Heat exchanger, air conditioning device, and manufacturing method of heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger which can be easily joined by brazing, an air conditioning device, and a manufacturing method of the heat exchanger.SOLUTION: An outdoor heat exchanger (11) comprises a plurality of flat tubes (28), a gas header (50) to which the plurality of flat tubes (28) is connected; a gas coolant connection pipe (19a) connected to the gas header (50); and a connection part (58) provided in a connection portion between the gas header (50) and the gas coolant connection pipe (19a). The connection part (58) contains a metal and a brazing material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger, an air conditioning device, and a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a heat exchanger having a header to which a plurality of heat transfer tubes are connected has been used in an air conditioner, etc. As the header of such a heat exchanger, there is a header to which a refrigerant pipe for supplying a refrigerant is connected.

[0003] For example, in a heat exchanger for an air-conditioning apparatus described in Patent Document 1 (JP 2023-102026 A), the header and the refrigerant piping are fixed to each other by brazing. DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One method of brazing the header of a heat exchanger to the refrigerant piping is to supply brazing material to the joint between the header and the refrigerant piping, but this brazing process tends to be complicated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A heat exchanger according to a first aspect includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes, a header, a refrigerant pipe, and a connecting portion. The plurality of heat transfer tubes are connected to the header. The refrigerant pipe is connected to the header. The connecting portion is provided at a connecting portion between the header and the refrigerant pipe. The connecting portion is separate from the header. The connecting portion is separate from the refrigerant pipe. The connecting portion includes a metal and a brazing material.

[0006] In this heat exchanger, the brazing material contained in the connecting portion melts during brazing, making it possible to easily join the header and the refrigerant pipe.

[0007] A heat exchanger according to a second aspect is the heat exchanger of the first aspect, wherein the connecting portion restricts movement in an extension direction of the pipe connecting portion. The pipe connecting portion is a connecting portion of refrigerant pipes.

[0008] In this heat exchanger, the refrigerant piping is prevented from falling off during brazing in the furnace.

[0009] A heat exchanger according to a third aspect is the heat exchanger according to the first or second aspect, wherein the refrigerant pipe is a circular pipe. The connecting portion restricts rotation of the pipe connecting portion when the direction in which the pipe connecting portion extends is the rotation axis direction. The pipe connecting portion is a connecting portion of the refrigerant pipe.

[0010] In this heat exchanger, the refrigerant piping is prevented from rotating around its axis during brazing in the furnace.

[0011] A heat exchanger according to a fourth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the connecting portion includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion is fixed to the pipe connecting portion. The second connecting portion is fixed to the header. The pipe connecting portion is a connecting portion of the refrigerant pipes. The second connecting portion restricts movement of the first connecting portion.

[0012] In this heat exchanger, the movement of the refrigerant piping relative to the header during furnace brazing can be restricted by only two connecting portions.

[0013] A heat exchanger according to a fifth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the fourth aspect, wherein the first connecting portion covers a periphery of the pipe connecting portion when viewed from a direction in which the pipe connecting portion extends.

[0014] In this heat exchanger, the brazing material is easily supplied to the periphery of the pipe connection portion during brazing in the furnace.

[0015] A heat exchanger according to a sixth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the first connecting portion has a first shaped portion partially provided in a circumferential direction of the pipe connecting portion. The refrigerant pipe is a circular pipe. The second connecting portion has a second shaped portion. The second shaped portion interacts with the first shaped portion to regulate rotation of the pipe connecting portion when the direction in which the pipe connecting portion extends is the rotation axis direction.

[0016] In this heat exchanger, the two connecting portions can prevent the refrigerant piping from rotating around its axis during brazing in the furnace.

[0017] A heat exchanger according to a seventh aspect is the heat exchanger according to the sixth aspect, wherein the first connecting portion has a cylindrical member that surrounds the pipe connecting portion. The first shaped portion is an opening or a notch provided in the cylindrical member. The second shaped portion is inserted into the opening or the notch in a radial direction of the pipe connecting portion.

[0018] In this heat exchanger, rotation of the refrigerant piping is suppressed by inserting the second shaped portion of the second connecting portion, which is fixed to the header, into an opening or cutout portion of the first connecting portion, which is a cylindrical member fixed to the refrigerant piping.

[0019] A heat exchanger according to an eighth aspect is a heat exchanger according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the second connecting part is fixed to the first connecting part, fixed to the piping connecting portion via the first connecting part, or integrated with the first connecting part.

[0020] In this heat exchanger, movement of the refrigerant piping relative to the header during brazing in the furnace can be restricted.

[0021] A heat exchanger according to a ninth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the header has a first header member. The first header member includes a header connection portion. The first header member has a semicircular portion that has a semicircular shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the first header member.

[0022] In this heat exchanger, the first header member has a semicircular shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction, which makes it easy to increase the pressure resistance of the header.

[0023] A heat exchanger according to a tenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, wherein the refrigerant pipe and the header do not contain a brazing material.

[0024] In this heat exchanger, even if the refrigerant piping and the header do not contain brazing material, the brazing material contained in the connecting part provided at the connecting part between the header and the refrigerant piping makes it possible to perform furnace brazing.

[0025] An air conditioner according to an eleventh aspect includes the heat exchanger according to any one of the first aspect to the tenth aspect.

[0026] This air conditioner is easy to manufacture by using a heat exchanger in which the header and refrigerant piping are furnace brazed.

[0027] A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to a twelfth aspect is a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger having a plurality of heat transfer tubes, a header to which the plurality of heat transfer tubes are connected, and a refrigerant pipe connected to the header, and includes a positioning step and a brazing step. In the positioning step, a connection part containing a metal and a brazing material is provided at a connection part between the header and the refrigerant pipe, and the position of the refrigerant pipe relative to the header is determined via the connection part. In the brazing step, the refrigerant pipe is brazed to the header in a state positioned in the positioning step.

[0028] In this method of manufacturing a heat exchanger, the brazing is performed with the position of the refrigerant piping relative to the header determined by the connecting portion, so that the brazing material contained in the connecting portion can be melted. This makes it possible to easily join the header and the refrigerant piping while maintaining the position of the refrigerant piping relative to the header.

[0029] A manufacturing method for a heat exchanger according to a thirteenth aspect is the manufacturing method for a heat exchanger according to the twelfth aspect, in which the refrigerant piping is a circular pipe. In the positioning step, a restricted state is created in which rotation of the piping connecting part is restricted using a connecting portion. The rotation of the piping connecting part is rotation when the direction in which the piping connecting part extends is set as the rotation axis direction. The piping connecting part is a connecting part of the refrigerant piping with the header. In the brazing step, the refrigerant piping is brazed to the header in the restricted state.

[0030] In this method of manufacturing a heat exchanger, the refrigerant pipes are prevented from rotating relative to the headers during brazing.

[0031] A method for producing a heat exchanger according to a fourteenth aspect is the method for producing a heat exchanger according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in which the brazing step is carried out in a furnace.

[0032] In this method of manufacturing a heat exchanger, it is possible to perform furnace brazing while maintaining the position of the refrigerant piping relative to the header. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an outdoor heat exchanger. [Diagram 3] 3 is a partial enlarged view of a heat exchange portion of the outdoor heat exchanger. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which heat transfer fins are attached to flat tubes in a heat exchange section. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a state of a refrigerant flow in an outdoor heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator of the refrigerant. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a gas refrigerant connection pipe is connected to a gas header. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a gas header. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a connecting portion between a gas header and a gas refrigerant connection pipe. [Figure 9]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vicinity of a connecting portion between a gas header and a gas refrigerant connection pipe. [Figure 10] 4 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a first coupling portion is fixed to a gas refrigerant connecting pipe. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a connecting portion between a gas header and a gas refrigerant connecting pipe according to another embodiment A. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an external view of a connecting portion between a gas header and a gas refrigerant connecting pipe according to another embodiment A. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a coupling portion of a gas refrigerant connecting pipe according to another embodiment A. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a connecting portion between a gas header and a gas refrigerant connecting pipe according to another embodiment B. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a connecting portion between a gas header and a gas refrigerant connecting pipe according to another embodiment B. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a connecting portion between a gas header and a gas refrigerant connection pipe according to another embodiment F. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is an external view of a connecting portion between a gas header and a gas refrigerant connecting pipe according to another embodiment F. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is an external view of a connecting portion between a gas header and a gas refrigerant connecting pipe according to another embodiment G. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of a heat exchanger according to the present disclosure and an air-conditioning apparatus in which the heat exchanger is used will be described.

[0035] (1) Air conditioning system configuration The air conditioner 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 1 having a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as an outdoor heat exchanger 11.

[0037] The air conditioner 1 is a device that performs cooling and heating of a space to be air-conditioned by performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The space to be air-conditioned is, for example, a space inside a building such as an office building, a commercial facility, or a residence. Note that the air conditioner is merely one example of a refrigerant cycle device, and the heat exchanger of the present disclosure may be used in other refrigerant cycle devices, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a water heater, a floor heating device, etc.

[0038] 1, the air conditioner 1 mainly comprises an outdoor unit 2, an indoor unit 9, a liquid refrigerant connection pipe 4, a gas refrigerant connection pipe 5, and a control unit 3 that controls the equipment that makes up the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9. The liquid refrigerant connection pipe 4 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 5 are refrigerant connection pipes that connect the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9. In the air conditioner 1, the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9 are connected via the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 4 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 5 to form a refrigerant circuit 6.

[0039] 1, the air conditioner 1 has one indoor unit 9, but the air conditioner 1 may have a plurality of indoor units 9 connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 2 by a liquid refrigerant connection pipe 4 and a gas refrigerant connection pipe 5. The air conditioner 1 may also have a plurality of outdoor units 2. The air conditioner 1 may also be an integrated air conditioner in which the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9 are formed integrally.

[0040] (1-1) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 2 is installed outside the space to be air-conditioned, for example, on the roof of a building or near a wall of a building.

[0041] The outdoor unit 2 mainly has an accumulator 7, a compressor 8, a four-way switching valve 10, an outdoor heat exchanger 11, an outdoor expansion valve 12, a liquid-side shut-off valve 13, a gas-side shut-off valve 14, and an outdoor fan 16.

[0042] The outdoor unit 2 mainly has a suction pipe 17, a discharge pipe 18, a first gas refrigerant pipe 19, a liquid refrigerant pipe 20, and a second gas refrigerant pipe 21 as refrigerant pipes that connect various devices that constitute the refrigerant circuit 6. The suction pipe 17 connects the four-way switching valve 10 and the suction side of the compressor 8. The accumulator 7 is provided in the suction pipe 17. The discharge pipe 18 connects the discharge side of the compressor 8 and the four-way switching valve 10. The first gas refrigerant pipe 19 connects the four-way switching valve 10 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The liquid refrigerant pipe 20 connects the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the liquid side stop valve 13. The liquid refrigerant pipe 20 is provided with an outdoor expansion valve 12. The second gas refrigerant pipe 21 connects the four-way switching valve 10 and the gas side stop valve 14.

[0043] The compressor 8 is a device that draws in low-pressure refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle from a suction pipe 17, compresses the refrigerant using a compression mechanism (not shown), and discharges the compressed refrigerant to a discharge pipe .

[0044] The four-way switching valve 10 is a mechanism that changes the state of the refrigerant circuit 6 between a cooling operation state and a heating operation state by switching the flow direction of the refrigerant. When the refrigerant circuit 6 is in a cooling operation state, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a radiator or condenser of the refrigerant, and the indoor heat exchanger 91 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant. When the refrigerant circuit 6 is in a heating operation state, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, and the indoor heat exchanger 91 functions as a condenser of the refrigerant. When the four-way switching valve 10 sets the state of the refrigerant circuit 6 to a cooling operation state, the four-way switching valve 10 communicates the suction pipe 17 with the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 and communicates the discharge pipe 18 with the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 (see the solid lines in the four-way switching valve 10 in FIG. 1). When the four-way switching valve 10 sets the state of the refrigerant circuit 6 to a heating operation state, the four-way switching valve 10 connects the suction pipe 17 to the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 and connects the discharge pipe 18 to the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 (see the dashed lines within the four-way switching valve 10 in Figure 1).

[0045] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is a device that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air in the installation location of the outdoor unit 2. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 will be described in detail later.

[0046] The outdoor expansion valve 12 is disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the indoor heat exchanger 91 in the refrigerant circuit 6. In this embodiment, the outdoor expansion valve 12 is disposed in a liquid refrigerant pipe 20 between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the liquid side stop valve 13. The outdoor expansion valve 12 has a mechanism for adjusting the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant pipe 20.

[0047] The accumulator 7 is a container having a gas-liquid separation function that separates the refrigerant that flows in into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The accumulator 7 is also a container having a storage function for excess refrigerant that occurs in response to fluctuations in the operating load, etc.

[0048] The liquid side shut-off valve 13 is a valve provided at the connection between the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 and the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 4. The gas side shut-off valve 14 is a valve provided at the connection between the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 5. The liquid side shut-off valve 13 and the gas side shut-off valve 14 are open when the air conditioning apparatus 1 is operating.

[0049] The outdoor fan 16 is a fan that draws external heat source air into a casing of the outdoor unit 2 (not shown), supplies it to the outdoor heat exchanger 11, and exhausts the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 to the outside of the casing of the outdoor unit 2. The outdoor fan 16 is, for example, a propeller fan.

[0050] (1-2) Indoor unit The indoor unit 9 is a unit installed in the space to be air-conditioned. The indoor unit 9 is, for example, a ceiling-embedded unit, but may also be a ceiling-suspended, wall-mounted, or floor-standing unit. The indoor unit 9 may also be installed outside the space to be air-conditioned. For example, the indoor unit 9 may be installed in an attic, a machine room, a garage, or the like. In this case, an air passage is installed to supply the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 91 from the indoor unit 9 to the space to be air-conditioned. The air passage is, for example, a duct.

[0051] The indoor unit 9 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 91, an indoor expansion valve 93, and an indoor fan 92.

[0052] In the indoor heat exchanger 91, heat exchange takes place between the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 91 and the air in the space to be air-conditioned. The indoor heat exchanger 91 is, for example, a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger having a plurality of heat transfer tubes and fins (not shown). One end of the indoor heat exchanger 91 is connected to the indoor expansion valve 93 via a refrigerant piping. The other end of the indoor heat exchanger 91 is connected to the gas refrigerant communication pipe 5 via a refrigerant piping.

[0053] The indoor expansion valve 93 is disposed in the refrigerant circuit 6 between the indoor heat exchanger 91 and the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 4. The indoor expansion valve 93 has a mechanism for adjusting the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the indoor expansion valve 93.

[0054] The indoor fan 92 is a mechanism that draws air in the space to be air-conditioned into a casing (not shown) of the indoor unit 9, supplies it to the indoor heat exchanger 91, and blows out the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 91 into the space to be air-conditioned. The indoor fan 92 is, for example, a turbo fan.

[0055] (1-3) Control section The control unit 3 is a functional unit that controls the operations of the various devices that make up the air conditioner 1.

[0056] The control unit 3 is configured, for example, by connecting an outdoor control unit (not shown) of the outdoor unit 2 and an indoor control unit (not shown) of the indoor unit 9 so that they can communicate with each other via a transmission line (not shown). The outdoor control unit and the indoor control unit are units having, for example, a microcomputer and a memory in which various programs for controlling the air conditioner 1 that can be executed by the microcomputer are stored. For the sake of convenience, the control unit 3 is drawn in FIG. 1 at a position separate from the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9.

[0057] The control unit 3 is electrically connected to various devices of the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9, including the compressor 8, the four-way switching valve 10, the outdoor expansion valve 12, the outdoor fan 16, the indoor fan 92, and the indoor expansion valve 93. The control unit 3 is also electrically connected to various sensors (not shown) provided in the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9. The control unit 3 is also configured to be able to communicate with a remote control (not shown) operated by a user of the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0058] The control unit 3 controls the operation and shutdown of the air conditioner 1 and the operation of various devices that make up the air conditioner 1, based on measurement signals from various sensors and commands received from a remote control (not shown).

[0059] (2) Configuration of outdoor heat exchanger The configuration of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0060] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. Fig. 3 is a partial enlarged view of a heat exchange section 27, described later, of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a mounting state of fins 29, described later, to flat tubes 28 in the heat exchange section 27. Fig. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The arrows of the heat exchange section 27 shown in Fig. 5 indicate the flow of refrigerant during heating operation (when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator).

[0061] In the following description, expressions such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front (front side)," and "rear (back side)" may be used to describe directions and positions. Unless otherwise specified, these expressions follow the directions of the arrows drawn in FIG. 2. Note that these expressions indicating directions and positions are used for the convenience of description, and do not specify the directions and positions of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 as a whole or each component of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 to the directions and positions of the expressions described, unless otherwise specified.

[0062] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is a device that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air.

[0063] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 mainly has a plurality of flat tubes 28, a plurality of fins 29, a turn-back header 30, and an inlet / outlet header 40. In this embodiment, the flat tubes 28, the fins 29, the turn-back header 30, and the inlet / outlet header 40 are all made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0064] The flat tubes 28 and the fins 29 fixed to the flat tubes 28 form a heat exchange section 27. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, air flows through an air passage formed by the flat tubes 28 and the fins 29 of the heat exchange section 27, whereby heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the flat tubes 28 and the air flowing through the air passage.

[0065] (2-1) Flat tube The flat tube 28 is a flat heat transfer tube having flat surfaces 28a on the top and bottom, which serve as heat transfer surfaces, as shown in Fig. 3. The flat tube 28 has a plurality of refrigerant passages 28b through which the refrigerant flows, as shown in Fig. 3. For example, the flat tube 28 is a flat multi-hole tube in which a large number of refrigerant passages 28b, each having a small cross-sectional area through which the refrigerant flows, are formed. In this embodiment, the plurality of refrigerant passages 28b are arranged side by side in the air flow direction.

[0066] In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, as shown in Fig. 5, flat tubes 28 extending horizontally between the turn-back header 30 side and the inlet / outlet header 40 side are arranged vertically in a plurality of stages. In this embodiment, the flat tubes 28 extending between the turn-back header 30 side and the inlet / outlet header 40 side are bent at one location, and the heat exchange section 27 formed by the flat tubes 28 is formed into a substantially L-shape in a plan view. In this embodiment, the flat tubes 28 are arranged vertically at regular intervals.

[0067] (2-2) Fin The multiple fins 29 are members for increasing the heat transfer area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 11. Each fin 29 is a plate-shaped member extending in the row direction in which the flat tubes 28 are arranged. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is used in a mode in which the multiple flat tubes 28 extending in the horizontal direction are arranged in a vertical direction. Therefore, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is installed in the outdoor unit 2, each fin 29 extends in the vertical direction.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, each fin 29 is formed with a plurality of notches 29a extending along the insertion direction of the flat tubes 28 so that the flat tubes 28 can be inserted. The notches 29a extend in the direction in which the fins 29 extend and in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the fins 29. When the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is installed in the outdoor unit 2, the notches 29a formed in each fin 29 extend horizontally. The notches 29a are formed in the fins 29 at intervals corresponding to the arrangement intervals of the flat tubes 28. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the multiple fins 29 are arranged side by side along the extension direction of the flat tubes 28. The flat tubes 28 are inserted into the multiple notches 29a of the multiple fins 29, and the spaces between the adjacent flat tubes 28 are divided into a plurality of ventilation passages through which air flows.

[0069] Each fin 29 has a communication portion 29b that communicates in the vertical direction on the upstream side or downstream side in the air flow direction with respect to the flat tubes 28. In this embodiment, the communication portion 29b of the fin 29 is located on the upwind side with respect to the flat tubes 28.

[0070] (2-3) Entrance / Exit Header The inlet / outlet header 40 has a gas header 50 located at the top and a liquid header 60 located at the bottom. The gas header 50 and the liquid header 60 are partitioned vertically by a partition plate 41. The gas header 50 has an internal space, and the liquid header 60 has a space isolated from the internal space of the gas header 50 by the partition plate 41. The upper end of the gas header 50 is closed by an upper lid 42. The partition plate 41 also functions as a bottom plate for the gas header 50.

[0071] A gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a constituting one end of the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 is connected to the gas header 50. The gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a may be made of an alloy such as an aluminum alloy that does not have a clad layer containing a brazing material.

[0072] To the liquid header 60, a liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a which constitutes one end of the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 is connected.

[0073] 5, one end of each of the flat tubes 28 is connected to the turn-back header 30, and the other end of each of the flat tubes 28 is connected to the gas header 50 and the liquid header 60 of the inlet / outlet header 40. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is disposed in a casing (not shown) of the outdoor unit 2 so that the longitudinal directions of the turn-back header 30 and the inlet / outlet headers 40 roughly coincide with the vertical direction.

[0074] (2-4) Folded header To the turn-back header 30, ends of the flat tubes 28 different from the ends of the flat tubes 28 connected to the gas header 50 and liquid header 60 of the inlet / outlet header 40 are connected.

[0075] (3) Refrigerant flow in the outdoor heat exchanger When the air conditioning device 1 performs heating operation so that the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, the refrigerant in a liquid state or a gas-liquid two-phase state that reaches the liquid header 60 from the liquid refrigerant tube 20 is divided in the internal space of the liquid header 60 and then flows through each flat tube 28 connected to the liquid header 60. The refrigerant flowing through each flat tube 28 is partially evaporated by heat exchange with the air and reaches a lower region of the internal space of the turn-back header 30. The refrigerant sent to the lower region of the internal space of the turn-back header 30 is sent to an upper region of the internal space of the turn-back header 30. The refrigerant that reaches the upper region of the turn-back header 30 flows through each flat tube 28 connected to the upper region of the turn-back header 30. The refrigerant flowing through each flat tube 28 is further evaporated by heat exchange with the air again and reaches the gas header 50. The refrigerant that reaches the gas header 50 is merged and then flows through the first gas refrigerant tube 19.

[0076] When the air conditioner 1 performs cooling operation or defrost operation, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant circuit 6 in the opposite direction to that during heating operation. Specifically, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 flows through the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 and then flows into the gas header 50. The gaseous refrigerant that reaches the gas header 50 is divided in the internal space of the gas header 50 and then flows through each flat tube 28 connected to the gas header 50. The refrigerant flowing through each flat tube 28 exchanges heat with the air, causing a portion of the refrigerant to release heat or condense, and reaches an upper region of the internal space of the turn-back header 30. The refrigerant sent to the upper region of the internal space of the turn-back header 30 descends through the internal space of the turn-back header 30 and reaches a lower region of the internal space of the turn-back header 30. The refrigerant that reaches the lower region of the turn-back header 30 flows through each flat tube 28 connected to the lower region of the turn-back header 30. The refrigerant flowing through each flat tube 28 again exchanges heat with the air, causing further heat release or condensation, and reaches the liquid header 60. The refrigerant that reaches the liquid header 60 merges and then flows through the liquid refrigerant pipe 20.

[0077] (4) Gas header details Fig. 6 shows an external perspective view of the gas header 50. Fig. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the gas header 50.

[0078] The gas header 50 has a first header member 51, a second header member 52, a third header member 53, and a fourth header member 54. The gas header 50 is configured by joining the first header member 51, the second header member 52, the third header member 53, and the fourth header member 54 to one another by brazing.

[0079] (4-1) First header member The first header member 51 is a member stacked so as to be joined to the right-hand surface of the second header member 52. The front-to-rear length of this first header member 51 is the same as the front-to-rear lengths of the second header member 52 and the third header member 53, and is also the same as the front-to-rear length of the flat tube connecting plate 54a of the fourth header member 54 excluding both side surface portions 54b.

[0080] The first header member 51 is a member that does not have a clad layer containing a brazing material and is made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy.

[0081] The first header member 51 has a first plate-shaped portion 51a and a semicircular portion 51b.

[0082] The first plate-shaped portion 51a is a plate-shaped portion that extends in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction on each of the front and rear sides of the semicircular portion 51b.

[0083] The semicircular portion 51b is provided to connect between a front portion of the first plate-shaped portion 51a and a rear portion of the first plate-shaped portion 51a, and is a semicircular arc portion formed by half of an arc whose axial direction is the longitudinal direction of the gas header 50. The semicircular portion 51b bulges out toward the opposite side to the second header member 52 with respect to the first plate-shaped portion 51a. The semicircular portion 51b is provided with a connection opening 51x that is connected to the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a of the first gas refrigerant pipe 19. The connection opening 51x is an opening that penetrates the semicircular portion 51b in the plate thickness direction.

[0084] In addition, the front portion and the rear portion of the first plate-shaped portion 51a of the first header member 51 contact the claw portions 54c of the fourth header member 54 described below, and are crimped from the right side by the claw portions 54c of the fourth header member 54.

[0085] The partition plate 41 and the upper lid 42 are provided between the first header member 51 and the second header member 52, and function as a lower lid and an upper lid for forming the internal space of the gas header 50.

[0086] (4-2) Second header member The second header member 52 is a laminated member facing and in contact with the right side surface of the third header member 53, and facing and in contact with the left side surface of the first plate-shaped portion 51a of the first header member 51. The front-to-rear length of this second header member 52 is the same as the front-to-rear length of the third header member 53. The second header member 52 is not particularly limited, but preferably has a clad layer having a brazing material formed on its surface.

[0087] The second header member 52 has a second plate-shaped portion 52a and a plurality of openings 52x.

[0088] The second plate-shaped portion 52a has a flat plate shape that is wide in the up-down direction and in the front-rear direction.

[0089] The multiple openings 52x are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate the second plate-shaped portion 52a in the plate thickness direction.

[0090] The front and rear edges of each opening 52x are located more inward than the openings 53x of the third header member 53 and more inward than the flat tube connection openings 54x formed in the flat tube connection plate 54a of the fourth header member 54 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the second header member 52. The front-rear width of the multiple openings 52x of the second header member 52 is narrower than the front-rear width of the flat tubes 28. Note that the upper and lower edges of the multiple openings 52x of the second header member 52 are openings located more outward than the flat tube connection openings 54x formed in the flat tube connection plate 54a of the fourth header member 54 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the second header member 52.

[0091] This allows the front and rear ends of the tip of each flat tube 28 inserted into the gas header 50 to abut against the edges of each opening 52x of the second header member 52, thereby determining the degree to which the flat tubes 28 are inserted into the gas header 50.

[0092] In this embodiment, the second header member 52 also functions as a member that constitutes the interior of the liquid header 60.

[0093] (4-3) Third header member The third header member 53 is a laminated member facing and in contact with the right side surface of the flat tube connecting plate 54a of the fourth header member 54, and facing and in contact with the left side surface of the second header member 52. The length in the front-to-rear direction of this third header member 53 is the same as the length in the front-to-rear direction of the flat tube connecting plate 54a of the fourth header member 54 excluding both side surface portions 54b. The third header member 53 is not particularly limited, but preferably has a clad layer having a brazing material formed on its surface.

[0094] The third header member 53 has a third plate-shaped portion 53a and a plurality of openings 53x.

[0095] The third plate-shaped portion 53a has a flat plate shape that is wide in the up-down direction and in the front-rear direction.

[0096] The multiple openings 53x are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate the third plate-shaped portion 53a in the plate thickness direction.

[0097] Each opening 53x of the third header member 53 is larger than each flat tube connection opening 54x formed in the flat tube connection plate 54a of the fourth header member 54. When the third header member 53 is stacked on the flat tube connection plate 54a of the fourth header member 54, the outer edge of each opening 53x of the third header member 53 is configured to be located outside the outer edge of each flat tube connection opening 54x formed in the flat tube connection plate 54a of the fourth header member 54 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the third header member 53. This provides an escape route for the molten brazing material during brazing, thereby preventing the molten brazing material from moving due to capillary action and blocking the refrigerant passage 28b of the flat tube 28.

[0098] In this embodiment, the third header member 53 also functions as a member that constitutes the interior of the liquid header 60.

[0099] (4-4) 4th header member The fourth header member 54 is a member that mainly constitutes the periphery of the outer shape of the gas header 50 together with the first header member 51. The fourth header member 54 may have a clad layer having a brazing material formed on its surface.

[0100] The fourth header member 54 has a flat tube connecting plate 54a, a side surface portion 54b, and a claw portion 54c.

[0101] Although not particularly limited, the fourth header member 54 of this embodiment can be formed by bending a single sheet metal obtained by rolling along the longitudinal direction of the gas header 50.

[0102] The flat tube connection plate 54a is a flat plate-shaped portion that spreads in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction. The flat tube connection plate 54a has a plurality of flat tube connection openings 54x arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Each flat tube connection opening 54x is an opening that penetrates the flat tube connection plate 54a in the thickness direction. The flat tube 28 is inserted into the flat tube connection opening 54x so that one end of the flat tube 28 passes completely through the flat tube connection opening 54x, and the flat tube 28 is joined by brazing. In the brazed state, the entire inner circumferential surface of the flat tube connection opening 54x and the entire outer circumferential surface of the flat tube 28 are in contact with each other. Each opening 53x of the third header member 53 is larger than the flat tube 28, and when the flat tube 28 is inserted into the flat tube connection opening 54x, friction does not occur between the flat tube 28 and each opening 53x of the third header member 53, making the insertion operation easy.

[0103] The side portion 54b has a surface that extends toward the right side in front of the flat tube connecting plate 54a and widens vertically, and a surface that extends toward the right side in the rear of the flat tube connecting plate 54a and widens vertically.

[0104] The claw portion 54c has a portion that extends rearward from the right end portion of the front side surface portion 54b, and a portion that extends frontward from the right end portion of the rear side surface portion 54b.

[0105] The claw portions 54c are in a state where they extend on the extensions of the side surface portions 54b before the first plate-shaped portions 51a of the third header member 53, the second header member 52, and the first header member 51 are arranged inside the fourth header member 54 in a plan view, and by bending the claw portions 54c in a state where the first plate-shaped portions 51a of the third header member 53, the second header member 52, and the first header member 51 are arranged inside the fourth header member 54, the third header member 53, the second header member 52, and the first header member 51 are crimped by the fourth header member 54. Then, by performing brazing in a furnace in this state, the members are joined by brazing and completely fixed to each other.

[0106] In this embodiment, the fourth header member 54 also functions as a member that constitutes the outer periphery of the liquid header 60.

[0107] (5) Connection of gas header and gas refrigerant connection pipe The connection between the gas header 50 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a by furnace brazing will be described below.

[0108] Fig. 8 shows an external perspective view of the connecting portion between the gas header 50 and gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a. Fig. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of the vicinity of the connecting portion between the gas header 50 and gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a. Fig. 10 shows an external perspective view showing a state in which the first connecting part 56 is fixed to the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a.

[0109] The gas header 50 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a are connected and fixed via a connection part 58.

[0110] The gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a has a pipe connection portion 19x in which a cylindrical shape extends linearly along the axial direction near the end portion connected to the gas header 50. The first gas refrigerant pipe 19 has a cylindrical shape bent at multiple points. In this embodiment, the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a also has bent points. The gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a and the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 including this have a predetermined thickness to ensure pressure resistance against the pressure of the gas refrigerant flowing therethrough. In this embodiment, the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a and the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 including this do not have a clad layer containing brazing material, and are made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy of a predetermined composition.

[0111] The connection side end of the pipe connection portion 19x of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a has a pipe opening 19y having a shape in which a part of the cylindrical end is cut off. Specifically, the pipe opening 19y of the pipe connection portion 19x has a shape in which a part of the cylindrical end is cut off so as to fit along the edge of the connection opening 51x provided in the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 on the internal space side of the gas header 50 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the gas header 50.

[0112] The pipe connecting portion 19x is provided with a pipe fixing hole 19z which is a screw hole penetrating in the thickness direction. The pipe fixing hole 19z has a screw groove on its inner periphery.

[0113] The connecting portion 58 has a first connecting portion 56 and a second connecting portion 57 .

[0114] The first connecting portion 56 has a cylindrical member 56a and a first screw 56s.

[0115] The tubular member 56a has a cylindrical body, an insertion side opening 56x, a connection side opening 56y, a first connection hole 56z, and a notch 56b. The thickness of the tubular member 56a is thinner than the thickness of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a and the first gas refrigerant tube 19 including the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a. The tubular member 56a includes a metal layer such as an aluminum alloy and a clad layer including a brazing material. The clad layer may be provided, for example, on the inner circumference of the tubular member 56a, or may be provided at a position of the connection portion 58 corresponding to the contact portion between the gas header 50 and the first connection portion 56.

[0116] The tubular member 56a is screwed to the pipe connecting portion 19x by the first screw 56s with the pipe connecting portion 19x inserted therein, thereby determining the relative positions of the first connecting portion 56 and the pipe connecting portion 19x. Specifically, the tubular member 56a is fixed to the pipe connecting portion 19x by inserting the first screw 56s into the first connecting hole 56z and the pipe fixing hole 19z with the pipe connecting portion 19x inserted therein and communicating with each other. In this manner, with the first connecting portion 56 fixed to the pipe connecting portion 19x, the tubular member 56a on which the clad layer containing the brazing material is formed covers the pipe connecting portion 19x from the periphery of the pipe connecting portion 19x in the axial view. Therefore, the molten brazing material during the furnace brazing is easily supplied sufficiently to the joint between the pipe connecting portion 19x and the gas header 50.

[0117] The connection side opening 56y of the tubular member 56a has a shape that follows the semicircular arc shape of the first header member 51. Specifically, the connection side opening 56y of the tubular member 56a has a shape in which a part of the cylindrical end is cut so as to follow the edge of the connection opening 51x provided in the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 on the internal space side of the gas header 50 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the gas header 50. As a result, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the gas header 50, the inner circumferential surface of the first header member 51 of the gas header 50, the connection side opening 56y of the tubular member 56a, and the pipe connection portion 19x are arranged to overlap one another.

[0118] The insertion side opening 56x of the cylindrical member 56a is an opening that opens in the axial direction of the cylindrical member 56a so that the pipe connecting portion 19x can be inserted therein.

[0119] The cutout portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a is a cutout provided only partially around the insertion side opening 56x when viewed from the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x, which is the direction in which the pipe connecting portion 19x extends when attached to the pipe connecting portion 19x. Specifically, the cutout portion 56b is not provided over the entire circumference of the cylindrical member 56a, and the cylindrical member 56a has a portion that is not cut out around the cutout portion 56b. The cutout portion 56b has a shape that is open to the insertion side opening 56x side of the cylindrical member 56a. Specifically, the cutout portion 56b has a shape in which a part of the edge of the cylindrical member 56a on the insertion side opening 56x side is recessed toward the axial direction of the cylindrical member 56a.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 1, the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a is connected to a connection opening 51x provided in a first header member 51 of the gas header 50 with the first coupling portion 56 fixed thereto. The connection opening 51x of the first header member 51 has a shape obtained by cutting, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gas header 50, from the apex of the semicircular portion 51b toward the center of the semicircular portion 51b as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the gas header 50 using a cylindrical cutting tool. Specifically, as viewed in the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x, both the outer edge of the connection opening 51x of the first header member 51 and the outer edge of the cylindrical member 56a are circular. Therefore, simply connecting the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a to which the first coupling portion 56 is fixed to the connection opening 51x of the first header member 51 makes the first coupling portion 56 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a rotatable about the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x as the rotation axis. In contrast, the second connecting part 57 described below restricts the first connecting part 56 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a from rotating. Furthermore, simply connecting the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a to which the first connecting part 56 is fixed to the connection opening 51x of the first header member 51 will cause the first connecting part 56 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a to fall out in a direction away from the first header member 51 along the axial direction of the pipe connecting part 19x, which is the direction in which the pipe connecting part 19x extends. In contrast, the second connecting part 57 described below restricts movement so that the first connecting part 56 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a do not fall out.

[0121] The second connecting portion 57 has a connecting piece 57a and a second screw 57s. The connecting piece 57a is fixed to the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 by the second screw 57s.

[0122] The connecting piece 57a has an insertion portion 57b, a connecting portion 57c, and a header fixing portion 57d. The thickness of the connecting piece 57a is thinner than the thickness of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a and the first gas refrigerant tube 19 including the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19. The connecting piece 57a includes a metal layer such as an aluminum alloy and a clad layer including a brazing material. The clad layer is provided, for example, on the side of the connecting piece 57a that faces the first header member 51. In this embodiment, the connecting piece 57a has a shape obtained by bending a plate-like member at two points.

[0123] The header fixing portion 57d is provided with a second connecting hole 57z penetrating the header fixing portion 57d in the plate thickness direction. Here, the first header member 51 of the above-mentioned gas header 50 is provided with a header fixing hole 51z formed to penetrate the first header member 51 in the thickness direction at the apex of the semicircular portion 51b in the vicinity of the connection opening 51x. As a result, the second connecting hole 57z of the header fixing portion 57d and the header fixing hole 51z of the first header member 51 are in communication with each other, and the second screw 57s is inserted into the second connecting hole 57z and the header fixing hole 51z, thereby fixing the second connecting portion 57 to the first header member 51 of the gas header 50.

[0124] The connecting portion 57c widens so as to extend from the end of the header fixing portion 57d on the cylindrical member 56a side in a direction away from the first header member 51 of the gas header 50, and connects the header fixing portion 57d and the insertion portion 57b. In this embodiment, the head of the first screw 56s is located between the connecting portion 57c and the cylindrical member 56a.

[0125] The insertion portion 57b extends from the portion of the communication portion 57c farthest from the first header member 51 toward the axis of the pipe connection portion 19x in the radial direction of the pipe connection portion 19x. When viewed in the axial direction of the pipe connection portion 19x, the insertion portion 57b extends to a position where the end of the insertion portion 57b opposite the communication portion 57c side overlaps with the notch portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a. Therefore, the edge of the end of the insertion portion 57b opposite the communication portion 57c side of the insertion portion 57b contacts the edge of the notch portion 56b so as to engage with it. More specifically, the surface of the insertion portion 57b facing the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 near the end of the insertion portion 57b opposite the communication portion 57c side contacts the portion of the edge of the notch portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a that extends along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical member 56a so as to engage with it. The connection piece 57a having the insertion portion 57b is screwed and fixed to the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 by the second screw 57s at the header fixing portion 57d. As a result, the surface of the insertion portion 57b on the gas header 50 side near the leading end in the insertion direction presses a part of the edge of the notch portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a toward the gas header 50 side. As a result, the movement of the cylindrical member 56a in the direction away from the first header member 51 along the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x is restricted, and the movement of the pipe connecting portion 19x integrated with the cylindrical member 56a in the direction away from the first header member 51 is also restricted. In addition, the leading end of the insertion portion 57b on the opposite side to the communication portion 57c side in the insertion direction relative to the notch portion 56b has an arc shape. The arc-shaped portion of the insertion portion 57b contacts the peripheral surface of the pipe connecting portion 19x. The end of the insertion portion 57b opposite the connecting portion 57c engages with and contacts both circumferential edges of the cutout portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a. More specifically, the front edge of the insertion portion 57b near the end opposite the connecting portion 57c contacts the front edge of the cutout portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a, and the rear edge of the insertion portion 57b near the end opposite the connecting portion 57c contacts the rear edge of the cutout portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a.The connecting piece 57a having the insertion portion 57b is screwed and fixed at the header fixing portion 57d to the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 by the second screw 57s. This restricts rotation of the cylindrical member 56a about the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x as its rotation axis, and also restricts rotation of the pipe connecting portion 19x integrated with the cylindrical member 56a about the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x as its rotation axis.

[0126] (6) Furnace brazing of gas header and gas refrigerant connection pipe The gas header 50 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a are temporarily fixed in positional relationship via the connecting part 58. When the gas header 50, the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a, and the connecting part 58 are placed in a furnace, the brazing material contained in the connecting part 58 melts, and the gas header 50, the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a, and the connecting part 58 are brazed together.

[0127] During furnace brazing, first, the first connecting portion 56 of the connecting portion 58 is fixed to the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a as shown in Fig. 10. Specifically, the pipe connecting portion 19x is inserted into the cylindrical member 56a, and the pipe connecting portion 19x and the cylindrical member 56a are screwed together by the first screw 56s.

[0128] Next, the integrated body of the pipe connecting portion 19x and the cylindrical member 56a is inserted into the connection opening 51x of the first header member 51 of the gas header 50. In this state, the integrated body of the pipe connecting portion 19x and the cylindrical member 56a is allowed to move in a direction away from the first header member 51 along the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x, and is also allowed to rotate about the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x as the rotation axis.

[0129] In this situation, the movement and rotation of the integrated body of the pipe connecting portion 19x and the cylindrical member 56a is restricted by using the second connecting portion 57 of the connecting portion 58. Specifically, with the insertion portion 57b of the connecting piece 57a of the second connecting portion 57 inserted into the cutout portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a, the header fixing portion 57d is screwed and fixed to the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 by the second screw 57s. As a result, the connecting piece 57a fixed to the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 restricts the axial movement of the cylindrical member 56a and the rotation of the cylindrical member 56a.

[0130] With the positional relationship between the gas header 50 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a determined and temporarily fixed as described above, the gas header 50, the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a, and the connecting portion 58 are placed in a furnace, and are brazed and joined.

[0131] (7) Features of the embodiment In the outdoor heat exchanger 11 of the present embodiment, when joining the gas header 50 and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 19a, the gas header 50 and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 19a are brazed in the furnace by placing the gas header 50 in a state where the position and orientation of the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 19a relative to the gas header 50 is regulated by the coupling portion 58. This makes it possible to appropriately join the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 19a to the gas header 50.

[0132] Furnace brazing is performed in a state in which the insertion portion 57b of the second connecting portion 57 fixed to the gas header 50 is in contact with the notched portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a of the first connecting portion 56 fixed to the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a so as to press the notched portion 56b from the side opposite to the gas header 50. This prevents the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a from falling off from the gas header 50 during furnace brazing.

[0133] Furthermore, furnace brazing is performed with the insertion portion 57b of the second connecting portion 57 fixed to the gas header 50 in contact with both circumferential edges of the notched portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a of the first connecting portion 56 fixed to the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a. This prevents the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a from rotating relative to the gas header 50 around the axis of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a.

[0134] In addition, since the furnace brazing is performed with the cylindrical member 56a surrounding the pipe connecting portion 19x, the molten brazing material during the furnace brazing is easily supplied sufficiently to the joint portion between the pipe connecting portion 19x and the gas header 50.

[0135] In the gas header 50, the first header member 51 has a semicircular portion 51b. Therefore, even if a high-pressure gas refrigerant is supplied, the pressure resistance strength is easily ensured. In addition, the thickness of the first header member 51 is, for example, larger than the thickness of the cylindrical member 56a, and the pressure resistance strength is easily ensured. In this way, the first header member 51 having a predetermined thickness can be obtained by extrusion molding, not by bending a plate-shaped member. In addition, when the first header member 51 is formed by extrusion molding, it is preferable that the first header member 51 does not have a clad layer containing a brazing material, from the viewpoint of suppressing dimensional errors to a small extent. In this way, even if the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 does not contain a brazing material, in this embodiment, the cylindrical member 56a has a clad layer containing a brazing material, so that furnace brazing is possible.

[0136] Similarly, even if the gas refrigerant connection piping 19a of the first gas refrigerant tube 19 does not have a clad layer containing a brazing material, brazing in a furnace is possible because the tubular member 56a has a clad layer containing a brazing material.

[0137] (8) Other embodiments (8-1) Other embodiment A In the above embodiment, the position of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a relative to the gas header 50 is determined by inserting the insertion portion 57b of the connecting piece 57a into the cutout portion 56b of the tubular member 56a.

[0138] On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, the cylindrical member 56a may have a slit 156b instead of the notch 56b of the above embodiment, and a recess 19t into which the tip of the insertion portion 57b of the connection piece 57a is inserted may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the pipe connection portion 19x. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, the recess 19t is formed in the pipe connection portion 19x by being recessed radially inward from the outer circumferential portion of the pipe connection portion 19x. Note that the recess 19t does not penetrate the pipe connection portion 19x in the radial direction, but the degree of recession is within the range of the wall thickness. Note that in this structure, the first screw 56s, the first connection hole 56z and the pipe fixing hole 19z of the above embodiment are not necessary.

[0139] In this structure, the insertion portion 57b of the connection piece 57a fixed to the gas header 50 is inserted into the slit 156b of the cylindrical member 56a, and further fitted into the recess 19t provided on the outer circumferential surface of the pipe connection portion 19x.

[0140] As a result, the edges of the end of the insertion portion 57b of the connecting piece 57a opposite the communicating portion 57c side, that is, both circumferential edges of the pipe connecting portion 19x, come into contact with the edges of both circumferential edges of the pipe connecting portion 19x of the recess 19t, thereby restricting rotation of the pipe connecting portion 19x. Also, the edges of the end of the insertion portion 57b of the connecting piece 57a opposite the communicating portion 57c side, that is, both circumferential edges of the pipe connecting portion 19x come into contact with the edges of both circumferential edges of the slit 156b of the cylindrical member 56a, thereby restricting rotation of the cylindrical member 56a.

[0141] Furthermore, each axial surface of the pipe connecting portion 19x in the vicinity of the end of the insertion portion 57b of the connecting piece 57a opposite to the communicating portion 57c side contacts each axial surface of the pipe connecting portion 19x of the recess 19t, thereby restricting the axial movement of the pipe connecting portion 19x and preventing it from coming off. Also, each axial surface of the pipe connecting portion 19x in the vicinity of the end of the insertion portion 57b of the connecting piece 57a opposite to the communicating portion 57c side contacts each axial surface of the slit 156b of the cylindrical member 56a, thereby restricting the axial movement of the cylindrical member 56a and preventing it from coming off.

[0142] As a result, during brazing in the furnace, the molten brazing material contained in the tubular member 56a can be sufficiently supplied to the joint portion between the gas header 50 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a.

[0143] (8-2) Other embodiment B In the above embodiment, the position of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a relative to the gas header 50 is determined by inserting the insertion portion 57b of the connecting piece 57a into the cutout portion 56b of the tubular member 56a.

[0144] In contrast, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, instead of the second connecting portion 57 of the above embodiment, the cylindrical member 56a may have a structure in which a fixing plate 256a is provided in which a part of the side surface of the cylindrical member 56a is cut down toward the first header member 51 side. The fixing plate 256a extends outward in the circumferential direction from the cylindrical member 56a and is a plate-like portion that spreads in a plane with the axial direction of the cylindrical member 56a as the normal direction. The fixing plate 256a is integrated with the cylindrical member 56a. In this structure, the notch portion 56b provided in the cylindrical member 56a in the above embodiment is not necessary.

[0145] In this structure, instead of the pipe fixing hole 19z, the first connecting hole 56z, and the first screw 56s in the above embodiment, a pipe fixing hole 119z (shown by dotted lines in FIG. 15), a third connecting hole 156z (shown by dotted lines in FIG. 15), and a third screw 156s are provided. Specifically, the cylindrical member 56a is provided with a third connecting hole 156z on the opposite side to the direction in which the fixing plate 256a extends, as viewed in the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x. The third connecting hole 156z is a hole penetrating the cylindrical member 56a in the radial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x. The pipe connecting portion 19x is provided with a pipe fixing hole 119z at a position corresponding to the third connecting hole 156z. The pipe fixing hole 119z is formed in the pipe connecting portion 19x by being recessed from the outer periphery of the pipe connecting portion 19x toward the radial inside. The pipe fixing hole 119z does not penetrate the pipe connecting portion 19x in the radial direction, but the degree of recession is within the range of the wall thickness. The third connection hole 156z and the pipe fixing hole 119z are screwed together by the third screw 156s in a state where the pipe connecting portion 19x overlaps with each other in the radial direction. As a result, the cylindrical member 56a is fixed to the pipe connecting portion 19x.

[0146] The fixing plate 256a is obtained, for example, by cutting a cylindrical member along two cutting lines extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical member along the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, and then pushing down the cylindrical member radially outward. The fixing plate 256a is provided with a fourth connecting hole 256z (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 14) penetrating in the plate thickness direction. The fourth connecting hole 256z of the fixing plate 256a and the header fixing hole 51z of the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 are aligned with each other, and the fourth screw 256s is used to fasten the cylindrical member 56a and the first header member 51 of the gas header 50 together.

[0147] This restricts the movement of the fixing plate 256a of the cylindrical member 56a in a direction away from the first header member 51, thereby restricting the removal of the pipe connecting portion 19x fixed to the cylindrical member 56a with the third screw 156s. In addition, restricting the rotation of the fixing plate 256a about the axial direction of the cylindrical member 56a as the rotation axis restricts the rotation of the pipe connecting portion 19x fixed to the cylindrical member 56a with the third screw 156s.

[0148] (8-3) Other embodiment C In the above embodiment, an example was given of a case in which furnace brazing is performed with the front and rear edges of the end portion opposite the connecting portion 57c of the insertion portion 57b of the second connecting portion 57 in contact with both circumferential edges of the cutout portion 56b of the tubular member 56a of the first connecting portion 56.

[0149] In contrast, for example, the front-rear length of the end of the insertion portion 57b of the second connecting portion 57 opposite to the communication portion 57c side may be shorter than the length between the front and rear edges of the circumferential direction of the notch portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a of the first connecting portion 56. Specifically, a gap may be formed between the front and rear edges of the insertion portion 57b and the front and rear edges of the notch portion 56b in the circumferential direction. By adjusting the size of the edge of the insertion portion 57b or the size of the notch portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a so that the dimension of this gap is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the tolerance of the positional relationship of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a with respect to the gas header 50 during furnace brazing can be adjusted. For example, the ratio of the front-rear direction length of the edge of the insertion portion 57b to the front-rear direction length of the notch portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a may be adjusted to be, for example, 90% or more.

[0150] (8-4) Other embodiment D In the above embodiment, an example was given of a case in which furnace brazing is performed in a state in which the surface of the insertion portion 57b of the second connecting portion 57 facing the gas header 50 near the end opposite the connecting portion 57c is in contact with a portion of the edge of the cutout portion 56b of the tubular member 56a of the first connecting portion 56 extending circumferentially.

[0151] In contrast, for example, the surface of the insertion portion 57b of the second connecting portion 57 on the gas header 50 side near the end opposite to the communication portion 57c side and the portion of the edge of the notch portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a of the first connecting portion 56 extending along the circumferential direction may not be in contact with each other, and a gap may be generated between them that expands in the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x. By adjusting the position of the insertion portion 57b and the position of the notch portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a so that the dimension of this gap is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the tolerance of the positional relationship of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a with respect to the gas header 50 during furnace brazing can be adjusted. Although not particularly limited, the length of the gap in the axial direction of the pipe connecting portion 19x may be equal to or smaller than the thickness of the first header member 51 of the gas header 50, for example, and is preferably equal to or smaller than 50% of the thickness.

[0152] (8-5) Other embodiment E In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 19a is brazed in a furnace while being prevented from coming loose from the gas header 50 and while being prevented from rotating.

[0153] On the other hand, the gas header 50 may be brazed in a furnace in a state in which the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 19a is prevented from coming off but the rotation of the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 19a is not prevented, or the gas header 50 may be brazed in a furnace in a state in which the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 19a is not prevented from coming off but the rotation of the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 19a is prevented.

[0154] (8-6) Other embodiment F In the above embodiment, the positioning of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a is described as an example in which the tubular member 56a is fixed to the pipe connecting portion 19x by the first screw 56s, and the insertion portion 57b of the connecting piece 57a is inserted into the cutout portion 56b of the tubular member 56a, thereby determining the position of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a relative to the gas header 50.

[0155] Alternatively, the position of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a may be determined by the structure shown in Figs.

[0156] In this structure, the first connecting portion 56 has a cylindrical member 356a that does not have the notch portion 56b of the cylindrical member 56a of the above embodiment, and a common screw 356s instead of the first screw 56s. In this structure, the second connecting portion 57 has a connecting piece 357a that does not have the insertion portion 57b of the connecting piece 57a of the above embodiment and has a through hole 57x, and a second screw 57s.

[0157] In this structure, the header fixing portion 57d of the second connecting portion 57 extends until it abuts against the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 356a, and the connecting portion 57c and the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 356a are in contact with each other. The through hole 57x is provided so as to penetrate the connecting portion 57c of the connecting piece 357a in the plate thickness direction.

[0158] In the above structure, the second connecting portion 57 is fixed to the first header member 51 by screwing the second screw 57s in a state where the second connecting hole 57z and the header fixing hole 51z are in communication with each other in the same manner as in the above embodiment. In this state, the pipe fixing hole 19z, the first connecting hole 56z, and the through hole 57x are in communication with each other and screwed in with the common screw 356s, so that not only the cylindrical member 356a but also the second connecting portion 57 can be fixed to the pipe connecting portion 19x. And, because the second connecting portion 57 is fixed to the first header member 51, it becomes possible to fix the pipe connecting portion 19x to the first header member 51. In this case, the axis of the common screw 356s is surrounded by the peripheral surface of the through hole 57x of the connecting portion 57c, thereby restricting rotation of the pipe connecting portion 19x and the tubular member 356a, and also restricting movement of the pipe connecting portion 19x and the tubular member 356a in the direction away from the first header member 51.

[0159] The through hole 57x provided in the communication part 57c of the connecting piece 357a may be a hole larger than the diameter of the common screw 356s, or the inner circumference of the through hole 57x may be provided with a thread groove that can be screwed with the thread of the common screw 356s. When the diameter of the through hole 57x is larger than the diameter of the common screw 356s, the tip of the common screw 356s is screwed into the pipe fixing hole 19z, and the communication part 57c is clamped and fixed by the peripheral surface of the pipe connecting part 19x and the head of the common screw 356s. When a thread groove is provided on the inner circumference of the through hole 57x, the common screw 356s is screwed into both the through hole 57x and the pipe fixing hole 19z, and fixed.

[0160] (8-7) Other embodiment G In the above-described alternative embodiment F, the position of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a relative to the gas header 50 is determined by fixing the communication portion 57c to the tubular member 356a with the common screw 356s.

[0161] Alternatively, the position of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a may be determined by the structure shown in FIG.

[0162] In this structure, the connecting portion 57c is fixed to the circumferential surface of the tubular member 456a by welding or the like, and thus they are integrated together, so that the tubular member 456a and the connecting piece 457a form a single member.

[0163] Specifically, the connecting piece 457a is the connecting piece 357a of the other embodiment F without the through hole 57x. Moreover, the cylindrical member 456a is the cylindrical member 56a of the above embodiment or the cylindrical member 356a of the other embodiment F with a first connecting hole 456z instead of the first connecting hole 56z. Moreover, the pipe connecting portion 19x of this structure is the pipe fixing hole 419z instead of the pipe fixing hole 19z of the pipe connecting portion 19x of the above embodiment or the other embodiment F. Here, the first connecting hole 456z and the pipe fixing hole 419z are provided so as to communicate with each other at a position not overlapping with the communication portion 57c when the position of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a relative to the gas header 50 is to be determined.

[0164] In the above structure, the second connection portion 57 is fixed to the first header member 51 by screwing the second screw 57s with the second connection hole 57z and the header fixing hole 51z in communication. In this state, the pipe connection portion 19x is inserted into the cylindrical member 456a integrated with the communication portion 57c of the second connection portion 57, and is screwed with the first screw 456s with the first connection hole 456z and the pipe fixing hole 419z in communication. This makes it possible to fix the cylindrical member 456a to the pipe connection portion 19x, and also fix the second connection portion 57 integrated with the cylindrical member 456a. And, since the second connection portion 57 is fixed to the first header member 51, it becomes possible to fix the pipe connection portion 19x to the first header member 51. In this case, the second connecting portion 57, which is integrated with the tubular member 456a, is fixed to the first header member 51, thereby restricting rotation of the piping connecting portion 19x and the tubular member 356a, and also restricting movement of the piping connecting portion 19x and the tubular member 356a in a direction away from the first header member 51.

[0165] (Additional Note) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] 1. Air conditioning equipment 11 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 19 First gas refrigerant pipe 19a Gas refrigerant connection piping (refrigerant piping) 19x Piping connection part 19y Pipe opening 19z Pipe fixing hole 20 Liquid refrigerant pipe 20a Liquid refrigerant connection pipe 27 Heat exchange section 28 Flat tube (heat transfer tube) 30 Folded Header 40 Entrance / Exit Header 50 Gas Header (Header) 51 First header member 51a First plate-shaped portion 51b Semicircular section 51x Connection Aperture 51z Header fixing holes 54c Claw part 56 1st connection part (connection part) 56a Cylindrical member 56b Cutout portion (first shape portion) 56s 1st screw 56x Insertion side opening 56y Connection side opening 56z 1st connection hole 57 2nd connection part (connection part) 57a Connecting piece 57b Insertion part (second shape part) 57c Contact Department 57d Header fixing part 57s 2nd screw 57z 2nd connection hole 58 Connecting part 60 Fluid Header 119z Pipe fixing hole 156b Slit (first shape portion, opening) 156s 3rd screw 156z 3rd connection hole 256a Fixed plate 256s 4th screw 256z 4th connection hole [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0167] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-102026 A

Claims

1. A plurality of heat transfer tubes (28); A header (50) to which a plurality of the heat transfer tubes are connected; A refrigerant pipe (19a) connected to the header; a connecting portion (58) separate from the header and the refrigerant piping, the connecting portion being provided at a connecting portion between the header and the refrigerant piping; Equipped with The connecting portion includes a metal and a brazing material. Heat exchanger (11).

2. The connection portion restricts movement of a pipe connection portion (19x), which is the connection portion of the refrigerant pipe, in a direction in which the pipe connection portion extends.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1.

3. The refrigerant piping is a circular pipe, The connecting portion regulates rotation of a pipe connecting portion (19x), which is the connecting portion of the refrigerant pipe, when a direction in which the pipe connecting portion extends is a rotation axis direction.

3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The connecting portion includes a first connecting portion (56) fixed to a pipe connecting portion (19x) which is the connecting portion of the refrigerant pipe, and a second connecting portion (57) fixed to the header, The second connecting portion restricts movement of the first connecting portion.

3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The first connecting portion covers the periphery of the pipe connecting portion when viewed from a direction in which the pipe connecting portion extends.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 4.

6. The first connecting portion has a first shaped portion (56b, 156b) partially provided in a circumferential direction of the pipe connecting portion, The refrigerant piping is a circular pipe, The second connecting portion has a second shaped portion (57b) that engages with the first shaped portion to regulate the rotation of the pipe connecting portion when the direction in which the pipe connecting portion extends is the rotation axis direction.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 4.

7. The first connecting portion has a cylindrical member (56a) that surrounds the pipe connecting portion, The first shaped portion is an opening (156b) or a notch (56b) provided in the tubular member, The second shaped portion is inserted into the opening or the notch portion in a radial direction of the pipe connecting portion.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 6.

8. The second connecting portion is fixed to the first connecting portion, fixed to the pipe connecting portion via the first connecting portion, or integrated with the first connecting portion.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 4.

9. The header has a first header member (51) including the connecting portion of the header; The first header member has a semicircular portion (51b) having a semicircular shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the first header member.

3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The refrigerant pipe and the header do not contain brazing material.

3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.

11. An air conditioner (1) comprising a heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.

12. A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger (11) having a plurality of heat transfer tubes (28), a header (50) to which the plurality of heat transfer tubes are connected, and a refrigerant pipe (19a) connected to the header, comprising the steps of: a positioning step of providing a connecting portion (58) containing a metal and a brazing material at a connecting portion between the header and the refrigerant pipe, and determining a position of the refrigerant pipe relative to the header via the connecting portion; a step of brazing the refrigerant pipe to the header in a state where the refrigerant pipe is positioned in the positioning step; A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger comprising the steps of:

13. The refrigerant piping is a circular pipe, In the positioning step, the connecting portion is used to restrict rotation of the pipe connecting portion when a direction in which the pipe connecting portion extends, which is a connecting portion between the refrigerant pipe and the header, is defined as a rotation axis direction, and In the brazing step, the refrigerant pipe is brazed to the header in the regulated state. A method for manufacturing the heat exchanger according to claim 12.

14. The brazing step is carried out in a furnace. A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 12 or 13.

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