchange medium.

[0012]In one aspect of the present disclosure, the multiple protrusions may each extend from the first partitioning portion to the second partitioning portion.

[0013]In such a configuration, the heat exchange medium is easily guided toward the first plate portion substantially evenly over the entire area of the flow path in the width direction between the two adjacent partitioning portions. This makes it possible to facilitate substantially even heat exchange with the object in the flow path.

[0014]In one aspect of the present disclosure, the multiple protrusions may each extend from any of the multiple partitioning portions and may be spaced apart from any other of the multiple partitioning portions.

[0015]Such a configuration makes it possible to improve the heat exchange effectiveness in the heat exchanger while inhibiting reduction in the flow velocity of the heat exchange medium.

[0016]In one aspect of the present disclosure, the multiple protrusions may include multiple first protrusions extending from the first partitioning portion and multiple second protrusions extending from the second partitioning portion. The multiple first protrusions and the multiple second protrusions may be arranged alternately along the flow direction.

[0017]For example, in a case where the multiple first protrusions and the multiple second protrusions are not arranged alternately in the flow direction, that is, in a case where the protrusions face their counterparts in the width direction, a portion of the flow path where the protrusions facing each other are provided is likely to be smaller in width. However, since the protrusions are arranged alternately along the flow direction in the above-described configuration, the portion of the flow path where each protrusion is provided can be inhibited from being too small in width, thus facilitating stabilization of the flow of the heat exchange medium.

[0018]In one aspect of the present disclosure, each protrusion of the multiple protrusions may be shaped such that a top thereof is downstream of a center, in the flow direction, of the protrusion.

[0019]Such a configuration makes it easier to form the inclined surface to be gently inclined; thus, pressure loss caused by significant obstruction to the flow of the heat exchange medium can be reduced.

[0020]In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first plate portion may be arranged on an upper side of the second plate portion.

[0021]In such a configuration, when the heat exchange medium flowing through the flow path hits the multiple protrusions, the flow of the heat exchange medium is guided toward the first plate portion, resulting in improving the heat transfer coefficient between the first plate portion and the heat exchange medium. Moreover, since the heat exchange medium is guided toward the first plate portion along the inclined surface while flowing in the flow direction, the flow of the heat exchange medium is less likely to be obstructed. This makes it possible to improve the heat exchange effectiveness in the heat exchanger while inhibiting reduction in the flow velocity of the heat exchange medium.

[0022]In one aspect of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger may further comprise an inlet flow path, an outlet flow path, an inlet portion, and an outlet portion. The inlet flow path may be located on a first end, in the flow direction, of the flow path. The outlet flow path may be located on a second end, in the flow direction, of the flow path. The inlet portion may be continuous with the inlet flow path. The outlet portion may be continuous with the outlet flow path.

[0023]Such a configuration makes it possible to improve the heat exchange effectiveness in the heat exchanger while inhibiting reduction in the flow velocity of the heat exchange medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a top view of a heat exchanger;

[0026]FIG. 2 is a side view of the heat exchanger;

[0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger with a first plate portion shown transparently;

[0028]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along a line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2;

[0029]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a line V-V shown in FIG. 1 and an enlarged view of a protrusion shown in the sectional view;

[0030]FIG. 6 is a top view schematically showing the protrusion;

[0031]FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of a protrusion of a first modified example;

[0032]FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a protrusion of a second modified example; FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of a protrusion of a third modified example;

[0033]FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a protrusion of a fourth modified example taken perpendicular to a width direction thereof;

[0034]FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a protrusion of a fifth modified example taken perpendicular to a width direction thereof;

[0035]FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of a protrusion of a sixth modified example taken perpendicular to a width direction thereof;

[0036]FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of a flow path in which protrusions of a seventh modified example are provided;

[0037]FIG. 14 is a schematic top view of a flow path in which protrusions of an eighth modified example are provided;

[0038]FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a second plate portion of a ninth modified example;

[0039]FIG. 15B is an enlarged top view of part of a flow path shown in FIG. 15A;

[0040]FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a second plate portion of a tenth modified example; and

[0041]FIG. 16B is an enlarged top view of part of a flow path shown in FIG. 16A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1. Configuration

[0042]A heat exchanger 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is configured such that a fluid heat exchange medium flows through a flow path 10 within the heat exchanger 100 to exchange heat with an object 200 that is in contact with the heat exchanger 100. For example, the heat exchange medium is a liquid, such as cooling water, and the heat exchanger 100 is configured to cool the object 200. The heat exchanger 100 is mounted in a vehicle, as an example. The object 200 is a battery, as an example, that supplies electric power to a motor, which is a power source for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. For example, the heat exchange medium may be a high-temperature liquid, and the heat exchanger 100 may be configured to heat the object 200.

[0043]The heat exchanger 100 is a substantially rectangular plate-like device. The heat exchanger 100 comprises an inlet portion 101, an outlet portion 102, a first plate portion 1, a second plate portion 2, multiple partitioning wall portions 3, and multiple protrusions 4. As shown in FIG. 1, edges that form two sides of the heat exchanger 100 opposite in its longitudinal direction (i.e., a flow direction F of the heat exchange medium) are referred to as an inlet end 103 and an outlet end 104. Edges that form two sides of the heat exchanger 100 opposite in its transverse direction (i.e., a width direction W intersecting with the flow direction F) are referred to as a first end 105 and a second end 106. The first end 105 and the second end 106 extend in the flow direction F. The heat exchanger 100 includes therein the flow path 10 surrounded by the inlet end 103, the outlet end 104, the first end 105, and the second end 106.

<Inlet Portion and Outlet Portion>

[0044]As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inlet portion 101 and the outlet portion 102 are each a cylindrical portion provided so as to protrude from the first plate portion 1. The shape of the inlet portion and the outlet portion is not limited to a cylindrical shape and may be an elliptical cylindrical shape or a polygonal cylindrical shape, for example. Alternatively, the inlet portion and the outlet portion may each be a through-hole arranged in the first plate portion. The heat exchange medium flows into the flow path 10 through the inlet portion 101, flows through the flow path 10 along the flow direction F, and flows out through the outlet portion 102. Hereinafter, an upstream side and a downstream side in the flow direction F of the heat exchange medium are also simply referred to as an upstream side and a downstream side, respectively. The inlet portion 101 is arranged in a position near the inlet end 103 and substantially in the center of the first plate portion 1 in the width direction W. The outlet portion 102 is arranged in a position near the outlet end 104 and substantially in the center of the first plate portion 1 in the width direction W. The positions where the inlet portion and the outlet portion are arranged in the first plate portion are not limited to substantially in the center thereof in the width direction W. For example, the inlet portion and the outlet portion may each be arranged on the side where the first end 105 is present or on the side where the second end 106 is present.

<First Plate Portion and Second Plate Portion>

[0045]The first plate portion 1 and the second plate portion 2 are substantially rectangular flat members and are arranged so as to face each other. FIG. 2 shows the first plate portion 1 in contact with the object 200. As an example, the heat exchanger 100 is arranged so as to extend horizontally with the first plate portion 1 on the upper side and with the second plate portion 2 on the lower side, and the object 200 is positioned on the first plate portion 1.

[0046]A part of the first plate portion 1 that comes in contact with the object 200 has a shape conforming to the object 200 (i.e., a shape corresponding to the object 200). In other words, the parts of the first plate portion 1 and the object 200 that come in contact with each other have the same shape or substantially the same shape, thus facilitating surface contact between these parts. In the present embodiment, the first plate portion 1 is flat, and the part of the object 200 that comes in contact with the first plate portion 1 is also flat. The parts of the first plate portion and the object that come in contact with each other may be provided with a recess and/or a protrusion, a concave and/or a convex, or the like, which are configured to fit each other.

[0047]The second plate portion 2 comprises a flange 20, a side wall 21, and a bottom 22.

[0048]As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flange 20 is provided along a marginal part of the second plate portion 2 in a surrounding manner and is joined to a marginal part of the first plate portion 1. The flange 20 surrounds the side wall 21 and the bottom 22.

[0049]The bottom 22 is a substantially rectangular part and is spaced apart from the first plate portion 1.

[0050]The side wall 21 connects an inner edge of the flange 20 and an outer edge of the bottom 22 to each other. In other words, the side wall 21 is provided along the inner edge of the flange 20 and the outer edge of the bottom 22 in a manner surrounding the bottom 22. In the descriptions below, a part of the side wall 21 that is located on the side where the first end 105 is present and that extends in the flow direction F is also referred to as a first side wall 211. Similarly, a part of the side wall 21 that is located on the side where the second end 106 is present and that extends in the flow direction F is also referred to as a second side wall 212.

[0051]The first plate portion 1, and the side wall 21 and the bottom 22 of the second plate portion 2, form therebetween the flow path 10 through which the heat exchange medium passes. As shown in FIG. 2, the flow path 10 has a substantially rectangular flat shape, and the inlet portion 101 and the outlet portion 102 are located on respective ends of the flow path 10 in its longitudinal direction.

<Partitioning Wall Portion>

[0052]As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each partitioning wall portion 3 is a portion via which the first plate portion 1 and the second plate portion 2 are joined. Specifically, each partitioning wall portion 3 protrudes from the bottom 22 of the second plate portion 2 toward the first plate portion 1 to come in contact with the first plate portion 1. In the present embodiment, each partitioning wall portion 3 is formed by causing a part of the second plate portion 2 to protrude from the bottom 22. Each partitioning wall portion may be formed by a separate member joined onto the flat bottom of the second plate portion by welding or the like.

[0053]The multiple partitioning wall portions 3 are located within the flow path 10 with a distance from the side wall 21 of the second plate portion 2. The multiple partitioning wall portions 3 extend along the flow direction F and are arranged alongside in the width direction W to partition the flow path 10. In the present embodiment, the flow path 10 is partitioned such that five heat exchange flow paths 10a, an inlet flow path 10b, and an outlet flow path 10c are formed by four partitioning wall portions 3 and the side wall 21. The five heat exchange flow paths 10a are formed by partitioning the flow path 10 with the four partitioning wall portions 3 and the first and second side walls 211 and 212 (all of them are hereinafter also referred to as partitioning portions), and extend in the flow direction F to be arranged alongside in the width direction W. The inlet flow path 10b and the outlet flow path 10c extend in the width direction W and are located on respective ends of the flow path 10 in the flow direction F so as to be continuous with the five heat exchange flow paths 10a. The inlet flow path 10b is continuous with the inlet portion 101, and the outlet flow path 10c is continuous with the outlet portion 102.

<Protrusion>

[0054]As shown in FIG. 3, the respective protrusions 4 are arranged between corresponding two adjacent partitioning wall portions 3 and protrude within the flow path 10, or is arranged between the first side wall 211 and the partitioning wall portion 3 facing the first side wall 211 and protrudes within the flow path 10, or is arranged between the second side wall 212 and the partitioning wall portion 3 facing the second side wall 212 and protrudes within the flow path 10. In the present embodiment, each protrusion 4 is provided in a corresponding one of the five heat exchange flow paths 10a. Each protrusion 4 is arranged substantially in the center of the corresponding heat exchange flow path 10a in its longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, each protrusion 4 is formed by causing a part of the second plate portion 2 to protrude from the bottom 22. Each protrusion may be formed by joining a separate member onto the flat bottom by welding or the like.

[0055]Specifically, each protrusion 4 extends from the corresponding partitioning wall portion 3, the first side wall 211, or the second side wall 212 and protrudes from the bottom 22 of the second plate portion 2, and a top 41 of the protrusion 4 is spaced apart from the first plate portion 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, in the present embodiment, three of the protrusions 4 extend straight along the width direction W from one of the corresponding two adjacent partitioning wall portions 3 to the other. Another protrusion 4 extends straight along the width direction W from the first side wall 211 to the partitioning wall portion 3 facing the first side wall 211. The other protrusion 4 extends straight along the width direction W from the second side wall 212 to the partitioning wall portion 3 facing the second side wall 212. In other words, each protrusion 4 crosses the corresponding heat exchange flow path 10a straight along the width direction W. FIG. 6 shows the protrusion 4 extending from one of the corresponding two adjacent partitioning wall portions 3 to the other, as an example. Each protrusion 4 is constant in the length in the flow direction F, that is, in the length from its upstream edge 42 to its downstream edge 43, over the entire area in the width direction W.

[0056]As shown in FIG. 5, each protrusion 4 includes an inclined surface 44, which is inclined so as to be closer to the first plate portion 1 with distance from the upstream edge 42 toward the downstream side. In the present embodiment, each protrusion 4 has a shape curved to be substantially arc-shaped in a section perpendicular to the width direction W (hereinafter simply referred to as a section). In other words, each protrusion 4 bulges, in its section, from the second plate portion 2 toward the first plate portion 1. In the case where a separate member is joined onto the flat bottom by welding or the like, each protrusion may be, for example, substantially semicircular in its section. The inclined surface 44 extends from the upstream edge 42 to the top 41 in each protrusion 4 over the entire area in the width direction W. The inclined surface 44 allows a flow of the heat exchange medium to be toward the first plate portion 1.

2. Effects

3. Other Embodiments

[0063]For example, the protrusion 4 may cross the heat exchange flow path 10a at an angle so as to be oblique relative to the width direction W. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the protrusion 4 of a first modified example is formed such that the length in the flow direction F is constant over the entire area in the width direction W and such that a first end of the upstream edge 42 in the width direction W is downstream of a second end thereof.

[0064]Alternatively, for example, the protrusion 4 may cross the heat exchange flow path 10a along the width direction W so as to have a bent part or a curved part. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion 4 of a second modified example includes a bent part 45 and has a V-shape in which the bent part 45 is upstream of both ends of the protrusion 4 in the width direction W as viewed from above.

[0067]Alternatively, for example, the protrusion 4 may be shaped such that, in the section, the top 41 is downstream of the center, in the flow direction F, of the protrusion 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the protrusion 4 of a sixth modified example has an inequilateral triangular shape in the section, in which, in the section, the top 41 is downstream of the center, in the flow direction F, of the protrusion 4. This makes it easier to form the inclined surface 44 to be gently inclined; thus, pressure loss caused by significant obstruction to the flow of the heat exchange medium can be reduced.

[0072]Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15A, a second plate portion 2a of a ninth modified example is provided with multiple partitioning wall portions 3a and multiple protrusions 4a. In the example shown in FIG. 15A, in each heat exchange flow path 10a, the multiple protrusions 4a are arranged. In each heat exchange flow path 10a, the protrusions 4a extend from two adjacent partitioning wall portions 3a and protrude from the bottom 22 of the second plate portion 2a, or extend from the first side wall 211 and the partitioning wall portion 3a facing the first side wall 211 and protrude from the bottom 22 of the second plate portion 2a, or extend from the second side wall 212 and the partitioning wall portion 3a facing the second side wall 212 and protrude from the bottom 22 of the second plate portion 2a. The respective protrusions 4a are spaced apart from the first plate portion 1. The protrusions 4a extending from the first partitioning portion and the protrusions 4a extending from the second partitioning portion facing the first partitioning portion are arranged alternately along the flow direction F. Specifically, the multiple first protrusions 4a extend from the first partitioning portion and are arranged alongside at intervals in the flow direction F. Located between two adjacent such first protrusions 4a is a corresponding one of the multiple second protrusions 4a that extend from the second partitioning portion and that are arranged alongside at intervals in the flow direction F. In the example shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, each protrusion 4a is formed in a triangular pyramidal shape. Each protrusion 4a includes an inclined surface 44a of a triangular shape that faces upstream. The inclined surface 44a is inclined so as to be closer to the first plate portion 1 with distance from an upstream edge 42a toward the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 15B, the inclined surface 44a allows the flow of the heat exchange medium to be toward the first plate portion 1. As a result, the heat transfer coefficient between the first plate portion 1 and the heat exchange medium is improved.

[0073]For example, in a case where the protrusions extending from the first partitioning portion and the protrusions extending from the second partitioning portion facing the first partitioning portion are not arranged alternately, that is, in a case where the protrusions face their counterparts in the width direction W, a portion of the heat exchange flow path 10a where the protrusions facing each other are located is smaller in width. However, since the protrusions 4a are arranged alternately in the above-described configuration of the ninth modified example, a portion of the heat exchange flow path 10a where each protrusion 4a is provided can be inhibited from being too small in width, thus facilitating stabilization of the flow of the heat exchange medium.

[0074]As another example, as shown in FIG. 16A, a second plate portion 2b of a tenth modified example comprises multiple partitioning wall portions 3b and multiple protrusions 4b. The multiple partitioning wall portions 3b each include an inclined side surface 31b on each side thereof in the width direction W. The inclined side surface 31b extends from the bottom 22 of the second plate portion 2b to the first plate portion 1 and also extends along the flow direction F. The inclined side surface 31b is inclined relative to a plane extending in a direction perpendicular to the bottom 22 and in the flow direction F. Specifically, each partitioning wall portion 3b is shaped to become wider toward the bottom 22. Moreover, the inclined side surface 31b is curved in a wavy shape as viewed from above. A first side wall 211b and a second side wall 212b of the second plate portion 2b are each inclined and curved in a wavy shape similarly to the inclined side surface 31b. In the example shown in FIG. 16A, multiple convex parts, formed by being curved in a wavy shape, in the inclined side surface 31b and in the first and second side walls 211b and 212b correspond to the multiple protrusions 4b. A surface forming an upstream part of the convex part in the inclined side surface 31b and in the first and second side walls 211b and 212b corresponds to an inclined surface 44b of the protrusion 4b. The inclined surface 44b is inclined so as to be closer to the first plate portion 1 with distance from an upstream edge 42b toward the downstream side.

[0075]The multiple protrusions 4b on a first inclined side surface 31b and the multiple protrusions 4b on a second inclined side surface 31b are arranged alternately along the flow direction F such that each protrusion 4b on the first inclined side surface 31b is located between two adjacent protrusions 4b on the second inclined side surface 31b. The first and second inclined side surfaces 31b refer to two inclined side surfaces 31b that face each other across the heat exchange flow path 10a. That is, the convex part on the first inclined side surface 31b and a concave part on the second inclined side surface 31b face each other in the width direction W. Similarly, the multiple protrusions 4b on the first side wall 211b and the multiple protrusions 4b on the inclined side surface 31b facing the first side wall 211b are arranged alternately along the flow direction F such that each protrusion 4b on the inclined side surface 31b is located between two adjacent protrusions 4b on the first side wall 211b. Similarly, the multiple protrusions 4b on the second side wall 212b and the multiple protrusions 4b on the inclined side surface 31b facing the second side wall 212b are arranged alternately along the flow direction F such that each protrusion 4b on the inclined side surface 31b is located between two adjacent protrusions 4b on the second side wall 212b. As shown in FIG. 16B, the inclined surface 44b of each protrusion 4b allows the heat exchange medium to flow toward the first plate portion 1. As a result, the heat transfer coefficient between the first plate portion 1 and the heat exchange medium is improved.

Technical Ideas Disclosed Herein

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