Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger (10) is provided with: a plurality of core sections (20, 22) provided so as to overlap in the direction of flow of air, each of the core sections (20, 22) having: a pair of header boxes (24) provided so as to face each other; and a plurality of tubes (26) that connect the header boxes (24) to each other and that exchange heat between the refrigerant flowing therethrough and the air flowing therearound. And a passage forming member (28) that is provided between the header boxes (24) on one side and the header boxes (24) on the other side which are disposed so as to overlap each other, the header boxes (24) on one side and the header boxes (24) on the other side having box-side holes (62) in the portions facing each other, and the passage forming member (28) having a communication hole (90) that communicates the box-side holes (62) facing each other with each other, the passage forming member (28) being provided between the header boxes (24) on one side and the header boxes (24) on the other side which are disposed so as to overlap each other. One of the box-side holes (62) and the communication holes (90) is a long hole having a longer length than the other hole in the longitudinal direction of the header box (24), and the one hole communicates with the plurality of other holes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger. Background Art

[0002] JP2013-185723A discloses a heat exchanger having cores with tanks arranged in overlapping manner. A distribution section communication section is connected to the tank section of the core on one side, and the distribution section communication section is connected to an intermediate tank section. A collection section communication section is connected to the intermediate tank section, and the collection section communication section is connected to the tank section of the core on the other side. Summary of the invention

[0003] However, in this heat exchanger, the tank section of one core and the tank section of the other core are connected via the distribution section communication section, the intermediate tank section, and the collection section communication section. Therefore, the structure is complicated.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger capable of simplifying the structure for circulating a refrigerant.

[0005] According to a technical solution of the present invention, a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and air that produces a phase change between a liquid phase and a gas phase comprises: a core portion, a plurality of which are overlapped in the direction of air flow, each having: a header, a pair of which are oppositely arranged; and a plurality of tubes that connect the headers to each other and perform heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air flowing around; and a passage forming member, which is provided between the headers on one side of the overlapping arrangement and the headers on the other side of the overlapping arrangement, the headers on one side and the headers on the other side having box side holes at portions facing each other, the passage forming member having a connecting hole that connects the box side holes facing each other, one of the box side holes and the connecting hole being a long hole longer than the other hole in the length direction of the header, the one hole being connected to the plurality of other holes.

[0006] In the heat exchanger of the above technical solution, the tank side holes of the header box on one side and the tank side holes of the header box on the other side arranged in an overlapping manner are connected by the connecting holes of the passage forming member provided between the two header boxes. Therefore, a connecting passage connecting the header box on one side and the header box on the other side can be formed by the connecting holes of the passage forming member provided between the header box on one side and the header box on the other side. As a result, the distribution part connecting part, the intermediate tank part and the collection part connecting part for connecting the header box on one side and the header box on the other side are not required. Therefore, a heat exchanger capable of simplifying the structure for circulating the refrigerant can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2It is an enlarged view of the main part of the header box.

[0009] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view of the main parts showing a state where pipes are inserted into the header.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 IV-IV section view in FIG.

[0011] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of a passage forming member.

[0012] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the header box and the passage forming member.

[0013] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the box side hole and the communication hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Hereinafter, a heat exchanger 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] First, refer to Figure 1 The overall structure of the heat exchanger 10 will be described. Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the heat exchanger 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The heat exchanger 10 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown). The heat exchanger 10 exchanges heat between a refrigerant that circulates in an air-conditioning device (not shown) and undergoes a phase change between a liquid phase and a gas phase and air used for air conditioning.

[0017] Specifically, the heat exchanger 10 is provided in an HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) unit (not shown) through which air used for air conditioning passes. The heat exchanger 10 is a condenser that exchanges heat with the air used for air conditioning when the air conditioning device is in heating operation, condenses the refrigerant, and heats the air. Not limited to this, the heat exchanger 10 may also be an evaporator that exchanges heat with the air used for air conditioning when the air conditioning device is in cooling operation, evaporates the refrigerant, and cools and dehumidifies the air.

[0018] The heat exchanger 10 includes an upstream core portion 20 disposed on the upstream side of the air flow direction 12, a downstream core portion 22 disposed on the downstream side of the air flow direction, and a reinforcing member 23 provided at both ends of the heat exchanger 10. The upstream core portion 20 and the downstream core portion 22 are disposed so as to overlap in the air flow direction 12.

[0019] The upstream core 20 and the downstream core 22 include a pair of headers 24 extending in the lateral direction, a plurality of tubes 26 disposed between the pair of headers 24, and fins (not shown) disposed between the tubes 26. The headers 24, the tubes 26, and the fins disposed between the tubes 26 are formed of metal such as aluminum and are joined to each other by brazing or the like to form an integral body.

[0020] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 10 includes a passage forming member 28 provided between the header 24 of the upstream core portion 20 and the header 24 of the downstream core portion 22 which are arranged to overlap each other.

[0021] The upstream core portion 20 includes a first split core portion 30 and a second split core portion 32 which are split at the center of the arrangement direction of the tubes 26 and have independent refrigerant flow paths. The downstream core portion 22 includes a third split core portion 34 and a fourth split core portion 36 which are split at the center of the arrangement direction of the tubes 26 and have independent refrigerant flow paths.

[0022] (Tube)

[0023] The tubes 26 provided in the cores 20 and 22 connect the headers 24 of the cores 20 and 22 to each other, and perform heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air flowing around.

[0024] Each core 20, 22 is arranged in a manner intersecting the flow direction of the air so that the air passes between each tube 26. Each core 20, 22 is arranged overlapping in the flow direction of the air so that the air passes continuously. In the heat exchanger 10 of this embodiment, two cores 20, 22 are arranged to form two layers in front and back, but it is not limited to two, and multiple cores can be provided.

[0025] The tubes 26 are arranged in parallel and stacked at intervals. The tubes 26 are formed into a flat shape and stacked in the thickness direction. Fins are provided between adjacent tubes 26. The tubes 26 are stacked in a direction intersecting the air flow direction 12. A flow path for the refrigerant to flow is formed in the tubes 26.

[0026] (Fin)

[0027] The fins are provided between adjacent tubes 26 and are alternately stacked with the tubes 26. The fins are formed into a corrugated shape along the length direction of the tubes 26 and are joined to two adjacent tubes 26. Air supplied by a fan (not shown) of the air conditioner passes around the plurality of tubes 26 and the fins. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing inside the tubes 26 can exchange heat with the air via the surface of the tubes 26 and the fins. In this way, the fins promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air.

[0028] (Reinforcement member)

[0029] The reinforcing members 23 are respectively provided at both ends of the upstream core 20 and the downstream core 22. The reinforcing members 23 abut against the fins provided at both ends of the upstream core 20 and the downstream core 22. The ends of the reinforcing members 23 in the longitudinal direction are respectively engaged with each header 24, and the paired headers 24 are connected and reinforced. When the tubes 26 and the fins are brazed to form the upstream core 20 and the downstream core 22, the reinforcing members 23 are brazed to the fins and become one with the upstream core 20 and the downstream core 22.

[0030] (Header box)

[0031] The interior of the header 24 of the upstream core 20 is divided at the center of the arrangement direction of the tubes 26, and the header 24 includes a first upper header 40 constituting the first split core 30 and a second upper header 42 constituting the second split core 32. In addition, the header 24 of the upstream core 20 includes a first lower header (not shown) constituting the first split core 30 and a second lower header 46 constituting the second split core 32. The first lower header and the second lower header 46 are connected to each other internally. In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the first lower header and the second lower header 46 are separate bodies is described, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the first lower header and the second lower header 46 may be integrated.

[0032] The interior of the header 24 of the downstream core 22 is divided at the center of the arrangement direction of the tubes 26, and includes a third upper header 50 constituting the third split core 34 and a fourth upper header 52 constituting the fourth split core 36. In addition, the header 24 of the downstream core 22 includes a third lower header 54 constituting the third split core 34 and a fourth lower header 56 constituting the fourth split core 36. The third lower header 54 and the fourth lower header 56 are divided from each other.

[0033] Figure 2 It is an enlarged view of the main part of the header box 24. Figure 3 It is an enlarged view of the main part showing a state where the pipe 26 is inserted into the header 24 . Figure 4 yes Figure 1 IV-IV section view in FIG.

[0034] like Figure 4 As shown, each header box 24 is a cylindrical shape that is long in the arrangement direction of the tubes 26 (see Figure 1 The cross section of each upper header 40, 50, (42, 52) is formed into a substantially rectangular shape. The upper surface 60 of each upper header 40, 50, (42, 52) is formed into a curved surface shape in which the center portion in the width direction protrudes upward when the heat exchanger 10 is installed.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the first upper pipe header 40 and the third upper pipe header 50 have box side holes 62 at the portions facing each other (only the first upper pipe header 40 is shown). In addition, the second upper pipe header 42 and the fourth upper pipe header 52 also have box side holes 62 at the portions facing each other. Figure 2 4 representatively shows a main portion of the first upper header 40 of the first split core 30 .

[0036] Each upper header box 40, (42, 50, 52) has, for example, five box side holes 62. Each box side hole 62 is a long hole that is long in the longitudinal direction of each upper header box 40, (42, 50, 52). Each box side hole 62 is arranged at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the header box 24, and a connecting portion 64 exists between adjacent box side holes 62.

[0037] Thus, compared with a case where a single box side hole 62 that is long in the longitudinal direction of the header 24 is formed in each upper header 40 (42, 50, 52), a decrease in the rigidity of each upper header 40 (42, 50, 52) can be suppressed.

[0038] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, each header box 24 has a plurality of tube insertion ports 66 for inserting the tubes 26. When assuming an imaginary region 68 extending along the circumferential direction of each header box 24 through the connecting portion 64 between the adjacent box side holes 62, the tube insertion ports 66 include tube insertion ports opening in the imaginary region 68 (see Figure 3 ).

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, each tube insertion port 66 is formed by flanging. A rising wall 70 is formed at the edge of each tube insertion port 66, and the rising wall 70 supports the inserted tube 26 from the peripheral surface and reinforces the tube insertion port 66 (see Figure 4 ).

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, a pair of headers 24 are provided in each core 20, 22 so as to face each other. The headers 24 are arranged so that both ends of the plurality of tubes 26 in the longitudinal direction are inserted. Each header 24 temporarily stores the refrigerant.

[0041] The ends of the upper headers 40, 42, 50, 52, the first lower header, and the third lower header 54 are closed by closing members 72. The ends of the second lower header 46 and the fourth lower header 56 are provided with relay members 74 for relaying pipes.

[0042] The refrigerant used in the air conditioner flows into the header 24 on one side of each core 20, 22. The refrigerant flowing into the header 24 on one side flows through a plurality of tubes 26. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the air while flowing through the tubes 26. The refrigerant flowing through the tubes 26 flows into the header 24 on the other side of each core 20, 22.

[0043] (Path Forming Member)

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the passage forming member 28 is provided between the first upper header 40 of the first split core 30 and the third upper header 50 of the third split core 34, which are arranged in an overlapping manner. In addition, the passage forming member 28 is provided between the second upper header 42 of the second split core 32 and the fourth upper header 52 of the fourth split core 36, which are arranged in an overlapping manner.

[0045] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the passage forming member 28 . Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the header 24 and the passage forming member 28 .

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, the passage forming member 28 is a long strip-shaped member and is formed into a Y-shaped cross section by a plate-shaped insertion piece 80 inserted between the cores 20 and 22 arranged in a stacked manner and a forked portion 82 formed at the end of the insertion piece 80 .

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, the thickness dimension T1 of the insert piece 80 is greater than the thickness dimension T2 of each header box 24 .

[0048] The outer side surfaces of one piece 84 and the other piece 86 constituting the forked portion 82 are curved surfaces along the curved surface of the upper surface 60 of each upper header 40, 50, (42, 52). Thus, when the insertion piece 80 of the passage forming member 28 is disposed between the adjacent upper headers 40, 50, (42, 52), one piece 84 of the forked portion 82 is in surface contact with the upper surface 60 of the upper header 50, (40, 42, 52) on one side. In addition, the other piece 86 of the forked portion 82 is in surface contact with the upper surface 60 of the upper header 40, (42, 50, 52) on the other side.

[0049] Furthermore, the insertion amount of the passage forming member 28 between the adjacent upper headers 40, 50, (42, 52) is determined in a state where one piece 84 and the other piece 86 of the forked portion 82 are in surface contact with the upper surface 60 of each upper header 40, 50, (42, 52). In this inserted state, the passage forming member 28 is brazed to each upper header 40, 50, (42, 52).

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, the insertion piece 80 of the passage forming member 28 has ten communication holes 90 that communicate the opposing case side holes 62 with each other. The communication holes 90 are elliptical holes shorter in length than the case side holes 62, and two communication holes 90 communicate with one case side hole 62.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the tank side hole 62 is formed as a long hole longer than the communicating hole 90 , but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the communicating hole 90 may be formed as a long hole longer than the tank side hole 62 .

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, the thickness dimension T1 of the insert piece 80 of the passage forming member 28 is larger than the thickness dimension T2 of each header 24. Therefore, when the pressure in each header 24 is increased, the pressure receiving area per unit length formed by the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole 90 of the insert piece 80 is larger than the pressure receiving area per unit length formed by the inner peripheral surface of the tank side hole 62 of each header 24.

[0053] Therefore, if the communicating hole 90 is formed as a long hole, the total pressure-receiving area formed by the inner peripheral surface of the communicating hole 90 increases. As a result, the pressure received by the inner peripheral surface of the communicating hole 90 increases, and the communicating hole 90 may be deformed.

[0054] Therefore, in this embodiment, the tank side hole 62 is formed as a long hole longer than the communicating hole 90 , thereby suppressing the increase in the total pressure receiving area formed by the inner peripheral surface of the communicating hole 90 and preventing the communicating hole 90 from being deformed.

[0055] Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the tank side hole 62 and the communication hole 90, and shows a state where the passage forming member 28 is provided between the upper headers 50 (40, 42, 52) arranged in an overlapping manner.

[0056] like Figure 7 As shown, the length dimension L1 of the box side hole 62 of each upper header box 50, (40, 42, 52) is longer than the length dimension L2 between one end 92 and the other end 94 of an adjacent group of communication holes 90. Specifically, the length dimension L1 of the box side hole 62 is longer than the length dimension L2 between one end 92 and the other end 94 of an adjacent group of communication holes 90 by, for example, 0.5 mm.

[0057] Thus, even when the passage forming member 28 is arranged offset in the longitudinal direction of each upper header 50, (40, 42, 52), it is possible to prevent a group of communication holes 90 from deviating from the tank side hole 62. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a communication passage formed at the communication portion between the communication hole 90 and the tank side hole 62 from being narrowed.

[0058] (Relay component)

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, the relay member 74 has a second lower tank connecting pipe 100 communicating with the second lower header 46 and a fourth lower tank connecting pipe 102 communicating with the fourth lower header 56. In addition, the relay member 74 has a third lower tank connecting pipe 104 communicating with the third lower header 54. Pipes (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant are connected to the respective connecting pipes 100, 102, 104.

[0060] The refrigerant flows from the supply pipe into the third lower header 54 via the third lower tank connecting pipe 104, flows through the tube 26, and flows into the third split core portion 34 into the first split core portion 30 via the passage forming member 28. The refrigerant that has flowed into the first split core portion 30 is recovered by the recovery pipe via the first lower header, the second lower header 46, and the second lower tank connecting pipe 100.

[0061] The refrigerant flows from the supply pipe into the fourth lower header 56 via the fourth lower tank connecting pipe 102, flows through the pipe 26, and flows into the fourth split core portion 36 via the passage forming member 28 to flow into the second split core portion 32. The refrigerant that has flowed into the second split core portion 32 is recovered by the recovery pipe via the second lower header 46 and the second lower tank connecting pipe 100.

[0062] According to the above embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0063] The heat exchanger 10 is a heat exchanger 10 that exchanges heat between a refrigerant that undergoes a phase change between a liquid phase and a gas phase and air. The heat exchanger 10 includes cores 20 and 22, each of which includes a pair of headers 24 disposed opposite to each other, and a plurality of tubes 26 that connect the headers 24 to each other and exchange heat between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air flowing around. A plurality of cores 20 and 22 are disposed overlappingly in the air flow direction 12. The heat exchanger 10 includes a passage forming member 28 disposed between the headers 24 on one side and the headers 24 on the other side that are disposed overlappingly.

[0064] The header box 24 on one side and the header box 24 on the other side have the box side holes 62 at the portions facing each other. The passage forming member 28 has the communicating holes 90 that communicate the box side holes 62 facing each other. One of the box side holes 62 and the communicating holes 90 is a long hole longer than the other hole 90, and the one hole 62 communicates with a plurality of the other holes 90.

[0065] According to the heat exchanger 10 of this structure, the tank side holes 62 of the header tank 24 on one side arranged to overlap and the tank side holes 62 of the header tank 24 on the other side arranged to overlap are communicated by the communication holes 90 of the passage forming member 28 provided between the two header tanks 24. Therefore, the communication passage communicating with the header tank 24 on one side and the header tank 24 on the other side can be formed by the communication holes 90 of the passage forming member 28 provided between the header tank 24 on one side and the header tank 24 on the other side.

[0066] This eliminates the need for a distributor communicating portion, an intermediate tank portion, and a collector communicating portion for communicating between the header tank 24 on one side and the header tank 24 on the other side. Therefore, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger 10 that can simplify the structure for circulating the refrigerant.

[0067] Furthermore, one of the tank side hole 62 and the communication hole 90 is a long hole longer than the other hole 90 in the longitudinal direction of the header 24, and the one hole 62 communicates with a plurality of the other holes 90. Therefore, compared with a case where the tank side hole 62 and the communication hole 90 have the same shape, even when the passage forming member 28 provided in each header 24 is misaligned, it is possible to suppress the narrowing of the communication passage formed by the communication between the tank side hole 62 and the communication hole 90.

[0068] Furthermore, the header tank 24 on one side can be communicated with the header tank 24 on the other side by using the passage forming member 28. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced compared with the case where the header tank 24 on one side is communicated with the header tank 24 on the other side by using the distribution section communication section, the intermediate tank section, and the collection section communication section.

[0069] Furthermore, the number of connection points can be reduced compared to the case where the header 24 on one side, the distribution section communication section, the intermediate tank section, the collection section communication section, and the header 24 on the other side are sequentially connected to communicate with the header 24 on the other side. As a result, the management cost of the connection accuracy at each connection point in order to suppress refrigerant leakage can be reduced.

[0070] Thereby, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

[0071] The header 24 has a plurality of tube insertion ports 66 into which the tubes 26 are inserted, and is formed in a cylindrical shape that is long in the arrangement direction of the tubes 26. When a virtual region 68 extending in the circumferential direction of the header 24 through the connecting portion 64 provided between the adjacent tank side holes 62 is assumed, the tube insertion ports 66 include the tube insertion ports that open in the virtual region 68.

[0072] According to this structure, compared with a case where all the tube insertion ports 66 open at locations circumferentially offset from the tank side hole 62 , the area cut along the circumferential line where the tube insertion ports 66 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the header 24 can be reduced.

[0073] This can suppress a decrease in the rigidity of the header 24 , and thus can suppress deformation of the header 24 when the pipe 26 is inserted without providing a separate reinforcement structure.

[0074] Furthermore, the length dimension L1 of one hole 62 is longer than the length dimension L2 between one end 92 and the other end 94 of another set of adjacent holes 90 .

[0075] According to this structure, even when the passage forming member 28 is arranged offset in the longitudinal direction of the hole 62, it is possible to suppress the narrowing of the communication passage formed by the connection between the box side hole 62 and the communication hole 90. Thus, the flow path area formed by the communication hole 90 can be ensured without excessively improving the installation accuracy of the passage forming member 28.

[0076] Furthermore, in the passage forming member 28, the void portion formed by the communication hole 90 can be reduced. Therefore, a decrease in the rigidity of the passage forming member 28 due to the presence of the communication hole 90 can be suppressed.

[0077] In addition, the core 20 on one side and the core 22 on the other side arranged in an overlapping manner each have a plurality of split cores 30, 32, 34, 36 which are divided in the arrangement direction of the tubes 26 and have independent refrigerant flow paths. The passage forming member 28 is provided between the upper headers 40, 42, 50, 52 of the split cores 30, 32, 34, 36 arranged in an overlapping manner.

[0078] According to this configuration, the core 20 on one side and the core 22 on the other side are composed of the divided cores 30 , 32 , 34 , 36 having independent refrigerant flow paths, and heat exchange can be performed independently in each of the divided cores 30 , 32 , 34 , 36 .

[0079] Therefore, by using the heat exchanger 10 , for example, appropriate temperature control can be performed for each location in the vehicle interior space according to the presence or absence of passengers or the preferences of passengers.

[0080] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the above embodiments are only a part of application examples of the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific structures of the above embodiments.

[0081] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-118938 filed with the Japan Patent Office on July 26, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated into this specification by reference.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant that undergoes a phase change between a liquid phase and a gas phase and air, wherein: The heat exchanger has: The core is provided with a plurality of overlapping cores in the air flow direction, each core having: a pair of headers provided opposite to each other; and a plurality of tubes connecting the headers to each other to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air flowing around; as well as a passage forming member provided between the header box on one side arranged in an overlapping manner and the header box on the other side arranged in an overlapping manner, The header box on one side and the header box on the other side have box side holes at the parts facing each other. The passage forming member has a communication hole that allows the mutually opposed box side holes to communicate with each other. One of the box side hole and the communicating hole is a long hole longer than the other hole in the box length direction, and the one hole is communicated with a plurality of the other holes.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The header box has a plurality of tube insertion ports into which the tubes are inserted respectively, and the header box is formed into a cylindrical shape that is long in the arrangement direction of the tubes. When assuming a virtual region extending in the circumferential direction of the header through a connection portion provided between the adjacent tank-side holes, the tube insertion port includes a tube insertion port opening in the virtual region.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: The length dimension of the one hole is longer than the length dimension between one end and the other end of an adjacent group of the other holes.

4. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The core portion on one side and the core portion on the other side arranged in an overlapping manner each have a plurality of divided core portions which are divided in the arrangement direction of the tubes and have independent refrigerant flow paths. The passage forming member is provided between the headers of the respective split core portions arranged to overlap each other.

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