Clamp for tube elements

Abstract

The present invention provides a holder for holding a pipe element (4) composed of a flat tube (2) and a corrugated fin (3), and joining the pipe elements to each other, and the holder (12) is not easily separated in the state of holding the pipe element (4). A first fitting portion (5) is provided on one side of the holder (12), and a second fitting portion (6) is provided on the other side. Further, a back holding portion (7) is provided on the open side of the holder (12), and a front holding portion (8) is provided on the non-open side. Further, a tongue (9) is provided between the back holding portion (7) and the front holding portion (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger having a detachable tube and fin assembly, which can be seen in engine cooling systems of construction machinery, etc., and to a clamp for holding a tube element composed of the tube and fin assembly. Background Technology

[0002] For pipe components consisting of flat tubes and corrugated fins, there are situations where the pipe component can be easily disassembled relative to the manifold for repair or replacement.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 describes that, in order to hold the tube element, clamps are installed on multiple tube elements and these clamps are connected to each other.

[0004] Figures 11-13 It is the holder 13 of the conventional tube element 4 as described in Patent Document 1.

[0005] and, Figure 11 (A) is its top view. Figure 11 (B) is the front view. Additionally, Figure 12 This is an installation diagram of the clamp 13, and Figure 12 (A) is its top view. Figure 12 (B) is the front view. Figure 12 (C) is a side view. Furthermore, Figure 13 This is a top view showing the state in which multiple clamps 13 are arranged side by side.

[0006] The clamp 13 is made of a resin molded body, and as Figure 11 As shown, a groove-shaped first fitting portion 13a is formed on one side, and a second fitting portion 13b that mates with the first fitting portion 13a is formed on the other side. Furthermore, a protrusion 13f protrudes from the front side of the clamp 13, and a front retaining portion 13e with a "コ"-shaped cross-section is formed between the first fitting portion 13a and the second fitting portion 13b. A tongue portion 13c is provided on the inner side of the front retaining portion 13e. An abutment surface 13g is formed at one end of the first fitting portion 13a.

[0007] The clamp 13, as Figure 12 The tube element 4, which is composed of a flat tube 2 and a corrugated fin 3, is held in the same manner as (A) to (C). That is, the front holding part 13e, which is formed in the shape of "ko", holds the front of the tube element 4, and the tongue part 13c is inserted between the adjacent bends 3a of the corrugated fin 3.

[0008] Such a clamp 13 is as follows Figure 13 As shown, multiple grippers 13 are connected to each other along the X and Y directions in the figure. They are staggered in the plane and interconnected.

[0009] Existing technical documents

[0010] Patent documents

[0011] Patent Document 1: US Patent No. 6,357,513 Summary of the Invention

[0012] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0013] The conventional clamp 13 in Figure 12 The tube element 4 is housed in the front retaining part 13e, which has a cross-sectional "コ" shape. At this time, the tube element 4 may move to the open side of the front retaining part 13e and dislodge.

[0014] Furthermore, there is a drawback that the tongue portion 13c, which is set within the "ko" shape, cannot be smoothly inserted into the bend portion 3a of the corrugated fin 3.

[0015] In addition, there exists Figure 13 The disadvantage of multiple grippers 13 being easily separated when connected along the Y direction is that they are prone to separation.

[0016] Therefore, the subject of this invention is to eliminate these disadvantages.

[0017] Solution for solving the problem

[0018] The present invention described in technical solution 1 is a clamp for tube elements, wherein a plurality of tube elements (4) are formed on the clamp for tube elements.

[0019] The plurality of tube elements (4) have:

[0020] A flat tube 2 having a pair of opposing flat surfaces 1; and

[0021] Corrugated fin 3, which is formed in a wave shape,

[0022] The plurality of tube elements 4 are formed by joining the flat surface 1 orthogonally to the axis Z of the flat tube 2 through the bend 3a on one side of the corrugated fin 3.

[0023] The clamps for the tube elements are used to join these tube elements 4 together.

[0024] in,

[0025] When the direction of the edge line orthogonal to the axis Z and the bend 3a is defined as Y, and the direction orthogonal to both Y and Z is defined as X,

[0026] The holder for the tube element includes:

[0027] The first fitting part 5 has a groove bottom formed in the Z direction on one side in the X direction;

[0028] The convex second fitting portion 6 is formed on the other side and has a cross-section that can fit into the first fitting portion 5;

[0029] The back retaining part 7 is open on one side in the Y direction, and hooks the end of the corrugated fin 3 in the ridge direction of the bend 3a in the cross-section of its inner wall surface.

[0030] The front retaining part 8 retains the other end of the corrugated fin 3 on the non-open side and has a "ko"-shaped cross-section; and

[0031] Tongue 9 is formed between the back retaining portion 7 and the front retaining portion 8 and is inserted between adjacent corrugated fins 3.

[0032] The present invention described in technical solution 2 is based on the pipe element clamp described in technical solution 1.

[0033] The clamp for the tube element includes: a third fitting portion 10, which forms a dovetail groove shape along the Z direction on the side of the front holding portion 8 on the outer side in the Y direction; and a fourth fitting portion 11, which protrudes from the side of the back holding portion 7 on the outer side in the Y direction and can fit into the third fitting portion 10.

[0034] The present invention described in technical solution 3 is based on the clamp for tube components described in technical solutions 1 or 2.

[0035] The width of the tongue 9 in the X direction gradually increases as it moves from the back retaining portion 7 toward the front retaining portion 8.

[0036] The present invention described in technical solution 4 is based on the clamp for the tube element described in technical solution 1 or 2.

[0037] The maximum value of the width of the tongue 9 in the X direction is in the range of 30% to 70% of the height (W) of the corrugated fin 3.

[0038] The present invention described in technical solution 5 is based on the clamp for the tube element described in any one of technical solutions 2 to 4.

[0039] The third fitting portion 10 includes: a first protrusion 10a, which is located on the side of the second fitting portion 6 outside the front retaining portion 8 and protrudes in the Y direction; and a second protrusion 10b, which is located on the side of the first fitting portion 5 outside the front retaining portion 8 and protrudes in the Y direction.

[0040] When the fourth fitting portion 11 of the clamps adjacent in the Y direction is fitted into the third fitting portion 10, the end face of the first protrusion 10a or the end face of the second protrusion 10b supports one end of the cross-section of the flat tube 2 of the tube element 4 held by the clamps adjacent in the Y direction in the long side direction.

[0041] Invention Effects

[0042] In the invention described in technical solution 1, a dovetail-shaped first fitting portion 5 is formed on one side of the gripper 12 in the X direction along the Z direction, and a convex second fitting portion 6 that can fit into the first fitting portion 5 is provided on the other side. Thus, the grippers 12 can be connected to each other in the X direction. Furthermore, because the first fitting portion 5 is formed as a dovetail, adjacent grippers 12 will not separate in the X direction.

[0043] Furthermore, the clamp 12 includes a back retaining portion 7, which holds one end of the corrugated fin 3 in a hook-shaped cross-section in the Y direction; and a front retaining portion 8, which holds the other end of the corrugated fin 3 on the other side and has a "ko"-shaped cross-section. This allows the tube element 4 to be held within the clamp 12. Moreover, the hook-shaped back retaining portion 7 prevents the tube element 4 from slipping out in the Y direction.

[0044] Furthermore, a tongue 9 is provided between the back retaining portion 7 and the front retaining portion 8 to insert the corrugated fins 3. This prevents the tube element 4 held by the clamp 12 from coming off in the Z direction.

[0045] The invention described in technical solution 2 includes: a third fitting part 10, which has a groove bottom formed in the Z direction as a dovetail groove on the side of the front retaining part 8 on the outer side in the Y direction; and a fourth fitting part 11, which protrudes from the side of the back retaining part 7 on the outer side in the Y direction and can fit into the third fitting part 10.

[0046] Therefore, the clamps 12 can be connected to each other in the Y direction. Furthermore, the third fitting portion 10 is formed in the shape of a dovetail groove, thus preventing disengagement in the Y direction.

[0047] In the invention described in technical solution 3, the width of the tongue 9 is formed to gradually increase as it moves from the back retaining portion 7 toward the front retaining portion 8.

[0048] This allows the tongue 9 to be smoothly inserted into the space between the corrugated fins 3.

[0049] In the invention described in technical solution 4, the maximum width of the tongue 9 is in the range of 30% to 70% of the height W of the corrugated fin 3.

[0050] Thus, the clamp 12 is prevented from falling off the corrugated fin 3 in the Z direction, and the constraint of the clamp 12 on the corrugated fin 3 and the flat tube 2 in the Z direction is eased, thereby suppressing the generation of thermal stress caused by the constraint.

[0051] In the invention described in technical solution 5, when the fourth fitting portion 11 of the clamps adjacent in the Y direction is fitted into the third fitting portion 10, the end face of the first protrusion 10a or the end face of the second protrusion 10b of the third fitting portion 10 supports one end of the long side direction of the cross section of the flat tube 2 of the tube element 4 held by the clamps adjacent in the Y direction.

[0052] With this structure, the Y-direction support of the tube element 4, located at the X-direction end of the assembled tube element group, becomes more reliable. Attached Figure Description

[0053] Figure 1 This is the clamp 12 of the present invention. Figure 1 (A) is its three-dimensional diagram. Figure 1 (B) is the top view. Figure 1 (C) is a side view.

[0054] Figure 2 This is an instruction diagram for the installation of the clamp 12 and the tube element 4. Figure 2 (A) shows its state before installation. Figure 2 (B) shows the status after installation.

[0055] Figure 3 The instruction diagram for the clamp 12 is shown. Figure 3 (A) is its top view. Figure 3 (B) is Figure 3 (A) BB direction view.

[0056] Figure 4 This is a top view showing the installed state of multiple clamps 12.

[0057] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the installation state of the clamp 12.

[0058] Figure 6 These are longitudinal sectional views (A), BB sectional view (B), and CC sectional view (C) showing the installation state of the clamp 12.

[0059] Figure 7 These are a front view (A) and a sectional view (B) showing the relationship between the support bracket 14 supporting the clamp 12 and the heat exchanger 18.

[0060] Figure 8This is a top view of a second embodiment of the clamp 12 of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 9 This is a user manual diagram for the clamp 12. Figure 9 (A) is its top view. Figure 9 (B) is Figure 9 (A) BB direction view.

[0062] Figure 10 This is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the load ratio of the buffer and the cutting amount S of the tongue 9 of the clamp 12.

[0063] Figure 11 These are the top view (A) and front view (B) of the conventional clamp 13.

[0064] Figure 12 The installation status of the clamp 13 and the tube element 4 is shown. Figure 12 (A) is its top view. Figure 12 (B) is the front view. Figure 12 (C) is a side view.

[0065] Figure 13 This is a top view showing the installed state of multiple clamps 13. Detailed Implementation

[0066] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] Figure 1 These are perspective views (A), top views (B), and side views (C) of the clamp 12 of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram of the installation of the clamp 12 onto the tube element 4. Figure (A) is a perspective view showing the state before installation, and Figure (B) is a perspective view showing the state after installation.

[0068] The clamp 12, as an example, is made of resin material, and its walls are made of a material capable of localized elastic deformation. The clamp 12 is as follows... Figure 2 A clamp that holds the outer periphery of the tube element 4, which is a joint of flat tube 2 and corrugated fin 3, as shown in (B).

[0069] The tubular element 4 using the clamp 12 of the present invention includes a flat tube 2 formed by a pair of opposing flat surfaces 1, sides connecting these flat surfaces 1 in a cylindrical shape, and corrugated fins 3 formed in a wave pattern. Specifically, as Figure 2 As shown in (A), the bend 3a on one side of the corrugated fin 3 is orthogonally brazed to the outer side of a pair of flat surfaces 1 with the axis Z (the direction with the same orientation as the axis Z is defined as the Z direction) connecting the opening of the flat tube 2.

[0070] Here, the direction orthogonal to the Z direction and pointing toward the ridge line of the bend 3a of the corrugated fin 3 is defined as the Y direction. Furthermore, the direction orthogonal to the aforementioned Z and Y directions is defined as the X direction.

[0071] It should be noted that the two ends of the flat tube 1 constituting the tube element 4 in the Z direction can be cylindrical.

[0072] For such a tubular element 4, the clamp 12 has a pair of opposing sides in the X direction. A first fitting portion 5 is formed on the outer side of one side, and a convex second fitting portion 6 capable of fitting into the first fitting portion 5 is formed on the outer side of the other side. The cross-section (the surface perpendicular to the Z direction) of the first fitting portion 5 is formed in the shape of a dovetail groove, and as shown... Figure 1 As shown in (C), the groove extends along the Z direction. The width of its bottom is as follows: Figure 1 As shown in (B), it is formed to be slightly wider than the width of the slot opening. In the second fitting part 6, the front end side of the convex shape is wider than the root side.

[0073] Next, one side of the clamp 12 in the Y direction opens.

[0074] A hook-shaped back retaining portion 7 is formed at the front end of the inner side of the side where the second fitting portion 6 is formed. Similarly, a hook-shaped back retaining portion 7 is also formed at the front edge of the inner side of the side where the first fitting portion 5 is formed. Furthermore, the other side in the Y direction is closed by a wall, and a front retaining portion 8 with a "ko"-shaped cross-section is formed by the aforementioned pair of opposing sides in the X direction, which are integrally connected to this wall.

[0075] On the inner side of the side where the second fitting portion 6 is formed, a tongue 9 is formed between the back retaining portion 7 and the front retaining portion 8. The tongue 9 is inserted into the curved portion 3a side of the corrugated fin 3 that is not connected to the flat surface 1.

[0076] like Figure 1 As shown in (B), if the tongue 9 is formed in such a way that its width gradually increases from the back retaining portion 7 towards the front retaining portion 8, it becomes a shape suitable for smooth insertion. The thickness of the tongue 9 is preferably slightly smaller than the pitch interval between the folds 3a of the corrugated fin 3.

[0077] The tongue 9 can also be formed on the inner side of the side where the first fitting portion 5 is formed.

[0078] like Figure 1As shown in (B), a fourth fitting portion 11 can be formed at the front end of the open side of the clamp 12 in a stepped cross-section. In this case, a third fitting portion 10 is formed on the outer surface of the wall of the front retaining portion 8, which can fit into the fourth fitting portion 11. The third fitting portion 10, like the first fitting portion 5, has a dovetail groove cross-section, and the groove is provided along the Z direction.

[0079] The clamp 12 of the present invention is as follows Figure 2 As shown in (A), the tube element 4 is inserted from the back retaining portion 7 side of the clamp 12. At this time, the front retaining portion 8 of the clamp 12 undergoes partial elastic deformation, and the back retaining portion 7 side expands outward. Then, one end of the corrugated fin 3 of the tube element 4 in the Y direction abuts against the front retaining portion 8, and the other end abuts against or is opposed to the back retaining portion 7 with a small gap.

[0080] At this time, the tongue 9 is inserted into the gap between the bends 3a of the corrugated fin 3 on one side. In this example, the tongue 9 is smoothly inserted into the bends 3a because the width of the back retaining portion 7 side is narrower.

[0081] The tongue 9 prevents the clamp 12 from detaching from the corrugated fin 3 along the Z direction.

[0082] Come back, Figure 3 These are top views (A) and front views (B) showing the clamp 12 of the present invention in use. Figure 3 In the process, when a pair of grippers 12 are placed side by side along the X direction, the second fitting part 6 of the adjacent grippers 12 and the first fitting part 5 fit together, and the dovetail groove of the first fitting part 5 prevents them from falling off in the X direction.

[0083] Figure 4 This is a top view showing the state in which multiple clamps 12 are connected along the X and Y directions while the tubular element 4 is held. Figure 4 In this arrangement, when multiple clamps 12 are arranged side by side along the Y direction, the fourth fitting portion 11 of one clamp is fitted into the third fitting portion 10 of the other clamp, which is also arranged side by side along the Y direction. At this time, the third fitting portion 10 is formed into a dovetail groove shape, thus maintaining its fitting state with the fourth fitting portion 11.

[0084] It should be noted that when the fourth fitting part 11 is fitted into the third fitting part 10, the groove of the third fitting part 10 of the other clamp 12 undergoes elastic deformation and expands.

[0085] The third fitting portion 10 is formed between the first protrusion 10a and the second protrusion 10b. The first protrusion 10a is located on the side of the second fitting portion 6 outside the front retaining portion 8 and protrudes in the Y direction. The second protrusion 10b is located on the side of the first fitting portion 5 outside the front retaining portion 8 and protrudes in the Y direction.

[0086] like Figure 4 As shown, with the fourth fitting portion 11 of the clamp adjacent in the Y direction fitted into the third fitting portion 10, the end face of the first protrusion 10a and the end face of the second protrusion 10b are configured to support one end of the cross-section of the flat tube 2 of the tube element 4 held by the clamp adjacent in the Y direction along the long side. The structure of the end faces of the first protrusion 10a and the second protrusion 10b allows support for approximately half the width of the cross-section of the flat tube 2 in the short side direction.

[0087] The length of the long side of the flat tube 2 of the tube element 4 is preferably equal to the length of the corrugated fin 3 from one end to the other in the Y direction.

[0088] An assembly consisting of multiple clamps 12 and tubular elements 4, such as Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, it is held by a pair of support brackets 14 arranged on both sides in the Y direction via support rubber 15. The support brackets 14 are as follows... Figure 7 As shown in (A), the left and right pairs of supports are installed on the heat exchanger 18 in a way that allows for easy installation and removal.

[0089] The upper and lower ends of the flat tube 2 of each tube element 4 are as follows: Figure 7 As described in (B), the cylindrical section 2a is formed into a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the upper and lower cylindrical sections 2a are inserted into the manifold plate 16a of the upper and lower housing 16 via mounting buffer members 17. The upper and lower mounting buffer members 17 absorb the thermal strain generated in the flat tube 2.

[0090] In the cylindrical portion 2a on the lower side of the flat tube 2, as... Figure 7 As shown in (B), an annular protrusion 2b for preventing detachment can be provided on its outer periphery. This annular protrusion 2b fits into the inner periphery of the mounting buffer 17b on the lower side to prevent the flat tube 2 from coming off.

[0091] In this structure, the support rubber 15 is fixed to the support bracket 14. Therefore, if the displacement of the flat tube 2 in the Z-axis direction is excessively constrained by the tongue 9 of the clamp 12, a large load is applied to the mounting buffer 17b on the lower side whose displacement is restricted by the annular protrusion 2b.

[0092] As a result, it is possible for the mounting buffer 17b on the lower side to crack and leak.

[0093] As a solution to the above problems, based on Figures 8-10 The second embodiment will now be described.

[0094] Figure 8 This is a top view of a second embodiment of the clamp 12 of the present invention. Figure 9 This is a user manual diagram for the clamp 12. Figure 9 (A) is its top view. Figure 9 (B) is Figure 9 (A) BB direction view.

[0095] The inventors discovered that: Figure 8 As shown, the width of the first embodiment, represented by a single-dotted line, is cut off up to the width 9a of the solid line, as... Figure 9 As described in (B), the front end of the outline 9b of the tongue 9 is separated from the outer surface of the flat tube 2, thereby easing the constraint in the Z direction of the flat tube 2.

[0096] Figure 10 This is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the load ratio of the buffer and the cutting amount S of the tongue 9 of the clamp 12.

[0097] The vertical axis represents the buffer load ratio (%) of the lower mounting buffer 17b, and the horizontal axis represents the cutting amount (%) of the width 9a of the tongue 9. The buffer load ratio of the lower mounting buffer 17b in the first embodiment (without cutting the tongue 9) is set to 100%, and the cutting amount S of the tongue 9 in the first embodiment (without cutting the tongue 9) is set to 0.0%. The relationship between the two is then plotted.

[0098] like Figure 10 As shown, if the maximum value of the width 9a of the tongue 9 in the X direction is set to 30-70%, more preferably 40-60%, of the height W of the corrugated fin 3 (equivalent to the cutting amount S of the tongue 9 in the figure), the constraint of the clamp 12 on the corrugated fin 3 and the flat tube 2 in the Z direction is eased, and the generation of thermal stress caused by the constraint is suppressed.

[0099] The height W of the corrugated fin 3 is equivalent to twice the amplitude of the wave of the corrugated fin 3.

[0100] Industrial applicability

[0101] The clamp of the present invention can be used as a clamp for holding the tube elements of a heat exchanger.

[0102] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0103] 1. Flat surface

[0104] 2. Flat tube

[0105] 2a Cylindrical section

[0106] 2b Annular protrusion

[0107] 3 Corrugated fins

[0108] 3a. Twists and turns

[0109] 4-tube components

[0110] 5 First fitting part

[0111] 6 Second fitting part

[0112] 7. Backside retaining part

[0113] 8. Front retaining section

[0114] 9. Tongue slices

[0115] 9a width

[0116] 10 Third mating part

[0117] 10a First protrusion

[0118] 10b Second protrusion

[0119] 11 Fourth mating part

[0120] 12 clamps

[0121] 13 Clamping device

[0122] 13a First mating part

[0123] 13b Second mating part

[0124] 13c Tongue portion

[0125] 13e Front retaining section

[0126] 13f convex part

[0127] 13g contact surface

[0128] 14 Support bracket

[0129] 15 Supporting rubber

[0130] 16-box enclosure

[0131] 16a manifold

[0132] 17 Install buffer components

[0133] 18 Heat Exchangers

[0134] ZZ direction (centerline)

[0135] XX direction

[0136] YY direction

[0137] W is the height of the corrugated fin.

Claims

1. A clamp for tube elements, wherein a plurality of tube elements (4) are formed on the clamp for tube elements. The plurality of tube elements (4) have: A flat tube (2) having a pair of opposing flat surfaces (1); and Corrugated fins (3), which are formed in a wave shape, The plurality of tube elements (4) are formed by joining the flat surface (1) orthogonally to the axis Z of the flat tube (2) through the bend (3a) on one side of the corrugated fin (3). The clamps for the tube elements are used to join these tube elements (4) together. in, When the direction of the edge line of the bend (3a) orthogonal to the axis Z is defined as Y, and the direction orthogonal to both Y and Z is defined as X, The holder for the tube element includes: The first fitting part (5) has a groove bottom formed in the Z direction on one side of the X direction; The convex second fitting part (6) is formed on the other side and has a cross-section that can fit into the first fitting part (5); The back retaining part (7) is open on one side in the Y direction and holds the corrugated fin (3) at one end in the ridge direction of the zigzag part (3a) in a hook-shaped cross-section at the end edge of its inner wall surface. The front retaining part (8) retains the other end of the corrugated fin (3) on the non-open side and has a "ko" shape in cross-section; and A tongue (9) is formed between the back retaining portion (7) and the front retaining portion (8) and is inserted between adjacent corrugated fins (3).

2. The clamp for the tube element according to claim 1, wherein, The clamp for the tube element includes: a third fitting part (10) which forms a dovetail groove in the Z direction on the side of the front retaining part (8) on the outer side in the Y direction; and a fourth fitting part (11) which protrudes from the side of the back retaining part (7) on the outer side in the Y direction and can fit into the third fitting part (10).

3. The clamp for the tube element according to claim 2, wherein, The third fitting portion (10) includes: a first protrusion (10a) located on the side of the second fitting portion (6) outside the front retaining portion (8) and protruding in the Y direction; and a second protrusion (10b) located on the side of the first fitting portion (5) outside the front retaining portion (8) and protruding in the Y direction. With the third fitting part (10) fitted with the fourth fitting part (11) of the clamp adjacent in the Y direction, the end face of the first protrusion (10a) or the end face of the second protrusion (10b) supports one end of the cross-section of the flat tube (2) of the tube element (4) held by the clamp adjacent in the Y direction along the long axis direction.

4. The clamp for the tubular component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The width of the tongue (9) in the X direction gradually increases as it moves from the back retaining portion (7) toward the front retaining portion (8).

5. The clamp for the tube element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The maximum value of the width of the tongue (9) in the X direction is in the range of 30 to 70% of the height (W) of the corrugated fin (3).

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