Heat exchanger

Abstract

The present invention provides a heat exchanger in which a side plate and a side surface of a collection box (such as a box cover) are appropriately connected. This heat exchanger is provided with: a plurality of tubes through which a heat medium flows; a pair of collection boxes provided at both ends of the tube in the extending direction, the tube being inserted into the pair of collection boxes; and a pair of side plates provided on the outside of both ends of the plurality of tubes in the stacking direction. The side plate is provided with a clamping part, and the clamping part is clamped with a protruding part arranged on the side surface of the collection box.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In a heat exchanger, a plurality of tubes are arranged side by side, header tanks are connected to both ends of the tubes in the extending direction thereof, and heat exchange is performed between a heat medium (including a refrigerant) flowing through the plurality of tubes via the header tanks and a fluid (such as air) flowing between the plurality of tubes. A region where a plurality of tubes are arranged side by side between a pair of header tanks forms a core portion of the heat exchanger. In addition, a pair of side plates are provided outside the core portion on both sides in the stacking direction of the tubes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, a refrigerant whose state changes and a fluid (such as water) whose state does not change are collectively referred to as a heat medium. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-028393 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, in the manufacture of such a heat exchanger, when assembling the core portion, the side plates are also assembled together with the core portion, and in this assembly, the side plates are inserted into a connecting body (lower tank) of the header tank together with the plurality of tubes.

[0005] However, in a heat exchanger manufactured by such assembly, if a high-temperature or low-temperature refrigerant flows through the tubes, the side plates inserted into the connecting body (lower tank) may be deformed by the heat of the refrigerant.

[0006] Therefore, in the manufactured heat exchanger, in order to stably maintain the connection state between the side plates and the connecting body (lower tank) without being affected by the heat of the refrigerant, it is desired to connect the side plates to the side surface of the header tank (such as a tank cover) by riveting or the like. On the other hand, when assembling the core portion, when inserting the tubes into the connecting body, it is usually necessary to apply a flux to a connecting portion of the inner surface of the connecting body that is connected to the tubes. Therefore, the side plates cannot be connected to the side surface of the tank cover at this time.

[0007] In addition, in the conventional structure of the side plates, even if the tank cover is assembled to the header tank and then the side plates are to be connected to the side surface of the header tank (such as a tank cover) by riveting or the like, the side plates cannot be connected to the side surface of the header tank because an interference occurs between a portion in the width direction of the side plates and a riveting claw or the like.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a heat exchanger in which side plates are appropriately connected to the side surface of a header tank (such as a tank cover). Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a plurality of tubes through which a heat medium flows inside; a pair of header tanks provided at both ends in the extending direction of the tubes, the tubes being inserted into the pair of header tanks; and a pair of side plates provided at positions outside both ends in the stacking direction of the plurality of tubes, the side plates having engaging portions that engage with protruding portions provided on the sides of the header tanks. Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger in which the side plates are appropriately connected to the sides of the header tanks (such as the tank covers). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a front view of the heat exchanger of the present embodiment. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a partial enlarged view showing an enlarged installation portion of the side plate having an engaging portion in the front view. Figure 3 is a partial perspective view showing a part of the side plate including the engaging portion and a part of the header tank to which the side plate is attached. Figure 4 is a partial perspective view showing a part of the side plate including the engaging portion (Modification 1) and a part of the header tank to which the side plate is attached. Figure 5 is instead of Figure 2 and is a partial enlarged view showing an enlarged installation portion of the side plate having an engaging portion (Modification 2). Figure 6 is a partial perspective view showing a part of the side plate including the engaging portion (Modification 2) and a part of the header tank to which the side plate is attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (this embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals denote parts having the same function, and repeated descriptions in each drawing will be appropriately omitted.

[0013] [Overall Configuration of the Heat Exchanger] As Figure 1As shown, the heat exchanger 1 of the present embodiment includes: a heat exchange core 2 having a plurality of tubes 21 through which a heat medium flows inside; a pair of header tanks 3 provided at both ends in the extending direction (the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure) of the tubes 21, and the tubes 21 are inserted into the pair of header tanks 3; and a pair of side plates 4 provided at positions outside both ends in the stacking direction of the plurality of tubes 21. The heat exchanger 1 exchanges heat between the heat medium (including refrigerant) flowing through the tubes 21 via the header tanks 3 and the fluid (such as air) passing between the plurality of tubes 21.

[0014] The tubes 21 of the heat exchange core 2 are tube bodies that extend in one direction (the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure) and are flat in a direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure) intersecting with their extending direction (the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure). A plurality of the tubes 21 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in a direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) intersecting with their extending direction (the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure), and the space between the plurality of tubes 21 becomes a passage for the fluid to be heat-exchanged.

[0015] The fluid to be heat-exchanged flows in the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure and exchanges heat with the heat medium flowing through the tubes 21 during the period of passing between the plurality of tubes 21. Fins 22 (such as corrugated fins) are usually provided in the space between the plurality of tubes 21 of the heat exchange core 2 and in the spaces outside both ends in the stacking direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) of the tubes 21 to improve the heat exchange efficiency. In this way, the heat exchange core 2 has a structure in which the tubes 21 and the fins 22 are alternately stacked.

[0016] The header tank 3 includes: a cylindrical tank member 31 having openings at both ends in the extending direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) along the stacking direction of the tubes 21; and a pair of covers (tank covers) 32 for closing the openings (not shown). The tank member 31 includes a tank molded body (upper tank) 31A and a connecting body (lower tank) 31B. By combining the tank molded body 31A and the connecting body 31B and closing both ends in its extending direction with the covers 32, a storage space for the heat medium is formed inside.

[0017] The end in the extending direction (the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure) of the tube 21 is inserted into the connecting body (lower tank) 31B of such a tank member 31, and then a soldering agent is applied to the connection portion with the tube 21 on the inner surface of the connecting body 31B, and brazing is performed. By doing so, the connecting body 31B is connected to the tube 21.

[0018] A pair of side plates 4 are provided between the pair of header tanks 3 and are connected to the covers 32 of the header tanks 3. Inside the pair of side plates 4, a heat exchange core 2 formed by a plurality of tubes 21 and a plurality of fins 22 is formed. A protrusion 32B is provided on the side surface 32A of the cover 32 of the header tank 3.

[0019] A pair of covers 32 at the same position of the pair of collecting boxes 3 in the extending direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) are arranged and installed on the box member 31 with their protrusions 32B facing each other. The engaging portion 43 of the side plate 4 described later is engaged with the protrusion 32B of such a cover 32.

[0020] As Figure 1 shown, in one (upper side) collecting box 3 of the pair of collecting boxes 3, an inflow port 33 is provided in the box molding body (upper box) 31A, and an outflow port 34 is provided in the box molding body 31A of the other (lower side) collecting box 3. The heat medium flowing in from the inflow port 33 flows through one (upper side) collecting box 3 to the pipe 21, and the heat medium flowing in the pipe 21 accumulates in the other (lower side) collecting box 3 and flows out from the outflow port 34.

[0021] The side plate 4 has: a main body portion 41 extending along the extending direction of the plurality of pipes 21 (the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure); and a pair of mounting portions 42 extending from both ends in the extending direction of the main body portion 41 along the extending direction of the collecting box 3 (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) and mounted on the side surface 32A of the cover 32 of the collecting box 3. In addition, as Figure 2 shown in the enlarged view, the main body portion 41 is arranged such that the surface on the side opposite to the side facing the mounting portion 42 contacts the fins 22 on the outer sides of both ends in the stacking direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) of the pipes 21 located in the heat exchange core portion 2. The heat exchange core portion 2 is supported by the pair of side plates 4 arranged in this way.

[0022] [Installation of the side plate 4] In the assembly of the heat exchanger 1 of the present embodiment, before installing the side plate 4, other components of the heat exchanger 1 are assembled. Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, first, a plurality of pipes 21 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in a direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) intersecting the extending direction of the pipes 21 (the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure), and a plurality of fins 22 are arranged between the plurality of pipes 21 and on the outer sides of both ends in the stacking direction of the pipes 21, thereby forming the heat exchange core portion 2.

[0023] Next, both ends in the extending direction of these plurality of pipes 21 are inserted into the connecting body (lower box) 31B arranged at both ends in the extending direction of the plurality of pipes 21. Then, a brazing flux is applied to the connection portion of the inner surface of the connecting body 31B with the pipes 21, and brazing is performed to connect the connecting body 31B and the pipes 21. After that, the box molding body (upper box) 31A is combined with the connecting body 31B to form the box member 31, and the two ends in the extending direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) of the box member 31 are closed with the cover 32. The side plate 4 is installed on the components assembled in this way.

[0024] As Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the side plate 4 is mounted on the side surface 32A of the cover 32 of the header box 3 through the engaging portion 43 ( Figure 3 ) in a state where the main body portion 41 of the side plate 4 is disposed closer to the pipe 21 than the mounting portion 42.

[0025] Here, the engaging portion 43 of the side plate 4 will be described with reference to Figure 3 . The components required for the description are illustrated in Figure 3 , and the illustration is appropriately omitted. The first hole portion 43A of the engaging portion 43 extends from the boundary portion F between the main body portion 41 and the mounting portion 42 in the extending direction of the main body portion 41 (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure).

[0026] The lengths in the extending direction (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure) and the width direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure) of the first hole portion 43A are slightly longer than the lengths in the extending direction (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure) and the width direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure) of the protrusion portion 32B extending from the side surface 32A of the cover 32. The second hole portion 43B of the engaging portion 43 is connected to the first hole portion 43A at the boundary portion F and extends in the extending direction of the mounting portion 42 (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure). The length in the width direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure) of the second hole portion 43B is slightly longer than the length in the width direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure) of the protrusion portion 32B.

[0027] In the example of Figure 3 , two protrusion portions 32B are provided at intervals on the side surface 32A of the cover 32. As shown in (a) and (b) of Figure 3 , for the side plate 4, in the width direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure) intersecting with the extending direction of the main body portion 41 (the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure), the two engaging portions 43 are provided at intervals at positions corresponding to the two protrusion portions 32B. In addition, the number of the protrusion portions 32B provided on the side surface 32A of the cover 32 (that is, the number of the engaging portions 43 provided on the side plate 4) is not limited to this, and may be one or any number.

[0028] In order to mount the side plate 4 having the engaging portion 43 on the side surface 32A of the cover 32, first, the side plate 4 is arranged such that the main body portion 41 is closer to the pipe 21 than the mounting portion 42. Between a pair of header boxes 3, the side plate 4 is moved from the outside of both ends in the stacking direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) of the pipes 21 and the fins 22 of the heat exchange core portion 2 toward the fins 22 at both ends in the stacking direction (until it contacts the fins 22) so that the surface of the mounting portion 42 on the side opposite to the surface facing the main body portion 41 contacts the surface 32A-1 ( Figure 2 ) of the side surface 32A provided with the protrusion portion 32B.

[0029] At this time, in Figure 3In the example, the side plate 4 is moved relative to the cover 32 of the header box 3 mounted on the heat exchange core 2 in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure. The extending direction of the protrusion 32B (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure) is substantially perpendicular to the surface direction of the mounting portion 42 and is substantially parallel to the extending direction of the first hole portion 43A (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure). In this state, after the protrusion 32B is arranged in the first hole portion 43A without interfering with the mounting portion 42 by such an operation of the side plate 4, it is arranged at the end portion in the extending direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) of the second hole portion 43B via the first hole portion 43A ( Figure 3 of (a)). After that, by riveting (for example, hot riveting), the front end 32B-1 of the protrusion 32B is bent so that the bent front end 32B-1 of the protrusion 32B is engaged and fixed with the end portion in the extending direction of the second hole portion 43B ( Figure 3 of (b)).

[0030] In addition, in Figure 3 of (b), the front end 32B-1 of the protrusion 32B is bent toward the arrow Y direction side shown in the figure. However, it is not limited to this example. As long as the front end 32B-1 engages with the second hole portion 43B, it can be bent toward any direction side. For example, it can also be bent toward the arrow Z direction side shown in Figure 3 the figure or the direction side opposite thereto.

[0031] In this way, in the present embodiment, the side plate 4 having the engaging portion 43 including the first hole portion 43A and the second hole portion 43B can be easily mounted on the side surface 32A of the cover 32 of the header box 3 without interfering with the protrusion 32B of the cover 32. That is, in the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 1 in which the side plate 4 is appropriately connected to the side surface of the header box 3 without interference can be configured.

[0032] Hereinafter, Modification Examples 1 and 2 of the present embodiment will be described. In addition, in Modification Examples 1 and 2, descriptions of the same contents as those in the above-described embodiment are omitted. In addition, even in Figure 4 , Figure 6 only the constituent parts necessary for the description are illustrated, and the illustration is appropriately omitted in the same manner as in Figure 3 .

[0033] [Modification Example 1] In Modification Example 1, the heat exchanger 1 includes a side plate 4A provided with two engaging portions 44 shown in Figure 3 of (a) and (b) instead of the two engaging portions 43 in Figure 4 . Figure 4The engaging portion 44 of the side plate 4A shown has: a first hole portion 44A that extends from the end portion of the mounting portion 42A on the side opposite to the main body portion 41 side (the boundary portion F side) in the extending direction of the mounting portion 42A (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure); and a second hole portion 44B that is connected to the first hole portion 44A and extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first hole portion 44A in the mounting portion 42A (the width direction of the mounting portion 42A (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure)).

[0034] The length of the first hole portion 44A in the width direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure) is slightly longer than the length of the protruding portion 32B extending from the side surface 32A of the cover 32 in the width direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure). The length of the second hole portion 44B in the width direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) is slightly longer than the length of the protruding portion 32B in the height direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure).

[0035] In Modification 1, different from the above example, the heat exchanger 1 is assembled as follows. Specifically, the mounting portion 42A of the side plate 4A is pre-mounted on the cover 32. Here, the side plate 4A is mounted on the side surface 32A of the cover 32 through the engaging portion 44 in a state where the main body portion 41 is disposed closer to the tube 21 side than the mounting portion 42A in the main body portion 41.

[0036] Next, a heat exchange core portion 2 is formed by a plurality of tubes 21 and a plurality of fins 22, and both ends in the extending direction of the plurality of tubes 21 are inserted into the connecting body (lower case) 31B. Then, after applying a solder flux to the connecting portion of the inner surface of the connecting body 31B with the tube 21 and connecting the connecting body 31B and the tube 21, the box-shaped body (upper case) 31A is combined with the connecting body 31B to form the box member 31.

[0037] After that, both ends of the box member 31 are closed with the cover 32. Since the cover 32 is mounted on both ends in the extending direction of the side plate 4A, the upper and lower two openings are simultaneously closed at both ends in the extending direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) of the pair of upper and lower box members 31 connected to the heat exchange core portion 2.

[0038] To mount the side surface 32A of the cover 32 on the side plate 4A having the engaging portion 44, as Figure 4 shown, the side plate 4A is arranged such that the main body portion 41 is closer to the tube 21 side than the mounting portion 42A, and the cover 32 is moved relative to the side plate 4A so that the surface 32A-1 ( Figure 2 ) provided with the protruding portion 32B of the side surface 32A contacts the surface of the mounting portion 42A on the side opposite to the side opposite to the main body portion 41, and the protruding portion 32B is disposed in the second hole portion 44B via the first hole portion 44A. Additionally, of course, the side plate 4A can also be moved relative to the cover 32, and in this case, the same mounting can also be performed.

[0039] At this time, at Figure 4In the example, the cover 32 is moved relative to the side plate 4A in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure and then moved in the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure. The extending direction of the protrusion 32B (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure) is substantially perpendicular to the surface direction of the mounting portion 42A. In this state, due to such an action of the cover 32, the protrusion 32B, without interfering with the mounting portion 42A, is arranged from the end portion on the side opposite to its main body portion 41 side (the boundary portion F side) in the first hole portion 44A to the end portion in its extending direction (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure), and then is arranged via the first hole portion 44A to the end portion in its extending direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure) in the second hole portion 44B.

[0040] By doing so, after the protrusion 32B is arranged via the first hole portion 44A at the end portion in the extending direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure) of the second hole portion 44B ( Figure 4 in (a) of), the front end 32B-1 of the protrusion 32B is bent by riveting (such as hot riveting), and the front end 32B-1 of the bent protrusion 32B is engaged and fixed with the end portion in the extending direction of the second hole portion 44B ( Figure 4 in (b) of).

[0041] In addition, in Figure 4 the example of (b), the front end 32B-1 of the protrusion 32B is also bent toward the arrow Y direction side in the figure, but it is not limited to this example. As long as it is the direction in which the front end 32B-1 is engaged with the second hole portion 44B, it can be bent toward any direction side. For example, it can be bent toward Figure 4 the arrow Z direction side in the figure or the direction side opposite to the arrow Y direction in the figure.

[0042] In this way, in the modified example 1, the side plate 4A having the engaging portion 44 including the first hole portion 44A and the second hole portion 44B can be easily mounted on the side surface 32A of the cover 32 of the collecting box 3, and the heat exchanger 1 in which the side plate 4A is properly connected to the side surface of the collecting box 3 without interference can be formed.

[0043] [Modified Example 2] In the modified example 2, the heat exchanger 1 has, instead of Figure 3 the side plate 4, Figure 5 , Figure 6 the side plate 4B. The side plate 4B has substantially the same structure as Figure 4 the side plate 4A, but the length of the extending direction of the mounting portion 42B (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow Y shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 the figure) is shorter than the length of the extending direction of the mounting portion 42A of Figure 4 the side plate 4A ( Figure 4 the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure), and is the same as the extending direction of the side surface 32A of the cover 32 (the same as Figure 5 ,Figure 6 The lengths in the direction opposite to the direction of the illustrated arrow Y are substantially the same.

[0044] The engaging portion 45 of the side plate 4B has: a first hole portion 45A that extends from the end portion of the mounting portion 42B on the side opposite to the main body portion 41 side (the boundary portion F side) in the extending direction of the mounting portion 42B ( Figure 6 the direction of the illustrated arrow Y); and a second hole portion 45B that is connected to the first hole portion 45A and extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first hole portion 45A in the mounting portion 42B (the width direction of the mounting portion 42B (the illustrated arrow Z direction)).

[0045] In Modification 2, the side plate 4B having substantially the same configuration as the side plate 4A in Modification 1 is arranged in a different state from the side plate 4A, and the mounting portion 42B is arranged at a position closer to the pipe 21 side than the main body portion 41. By arranging the side plate 4B in this way, similar to the above-described embodiment Figures 1 to 3 It can be mounted on the side surface 32A of the lid 32 of the header tank 3 mounted on the heat exchange core portion 2B.

[0046] That is, in Modification 2, similar to the above-described embodiment Figures 1 to 3 In the example, before mounting the side plate 4B, other components of the heat exchanger 1 are assembled. As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, in a state where the mounting portion 42B is arranged at a position closer to the pipe 21 side than the main body portion 41, the side plate 4B is mounted on the side surface 32A of the lid 32 through the engaging portion 45. The heat exchanger 1 of such Modification 2 is provided with a heat exchange core portion 2B that alternately has more pipes 21 and fins 22 than the Figure 2 heat exchange core portion 2.

[0047] To mount the side plate 4B having the engaging portion 45 on the side surface 32A of the lid 32, as Figure 5 , Figure 6 shown, first, the side plate 4B is arranged such that the mounting portion 42B is closer to the pipe 21 side than the main body portion 41. Between the pair of header tanks 3, the side plate 4B is moved from the outer sides of both ends in the stacking direction (the direction of the illustrated arrow Y) of the pipes 21 and fins 22 of the heat exchange core portion 2B toward the fins 22 at both ends in its stacking direction (until it contacts the fin 22) so that the surface of the mounting portion 42B on the side opposite to the side facing the main body portion 41 contacts the surface 32A-1 ( Figure 5 ) provided with the protrusion 32B of the side surface 32A.

[0048] At this time, in Figure 6In the example, the side plate 4B is moved relative to the lid 32 of the header box 3 mounted on the heat exchange core 2B in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure and then in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure. The extending direction of the protrusion 32B (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure) is substantially perpendicular to the surface direction of the mounting portion 42B. In this state, by such an action of the side plate 4B, the protrusion 32B is arranged from the end portion on the side opposite to the main body portion 41 side (the boundary portion F side) in the first hole portion 45A to the end portion in its extending direction (the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure) without interfering with the mounting portion 42B, and then is arranged in the second hole portion 45B from the first hole portion 45A to the end portion in its extending direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure). Figure 6 of (a).

[0049] Then, the front end 32B-1 of the protrusion 32B is bent by riveting (for example, hot riveting), and the front end 32B-1 of the bent protrusion 32B is engaged and fixed with the end portion in the extending direction (the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure) of the second hole portion 45B. Figure 6 of (b).

[0050] In addition, in Figure 6 the example of (b), the front end 32B-1 of the protrusion 32B is also bent toward the side of the arrow Y shown in the figure, but it is not limited to this example. As long as the front end 32B-1 engages with the second hole portion 45B, it can be bent toward any side direction. For example, it can also be bent toward Figure 6 the side of the arrow Z shown in the figure or the side in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow Y shown in the figure.

[0051] In this way, in the modification 2, the side plate 4B having the engaging portion 45 including the first hole portion 45A and the second hole portion 45B can be easily mounted on the side surface 32A of the lid 32 of the header box 3 without interfering with the protrusion 32B of the lid 32. That is, in the modification 2, the heat exchanger 1 that can appropriately connect the side plate 4B to the side surface of the header box 3 without interference can be constituted.

[0052] As described above, the present embodiment and its modifications have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the above examples, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0053] In the above embodiment, modification 1, and modification 2, the example of mounting the side plates 4, 4A, 4B on the side surface 32A of the lid 32 of the header box 3 has been described, but it is not limited to this example. For example, the side plates 4, 4A, 4B can also be mounted on the side surface of the connecting body (lower box) 31B of the header box 3. Even in this case, the side plates 4, 4A, 4B can be easily mounted on the side surface of the connecting body 31B without interfering with the protrusion (not shown) provided on the side surface of the connecting body 31B. Description of reference numerals:

[0054] 1: Heat exchanger; 2, 2B: Heat exchange core; 3: Manifold; 4, 4A, 4B: Side plate; 21: Tube; 22: Fin; 31: Box component; 31A: Box formed body (upper box); 31B: Connecting body (lower box); 32: Cover (box cover); 32A: Side surface; 32A-1: Surface of side surface 32A provided with protrusion 32B; 32B: Protrusion; 32B-1: Front end; 33: Inlet; 34: Outlet; 41: Main body; 42, 42A, 42B: Mounting portion; 43 to 45: Engaging portion; 43A, 44A, 45A: First hole portion; 43B, 44B, 45B: Second hole portion; F: Boundary portion.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, characterized in that, the heat exchanger comprises: a plurality of tubes through which a heat medium flows inside; a pair of header tanks provided at both ends in the extending direction of the tubes, and the tubes are inserted into the pair of header tanks; and a pair of side plates provided at positions outside the both ends in the stacking direction of the plurality of tubes, the side plates have engaging portions that engage with protruding portions provided on the sides of the header tanks.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, the header tank has: a cylindrical tank member that is open at both ends in the extending direction along the stacking direction of the tubes; and a pair of covers that close the openings, the engaging portion engages with the protruding portion provided on the side of the cover.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, the side plate has: a main body portion that extends along the extending direction of the tubes; and a pair of mounting portions that extend along the extending direction of the header tank from both ends in the extending direction of the main body portion, and are mounted on the side of the header tank through the engaging portions, the main body portion is disposed at a position closer to the tubes than the mounting portions.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that, the engaging portion has: a first hole portion that extends from the boundary portion between the main body portion and the mounting portion in the extending direction of the main body portion; and a second hole portion that is connected to the first hole portion and extends in the extending direction of the mounting portion, by moving the side plate from a position outside the both ends in the stacking direction of the tubes toward the tubes, the protruding portion is disposed in the second hole portion via the first hole portion, and the second hole portion is engaged with the front end of the protruding portion by riveting.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that, the heat exchanger has a plurality of fins, and the plurality of fins are disposed between the plurality of tubes and outside both ends in the stacking direction of the tubes, the main body portion is disposed in contact with the fins located outside both ends in the stacking direction of the tubes.

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