Heat Exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger (10) comprises: a plurality of tubes (300); a box (100) for supplying a heat medium to each of the tubes; and a suppression plate (500) which is a plate-shaped component arranged inside the box and suppresses the flow of the heat medium flowing into the tube within a certain range by abutting against the end surface of the tube. In each of the tubes, a plurality of flow paths (FP1, FP2) through which the heat medium passes are formed to be arranged along the width direction. A deformation portion (510, 520) is provided on the suppression plate. The heat exchanger is configured such that when the suppression plate is inserted into the interior from the opening of the box, the deformation portion is elastically deformed by contacting with the edge of the opening, and when the suppression plate is inserted into the interior of the box, the restored deformation portion receives a reaction force from the inner surface of the box, and the suppression plate moves along the width direction due to the reaction force.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-011615 filed on January 28, 2020, and all the contents of the patent application are incorporated into this specification as a reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between air and heat medium. Background Art

[0004] Examples of heat exchangers that perform heat exchange between air and heat medium include radiators installed in vehicles and heater cores installed in air conditioners. Such heat exchangers are structures in which a pair of tanks are connected by a plurality of tubes. In each tube, heat exchange is performed between the heat medium passing through the flow path on the inside and the air passing through the space on the outside.

[0005] In a heat exchanger of such a structure, it is preferable to make the heat medium flow evenly from the tank on the inlet side into each tube so as to perform heat exchange evenly as a whole. However, there is a tendency for more heat medium to flow into the tubes arranged near the inlet for receiving the heat medium from the outside in the tank on the inlet side than in the tubes arranged at a position far from the inlet.

[0006] Therefore, in the heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1 listed below, the end of each tube is partially closed by a plate-like member, thereby suppressing the fluctuation of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into each tube.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4830918

[0010] In the heat exchanger described in the above patent document, the center of the end surface of the tube in the width direction, that is, the center part in the direction for air to pass, is closed by a plate-like member. According to experiments conducted by the inventors, in such a structure, the effect of suppressing the pulsation by arranging the plate-like member is not sufficient, and there is still a situation where a large flow of heat medium flows into the tube arranged near the inlet.

[0011] The present inventors have studied the possibility of setting the range of the end surface of the tube closed by the plate-like member not in the central part in the width direction as described above but in a part deviated from the center in the same direction. It has been confirmed through experiments and the like that when the plate-like member is arranged at a position deviated from the center, the fluctuation of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into each tube can be sufficiently suppressed.

[0012] In view of the operability when manufacturing the heat exchanger, it is preferred that after the brazing of the box, the tube, etc. is completed, the plate-like component is inserted and installed from the opening formed at one end of the box, that is, the opening formed as the inlet of the heat medium. The above-mentioned patent document 1 also records such a method of installing the plate-like component. However, in the method of inserting the plate-like component from the opening of the box, although the plate-like component can be arranged in the center of the width direction, it is difficult to arrange the plate-like component at a position deviated from the center of the width direction as described above. Summary of the invention

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger in which a plate-shaped member for suppressing the flow of a heat medium flowing into a tube within a certain range can be easily arranged at a position deviated from the center in the width direction of the tube.

[0014] The heat exchanger of the present invention is a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between air and heat medium, and the heat exchanger comprises: a plurality of tubes, which are tubular components forming flow paths for heat medium to pass through, and are arranged in a stacking direction; a box, which is a container for supplying heat medium to each tube, and has an opening as an inlet of heat medium formed at a position along the end of the stacking direction; and a suppression plate, which is a plate-shaped component arranged inside the box, and suppresses the flow of heat medium flowing into the tube within a certain range by abutting against the end surface of the tube. When a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and parallel to the direction in which air passes along the tube is set as a width direction, in each tube, a plurality of flow paths are formed in a manner arranged in the width direction. In addition, a deformation portion is provided on the suppression plate. The heat exchanger is configured such that when the suppression plate is inserted into the interior of the box from the opening, the deformation portion is elastically deformed by contacting with the edge of the opening, and when the suppression plate is inserted into the interior of the box, the restored deformation portion receives a reaction force from the inner surface of the box, and the suppression plate moves in the width direction by the reaction force.

[0015] In a heat exchanger of such a structure, a suppression plate is arranged inside the box. The suppression plate is a plate-shaped component arranged inside the box, and is a structure that suppresses the flow of the heat medium flowing into the tube within a certain range by abutting against the end surface of the tube. The suppression plate is inserted into the inside of the box from the opening.

[0016] At the stage where the suppression plate is inserted from the opening into the interior of the box, the center position of the suppression plate in the width direction is roughly consistent with the center position of the tube in the same direction. Subsequently, when the suppression plate is inserted into the interior of the box, the elastically deformed deformed portion enters the interior of the box and returns to its original shape. At this time, a part of the deformed portion receives a reaction force from the inner surface of the box, and the suppression plate moves in the width direction due to the reaction force. As a result, the suppression plate is arranged at a position deviated from the center in the width direction of the tube.

[0017] The operator can easily arrange the suppression plate at a position deviated from the center as described above simply by inserting the suppression plate from the opening along the stacking direction.

[0018] According to the present invention, there is provided a heat exchanger capable of easily arranging a plate-shaped member for suppressing the flow of a heat medium flowing into a tube within a certain range at a position deviated from the center in the width direction of the tube. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the overall structure of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the structure of tubes included in the heat exchanger.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the structure of the inside of a tank in a heat exchanger.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing the structure of the inside of a tank in a heat exchanger.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the arrangement of suppression plates provided in a heat exchanger.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the width of the opening in the flow path of the pipe and the flow path resistance of the heat medium flowing in the flow path.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a figure which shows the structure of the suppression plate arrange|positioned inside a box.

[0026] Figure 8 It is a figure which shows the structure of the suppression plate arrange|positioned inside a box.

[0027] Fig. 9 It is a figure which shows the structure of the suppression plate arrange|positioned inside a box.

[0028] Fig.10 It is a figure which shows the state which inserted the suppression plate from the opening of a box.

[0029] Fig.11 It is a figure for demonstrating the movement of the suppression plate in the inner side of a box.

[0030] Fig.12 It is a figure for demonstrating the movement of the suppression plate in the inner side of a box.

[0031] Fig.13 It is a diagram showing the structure of a suppression plate according to a second embodiment.

[0032] Fig.14It is a diagram showing the structure of a suppression plate according to a third embodiment.

[0033] Fig.15 It is a diagram showing the structure of a suppression plate according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In order to facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0035] The first embodiment will be described. The heat exchanger 10 of this embodiment is a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between air and a heat medium, and is configured as a so-called "heater core" provided in a vehicle air conditioning device. In the heat exchanger 10, high-temperature cooling water supplied from the outside is used as a heat medium, and the air is heated by heat exchange with the heat medium. Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchanger 10 includes an inlet-side tank 100 , an outlet-side tank 200 , tubes 300 , and fins 400 .

[0036] The inlet side tank 100 is a container for receiving heat medium supplied from the outside and distributing and supplying the heat medium to each tube 300. The inlet side tank 100 is formed as an elongated container in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is arranged in a state where its length direction is along the horizontal direction. The inlet side tank 100 has a header plate 110, a tank plate 120, and a joint portion 130.

[0037] The tube plate 110 is a substantially flat plate-shaped member. The tube plate 110 is formed of metal. Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of through holes are formed in the header plate 110, and the lower end of each tube 300 is inserted into each through hole from above. The edge of the through hole in the header plate 110 and the outer peripheral surface of the tube 300 are brazed watertightly over the entire circumference.

[0038] The box plate 120 is a component for dividing a space for storing heat medium. The box plate 120 is arranged to cover the header plate 110 from the lower side, that is, the side opposite to the tube 300. The box plate 120 is formed of metal. The box plate 120 and the header plate 110 are brazed and connected watertightly. Thus, the heat medium is prevented from leaking to the outside from between the two.

[0039] The joint portion 130 is a structure that receives the heat medium supplied from the outside and guides the heat medium to the space inside the inlet side tank 100. A pipe (not shown) for supplying the heat medium to the heat exchanger 10 is connected to the joint portion 130. The joint portion 130 is provided at a position at an end portion along the length direction of the inlet side tank 100. An opening 131 serving as an inlet of the heat medium is formed at the end portion along the same direction of the joint portion 130. The heat medium supplied from the outside to the joint portion 130 through the opening 131 flows inside the inlet side tank 100 along the length direction and is distributed to each tube 300.

[0040] The outlet tank 200 is a container for receiving the heat medium passing through each tube 300 and discharging the heat medium to the outside. The outlet tank 200 is arranged vertically above the inlet tank 100. The outlet tank 200 includes a header plate 210, a tank plate 220, and a joint portion 230.

[0041] The header plate 210 is a substantially flat plate-shaped member. The header plate 210 is formed of metal. The shape of the header plate 210 is similar to Figure 3 The shape of the header plate 110 shown is substantially the same. A plurality of through holes are formed in the header plate 210, and the upper end of each tube 300 is inserted into each through hole from the lower side. The edge of the through hole in the header plate 210 and the outer peripheral surface of the tube 300 are brazed watertightly over the entire circumference.

[0042] The box plate 220 is a component for dividing a space for storing heat medium. The box plate 220 is arranged to cover the header plate 210 from the upper side, that is, the side opposite to the tube 300. The box plate 220 is formed of metal. The box plate 220 and the header plate 210 are brazed and connected watertightly. Thus, the heat medium is prevented from leaking to the outside from between the two.

[0043] The joint portion 230 is a portion configured as an outlet for discharging the heat medium stored in the outlet side tank 200 to the outside. A pipe (not shown) for discharging the heat medium from the heat exchanger 10 is connected to the joint portion 230. The joint portion 230 is provided at a position at an end portion along the length direction of the outlet side tank 200. An opening 231 serving as an outlet for the heat medium is formed at the end portion along the same direction of the joint portion 230. The heat medium supplied to the inside of the outlet side tank 200 through each tube 300 flows inside the outlet side tank 200 along the length direction, and is then discharged to the outside from the joint portion 230.

[0044] The tube 300 is a tubular component that forms a flow path for the heat medium to pass through. The heat exchanger 10 is provided with a plurality of tubes 300. Each tube 300 is arranged between the inlet side box 100 and the outlet side box 200 in a state where its length direction is along the up-down direction. Each tube 300 is stacked together with the fins 400 described later, and is arranged along the length direction of the inlet side box 100 and the outlet side box 200. Therefore, the direction in which the stacked plurality of tubes 300 are arranged is also referred to as the "stacking direction" hereinafter. The stacking direction is Figure 1 The middle direction is left and right.

[0045] In the inlet side box 100, the position where the opening 131 is formed as described above can be referred to as the "end position along the stacking direction" in the inlet side box 100. Similarly, the position where the opening 231 is formed in the outlet side box 200 can be referred to as the "end position along the stacking direction" in the outlet side box 200. Figure 1 As shown, the opening 231 is disposed on the same side as the opening 131 of the inlet-side box 100 .

[0046] As described above, the lower end of the tube 300 is connected to the header plate 110 of the inlet side box 100, and the upper end of the tube 300 is connected to the header plate 210 of the outlet side box 200. The internal space of the inlet side box 100 and the internal space of the outlet side box 200 are connected through the flow path formed in the tube 300. The specific structure of the tube 300 is described below.

[0047] The fin 400 is a corrugated fin formed by bending a metal plate into a wave shape. The heat exchanger 10 includes a plurality of fins 400, and the fins 400 are arranged between the tubes 300. The fins 400 are in contact with a pair of tubes 300 arranged on both sides thereof and are brazed to each other.

[0048] The portion of the heat exchanger 10 where the tubes 300 and the fins 400 are alternately stacked as described above is a portion called a "heat exchange core" where heat exchange is performed between the heat medium passing through the inside of the tubes 300 and the air passing through the outside of the tubes 300. Figure 1 Side plates 11 and 12 are arranged at the end portions on both the left and right sides of the frame.

[0049] The side plates 11 and 12 are plate-shaped members formed by bending a metal plate, and are arranged to extend in the same direction as the length direction of the tube 300. The side plate 11 is arranged at a position of the end portion of the heat exchange core closest to the joint portion 130 along the stacking direction. The side plate 12 is arranged at a position of the end portion of the heat exchange core closest to the opposite side of the joint portion 130 along the stacking direction. The side plates 11 and 12 clamp the heat exchange core from both sides along the stacking direction. As a result, the rigidity of the heat exchange core is improved.

[0050] When heat exchange is performed by the heat exchanger 10, the heat medium heated by the internal combustion engine (not shown) is supplied from the opening 131 of the joint portion 130 to the inside of the inlet side tank 100. The heat medium is supplied to each tube 300 while flowing in the stacking direction inside the inlet side tank 100. The heat medium flows upward inside each tube 300 and is supplied to the inside of the outlet side tank 200.

[0051] A fan (not shown) is provided near the heat exchanger 10 to blow air so that the air passes through the heat exchange core. The direction in which the air is blown by the fan is Figure 1 The middle is the direction from the front side of the paper toward the back side.

[0052] When the heat medium flows through the flow path formed in the tube 300 as described above, it is cooled by the air. The air, that is, the air blown by the fan, is heated by the heat medium when passing around the tube 300, so that the temperature of the air rises. The air is blown toward the vehicle interior as, for example, air-conditioning wind for heating. The heat medium supplied to the inside of the outlet side box 200 through each tube 300 is discharged to the outside from the joint portion 230 as described above.

[0053] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , the x direction is a horizontal direction from the front side of the paper toward the back side, and the x axis is set along the same direction. The x direction is the direction in which air passes through the heat exchanger 10 as described above.

[0054] In addition, Figure 1 In the diagram, a direction from the joint portion 130 toward the inside of the inlet-side tank 100 which is a horizontal direction is defined as a y direction, and a y axis is defined along the same direction. The stacking direction is a direction along the y axis.

[0055] Further, in Figure 1 In the diagram, a direction perpendicular to either the x direction or the y direction and from the inlet-side tank 100 toward the outlet-side tank 200 is defined as a z direction, and the z axis is defined along the same direction.

[0056] Hereinafter, the structure of the heat exchanger 10 is demonstrated using the x direction, y direction, z direction, x axis, y axis, and z axis defined as above.

[0057] Reference Figure 2 The specific structure of the tube 300 is described below. Figure 2 300 is a perspective view showing a portion near the end portion on the -z direction side of the tube 300. As shown in the figure, a first flow path FP1 and a second flow path FP2 are formed inside the tube 300 as flow paths for the heat supply medium to flow. These flow paths are formed to extend linearly along the length direction of the tube 300, that is, along the z direction.

[0058] The tube 300 in this embodiment is formed by bending a metal plate. The shape of the cross section of the tube 300 perpendicular to its longitudinal direction is a flat shape. The first flow path FP1 is formed in the portion on the -x direction side of the tube 300. The second flow path FP2 is formed in the portion on the x direction side of the tube 300. The two are separated by a separator formed by bending the above-mentioned metal plate. The separator is brazed to the portion where the end of the metal plate overlaps in a watertight manner.

[0059] The x direction, which is the direction in which the first flow path FP1 and the second flow path FP2 are arranged, is a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and is parallel to the direction in which air passes along the tube 300. Since the x direction is a direction along the width of the tube 300, the x direction is also referred to as the "width direction" below. In each tube 300, the first flow path FP1 and the second flow path FP2, which are flow paths through which the heat supply medium passes, are formed to be arranged along the width direction.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned partition is formed at a central position along the width direction of the tube 300. Therefore, the size of the first flow path FP1 along the width direction is equal to the size of the second flow path FP2 along the width direction. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path FP1 and the cross-sectional shape of the second flow path FP2 are symmetrical to each other.

[0061] In addition, the method of the tube 300 having such a first flow path FP1 and a second flow path FP2 may also be different from the above. For example, the tube 300 may also be formed by extrusion molding of a metal. In addition, the tube 300 having the first flow path FP1 and the second flow path FP2 may be formed by arranging two tubular parts independent of each other along the width direction. In this case, the entirety of the two arranged tubular parts is equivalent to one "tube 300". Furthermore, it may be a method in which other flow paths different from the first flow path FP1 and the second flow path FP2 are formed in the tube 300. That is, the number of flow paths arranged along the width direction formed in the tube 300 may also be three or more.

[0062] Figure 3 , 4 1 shows the internal structure of the inlet side box 100 near the joint portion 130. Figure 4 As shown, a suppression plate 500 is disposed inside the inlet side box 100, but Figure 3 The suppression plate 500 is omitted in the figure.

[0063] like Figure 3As shown in FIG. 1 , the top end of the tube 300 protrudes from the header plate 110 in the -z direction on the inner side of the inlet side box 100. The protrusion amounts of all the tubes 300 are equal. Therefore, the end faces of the respective tubes 300 are arranged on the same plane. In addition, this arrangement is limited to the design purpose. In practice, due to the dimensional fluctuation of the parts, some or all of the end faces may slightly deviate from the above-mentioned plane.

[0064] Hereinafter, the above-mentioned “end surface”, that is, the top end surface on the −z direction side in the tube 300 is also referred to as “end surface 301 ”.

[0065] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , a suppression plate 500 is disposed inside the inlet side box 100. The suppression plate 500 is a flat plate-shaped component, and is a component having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed along the z-axis. The suppression plate 500 is disposed so that its long side is along the y-direction, i.e., the stacking direction. In other words, the suppression plate 500 is disposed so as to extend along the stacking direction. Figure 7 As shown, the suppression plate 500 is formed with a first deformation portion 510, a second deformation portion 520, and a rib 530, but in Figure 4 The illustration of these components is omitted. Figure 7 The specific shape of the suppression plate 500 will be described in detail.

[0066] The suppression plate 500 is arranged in a state where the main surface on the z-direction side thereof abuts against the end surfaces 301 of all the tubes 300. Although openings are formed at the end surfaces 301 of the tubes 300 as the ends of the first flow path FP1 and the second flow path FP2, the heat medium is suppressed from flowing into each flow path in the portion covered by the suppression plate 500. The suppression plate 500 is provided to suppress the flow of the heat medium flowing into at least one of the first flow path FP1 and the second flow path FP2 within a certain range along the width direction.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the suppression plate 500 covers the entire inlet of the second flow path FP2 and a portion of the inlet of the first flow path FP1. In addition, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned "suppression" means completely cutting off the inflow of the heat medium in this portion. In addition, due to the deflection of the surface of the suppression plate 500, a small gap may be formed between the suppression plate 500 and the end of the tube 300, or a small amount of heat medium may flow into the second flow path FP2 from the gap. However, in order to fully suppress the flow of the heat medium by the suppression plate 500 and suppress the fluctuation of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into each tube 300, it is preferred that the size of the gap is within 1 mm at most.

[0068] Reference Figure 5 The arrangement of the suppression plate 500 will be described. Figure 5The range W1 shown is a range along the width direction of the entire flow path constituted by the first flow path FP1 and the second flow path FP2. Figure 5 The position indicated by the middle arrow AR1 is the center position of the range W1 along the width direction.

[0069] in addition, Figure 5 The range W2 shown is the range along the width direction of the portion of the entire flow path where the flow of the heat medium is suppressed by the suppression plate 500. Figure 5 The position indicated by the middle arrow AR2 is the center position of the range W2 along the width direction.

[0070] In the present embodiment, the suppression plate 500 is disposed in a position close to the x direction along the width direction. Therefore, the center position indicated by the arrow AR2 is different from the overall center position indicated by the arrow AR1.

[0071] The suppression plate 500 is provided to increase the flow resistance of the heat medium flowing through the tube 300, thereby suppressing the flow fluctuation of the heat medium flowing into each tube 300. In this embodiment, the flow resistance is further increased by making the two center positions different from each other instead of making them coincide with each other.

[0072] Reference Figure 6 The reason why the flow path resistance increases will be described. Figure 6 The relationship between the width of the opening along the width direction of a flow path (horizontal axis) and the flow path resistance (vertical axis) of the flow path is shown. The width of the opening along the horizontal axis can also be said to be the opening area of ​​the portion of the flow path that is not closed by the suppression plate 500.

[0073] As shown in the figure, the relationship between the width of the opening and the flow resistance is not a linear relationship. When the width of the opening becomes narrower from a state where the width is narrow to a certain extent, the flow resistance tends to increase rapidly. On the other hand, even if the width of the opening becomes wider from a state where the width is wide to a certain extent, the flow resistance only decreases slightly.

[0074] Therefore, with Figure 5 Compared with the case where the center position indicated by the arrow AR2 coincides with the center position of the entirety indicated by the arrow AR1, that is, compared with the case where the suppression plate 500 closes the center of the tube 300, in this embodiment, the flow resistance in the first flow path FP1 is slightly reduced, while the flow resistance in the second flow path FP2 is significantly increased. Therefore, the flow resistance of the entirety of one tube 300 is increased by deviating the position of the suppression plate 500 toward the x-direction side compared with the case where the suppression plate 500 is not deviated.

[0075] Inside the inlet side tank 100, there is a tendency for a pressure difference of the heat medium to occur between a portion on the -y direction side close to the joint portion 130 and a portion on the y direction side far from the joint portion 130. Therefore, when the flow resistance in each tube 300 is small, due to the pressure difference, there is a tendency for the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into each tube 300 to fluctuate greatly for each tube 300. Specifically, there is a tendency for the flow rate of the heat medium in the tube 300 close to the joint portion 130 to be large, and for the flow rate of the heat medium in the tube 300 far from the joint portion 130 to be small.

[0076] In contrast, in the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment, the position of the suppression plate 500 is shifted toward the x direction as described above, thereby increasing the flow resistance in each tube 300. As a result, even if a pressure difference of the heat medium occurs inside the inlet-side tank 100, fluctuations in the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into each tube 300 can be suppressed.

[0077] Reference Figure 7 , 8 9 will now describe the specific shape of the suppression plate 500. Figure 7 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the suppression plate 500. Figure 8 The state where the suppression plate 500 is viewed from the −z direction side is depicted. Fig. 9 The suppression plate 500 is shown as viewed from the x-direction side. Figure 7 The dimension in the x direction is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 131 .

[0078] The suppression plate 500 is provided with a first deformation portion 510, a second deformation portion 520, a rib 530, and a handle 540. The entire suppression plate 500 including the first deformation portion 510 is integrally formed of resin.

[0079] The first deforming portion 510 is formed as a rod-shaped portion extending substantially linearly from the surface of the suppression plate 500 on the -z direction side, i.e., the surface opposite to the box plate 120, toward the box plate 120 side. The direction in which the first deforming portion 510 extends is a direction toward the -y direction side and the -x direction side as it extends toward the -z direction side. In the present embodiment, three first deforming portions 510 are provided, and the three first deforming portions 510 are arranged along the stacking direction.

[0080] The second deformable portion 520 is similar to the first deformable portion 510 described above, and is formed as a rod-shaped portion extending approximately linearly from the surface of the suppression plate 500 on the -z direction side toward the box plate 120 side. The direction in which the second deformable portion 520 extends is a direction toward the -y direction side and the x direction side as it extends toward the -z direction side. In this embodiment, three second deformable portions 520 are provided, and the three second deformable portions 520 are arranged along the stacking direction. The y coordinate of the root of each second deformable portion 520 is approximately equal to the y coordinate of the root of the first deformable portion 150.

[0081] Since the first deformable portion 510 and the second deformable portion 520 are elongated rod-shaped portions formed of resin, they are easily elastically deformed by external force. The first deformable portion 510 and the second deformable portion 520 correspond to the "deformation portion" in this embodiment.

[0082] In this embodiment, the length of the first deformation portion 510 and the length of the second deformation portion 520 are different from each other, and the first deformation portion 510 is longer. Figure 8 As shown, when viewed along the length direction of the tube 300, the first deformed portion 510 significantly protrudes from the suppression plate 500 toward the -x direction. On the other hand, the second deformed portion 520 is entirely accommodated inside the suppression plate 500 and protrudes less toward the x direction.

[0083] The rib 530 is formed as a plate-shaped portion extending linearly from the surface on the -z direction side of the suppression plate 500 toward the -z direction. The rib 530 has a sufficient thickness and hardly undergoes elastic deformation even when subjected to external force. It is preferred that the thickness of the rib 530 (i.e., the dimension along the x direction) is equal to or greater than the thickness of the suppression plate 500 (i.e., the dimension along the z direction). A flat surface 531 is formed at the top end of the rib 530, i.e., the end in the -z direction. The flat surface 531 is a surface parallel to the main surface of the suppression plate 500.

[0084] In this embodiment, three ribs 530 are provided, and the three ribs 530 are arranged along the stacking direction. Figure 7 As shown, each rib 530 is provided on the surface of the suppression plate 500 on the −z direction side, at a position closer to the −x direction side than the center along the x direction.

[0085] The handle 540 is a substantially rod-shaped portion extending in the -y direction from the -y direction end of the suppression plate 500. The handle 540 is a portion held by the operator when inserting the suppression plate 500 into the inlet-side box 100.

[0086] The operation of inserting the suppression plate 500 into the inlet-side tank 100 will be described. After the entire heat exchanger 10 is formed by brazing, the suppression plate 500 is inserted into the inlet-side tank 100 from the opening 131 .

[0087] Fig.10 The figure shows the state where the suppression plate 500 is inserted from the opening 131 as described above. As shown in the figure, the suppression plate 500 is inserted into the inlet side box 100 from the end opposite to the handle 540 through the opening 131 with its longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction of the inlet side box 100.

[0088] The x coordinate of the center of the opening 131 is substantially equal to the x coordinate of the center of the tube 300 along the x direction. Therefore, when the suppression plate 500 is passing through the opening 131, the x coordinate of the center of the suppression plate 500 along the x direction is substantially equal to the x coordinate of the center of the tube 300 along the x direction. Figure 5 The center position indicated by the arrow AR1 and the center position indicated by the arrow AR2 in the figure are kept substantially aligned with each other during the insertion of the plate 500 .

[0089] As described above, the first deformation portion 510 significantly protrudes from the suppression plate 500 toward the -x direction. Therefore, in the process of the suppression plate 500 passing through the opening 131, a portion of the protruding first deformation portion 510 contacts the edge of the opening 131. However, since the first deformation portion 510 is a slender rod-shaped portion formed of resin, it receives a force from the edge of the opening 131 and elastically deforms. Specifically, the first deformation portion 510 elastically deforms in a manner of tilting toward the -y direction. Therefore, the first deformation portion 510 does not hinder the operation of inserting the suppression plate 500 into the interior of the inlet side box 100.

[0090] In addition, the second deforming portion 520 is elastically deformed to tilt toward the −y direction when it contacts the edge of the opening 131 , similarly to the above. Therefore, the second deforming portion 520 does not hinder the work of inserting the suppression plate 500 into the inlet-side case 100 .

[0091] Fig.11 A state in which the suppression plate 500 is halfway inserted into the inlet-side tank 100 is schematically shown. Fig.11 The first deformation portion 510 shown is the deformation portion that is first inserted into the inlet side box 100 among the plurality of first deformation portions 510. The first deformation portion 510 contacts the edge of the opening 131 and is elastically deformed in advance, and then returns to its original shape when entering the inlet side box 100.

[0092] However, if Fig.11As shown in FIG. 1 , when the suppression plate 500 is at the center along the x direction, the first deformed portion 510 cannot be completely restored to its original shape, and the top end of the first deformed portion 510 is in contact with the inner surface 121 of the inlet side box 100. At this time, since the first deformed portion 510 is still in the elastically deformed state, the first deformed portion 510 receives a reaction force indicated by an arrow AR3 from the inner surface 121.

[0093] This reaction force has a component in the x direction and is transmitted to the suppression plate 500 via the first deformation portion 510. Therefore, Fig.11 A force indicated by an arrow AR4 is applied to the suppression plate 500. However, since the suppression plate 500 is inserted only halfway into the inlet-side tank 100, it does not move in the direction of the arrow AR4 at this time.

[0094] Then, the suppression plate 500 is further inserted inward along the stacking direction, and when the suppression plate 500 is completely inserted into the inlet-side case 100, the suppression plate 500 starts to move in the direction of arrow AR4 due to the reaction force, that is, starts to move in the x direction along the width direction.

[0095] Furthermore, when the suppression plate 500 is halfway inserted into the inlet side box 100, the second deformation portion 520 also immediately returns to a substantially original shape in the inlet side box 100, and the tip of the second deformation portion 520 abuts against the inner surface 121 of the inlet side box 100. Subsequently, when the suppression plate moves in the x direction due to the restoring force of the first deformation portion 510, the tip of the second deformation portion 520 reaches the portion where the inner surface 121 changes from a flat surface to a curved surface, thereby completing the movement of the suppression plate 500. At this time, in order to return the first deformation portion 510 to its original shape, the shapes of the first deformation portion 510 and the second deformation portion 520 are adjusted. Fig.12 and Fig.11 The state after the movement of the suppression plate 500 in the x direction is also schematically depicted. When the movement of the suppression plate 500 is completed, the x coordinate of the rib 530 is substantially consistent with the x coordinate of the center position of the tube 300 in the x direction.

[0096] However, when the suppression plate 500 moves in the x direction, there is a concern that the main surface of the suppression plate 500 cannot remain parallel to the end surface 301 and the suppression plate 500 may tilt. When the suppression plate 500 tilts relative to the end surface 301, the suppression plate 500 cannot cut off the flow path as designed, so the fluctuation of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into each tube 300 cannot be suppressed.

[0097] Therefore, in order to prevent the suppression plate 500 from tilting, the suppression plate 500 in the present embodiment is provided with the above-mentioned ribs 530. Fig.11 ,12 As shown in the figure, on the inner side of the inlet side box 100, the flat surface 531 of the rib 530 is in contact with the inner surface 121 of the inlet side box 100. Therefore, when the suppression plate 500 intends to tilt during or after the movement, the rib 530 receives the force indicated by the arrow AR5 from the inner surface 121, and the tilting of the suppression plate 500 is prevented by the reaction force. In addition, in this embodiment, the second deformation portion 520 and the rib 530 play a function of preventing the suppression plate 500 from tilting.

[0098] As described above, in the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment, the suppression plate 500 is arranged inside the inlet side box 100, and the first deformation portion 510 and the second deformation portion 520 are provided as deformation portions on the suppression plate 500. The heat exchanger 10 is configured such that when the suppression plate 500 is inserted into the inlet side box 100 from the opening 131, the deformation portion is elastically deformed by contacting the edge of the opening 131. Furthermore, the heat exchanger 10 is configured such that when the suppression plate 500 is inserted into the inlet side box 100, the restored deformation portion receives a reaction force from the inner surface 121 of the inlet side box 100, and the suppression plate 500 moves in the width direction by the reaction force.

[0099] The operator can easily arrange the suppression plate 500 in the stacking direction by simply inserting the suppression plate 500 from the opening 131. Figure 5 The position shown is offset from the center in the width direction of the tube 300.

[0100] The first deformation portion 510 and the second deformation portion 520 as deformation portions are both formed as rod-shaped portions extending toward the inner surface 121 of the inlet side tank 100. Therefore, the first deformation portion 510 and the like can be elastically deformed to easily generate a reaction force for moving the suppression plate 500.

[0101] The deformation part includes a first deformation part 510 provided at a portion of the suppression plate 500 on one side along the width direction, and a second deformation part 520 provided at a portion of the suppression plate 500 on the other side along the width direction. In addition, the length of the first deformation part 510 and the length of the second deformation part 520 are different from each other, and the first deformation part 510 is longer. Thus, the reaction force generated by the restoration of the first deformation part 510 is larger than the reaction force generated by the restoration of the second deformation part, so that the force for moving the suppression plate 500 in the x direction can be reliably generated.

[0102] In this embodiment, a plurality of first deformation parts 510 and second deformation parts 520 as deformation parts are arranged along the stacking direction, and specifically, three are provided respectively. In such a structure, the force for moving the suppression plate 500 in the x direction acts on the suppression plate 500 at each of the plurality of parts along the stacking direction. Therefore, the suppression plate 500 can be smoothly moved in parallel in the x direction.

[0103] The suppression plate 500 is provided with ribs 530 for preventing the suppression plate 500 from tilting when it moves in the width direction inside the inlet side box 100. The top end of the ribs 530 abuts against the inner surface of the inlet side box 100, thereby reliably preventing the suppression plate 500 from tilting during or after the movement.

[0104] The top of the rib 530 is formed with a flat surface 531 that contacts the inner surface 121 of the inlet side tank 100. Since the top of the rib 530 contacts the inner surface 121 not at a point or a line but at a surface, the suppression plate 500 can be more reliably prevented from tilting.

[0105] In this embodiment, a plurality of ribs 530 are arranged in a stacking direction, and specifically, three ribs are arranged. In this manner, the force to prevent the plate 500 from tilting is Fig.11 The force indicated by the arrow AR5 acts on the suppression plate 500 at each of the plurality of locations along the stacking direction. Therefore, a force for preventing the suppression plate 500 from tilting can be generated along the entire longitudinal direction of the suppression plate 500.

[0106] The second embodiment is described. In this embodiment, only the deformation portion formed in the suppression plate 500 is different from the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the points common to the first embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

[0107] Fig.13 So with Fig.12 The same method is used to depict a diagram showing a state in which the suppression plate 500 is inserted into the inlet side tank 100 of the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment. Fig.13 As shown, the suppression plate 500 of the present embodiment is formed with the first deformation portion 510 and the rib 530, but the second deformation portion 520 is not formed. In addition, the first deformation portion 510 is formed to extend from the side surface on the -x direction side of the suppression plate 500 to the -x direction side. Specifically, the first deformation portion 510 extends in a direction toward the z direction side as it extends toward the -x direction side.

[0108] In this manner, when the suppression plate 500 is inserted into the inlet-side case 100, the first deformation portion 510 is elastically deformed once, and the suppression plate 500 is moved in the x direction by its restoring force. Thus, the same effects as those of the structure described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0109] The third embodiment is described. In this embodiment, only the form of the rib 530 formed on the suppression plate 500 is different from the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the points common to the first embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

[0110] Fig.14 Depicted with Fig. 9 Similarly, the state of the suppression plate 500 of this embodiment is observed from the x direction side. Fig.14 As shown, in this embodiment, the dimension of the rib 530 along the y direction is larger than that of the first embodiment, and only one rib 530 of such a shape is provided. In this manner, the same effect as that of the structure described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0111] In addition, in the present embodiment, as the size of the rib 530 along the y direction increases, the flat surface 531 that contacts the inner surface 121 of the inlet side box 100 also increases. Therefore, when the suppression plate 500 is inserted along the stacking direction, the friction force generated between the inner surface 121 and the flat surface 531 increases, and the insertion operation may become difficult. In view of this, it is preferable to provide a plurality of small ribs 530 arranged along the stacking direction as in the first embodiment.

[0112] A fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, only the form of the rib 530 formed on the suppression plate 500 is different from the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the points common to the first embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

[0113] Fig.15 Depicted with Fig. 9 Similarly, the state of the suppression plate 500 of this embodiment is observed from the x direction side. Fig.15 As shown, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, three ribs 530 are formed to be arranged along the stacking direction. The shape of the rib 530 formed on the side closest to the -y direction is the same as the shape of the rib 530 in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the rib 530A formed in the center of the y direction is a triangle as a whole, and the top end is pointed. In addition, the top end of the rib 530B formed on the position closest to the y direction side is arc-shaped.

[0114] As described above, the shape of the rib 530 can be any shape as long as it can abut against the inner surface 121 of the inlet side box 100. All the ribs 530 may be pointed like 530A, or may be arc-shaped like 530B. However, in order to reliably prevent the suppression plate 500 from tilting, it is preferable to form a shape with a flat surface 531 at the tip, as in the rib 530 of the first embodiment.

[0115] Above, the present embodiment has been described with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. The structures that those skilled in the art appropriately design and change to these specific examples are included within the scope of the present invention as long as they have the characteristics of the present invention. The various elements and their configurations, conditions, shapes, etc. possessed by the above-mentioned specific examples are not limited to the exemplified contents and can be appropriately changed. The various elements possessed by the above-mentioned specific examples can be appropriately combined and changed as long as no technical contradictions are generated.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between air and a heat medium, characterized in that: have: a plurality of tubes, the plurality of tubes being tubular members forming flow paths through which a heat medium passes, and arranged to be arranged along a stacking direction; a box which is a container for supplying a heat medium to each of the tubes and has an opening as an inlet of the heat medium formed at an end portion along the stacking direction; as well as a suppression plate which is a plate-shaped member disposed inside the box and which suppresses the flow of the heat medium flowing into the tube within a certain range by abutting against the end surface of the tube, When a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and parallel to the direction in which air passes along the tube is defined as a width direction, In each of the tubes, a plurality of the flow paths are formed so as to be arranged along the width direction. The suppression plate is provided with a deformation portion, The heat exchanger is composed of: When the suppression plate is inserted into the box from the opening, the deformation portion is elastically deformed by contacting with the edge of the opening. When the suppression plate is inserted into the box, the restored deformed portion receives a reaction force from the inner surface of the box, and the suppression plate moves in the width direction due to the reaction force. The suppression plate is formed with ribs, The rib is used to prevent the suppression plate from tilting when the suppression plate moves along the width direction inside the box. The top end of the rib abuts against the inner surface of the box.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that The deformable portion is formed as a rod-shaped portion extending toward the inner surface of the box.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that The deformation part comprises: a first deformation portion provided at a portion of the suppression plate on one side along the width direction; and a second deformation portion provided at a portion of the suppression plate on the other side along the width direction, The length of the first deformation portion and the length of the second deformation portion are different from each other.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: A plurality of the deformation portions are provided so as to be aligned along the stacking direction.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that A flat surface that comes into contact with the inner surface of the box is formed at the tip of the rib.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that A plurality of the ribs are provided so as to be aligned along the stacking direction.

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