Heat exchange tube arrangement device

Abstract

The present invention provides a heat exchange tube arranging device that can transfer heat exchange tubes, which are horizontally stacked in a state where the top ends of the legs are positioned, from a storage device while maintaining the horizontal state. The heat exchange tube arranging device (100) includes: a first arranging device (10) that horizontally stacks two legs (24) of a heat exchange tube (20) formed in a hairpin shape on a bottom plate by using a guide body (14) erected on the bottom plate (16); a lifting device (52) that raises and lowers the bottom plate; and a second arranging device (30) having: an introducing mechanism (32) that introduces the heat exchange tube at the uppermost part of the bottom plate onto a mounting table (31); an introducing guide (33) that is disposed on the mounting table and guides the outer peripheral surface of the leg of the heat exchange tube to make the intervals of the legs uniform; a positioning portion (34) that is disposed on the mounting table and positions the heat exchange tube during or after the introduction; and a mounting table moving portion (35) that moves the mounting table to a predetermined position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger tube aligning device for transferring a heat exchanger tube from a first aligning device, which is a storage device for heat exchanger tubes formed into a hairpin shape by a tube bender, to a second aligning device in a state where the top ends of two legs are aligned when the heat exchanger tube is inserted into a stack of fins for a heat exchanger. Background Art

[0002] A heat exchanger such as an air conditioner is formed by passing a heat exchanger tube through which a heat medium flows through a stack of fins for a heat exchanger. After stacking a plurality of fins for a heat exchanger formed by a pressing die device on a stacking device provided with stacking pins erected, the stack of fins for a heat exchanger is taken out from the stacking device, and the heat exchanger tube is passed through the stack of fins for a heat exchanger in place of the stacking pins. In addition, the heat exchanger tube is formed into a so-called hairpin shape having a flat U-shaped top view by a tube bender. The heat exchanger tube taken out from the tube bender is transported to the position of a heat exchanger tube insertion device in a state where it is set by an operator in a heat exchanger tube storage device, and then the heat exchanger tube is taken out independently from the heat exchanger tube storage device. As a heat exchanger manufacturing device having such a heat exchanger tube storage device and a heat exchanger tube insertion device, a structure as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-15393) is known.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-15393 (specification paragraphs 0014-0016; FIG. 4, Figure 11 etc.) Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The heat exchanger tube formed by the tube bender has a deviation in the position of the top end of the leg due to tolerances or the like. When the heat exchanger tube is long, the degree of deviation in the position of the top end is also large. In addition, the heat exchanger manufacturing device 500 disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the heat exchanger tube 520 is inserted into the stack of fins 510 for a heat exchanger in the height direction as Figure 22 shown. Therefore, when the heat exchanger tube 520 is long, there is a problem that the height dimension of the heat exchanger manufacturing device 500 also increases, resulting in poor operability, maintenance, etc.

[0008] Solutions for Solving the Problems

[0009] Therefore, the present technical solution is completed to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide the following heat exchange tube arranging device, that is, it can store the hairpin-shaped heat exchange tubes horizontally after taking them out from the pipe bender, and insert them into the stack of heat exchanger fins while maintaining the horizontal state of the uppermost heat exchange tube unchanged and making the top positions of the legs consistent, so as to be able to suppress the height dimension.

[0010] To solve the above problems, the inventor has conducted intensive research and as a result, has come up with the following structure. That is, the present technical solution is a heat exchange tube arranging device, which includes: a first arranging device having: a bottom plate on which a plurality of the heat exchange tubes are stacked in the vertical direction in such a way that the two legs of the heat exchange tubes inserted into the heat exchanger fins and formed in a hairpin shape are horizontal; and a guide body erected on the bottom plate to guide the stacking direction of the heat exchange tubes; a lifting device that lifts and lowers the bottom plate so that the uppermost heat exchange tube among the plurality of stacked heat exchange tubes is always located at a predetermined height position; and a second arranging device having: an introducing mechanism that introduces the uppermost heat exchange tube among the plurality of heat exchange tubes stacked in the first arranging device; an introducing guide that guides the outer peripheral surfaces of the legs of the heat exchange tube introduced by the introducing mechanism and makes the interval between the legs of the heat exchange tube consistent with the pitch of the through holes of the heat exchanger fins as the insertion object; a positioning portion that enters between the legs of the heat exchange tube during or after being introduced by the introducing mechanism to position the heat exchange tube; a mounting table that at least has the introducing guide and the positioning portion; and a mounting table moving portion that moves the mounting table to a predetermined position.

[0011] Thereby, it is possible to store the hairpin-shaped heat exchange tubes horizontally after taking them out from the pipe bender, and insert them into the stack of heat exchanger fins while maintaining the horizontal state of the uppermost heat exchange tube unchanged and making the top positions of the legs consistent, so as to be able to suppress the height dimension and easily and reliably perform the operation of inserting the heat exchange tubes into the stack of heat exchanger fins.

[0012] In addition, preferably, the lifting device is a part of the first arranging device or a part of the second arranging device.

[0013] Thereby, the structure of the lifting device can be made compact. Especially when it is set as a part of the first arranging device, the operation of stacking the heat exchange tubes manufactured by the pipe bender can be easily performed by the operator.

[0014] In addition, preferably, the introduction guide is a roller, and preferably, the contact surface of the roller that contacts the heat exchange tube is formed in an arc shape.

[0015] Thereby, the heat exchange tube can be smoothly introduced to a predetermined position of the mounting table without damaging the heat exchange tube.

[0016] In addition, preferably, only one leg of the heat exchange tube contacts the roller.

[0017] Thereby, the roller can be rotated only in one direction, and when the heat exchange tube is being transported, it can be smoothly guided when the heat exchange tube is led out and sent out without damaging the legs of the heat exchange tube.

[0018] In addition, preferably, the introduction guide and the positioning portion are disposed at a plurality of positions in the introduction direction of the heat exchange tube on the mounting table in a paired state.

[0019] Thereby, even when the heat exchange tube taken out from the first arranging device is long, the heat exchange tube can be reliably fixed and held at a predetermined position of the mounting table with the top end portions of the legs aligned.

[0020] In addition, preferably, the first arranging device is mounted on a trolley.

[0021] Thereby, even when the positions of the tube bender and the heat exchange tube insertion device are separated, the heat exchange tubes stacked on the first arranging device can be easily transported.

[0022] Effects of the Invention

[0023] By adopting the structure of the heat exchange tube arranging device of the present technical solution, the hairpin-shaped heat exchange tubes taken out from the tube bender can be stored horizontally, and inserted into the stack of heat exchanger fins while maintaining the horizontal state of the uppermost heat exchange tube unchanged and aligning the top end portions of the legs. Thus, the height dimension can be suppressed, and the operation of inserting the heat exchange tubes into the stack of heat exchanger fins can be easily and reliably performed. Moreover, even for a long heat exchange tube, the operator can easily perform the transfer operation of transferring the heat exchange tube from the tube bender to the first arranging device, and the height dimension of the storage device of the heat exchange tube, that is, the first arranging device, can be suppressed to be low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a top view showing the schematic structure of the heat exchanger manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a front view showing the schematic structure of the heat exchange tube arranging device in the heat exchanger manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 is Figure 1 an enlarged view of Part III in

[0027] Figure 4A is Figure 3 a sectional view taken along line IV - A in Figure 4B is Figure 3 a sectional view taken along line IV - B in

[0028] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger manufactured by using the heat exchanger manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0029] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a schematic process in the heat exchanger manufacturing method of the present embodiment.

[0030] Figure 7 is showing then Figure 6 a flowchart of the schematic process.

[0031] Figure 8 is a front view showing a state in which a heat exchanger tube stacking cart as a first arranging device is set at a predetermined position of the heat exchanger tube arranging device.

[0032] Figure 9 is a front view showing a state in which a bottom plate stacked with heat exchanger tubes is raised to a predetermined height position relative to the mounting table.

[0033] Figure 10 is a front view showing a state in which an introduction part approaches the uppermost heat exchanger tube of the stacked heat exchanger tubes.

[0034] Figure 11 is a front view showing a state in which a heat exchanger tube is led out from the bottom plate to the mounting table by using a first locking member.

[0035] Figures 12A to 12C is an enlarged explanatory view showing the operation of the introduction part from the heat exchanger tube leading - out process by the first locking member to the sliding movement of the heat exchanger tube by using a second locking member.

[0036] Figure 13 is a front view showing a state in which a heat exchanger tube is slid - moved to the mounting table by using a second locking member.

[0037] Figure 14 is a front view showing a state in which a positioning part buried in the mounting table protrudes from the upper surface of the mounting table.

[0038] Figure 15 is a front view showing a state in which the introduction part is separated from the heat exchanger tube in the height direction.

[0039] Figure 16 This is a top view showing the state where the stage for mounting the heat exchange tubes slides horizontally.

[0040] Figure 17 This is an explanatory view Figure 16 facing the arrow direction from the position of line XVII - XVII in

[0041] Figure 18 This is an explanatory view showing the state where the positioning portion of the stage is buried in the stage during the insertion process of inserting the heat exchange tubes into the fins for the heat exchanger using the heat exchange tube insertion device.

[0042] Figure 19 This is an explanatory view showing the state after the completion of the insertion process of inserting the heat exchange tubes into the stack of fins for the heat exchanger using the heat exchange tube insertion device.

[0043] Figure 20 This is a top view showing the state where the stage returns to the position before the insertion of the heat exchange tubes.

[0044] Figure 21 This is a front view showing the state where the introduction portion returns to the initial position.

[0045] Figure 22 This is a front view showing the heat exchange tube storage device in the prior art. Detailed Embodiments

[0046] The following describes embodiments of the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 of the present invention and the heat exchanger manufacturing device 200 having the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 of the present invention. As Figure 1 shown, the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 of the present embodiment is a part of the heat exchanger manufacturing device 200, and the heat exchanger manufacturing device 200 has a heat exchange tube arranging device 100 and a heat exchange tube insertion device 300. As Figure 2 shown, the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 has a first arranging device 10, a second arranging device 30 which is the transfer destination of the heat exchange tubes 20 of the first arranging device 10, and an operation control unit MC. In the present embodiment, the operation control unit MC of the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 also controls the operation of the heat exchange tube insertion device 300. As a result, the operation control unit MC controls the operations of all the structures in the heat exchanger manufacturing device 200.

[0047] The first arranging device 10 has a base 12 and a plurality of bottom plates 16 with guides 14 erected on the upper surface. The first arranging device 10 horizontally stacks and holds hairpin-shaped heat exchange tubes 20 formed by a tube bender (not shown). The first arranging device 10 of the present embodiment is formed as a trolley with casters 13 arranged on the bottom surface of the base 12 and a handle 15 mounted on the side surface of the base 12. By an operator pushing the handle 15, the first arranging device 10 can be moved in the horizontal direction. Here, a plurality of bottom plates 16 with guides 14 erected are arranged on the upper surface of the base 12 at a required interval, but the bottom plate 16 can also be formed of a single piece.

[0048] The heat exchange tube 20 of the present embodiment is formed in a so-called hairpin shape that is bent in the opposite direction (180 degrees) at the middle position in the length direction and is flat and U-shaped when viewed from above. A plurality of heat exchange tubes 20 are stacked and held in a horizontal state in the first arranging device 10. Guides 14 are erected at a predetermined height on the bottom plate 16 on which the heat exchange tubes 20 are placed, and the guides 14 guide the heat exchange tubes 20 in the stacking direction in which the bottom plates 16 are stacked. The guides 14 of the present embodiment are appropriately arranged at the outer and inner positions of the folded-back portion 22 and the leg portion 24 of the heat exchange tube 20 on the outer peripheral edge of the designed shape of the heat exchange tube 20.

[0049] The shape of the heat exchange tube 20 formed by the tube bender has some deviations from the designed shape. The operator places and stacks the heat exchange tube 20 on the bottom plate 16 in a state where the heat exchange tube 20 is appropriately elastically deformed corresponding to the erected position of the guide 14. A plurality of heat exchange tubes 20 are corrected to the designed shape in the plane direction, and are held on the bottom plate 16 of the first arranging device 10 of the present embodiment in a state where the positions of the top ends of the leg portions 24 are aligned at a predetermined position. In this way, the heat exchange tubes 20 are corrected to the designed shape in a plurality of layers along the guides 14, and are stacked in a state where the positions of the top ends of the leg portions 24 are positioned and held at the pitch of the through holes of the stacked body FS of the fins for the heat exchanger, which is the insertion object.

[0050] In addition, the bottom plates 16 protrude from the left and right ends of the base 12 of the first arranging device 10. When the first arranging device 10 is set on a first arranging device fixing portion 50 described later, the first arranging device 10 is placed on a lifting plate 54, and the lifting plate 54 is lifted and lowered by a lifting device 52 arranged on the first arranging device fixing portion 50. That is, the bottom plates 16 can be lifted and lowered by the lifting device 52 so as to move closer to and away from the base 12. The lifting device 52 can adopt a known structure represented by a fluid cylinder, a rack and pinion mechanism, etc., and is controlled by an operation control portion MC.

[0051] The transfer destination of the heat exchange tubes 20 stacked and held in the first arranging device 10, that is, the second arranging device 30, is asFigure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in Figure 2 , it has a mounting table 31, an introduction mechanism 32, an introduction guide 33, a positioning portion 34, and a mounting table moving portion 35. The mounting table moving portion 35 slides the mounting table 31 between the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 and the heat exchange tube inserting device 300, and its operation is controlled by the operation control portion MC. The mounting table moving portion 35 of the present embodiment adopts a structure having a gear-rack mechanism 35A, a pinion driving motor 35B, and a track 35C, but other known structures represented by a fluid cylinder or the like can also be adopted.

[0052] The introduction guide 33 mounted on the first mounting plate PL1 is vertically provided on the mounting table 31, and the positioning portion 34 mounted on the second mounting plate PL2 is buried in a state where it can protrude from the upper surface of the mounting table 31. The introduction guide 33 is directly mounted on the mounting table 31 via the first mounting plate PL1, and the positioning portion 34 is disposed (buried) in a state where it is accommodated in the accommodation hole 31A provided in the mounting table 31 together with the second mounting plate PL2. As Figure 2 shown in Figure 2 , in the present embodiment, the introduction guide 33 and the positioning portion 34 are paired, and are disposed at a plurality of positions at required intervals in the length direction of the heat exchange tube 20 on the mounting table 31. However, the positioning portion 34 can also be disposed only in a specific accommodation hole 31A. In addition, the introduction guide 33 and the positioning portion 34 may not be provided in pairs.

[0053] As Figure 3 and Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4B , the introduction guides 33 of the present embodiment are disposed in two columns at required intervals. The number of the introduction guides 33 in the first column at the position on the A - A line and the number of the introduction guides 33 in the second column at the position on the B - B line are the same and are disposed at the same interval. In addition, the introduction guides 33 in the first column and the introduction guides 33 in the second column are disposed at positions where the left and right end portions on the side orthogonal to the sliding direction of the heat exchange tube 20 shown by the arrow X in Figure 3 are different in the horizontal plane. And, the rotation axes AX1 of the respective introduction guides 33 in the first column and the rotation axes AX2 of the respective introduction guides 33 in the second column are both disposed at positions where they are different in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the heat exchange tube 20 in the horizontal plane.

[0054] ​​By adopting the arrangement of the introduction guide 33 as described above, only the right leg 24R of the leg 24 in the heat exchange tube 20 with respect to the sliding direction can abut against the introduction guide 33 in the first column. In addition, only the left leg 24L of the leg 24 in the heat exchange tube 20 with respect to the sliding direction can abut against the introduction guide 33 in the second column. In other words, the right leg 24R of each heat exchange tube 20 with respect to the sliding direction abuts against the introduction guide 33 in the first column, and the left leg 24L of each heat exchange tube 20 with respect to the sliding direction abuts against the introduction guide 33 in the second column. Each introduction guide 33 abuts against only one of the legs 24 of the heat exchange tube 20. The introduction guides 33 in the first column all rotate clockwise, and the introduction guides 33 in the second column all rotate counterclockwise.

[0055] In addition, as Figure 4A , Figure 4B shown, the introduction guide 33 of the present embodiment is constituted by a roller, and the roller is rotatably mounted at a height position at a predetermined distance from the upper surface of the first mounting plate PL1 mounted on the upper surface of the mounting table 31. The roller serving as the introduction guide 33 is disposed in the same manner as the guide body 14 disposed outside the heat exchange tube 20 in the first arranging device 10, and the abutting surface 33A abutting against the outer side surface of the heat exchange tube 20 is formed in an arc shape. When the heat exchange tube 20 is led out from the first arranging device 10 toward the mounting table 31 by the leading-in portion 39 of the leading-in mechanism 32, it is guided by the introduction guide 33 to a predetermined planar position on the mounting table 31. In addition, the positioning portion 34 of the present embodiment can be constituted by a fluid cylinder, but is not limited to a fluid cylinder. The protruding and retracting movement of the positioning portion 34 protruding from and retracting into the upper surface of the mounting table 31 is controlled by the movement control portion MC.

[0056] The leading-in portion 39 is connected to the horizontal direction driving portion 36 and can move along a guide rail 37 extending in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange tube 20 above the mounting table 31. In addition, the leading-in portion 39 is also connected to the vertical direction driving portion 38 and can move up and down on the lower surface side with respect to the guide rail 37. That is, the leading-in portion 39 can move closer to and away from the heat exchange tubes 20 stacked on the first arranging device 10 in the height direction, and can slide the heat exchange tubes 20 stacked and held on the first arranging device 10 without changing the posture of the heat exchange tubes 20 toward the second arranging device 30.

[0057] The insertion part 39 of the present embodiment has a first engaging member 39A and a second engaging member 39B with different height positions at their lower ends. The first engaging member 39A, whose required length range at the top end is formed in a cylindrical shape, is used when taking out the folded part 22 of the heat exchange tube 20 from the first arranging device 10 to the side where the mounting table 31 is located. The second engaging member 39B, whose required length range at the top end is formed in a glans shape, is used when sliding the heat exchange tube 20 taken out by the first engaging member 39A in a way that it is led out to the side where the mounting table 31 is located. The height position of the reduced-diameter part 39Ba of the second engaging member 39B is formed at the same height position as the central height position of the insertion guide 33. The lower end part of the glans-shaped part is formed in an arc shape and is formed at the same height position as the upper surface height position of the mounting table 31.

[0058] The horizontal drive part 36 and the vertical drive part 38 described above are both controlled in their operations by the operation control part MC. In addition, the operation control part MC can grasp the horizontal position of the insertion part 39 in real time through the operation control content of the horizontal drive part 36. In the present embodiment, the horizontal drive part 36 and the vertical drive part 38 use fluid cylinders, but the horizontal drive part 36 and the vertical drive part 38 are not limited to this structure. In addition, an anti-slip friction sheet (not shown) can be installed at the part where the insertion part 39 (at least one of the first engaging member 39A and the second engaging member 39B) abuts against the heat exchange tube 20.

[0059] The heat exchange tube insertion device 300 of the present embodiment slides the heat exchange tube 20 transferred to the mounting table 31 toward the stack FS of heat exchanger fins. Specifically, it has a guide part 302 arranged in parallel with the guide rail 37, a contact body holding part 304 extending in a direction orthogonal to the guide part 302 in the horizontal plane, a contact body 305 held by the contact body holding part 304, and an insertion drive part 306 that reciprocates the contact body holding part 304 along the length direction of the heat exchange tube 20 (refer to Figure 16 ). The planar shape of the contact body 305 is preferably formed in a shape imitating the shape of the folded part 22 of the heat exchange tube 20. The operation of the heat exchange tube insertion device 300 is controlled by the operation control part MC.

[0060] After the mounting table 31 is moved from the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 to the heat exchange tube inserting device 300 by the mounting table moving unit 35, the operation control unit MC operates the heat exchange tube inserting device 300 to insert the heat exchange tube 20 into the stack FS of heat exchanger fins held by the heat exchanger fin stack holding unit FH. Here, the tip of the leg portion 24 of the heat exchange tube 20 is inserted into the guide pin GP that has been previously inserted into the through hole of the stack FS of heat exchanger fins, and then the heat exchange tube 20 is inserted into the through hole of the stack FS of heat exchanger fins in such a manner that the guide pin GP is pushed out of the stack FS of heat exchanger fins by the heat exchange tube 20. The heat exchanger HEX is manufactured in this way. Figure 5 The insertion method of inserting the heat exchange tube 20 into the through hole of the stack FS of heat exchanger fins using the guide pin GP is well-known, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

[0061] At this time, the operation control unit MC detects the position of the bent portion 22 of the heat exchange tube 20 using the heat exchange tube inserting device 300, and before the bent portion 22 of the heat exchange tube 20 reaches the predetermined position (the position where the positioning portion 34 is disposed) of the mounting table 31, the positioning portion 34 is buried in the mounting table 31. When the heat exchange tube 20 is inserted into the stack FS of heat exchanger fins in this way, the heat exchange tube 20 is corrected to the designed shape to the maximum extent by the introduction guide 33 and the positioning portion 34, and is inserted into the stack FS of heat exchanger fins while maintaining the state where the tips of the leg portions 24 are in the same position. Thereby, even if the heat exchange tube 20 is long, the heat exchange tube 20 can be easily and reliably inserted into the stack FS of heat exchanger fins.

[0062] Next, a method for manufacturing the heat exchanger HEX using the heat exchanger manufacturing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the schematic steps in the heat exchanger manufacturing method of the present embodiment. Figure 7 is shown next Figure 6 of the schematic process flowchart.

[0063] An operator stacks the first arranging device 10 with a predetermined number of hairpin-shaped heat exchange tubes 20 having a flat U-shaped top view shape as Figure 8It is arranged at a predetermined position (S-1) of the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 as shown. On the side of the heat exchange tube arranging device 100, a first arranging device fixing portion 50 for positioning and fixing the first arranging device 10 is provided. An abutment switch (not shown) that opens when the first arranging device 10 is set at the proper position is provided in the first arranging device fixing portion 50. A notification lamp (not shown) linked to the abutment switch lights up. That is, when the first arranging device 10 is properly set in the first arranging device fixing portion 50, the notification lamp lights up, and when it is not properly set, the notification lamp is in an extinguished state.

[0064] When the first arranging device 10 is set, the operator confirms whether the notification lamp is on (J-1). When the notification lamp is off (J1 - No), when the operator aligns the first arranging device 10 in the first arranging device fixing portion 50 to open the abutment switch (J1 - Yes), the notification lamp linked to the abutment switch turns on, and similarly, the operation control portion MC linked to the abutment switch sets the value of the counter to 0, and then starts the heat exchanger manufacturing process (S-2). In addition, the value of the counter and the number of stacked heat exchange tubes 20 in the first arranging device 10 are stored in a storage device (not shown) in advance. In addition, the timing for resetting the value of the counter can also be set when the first arranging device 10 is removed (S-23) and when the lifting device 52 returns to the initial position (S-24) described later.

[0065] The operation control portion MC operates the lifting device 52 to raise the bottom plate 16 of the first arranging device 10 to a predetermined height position relative to the upper surface of the mounting table 31 as shown in Figure 9 Here, the height position of the uppermost heat exchange tube 20 among the heat exchange tubes 20 stacked on the first arranging device 10 is set to the same height position as the height position of the introduction guide member 33 provided on the mounting table 31.

[0066] Next, the operation control portion MC operates the vertical drive portion 38 of the introduction portion 39 to lower the first locking member 39A of the introduction portion 39 toward the heat exchange tube 20 (S-4) as shown in Figure 10 so that the side surface of the first locking member 39A abuts against the inside of the folding portion 22. The operation control portion MC stands by in a state where the plane position of the first locking member 39A is aligned with the plane position of the folding portion 22 of the heat exchange tube 20 in advance by the horizontal drive portion 36, so that the first locking member 39A and the heat exchange tube 20 do not interfere with each other. Next, the operation control portion MC operates the horizontal drive portion 36 to move the introduction portion 39 a required distance toward the mounting table 31 (S-5). As a result, the uppermost heat exchange tube 20 stacked on the first arranging device 10 can be taken out toward the side where the mounting table 31 is located as shown in Figure 11 ​

[0067] Next, the motion control unit MC operates the vertical drive unit 38 as shown in Figure 12A such that the first locking member 39A is separated from the heat exchange tube 20 (S-6), and then operates the horizontal drive unit 36 as shown in Figure 12B such that the planar position of the second locking member 39B is moved to the planar position of the bent portion 22 of the heat exchange tube 20 (S-7), and then operates the vertical drive unit 38 as shown in Figure 12C such that the second locking member 39B is lowered in a manner approaching the heat exchange tube 20 (S-8). At this time, the height position of the reduced diameter portion 39Ba of the second locking member 39B coincides with the height position of the heat exchange tube 20. Since the reduced diameter portion 39Ba is formed in an arc shape, the reduced diameter portion 39Ba can be brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the heat exchange tube 20.

[0068] Next, the motion control unit MC operates the horizontal drive unit 36, and as shown in Figure 13 such that the heat exchange tube 20 led out to the mounting table 31 is further slid, and the heat exchange tube 20 is transferred from the first alignment device 10 to the mounting table 31 (S-9). The heat exchange tube 20 transferred to the mounting table 31 is guided to a predetermined position on the mounting table 31 by abutting against the side peripheral surface of the introduction guide member 33 erected on the mounting table 31, and the position of the tip portion of the leg portion 24 is in a state where they coincide with the predetermined position.

[0069] In addition, the motion control unit MC always detects the horizontal position of the second locking member 39B during the period when the heat exchange tube 20 slides on the mounting table 31. Thus, after the second locking member 39B disposed in the inner region of the heat exchange tube 20 passes the position of the positioning portion 34 of the mounting table 31, the motion control unit MC immediately operates the positioning portion 34 in sequence, and as shown in Figure 14 such that the positioning portions 34 sequentially protrude from the upper surface of the mounting table 31 starting from the positioning portion 34 on the side where the first alignment device 10 is located (S-10). In this way, the heat exchange tube 20 sliding on the mounting table 31 is held on the outer side surface of the leg portion 24 by the introduction guide member 33, and the inner side surface of the bent portion 22 is held by the positioning portion 34. That is, the heat exchange tube 20 led out to the mounting table 31 is positioned and fixed in the planar position on the mounting table 31 in a state where it is corrected to the designed shape and the position of the tip portion of the leg portion 24 coincides with the predetermined position.

[0070] Then, when the heat exchange tube 20 is completely transferred to the mounting table 31, the motion control unit MC operates the vertical drive unit 38 as shown in Figure 15 such that the introduction portion 39 is raised in a manner away from the heat exchange tube 20 (S-11). Next, the motion control unit MC operates the mounting table moving unit 35, and as shown in Figure 16As shown, the stage 31 carrying the heat exchange tubes 20 is moved toward the position where the heat exchange tube insertion device 300 is disposed (S-12). Next, the motion control unit MC fixes the position of the stage 31 and operates the insertion driving unit 306. As Figure 17 shown, the heat exchange tubes 20 are slid and moved toward the stack FS of heat exchanger fins that is on standby on the extension line of the tip of the heat exchange tubes 20 placed on the stage 31 (S-13).

[0071] At this time, the motion control unit MC also always detects the horizontal position of the abutting body 305 or the abutting body holding part 304 based on the power supply amount to the insertion driving unit 306, the output content of the encoder, etc. Before the position of the bent part 22 of the heat exchange tube 20 reaches the position of the positioning part 34, the positioning part 34 is sequentially retracted from the upper surface of the stage 31 in the reverse order (from the bent part 22 toward the tip) to that when transferring from the first arranging device 10 to the stage 31 (S-14). In this way, interference between the bent part 22 and the positioning part 34 can be prevented when the heat exchange tubes 20 are slid and moved toward the stack FS of heat exchanger fins by the heat exchange tube insertion device 300 ( Figure 18 ).

[0072] When inserting the heat exchange tubes 20 into the stack FS of heat exchanger fins, the heat exchange tubes 20 also maintain the state of abutting the outer peripheral surface against the introduction guide 33. Therefore, the position of the tip of the leg part 24 is in a positioned state. As a result, the tip of the leg part 24 of the heat exchange tubes 20 can be easily and reliably inserted into the through holes (not shown) of the stack FS of heat exchanger fins (S-15)( Figure 19 ). Then, when manufacturing the heat exchanger HEX as Figure 5 shown by passing the heat exchange tubes 20 through the stack FS of heat exchanger fins, the motion control unit MC causes a robot (not shown) to take out the heat exchanger HEX (S-16).

[0073] Next, the motion control unit MC operates the insertion driving unit 306 to return the abutting body holding part 304 and the abutting body 305 to the position before the heat exchange tube insertion process as Figure 20 shown (S-17). Next, the motion control unit MC operates the stage moving unit 35 to return the stage 31 to the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 (S-18). Then, the motion control unit MC operates the horizontal driving unit 36 to return the introduction part 39 to the position (initial position) where the next heat exchange tube 20 is exported from the first arranging device 10 as Figure 21 shown (S-19). Then, the motion control unit MC operates the lifting device 52 to raise the bottom plate 16 of the first arranging device 10 to a height corresponding to the height of the heat exchange tubes 20 (S-20).

[0074] In addition, each time the lifting device 52 is operated, the motion control unit MC performs a process of incrementing the value of the counter by 1 (S-21). Then, the motion control unit MC determines whether the value of the counter after the addition calculation is equal to or greater than the stacking number (J-2). If the value of the counter after the addition calculation is less than the stacking number, the process returns to (S-4) and the processes from (S-4) to (S-21) are repeated (J2 - No). If the value of the counter after the addition calculation is equal to or greater than the stacking number (J2 - Yes), the motion control unit MC notifies the operator using a notification unit (not shown) represented by a rotating lamp, a speaker, etc., and can also notify the operator that the heat exchange tubes 20 stored in the first arranging device 10 have been used up (S-22).

[0075] When the operator removes the first arranging device 10 from which all the stacked heat exchange tubes 20 have been taken out from the first arranging device fixing part 50 (S-23), the contact switch changes from open to closed. When the contact switch is closed, the motion control unit MC lowers the lifting device 52 to return to the initial position (S-24), and then the heat exchanger manufacturing process can be ended (End). If the operator sets a new first arranging device 10 on the first arranging device fixing part 50 as needed (S-1), the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger HEX described above can be repeatedly executed.

[0076] The heat exchange tube arranging device 100 of the present invention and the heat exchanger manufacturing device 200 having the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 of the present invention have been described in detail based on the embodiments. However, the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 of the present invention and the heat exchanger manufacturing device 200 having the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments.

[0077] For example, in the present embodiment, the following form has been described, that is, the motion control unit MC, which is a part of the structure of the heat exchange tube arranging device 100, also controls the operation of the heat exchange tube inserting device 300. As a result, it also controls the operation of the heat exchanger manufacturing device 200. However, it is not limited to this form. It is also possible to adopt the following form, that is, in addition to the motion control unit MC of the heat exchange tube arranging device 100, there is a second motion control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the heat exchange tube inserting device 300 and a unified motion control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the heat exchanger manufacturing device 200, and the unified motion control unit uniformly controls the motion control unit MC and the second motion control unit.

[0078] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the first arranging device 10, the heat exchange tubes 20 are stacked and held in a state where the top end portion of the leg portion 24 of the heat exchange tube 20 is positioned at the pitch of the through holes of the stack FS of the fins for the heat exchanger to be inserted, but it is not limited to this form. The heat exchange tubes 20 stacked on the first arranging device 10 may be arranged to such an extent that the uppermost heat exchange tube 20 can be smoothly introduced into the second arranging device 30.

[0079] In addition, in the present embodiment, the first arranging device 10 is formed in a cart shape or mounted on a cart, but it can also be a fixed type. Further, the lifting device 52 can be mounted as a part of the first arranging device 10 or a part of the second arranging device 30. In particular, when the lifting device 52 is mounted on the first arranging device 10, the stacking operation of the heat exchange tubes 20 manufactured by the tube bender can be easily performed by an operator. Moreover, when the first arranging device 10 is formed in a cart shape as in the present embodiment, a foot pump type fluid cylinder is preferably used, which is suitable in terms of miniaturization, light weight, and low cost of the lifting device 52.

[0080] In addition, in the present embodiment, the guiding-in mechanism 32 is adopted in a form in which the guiding-in portion 39 is composed of a first locking member 39A and a second locking member 39B having different lengths, but it is not limited to this form. As long as it is a structure capable of changing the expansion and contraction amount (lower end height position) of the guiding-in portion 39 with respect to the heat exchange tube 20, it can be in the form of one guiding-in portion 39.

[0081] In addition, in the present embodiment, the form in which rollers are used as the guiding-in guides 33 is described, but it is not limited to this form. As other forms of the guiding-in guides, cylinders, cylindrical bodies, etc. formed of materials having a relatively small coefficient of friction can also be used. In this form, compared with the above-described embodiment, the smoothness when the leg portion 24 of the heat exchange tube 20 passes is slightly poor, but it is possible to guide in a state where the leg portions 24 of two heat exchange tubes 20 are in contact with one guiding-in guide 33. That is, it is suitable in terms of reducing the number of guiding-in guides 33 arranged, simplifying the structure, and being able to provide them at low cost.

[0082] In addition, in the present embodiment, the form in which the positioning portion 34 projects and retracts upward from below the mounting table 31 is described, but the positioning portion 34 is not limited to this form. It is also possible to adopt a form in which it enters and retreats from the inner region (inner position) of the leg portion 24 of the heat exchange tube 20 led out to the mounting table 31 from above the mounting table 31.

[0083] In addition, the mounting table moving unit 35 of the present embodiment slides the mounting table 31 between the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 and the heat exchange tube inserting device 300, but is not limited to this form. The mounting table moving unit 35 is used to move the mounting table 31 on which the heat exchange tubes 20 are transferred to a predetermined position. The moving destination is not limited to the heat exchange tube inserting device 300, and the moving direction is not only the horizontal direction but also the height direction or three-dimensionally.

[0084] In addition, regarding the heat exchange tube inserting device 300 of the present embodiment, the following form has been described, that is, the tip of the leg portion 24 of the heat exchange tube 20 is inserted into the guide pin GP that has been pre-penetrated through the stacked body FS of the heat exchanger fins, and then the heat exchange tube 20 is inserted into the stacked body FS of the heat exchanger fins. However, the heat exchange tube inserting device 300 can also adopt a form in which the heat exchange tube 20 is directly inserted into the stacked body FS of the heat exchanger fins.

[0085] In addition, in the above embodiment, the embodiment of the heat exchanger manufacturing device 200 in which the heat exchange tube inserting device 300 is disposed adjacent to the heat exchange tube arranging device 100 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this form. Specifically, it can also be only the following heat exchange tube arranging device 100, which is used to transfer the heat exchange tubes 20 from the first arranging device 10 while being positioned in a horizontally held state on the holding mounting table 31. In the first arranging device 10, the heat exchange tubes 20 formed in a hairpin shape are stacked and arranged in a so-called horizontally placed state with the two leg portions 24 being horizontal.

[0086] In addition, a structure in which the above-described embodiments and various modified examples are appropriately combined with each other can also be adopted.

Claims

1. A heat exchange tube arranging device, wherein, the heat exchange tube arranging device includes: a first arranging device having: a bottom plate on which a plurality of the heat exchange tubes are stacked in the vertical direction such that two legs of the heat exchange tubes inserted into the heat exchanger fins and formed in a hairpin shape are horizontal; and a guide body erected on the bottom plate to guide the stacking direction of the heat exchange tubes; a lifting device that lifts and lowers the bottom plate so that the uppermost heat exchange tube among the plurality of stacked heat exchange tubes is always located at a predetermined height position; and a second arranging device having: an introducing mechanism having a first engaging member and a second engaging member with different lower end height positions for introducing the uppermost heat exchange tube among the plurality of heat exchange tubes stacked in the first arranging device; an introducing guide member that guides the outer peripheral surfaces of the legs of the heat exchange tubes introduced by the introducing mechanism and makes the interval between the legs of the heat exchange tubes coincide with the pitch of the through holes of the heat exchanger fins as the insertion object; a positioning portion that enters between the legs of the heat exchange tubes during the introduction by the introducing mechanism to position the heat exchange tubes; a mounting table having at least the introducing guide member and the positioning portion; and a mounting table moving portion that moves the mounting table to a predetermined position, the positioning portion is buried in a receiving hole provided in the mounting table in a state where it can protrude from the upper surface of the mounting table, and after the second engaging member passes through the position of the positioning portion of the mounting table, it protrudes from the upper surface of the mounting table in sequence starting from the positioning portion on the side where the first arranging device is located.

2. The heat exchange tube arranging device according to claim 1, wherein, the lifting device is part of the first arranging device or part of the second arranging device.

3. The heat exchange tube arranging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the introducing guide member is a roller.

4. The heat exchange tube arranging device according to claim 3, wherein, the contact surface of the roller in contact with the heat exchange tube is formed in an arc shape.

5. The heat exchange tube arranging device according to claim 3, wherein, only one leg of the heat exchange tube contacts the roller.

6. The heat exchange tube arranging device according to claim 4, wherein, only one leg of the heat exchange tube contacts the roller.

7. The heat exchange tube arranging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the introducing guide member and the positioning portion are arranged in pairs at a plurality of positions in the introducing direction of the heat exchange tubes on the mounting table.

8. The heat exchange tube arranging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the first arranging device is mounted on a trolley.

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