Heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention provides a heat exchanger capable of achieving both miniaturization and large diameter of a fluid path. A heat exchanger (1) is provided with: a laminated body (2) in which flow paths for a first fluid and flow paths for a second fluid are alternately formed in the lamination direction by laminating a plurality of plates (21, 22, 23, 24); a bottomed cylindrical case (3) that accommodates the laminated body (2) and has an opening on one side in the lamination direction; and a bottom plate (4) provided on the opening side of the case (3), the case (3) having: a side wall part (32) covering the side surface of the laminate; a top surface section (31) provided in the case (3) on the side facing the laminated body; inclined surface parts (35, 36) which are continuous with the side wall part (32) and the top surface part (31) and are inclined relative to the side wall part (32); and an inflow port (33), an outflow port (34), or both, provided in the inclined surface sections (35, 36) and through which the first fluid passes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] Heat exchangers that facilitate heat exchange between multiple fluids are used, for example, as water-cooled oil coolers that use refrigerants such as long-life coolant (LLC) to cool the lubricating oil of internal combustion engines. Additionally, heat exchangers are known to have a housing and a core housed within the housing, with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet located on the side of the outer peripheral wall of the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-127819

[0004] In conventional heat exchangers as shown in Patent Document 1, the upper limit of the diameter of the fluid inlet and fluid outlet is limited by the height of the outer peripheral wall. Therefore, in heat exchangers, the fluid inlet and fluid outlet are located on the vertical wall surface of the casing when the diameter of the fluid inlet and fluid outlet is larger than the height of the outer peripheral wall.

[0005] However, due to factors such as vehicle electrification, there is an increasing demand for miniaturization in the vertical (height) direction and reduction of pressure loss in heat exchangers. Therefore, heat exchangers require a structure that balances miniaturization in the vertical (height) direction with large-diameter fluid inlet and outlet. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a heat exchanger that can take into account both miniaturization and large-diameter fluid path.

[0007] To address the aforementioned issues, the heat exchanger of the present invention comprises: a laminated body, wherein flow paths for a first fluid and a second fluid are alternately formed in a stacking direction by stacking multiple plates; a bottomed cylindrical shell housing the laminated body and having an opening on one side in the stacking direction; and a bottom plate disposed on the opening side of the shell, the shell having: a sidewall portion covering the side surface of the laminated body; a top portion disposed in the shell on a side opposite to the laminated body; an inclined portion continuous with the sidewall portion and the top portion and disposed inclined relative to the sidewall portion; and an inlet, an outlet, or both thereof disposed on the inclined portion for the passage of the first fluid.

[0008] In one embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention, the diameter of at least one of the inlet or the outlet is greater than the length of the sidewall portion in the stacking direction.

[0009] In one embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention, the inclined surface is provided to bulge outward from the sidewall portion.

[0010] In one embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention, the inclined surface portion is inclined in multiple directions relative to the sidewall portion.

[0011] In one embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention, the inclined surface is disposed facing the top surface side.

[0012] The effects of the invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a heat exchanger that can achieve both miniaturization and large-diameter fluid path can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the stacked body and base plate of the heat exchanger in the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger stack and base plate of the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a top view showing the heat exchanger in the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 The heat exchanger is an implementation method Figure 4 AA sectional view.

[0019] Figure 6 The heat exchanger is an implementation method Figure 4 BB cross-sectional view.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a top view showing a modified example of the heat exchanger implemented in this way.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a variation of the heat exchanger in the implementation method. Figure 7 AA sectional view.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a variation of the heat exchanger in the implementation method. Figure 7 BB cross-sectional view

[0023] Explanation of symbols

[0024] 1, 1B: Heat exchanger; 2, 2B: Laminated body; 3, 3B: Shell; 4, 4B: Base plate; 5: Inlet pipe; 6: Outlet pipe; 20: Outer periphery; 21: First plate; 22: Second plate; 23, 23B: Lowermost plate; 24: Uppermost plate; 25: Finned plate; 26: Recess; 27: Second distribution flow path; 28: First distribution flow path; 29: Lower plate; 31: Top surface; 32: Side wall; 33: Inlet; 34: Outlet; 35: Inclined surface; 36: Inclined surface; 41, 41B: Through hole; 42: Mounting hole; 201: First corner; 202: Second corner; 210, 220, 230, 240, 290: Fluid guide wall; 211, 22 1, 231, 231B, 241, 291: Bosses; 212, 222, 232, 242, 292: Through holes; 213, 223, 233, 233B, 243, 293: Protrusions; 214, 224, 234, 244, 294: Outer peripheral flanges; 215: First sealing part; 225: Second sealing part; 235: First protrusion; 236: Second protrusion; 237: Reinforcing rib; 244: Outer peripheral flange; 245: First sealing part; 301: First corner; 302: Second corner; 321: Long side sidewall; 322: Short side sidewall; 323: Curved part; 324: Enlarged part; L1: First diagonal; L2: Second diagonal. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the laminate 2 and the base plate 4 of the heat exchanger 1. Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the stacked body 2 and the base plate 4 of the heat exchanger 1. Figure 4 This is a top view showing heat exchanger 1.

[0027] [Summary of Implementation Methods]

[0028] First, a summary of representative embodiments of the invention disclosed in this application will be given. Furthermore, in the following description, as an example, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings corresponding to the constituent elements of the invention will be enclosed in parentheses.

[0029] [1] The heat exchanger (1) comprises: a laminate (2) which alternately forms a flow path for a first fluid and a flow path for a second fluid in the stacking direction by stacking multiple plates (21, 22, 23, 24); a bottom cylindrical shell (3) which houses the laminate and has an opening on one side in the stacking direction; and a bottom plate (4) which is provided on the opening side of the shell. The shell has: a side wall portion (32) which covers the side of the laminate; a top portion portion (31) which is provided in the shell on the side opposite to the laminate; an inclined portion portion (35, 36) which is continuous with the side wall portion and the top portion portion and is inclined relative to the side wall portion; and an inlet (33), an outlet (34) or both thereof, which are provided on the inclined portion portion for the passage of the first fluid.

[0030] [2] The diameter of at least one of the inlet or outlet can be greater than the length of the sidewall portion in the stacking direction.

[0031] [3] The tilted face can also be bulging outward from the side wall.

[0032] [4] The tilted face can also be tilted in multiple directions relative to the side wall.

[0033] [5] The tilted face can also be set to face the top side.

[0034] [Structure of a heat exchanger]

[0035] The heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment will now be described in detail. For ease of explanation, the following will use... Figure 1 In the heat exchanger 1 shown, the stacking direction of the laminate 2 is defined as the Z direction (vertical direction, height direction). The Z direction is the thickness direction of the shell 3 (as described later, the direction in which the shell 3 has an opening). The direction perpendicular to the Z direction, i.e., the long side direction of one of the surface directions of the laminate 2, is defined as the X direction (left-right direction, width direction), and the other direction perpendicular to the Z direction, i.e., the short side direction, is defined as the Y direction (front-back direction, depth direction). In the following description, when the positional relationship and direction of each component are described as right side, left side, front side, rear side, top side, and bottom side, it only indicates the positional relationship and direction in the attached drawings and does not limit the positional relationship and direction in the actual heat exchanger 1. Specifically, in the Z direction, the side of the shell 3 with the opening (the side where the bottom plate 4 is provided), Figures 1 to 4 The bottom side is set as the bottom side, and its opposite side is set as the bottom side. Figures 1 to 4 The upper side in the Z direction is designated as the upper side. Sometimes they are simply referred to as up and down. However, the up and down in the Z direction is for convenience and may not be consistent with the up and down in the vertical direction in actual use.

[0036] Heat exchanger 1 is used, for example, in the cooling water system of an automobile (vehicle). An automobile equipped with heat exchanger 1 may have only an internal combustion engine as a drive source, or it may have both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, or it may have only an electric motor. Heat exchanger 1 is provided to cool the fluids used in the vehicle. Cooling water is an example of the fluid used for cooling, and oils such as working oil are examples of the fluid to be cooled. However, these fluids can be appropriately selected according to the vehicle's drive method, the type of heat-generating component, and the required cooling performance. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fluid used for cooling is designated as the first fluid, and the fluid to be cooled is designated as the second fluid. However, it is also possible to designate the fluid used for cooling as the second fluid and the fluid to be cooled as the first fluid.

[0037] The heat exchanger 1 comprises a laminate 2, a shell 3, a base plate 4, an inlet pipe 5 corresponding to the fluid inlet, and an outlet pipe 6 corresponding to the fluid outlet (see reference). Figures 1-3 The stacked body 2 has two rotational symmetries when viewed from above about the axis of rotation that passes through the intersection of the diagonals L1 and L2 (described later) and extends along the Z direction, thus becoming a shape symmetrical on the inflow and outflow sides (see reference). Figure 4 That is, when the heat exchanger 1 is rotated 180° around the rotation axis, the shape before rotation is the same as the shape after rotation.

[0038] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the laminate 2 alternately forms a flow path for a first fluid (cooling water flow path) and a flow path for a second fluid (oil flow path) in the Z direction by alternately stacking a first plate 21 and a second plate 22 in the Z direction, and also has a lowermost plate 23 and an uppermost plate 24. The laminate 2 is formed into a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape by each plate 21-24 extending along the XY plane (the direction along the XY plane is defined as the in-plane direction) and being stacked in the Z direction. The two imaginary diagonals when viewing the laminate 2 from the Z direction are designated as the first diagonal L1 and the second diagonal L2, the pair of corners connected by the first diagonal L1 is designated as the first corner 201, and the pair of corners connected by the second diagonal L2 is designated as the second corner 202 (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0039] In the laminate 2, a second plate 22 is overlapped on the bottommost plate 23 (i.e., on the side opposite to the bottom plate 4), and a first plate 21 is overlapped on top of it. The topmost plate 24 is overlapped on the second plate 22, forming the same planar shape as the first plate 21. A finned plate 25 is provided on the upper side of the second plate 22 and on the lower side of the first plate 21 or the topmost plate 24, forming a flow path for a second fluid (oil). In contrast, a flow path for a first fluid (cooling water) is formed between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the bottommost plate 23 and the lower side of the second plate 22, and between the upper side of the topmost plate 24 and the inner side of the top surface 31 of the housing 3. In addition, each plate constituting the laminate 2 can be made of, for example, an aluminum cladding material.

[0040] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first plate 21 has: a boss 211 formed at the second corner 202, protruding upward; a through hole 212 formed at the boss 211; a plurality of protrusions 213 formed on the upper surface, protruding upward; an outer peripheral flange 214 protruding upward in the Z direction from the outer peripheral edge; and a first sealing portion 215 (see reference). Figure 3 The first plate 21 has a first corner 201 facing downward and its end extending along the X and Y directions. A portion of the outer peripheral flange 214 is cut off from the first corner 201 of the rectangular corner of the first plate 21, and a first sealing portion 215 is formed at that position.

[0041] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the second plate 22 has: a boss 221 formed at the second corner 202, protruding downward; a through hole 222 formed at the boss 221; a plurality of protrusions 223 formed on the lower surface, protruding downward; an outer peripheral flange 224 protruding upward in the Z direction from the outer peripheral edge; and a second sealing portion 225 (see reference). Figure 3 The first corner 201 faces upward and the end extends along the X and Y directions. The second plate 22 has a portion of the outer peripheral flange 224 cut off from the first corner 201 in the rectangular corner, and a plate-shaped second sealing portion 225 is formed at that position.

[0042] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, similar to the first plate 21, the uppermost plate 24 has a boss 241 formed at the second corner 202, a plurality of protrusions 243, an outer peripheral flange 244, and a first sealing portion 245, forming a shape in which a portion of a rectangle has been removed. The boss 241 may not have a through hole, but in this embodiment, a through hole 242 is formed. The difference between the uppermost plate 24 and the first plate 21 is that the height of the outer peripheral flange 244 is lower than the height of the outer peripheral flange 224 of the first plate 21, and is the same as the height of the boss 241.

[0043] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the lowermost plate 23 has a shape different from the other plates. Specifically, the lowermost plate 23 is formed with an outer peripheral shape that follows the outer periphery of the lower end of the side wall portion 32 of the housing 3. The lowermost plate 23 has a first protrusion 235 and a second protrusion 236 protruding outward in the X and Y directions at positions corresponding to the first sealing portions 215, 245 and the second sealing portion 225 of the other plates (see reference). Figure 4 Additionally, the lowest plate 23 has two reinforcing ribs 237 located on the inner side of the portion extending towards the long side, corresponding to the outer peripheral flange portions 214 and 224 of the other plates (see reference). Figure 3 In addition to a boss 231 formed at the second corner 202 and protruding upward, the bottom plate 23 also has a through hole 232 formed at the boss 231, a plurality of protrusions 233 formed on the upper surface, and an outer peripheral flange 234 protruding upward in the Z direction from the outer periphery.

[0044] exist Figure 4 In the top view, the peripheral flanges 214, 224, and 244, except for the portions corresponding to the first sealing portions 215, 245, and the second sealing portion 225, are formed in the peripheral edges of each plate, becoming tapered portions inclined relative to the Z-direction in a manner that faces outwards towards the protruding side (i.e., the area surrounded by the peripheral flanges increases). Thus, the peripheral flanges of the first plate 21, the second plate 22, and the plates below the uppermost plate 24 are positioned outwards relative to the peripheral flanges of the adjacent upper plates, causing adjacent peripheral flanges in the Z-direction to taper into each other and be brazed. The peripheral flange 214 of the first plate 21 is located outside the peripheral flange 224 of the adjacent upper second plate 22, and the peripheral flange 224 of the second plate 22 is located outside the peripheral flange 214 of the adjacent upper first plate 21. The reinforcing rib 237 provided on the bottommost plate 23 located below the second plate 22 located on the bottommost side is located below the bottom surface of the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral flange 224 of the second plate 22, and the bottom surface of the second plate 22 located on the bottommost side is brazed to the reinforcing rib 237 adjacent in the Z direction.

[0045] Multiple plates are assembled by taper-fitting and brazing the peripheral flanges 214, 224, and 244 together. The assembly of the first plate 21, the second plate 22, and the uppermost plate 24 is placed on the lowermost plate 23. The bottom surface near the peripheral flange 224 of the lowermost second plate 22 is brazed to the reinforcing rib 237 (see reference). Figure 5 , Figure 6 ),like Figure 2As shown, the laminate 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole. The outer peripheral flange 234 of the bottom plate 23 is formed along the inner surface shape of the lower end of the side wall 32 of the housing 3. The bottom plate 23 and the housing 3 are liquid-tightly brazed to form an outer shell. In addition, the laminate 2 can be assembled by stacking plates inside the housing 3, or it can be assembled outside the housing 3 and then stored inside the housing 3.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the portions of the outer peripheral flanges 214, 224, and 244 extending along the Y direction constitute fluid guide walls 210, 220, and 240. The first fluid and the second fluid flow along the diagonal directions L1 and L2, thereby enabling the first fluid and the second fluid to flow along the inner surfaces of the fluid guide walls 210, 220, and 240.

[0047] In the assembled laminate 2, the first sealing portions 215 and 245 and the second sealing portion 225 overlap each other, thereby forming a recess 26 near the first corner 201 in the outer peripheral portion 20 of the laminate 2, which is recessed toward the center of the sidewall portion in the Y direction. In the recess 26, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the outer peripheral portion 20 and the inner surface of the sidewall portion 32 between the housing 3 and the laminate 2, and this gap becomes a first distribution flow path 28 through which the first fluid can pass in the Z direction.

[0048] A boss 211 extending upward around a through hole 212 is formed on the first plate 21, and a boss 221 extending downward around a through hole 222 is formed on the second plate 22. A boss 241 extending upward around a through hole 242 is formed on the uppermost plate 24 at a position corresponding to the bosses 211 and 221 on the other plates. In the laminate 2, these bosses are joined together. In the assembled laminate 2, the bosses 211, 221, and 231 overlap each other, and the through holes 212, 222, and 232 communicate with each other, thereby forming a second distribution flow path 27 through which the second fluid can pass in the Z direction. The boss 241 of the uppermost plate 24 is brazed to the inner surface of the top part 31 of the housing 3, sealing the through hole 242 of the boss 241. In this embodiment, the boss 241 of the uppermost plate 24 has a through hole 242, but the through hole 242 may not be provided. Furthermore, the space between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 is separated from the second distribution flow path 27, preventing the second fluid passing through the second distribution flow path 27 from flowing into this space. Conversely, the space between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 is connected to the second distribution flow path 27.

[0049] The laminate 2 is formed with peripheral flanges 214, 224, 244 and reinforcing ribs 237, thereby dividing the space between the plates and the external space (the space inside the shell 3) outside the recess 26. In the recess 26, the space between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 is separated from the external space by the engagement of the first sealing part 215 and the second sealing part 225, while the space between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 is connected to the external space.

[0050] The heat exchanger 1 has a flat, generally rectangular shell 3. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the housing 3 has a top surface 31, a cylindrical side wall portion 32 that is continuous with the outer periphery of the top surface 31, inclined surfaces 35 and 36 that are continuous with the side wall portion 32 and the top surface 31 and are inclined relative to the side wall portion 32, and an inlet 33 and an outlet 34 provided on the inclined surfaces 35 and 36 for the passage of a first fluid. The housing 3 is formed as a bottomed cylindrical shape.

[0051] In the housing 3, the corners are also connected by the first diagonal L1 and the second diagonal L2. In the housing 3, the pair of corners connected by the first diagonal L1 is designated as the first corner 301, and the pair of corners connected by the second diagonal L2 is designated as the second corner 302.

[0052] The top surface 31 is formed as a plate along the XY plane. The top surface 31 is formed to cover the rectangular laminate 2 from the top surface side, and to cover the top surface side of the inclined surfaces 35 and 36.

[0053] The sidewall portion 32 has a pair of long-side sidewall portions 321 corresponding to the long side of the top portion 31, a pair of short-side sidewall portions 322 corresponding to the short side, and a total of four curved portions 323 located between the long-side sidewall portions 321 and the short-side sidewall portions 322. The sidewall portion 32 extends along the Z direction and either the X or Y direction. The long-side sidewall portions 321 extend along the Z and Y directions. The short-side sidewall portions 322 extend along the Z and X directions.

[0054] The side wall portion 32 has an enlarged portion 324 at the lower end edge of the opening side of the housing 3, where both the internal and external dimensions are enlarged. The lowermost plate 23 has a larger external dimension than the other plates, and the enlarged portion 324 is provided for mounting the lowermost plate 23.

[0055] The inclined surfaces 35 and 36 are located at the corners of the housing 3, corresponding to the recesses 26 of the laminate 2, i.e., the first corner 301. The inclined surfaces 35 and 36 have surfaces that are inclined in the Z direction from the upper top surface 31 towards the lower bottom plate 4 and the lowest plate 23, and in the XY plane direction towards the outer periphery of the bottom plate 4. That is, the inclined surfaces 35 and 36 are angled relative to at least the Z direction in the direction in which they extend relative to the sidewall portion 32. Therefore, the inclined surfaces 35 and 36 are arranged facing upwards. The inclined surface 35 is inclined relative to the sidewall portion 32 in multiple directions, i.e., in addition to the Z direction, it is also inclined in the X and Y directions. Figure 1 and Figure 4 In this configuration, the tilted face 35 is tilted to the right in the Y direction and tilted upwards in the X direction. The tilted face 36 is tilted in both the Z and Y directions. That is, the tilted face 36 is... Figure 1 as well as Figure 4 The facets are positioned to the right in the Y direction. The tilt angles and directions of the tilted faces at 35° and 36° are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.

[0056] An inlet 33 and an outlet 34 for the passage of a first fluid are formed on the inclined surfaces 35 and 36. The inlet 33 and the outlet 34 are formed, for example, in the central portion of the inclined surfaces 35 and 36.

[0057] Inlet pipe 5 and outlet pipe 6 are cylindrical components through which the first fluid passes, and are liquid-tightly connected to inlet 33 and outlet 34, respectively. Inlet 33 and outlet 34 are located on inclined portions 35 and 36 of the inclined side, whereby the length of inclined portions 35 and 36 is larger than the height of the sidewall portion 32. Therefore, pipes with a diameter larger than the height of the housing 3 can be installed in inlet pipe 5 and outlet pipe 6 (see reference). Figure 1 , Figure 4 ).

[0058] The base plate 4 is formed in a flat plate shape. A pair of through holes 41 for the passage of the second fluid and multiple mounting holes 42 for mounting to other equipment are formed on the base plate 4. With the laminate 2 housed within the housing 3 and mounted on the base plate 4, the through holes 41 communicate with the second distribution flow path 27 (see reference). Figure 5 In this embodiment, the flow path of the second fluid in other devices is directly connected to the through hole 41, but the fluid can also be introduced and exported through a pipe or the like mounted relative to the base plate 4.

[0059] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view (AA) of heat exchanger 1 (see reference). Figure 4 ). Figure 6 This is a BB cross-sectional view of heat exchanger 1 (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0060] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in the heat exchanger 1, the laminate 2 contacts the top surface 31 of the housing 3 and the inner surface of the bottom plate 4 in the lamination direction. Specifically, the upper ends of the bosses 241 and protrusions 243 on the uppermost plate 24 of the laminate 2 in the lamination direction contact the inner surface of the top surface 31 of the housing 3, i.e., the inner wall, while the upper end of the outer peripheral flange 244 is located in contact with or slightly gapped from the inner wall of the top surface 31. That is, in the laminate 2, the heights of the outer peripheral flange 244, bosses 241, and protrusions 243 located on one end side in the lamination direction, i.e., the upper side in the lamination direction, are the same or approximately the same, i.e., they are of equal height.

[0061] In heat exchanger 1, the planar portion of the lowest plate 23 of the laminate 2, located at the other end of the lamination direction (i.e., the lower side of the lamination direction), contacts the inner surface of the base plate 4, i.e., the upper surface of the lamination direction (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 5 ).

[0062] Figure 7 This is a top view of heat exchanger 1B, a modified example of the embodiment. Figure 8 It is heat exchanger 1B. Figure 7 AA sectional view. Figure 9 It is heat exchanger 1B. Figure 7 BB cross-sectional view.

[0063] like Figures 7 to 9 As shown, in the modified heat exchanger 1B, the stacking method of the multiple plates in the laminate 2B is different. Specifically, in the laminate 2B of the heat exchanger 1B, the parts except the bottom plate 23 are assembled upside down in the above-mentioned heat exchanger 1 laminate 2, and the bottom plate 23B is configured with a shape corresponding to the position of different through holes 41. The bottom plate 4B is configured such that the position of the through holes 41B is different from the through holes 41 of the bottom plate 4, and can correspond to the position of different oil port on the vehicle side. The housing 3B is formed to be symmetrical about left and right with respect to the housing 3 in the X and Y plane top view, and the bottom plate 23B, the bottom plate 4B, and the housing 3B are formed with an outer peripheral shape, a boss 231B, and a through hole 232B respectively. The plate stacked on the bottom plate 23B has the same structure as the top plate 24 in the laminate 2. In the laminate 2B, to distinguish it from the uppermost plate 24 of the laminate 2, this plate will be described as the lower plate 29. The lower plate 29 is identical to the uppermost plate 24 of the laminate 2, and therefore differs from the first plate 21 in that the height of the outer peripheral flange 244 is lower than the height of the outer peripheral flange 224 of the first plate 21, and is the same as the height of the boss 241. Like the uppermost plate 24, the lower plate 29 has a boss 291, a through hole 292, a protrusion 293, and an outer peripheral flange 294 constituting the fluid guiding wall 290.

[0064] The laminate 2B is stacked with the outer peripheral flanges 214, 224, and 294 facing downwards. In other words, the laminate 2B of the heat exchanger 1B is arranged such that, relative to the laminate 2 of the heat exchanger 1, the vertical direction of the portion of the heat exchanger 1 except for the bottom plate 23 is reversed, and the bottom plate 23 is placed on the bottom plate 23B, and the laminate 2B is housed inside the housing 3. The bottom plate 23B is formed to be linearly symmetrical about the long side in a top view in the XY plane.

[0065] By constructing the laminate 2B as described above, the positions of the first distribution flow path 28 formed by the recess 26 and the second distribution flow path 27, which connects the through holes 212, 222, 232B, and 292 to allow the second fluid to pass through in the Z direction, are different from those of the laminate 2 of the heat exchanger 1 described above. Specifically, the first distribution flow path 28 in the heat exchanger 1 is located at the first corner 301 on the first diagonal L1, while the first distribution flow path 28 in the heat exchanger 1B is located at the second corner 302 on the second diagonal L2. Similarly, the second distribution flow path 27 in the heat exchanger 1 is located at the second corner 302 on the second diagonal L2, while the second distribution flow path 27 in the heat exchanger 1B is located at the first corner 301 on the first diagonal L1.

[0066] The purpose of the different positions of the first distribution flow path 28 and the second distribution flow path 27 compared to those of the heat exchanger 1 is to correspond to the positions of the through holes 41B at different locations in the heat exchanger 1B and the base plate 4B, that is, to the different fluid inlet positions on the vehicle side. Because the first distribution flow path 28 and the second distribution flow path 27 are positioned differently, the positions of the boss 231B and the through hole 232B in the lowermost plate 23B of the heat exchanger 1B, which connect the second distribution flow path 27 to the through hole 41B, are different from the positions of the boss 231 and the through hole 232 in the lowermost plate 23B of the heat exchanger 1.

[0067] Here, about Figure 8 , Figure 9 The terms "stack direction" and "upper part" in the figure are the same as those in heat exchanger 1 and laminate 2. The stack direction is defined as the direction from the lower side to the upper stack plate in the figure. The upper part in the figure is defined as the upper part, and the lower part is defined as the lower part. The following explanation is provided.

[0068] In the laminate 2B, the uppermost plate differs from the uppermost plate 24 of the laminate 2, becoming the second plate 22. Specifically, in the laminate 2, the uppermost plate 24 is formed such that the height of the outer peripheral flange 244 in the first plate 21 is lower than the height of the outer peripheral flange 224 of the first plate 21, and is the same as the height of the boss 241. In contrast, the uppermost plate of the laminate 2B has the same structure as the second plate 22 of the laminate 2. The lowermost plate 23B is formed as described above, such that the lowermost plate 23 of the laminate 2 is linearly symmetrical about its long side when viewed from above in the XY plane. The lowermost plate of the laminate 2B, excluding the lowermost plate 23B, i.e., the lower plate 29, has the same structure as the uppermost plate 24 of the laminate 2, as described above.

[0069] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, in heat exchanger 1B, similar to the previously described laminate 2, laminate 2B contacts the inner surface of the top surface 31 and the bottom plate 4 in the lamination direction. Specifically, the upper ends of the bosses 221 and protrusions 223 on the uppermost plate, i.e., the second plate 22, of laminate 2B in the lamination direction contact and are brazed to the inner surface of the top surface 31 of the housing 3. That is, the bosses 221 and protrusions 223 on one end of the lamination direction are at the same or approximately the same height. Therefore, by brazing the inner surface of the top surface 31 of the housing 3 to the bosses 221, the through hole 222 on the inner side of the bosses 221 is blocked, and the upper end of the second distribution flow path 27 is blocked. Therefore, in the heat exchanger 1B, the different positions of the through hole 41B in the base plate 4B can allow the components of the laminate 2B, except for the bottom plate 23B, to be reversed vertically.

[0070] In the heat exchanger 1B, the laminate 2B is a flat portion of the lowest plate 23B located at the other end of the lamination direction, i.e. the lower side of the lamination direction, which is in contact with the inner side of the bottom plate 4B, i.e. the upper side of the lamination direction.

[0071] The function of a heat exchanger

[0072] Next, the functions of heat exchangers 1 and 1B as described above will be explained.

[0073] In the heat exchangers 1 and 1B described above, for example, heating is performed while the laminates 2 and 2B are housed within the housings 3 and 3B. This causes the brazing filler metal on the surfaces of each part of the laminates 2 and 2B to melt and cool, thereby solidifying the filler metal and joining the parts together. Specifically, the outer peripheral flanges of adjacent plates join each other, and the bottom and upper surfaces of the plates join the front ends of the protrusions of the plates.

[0074] Here, the relationship between the various parts of the shells 3 and 3B and the laminates 2 and 2B, as well as the flow of fluid, will be explained. The external dimensions of the cuboid-shaped laminates 2 and 2B are approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the internal dimensions of the rectangular cylindrical sidewall portion 32. That is, the outer periphery 20 of the laminates 2 and 2B, excluding the lowermost plates 23 and 23B, extends along the inner surface of the sidewall portion 32, except for the periphery of the recess 26 and the first protrusion 235 and the second protrusion 236. Furthermore, the inlet 33 and the outlet 34 are located near the first corner 301 or the second corner 302, and the recess 26 is located near the first corner 201 or the second corner 202. A space communicating with the inlet 33 and the outlet 34 is provided between the recess 26 and the sidewall portion 32.

[0075] Thus, a gap is formed in the recess 26 between the shells 3 and 3B and the laminates 2 and 2B, between the outer surface of the outer peripheral portion 20 and the inner surface of the sidewall portion 32, and this gap becomes the first distribution flow path 28. Furthermore, in the laminates 2 and 2B, the space between the first distribution flow path 28 and the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 in the laminate 2 is open, and the space between the first distribution flow path 28 and the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 in the laminate 2B is connected.

[0076] The first fluid is introduced into the housing 3 through the inlet pipe 5 and discharged through the outlet pipe 6. The first fluid introduced into the inlet 33 through the inlet pipe 5 reaches the first distribution flow path 28. In the first distribution flow path 28, the first fluid can flow along the Z direction and can flow into the space between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 in the laminate 2, and into the space between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 in the laminate 2B. That is, the first fluid is distributed in the Z direction, flowing into multiple spaces between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 in the laminate 2, and into the space between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 in the laminate 2B.

[0077] In laminates 2 and 2B, the first fluid flows from the first distribution path 28 on the inlet 33 side to the first distribution path 28 on the outlet 34 side. Furthermore, in laminate 2, the first fluid flowing from the space between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 into the first distribution path 28 on the outlet 34 side flows in the Z direction toward the outlet 34; in laminate 2B, the first fluid flowing from the space between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 into the first distribution path 28 on the outlet 34 side flows in the Z direction toward the outlet 34. That is, the distributed first fluid is re-collected. Afterwards, the first fluid is discharged from the outlet 34 through the outlet pipe 6.

[0078] The second fluid is introduced into and discharged into the laminates 2 and 2B by using one of the two through holes 41 and 41B as the inlet and the other as the outlet. The second fluid flowing into the second distribution path 27 from one of the through holes 41 and 41B can flow along the Z-direction. In the laminate 2, it can flow into the space between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22, and in the laminate 2B, it can flow into the space between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22. That is, the second fluid is distributed in the Z-direction, flowing into multiple spaces between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 in the laminate 2, and into the spaces between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 in the laminate 2B.

[0079] In the stacks 2 and 2B, the second fluid flows from one of a pair of second distribution channels 27 towards the other. In stack 2, the second fluid flowing from the space between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 into the second distribution channel 27 of the other side flows in the Z direction toward the through holes 41 and 41B of the other side. In stack 2B, the second fluid flowing from the space between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 into the second distribution channel 27 of the other side flows in the Z direction toward the through holes 41 and 41B of the other side. That is, the distributed second fluids converge again. Then, the second fluids are discharged to the outside through the through holes 41 and 41B of the other side.

[0080] As described above, when the first fluid and the second fluid flow, it is preferable that their flow directions in the X direction are opposite to each other. That is, the second fluid is preferably introduced into the housing 3 through one of the pair of through holes 41, 41B that is closer to the outlet 34 in the X direction. Depending on the type of fluid, flow rate, and other conditions, the first fluid and the second fluid may also flow in the same direction in the X direction.

[0081] The housings 3 and 3B of heat exchangers 1 and 1B have inclined portions 35 and 36, which are continuous with the sidewall portions 32 covering the sides of the laminates 2 and 2B and the top portion 31 located on the upper side of the housings 3 and 3B in the lamination direction, and are inclined relative to the sidewall portions 32. An inlet 33 and an outlet 34 for a first fluid to pass through are provided on the inclined portions 35 and 36.

[0082] According to heat exchangers 1 and 1B, by providing inlet 33 and outlet 34 on inclined surfaces 35 and 36, the diameters of inlet 33 and outlet 34 can be made larger than the length of the wall portion 32 in the stacking direction without being constrained by the size of the sidewall portion 32.

[0083] That is, according to heat exchangers 1 and 1B, due to reasons such as vehicle electrification, there is a need for miniaturization of the vertical (height) dimensions and reduction of pressure loss in heat exchangers. It is possible to achieve a structure that takes into account both miniaturization of the vertical (height) dimensions and large diameter of the fluid inlet and outlet.

[0084] Furthermore, the inclined surfaces 35 and 36 of heat exchangers 1 and 1B can also bulge outward from the sidewall portion 32. With this configuration, in heat exchangers 1 and 1B, a flow path connecting the first distribution flow path 28 formed between the outer peripheral portion 20 and the inner surface of the sidewall portion 32 with the inlet 33 and the outlet 34 can be ensured, thus allowing the inlet 33 and the outlet 34 to be provided at various locations.

[0085] In heat exchangers 1 and 1B, the inclined surfaces 35 and 36 can also be inclined in multiple directions relative to the side wall portion 32. Furthermore, in heat exchangers 1 and 1B, the inclined surfaces 35 and 36 can also be positioned towards the top surface portion 31. With this configuration, heat exchangers 1 and 1B can achieve both miniaturization in the vertical (height) direction and large diameter of the fluid inlet and outlet, and can be designed to fit the vehicle's layout.

[0086] In heat exchangers 1 and 1B, the laminates 2 and 2B can also contact the top surface 31 and the inner surface of the bottom plate 4 in the lamination direction. With this configuration, heat exchangers 1 and 1B can achieve both miniaturization in the vertical (height) direction and large diameter of the fluid inlet and outlet.

[0087] In heat exchangers 1 and 1B, and in laminates 2 and 2B, the bosses 241, protrusions 243, and outer peripheral flanges 244 of plate 24 (29) have the same or approximately the same height. Therefore, in heat exchangers 1 and 1B, it is possible to select an arrangement in which the front ends of the outer peripheral flanges 214, 224, and 244 of the plate, as described in the laminate 2, face upwards in the lamination direction (see reference). Figure 5 and Figure 6 ), and the configuration facing downwards in the stacking direction, as in laminate 2B (see Figure 8 and Figure 9 Therefore, in heat exchangers 1 and 1B, even if the positions of the through holes 41 and 41B of the bottom plates 4 and 4B, which serve as oil inlets and outlets, are to be changed according to various requirements such as vehicle layout, the common first plate 21, second plate 22, and uppermost plate 24 can be used in the laminate 2 and 2B. Thus, the types of plates that should be newly installed for different installation layouts of oil inlet and outlet positions can be minimized.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: A laminated body, which alternately forms flow paths for a first fluid and a second fluid in the stacking direction by stacking multiple plates; A bottomed cylindrical shell is provided to house the laminated body, and one side of the laminated body is open in the direction of lamination. as well as A base plate is disposed on the opening side of the housing. The housing has: The sidewall portion covers the side surface of the laminate; The top surface portion is disposed in the housing on the side opposite to the laminate; An inclined face portion, continuous with the sidewall portion and the top face portion, and disposed at an angle relative to the sidewall portion; and An inlet or outlet, or both, is provided on the inclined face for the passage of a first fluid.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein, The diameter of at least one of the inlet or outlet is greater than the length of the sidewall portion in the stacking direction.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein, The inclined face is provided to bulge outward from the side wall portion.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, The inclined face is inclined in multiple directions relative to the sidewall portion.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, The inclined face is positioned facing the top side.

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