CN121003004A

CN121003004A - heater unit

Info

Publication number: CN121003004A
Application number: CN202580002115.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 梅村裕司; 小林健太; 加藤祥平
Original assignee: Misuzu Industry Co ltd
Current assignee: Misuzu Industry Co ltd
Priority date: 2024-03-19
Filing date: 2025-03-07
Publication date: 2025-11-21
Also published as: WO2025197607A1; JP2025143863A; KR20250168298A

Abstract

Provided is a heater unit capable of reducing the weight by reducing the thickness of a heater substrate while maintaining durability. The heater unit includes a housing having a flow path formed on an upper surface side thereof, a heater substrate disposed on the upper surface side of the housing so as to cover the flow path and provided with a heating element along the flow path on a surface facing the opposite side of the housing, and a frame which is at least one frame of a surface frame disposed on the surface of the heater substrate and a back frame disposed on the back surface of the heater substrate. A frame has an outer frame fixing portion arranged along an outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate, and the outer frame fixing portion is fixed to the housing together with the heater substrate by a fastening member.

Description

Heater unit

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a heater unit, and more particularly, to a heater unit that heats a fluid flowing through a flow path.

Background

As a conventional heater unit, a heater unit including a housing in which a flow path is formed and a heater substrate provided with a heating element for heating a fluid flowing in the flow path is generally known (for example, refer to patent documents 1 and 2). In recent years, such a heater unit has been proposed for use as a coolant heater for battery temperature management in an Electric Vehicle (EV).

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1 Japanese patent laid-open No. 11-135241

Patent document 2 Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2015-524906

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Here, one of the major problems of the electric vehicle is the cruising distance, and examples of the cruising distance extending element in the coolant heater include a reduction in running power consumption due to weight saving and a reduction in coolant heater power consumption due to an improvement in heating efficiency. Therefore, it is considered to reduce the weight of the heater substrate by reducing the thickness, but in this case, strain and warpage may occur in the heater substrate when a fluid having a high pressure flows in the flow path. As a result, there is a concern that defects such as water leakage, resistor pattern breakage, and dielectric breakdown may occur. In addition, the above-described problems may occur in a similar manner to the coolant heater of the electric vehicle, as to the heater unit in which the fluid having a relatively high pressure flows in the flow path.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heater unit capable of reducing the weight of the heater substrate while maintaining durability.

Solution for solving the problem

The present invention is as follows.

1. A heater unit for heating a fluid flowing in a flow path, characterized in that,

The heater unit is provided with:

a housing having the flow path formed on an upper surface side thereof;

A heater substrate disposed on the upper surface side of the housing so as to cover the flow path and provided with a heating element along the flow path on a surface facing the opposite side of the housing, and

A frame, which is at least one frame of a surface frame configured on the surface of the heater substrate and a back frame configured on the back of the heater substrate,

The one frame has an outer frame fixing portion arranged along an outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate,

The outer frame fixing portion is fixed to the housing together with the heater substrate by a fastening member.

2. The heater unit according to the above 1, wherein,

The frame has an inner fixing portion disposed at an inner side of the outer frame fixing portion,

The inner fixing portion is fixed to the housing together with the heater substrate by a fastening member.

3. The heater unit according to the above 1 or 2, wherein,

The heater unit includes at least the surface frame out of the surface frames and the back frame.

4. The heater unit according to the above 3, wherein,

The surface frames are laminated in a multi-layer form.

5. The heater unit according to the above 4, wherein,

And a pressing bolt for pressing the surface of the heater substrate is screwed on the upper surface frame.

6. The heater unit according to any one of the above 3 to 5, wherein,

The surface frame is provided with a surface insulating layer at a portion directly below a conductor extending from a power supply terminal of the heating element to the outside of the heater substrate.

7. The heater unit according to the above 1, wherein,

The heater unit includes at least the rear surface frame among the front surface frames and the rear surface frames.

8. The heater unit according to the above 7, wherein,

A back glass layer for preventing warping is arranged on the back of the heater substrate,

A flat plate is disposed on the housing so as to cover the flow path,

The back frame is sandwiched between the heater substrate and the flat plate as a spacer in such a manner that the back glass layer does not contact the flat plate.

9. The heater unit according to the above 8, wherein,

The heater unit is further provided with the surface frame.

10. The heater unit according to the above 7 or 8, wherein,

The back frame has a flow path corresponding portion disposed along the flow path inside the outer frame fixing portion.

11. The heater unit according to the above 10, wherein,

The back frame is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than that of the heater substrate.

12. The heater unit according to 10 or 11 above, wherein,

The flow path corresponding portion is provided with a turbulence generating portion for generating turbulence in the fluid flowing through the flow path.

13. The heater unit according to any one of the above 7 to 12, wherein,

An annular 1 st gasket is interposed between the back frame and the housing so as to surround the flow path.

14. The heater unit according to the above 13, wherein,

An annular gasket 2 is interposed between the back frame and the heater substrate so as to surround the flow path.

15. The heater unit according to the above 13, wherein,

An annular O-ring is interposed between the back frame and the heater substrate so as to surround the flow path.

16. The heater unit according to the above 13, wherein,

An annular welded portion is provided between the back frame and the heater substrate so as to surround the flow path.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate is improved by the front frame and/or the rear frame, and therefore the heater substrate can be thinned while maintaining durability, and weight reduction can be achieved.

Drawings

In regard to the present invention, by way of non-limiting example of exemplary embodiments based on the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and further description below, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a heater unit according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the heater unit.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a main portion of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a heater unit according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the heater unit.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the surface frame, where fig. 7 (a) shows a perspective view and fig. 7 (b) shows a top view of the heater unit to which the surface frame is attached.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a heater unit according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory view of the heater unit, fig. 9 (a) is a plan view, and fig. 9 (b) is a plan view showing a state in which the upper surface frame is removed.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the X-X section of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a heater unit according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 12 is an explanatory view of the heater unit, fig. 12 (a) is a plan view, and fig. 12 (b) is a plan view showing a state in which the upper surface frame is removed.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of fig. 12, in which fig. 13 (a) shows a mode in which the fastening bolt is screwed to the upper surface frame, and fig. 13 (b) shows a mode in which the fastening bolt is attached to the upper surface frame by a nut.

Fig. 14 is a plan view schematically showing a heater unit according to embodiment 5.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of the cross-section taken along line XV-XV of fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the surface frame.

Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a heater unit according to embodiment 6.

Fig. 18 is a main part sectional view of the heater unit.

Fig. 19 is a plan view of a back frame constituting the heater unit.

Fig. 20 is an explanatory view of a heater substrate constituting the heater unit, fig. 20 (a) shows a plan view seen from the front surface, and fig. 20 (b) shows a plan view seen from the back surface.

Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a heater unit according to embodiment 7.

Fig. 22 is a main part sectional view of the heater unit.

Fig. 23 is a plan view of a back frame constituting the heater unit.

Fig. 24 is an explanatory view of a heater substrate constituting the heater unit, where (a) of fig. 24 shows a plan view seen from the front surface, and (b) of fig. 24 shows a plan view seen from the back surface.

Fig. 25 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a heater unit according to a modification of embodiment 7.

Fig. 26 is a main part sectional view of the heater unit.

Fig. 27 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a heater unit according to a modification of embodiment 7.

Fig. 28 is a main part sectional view of the heater unit.

Fig. 29 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a heater unit according to embodiment 8.

Fig. 30 is a main part sectional view of the heater unit.

Fig. 31 is a plan view of a back frame constituting the heater unit.

Fig. 32 is a plan view of a housing constituting the heater unit.

Fig. 33 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a heater unit according to embodiment 9.

Fig. 34 is a main part sectional view of the heater unit.

Fig. 35 is a plan view of a back frame constituting the heater unit.

Fig. 36 is a plan view of a housing constituting the heater unit.

Fig. 37 is an explanatory diagram of a back frame according to a modification of embodiment 8 and embodiment 9.

Fig. 38 is a main part sectional view of a heater unit including a back frame of a modification, fig. 38 (a) shows a modification of embodiment 8, and fig. 38 (b) shows a modification of embodiment 9.

Fig. 39 is an explanatory view of a back frame according to another modification of embodiment 8 or embodiment 9, in which fig. 39 (a) shows a mode in which a turbulence generating portion having a substantially V-shape in plan view is formed, and fig. 39 (b) shows a mode in which a turbulence generating portion having a substantially dot shape in plan view is formed.

Fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view of a heater unit according to still another modification of embodiment 9.

Fig. 41 is a cross-sectional view of a heater unit according to still another modification of embodiment 9.

Fig. 42 is a cross-sectional view of a heater unit according to still another modification of embodiment 9.

Fig. 43 is a plan view schematically showing a circuit pattern of the heat generating body of embodiment 1, fig. 43 (a) is a plan view of the whole, and fig. 43 (b) is an enlarged view of a main part.

Fig. 44 is an explanatory diagram of a heater unit according to still another embodiment.

Detailed Description

The matters presented herein are exemplary and illustrative of the embodiments of the present invention and are meant to provide an illustration of what is considered to be the most efficient and easy understanding of the principles and conceptual features of the invention. In view of this, this description is not intended to show structural details of the invention beyond what is needed to understand the basic principles of the invention, so that those skilled in the art can clearly understand how the several ways of the invention may be embodied in practice by the description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

< Embodiment 1>

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the heater unit 1A of the present embodiment includes a housing 3 having a flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, a heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2 and provided with a heating element 10 along the flow path 2 on the surface facing the opposite side of the housing 3, and a surface frame 5 disposed on the surface of the heater substrate 4.

The case 3 is formed of a metal such as aluminum. A screw hole 12 to which a screw portion of the fastening bolt 11 is screwed is formed in the upper surface of the housing 3. Further, an inlet port 2a and an outlet port 2b of the flow path 2 are formed in the side surface of the housing 3. The flow path 2 is open on the upper surface of the housing 3, and is formed in a serpentine shape.

The material of the case 3 is not particularly limited, and may be formed of, for example, synthetic resin, ceramic, or the like. The shape of the case 3 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a rectangular shape in a plan view, a polygonal shape in a plan view other than a quadrangle, a circular shape in a plan view, an elliptical shape in a plan view, and the like. The shape of the flow path 2 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a combination of1 or 2 or more of a straight flow path, a curved flow path, and the like. As the fluid flowing through the flow path 2, for example, a liquid such as water, oil, gas, gel, or the like can be used.

The heater substrate 4 is formed of a metal such as steel. The heater substrate 4 covers the upper surface of the housing 3 together with the flow path 2. Further, an insertion hole 13 through which the screw portion of the fastening bolt 11 is inserted is formed in the heater substrate 4. Further, a surface insulating layer 8 made of a glass layer or the like is provided on the surface of the heater substrate 4 to cover the heating element 10. Specifically, the surface insulating layer 8 is printed on the surface of the heater substrate 4.

The material of the heater substrate 4 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, metal, ceramic, or a composite material thereof (a composite material of metal and metal, a composite material of ceramic and ceramic, or a composite material of metal and ceramic). A temperature sensor, a fluid detection sensor, a fuse, and the like may be provided on the surface of the heater substrate 4. The shape of the heater substrate 4 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a rectangular shape in a plan view, a polygonal shape in a plan view other than a quadrangle, a circular shape in a plan view, an elliptical shape in a plan view, and the like. The material of the surface insulating layer 8 is not particularly limited, and glass, ceramic, glass ceramic, or the like is preferable. Among them, in the case of using metal (stainless steel or the like) as a material constituting the heater substrate 4, the material of the surface insulating layer 8 is preferably glass from the standpoint of thermal expansion balance thereof, and more preferably crystallized glass and semi-crystallized glass. Specifically, siO ₂-Al₂O₃ -MO glass is preferable. Here, MO is an oxide of an alkaline earth metal (MgO, caO, baO, srO or the like). The thickness of the surface insulating layer 8 is not particularly limited (for example, about 30 to 200 μm).

Here, as the metal constituting the heater substrate 4, steel or the like may be mentioned, and among them, stainless steel can be preferably used. The type of stainless steel is not particularly limited, and ferritic stainless steel and/or austenitic stainless steel are preferable. Among these stainless steels, those excellent in heat resistance and/or oxidation resistance are particularly preferable. Examples thereof include SUS430, SUS436, SUS444, and SUS 316L. Only 1 kind of them may be used, or 2 or more kinds may be used in combination. As the metal constituting the heater substrate 4, aluminum, magnesium, copper, and alloys of these metals can be used. Only 1 kind of them may be used, or 2 or more kinds may be used in combination. Among them, aluminum, magnesium, and alloys thereof (aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, al—mg alloy, etc.) have a small specific gravity, and therefore, the heater unit 1A can be made lightweight by using these. Copper and its alloys have excellent heat conductivity, and therefore, the use of these can improve the heat uniformity of the present heater unit 1A.

On the other hand, in the case of using ceramics to construct the heater substrate 4, the material of the heater substrate 4 may be sufficient to achieve electrical insulation from the heating element 10 provided thereon. Examples of the material of the substrate include alumina, aluminum nitride, zirconia, silica, mullite, spinel, cordierite, and silicon nitride. Only 1 kind of them may be used, or 2 or more kinds may be used in combination. Among them, aluminum oxide and aluminum nitride are more preferable. In addition, a composite material of metal and ceramic can be used as the heater substrate 4. The preferable composite material includes, for example, siC/C, siC/Al. Only 1 kind of them may be used, or 2 or more kinds may be used in combination.

The heating element 10 is composed of a resistance heating wire printed on the surface of the heater substrate 4. The heat generating element 10 includes a power feeding line 10a formed along the flow path 2, and a plurality of heat generating units 10b electrically connected in parallel to the power feeding line 10a (see fig. 43). The power supply line 10a is a wiring for supplying power from a power supply terminal (electrode) 10c to the heat generating unit 10 b. Specifically, the power supply line 10a is formed as a pair along the flow path 2. However, the number of the power supply lines 10a and the like are not particularly limited. The heat generating cells 10b are arranged in a row along the flow path 2. Each heat generating unit 10b is formed in a strip shape. However, the shape, the number of columns, and the like of the heat generating units 10b are not particularly limited.

In the heating element 10 described above, the fluid flowing through the flow path 2 is heated by the plurality of heating units 10b each receiving power supply by being connected in parallel to the power supply line 10 a. As a result, each heat generating unit 10b can generate heat without being affected by the amount of current flowing in the other heat generating unit, and heat generation deviation by the other heat generating unit is less likely to occur. As a result, the fluid can be heated uniformly and efficiently in the entire flow path 2 according to various fluid forms (for example, fluid velocity, fluid temperature, and the like).

The material of the resistance heating wire constituting the heating element 10 is not particularly limited, and a high TCR material (a material having a high temperature coefficient of resistance) can be selected. Further, a conductive material that can generate heat according to the resistance value by energization can be used. The conductive material is not limited, and for example, silver, copper, gold, platinum, palladium, rhodium, tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium (Re), ruthenium (Ru), or the like can be used. Only 1 kind of them may be used, or 2 or more kinds may be used in combination. In the case where 2 or more kinds are used in combination, an alloy can be produced. More specifically, silver-palladium alloy, silver-platinum alloy, platinum-rhodium alloy, silver-ruthenium, silver, copper, gold, and the like can be utilized.

Each heat generating unit 10b may have any resistance heat generating characteristic, but it is preferable that a self-temperature equalizing action (self-temperature supplementing action) be exerted between each heat generating units 10 b. From this viewpoint, the conductive material constituting the resistance heating wire preferably has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance. Specifically, the temperature coefficient of resistance in the temperature range of-200 ℃ to 1000 ℃ is preferably 100 ppm/DEG C to 4400 ppm/DEG C, more preferably 300 ppm/DEG C to 3700 ppm/DEG C, particularly preferably 500 ppm/DEG C to 3000 ppm/DEG C. Examples of such a material include silver-based alloys such as silver-palladium alloys.

In the case where a plurality of resistance heating wires (i.e., the heating units 10 b) formed using a conductive material (PTC material) having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance are electrically connected in parallel, these plurality of heating units 10b function as self-temperature equalization with each other. For example, in the case where there is a2 nd heat generating unit sandwiched by a1 st heat generating unit and a 3 rd heat generating unit, when the temperature of the 2 nd heat generating unit decreases, heat is supplemented from the 1 st heat generating unit and the 3 rd heat generating unit. As a result of the heat addition, the current to the 1 st and 3 rd heat generating units having a reduced temperature increases, and the temperature reduction due to the extracted heat is autonomously recovered. That is, the heat generating units around the 2 nd heat generating unit operate so as to supplement the temperature decrease of the 2 nd heat generating unit. In this way, the heater provided with the plurality of resistance heating wires formed using the conductive material having the positive temperature coefficient of resistance is autonomously controlled to uniformly generate heat in the plurality of heat generating units.

For example, when silver (resistivity ρ=1.62x10 ^-8 Ω at 20 ℃) and temperature coefficient α=4.1x10 ^-3/°c) is used as a general metal material for the resistance heating wire of the heating element 10, the temperature coefficient α is large, but the resistivity ρ is small, so that it is difficult to obtain a high resistance value. Therefore, although palladium (ρ=10.8x ^-8Ωm、α＝3.7×10^-3/° C) having a resistivity ρ larger than that of silver can be added, the temperature coefficient α decreases even if the resistivity ρ increases. Thus, when a material having a high TCR characteristic is selected, the resistivity tends to be low. Therefore, in order to set the resistance heat generating wiring to a high TCR and a practical resistance value, it is necessary to lengthen the wiring length. By adopting the meandering shape, the wiring length can be increased, and a high resistance value can be achieved.

The surface frame 5 is formed of metal such as stainless steel. The front frame 5 has an annular outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate 4. The outer frame fixing portion 16 is formed with an insertion hole 14 through which the screw portion of the fastening bolt 11 is inserted. The outer frame fixing portion 16 is fixed to the housing 3 together with the heater substrate 4 by the fastening bolts 11. The material of the surface frame 5 is not particularly limited, and may be formed of, for example, synthetic resin. The shape of the surface frame 5 is not particularly limited, and is generally formed in a shape overlapping the surface of the heater substrate 4 at a position avoiding the surface insulating layer 8. Further, a fastening member such as a fastening rivet may be used instead of the fastening bolt 11.

The heater substrate 4 and the surface frame 5 are placed on the housing 3 in this order, and the screw portions of the fastening bolts 11 are inserted into the respective insertion holes 13 and 14 of the surface frame 5 and the heater substrate 4 and screwed into the screw holes 12 of the housing 3, whereby the heater substrate 4 and the surface frame 5 are fixed to the housing 3 (see fig. 4). By combining the surface frame 5 and the heater substrate 4 such that the total thickness t is a predetermined value (for example, 3 mm), the weight of the heater substrate 4 can be reduced as compared with a case where the surface frame 5 is not provided. Specifically, in the stainless steel surface frame 5 (see fig. 1), the length of the longitudinal direction (short side) is 150mm, the length of the transverse direction (long side) is 200mm, the width (interval between the outer periphery and the inner periphery) is 10mm, the diameter of the insertion hole 14 is 5mm, and in the stainless steel heater substrate 4, the length of the longitudinal direction (short side) is 150mm, the length of the transverse direction (long side) is 200mm, and the diameter of the insertion hole 13 is 5mm, and the reduction ratio is shown in the following table based on the combination of the thickness of the surface frame 5 and the thickness of the heater substrate 4.

TABLE 1

Next, the operational effects of the heater unit 1A configured as described above will be described. In the present embodiment, the present heater unit 1A is used for battery temperature management of an Electric Vehicle (EV). When a fluid (coolant) is circulated between the heater unit 1A and a battery unit (not shown), the fluid flowing through the flow path 2 from the inlet 2a in the heater unit 1A is heated by the heating element 10 and then sent from the outlet 2b to the battery unit, and the operating temperature of the battery is maintained at an optimum level.

As described above, the heater unit 1A according to embodiment 1 includes the case 3 having the flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, the heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the case 3 so as to cover the flow path 2 and provided with the heat generating body 10 along the flow path 2 on the surface facing the opposite side of the case 3, and the surface frame 5 disposed on the surface of the heater substrate 4. The front frame 5 has an outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer periphery of the heater substrate 4, and the outer frame fixing portion 16 is fixed to the housing 3 together with the heater substrate 4 by fastening bolts 11. Accordingly, even when the thickness of the heater substrate 4 is reduced to, for example, less than 3mm, and a high-pressure fluid of, for example, 5 to 7bar flows through the flow path 2, the surface frame 5 and the heater substrate 4 are firmly held between the housing 3 and the head portion of the fastening bolt 11, and the heater substrate 4 is pushed into the housing 3 side to improve the adhesion, so that the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate 4 is improved.

< Embodiment 2>

Next, the heater unit 1B of embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6, and the same components as those of the heater unit 1A of embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The heater unit 1B of the present embodiment includes a housing 3 having a flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, a heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2 and provided with a heat generating body 10 along the flow path 2 on a surface facing the opposite side of the housing 3, and a surface frame 5 disposed on the surface of the heater substrate 4.

The surface frame 5 includes an annular outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate 4, and an inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16. The inner fixing portion 17 is provided in plural (3 in the figure) as an independent member independent from the outer frame fixing portion 16. However, only one inner fixing portion 17 may be provided. The inner fixing portion 17 is disposed between adjacent portions of the heating element 10. Each of the outer frame fixing portion 16 and the inner fixing portion 17 has an insertion hole 14 through which a screw portion of the fastening bolt 11 is inserted. The outer frame fixing portions 16 and the inner fixing portions 17 are each fixed to the housing 3 together with the heater substrate 4 by fastening bolts 11.

As described above, the heater unit 1B according to embodiment 2 has substantially the same operational effects as the heater unit 1A according to embodiment 1 described above, and the surface frame 5 has the inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16, and the inner fixing portion 17 is fixed to the case 3 together with the heater substrate 4 by the fastening bolt 11, so that the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate 4 is further improved.

In the present embodiment, the surface frame 5 having the outer frame fixing portion 16 and the inner fixing portion 17 as separate members is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, as shown in fig. 7, the surface frame 5 having the outer frame fixing portion 16 and the inner fixing portion 17 as an integral member may be employed. According to the surface frame 5 shown in fig. 7, the number of components is small, and the assembling property is improved. On the other hand, according to the surface frame 5 shown in fig. 5, the amount of material used and the cost are reduced.

< Embodiment 3>

Next, the heater unit 1C of embodiment 3 will be described with reference to fig. 8 to 10, and the same components as those of the heater unit 1B of embodiment 2 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The heater unit 1C of the present embodiment includes a housing 3 having a flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, a heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2, and a heat generating body 10 disposed along the flow path 2 on the surface facing the opposite side of the housing 3, and surface frames 5A, 5B disposed on the surface of the heater substrate 4.

The surface frames 5A, 5B are laminated in two layers. The lower surface frame 5A is disposed on the surface of the heater substrate 4, and the upper surface frame 5B is disposed on the lower surface frame 5A. The upper surface frame 5B is located at a height not in contact with the heating element 10 (i.e., the surface insulating layer 8) on the heater substrate 4. The surface frame may be laminated in a multilayer form of three or more layers.

The lower surface frame 5A includes an annular outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate 4, and an inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16. On the other hand, the upper surface frame 5B includes an annular outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate 4, and an inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16. The inner fixing portion 17 and the outer frame fixing portion 16 are formed as an integral member in a frame shape.

The heater substrate 4 and the surface frames 5A and 5B are placed on the housing 3 in this order, and the screw portions of the fastening bolts 11 are inserted into the insertion holes 14 and 13 of the surface frames 5A and 5B and the heater substrate 4 and screwed into the screw holes 12 of the housing 3, so that the heater substrate 4 and the surface frames 5A and 5B are fixed to the housing 3 (see fig. 10). By combining the surface frames 5A and 5B and the heater substrate 4 such that the total thickness t thereof is a predetermined value (for example, 3 mm), the weight of the heater substrate 4 can be reduced as compared with a case where the surface frames 5A and 5B are not provided.

As described above, the heater unit 1C according to embodiment 3 has substantially the same operational effects as the heater unit 1B according to embodiment 2 described above, and the surface frames 5A and 5B are laminated in two layers, so that the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate 4 is further improved.

< Embodiment 4>

Next, the heater unit 1D of embodiment 4 will be described with reference to fig. 11 to 13, and the same reference numerals will be given to the components substantially identical to those of the heater unit 1B of embodiment 2 described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The heater unit 1D of the present embodiment includes a housing 3 having a flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, a heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2, and a heat generating body 10 disposed along the flow path 2 on the surface facing the opposite side of the housing 3, and surface frames 5A, 5B disposed on the surface of the heater substrate 4.

The lower surface frame 5A includes an annular outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate 4, and an inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16. On the other hand, the upper surface frame 5B includes an annular outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate 4, and an inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16. The inner fixing portion 17 and the outer frame fixing portion 16 are formed as an integral member in a frame shape. Further, a screw hole 22 to which the pressing bolt 21 is screwed is formed in the inner fixing portion 17.

The heater substrate 4 and the surface frames 5A and 5B are placed on the housing 3 in this order, and the screw portions of the fastening bolts 11 are inserted into the insertion holes 14 and 13 of the surface frames 5A and 5B and the heater substrate 4, respectively, and screwed into the screw holes 12 of the housing 3, thereby fixing the heater substrate 4 and the surface frames 5A and 5B to the housing 3 (see fig. 13). By combining the surface frames 5A and 5B and the heater substrate 4 such that the total thickness t thereof is a predetermined value (for example, 3 mm), the weight of the heater substrate 4 can be reduced as compared with a case where the surface frames 5A and 5B are not provided. Further, the pressing bolt 21 is screwed into the screw hole 22 of the inner fixing portion 17 of the upper surface frame 5B, and the heater substrate 4 is pressed toward the case 3 by the tip of the screw portion of the pressing bolt 21 (see fig. 13 (a)). Note that, in fig. 11, the description of the fastening bolt 11 is omitted.

As described above, the heater unit 1D according to embodiment 4 has substantially the same operational effects as the heater unit 1B according to embodiment 2 described above, and the surface frames 5A and 5B are laminated in two layers, so that the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate 4 is further improved.

In embodiment 4, a pressing bolt 21 for pressing the surface of the heater substrate 4 is screwed to the upper surface frame 5B. This further improves the adhesion of the heater substrate 4 to the case 3, and further improves the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate 4. In fig. 13 (a), the screw hole 22 formed in the upper surface frame 5B is illustrated as being screwed with the pressing bolt 21, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, as shown in fig. 13 (B), an insertion hole 22 through which a screw portion of the pressing bolt 21 is inserted may be formed in the upper surface frame 5B, and the pressing bolt 21 may be fastened by a nut (in particular, a double nut) 53 to be attached to the surface frame 5B. According to this embodiment, the loosening prevention effect of the pressing bolt 21 can be obtained.

< Embodiment 5>

Next, the heater unit 1E according to embodiment 5 will be described with reference to fig. 14 and 15, and the same reference numerals will be given to the components substantially identical to those of the heater unit 1A according to embodiment 1 described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The heater unit 1E of the present embodiment includes a housing 3 having a flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, a heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2 and provided with a heat generating body 10 along the flow path 2 on a surface facing the opposite side of the housing 3, and a surface frame 5 disposed on the surface of the heater substrate 4.

The power supply terminal (electrode) 10c is connected to the terminal portion 25 via a conductor (wire) 24. The conductors 24 are disposed so as to straddle the outer frame fixing portion 16 of the surface frame 5. A surface insulating layer 26 made of a glass layer or the like is provided on the outer frame fixing portion 16 of the surface frame 5 at a portion directly below the conductor 24 extending from the power supply terminal 10c of the heating element 10 to the outside of the heater substrate 4. The material of the surface insulating layer 26 is not particularly limited, and may be formed of the same material as the surface insulating layer 8 described above.

As described above, the heater unit 1E according to embodiment 5 has substantially the same operational effects as the heater unit 1A according to embodiment 1 described above, and the surface frame 5 is provided with the surface insulating layer 26 at a portion directly below the conductor 24 extending from the power supply terminal 10c of the heating element 10 to the outside of the heater substrate 4, so that the insulation properties of the conductor 24 can be easily ensured.

In embodiment 5, the surface insulating layer 26 is provided on the surface frame 5 at the portion directly below the conductor 24, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in fig. 16, a method of recessing the surface frame 5 at the portion directly below the conductor 24 to form the recess 27 may be adopted. According to this embodiment, the distance from the conductor 24 is extended, and the insulation of the conductor 24 can be ensured. In embodiment 5, the surface frame 5 according to any one of embodiments 2 to 4 may be used.

< Embodiment 6>

Next, the heater unit 1F of embodiment 6 will be described with reference to fig. 17 to 20, and the same reference numerals will be given to the components substantially identical to those of the heater unit 1A of embodiment 1 described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The heater unit 1F of the present embodiment includes a housing 3 having a flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, a heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2 and provided with a heat generating body 10 along the flow path 2 on the surface facing the opposite side of the housing 3, and a back surface frame 6 disposed on the back surface of the heater substrate 4. In fig. 17, the housing 3 and the fastening bolt 11 are not shown.

A screw hole 12 to which a screw portion of the fastening bolt 11 is screwed is formed in the upper surface of the housing 3. A flat plate 28 is disposed on the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2. The flat plate 28 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel. The flat plate 28 is formed with an insertion hole 29 through which the screw portion of the fastening bolt 11 is inserted.

The material constituting the flat plate 28 is not particularly limited, but is preferably formed of a material having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the material constituting the heater substrate 4, from the viewpoint of thermal conductivity. For example, when stainless steel having a low thermal conductivity of 50W/mK or less is used as the material of the heater substrate 4, the flat plate 28 is preferably formed of a material having a thermal conductivity of 100W/mK or more. Specifically, an alloy containing at least 1 of these metals, such as silver, copper, gold, aluminum, tungsten, and nickel, can be used as the heat conductive metal. The heat conductive metal may be used in an amount of 1 or 2 or more. Among them, aluminum and an aluminum-containing alloy are particularly preferable from the viewpoint of weight reduction. The flat plate 28 may be formed of a thermally conductive ceramic such as aluminum nitride. The shape of the flat plate 28 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a rectangular shape in a plan view, a polygonal shape in a plan view other than a quadrangle, a circular shape in a plan view, and an elliptical shape in a plan view.

The heater substrate 4 is formed with an insertion hole 13 through which a screw portion of the fastening bolt 11 is inserted. A surface insulating layer 8 made of a glass layer or the like is provided on the surface of the heater substrate 4 to cover the heating element 10 (see fig. 20 a). A back glass layer 9 for preventing warpage is provided on the back surface of the heater substrate 4 (see fig. 20 b). Specifically, the back glass layer 9 is printed on the back surface of the heater substrate 4. The back glass layer 9 and the surface insulating layer 8 are arranged at substantially the same position. The gap between the back glass layer 9 and the flat plate 28 is filled with a thermally conductive grease layer or a thermally conductive adhesive layer 50 (see fig. 18). However, the thermally conductive grease layer or the thermally conductive adhesive layer 50 may not be filled.

The material of the back glass layer 9 is not particularly limited, and may be formed of the same material as the surface insulating layer 8. The type of the thermally conductive grease or the adhesive layer 50 is not particularly limited, and a material obtained by mixing particles (filler) of a metal or a metal oxide with a base material such as modified silicone may be used. As the particles, silver, copper, gold, aluminum, tungsten, nickel, or the like, an alloy containing at least 1 of these metals, can be used as the thermally conductive metal. The heat conductive metal may be used in an amount of 1 or 2 or more. Among them, silver, copper, aluminum, and an alloy containing at least one of them are preferable. Further, as the particles, alumina, magnesia, aluminum nitride, or the like may be used. Only 1 kind of them may be used, or 2 or more kinds may be used in combination.

The back frame 6 is formed of metal such as stainless steel. The back frame 6 is sandwiched as a spacer between the heater base 4 and the flat plate 28 in such a manner that the back glass layer 9 does not contact the flat plate 28. The back frame 6 includes an annular outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate 4, and an inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16 (see fig. 19). The inner fixing portion 17 and the outer frame fixing portion 16 are formed as an integral member in a frame shape. These outer frame fixing portions 16 and inner fixing portions 17 are each formed with an insertion hole 14 through which a screw portion of the fastening bolt 11 is inserted. The outer frame fixing portions 16 and the inner fixing portions 17 are each fixed to the housing 3 together with the heater substrate 4 by fastening bolts 11. The material of the back frame 6 is not particularly limited, and may be formed of the same material as the flat plate 28. The shape of the back frame 6 is not particularly limited, and is generally formed in a shape overlapping the back surface of the heater substrate 4 at a position avoiding the back glass layer 9. Further, a fastening member such as a fastening rivet may be used instead of the fastening bolt 11. In addition, in a case where the back frame 6 to be sandwiched as a spacer is not required, a mode of not inserting the back frame 6 may be considered.

The flat plate 28, the back frame 6, and the heater substrate 4 are placed on the case 3 in this order, and the flat plate 28, the back frame 6, and the heater substrate 4 are fixed to the case 3 by inserting the screw portions of the fastening bolts 11 into the insertion holes 13, 14, and 29 of the heater substrate 4, the back frame 6, and the flat plate 28, and screwing them into the screw holes 12 of the case 3 (see fig. 18). The combination of the back frame 6, the heater substrate 4, and the flat plate 28 such that the total thickness t is a predetermined value (for example, 3 mm) allows the weight of the heater substrate 4 to be reduced as compared with a case where the back frame 6 and the flat plate 28 are not provided. In order to prevent the back glass layer 9 from contacting the flat plate 28, the thickness of the back frame 6 is preferably 0.3mm or more. From the viewpoint of weight reduction, the thickness of the flat plate 28 is preferably 0.3 to 0.5mm.

As described above, the heater unit 1F according to embodiment 6 includes the case 3 having the flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, the heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the case 3 so as to cover the flow path 2 and provided with the heat generating body 10 along the flow path 2 on the surface facing the opposite side of the case 3, and the back surface frame 6 disposed on the back surface of the heater substrate 4. The back frame 6 has an outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer periphery of the heater substrate 4, and the outer frame fixing portion 16 is fixed to the housing 3 together with the heater substrate 4 by fastening bolts 11. Accordingly, even when the thickness of the heater substrate 4 is reduced to, for example, less than 3mm and a high-pressure fluid of 5 to 7bar flows through the flow path 2, the heater substrate 4 and the rear frame 6 are firmly held between the housing 3 and the head portion of the fastening bolt 11, and the heater substrate 4 is pushed toward the housing 3 side to improve the adhesion, so that the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate 4 is improved.

In embodiment 6, the back frame 6 has an inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16, and the inner fixing portion 17 is fixed to the housing 3 together with the heater substrate 4 by the fastening bolt 11. This further improves the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate 4.

In embodiment 6, a back glass layer 9 for preventing warpage is provided on the back surface of the heater substrate 4, a flat plate 28 is disposed on the case 3 so as to cover the flow path 2, and the back frame 6 is interposed between the heater substrate 4 and the flat plate 28 as a spacer so that the back glass layer 9 does not contact the flat plate 28. This prevents the back glass layer 9 from contacting the flat plate 28, and further improves the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate 4. Further, since the back glass layer 9 is not exposed to the flow path 2 by the flat plate 28, it is possible to cope with a case where the back glass layer 6 is not intended to be in contact with the fluid.

In embodiment 6, the back frame 6 having the outer frame fixing portion 16 and the inner fixing portion 17 as an integral member is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the back frame 6 having the outer frame fixing portion 16 and the inner fixing portion 17 as separate members may be employed. The back frame 6 may be provided with only the outer frame fixing portion 16.

< Embodiment 7>

Next, the heater unit 1G of embodiment 7 will be described with reference to fig. 21 to 24, and the same reference numerals will be given to the components substantially identical to those of the heater unit 1F of embodiment 6 described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The heater unit 1G of the present embodiment includes a housing 3 having a flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, a heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2 and provided with a heat generating body 10 along the flow path 2 on the surface facing the opposite side of the housing 3, and a back surface frame 6 disposed on the back surface of the heater substrate 4. The flat plate 28 is disposed on the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2. In fig. 21, the housing 3 and the fastening bolt 11 are not shown.

A surface insulating layer 8 made of a glass layer or the like is provided on the surface of the heater substrate 4 to cover the heating element 10 (see fig. 24 a). A back glass layer 9 for preventing warpage is provided on the back surface of the heater substrate 4 (see fig. 24 b). The back glass layer 9 and the front insulating layer 8 are arranged at substantially the same place.

The back frame 6 is formed of metal such as stainless steel. The back frame 6 is sandwiched as a spacer between the heater base 4 and the flat plate 28 in such a manner that the back glass layer 9 does not contact the flat plate 28. The back frame 6 includes an annular outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate 4, and an inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16 (see fig. 23).

The back frame 6 has a flow path corresponding portion 37 disposed along the heating element 10 (i.e., the surface insulating layer 8) inside the outer frame fixing portion 16. The flow path corresponding portion 37 is disposed at a position facing the flow path 2 through the flat plate 28. The flow path corresponding portion 37 is provided as an integral member in the outer frame fixing portion 16 and the inner fixing portion 17.

As described above, according to the heater unit 1G of embodiment 7, the same operational effects as those of the heater unit 1F of embodiment 6 described above are achieved, and the back frame 6 has the flow path corresponding portion 37 arranged along the heating element 10 inside the outer frame fixing portion 16, so that the gap between the heater substrate 4 and the flat plate 28 immediately below the heating element 10 is reduced, and heat is easily transferred to the fluid flowing in the flow path 2, and therefore, loss of heat transfer can be reduced.

In particular, by using a frame made of a material (for example, aluminum) having a thermal conductivity larger than that of the material (for example, stainless steel) constituting the heater substrate 4 as the back frame 6, the back frame 6 functions as a soaking layer, and the thermal fluctuation corresponding to the pattern shape of the heating element 10 is made uniform, so that the thermal conductivity can be further improved.

< Modification of embodiment 6 and embodiment 7 >

The heater units 1F and 1G according to embodiments 6 and 7 are not provided with the surface frame 5, but are not limited thereto, and may be provided with the surface frames 5, 5A and 5B according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, for example. For example, the front frame 5 of embodiment 1 may be combined with the back frame 6 of embodiment 7 as shown in fig. 25 and 26, and the front frames 5A and 5B of embodiment 4 may be combined with the back frame 6 of embodiment 7 as shown in fig. 27 and 28.

< Embodiment 8>

Next, the heater unit 1H of embodiment 8 will be described with reference to fig. 29 to 32, and the same reference numerals will be given to the components substantially identical to those of the heater unit 1A of embodiment 1 described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The heater unit 1H of the present embodiment includes a housing 3 having a flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, a heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2 and provided with a heat generating body 10 along the flow path 2 on the surface facing the opposite side of the housing 3, and a back surface frame 6 disposed on the back surface of the heater substrate 4. In fig. 29, the housing 3 and the fastening bolt 11 are not shown.

The back frame 6 is formed of metal such as stainless steel. The back frame 6 includes an annular outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate 4, and an inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16 (see fig. 31). The inner fixing portion 17 and the outer frame fixing portion 16 are formed as an integral member in a frame shape. These outer frame fixing portions 16 and inner fixing portions 17 are each formed with an insertion hole 14 through which a screw portion of the fastening bolt 11 is inserted. The outer frame fixing portions 16 and the inner fixing portions 17 are each fixed to the housing 3 together with the heater substrate 4 by fastening bolts 11. The material of the back frame 6 is not particularly limited, and may be formed of the same material as the flat plate 28 described in embodiment 6. The shape of the back frame 6 is not particularly limited. Further, a fastening member such as a fastening rivet may be used instead of the fastening bolt 11.

The rear frame 6 and the heater substrate 4 are placed on the housing 3 in this order, and the screw portions of the fastening bolts 11 are inserted into the insertion holes 13 and 14 of the heater substrate 4 and the rear frame 6, respectively, and screwed into the screw holes 12 of the housing 3, whereby the rear frame 6 and the heater substrate 4 are fixed to the housing 3 (see fig. 30). The combination of the back frame 6 and the heater substrate 4 such that the total thickness t is a predetermined value (for example, 3 mm) enables weight saving of the heater substrate 4 as compared with a case where the back frame 6 is not provided.

As described above, the heater unit 1H according to embodiment 8 includes the case 3 having the flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, the heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the case 3 so as to cover the flow path 2 and provided with the heat generating body 10 along the flow path on the surface facing the opposite side of the case 3, and the back surface frame 6 disposed on the back surface of the heater substrate 4. The back frame 6 has an outer frame fixing portion 16 disposed along the outer periphery of the heater substrate 4, and the outer frame fixing portion 16 is fixed to the housing 3 together with the heater substrate 4 by fastening bolts 11. Accordingly, even when the thickness of the heater substrate 4 is reduced to, for example, less than 3mm and a high-pressure fluid of 5 to 7bar flows through the flow path 2, the heater substrate 4 and the rear frame 6 are firmly held between the housing 3 and the head portion of the fastening bolt 11, and the heater substrate 4 is pushed toward the housing 3 side to improve the adhesion, so that the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate 4 is improved.

In embodiment 8, the back frame 6 has an inner fixing portion 17 disposed inside the outer frame fixing portion 16, and the inner fixing portion 17 is fixed to the housing 3 together with the heater substrate 4 by the fastening bolts 11. This further improves the strength against strain and warpage of the heater substrate 4.

In embodiment 8, the back frame 6 having the outer frame fixing portion 16 and the inner fixing portion 17 as an integral member is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the back frame 6 having the outer frame fixing portion 16 and the inner fixing portion 17 as separate members may be employed. The back frame 6 may be provided with only the outer frame fixing portion 16.

< Embodiment 9>

Next, the heater unit 1I of embodiment 9 will be described with reference to fig. 33 to 36, and the same reference numerals will be given to the components substantially identical to those of the heater unit 1H of embodiment 8 described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The heater unit 1I of the present embodiment includes a housing 3 having a flow path 2 formed on the upper surface side thereof, a heater substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side of the housing 3 so as to cover the flow path 2 and provided with a heat generating body 10 along the flow path 2 on the surface facing the opposite side of the housing 3, and a back surface frame 6 disposed on the back surface of the heater substrate 4. An annular gasket 31 (1 st gasket) made of rubber or synthetic resin is disposed on the casing 3 so as to surround the flow path 2. The washer 31 is formed with an insertion hole 34 through which the screw portion of the fastening bolt 11 is inserted. In fig. 33, the housing 3 and the fastening bolt 11 are not shown.

As described above, according to the heater unit 1I of embodiment 9, the substantially same operational effects as those of the heater unit 1H of embodiment 8 described above are achieved, and the annular gasket 31 is interposed between the back frame 6 and the case 3 so as to surround the flow path 2, so that leakage of fluid from between the case 3 and the back frame 6 can be suppressed, and the sealing performance of the heater unit 1I can be improved.

< Modification examples of embodiment 8 and embodiment 9 >

In the heater units 1H and 1I according to embodiments 8 and 9, the back frame 6 having the inner fixing portion 17 disposed so as to be substantially away from the heating element 10 (i.e., the surface insulating layer 8) is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, as shown in fig. 37 and 38, the back frame 6 having the flow path corresponding portion 37 disposed along the heating element 10 inside the outer frame fixing portion 16 may be employed. According to this aspect, heat is easily transferred to the fluid flowing through the flow path 2, and therefore, loss of heat transfer can be reduced.

As shown in fig. 39, for example, the back frame 6 may be used in which a turbulence generating portion 38 for generating turbulence of the fluid flowing through the flow channel 2 is formed in the flow channel corresponding portion 37. According to the present embodiment, the turbulence generating portion 38 generates turbulence in the fluid, and therefore, the heat conductivity can be further improved.

The turbulence generating portion 38 may be, for example, a concave portion or a convex portion, and is preferably a bare portion (through hole) from the viewpoint of workability. As the turbulence generating portion 38, for example, (1) a plurality of turbulence generating portions are formed along the flow direction and/or the lateral width direction of the flow path, and (2) a plurality of turbulence generating portions are formed along the flow direction of the flow path in a long shape. These modes (1) and (2) may be used in combination of 1 or 2 or more. In the embodiment (1), the turbulence generating portion 38 may be formed in a V-shape, a U-shape, a W-shape, an L-shape, a dot shape (for example, a circular shape, a polygonal shape, etc. in a plan view), or the like.

The heater unit according to embodiment 8 and embodiment 9 is not provided with the surface frame 5, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided with the surface frames 5,5a, 5B according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4.

< Another modification of embodiment 9 >

The heater unit 1I according to embodiment 9 is configured such that the back frame 6 is in direct contact with the heater substrate 4, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, as shown in fig. 40, a ring-shaped gasket 32 (No. 2 gasket) may be interposed between the back frame 6 and the heater substrate 4 so as to surround the flow path 2. According to the present embodiment, since the outer frame fixing portion 16 of the back frame 6 is sandwiched between the pair of gaskets 31 and 32, leakage of fluid from between the case 3 and the back frame 6 and between the heater substrate 4 and the back frame 6 can be suppressed, and the sealing performance of the heater unit 1I can be further improved.

As shown in fig. 41, for example, an annular O-ring 42 may be interposed between the back frame 6 and the heater substrate 4 so as to surround the flow path 2. According to the present embodiment, since the outer frame fixing portion 16 of the back frame 6 is sandwiched between the gasket 31 and the O-ring 42, leakage of fluid from between the case 3 and the back frame 6 and between the heater substrate 4 and the back frame 6 can be suppressed, and the sealing performance of the heater unit 1I can be further improved. The mounting groove of the O-ring 42 may be formed in the heater substrate 4 or in the back frame 6.

As shown in fig. 42, for example, an annular welded portion 43 may be provided between the back frame 6 and the heater substrate 4 so as to surround the flow path 2. According to the present embodiment, since the outer frame fixing portion 16 of the back frame 6 is welded to the outer peripheral portion of the heater substrate 4 while being pressure-bonded to the gasket 31, leakage of fluid from between the case 3 and the back frame 6 and between the heater substrate 4 and the back frame 6 can be suppressed, and the sealing performance of the heater unit 1I can be further improved.

The present invention is not limited to embodiments 1 to 9 described above, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention depending on the purpose and use. That is, the heater unit can be configured by combining the respective configurations of embodiments 1 to 9. For example, the surface frame 5 (see fig. 14) with the surface insulating layer 26 according to embodiment 5 may be applied to the surface frame 5 according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4.

In embodiments 6 and 7 described above, the case where the back glass layer 9 is printed on the back surface of the heater substrate 4 is exemplified as the countermeasure against warpage of the heater substrate 4, but in the case where the back glass layer 9 is not provided and only the surface insulating layer 8 is printed on the surface of the heater substrate 4, the heater substrate 4 is corrected by hot pressing or a glass material having a thermal expansion coefficient close to that of the heater substrate 4 is used as the surface insulating layer 8, so that the countermeasure against warpage of the heater substrate 4 is realized. In this case, the difference between the thermal expansion coefficient A of the surface insulating layer 8 and the thermal expansion coefficient B of the heater substrate 4 is generally in the range of +1% to-35% (i.e., (A-B)/A is 0.01 to-0.35), preferably in the range of 0% to-30% (i.e., (A-B)/A is 0 to-0.3), and more preferably in the range of-3% to-25% (i.e., (A-B)/A is-0.03 to-0.25). The above-described method (correction by hot pressing, etc.) may be applied to the method of printing the glass layers 8, 9 on both sides of the heater substrate 4.

In embodiment 6 and embodiment 7 described above, the mode in which the back glass layer 9 is not exposed to the flow path 2 by the flat plate 28 is exemplified, but the mode is not limited thereto, and for example, as shown in fig. 44, the mode in which the back glass layer 9 is exposed to the flow path 2 may be applied to any of embodiments 1 to 9 described above.

The applications of the heater units 1a to 1i according to embodiments 1 to 9 are not particularly limited, and the heater units can be used as, for example, heater units for battery temperature management and heating of vehicles (for example, automobiles, railway vehicles, airplanes, ships, and the like). In particular, the present invention can be suitably used as a heater unit for Battery temperature management, heating, and the like of electric vehicles such as Battery electric vehicles (BEV: battery ELECTRIC VEHICLE), fuel cell vehicles (FCEV: fuel CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLE), plug-in Hybrid vehicles (PHEV: plug-in Hybrid ELECTRIC VEHICLE), hybrid vehicles (HEV: hybrid ELECTRIC VEHICLE), and the like.

Description of the reference numerals

1A to 1I, a heater unit, 2, a flow path, 3, a housing, 4, a heater substrate, 5A, 5B, a surface frame, 6, a back frame, 8, 26, a surface insulating layer, 9, a back glass layer, 10, a heating element, 10c, a power supply terminal, 11, a fastening bolt (fastening member), 16A, 16B, an outer frame fixing part, 17A, 17B, an inner side fixing part, 21, a pressing bolt, 24, a conductor, 28, a flat plate, 31, a 1 st washer, 32, a 2 nd washer, 37, a flow path corresponding part, 38, a turbulence generating part, 42, an O-ring, 43, and a welding part.

Claims

The heater unit is provided with:

a housing having the flow path formed on an upper surface side thereof;

2. The heater unit according to claim 1, wherein,

3. The heater unit according to claim 1, wherein,

4. A heater unit according to claim 3, wherein,

The surface frames are laminated in a multi-layer form.

5. The heater unit according to claim 4, wherein,

6. A heater unit according to claim 3, wherein,

7. The heater unit according to claim 1, wherein,

8. The heater unit according to claim 7, wherein,

A flat plate is disposed on the housing so as to cover the flow path,

9. The heater unit according to claim 8, wherein,

The heater unit is further provided with the surface frame.

10. The heater unit according to claim 7, wherein,

11. The heater unit according to claim 10, wherein,

12. The heater unit according to claim 10, wherein,

13. The heater unit according to claim 7, wherein,

14. The heater unit of claim 13, wherein,

15. The heater unit of claim 13, wherein,

16. The heater unit of claim 13, wherein,