Electrical heater and vehicle air conditioner

• US 20080061159A1
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Akiyama, Yoshinori, Okano, Reijiro, Hasada, Eiichi
• Application Number:
  US11/896,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20080061159A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 237/12.3A
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/2225 arrangements of electric heaters for heating air
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2287 Integration into a vehicle HVAC system or vehicle dashboard B60H2001/00128 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/0405 using electric energy supply, e.g. the heating medium being a resistive element; Heating by direct contact, i.e. with resistive elements, electrodes and fins being bonded together without additional element in-between F24H3/06, F24H3/08, F24H3/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/0429 For vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/0435 Structures comprising heat spreading elements in the form of fins
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/047 Multiple-piece frames assembled on their four or more edges
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/0476 Means for putting the electric heaters in the frame under strain, e.g. with springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/1863 Arrangement or mounting of electric heating means
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/1872 PTC
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/02 Heaters using heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/50 heating conductor arranged in metal tubes, the radiating surface having heat-conducting fins

Abstract

A heater with several common and inexpensive parts can be used in different vehicles having different heating requirements. Heating partition members for receiving and fixing PTC elements and non-heating partition members are substantially the same. The partition members are spaced apart at substantially equal intervals between a pair of frame members. Metal heat exchange fins are placed in a heat exchange air flow passage adjacent to the heating partition member. A resin dummy member is placed in non-heat exchange air flow passage located between non-heating partition members. The number of heating elements can be varied to suit vehicles of different sizes.

Claims

1. An electrical heater comprising:

a pair of frame members that are spaced apart by a predetermined distance;

a heating element that generates heat when energized;

a heating partition member for partitioning a space formed between the frame members and for fixing the heating element;

a non-heating partition member for partitioning a space formed between the frame members;

a heat exchange air flow passage located adjacent to the heating partition member;

a non-heat exchange portion located adjacent to the non-heating partition member and not adjacent to the heating partition member; and

a metal heat exchange member for facilitating heat transfer between the heating element and the air, wherein the heat exchange member is located only in the heat exchange air flow passage.

2. The electrical heater according to claim 1, wherein the non-heat exchange portion is an air flow passage through which air can pass.

3. The electrical heater according to claim 1, wherein the non-heating partition member is one of a pair of non-heating partition members, and the non-heat exchange portion is located between the non-heating partition members.

4. The electrical heater according to claim 1, wherein the heating partition member and the non-heating partition member substantially the same, and the heating partition member includes a portion for receiving the heating element.

5. The electrical heater according to claim 4, wherein the heating partition member is identical to the non-heating partition member except that no heating element is received by the non-heating partition member heating partition member.

6. The electrical heater according to claim 2, further comprising a ventilation flow resistance member placed in the non-heat exchange air flow passage, wherein the ventilation flow resistance member creates ventilation flow resistance against the air passing though the non-heat exchange air flow passage, and wherein the ventilation flow resistance of the non-heat exchange air flow passage per unit area is substantially the same as that of the heat exchange air flow passage.

7. The electrical heater according to claim 6, wherein the ventilation flow resistance member is generally ladder-shaped.

8. The electrical heater according to claim 6, wherein the ventilation flow resistance member is made with resin.

9. The electrical heater according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is a PTC element.

10. The electrical heater according to claim 1, further comprising a ventilation flow resistance member placed in the non-heat exchange air flow passage and for causing ventilation flow resistance against the air passing though the non-heat exchange air flow passage, wherein the ventilation flow resistance member comprises an outer frame member defining the non-heat exchange air flow passage, wherein the outer frame member serves as the non-heating partition member, and wherein a pillar is placed between opposed sections of the outer frame member.

11. The electrical heater of claim 1, wherein the electrical heater forms part of a vehicle air conditioner.

12. An electrical heater comprising:

a pair of frame members that are spaced apart by a predetermined distance;

a plurality of heating elements that generate heat when energized;

a plurality of partition members for partitioning a space formed between the frame members, wherein each of the partition members is adapted to receive at least one of the heating elements;

a heat exchange air flow passage, which is located adjacent to one of the heating elements;

a non-heat exchange air flow passage, which is spaced apart from each of the heating elements; and

a metal heat exchange member for facilitating heat transfer between the heating element and the air, wherein the heat exchange member is located only in the heat exchange air flow passage.