Heat exchanger and air conditioner including the same

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows. The heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, the corrugate fin exchanging heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the one end part being in contact with corresponding one of the multiple main fins.

Description

BACKGROUND1. Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner including the heat exchanger.2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] For example, a heat exchanger including a corrugated fin has been conventionally known as described in PTL 1. The heat exchanger described in PTL 1 is a so-called drone-cup heat exchanger.Citation ListPatent Literature

[0003] PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. H01-208432SUMMARY

[0004] When a heat exchanger including corrugated fins is used as an evaporator, water vapor in air flowing between the corrugated fins may be condensed on a surface of each of the corrugated fins, and water droplets may be generated on the surface. The water droplets move on the surface of each of the corrugated fins by being pushed by a flow of air, and stay at one end part on a downstream side of each of the corrugated fins, the one end part being located on a downstream side in a flow direction of the air. When many water droplets gather at the one end part on the downstream side of each of the corrugated fins and the water droplets on the end part greatly grow, ventilation resistance of each of the corrugated fins is increased by the greatly grown water droplets. Then, the greatly grown water droplets are blown off from the heat exchanger by a flow of air.

[0005] Thus, the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger including a corrugated fin, the heat exchanger being capable of preventing water droplets from remaining on a surface of the corrugated fin, and an air conditioner including the heat exchanger.

[0006] A heat exchanger according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows. The heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the end part being in contact with corresponding one of the main fins.

[0007] An air conditioner according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a compressor that discharges a refrigerant, and a heat exchanger through which the refrigerant flows. The heat exchanger includes multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows. The heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the end part being in contact with corresponding one of the main fins.

[0008] The present disclosure enables providing a heat exchanger including a corrugated fin, the heat exchanger being capable of preventing water droplets from remaining on a surface of the corrugated fin, and an air conditioner including the heat exchanger.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an air conditioner according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an indoor unit in the air conditioner; Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 4 is a rear view of the heat exchanger according to the first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a part of a fin stacked body according to the first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a part of the fin stacked body taken along line C-C illustrated in Fig. 4; Fig. 7A is an exploded perspective view of a main fin; Fig. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the main fin viewed from a different viewpoint; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a part of a fin stacked body in a heat exchanger of a comparative example; Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a second exemplary embodiment; Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a part of a fin stacked body in the heat exchanger according to the second exemplary embodiment; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a corrugated fin including a louver. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

[0010] A heat exchanger according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows. The heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the end part being in contact with corresponding one of the main fins.

[0011] The aspect described above enables the heat exchanger including the corrugated fin to prevent water droplets from remaining on a surface of the corrugated fin.

[0012] For example, one end part of the corrugated fin may be an end part located on a downstream side in a flow direction of the second fluid.

[0013] For example, the main fin may extend beyond the one end part of the corrugated fin in the third direction.

[0014] For example, the other end part of the corrugated fin in the third direction may be in contact with the main fin.

[0015] For example, the main fin may be formed by stacking and joining a first plate and a second plate, and one end part of each of the first plate and the second plate in the third direction may be bent to be in contact with the one end part of the corrugated fin.

[0016] For example, the corrugated fin may include a louver.

[0017] An air conditioner according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a compressor that discharges a refrigerant, and a heat exchanger through which the refrigerant flows. The heat exchanger includes multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows. The heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the end part being in contact with corresponding one of the main fins.

[0018] The other aspect described above enables the heat exchanger including the corrugated fin to prevent water droplets from remaining on the surface of the corrugated fin, thereby resulting in preventing the water droplets from being blown out of the air conditioner.

[0019] Hereinafter, one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.(First exemplary embodiment)

[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of air conditioner 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of indoor unit 12 in air conditioner 10.

[0021] As illustrated in Fig. 1, air conditioner 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment includes indoor unit 12 disposed in a room and outdoor unit 14 disposed outside the room.

[0022] As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the indoor unit 12 includes heat exchanger 20 that exchanges heat with indoor air A, which is an example of the second fluid and is also simply referred to below as "air A". The indoor unit 12 is also equipped with a blower, such as cross flow fan 22, which generates a flow of indoor air A passing through heat exchanger 20.

[0023] As illustrated in Fig. 1, outdoor unit 14 is equipped with heat exchanger 24 that exchanges heat with outdoor air, and a blower, such as axial fan 26, which generates a flow of outdoor air passing through heat exchanger 24. Outdoor unit 14 is also equipped with compressor 28 that discharges a refrigerant (an example of a first fluid) passing through heat exchangers 20, 24. Heat exchanger 20, heat exchanger 24, and compressor 28 are connected using refrigerant pipe 30. Refrigerant pipe 30 is provided with expansion valve 32 that decompresses the refrigerant and four-way valve 34 that changes a flow direction of the refrigerant in accordance with any one of cooling operation and heating operation. Fig. 1 indicates a flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation using an arrow with a solid line, and a flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation using an arrow with a broken line.

[0024] During the cooling operation, the refrigerant is discharged from compressor 28, and sequentially passes through four-way valve 34, heat exchanger 24 and expansion valve 32 of outdoor unit 14, heat exchanger 20 of indoor unit 12, and four-way valve 34 again to return to compressor 28. During the heating operation, the refrigerant is fed from compressor 28, and sequentially passes through four-way valve 34, heat exchanger 20 and expansion valve 32 of indoor unit 12, heat exchanger 24 of outdoor unit 14, and four-way valve 34 again to return to compressor 28. Four-way valve 34 switches the flow of the refrigerant between a flow during the cooling operation and a flow during the heating operation. As described above, air conditioner 10 includes compressor 28 that discharges the refrigerant and heat exchanger 24 through which the refrigerant flows.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of heat exchanger 20 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 4 is a rear view of heat exchanger 20 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a part of fin stacked body 40 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a part of fin stacked body 40 taken along line C-C illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0026] The drawings each show an X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system that is for facilitating understanding of an exemplary embodiment and that does not limit the exemplary embodiment. An X-axis direction (an example of the third direction) and a Y-axis direction (an example of the second direction) indicate extending directions of fins constituting a fin stacked body in a heat exchanger, and a Z-axis direction (an example of the first direction) indicates a stacking direction of fins. Air A (white arrow) passing through heat exchanger 20 in the present first exemplary embodiment flows mainly in the X-axis direction.

[0027] As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, heat exchanger 20 includes fin stacked body 40. Fin stacked body 40 is disposed between two end plates 42, 44. One end plate 42 is provided with connection pipe 42a (referred to below also as "inflow-side connection pipe 42a") at one end that is connected to refrigerant pipe 30 and through which the refrigerant flows in or out, and connection pipe 42b (referred to below also as "outflow-side connection pipe 42b") at the other end.

[0028] As illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6, fin stacked body 40 is formed by alternately stacking multiple main fins 46 and multiple corrugated fins 48. Although Figs. 3 and 4 each illustrate five main fins 46 disposed between two end plates 42, 44, the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the heat exchanger according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least two main fins 46 and at least one corrugated fin 48 disposed between main fins 46.

[0029] Fig. 7A is an exploded perspective view of main fins 46. Fig. 7B is an exploded perspective view of main fins 46 viewed from a different viewpoint.

[0030] As illustrated in Fig. 6, internal flow path IP through which the refrigerant flows is provided inside each of multiple main fins 46.

[0031] Specifically, each of multiple main fins 46 in the present first exemplary embodiment is formed by stacking and joining first plate 50 and second plate 52 to each other in a stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of fin stacked body 40 as illustrated in Figs. 7A and 7B. The joining allows internal flow path IP to be formed between first plate 50 and second plate 52 as illustrated in Fig. 6.

[0032] First plate 50 and second plate 52 in the present first exemplary embodiment are each produced by performing processing, such as pressing, on a metal thin plate having brazing material layers on both surfaces, that is, a so-called brazing sheet. The brazing sheet is produced by forming an aluminum-silicon alloy layer as a brazing material on both surfaces of a thin plate made of an aluminum alloy, for example. First plate 50 and second plate 52 are joined by so-called brazing in which the brazing material layer is melted once by heating and solidified again.

[0033] As illustrated in Fig. 6, first plate 50 and second plate 52 are joined to each other to form internal flow path IP through which the refrigerant flows. As illustrated in Figs. 7A and 7B, recess 52b in a meandering shape is formed in inner surface 52a of second plate 52, inner surface 52a facing first plate 50, in the present first exemplary embodiment. Additionally, recess 50b in a meandering shape is formed in inner surface 50a of first plate 50, inner surface 50a facing second plate 52. These recesses 50b, 52b facing each other constitute internal flow path IP in a meandering shape through which the refrigerant flows.

[0034] As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, internal flow paths IP communicate internally with headers 46a, 46b each in a tubular shape provided at respective ends in a longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of main fin 46. As illustrated in Figs. 7A and 7B, headers 46a, 46b are respectively formed by joining tubular parts 50c, 50d of first plate 50 and tubular parts 52c, 52d of second plate 52.

[0035] Connecting header 46a of each of multiple main fins 46 constitutes inflow-side manifold 40a (referred to below also simply as a "manifold 40a") as illustrated in Fig. 4. Manifold 40a is connected to inflow-side connection pipe 42a of end plate 42 to guide the refrigerant having passed through inflow-side connection pipe 42a to internal flow path IP of each of main fins 46.

[0036] Connecting header 46b of each of multiple main fins 46 constitutes outflow-side manifold 40b (referred to below also simply as a "manifold 40b") as illustrated in Fig. 4. Manifold 40b is connected to outflow-side connection pipe 42b of end plate 42 to guide the refrigerant having flowed out of internal flow path IP of each of main fins 46 to outflow-side connection pipe 42b.

[0037] As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, multiple main fins 46 are stacked at intervals. Corrugated fin 48 is disposed between corresponding main fins 46. Corrugated fin 48 extends in a meandering shape in a direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of main fins 46 as viewed in a flow direction (X-axis direction) of air A. Corrugated fin 48 in the present first exemplary embodiment extends in a rectangular wave shape. Corrugated fin 48 in the present first exemplary embodiment is made of the same material as that of the metal thin plate of each of first plate 50 and second plate 52, such as an aluminum alloy.

[0038] Then, each corrugated fin 48 exchanges heat with air A flowing between adjacent main fins 46, and is thermally connected to corresponding adjacent main fins 46. As described above, heat exchanger 20 includes internal flow paths IP through each of which the refrigerant (an example of the first fluid) flows, and includes multiple main fins 46 disposed side by side in the Z-axis direction (an example of the first direction) at intervals. Heat exchanger 20 also includes corrugated fin 48 that extends in a meandering shape in the Y-axis direction (an example of the second direction) intersecting the Z-axis direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins 46 of multiple main fins 46, and that exchanges heat with indoor air A (an example of the second fluid) flowing between adjacent main fins 46. As illustrated in Fig. 4, each corrugated fin 48 includes multiple heat exchange parts 48a that extend in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of main fins 46 while being substantially parallel to each other, and that substantially exchanges heat with air A. Each corrugated fin 48 includes multiple connection parts 48b that are in contact with and thermally connected to corresponding main fins 46. Specifically, connection part 48b of corrugated fin 48 is partially joined to a top part of each of protrusions 50e, 52e in a meandering shape generated respectively by formation of recesses 50b, 52b in a meandering shape constituting internal flow paths IP as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 7B.

[0039] Heat exchanger 20 described above allows heat to be transferred from the refrigerant flowing in internal flow paths IP of main fins 46 to air A flowing between main fins 46, through main fins 46 and corrugated fins 38, during the heating operation. During the cooling operation, heat is transferred from air A flowing between main fins 46 to the refrigerant flowing through internal flow paths IP of main fins 46 through corrugated fins 38 and main fins 46.

[0040] As illustrated in Fig. 6, corrugated fin 48 is also in contact with (bonded to) main fin 46 at one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 in a lateral direction (X-axis direction) of main fin 46, that is, in the flow direction of air A flowing between main fins 46. As described above, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 in the X-axis direction (an example of the third direction) intersecting both the Z-axis direction (an example of the first direction) and the Y-axis direction (an example of the second direction) is in contact with main fin 46. That is, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 located on a downstream side in the flow direction of air A is in contact with main fin 46. In other words, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 is an end part located on the downstream side in the flow direction of air A (an example of the second fluid). This is because water droplets generated on the surface of corrugated fin 48 are likely to be moved to main fin 46. This will be specifically described with reference to a comparative example.

[0041] Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a part of a fin stacked body in a heat exchanger of the comparative example.

[0042] As illustrated in Fig. 8, a fin stacked body of the comparative example includes one end part 148c of corrugated fin 148, one end part 148c being located on the downstream side in the flow direction of air A and being not in contact with main fin 146. Thus, water droplet W is likely to stay at one end part 148c of corrugated fin 148.

[0043] Specifically, air A flowing between main fins 146 (that is, between corrugated fins 148) is cooled by a refrigerant flowing in internal flow paths IP of main fins 146 during the cooling operation. The cooling causes water vapor contained in air A to be condensed on a surface of corrugated fin 148, thereby generating water droplet W on the surface. Water droplet W on the surface of corrugated fin 148 is pushed by a flow of air A to be moved toward one end part 148c on the surface of corrugated fin 148.

[0044] Water droplet W moved to one end part 148c of corrugated fin 148 may still remain at one end part 148c without being blown out from corrugated fin 148 toward the outside. For example, when air A has a low velocity of flow, that is, cross flow fan 22 has a low rotational speed, water droplet W may stay at one end part 148c. When many water droplets W gather and stay at one end part 148c, water droplets W greatly grow on one end part 148c. When water droplets W greatly grow until they come into contact with both of heat exchange parts 148a of corrugated fins 148 facing each other at an interval, flow path resistance of corrugated fins 148 greatly increases. Then, when water droplets W having grown so large are blown out of corrugated fins 148, the periphery of indoor unit 12 of air conditioner 10 is wetted with water droplets W.

[0045] To prevent water droplets W from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 148, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 is located on the downstream side in the flow direction of air A and is in contact with main fins 46 in the present first exemplary embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 6. Water droplets generated on the surface of corrugated fin 48 move toward one end part 48c on the surface of corrugated fin 48. When the water droplets on one end part 48c partially come into contact with a surface of main fin 46, the water droplets are pushed by the flow of air A, thereby being moved from the surface of corrugated fin 48 to the surface of main fin 46. When water droplets remaining at the one end part 48c greatly grow to come into contact with the surface of main fin 46, the water droplets are pushed by the flow of air A, thereby being moved from the surface of corrugated fin 48 to the surface of main fin 46. The water droplets moved to the surface of main fin 46 finally move on the surface of main fin 46 toward a drain pan (not illustrated) located below main fin 46. As a result, the water droplets are prevented from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 48.

[0046] Water droplets remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 48 are likely to occur when the flow direction of air A flowing between main fins 46 is substantially a horizontal direction (when a water direction component is included in the flow direction). That is, this phenomenon is likely to occur when heat exchange part 48a in the shape of a flat plate of corrugated fin 48 extends substantially in the horizontal direction. This is because when the heat exchange part 48a is substantially horizontal, water droplets on the heat exchange part 48a do not substantially move on heat exchange part 48a due to their own weight.

[0047] As described above and illustrated in Fig. 6, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 is in contact (joined) with one end part 46c of main fin 46. The present first exemplary embodiment includes one end part 50f of first plate 50 and one end part 52f of second plate 52 at one end part 46c of main fin 46, which are each bent to be in contact with one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48. That is, one end part 50f, 52f of corresponding one of first plate 50 and second plate 52 in the X-axis direction (an example of the third direction) is bent to be in contact with one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48. Alternatively, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 may be indirectly in contact with main fin 46 with another member interposed therebetween. That is, a method for bringing one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 into contact with main fin 46 is not limited as long as a water droplet on the surface of corrugated fin 48 can move from one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 to main fin 46 without resistance.

[0048] When one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 is brought into contact with (joining) main fin 46, water droplets are prevented from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 48 as described above, and rigidity of fin stacked body 40 and heat conduction efficiency between main fin 46 and corrugated fin 48 are improved. That is, main fin 46 and corrugated fin 48 are joined to each other with a contact area larger than that of the comparative example illustrated in Fig. 8. As a result, the rigidity of fin stacked body 40 is improved, and the heat conduction efficiency between main fin 46 and corrugated fin 48 is improved.

[0049] The present first exemplary embodiment described above enables heat exchanger 20 including corrugated fin 48 to prevent water droplets from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 48.(Second exemplary embodiment)

[0050] The present second exemplary embodiment is an improved embodiment of the first exemplary embodiment described above. The present second exemplary embodiment will be described while focusing on differences from the first exemplary embodiment described above.

[0051] Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment. Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a part of fin stacked body 240 in heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0052] As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, fin stacked body 240 in heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment includes one end part 248c of corrugated fin 248 that is located on a downstream side in a flow direction (X-axis direction) of air A and that is in contact with main fin 246 as in the first exemplary embodiment described above. Unlike the first exemplary embodiment described above and illustrated in Fig. 6, main fin 246 extends beyond one end part 248c of corrugated fin 248 in the flow direction of air A (X-axis direction (an example of the third direction)).

[0053] Specifically, the first exemplary embodiment described above includes end surface 46d of main fin 46 that is located on the downstream side in the flow direction (X-axis direction) of air A and that is not offset with respect to end surface 48d located on the downstream side of corrugated fin 48, end surface 46d being located substantially flush with end surface 48d as illustrated in Fig. 6. In contrast, the second exemplary embodiment includes end surface 246d located on a downstream side of main fin 246, end surface 246d being offset toward a downstream side in the flow direction of air A with respect to end surface 248d located on a downstream side of corrugated fin 248 as illustrated in Fig. 10.

[0054] When main fin 246 extends beyond one end part 248c of corrugated fin 248 as described above, water droplets generated on a surface of corrugated fin 248 are more likely to move onto a surface of main fin 246. In particular, water droplets being moved by being pushed by a flow of air A while being guided by connection part 248b of corrugated fin 248 move onto the surface of main fin 246 beyond one end part 248c of corrugated fin 248 without stopping at one end part 248c. As a result, the water droplets are further prevented from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 248.

[0055] The present second exemplary embodiment described above also enables heat exchanger 220 including corrugated fin 248 to prevent water droplets from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 248 as with the first exemplary embodiment described above.

[0056] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the exemplary embodiments described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0057] For example, other end part 48e of corrugated fin 48 (an end part upstream in the flow direction of air A (an example of the third direction)) in the first exemplary embodiment described above is not in contact with main fin 46 as illustrated in Fig. 6. Besides this configuration, other end part 48e of corrugated fin 48 may be in contact with main fin 46. This contact further improves rigidity of fin stacked body 40 and heat conduction efficiency between main fin 46 and corrugated fin 48.

[0058] Corrugated fin 48 in the first exemplary embodiment described above has a rectangular wave shape, that is, multiple heat exchange parts 48a are parallel to each other. However, the corrugated fin in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the shape of a rectangular wave. For example, the corrugated fin according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have a sinusoidal shape. The corrugated fin according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a louver.

[0059] Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a part of corrugated fin 348 including louver 348d.

[0060] As illustrated in Fig. 11, corrugated fin 348 includes louver 348d in each of heat exchange parts 348a. Louver 348d allows air flowing on a side close to one surface of heat exchange part 348a to flow on a side close to the other surface of heat exchange part 348a. Consequently, a flow path of the air between main fins increases in length to more than that of corrugated fin 348 without louver 348d, so that heat exchange efficiency between the air flowing between the main fins and corrugated fin 348 is improved. Presence of louver 348d suppresses collection of water droplets on one end part 348c of corrugated fin 348.

[0061] The heat exchanger described above is provided in an air conditioner that performs indoor air conditioning. However, the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The heat exchanger according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in a device that needs to perform heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid.

[0062] That is, the heat exchanger according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes an internal flow path through which the first fluid flows, and includes multiple main fins disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, in a broad sense. This heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering manner in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the end part being in contact with corresponding one of the main fins.

[0063] The present disclosure is applicable to a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid.

Examples

first exemplary embodiment

(First exemplary embodiment)

[0020]Fig. 1 is a schematic view of air conditioner 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of indoor unit 12 in air conditioner 10.

[0021]As illustrated in Fig. 1, air conditioner 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment includes indoor unit 12 disposed in a room and outdoor unit 14 disposed outside the room.

[0022]As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the indoor unit 12 includes heat exchanger 20 that exchanges heat with indoor air A, which is an example of the second fluid and is also simply referred to below as "air A". The indoor unit 12 is also equipped with a blower, such as cross flow fan 22, which generates a flow of indoor air A passing through heat exchanger 20.

[0023]As illustrated in Fig. 1, outdoor unit 14 is equipped with heat exchanger 24 that exchanges heat with outdoor air, and a blower, such as axial fan 26, which generates a flow of outdoor air passing through heat exch...

second exemplary embodiment

(Second exemplary embodiment)

[0050]The present second exemplary embodiment is an improved embodiment of the first exemplary embodiment described above. The present second exemplary embodiment will be described while focusing on differences from the first exemplary embodiment described above.

[0051]Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment. Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a part of fin stacked body 240 in heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0052]As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, fin stacked body 240 in heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment includes one end part 248c of corrugated fin 248 that is located on a downstream side in a flow direction (X-axis direction) of air A and that is in contact with main fin 246 as in the first exemplary embodiment described above. Unlike the first exemplary embodiment described above and illustrated in Fig. 6, main fin 246 extends beyo...

BACKGROUND1. Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner including the heat exchanger.2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] For example, a heat exchanger including a corrugated fin has been conventionally known as described in PTL 1. The heat exchanger described in PTL 1 is a so-called drone-cup heat exchanger.Citation ListPatent Literature

[0003] PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. H01-208432SUMMARY

[0004] When a heat exchanger including corrugated fins is used as an evaporator, water vapor in air flowing between the corrugated fins may be condensed on a surface of each of the corrugated fins, and water droplets may be generated on the surface. The water droplets move on the surface of each of the corrugated fins by being pushed by a flow of air, and stay at one end part on a downstream side of each of the corrugated fins, the one end part being located on a downstream side in a flow direction of the air. When many water droplets gather at the one end part on the downstream side of each of the corrugated fins and the water droplets on the end part greatly grow, ventilation resistance of each of the corrugated fins is increased by the greatly grown water droplets. Then, the greatly grown water droplets are blown off from the heat exchanger by a flow of air.

[0005] Thus, the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger including a corrugated fin, the heat exchanger being capable of preventing water droplets from remaining on a surface of the corrugated fin, and an air conditioner including the heat exchanger.

[0006] A heat exchanger according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows. The heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the end part being in contact with corresponding one of the main fins.

[0007] An air conditioner according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a compressor that discharges a refrigerant, and a heat exchanger through which the refrigerant flows. The heat exchanger includes multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows. The heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the end part being in contact with corresponding one of the main fins.

[0008] The present disclosure enables providing a heat exchanger including a corrugated fin, the heat exchanger being capable of preventing water droplets from remaining on a surface of the corrugated fin, and an air conditioner including the heat exchanger.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an air conditioner according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an indoor unit in the air conditioner; Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 4 is a rear view of the heat exchanger according to the first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a part of a fin stacked body according to the first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a part of the fin stacked body taken along line C-C illustrated in Fig. 4; Fig. 7A is an exploded perspective view of a main fin; Fig. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the main fin viewed from a different viewpoint; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a part of a fin stacked body in a heat exchanger of a comparative example; Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a second exemplary embodiment; Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a part of a fin stacked body in the heat exchanger according to the second exemplary embodiment; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a corrugated fin including a louver. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

[0010] A heat exchanger according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows. The heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the end part being in contact with corresponding one of the main fins.

[0011] The aspect described above enables the heat exchanger including the corrugated fin to prevent water droplets from remaining on a surface of the corrugated fin.

[0012] For example, one end part of the corrugated fin may be an end part located on a downstream side in a flow direction of the second fluid.

[0013] For example, the main fin may extend beyond the one end part of the corrugated fin in the third direction.

[0014] For example, the other end part of the corrugated fin in the third direction may be in contact with the main fin.

[0015] For example, the main fin may be formed by stacking and joining a first plate and a second plate, and one end part of each of the first plate and the second plate in the third direction may be bent to be in contact with the one end part of the corrugated fin.

[0016] For example, the corrugated fin may include a louver.

[0017] An air conditioner according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a compressor that discharges a refrigerant, and a heat exchanger through which the refrigerant flows. The heat exchanger includes multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows. The heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the end part being in contact with corresponding one of the main fins.

[0018] The other aspect described above enables the heat exchanger including the corrugated fin to prevent water droplets from remaining on the surface of the corrugated fin, thereby resulting in preventing the water droplets from being blown out of the air conditioner.

[0019] Hereinafter, one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.(First exemplary embodiment)

[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of air conditioner 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of indoor unit 12 in air conditioner 10.

[0021] As illustrated in Fig. 1, air conditioner 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment includes indoor unit 12 disposed in a room and outdoor unit 14 disposed outside the room.

[0022] As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the indoor unit 12 includes heat exchanger 20 that exchanges heat with indoor air A, which is an example of the second fluid and is also simply referred to below as "air A". The indoor unit 12 is also equipped with a blower, such as cross flow fan 22, which generates a flow of indoor air A passing through heat exchanger 20.

[0023] As illustrated in Fig. 1, outdoor unit 14 is equipped with heat exchanger 24 that exchanges heat with outdoor air, and a blower, such as axial fan 26, which generates a flow of outdoor air passing through heat exchanger 24. Outdoor unit 14 is also equipped with compressor 28 that discharges a refrigerant (an example of a first fluid) passing through heat exchangers 20, 24. Heat exchanger 20, heat exchanger 24, and compressor 28 are connected using refrigerant pipe 30. Refrigerant pipe 30 is provided with expansion valve 32 that decompresses the refrigerant and four-way valve 34 that changes a flow direction of the refrigerant in accordance with any one of cooling operation and heating operation. Fig. 1 indicates a flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation using an arrow with a solid line, and a flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation using an arrow with a broken line.

[0024] During the cooling operation, the refrigerant is discharged from compressor 28, and sequentially passes through four-way valve 34, heat exchanger 24 and expansion valve 32 of outdoor unit 14, heat exchanger 20 of indoor unit 12, and four-way valve 34 again to return to compressor 28. During the heating operation, the refrigerant is fed from compressor 28, and sequentially passes through four-way valve 34, heat exchanger 20 and expansion valve 32 of indoor unit 12, heat exchanger 24 of outdoor unit 14, and four-way valve 34 again to return to compressor 28. Four-way valve 34 switches the flow of the refrigerant between a flow during the cooling operation and a flow during the heating operation. As described above, air conditioner 10 includes compressor 28 that discharges the refrigerant and heat exchanger 24 through which the refrigerant flows.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of heat exchanger 20 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 4 is a rear view of heat exchanger 20 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a part of fin stacked body 40 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a part of fin stacked body 40 taken along line C-C illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0026] The drawings each show an X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system that is for facilitating understanding of an exemplary embodiment and that does not limit the exemplary embodiment. An X-axis direction (an example of the third direction) and a Y-axis direction (an example of the second direction) indicate extending directions of fins constituting a fin stacked body in a heat exchanger, and a Z-axis direction (an example of the first direction) indicates a stacking direction of fins. Air A (white arrow) passing through heat exchanger 20 in the present first exemplary embodiment flows mainly in the X-axis direction.

[0027] As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, heat exchanger 20 includes fin stacked body 40. Fin stacked body 40 is disposed between two end plates 42, 44. One end plate 42 is provided with connection pipe 42a (referred to below also as "inflow-side connection pipe 42a") at one end that is connected to refrigerant pipe 30 and through which the refrigerant flows in or out, and connection pipe 42b (referred to below also as "outflow-side connection pipe 42b") at the other end.

[0028] As illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6, fin stacked body 40 is formed by alternately stacking multiple main fins 46 and multiple corrugated fins 48. Although Figs. 3 and 4 each illustrate five main fins 46 disposed between two end plates 42, 44, the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the heat exchanger according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least two main fins 46 and at least one corrugated fin 48 disposed between main fins 46.

[0029] Fig. 7A is an exploded perspective view of main fins 46. Fig. 7B is an exploded perspective view of main fins 46 viewed from a different viewpoint.

[0030] As illustrated in Fig. 6, internal flow path IP through which the refrigerant flows is provided inside each of multiple main fins 46.

[0031] Specifically, each of multiple main fins 46 in the present first exemplary embodiment is formed by stacking and joining first plate 50 and second plate 52 to each other in a stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of fin stacked body 40 as illustrated in Figs. 7A and 7B. The joining allows internal flow path IP to be formed between first plate 50 and second plate 52 as illustrated in Fig. 6.

[0032] First plate 50 and second plate 52 in the present first exemplary embodiment are each produced by performing processing, such as pressing, on a metal thin plate having brazing material layers on both surfaces, that is, a so-called brazing sheet. The brazing sheet is produced by forming an aluminum-silicon alloy layer as a brazing material on both surfaces of a thin plate made of an aluminum alloy, for example. First plate 50 and second plate 52 are joined by so-called brazing in which the brazing material layer is melted once by heating and solidified again.

[0033] As illustrated in Fig. 6, first plate 50 and second plate 52 are joined to each other to form internal flow path IP through which the refrigerant flows. As illustrated in Figs. 7A and 7B, recess 52b in a meandering shape is formed in inner surface 52a of second plate 52, inner surface 52a facing first plate 50, in the present first exemplary embodiment. Additionally, recess 50b in a meandering shape is formed in inner surface 50a of first plate 50, inner surface 50a facing second plate 52. These recesses 50b, 52b facing each other constitute internal flow path IP in a meandering shape through which the refrigerant flows.

[0034] As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, internal flow paths IP communicate internally with headers 46a, 46b each in a tubular shape provided at respective ends in a longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of main fin 46. As illustrated in Figs. 7A and 7B, headers 46a, 46b are respectively formed by joining tubular parts 50c, 50d of first plate 50 and tubular parts 52c, 52d of second plate 52.

[0035] Connecting header 46a of each of multiple main fins 46 constitutes inflow-side manifold 40a (referred to below also simply as a "manifold 40a") as illustrated in Fig. 4. Manifold 40a is connected to inflow-side connection pipe 42a of end plate 42 to guide the refrigerant having passed through inflow-side connection pipe 42a to internal flow path IP of each of main fins 46.

[0036] Connecting header 46b of each of multiple main fins 46 constitutes outflow-side manifold 40b (referred to below also simply as a "manifold 40b") as illustrated in Fig. 4. Manifold 40b is connected to outflow-side connection pipe 42b of end plate 42 to guide the refrigerant having flowed out of internal flow path IP of each of main fins 46 to outflow-side connection pipe 42b.

[0037] As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, multiple main fins 46 are stacked at intervals. Corrugated fin 48 is disposed between corresponding main fins 46. Corrugated fin 48 extends in a meandering shape in a direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of main fins 46 as viewed in a flow direction (X-axis direction) of air A. Corrugated fin 48 in the present first exemplary embodiment extends in a rectangular wave shape. Corrugated fin 48 in the present first exemplary embodiment is made of the same material as that of the metal thin plate of each of first plate 50 and second plate 52, such as an aluminum alloy.

[0038] Then, each corrugated fin 48 exchanges heat with air A flowing between adjacent main fins 46, and is thermally connected to corresponding adjacent main fins 46. As described above, heat exchanger 20 includes internal flow paths IP through each of which the refrigerant (an example of the first fluid) flows, and includes multiple main fins 46 disposed side by side in the Z-axis direction (an example of the first direction) at intervals. Heat exchanger 20 also includes corrugated fin 48 that extends in a meandering shape in the Y-axis direction (an example of the second direction) intersecting the Z-axis direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins 46 of multiple main fins 46, and that exchanges heat with indoor air A (an example of the second fluid) flowing between adjacent main fins 46. As illustrated in Fig. 4, each corrugated fin 48 includes multiple heat exchange parts 48a that extend in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of main fins 46 while being substantially parallel to each other, and that substantially exchanges heat with air A. Each corrugated fin 48 includes multiple connection parts 48b that are in contact with and thermally connected to corresponding main fins 46. Specifically, connection part 48b of corrugated fin 48 is partially joined to a top part of each of protrusions 50e, 52e in a meandering shape generated respectively by formation of recesses 50b, 52b in a meandering shape constituting internal flow paths IP as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 7B.

[0039] Heat exchanger 20 described above allows heat to be transferred from the refrigerant flowing in internal flow paths IP of main fins 46 to air A flowing between main fins 46, through main fins 46 and corrugated fins 38, during the heating operation. During the cooling operation, heat is transferred from air A flowing between main fins 46 to the refrigerant flowing through internal flow paths IP of main fins 46 through corrugated fins 38 and main fins 46.

[0040] As illustrated in Fig. 6, corrugated fin 48 is also in contact with (bonded to) main fin 46 at one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 in a lateral direction (X-axis direction) of main fin 46, that is, in the flow direction of air A flowing between main fins 46. As described above, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 in the X-axis direction (an example of the third direction) intersecting both the Z-axis direction (an example of the first direction) and the Y-axis direction (an example of the second direction) is in contact with main fin 46. That is, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 located on a downstream side in the flow direction of air A is in contact with main fin 46. In other words, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 is an end part located on the downstream side in the flow direction of air A (an example of the second fluid). This is because water droplets generated on the surface of corrugated fin 48 are likely to be moved to main fin 46. This will be specifically described with reference to a comparative example.

[0041] Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a part of a fin stacked body in a heat exchanger of the comparative example.

[0042] As illustrated in Fig. 8, a fin stacked body of the comparative example includes one end part 148c of corrugated fin 148, one end part 148c being located on the downstream side in the flow direction of air A and being not in contact with main fin 146. Thus, water droplet W is likely to stay at one end part 148c of corrugated fin 148.

[0043] Specifically, air A flowing between main fins 146 (that is, between corrugated fins 148) is cooled by a refrigerant flowing in internal flow paths IP of main fins 146 during the cooling operation. The cooling causes water vapor contained in air A to be condensed on a surface of corrugated fin 148, thereby generating water droplet W on the surface. Water droplet W on the surface of corrugated fin 148 is pushed by a flow of air A to be moved toward one end part 148c on the surface of corrugated fin 148.

[0044] Water droplet W moved to one end part 148c of corrugated fin 148 may still remain at one end part 148c without being blown out from corrugated fin 148 toward the outside. For example, when air A has a low velocity of flow, that is, cross flow fan 22 has a low rotational speed, water droplet W may stay at one end part 148c. When many water droplets W gather and stay at one end part 148c, water droplets W greatly grow on one end part 148c. When water droplets W greatly grow until they come into contact with both of heat exchange parts 148a of corrugated fins 148 facing each other at an interval, flow path resistance of corrugated fins 148 greatly increases. Then, when water droplets W having grown so large are blown out of corrugated fins 148, the periphery of indoor unit 12 of air conditioner 10 is wetted with water droplets W.

[0045] To prevent water droplets W from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 148, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 is located on the downstream side in the flow direction of air A and is in contact with main fins 46 in the present first exemplary embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 6. Water droplets generated on the surface of corrugated fin 48 move toward one end part 48c on the surface of corrugated fin 48. When the water droplets on one end part 48c partially come into contact with a surface of main fin 46, the water droplets are pushed by the flow of air A, thereby being moved from the surface of corrugated fin 48 to the surface of main fin 46. When water droplets remaining at the one end part 48c greatly grow to come into contact with the surface of main fin 46, the water droplets are pushed by the flow of air A, thereby being moved from the surface of corrugated fin 48 to the surface of main fin 46. The water droplets moved to the surface of main fin 46 finally move on the surface of main fin 46 toward a drain pan (not illustrated) located below main fin 46. As a result, the water droplets are prevented from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 48.

[0046] Water droplets remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 48 are likely to occur when the flow direction of air A flowing between main fins 46 is substantially a horizontal direction (when a water direction component is included in the flow direction). That is, this phenomenon is likely to occur when heat exchange part 48a in the shape of a flat plate of corrugated fin 48 extends substantially in the horizontal direction. This is because when the heat exchange part 48a is substantially horizontal, water droplets on the heat exchange part 48a do not substantially move on heat exchange part 48a due to their own weight.

[0047] As described above and illustrated in Fig. 6, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 is in contact (joined) with one end part 46c of main fin 46. The present first exemplary embodiment includes one end part 50f of first plate 50 and one end part 52f of second plate 52 at one end part 46c of main fin 46, which are each bent to be in contact with one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48. That is, one end part 50f, 52f of corresponding one of first plate 50 and second plate 52 in the X-axis direction (an example of the third direction) is bent to be in contact with one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48. Alternatively, one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 may be indirectly in contact with main fin 46 with another member interposed therebetween. That is, a method for bringing one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 into contact with main fin 46 is not limited as long as a water droplet on the surface of corrugated fin 48 can move from one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 to main fin 46 without resistance.

[0048] When one end part 48c of corrugated fin 48 is brought into contact with (joining) main fin 46, water droplets are prevented from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 48 as described above, and rigidity of fin stacked body 40 and heat conduction efficiency between main fin 46 and corrugated fin 48 are improved. That is, main fin 46 and corrugated fin 48 are joined to each other with a contact area larger than that of the comparative example illustrated in Fig. 8. As a result, the rigidity of fin stacked body 40 is improved, and the heat conduction efficiency between main fin 46 and corrugated fin 48 is improved.

[0049] The present first exemplary embodiment described above enables heat exchanger 20 including corrugated fin 48 to prevent water droplets from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 48.(Second exemplary embodiment)

[0050] The present second exemplary embodiment is an improved embodiment of the first exemplary embodiment described above. The present second exemplary embodiment will be described while focusing on differences from the first exemplary embodiment described above.

[0051] Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment. Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a part of fin stacked body 240 in heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0052] As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, fin stacked body 240 in heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment includes one end part 248c of corrugated fin 248 that is located on a downstream side in a flow direction (X-axis direction) of air A and that is in contact with main fin 246 as in the first exemplary embodiment described above. Unlike the first exemplary embodiment described above and illustrated in Fig. 6, main fin 246 extends beyond one end part 248c of corrugated fin 248 in the flow direction of air A (X-axis direction (an example of the third direction)).

[0053] Specifically, the first exemplary embodiment described above includes end surface 46d of main fin 46 that is located on the downstream side in the flow direction (X-axis direction) of air A and that is not offset with respect to end surface 48d located on the downstream side of corrugated fin 48, end surface 46d being located substantially flush with end surface 48d as illustrated in Fig. 6. In contrast, the second exemplary embodiment includes end surface 246d located on a downstream side of main fin 246, end surface 246d being offset toward a downstream side in the flow direction of air A with respect to end surface 248d located on a downstream side of corrugated fin 248 as illustrated in Fig. 10.

[0054] When main fin 246 extends beyond one end part 248c of corrugated fin 248 as described above, water droplets generated on a surface of corrugated fin 248 are more likely to move onto a surface of main fin 246. In particular, water droplets being moved by being pushed by a flow of air A while being guided by connection part 248b of corrugated fin 248 move onto the surface of main fin 246 beyond one end part 248c of corrugated fin 248 without stopping at one end part 248c. As a result, the water droplets are further prevented from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 248.

[0055] The present second exemplary embodiment described above also enables heat exchanger 220 including corrugated fin 248 to prevent water droplets from remaining on the surface of corrugated fin 248 as with the first exemplary embodiment described above.

[0056] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the exemplary embodiments described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0057] For example, other end part 48e of corrugated fin 48 (an end part upstream in the flow direction of air A (an example of the third direction)) in the first exemplary embodiment described above is not in contact with main fin 46 as illustrated in Fig. 6. Besides this configuration, other end part 48e of corrugated fin 48 may be in contact with main fin 46. This contact further improves rigidity of fin stacked body 40 and heat conduction efficiency between main fin 46 and corrugated fin 48.

[0058] Corrugated fin 48 in the first exemplary embodiment described above has a rectangular wave shape, that is, multiple heat exchange parts 48a are parallel to each other. However, the corrugated fin in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the shape of a rectangular wave. For example, the corrugated fin according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have a sinusoidal shape. The corrugated fin according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a louver.

[0059] Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a part of corrugated fin 348 including louver 348d.

[0060] As illustrated in Fig. 11, corrugated fin 348 includes louver 348d in each of heat exchange parts 348a. Louver 348d allows air flowing on a side close to one surface of heat exchange part 348a to flow on a side close to the other surface of heat exchange part 348a. Consequently, a flow path of the air between main fins increases in length to more than that of corrugated fin 348 without louver 348d, so that heat exchange efficiency between the air flowing between the main fins and corrugated fin 348 is improved. Presence of louver 348d suppresses collection of water droplets on one end part 348c of corrugated fin 348.

[0061] The heat exchanger described above is provided in an air conditioner that performs indoor air conditioning. However, the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The heat exchanger according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in a device that needs to perform heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid.

[0062] That is, the heat exchanger according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes an internal flow path through which the first fluid flows, and includes multiple main fins disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, in a broad sense. This heat exchanger includes also a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering manner in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins. The corrugated fin includes one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the end part being in contact with corresponding one of the main fins.

[0063] The present disclosure is applicable to a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid.

Examples

first exemplary embodiment

(First exemplary embodiment)

[0020]Fig. 1 is a schematic view of air conditioner 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of indoor unit 12 in air conditioner 10.

[0021]As illustrated in Fig. 1, air conditioner 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment includes indoor unit 12 disposed in a room and outdoor unit 14 disposed outside the room.

[0022]As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the indoor unit 12 includes heat exchanger 20 that exchanges heat with indoor air A, which is an example of the second fluid and is also simply referred to below as "air A". The indoor unit 12 is also equipped with a blower, such as cross flow fan 22, which generates a flow of indoor air A passing through heat exchanger 20.

[0023]As illustrated in Fig. 1, outdoor unit 14 is equipped with heat exchanger 24 that exchanges heat with outdoor air, and a blower, such as axial fan 26, which generates a flow of outdoor air passing through heat exch...

second exemplary embodiment

(Second exemplary embodiment)

[0050]The present second exemplary embodiment is an improved embodiment of the first exemplary embodiment described above. The present second exemplary embodiment will be described while focusing on differences from the first exemplary embodiment described above.

[0051]Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment. Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a part of fin stacked body 240 in heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0052]As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, fin stacked body 240 in heat exchanger 220 according to the second exemplary embodiment includes one end part 248c of corrugated fin 248 that is located on a downstream side in a flow direction (X-axis direction) of air A and that is in contact with main fin 246 as in the first exemplary embodiment described above. Unlike the first exemplary embodiment described above and illustrated in Fig. 6, main fin 246 extends beyo...

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising: multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows; and a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, the corrugated fin exchanging heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins, the corrugated fin including one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the one end part being in contact with the adjacent main fins.

2. The heat exchanger according to Claim 1, wherein the one end part of the corrugated fin is located on a downstream side in a flow direction of a second fluid.

3. The heat exchanger according to Claim 1, wherein each of the multiple main fins extends beyond the one end part of the corrugated fin in the third direction.

4. The heat exchanger according to Claim 1, wherein the corrugated fin includes another end part in the third direction, the other end part being in contact with the adjacent main fins.

5. The heat exchanger according to Claim 1, wherein each of the multiple main fins is formed by stacking and joining a first plate and a second plate, and each of the first plate and the second plate includes one end part in the third direction, the one end part being bent to be in contact with the one end part of the corrugated fin.

6. The heat exchanger according to Claim 1, wherein the corrugated fin includes a louver.

7. An air conditioner comprising: a compressor that discharges a refrigerant; and a heat exchanger through which the refrigerant flows, the heat exchanger including: multiple main fins that are disposed side by side in a first direction at intervals, the multiple main fins each including an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows; and a corrugated fin that extends in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being disposed between adjacent main fins of the multiple main fins, and that exchanges heat with a second fluid flowing between the adjacent main fins, the corrugated fin including one end part in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the one end part being in contact with the adjacent main fins.

Images