Heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention provides a heat exchanger which can easily change the positions of an inlet and an outlet of fluid without increasing the types of plates. In a laminated body (2) of a heat exchanger (1), the height of an outer peripheral flange part (244) in an uppermost plate (24) is lower than the height of outer peripheral flange parts of a first plate and a second plate, and is consistent with or approximately consistent with the height of a boss (241) and a convex part (243). The lower end of the second distribution flow path (27) is connected to a through-hole (41) of a bottom plate (4) through which oil flows, and the boss is brazed to the inner surface of the top surface part (31) of the housing (3) to close the through-hole (242), thereby closing the upper end of the second distribution flow path (27). When a new heat exchanger (1B) is installed in accordance with a layout having different oil port positions, the stacked body (2B) can be formed by vertically reversing the stacked body other than the lowermost plate (23B) in accordance with the newly installed bottom plate (4B) and lowermost plate (23B).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a heat exchanger. BACKGROUND

[0002] A heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a plurality of fluids is used, for example, as a water-cooled oil cooler that cools lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine using a refrigerant such as long-life coolant (LLC). In addition, among heat exchangers, there is known a heat exchanger that has a housing and a core housed in a space of the housing, has an inlet and an outlet of cooling water on an outer peripheral wall provided on a side surface of the housing, and has an inlet and an outlet of oil provided in a stacking direction (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).

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

[0004] However, in the existing heat exchanger shown in Patent Literature 1, in a case where the positions of the inlets and outlets of oil are to be changed according to various requirements such as the layout of a vehicle, the shape of the core needs to be designed according to the positions of the inlets and outlets of oil.

[0005] In addition, among heat exchangers configured by stacking square plates, there are many heat exchangers in which oil inlet and outlet ports and cooling water inlet and outlet ports are formed on diagonal lines and at the four corners of the plates, but in such a structure, by easily rotating the entire heat exchanger in the planar direction and arranging the heat exchanger in correspondence with different oil hole positions, it is possible to cope with the assembly layout without newly designing plates having different hole positions. In contrast, among heat exchangers configured by stacking rectangular plates, it is not possible to easily rotate the arrangement due to constraints of the layout.

[0006] Therefore, in heat exchangers, a structure is required in which it is possible to easily change the positions of the inlets and outlets of oil without increasing the types of plates. SUMMARY

[0007] Therefore, the present application was achieved in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a heat exchanger in which it is possible to easily change the positions of the inlets and outlets of fluid without increasing the types of plates.

[0008] To solve the above problems, a heat exchanger according to the present application includes: a laminate in which a plurality of plates are stacked to alternately form flow paths for a first fluid and flow paths for a second fluid in a stacking direction; a housing that houses the laminate and is open on one side in the stacking direction; and a bottom plate provided on the open side of the housing, formed with a hole through which the second fluid passes, the housing having: a side wall portion that covers a side surface of the laminate; a top surface portion provided on the other side in the stacking direction of the housing; and an inlet and an outlet provided in the side wall portion or the top surface portion, through which the first fluid passes, the plurality of plates each having: an outer peripheral flange portion that protrudes from an outer periphery toward the stacking direction; and a boss formed on a pair of corners and having a through hole that protrudes toward the flow path for the first fluid formed between the plurality of plates, a first distribution flow path being formed between an outer peripheral portion of the laminate and an inner surface of the side wall portion of the housing, the first distribution flow path being for the first fluid to flow along the stacking direction and being connected to the flow path for the first fluid formed between the plates, and a second distribution flow path being formed that is connected to the hole of the bottom plate through which the second fluid passes and in which the bosses and the through holes of the plates adjacent in the stacking direction are connected to each other to allow the second fluid to flow in the stacking direction and be connected to the flow path for the second fluid formed between the plurality of plates, an uppermost plate in the stacking direction among the plurality of plates being formed such that the boss protrudes toward the stacking direction side and the height of the outer peripheral flange portion is lower than the height of the outer peripheral flange portion of the other plates to be the same height as the boss, a lowermost plate in the stacking direction among the plurality of plates being formed such that the boss having the through hole protrudes toward the stacking direction side at the position of the hole of the bottom plate through which the second fluid passes and is connected to the boss of the plate adjacent in the stacking direction in a fluid-tight manner, and an inner side surface of the top surface portion being connected to the boss of the uppermost plate in the stacking direction of the laminate in a fluid-tight manner to seal an uppermost surface of the second distribution flow path.

[0009] In the heat exchanger of one embodiment of the present application, the laminate other than the lowermost plate is assembled with the stacking direction reversed.

[0010] In the heat exchanger of one embodiment of the present application, the plurality of plates are rectangular.

[0011] In the heat exchanger of one embodiment of the present application, the laminate is configured so that the configuration of the front end portion of the outer peripheral flange portion of each of the plurality of plates toward the upper side in the stacking direction and the configuration toward the lower side in the stacking direction can be selected.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a heat exchanger can be provided in which, in a stack of multiple plates except for the lowest plate in the stacking direction, the plates can be assembled in the opposite direction to the stacking direction, so that the positions of the fluid inlet and outlet can be easily changed without increasing the number of plates. 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 in 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 in the embodiment.

[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: stack; 3, 3B: housing; 4, 4B: bottom plate; 5: inlet pipe; 6: outlet pipe; 20: outer peripheral portion; 21: first plate (plate); 22: second plate (plate); 23, 23B: lowermost plate (plate); 24: uppermost plate (plate); 25: fin plate; 26: recessed portion; 27: second distribution flow path; 28: first distribution flow path; 29: lower plate; 31: top surface portion; 32: side wall portion; 33: flow inlet; 34: flow outlet; 35: inclined surface portion; 36: inclined surface portion; 41, 41B: through hole; 42: mounting hole; 201: first corner portion; 202: second corner portion; 210, 220, 230, 240, 290: fluid guide wall; 211, 221, 231, 231B, 241, 291: boss; 212, 222, 232, 242, 292: through hole; 213, 223, 233, 233B, 243: protrusion; 214, 224, 234, 244, 294: outer peripheral flange portion; 215: first blocking portion; 225: second blocking portion; 235: first protruding portion; 236: second protruding portion; 237: reinforcing rib; 244: outer peripheral flange portion; 245: first blocking portion; 301: first corner portion; 302: second corner portion; 321: long side side wall portion; 322: short side side wall portion; 323: curved surface portion; 324: enlarged portion; L1: first diagonal line (diagonal line); L2: second diagonal line (diagonal line). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger 1 of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a stack 2 and a bottom plate 4 of the heat exchanger 1. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the stack 2 and the bottom plate 4 of the heat exchanger 1. Figure 4 is a plan view showing the heat exchanger 1.

[0027] [Outline of Embodiment]

[0028] First, an outline of a representative embodiment of the application disclosed in the present application will be described. Furthermore, in the following description, bracketed reference symbol annotations on the drawings corresponding to constituent elements of the application are described as one example.

[0029] [1] A heat exchanger (1) includes: a laminate (2) in which a plurality of plates (21, 22, 23, 24) are stacked to alternately form flow paths for a first fluid and flow paths for a second fluid in a stacking direction; a bottomed cylindrical case (3) that houses the laminate and is open on one side in the stacking direction; and a bottom plate (4) provided on the open side of the case and having a hole through which the second fluid passes, the case having: a side wall portion (32) that covers a side surface of the laminate; a top surface portion (31) provided on the other side in the stacking direction of the case; and an inlet (33) and an outlet (34) provided in the side wall portion or the top surface portion and through which the first fluid passes, the plates each having: an outer peripheral flange portion (214, 224, 234, 244) that protrudes from an outer periphery toward the stacking direction; a boss (211, 221, 231, 241) formed on a pair of corner portions (201, 202) and having a through hole, the boss protruding toward the flow path for the first fluid formed between the plurality of plates; and a protrusion (213, 223, 233, 243) that protrudes toward the stacking direction, a first distribution flow path (28) is formed between an outer peripheral portion of the laminate and an inner surface of the side wall portion of the case, the first distribution flow path (28) allowing the first fluid to flow in the stacking direction and connecting the flow paths for the first fluid formed between the plates, a second distribution flow path is formed, the second distribution flow path connecting the hole of the bottom plate through which the second fluid passes and connecting the bosses of the plates adjacent in the stacking direction to each other to allow the second fluid to pass in the stacking direction and connect the flow paths for the second fluid formed between the plurality of plates, an uppermost plate in the stacking direction among the plurality of plates is formed such that the boss protrudes toward the stacking direction side and the height of the outer peripheral flange portion is lower than the height of the outer peripheral flange portion of the other plates and is equal to the height of the boss, a lowermost plate in the stacking direction among the plurality of plates is formed such that the boss having the through hole protrudes toward the stacking direction side at the position of the hole of the bottom plate through which the second fluid passes and is connected to the boss of the plate adjacent in the stacking direction in a fluid-tight manner, and an inner side surface of the top surface portion is connected to the boss (241) of the uppermost plate (24) of the laminate in the stacking direction in a fluid-tight manner to seal an uppermost surface of the second distribution flow path.

[0030] [2] The laminate is assembled by reversing the laminate other than the lowermost plate in a direction opposite to the stacking direction.

[0031] [3] The plates are rectangular.

[0032] [4] The laminate is configured to be able to select either a configuration in which a front end portion of the outer peripheral flange portion of the plate faces the upper side in the stacking direction or a configuration in which the front end portion faces the lower side in the stacking direction.

[0033] [Structure of heat exchanger]

[0034] Hereinafter, the heat exchanger 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. Hereinafter, in order to facilitate the description, the heat exchanger 1 will be described as a heat exchanger for a radiator.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.

[0035] 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. Examples of the cooling fluid include cooling water, and examples of the fluid to be cooled include oils such as working oil. 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 cooling fluid 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 cooling fluid as the second fluid and the fluid to be cooled as the first fluid.

[0036] 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 to 3 When viewed from above, the laminate 2 exhibits two rotational symmetries about the axis of rotation extending along the Z direction through the intersection of the diagonals L1 and L2 (described later), thus forming a shape symmetrical on both 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.

[0037] like Figures 2 to 4As 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 the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 in the Z direction, and also has a lowermost plate 23 and an uppermost plate 24. The laminate 2 is formed as a whole into a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape by extending each plate 21 to 24 along the XY plane (the direction along the XY plane is defined as the in-plane direction) and stacking them 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 ).

[0038] In the laminate 2, a second plate 22 is overlapped above the bottom 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 top plate 24 overlaps 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 top 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 bottom plate 23 and the lower side of the second plate 22, and between the upper side of the top plate 24 and the inner side of the top surface 31 of the housing 3. Furthermore, each plate constituting the laminate 2 can be made of, for example, an aluminum cladding material.

[0039] like Figure 3 as well as 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 downwards, and its end extends 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.

[0040] like Figure 3 as well as 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 portion 201 faces upward, and the end portion extends in the X, Y directions. The second plate 22 has a portion of the outer flange portion 224 cut out at the first corner portion 201 of the oblong shape, and a plate-shaped second blocking portion 225 is formed at this position.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , like the first plate 21, the uppermost plate 24 has a boss 241 formed at the second corner portion 202, a plurality of protrusions 243, an outer flange portion 244, and a first blocking portion 245, and is shaped such that a portion of the oblong shape is cut out. The boss 241 can also not have a through-hole formed therein, but in this embodiment, a through-hole 242 is formed. The uppermost plate 24 differs from the first plate 21 in that the height of the outer flange portion 244 is lower than the height of the outer flange portion 224 of the first plate 21, and is the same height as the boss 241.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the lowermost plate 23 has a shape that differs from the other plates. Specifically, the lowermost plate 23 is formed in an outer shape that follows the outer shape of the lower end of the side wall portion 32 of the housing 3. The lowermost plate 23 has a first protrusion portion 235 and a second protrusion portion 236 that protrude outward in the X, Y directions at positions corresponding to the first blocking portions 215, 245 and the second blocking portion 225 of the other plates (see Figure 4 ). In addition, the lowermost plate 23 is provided with two reinforcing ribs 237 at positions that are inward of the portions extending toward the long side of the corresponding outer flange portions 214, 224 of the other plates (see Figure 3 ). The lowermost plate 23 has, in addition to a boss 231 formed at the second corner portion 202 and protruding upward, a through-hole 232 formed at the boss 231, a plurality of protrusions 233 formed on the upper surface, and an outer flange portion 234 that protrudes upward in the Z direction from the outer periphery.

[0043] In Figure 4In the top view, the peripheral flanges 214, 224, and 244 are formed on the outer periphery of each plate, excluding the portions corresponding to the first sealing portions 215, 245, and the second sealing portion 225. They are tapered portions inclined relative to the Z-direction, extending 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 and be brazed together. 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.

[0044] 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 2 As 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 the housing. 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 towards 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.

[0047] 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, and the through hole 242 of the boss 241 is blocked. In this embodiment, the boss 241 of the uppermost plate 24 is provided with a through hole 242, but it is also possible to omit the through hole 242. 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.

[0048] 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 first sealing part 215 and the second sealing part 225 are joined, thereby separating the space between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 from the external space, and communicating the space between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 with the external space.

[0049] The heat exchanger 1 has a flat, generally rectangular shell 3. For example... Figure 1 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the shell 3 is formed as a bottomed cylindrical shape, having a top surface 31, a cylindrical side wall portion 32 continuous with the outer periphery of the top surface 31, inclined surfaces 35 and 36 continuous with the side wall portion 32 and the top surface 31 and 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 the first fluid.

[0050] In the housing 3, the corners are also connected by the first diagonal line L1 and the second diagonal line L2 described above. In the housing 3, a pair of corners connected by the first diagonal line L1 is provided as a first corner 301, and a pair of corners connected by the second diagonal line L2 is provided as a second corner 302.

[0051] The top surface portion 31 is formed in a plate shape along the XY plane. The top surface portion 31 is formed so as to cover the laminated body 2 having a rectangular planar shape from the top surface side, and covers the top surface side of the inclined surface portions 35, 36.

[0052] The side wall portion 32 has a pair of long side side wall portions 321 corresponding to the long sides of the top surface portion 31, a pair of short side side wall portions 322 corresponding to the short sides, and four curved surface portions 323 located between the long side side wall portions 321 and the short side side wall portions 322. The side wall portion 32 extends in the Z direction and in the X direction or the Y direction. The long side side wall portions 321 extend in the Z direction and the Y direction. The short side side wall portions 322 extend in the Z direction and the X direction.

[0053] The side wall portion 32 has an enlarged portion 324 in which the inner dimension and the outer dimension are enlarged at the end edge portion on the opening side, that is, the lower side, of the housing 3. The outer dimension of the lowermost plate 23 is larger than those of the other plates, and the enlarged portion 324 is provided for the purpose of mounting the lowermost plate 23.

[0054] The inclined surface portions 35, 36 are provided at the first corner 301, which corresponds to the recess 26 of the laminated body 2, among the corners of the housing 3. The inclined surface portions 35, 36 have surfaces that are inclined in the Z direction from the top surface portion 31 on the upper side toward the bottom plate 4 and the lowermost plate 23 on the lower side, and in the XY plane direction toward the outer peripheral side of the bottom plate 4. That is, the inclined surface portions 35, 36 are provided at an angle with respect to at least the Z direction among the directions in which the side wall portion 32 extends. Therefore, the inclined surface portions 35, 36 are provided in a manner that faces the upper side. The inclined surface portion 35 is provided in a manner that is inclined with respect to the side wall portion 32 in a plurality of directions, that is, in the X direction and the Y direction in addition to the Z direction. That is, the inclined surface portion 35 is provided in a manner that faces the upper side in the Z direction and the right side in the Y direction. Figure 1 and Figure 4 The inclined surface portion 35 is provided in a manner that is inclined toward the right side in the Y direction and the upper side in the X direction. The inclined surface portion 36 is provided in a manner that is inclined in the Z direction and the Y direction. That is, the inclined surface portion 36 is provided in a manner that faces the right side in the Y direction in the Z direction and the X direction. Figure 1 and Figure 4 The inclined surface portion 36 is provided in a manner that faces the right side in the Y direction in the Z direction and the X direction. The inclined angle and the direction of inclination of the inclined surface portions 35, 36 are not limited to the cases shown in the present embodiment.

[0055] The flow inlet 33 and the flow outlet 34 through which the first fluid passes are formed in the inclined surface portions 35, 36. The flow inlet 33 and the flow outlet 34 are formed, for example, in the central portion of the inclined surface portions 35, 36.

[0056] 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. Since the length of inclined portions 35 and 36 is larger than the height of the side wall portion 32, 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 ).

[0057] 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 fluid can also be introduced and exported by installing pipes or the like on the base plate 4.

[0058] 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 ).

[0059] like Figure 5 as well as 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, and 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.

[0060] 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 ).

[0061] 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 B-B cross-sectional view.

[0062] As Figures 7 to 9 shown, the heat exchanger 1B of the modification example is different in the stacking manner of the plurality of plates in the stack 2B. Specifically, the stack 2B in the heat exchanger 1B is assembled upside down in the stack 2 of the heat exchanger 1 described above except for the lowermost plate 23, and the lowermost plate 23B is formed in a shape corresponding to the positions of the different through holes 41. The positions of the through holes 41B of the bottom plate 4B are different from those of the through holes 41 of the bottom plate 4, and can correspond to different oil port positions on the vehicle side. The housing 3B is formed to be left-right symmetrical with respect to the housing 3 in the X, Y plane, and the lowermost plate 23B is formed with an outer peripheral shape, a boss 231B, and a through hole 232B corresponding to the bottom plate 4B and the housing 3B. The plate stacked on the lowermost plate 23B is the same structure as the uppermost plate 24 in the stack 2. In the stack 2B, the plate is described as a lower plate 29 in order to be distinguished from the uppermost plate 24 of the stack 2. The lower plate 29 is the same as the uppermost plate 24 of the stack 2, and thus the difference from the first plate 21 is that the height of the outer peripheral flange portion 244 is lower than the height of the outer peripheral flange portion 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 portion 294 constituting a fluid guide wall 290.

[0063] The stack 2B is stacked with the outer peripheral flange portions 214, 224, 294 facing the lower side. In other words, the stack 2B of the heat exchanger 1B has a manner of reversing the upper and lower directions of the portion of the heat exchanger 1 except for the lowermost plate 23 with respect to the stack 2 of the heat exchanger 1, and placing the lowermost plate 23 on the lowermost plate 23B formed in a shape symmetrical with respect to the long side in the X, Y plane, and housing the stack 2B inside the housing 3.

[0064] By constituting the stack 2B as described above, the positions of the first distribution flow paths 28 formed by the recesses 26, and the positions of the second distribution flow paths 27 through which the second fluid can pass in the Z direction by making the through holes 212, 222, 232B, 292 communicate with each other, become different positions from the stack 2 of the heat exchanger 1 described earlier. Specifically, the first distribution flow path 28 in the heat exchanger 1 is at the first corner 301 on the first diagonal line L1, and in contrast, the position of the first distribution flow path 28 in the heat exchanger 1B is at the second corner 302 on the second diagonal line L2. In addition, the second distribution flow path 27 in the heat exchanger 1 is at the second corner 302 on the second diagonal line L2, and in contrast, the position of the second distribution flow path 27 in the heat exchanger 1B is at the first corner 301 on the first diagonal line L1.

[0065] The positions of the first distribution flow path 28 and the second distribution flow path 27 differ from those of the heat exchanger 1 in order to correspond to the positions of the through holes 41B in the different positions in the bottom plate 4B, that is, to correspond to the different fluid port positions on the vehicle side. Depending on the positions of the first distribution flow path 28 and the second distribution flow path 27, the heat exchanger 1B differs from the heat exchanger 1 in the positions of the bosses 231B and the through holes 232B for communicating the second distribution flow path 27 with the through holes 41B in the lowermost plate 23B.

[0066] Here, regarding the "stacking direction", "upper portion, lower portion" in Figure 8 , Figure 9 , the same as the heat exchanger 1, the layering body 2, the direction of stacking the plates from the lower side to the upper side of the drawing is set as the stacking direction, the upper portion in the drawing is set as the upper portion, and the lower portion is set as the lower portion, and the following description is made.

[0067] In the layering body 2B, the uppermost plate differs from the uppermost plate 24 of the layering body 2 and becomes the second plate 22. Specifically, in the layering body 2, the uppermost plate 24 is such that the height of the outer peripheral flange portion 244 in the first plate 21 is lower than the height of the outer peripheral flange portion 224 of the first plate 21 and is the same height as the boss 241, and in contrast to this, the uppermost plate of the layering body 2B is the same structure as the second plate 22 of the layering body 2. The lowermost plate 23B is formed as described above so that the lowermost plate 23 of the layering body 2 becomes a line-symmetrical shape with respect to the long side in the XY plane as viewed from above. The lowermost plate of the layering body 2B other than the lowermost plate 23B, that is, the lower portion 29 is the same structure as the uppermost plate 24 of the layering body 2 as described above.

[0068] As shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 , in the heat exchanger 1B, as with the layering body 2 described earlier, the layering body 2B contacts the top surface portion 31 and the inner side surface of the bottom plate 4 in the stacking direction. Specifically, the end portions on the stacking direction upper side of the bosses 221 and the protrusions 223 provided to the uppermost plate, that is, the second plate 22 of the layering body 2B contact the inner side surface, that is, the inner wall of the top surface portion 31 of the housing 3 and are brazed to each other. That is, the bosses 221 and the protrusions 223 provided to the layering body 2B on one end side in the stacking direction, that is, the upper side in the stacking direction are the same height or substantially the same height. Therefore, by brazing the inner side surface of the top surface portion 31 of the housing 3 and the bosses 221, the through holes 222 inside the bosses 221 are plugged, and the upper end of the second distribution flow path 27 is plugged. Therefore, in the heat exchanger 1B, for the positions of the through holes 41B of the bottom plate 4B, the upper and lower of the constituent members of the layering body 2B other than the lowermost plate 23B can be reversed to cope with.

[0069] In the heat exchanger 1B, the planar portion of the lowermost plate 23B provided on the other end side in the stacking direction, that is, the lower side in the stacking direction, of the stack 2B is in contact with the inner side surface of the bottom plate 4B, that is, the surface on the upper side in the stacking direction.

[0070] [Effects of Heat Exchanger]

[0071] Next, the effects of the heat exchanger 1, 1B described above will be described.

[0072] In the heat exchanger 1, 1B described above, for example, heating is performed in a state in which the stack 2, 2B is housed in the housing 3, 3B, whereby the brazing material provided on the surface of each portion of the stack 2, 2B is melted, and the brazing material is solidified by cooling to join the portions. Specifically, the outer peripheral flange portions of the adjacent plates are joined to each other, and the bottom surface and the upper surface of the plate are joined to the front end of the protruding portion of the plate.

[0073] Here, the relationship between the housing 3, 3B and each portion of the stack 2, 2B and the flow of the fluid will be described. The outer dimensions of the stack 2, 2B are substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the rectangular cylindrical side wall portion 32. That is, the outer peripheral portion 20 of the stack 2, 2B, except for the lowermost plate 23, 23B, except for the periphery of the recessed portion 26 and the first protruding portion 235 and the second protruding portion 236, is along the inner surface of the side wall portion 32. In addition, the inlet 33 and the outlet 34 are provided near the first corner portion 301 or the second corner portion 302, and the recessed portion 26 is provided near the first corner portion 201 or the second corner portion 202. A space that communicates with the inlet 33 and the outlet 34 is provided between the recessed portion 26 and the side wall portion 32.

[0074] In this way, between the housing 3, 3B and the stack 2, 2B, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the outer peripheral portion 20 and the inner surface of the side wall portion 32 in the recessed portion 26, and this gap becomes the first distribution flow path 28. In addition, the stack 2, 2B is such that the first distribution flow path 28 communicates with the space between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 in the stack 2, and the first distribution flow path 28 communicates with the space between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 in the stack 2B.

[0075] The first fluid is introduced into the housing 3 from the inlet pipe 5 and is discharged from the outlet pipe 6. The first fluid introduced into the flow inlet 33 through the inlet pipe 5 reaches the first distribution flow path 28. In the first distribution flow path 28, the first fluid is able to flow in the Z direction and is able to flow into the 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 spaces 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 and flows into the plurality of 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 spaces between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 in the laminate 2B, respectively.

[0076] In the laminates 2, 2B, the first fluid reaches the first distribution flow path 28 on the flow outlet 34 side from the first distribution flow path 28 on the flow inlet 33 side. Also, in the laminate 2, the first fluid flowing into the first distribution flow path 28 on the flow outlet 34 side from the spaces between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22, respectively, flows in the Z direction in a manner so as to be directed toward the flow outlet 34, and in the laminate 2B, the first fluid flowing into the first distribution flow path 28 on the flow outlet 34 side from the spaces between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22, respectively, flows in the Z direction in a manner so as to be directed toward the flow outlet 34. That is, the distributed first fluid is again collected. Thereafter, the first fluid is discharged from the flow outlet 34 through the outlet pipe 6.

[0077] The second fluid is introduced into and discharged from the laminates 2, 2B with one of the pair of through holes 41, 41B as the flow inlet and the other as the flow outlet. The second fluid flowing into the second distribution flow path 27 from one of the pair of through holes 41, 41B is able to flow in the Z direction and is able to flow into the 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. That is, the second fluid is distributed in the Z direction and flows into the plurality of 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, respectively.

[0078] In the stack 2, 2B, the second fluid flows from one of the pair of second distribution flow paths 27 toward the other. In the stack 2, the second fluid that has flowed into the second distribution flow path 27 of the other from the space between the lower side of the first plate 21 and the upper side of the second plate 22 flows in the Z direction toward the through-hole 41, 41B of the other, respectively. In the stack 2B, the second fluid that has flowed into the second distribution flow path 27 of the other from the space between the upper side of the first plate 21 and the lower side of the second plate 22 flows in the Z direction toward the through-hole 41, 41B of the other, respectively. That is, the distributed second fluid is again collected. Thereafter, the second fluid is led out to the outside from the through-hole 41, 41B of the other.

[0079] As described above, when the first fluid and the second fluid flow, the flow directions in the X direction are preferably opposite to each other. That is, the second fluid is preferably introduced into the case 3 from the through-hole 41, 41B of the pair of through-holes 41, 41B that is close to the flow outlet 34 in the X direction. Depending on the kind, flow rate, and the like of the fluid, the first fluid and the second fluid can also be caused to flow in the same direction in the X direction.

[0080] The case 3, 3B of the heat exchanger 1, 1B has an inclined surface portion 35, 36 that is continuous with the side wall portion 32 that covers the side surface of the stack 2, 2B and the top surface portion 31 provided on the other side, that is, the upper side in the stacking direction of the case 3, 3B and is provided obliquely with respect to the side wall portion 32. The flow inlet 33 and the flow outlet 34 through which the first fluid passes are provided in the inclined surface portion 35, 36.

[0081] According to the heat exchanger 1, 1B, by providing the flow inlet 33 and the flow outlet 34 in the inclined surface portion 35, 36, the diameters of the flow inlet 33 and the flow outlet 34 can be made larger than the length in the stacking direction of the side wall portion 32 without being restricted by the size of the side wall portion 32.

[0082] That is, according to the heat exchanger 1, 1B, due to the electrification of vehicles and the like, the requirement for the miniaturization of the size in the up-down (height) direction and the reduction of pressure loss in the heat exchanger can be satisfied, and a structure that allows the miniaturization of the size in the up-down (height) direction and the large-diameterization of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet can be achieved.

[0083] In addition, the inclined surface portion 35, 36 of the heat exchanger 1, 1B can also be provided bulging outward from the side wall portion 32. By so configuring, in the heat exchanger 1, 1B, a flow path that communicates between the first distribution flow path 28 formed between the outer peripheral portion 20 and the inner surface of the side wall portion 32 and the flow inlet 33 and the flow outlet 34 can be ensured, and thus the flow inlet 33 and the flow outlet 34 can be provided at various positions.

[0084] In the heat exchanger 1, 1B, the inclined surface portions 35, 36 can also be provided obliquely in multiple directions with respect to the side wall portion 32. In addition, in the heat exchanger 1, 1B, the inclined surface portions 35, 36 can also be provided toward the top surface portion 31 side. By so configuring, in the heat exchanger 1, 1B, downsizing in the up-down (height) direction and large-diameterization of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet can be taken into account, and design corresponding to the layout of the vehicle can be achieved.

[0085] In the heat exchanger 1, 1B, the stack 2, 2B can also be in contact with the inner side surface of the top surface portion 31 and the bottom plate 4 in the stacking direction. By so configuring, in the heat exchanger 1, 1B, downsizing in the up-down (height) direction and large-diameterization of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet can be taken into account.

[0086] In the heat exchanger 1, 1B, in the stack 2, 2B, the heights of the boss 241, the protrusion 243, and the outer peripheral flange portion 244 of the plate 24 (29) are uniform or substantially uniform. Therefore, in the heat exchanger 1, 1B, either one of the configuration in which the front end portions of the outer peripheral flange portions 214, 224, 244 of the plates are directed to the upper side in the stacking direction (refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 ) as in the stack 2 and the configuration in which the front end portions of the outer peripheral flange portions 214, 224, 244 of the plates are directed to the lower side in the stacking direction (refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 ) as in the stack 2B can be selected. Therefore, in the heat exchanger 1, 1B, even in the case where the positions of the through holes 41, 41B of the bottom plate 4, 4B as the oil inlet and outlet are to be changed according to various requirements such as the layout of the vehicle, the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 and the uppermost plate 24 that are common can be used in the stack 2, 2B, and thus the types of plates that should be newly prepared for the mounting layout in which the positions of the oil inlet and outlet are different can be minimized, and the types of plates can be minimized.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: A laminated body, which alternately forms a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path in the stacking direction by stacking multiple plates; A housing that houses the laminated body, and has an opening on one side in the lamination direction; as well as A base plate, disposed on the opening side of the housing, has a hole for the passage of the second fluid. The housing has: The sidewall portion extends along the stacking direction; The top portion is located on the other side of the stacking direction of the housing; and An inlet and an outlet are provided on the side wall or the top surface to allow the first fluid to pass through. The plurality of plates each have: The outer peripheral flange protrudes from the outer peripheral edge in the stacking direction; and A boss, formed at one of the corners, and having a through hole, protrudes toward the first fluid flow path side formed between the plurality of plates. A first distribution flow path is formed between the outer periphery of the laminate and the inner surface of the sidewall of the housing. The first distribution flow path is for the first fluid to flow along the lamination direction and is connected to the first fluid passage formed between the plurality of plates. A second distribution flow path is formed, which is connected to the second fluid through a hole in the base plate. The bosses and through holes of adjacent plates in the stacking direction are connected to each other to allow the second fluid to flow in the stacking direction. The second distribution flow path is also connected to the flow path for the second fluid formed between the plurality of plates. The uppermost plate in the stacking direction of the plurality of plates is formed such that the boss protrudes in the stacking direction, and the height of the outer peripheral flange is lower than the height of the outer peripheral flange of the other plates, becoming the same height as the boss. The lowest plate in the stacking direction of the plurality of plates has a boss with a through hole protruding in the stacking direction at the location of the second fluid passage hole in the base plate, and is fluid-tightly connected to the boss of the plate adjacent in the stacking direction. The inner side of the top surface is fluid-tightly connected to the boss of the uppermost plate in the stacking direction of the laminate, thereby blocking the uppermost surface of the second distribution flow path.

2. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The laminates, except for the bottommost plate, are assembled in a reversed direction to the opposite of the lamination direction.

3. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The multiple plates are rectangular.

4. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The laminate is configured to allow selection of either an upward or downward arrangement of the front ends of the outer peripheral flanges of the plurality of plates in the lamination direction.

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