Refrigerant heating medium heat exchanger and vehicular air conditioning system using the same

Abstract

To provide a refrigerant heating medium heat exchanger capable of changing a temperature of a liquid heating medium to be caused to flow out by using the heat exchanger, and a vehicular air conditioning system using the refrigerant heating medium heat exchanger.SOLUTION: A refrigerant heating medium heat exchanger 1 for exchanging heat between a refrigerant and a liquid heating medium includes: a refrigerant inflow port 11 through which a refrigerant flows in; a refrigerant outflow port 12 through which the refrigerant flows out; a refrigerant flow passage 13 that connects the refrigerant inflow port 11 and the refrigerant outflow port 12; a heating medium inflow port 21 through which the liquid heating medium can flow in; a heating medium outflow port 22 through which the liquid heating medium can flow out; a heating medium flow passage 23 that connects the heating medium inflow port 21 and the heating medium outflow port 22 and is provided along the refrigerant flow passage 13; and an intermediate heating medium inflow port 25 that communicates with the heating medium flow passage 23 and is provided between the heating medium inflow port 21 and the heating medium outflow port 22 viewed along a flow of the liquid heating medium and through which the liquid heating medium can flow in.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and a liquid heat medium, and a vehicle air conditioning system using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a stacked heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and a cooling water is known (see Patent Document 1). This heat exchanger is configured by stacking a large number of heat transfer plates, and refrigerant passages through which a refrigerant flows and cooling water passages through which cooling water flows, which are formed between two heat transfer plates adjacent to each other in the stacking direction, are arranged alternately in the stacking direction. For this reason, the refrigerant passages are branched into multiple rows within the stack, and the cooling water passages are also branched into multiple rows within the stack.

[0003] In addition, the heat transfer plate arranged at one end in the stacking direction is provided with a refrigerant inlet through which refrigerant flows into the refrigerant passage from the outside, a refrigerant outlet through which refrigerant flows out from the refrigerant passage to the outside, a cooling water inlet through which cooling water flows into the cooling water passage from the outside, and a cooling water outlet through which cooling water flows out from the cooling water passage to the outside.

[0004] Therefore, the refrigerant flowing in through the refrigerant inlet passes through the refrigerant passages branched within the stack before flowing out through the refrigerant outlet, and the cooling water flowing in through the cooling water inlet passes through the cooling water passages branched within the stack before flowing out through the cooling water outlet, and the refrigerant and cooling water exchange heat as they pass through the respective branched passages (the refrigerant passage and the cooling water passage). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-15278 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in conventional heat exchangers, the cooling water inlet is connected to the starting position of the cooling water passage and the cooling water outlet is connected to the terminal position of the cooling water passage, and the refrigerant and cooling water are heat exchanged using the entire stack before the cooling water is supplied to the heater core in the hot water cycle. Therefore, the heat exchange length between the refrigerant and the cooling water is fixed, and the temperature of the outflowing cooling water (liquid heat medium) cannot be changed by the heat exchanger, so that the uses are limited.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its main object to provide a refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger capable of changing the temperature of the outflowing liquid heat medium by the heat exchanger, and a vehicle air conditioning system using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger according to the present invention is a refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger (1) that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and a liquid heat medium, and is characterized in comprising: a refrigerant inlet (11) through which a refrigerant flows in, a refrigerant outlet (12) through which the refrigerant flows out, a refrigerant flow path (13) connecting the refrigerant inlet (11) and the refrigerant outlet (12), a heat medium inlet (21) through which the liquid heat medium can flow in, a heat medium outlet (22) through which the liquid heat medium can flow out, a heat medium flow path (23) connecting the heat medium inlet (21) and the heat medium outlet (22) and provided along the refrigerant flow path (13), and an intermediate heat medium inlet (25) that is connected to the heat medium flow path (23), is provided between the heat medium inlet (21) and the heat medium outlet (22) when viewed along the flow of the liquid heat medium, and allows the liquid heat medium to flow in.

[0009] Therefore, since the intermediate heat medium inlet is provided between the heat medium inlet and the heat medium outlet when viewed along the flow of the liquid heat medium, the heat exchange amount of the liquid heat medium flowing in from the heat medium inlet and flowing out from the heat medium outlet is different from the heat exchange amount of the liquid heat medium flowing in from the intermediate heat medium inlet and flowing out from the heat medium outlet. Therefore, by adjusting the ratio between the amount of liquid heat medium flowing in from the heat medium inlet and the amount of liquid heat medium flowing in from the intermediate heat medium inlet, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the liquid heat medium flowing out from the heat medium outlet.

[0010] In other words, by adjusting the flow rate ratio of the liquid heat medium flowing in from the heat medium inlet and the liquid heat medium flowing in from the intermediate heat medium inlet, it becomes possible to change the temperature of the liquid heat medium supplied to cool the heating element, taking into account the amount of heat generated by the heating element, and it becomes possible to change the temperature of the liquid heat medium supplied to heat the heating element even if the amount of heat required by the heating object changes.

[0011] The above-described refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger may be configured as a heat exchanger having a laminated structure. That is, the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger (1) may be configured by alternately laminating refrigerant flow layers (16) communicating with the refrigerant inlet (11) and the refrigerant outlet (12) and heat medium flow layers (26) communicating with the heat medium inlet (21), the heat medium outlet (22), and the intermediate heat medium inlet (25), so that the refrigerant flow path (13) is configured by the respective refrigerant flow layers (16) and the heat medium flow path (23) is configured by the respective heat medium flow layers (26).

[0012] In such a configuration, the refrigerant flow layers and the heat transfer medium flow layers are alternately stacked, so that a large area for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the liquid heat transfer medium can be secured, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0013] The above-described refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger can be used in a wide variety of vehicle air conditioning systems.

[0014] For example, the vehicle air conditioning system may be configured such that an outlet of an expansion valve (46) for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant and expanding it is connected to the refrigerant inlet (11), and the refrigerant reduced in pressure and expanded by the expansion valve (46) can flow through the refrigerant flow path (13), and the heat medium outlet (22) is connected to the heat medium inlet (21) and the intermediate heat medium inlet (25) via a first heat element heat absorber (52) for absorbing heat of a first heat element (51), a branch portion (D1) provided on an outlet side of the first heat element heat absorber (52), and branch flow paths (53a, 53b) branched at the branch portion (D1), and includes at least one of an integrated pump (55) for feeding a liquid heat medium provided in a path (54) from the heat medium outlet (22) to the branch portion (D1), and individual flow pumps (55a, 55b) provided in the branch flow paths (53a, 53b), respectively.

[0015] The vehicle air conditioning system may be configured such that a compressor (61) is connected to the refrigerant inlet (11), and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor (61) can flow through the refrigerant flow path (13). The heat medium outlet (22) is connected to the heat medium inlet (21) and the intermediate heat medium inlet (25) via an interior radiator (36) arranged in the ventilation space (34) of the air conditioning unit (30), a branch portion (D2) provided on an outlet side of the interior radiator (36), and branch flow paths (71a, 71b) branched at the branch portion (D2), and includes at least one of an integrated pump (73) for feeding a liquid heat medium provided in the path (72) from the heat medium outlet (22) to the branch portion (D2), and individual flow pumps (73a, 73b) provided in each of the branch flow paths (71a, 71b).

[0016] Furthermore, the vehicle air conditioning system may be configured such that an outlet of an expansion valve (85) for reducing the pressure and expanding the refrigerant is connected to the refrigerant inlet (11) so that the refrigerant reduced in pressure and expanded by the expansion valve (85) can flow through the refrigerant flow path (13), and the heat medium outlet (22) is connected to the heat medium inlet (21) and the intermediate heat medium inlet (25) via an passenger compartment heat absorber (35) arranged in the ventilation space (34) of the air conditioning unit (30), a branch section (D3) provided on the outlet side of the passenger compartment heat absorber (35), and branch flow paths (91a, 91b) branched at the branch section (D3), and includes at least one of an integrated pump (93) for feeding a liquid heat medium provided in the path (92) from the heat medium outlet (22) to the branch section (D3), and individual flow pumps (93a, 93b) provided in the branch flow paths (91a, 91b), respectively. Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, an intermediate heat medium inlet, through which the liquid heat medium can flow, is provided between the heat medium inlet and the heat medium outlet when viewed along the flow of the liquid heat medium. This makes it possible to provide a refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger that can vary the temperature of the liquid heat medium to be supplied based on the heat generation amount of the heating element and the required heat amount of the object to be heated, and a vehicle air conditioning system using the same. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger according to the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view of a heat exchanger showing the flows of a refrigerant and a liquid heat medium at the same time, (b) is a diagram showing only the flow of a refrigerant in the heat exchanger of (a) for convenience, and (c) is a diagram showing only the flow of a liquid heat medium in the heat exchanger of (a) for convenience. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 shows heat transfer plates used when the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger according to the present invention is configured as a stacked type heat exchanger, where (a) is a plan view of a refrigerant heat transfer plate with the refrigerant flow indicated, together with its cross sections along lines AA, BB, and CC, and (b) is a plan view of a heat medium heat transfer plate with the liquid heat medium flow indicated, together with its cross sections along lines AA, BB, and CC. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a part of a cutaway view of a refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger in which the refrigerant heat transfer plates and the heat medium heat transfer plates of FIG. 2 are alternately stacked, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating another example of use of the first embodiment of the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger according to the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view of a heat exchanger showing the flows of a refrigerant and a liquid heat medium at the same time, (b) is a diagram showing only the flow of a refrigerant in the heat exchanger of (a) for convenience, and (c) is a diagram showing only the flow of a liquid heat medium in the heat exchanger of (a) for convenience. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing heat transfer plates used when the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger shown in FIG. 4 is configured as a stacked type heat exchanger, in which (a) is a plan view of the refrigerant heat transfer plate with the refrigerant flow indicated, and (b) is a plan view of the heat medium heat transfer plate with the liquid heat medium flow indicated. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a part of a cutaway view of a refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger in which the refrigerant heat transfer plates and the heat medium heat transfer plates of FIG. 5 are alternately stacked, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of use of the first embodiment of the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger according to the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view of a heat exchanger showing the flows of a refrigerant and a liquid heat medium at the same time, (b) is a diagram showing only the flow of a refrigerant in the heat exchanger of (a) for convenience, and (c) is a diagram showing only the flow of a liquid heat medium in the heat exchanger of (a) for convenience. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing heat transfer plates used when the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger shown in FIG. 7 is configured as a stacked type heat exchanger, where (a) is a plan view of the refrigerant heat transfer plate with the refrigerant flow indicated, and (b) is a plan view of the heat medium heat transfer plate with the liquid heat medium flow indicated. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a part of a cutaway view of a refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger in which the refrigerant heat transfer plates and the heat medium heat transfer plates of FIG. 8 are alternately stacked, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 8, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 5. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first embodiment of the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger according to the present invention, in which (a) shows only the flow of the refrigerant for convenience, and (b) shows only the flow of the liquid heat medium for convenience. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing a part of the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger shown in FIG. 10 in which a stacked type heat exchanger is configured using heat transfer plates (refrigerant heat transfer plates, heat medium heat transfer plates) similar to those in FIG. 2, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a vehicle air conditioning system according to the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning system. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another modified example of the vehicle air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a vehicle air conditioning system according to the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a modified example of the second embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning system. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another modified example of the second embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning system. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of a vehicle air conditioning system according to the present invention. [Figure 19]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the third embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning system. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another modified example of the vehicle air conditioning system according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First embodiment of heat exchanger) 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1 according to the present invention.

[0020] The refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and a liquid heat medium, and as shown in FIG. 1 , is provided with a refrigerant inlet 11 through which the refrigerant flows in, a refrigerant outlet 12 through which the refrigerant flows out, and a refrigerant flow path 13 connecting the refrigerant inlet 11 and the refrigerant outlet 12, as well as a heat medium inlet 21 through which the liquid heat medium can flow in, a heat medium outlet 22 through which the liquid heat medium can flow out, and a heat medium flow path 23 that connects the heat medium inlet 21 and the heat medium outlet 22 and is provided along the refrigerant flow path 13.

[0021] In this embodiment, the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 is connected to the heat medium flow path 23 and is provided between the heat medium inlet 21 and the heat medium outlet 22 when viewed along the flow of the liquid heat medium, allowing the liquid heat medium to flow in.

[0022] The refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1 may be of any type as long as it is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium. In order to efficiently exchange heat between the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium, however, it is preferable to use a stacked type in which a large number of heat transfer plates 5 are stacked and the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium flow alternately.

[0023] That is, the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1 is configured by alternately stacking refrigerant heat transfer plates 100 and heat medium heat transfer plates 200 shown in FIG.

[0024] 2(a), the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 has a joint 101 formed on the periphery of a rectangular metal plate for joining heat transfer plates 5 adjacent in the stacking direction, and the inside of the joint 101 is recessed to form a refrigerant flow path recess 102. The refrigerant flow path recess 102 has a protrusion 103 extending in the longitudinal direction from one end to the vicinity of the other end, shifted from the center in the short direction to one side. Therefore, the refrigerant flow path recess 102 is formed so that the relatively narrow refrigerant outward path recess 102a and the relatively wide refrigerant return path recess 102b extending in the longitudinal direction communicate with each other at the other end side in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] The refrigerant outward path recess 102a has a refrigerant inlet hole 104 for allowing the refrigerant to flow in from the outside, which is provided near one end in the longitudinal direction and near a corner portion of the joint margin 101. The refrigerant return path recess 102b has a refrigerant outlet hole 105 for allowing the refrigerant to flow out to the outside, which is provided near one end in the longitudinal direction and near a corner portion of the joint margin 101.

[0026] Furthermore, the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 is provided with a heat medium inlet hole 106 and a heat medium outlet hole 107 near the other longitudinal end and near the corner portion of the joint margin 101, and an intermediate heat medium inlet hole 110 is formed near one longitudinal end between the refrigerant outlet hole 105 and the protrusion 103. The heat medium inlet hole 106, the heat medium outlet hole 107, and the intermediate heat medium inlet hole 110 are formed in raised portions 106a, 107a, and 110a raised from the refrigerant flow path recess 102, respectively.

[0027] The protrusions 103 and the respective raised portions 106a, 107a, 110a of the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 are capable of being brazed to the back surfaces of adjacent heat transfer plates 2 (heat transfer plates 200 for heat transfer plates) in a state in which the adjacent heat transfer plates 2 are assembled in the stacking direction. In the brazed state, the heat medium inlet hole 106, the heat medium outlet hole 107, and the intermediate heat medium inlet hole 110 are not connected to the refrigerant flow path recess 102.

[0028] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 2(b), a heat transfer plate 200 for a heat medium has a joint 201 formed on the periphery of a rectangular metal plate to join adjacent heat transfer plates 5 in the stacking direction, and the inside of the joint 201 is recessed to form a recess 202 for a heat transfer medium flow path.

[0029] A protrusion 203 extending in the longitudinal direction from the other end to the vicinity of one end is formed in the heat medium flow path recess 202, shifted from the center in the short direction to the other side in the short direction. Therefore, the heat medium flow path recess 202 is formed such that a relatively wide heat medium outward path recess 202a and a relatively narrow heat medium return path recess 202b extending in the longitudinal direction communicate with each other at one end in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] The heat medium outward path recess 202a has a heat medium inlet hole 206 for allowing the liquid heat medium to flow in from the outside, which is provided near the other end in the longitudinal direction and near a corner portion of the joint margin 201. The heat medium return path recess 202b has a heat medium outlet hole 207 for allowing the liquid heat medium to flow out to the outside, which is provided near the other end in the longitudinal direction and near a corner portion of the joint margin 201.

[0031] Furthermore, the heat medium heat transfer plate 200 has a refrigerant inlet hole 204 and a refrigerant outlet hole 205 formed near one end in the longitudinal direction and near a corner portion of the joint margin 201. An intermediate heat medium inlet hole 210 is provided near one end in the longitudinal direction, between the refrigerant inlet hole 204 and the refrigerant outlet hole 205, on an extension line of the protrusion 203, so as to communicate with the heat medium flow path recess 202. The refrigerant inlet hole 204 and the refrigerant outlet hole 205 are formed in raised portions 204a and 205a raised from the heat medium flow path recess 202.

[0032] The protrusions 203 and the respective raised portions 204a, 205a of the heat transfer plate 200 for the heat medium are capable of being brazed to the back surface of the heat transfer plate 2 (heat transfer plate 100 for the refrigerant) adjacent in the stacking direction when the heat transfer plate 2 (heat transfer plate 100 for the refrigerant) is assembled. In the brazed state, the refrigerant inlet hole 204 and the refrigerant outlet hole 205 are not connected to the recess 202 for the heat transfer medium flow path.

[0033] 3, a heat transfer plate 5 arranged at one end in the stacking direction (e.g., the heat transfer plate 200 for heat transfer medium arranged at the top end) is provided with a refrigerant inlet 11 through which a refrigerant flows in from the outside, a refrigerant outlet 12 through which the refrigerant flows out to the outside, a heat medium inlet 21 through which a liquid heat medium flows in from the outside, and a heat medium outlet 22 through which the liquid heat medium flows out to the outside. In addition, an intermediate heat medium inlet 25 is provided between the refrigerant inlet 11 and the refrigerant outlet 12 of the heat transfer plate arranged at one end in the stacking direction, near a joint 201 at one end in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] The above-mentioned refrigerant heat transfer plates 100 and heat medium heat transfer plates 200 are alternately stacked to form a positional relationship as shown in FIG. (i) The refrigerant inlet holes 104 of each refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 are aligned with the refrigerant inlet holes 204 of the heat medium heat transfer plate 200 and communicate with the refrigerant inlet port 11 . (ii) The refrigerant outlet holes 105 of the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 are positioned to align with the refrigerant outlet holes 205 of the heat medium heat transfer plate 200 and communicate with the refrigerant outlet port 12 . (iii) The intermediate heat medium inlet holes 110 of the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 are positioned to align with the intermediate heat medium inlet holes 210 of the heat medium heat transfer plate 200 and communicate with the intermediate heat medium inlet port 25 .

[0035] In addition, the positional relationship is as shown in FIG. (iv) The heat medium inlet holes 106 of the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 are positioned to align with the heat medium inlet holes 206 of the heat medium heat transfer plate 200 and communicate with the heat medium inlet port 21 . (v) The heat medium outlet holes 107 of the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 are positioned to align with the heat medium outlet holes 207 of the heat medium heat transfer plate 200 and communicate with the heat medium outlet port 22 .

[0036] Therefore, when the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 and the heat medium heat transfer plate 200 are alternately stacked with their joints 101, 201 butted against each other, a refrigerant flow layer 16 is formed between the refrigerant flow path recess 102 of the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 and the back surface of the heat medium heat transfer plate 200, folding back from the refrigerant inlet hole 104 to the refrigerant outlet hole 105, as shown in Fig. 3. Since each refrigerant flow layer 16 does not communicate with the heat medium inlet hole 106, the heat medium outlet hole 107, and the intermediate heat medium outlet hole 108, as shown in Fig. 2, the refrigerant that flows in from the refrigerant inlet hole 104 passes through a relatively narrow forward path, then makes a U-turn, passes through a relatively wide return path, and flows out from the refrigerant outlet hole 105.

[0037] Further, a heat medium flowing layer 26 is formed between the heat medium flow passage recess 202 of the heat medium heat transfer plate 200 and the back surface of the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100, the heat medium flowing layer 26 being folded back from the heat medium inlet hole 206 to the heat medium outlet hole 207. Since each heat medium flowing layer 26 does not communicate with the refrigerant inlet hole 204 and the refrigerant outlet hole 205, the liquid heat medium flowing in from the heat medium inlet hole 206 passes through a relatively wide forward path, then makes a U-turn and passes through a relatively narrow return path, and flows out from the heat medium outlet hole 207. Furthermore, each heat medium flowing layer 26 also communicates with the intermediate heat medium inlet hole 210, so the liquid heat medium flowing in from the heat medium inlet hole 206 flows out from the heat medium outlet hole 207 together with the liquid heat medium flowing in from the intermediate heat medium inlet hole 210.

[0038] Since the refrigerant heat transfer plates 100 and the heat medium heat transfer plates 200 are alternately stacked, a plurality of refrigerant flow layers 16 are provided in parallel between the refrigerant inlet 11 and the refrigerant outlet 12, and a plurality of heat medium flow layers 26 are provided in parallel between the heat medium inlet 21, the heat medium outlet 22, and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25. Thus, each refrigerant flow layer 16 forms a refrigerant flow path 13 connecting the refrigerant inlet 11 and the refrigerant outlet 12, and the refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant inlet 11 branches and flows into each refrigerant flow layer 16, then merges and flows out from the refrigerant outlet 12. Also, each heat medium flow layer 26 forms a heat medium flow path 23 connecting the heat medium inlet 21 and the heat medium outlet 22, and the liquid heat medium flowing in from the heat medium inlet 21 branches and flows into each heat medium flow layer 26, merges with the liquid heat medium flowing in from the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 on the way, and then flows out from the heat medium outlet 22.

[0039] Therefore, in the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger 1, the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium exchange heat between adjacent layers via the heat transfer plates 5, and the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow layer 16 and the flow of the liquid heat medium in the heat medium flow layer 26 are countercurrent to each other, so that efficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium is possible.

[0040] In addition, the position of the protrusions 103 of the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 and the position of the protrusions 203 of the heat medium heat transfer plate 200 are offset to opposite sides from the center in the short direction of the heat transfer plate 5, so that the tops of the protrusions 103, 203 of each heat transfer plate abut against the back surface of the adjacent heat transfer plate 5 and are securely brazed. This makes it possible to increase the strength of the heat exchanger and also to reliably prevent short-circuiting of the flow of the refrigerant and liquid heat transfer medium.

[0041] In the above-described refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1, the intermediate heat medium inlet holes 110, 210 are formed in the refrigerant heat transfer plate 100 and the heat medium heat transfer plate 200, respectively. The intermediate heat medium inlet 25 is connected to each heat medium flow layer 26 via each intermediate heat medium inlet hole 110, 210. Therefore, the liquid heat medium flowing through each heat medium flow layer 26 can flow in not only through the heat medium inlet 21 but also through the intermediate heat medium inlet 25.

[0042] Since the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 communicates with the folded-back portion (position on the extension line of the protrusion 203) of each heat medium flow layer 26 via the intermediate heat medium inlet holes 110 and 210, in each heat medium flow layer 26, the passage length (heat exchange length) from the intermediate heat medium inlet hole 210 to the heat medium outlet hole 207 is approximately half of the passage length (heat exchange length) from the heat medium inlet hole 206 to the heat medium outlet hole 207. When the liquid heat medium is cooled by a refrigerant, the temperature difference of the liquid heat medium between the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 and the heat medium outlet 22 is approximately half of the temperature difference of the liquid heat medium between the heat medium inlet 21 and the heat medium outlet 22. Also, when the liquid heat medium is heated by a refrigerant, the temperature difference of the liquid heat medium between the heat medium outlet 22 and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 is approximately half of the temperature difference of the liquid heat medium between the heat medium outlet 22 and the heat medium inlet 21. Therefore, by adjusting the ratio between the amount of liquid heat medium flowing in from the heat medium inlet 21 and the amount of liquid heat medium flowing in from the intermediate heat medium inlet 25, the temperature of the liquid heat medium flowing out from the heat medium outlet 22 can be adjusted.

[0043] In the above example, the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 is provided at a position that is approximately half the distance from the heat medium inlet 21 to the heat medium outlet 22. However, the position of the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 is not limited to this, and the formation position may be appropriately adjusted according to the required intermediate temperature.

[0044] Furthermore, by using the above-described refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1, the amount of heat exchanged between the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium may be adjusted by switching the inlet through which the liquid heat medium flows. That is, when it is desired to ensure a sufficient amount of heat exchange between the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, it is advisable to stop the inflow of the liquid heat medium from the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 and allow all the liquid heat medium to flow in through the heat medium inlet 21. This makes it possible to increase the amount of heat exchange between the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium.

[0045] 7 to 9, when it is desired to reduce the amount of heat exchange in the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1, the inflow of the liquid heat medium from the heat medium inlet 21 may be stopped and all the liquid heat medium may be caused to flow in through the intermediate heat medium inlet 25. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of heat exchange between the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium, thereby suppressing the amount of heat exchange between the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium.

[0046] (Modification of the first embodiment of the heat exchanger) In the above configuration, the refrigerant inlet 11, the refrigerant outlet 12, the heat medium inlet 21, the heat medium outlet 22, and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 are provided on the heat transfer plate 5 arranged at one end of the stacking direction of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1, but as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the refrigerant inlet 11 and the refrigerant outlet 12 may be provided on the heat transfer plate 5 arranged at one end of the stacking direction of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 (e.g., the heat transfer plate 200 for heat medium), and the heat medium inlet 21, the heat medium outlet 22, and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 may be provided on the heat transfer plate 5 arranged at the other end of the stacking direction (e.g., the heat transfer plate 100 for refrigerant). This configuration also has the same effect.

[0047] Next, a vehicle air conditioning system S using the above-described refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1 will be described.

[0048] (First embodiment of vehicle air conditioning system) FIG. 12 shows a first embodiment of a vehicle air conditioning system S that uses the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 (a heat exchanger including a refrigerant inlet 11, a refrigerant outlet 12, a heat medium inlet 21, a heat medium outlet 22, and an intermediate heat medium inlet 25) shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

[0049] In this example, the vehicle air conditioning system S includes a refrigerant cycle 40, which is a heat pump cycle that adjusts the temperature of air in a ventilation space 34 in an air conditioning unit 30 mounted on a vehicle, and a heat medium cycle 50 for cooling a heat generating element.

[0050] First, the air conditioning unit 30 will be described. An inside / outside air switching device 31 is provided on the most upstream side of the air conditioning unit 30. The inside / outside air switching device 31 has an inside air inlet 31a and an outside air inlet 31b that are selectively opened by an intake door 32. The inside air or the outside air selectively introduced into the air conditioning unit 30 is sucked in by the rotation of a blower 33 and sent to a passenger compartment heat absorber 35 and a passenger compartment radiator 36 disposed in a ventilation space 34, where the air is heat exchanged and supplied into the vehicle cabin from desired outlets 37a to 37c. The passenger compartment heat absorber 35 is also called an evaporator, and the passenger compartment radiator 36 is also called a heater core.

[0051] The passenger compartment radiator 36 is disposed downstream of the passenger compartment heat absorber 35 in the air flow direction inside the air conditioning unit 30, and a damper 38 is provided upstream of the passenger compartment radiator 36 in the air flow direction. The damper 38 can be adjusted from a position where the amount of air passing through the passenger compartment radiator 36 is maximum (heating position: opening degree 100%) to a position where it is minimum (cooling position: opening degree 0%), and by adjusting the opening degree, the ratio of air passing through the passenger compartment radiator 36 and bypass air can be adjusted.

[0052] The damper 38 is also called an air mix door. In addition, an electric heating device (PTC) (not shown) may be disposed downstream of the passenger compartment radiator 36 in the air conditioning unit 30.

[0053] The refrigerant cycle 40 of the vehicle air conditioning system S includes a compressor 41 through which refrigerant circulates and which pumps out the refrigerant, a passenger compartment radiator 36 into which the refrigerant pumped out from the compressor 41 flows, a first expansion valve 42 through which the refrigerant that has flowed out of the passenger compartment radiator 36 can pass, an exterior heat exchanger 43 into which the refrigerant that has passed through the first expansion valve 42 flows, a second expansion valve 44 which reduces pressure and expands the refrigerant that has passed through the exterior heat exchanger 43, a passenger compartment heat absorber 35 which absorbs heat from the refrigerant reduced pressure and expanded by the second expansion valve 44, and an accumulator 45 which separates the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant that has passed through the passenger compartment heat absorber 35 into gas and liquid, and draws only the gas-phase refrigerant into the compressor 41.

[0054] The refrigerant cycle 40 also has an expansion valve (third expansion valve) 46 which reduces the pressure and expands the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 43, and a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 which causes the refrigerant reduced in pressure and expanded by this third expansion valve 46 to flow into a refrigerant flow path 13 via a refrigerant inlet 11 and exchange heat with a liquid heat medium in a heat medium cycle 50. The refrigerant flowing out from this refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 via a refrigerant outlet 12 is sent to an accumulator 45.

[0055] The refrigerant is not particularly limited as long as it is a component that exhibits its function, but examples of the refrigerant that can be used include fluorocarbon-based media (HFC-134a, R-1234yf), carbon dioxide (CO2), and propane (C3H8).

[0056] Therefore, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 41 is supplied to the passenger compartment radiator 36, heats the air in the ventilation space 34 in the air conditioning unit 30 as necessary, and is then supplied to the exterior heat exchanger 43 via the first expansion valve 42. The refrigerant is then decompressed and expanded by the second expansion valve 44 and supplied to the passenger compartment heat absorber 35, where it exchanges heat with the air in the ventilation space 34 to absorb heat, and is then returned to the compressor 41 via the accumulator 45. The refrigerant is decompressed and expanded by the third expansion valve 46 and supplied to the refrigerant flow path 13 of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1, where it exchanges heat with the liquid heat medium of the heat medium cycle 50 to absorb heat, and is then returned to the compressor 41 via the accumulator 45.

[0057] The heat medium cycle 50 has a liquid heat medium circulating therein, and is configured so that a first heat element heat absorber 52 that absorbs heat from a first heat element 51 and a branch section D1 provided on the outlet side of the first heat element heat absorber 52 are connected in this order to the heat medium outlet 22 of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1, and the branch section D1 is connected to the heat medium inlet 21 and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 via branch flow paths 53a, 53b.

[0058] The heat medium cycle 50 includes a first heat source heat absorber 52 that absorbs heat from a first heat source 51 at the heat medium outlet 22 of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1, and a branch section D1 provided on the outlet side of the first heat source heat absorber 52, and the branch section D1 is connected to the heat medium inlet 21 and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 via branch flow paths 53a and 53b. The heat medium cycle 50 also includes at least one of an integrated pump 55 provided on a path 54 from the heat medium outlet 22 to the branch section D1 and supplying a liquid heat medium, and individual flow pumps 55a and 55b provided on the branch flow paths 53a and 53b, respectively, for supplying the liquid heat medium. Here, in the heat transfer medium cycle 50 shown in FIG. 12, an integrated pump 55 is provided to send a liquid heat transfer medium to a path 54 from the heat transfer medium outlet 22 to the branch D1, and flow control valves 56a, 56b are provided in the branch flow paths 53a, 53b, respectively, to adjust the amount of the liquid heat transfer medium flowing through each of the branch flow paths 53a, 53b.

[0059] In this configuration, the temperature of the liquid heat medium flowing out from the heat medium outlet 22 can be adjusted by changing the flow rate ratio of the liquid heat medium by the flow rate adjustment valves 56a and 56b, so that the flow rate of the liquid heat medium flowing through each branch flow path 53a and 53b can be adjusted according to the amount of heat generated by the first heat generating body 51, thereby making it possible to provide the first heat generating body heat absorber 52 with the cooling capacity required for the first heat generating body 51. For example, when the amount of heat generated by the first heat generating body 51 increases, the flow rate ratio of the flow rate adjustment valve 56a provided between the branch part D1 and the heat medium inlet 21 is increased, and at the same time, the flow rate ratio of the flow rate adjustment valve 56b provided between the branch part D1 and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 is decreased. This makes it possible to increase the ratio of the heat medium flowing from the heat medium inlet 21 to the heat medium outlet 22 in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1, thereby making it possible to increase the cooling capacity of the liquid heat medium by the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1. Then, the amount of heat absorbed by the first heat generating body heat absorber 52 can be increased. (Modification of the first embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning system) The configuration shown in Fig. 12 can also be realized by an equivalent heat medium cycle 50. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, an integrated pump 55 for sending a liquid heat medium to a path 54 from the heat medium outlet 22 of the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1 to a branching point D1 may be provided, and a three-way flow control valve 57 may be provided at the branching point D1 instead of the flow control valves provided at the branching passages 53a and 53b.

[0060] According to this configuration, by adjusting the three-way flow control valve 57 provided at branch section D1, the flow rate ratio of the liquid heat medium flowing through each branch flow path 53a, 53b can be adjusted, so that the ratio between the inflow amount of liquid heat medium flowing in from the heat medium inlet 21 and the inflow amount of liquid heat medium flowing in from the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 can be adjusted, making it possible to adjust the cooling capacity required by the first heating element heat absorber 52 (it becomes possible to adjust the amount of heat recovered from the first heating element 51).

[0061] (Another Modification of the First Embodiment of the Vehicle Air Conditioning System) As shown in FIG. 14, instead of providing a pump in the path 54 from the heat medium outlet 22 of the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1 to the branch portion D1, pumps 55a, 55b may be provided in the branch flow paths 53a, 53b, respectively.

[0062] According to this configuration, the flow rate of the liquid heat transfer medium flowing through each branch flow path 53a, 53b can be adjusted by adjusting the discharge rate of each flow pump 55a, 55b, making it possible to adjust the cooling capacity required by the first heating element heat absorber 52 (it is possible to adjust the amount of heat recovered from the first heating element 51).

[0063] (Second embodiment of vehicle air conditioning system) FIG. 15 shows a second embodiment of a vehicle air conditioning system S that uses the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 (a heat exchanger including a refrigerant inlet 11, a refrigerant outlet 12, a heat medium inlet 21, a heat medium outlet 22, and an intermediate heat medium inlet 25) shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

[0064] In this example, the vehicle air conditioning system S includes a refrigerant cycle 60 that circulates a refrigerant through the passenger compartment heat absorber 35 in the air conditioning unit 30, and a heat medium cycle 70 that circulates a liquid heat medium through the passenger compartment radiator 36 in the air conditioning unit 30.

[0065] The refrigerant cycle 60 includes a compressor 61 through which a refrigerant circulates and which pumps out the refrigerant, a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 through which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 61 flows into a refrigerant flow path 13 via a refrigerant inlet 11 and exchanges heat with a liquid heat medium of a heat medium cycle 70, a first expansion valve 62 through which the refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the liquid heat medium in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 can pass, an outdoor heat exchanger 63 into which the refrigerant that has passed through the first expansion valve 62 flows, a second expansion valve 64 that reduces pressure and expands the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 63, a passenger compartment heat absorber 35 that absorbs heat from the refrigerant reduced pressure and expanded by the second expansion valve 64, and an accumulator 65 that separates the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant that has passed through the passenger compartment heat absorber 35 into gas and liquid, and draws only the gas-phase refrigerant into the compressor 61.

[0066] In contrast to this, in the heat medium cycle 70, the passenger compartment radiator 36 that heats the air in the ventilation space 34 of the air conditioning unit 30 and a branch section D2 provided on the outlet side of the passenger compartment radiator 36 are connected in this order to the heat medium outlet 22 of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1, and this branch section D2 is connected to the heat medium inlet 21 and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 via branch flow paths 71a, 71b.

[0067] The heat transfer medium cycle 70 further includes at least one of an integrated pump 73 for supplying a liquid heat transfer medium provided in a path 72 from the heat transfer medium outlet 22 to the branch point D2, and individual flow pumps 73a, 73b provided in the branch flow paths 71a, 71b, respectively. Here, in the heat transfer medium cycle 70 shown in FIG. 15, an integrated pump 73 is provided to send a liquid heat transfer medium to a path 72 from the heat transfer medium outlet 22 to a branch point D1, and flow control valves 74a, 74b are provided in the branch flow paths 71a, 71b, respectively, to adjust the amount of the liquid heat transfer medium flowing through each of the branch flow paths 71a, 71b.

[0068] In this configuration, the temperature of the liquid heat medium flowing out from the heat medium outlet 22 can be adjusted by changing the flow rate ratio of the liquid heat medium by the respective flow rate adjustment valves 74a, 74b, so that the flow rate of the liquid heat medium flowing through each branch flow path 71a, 71b can be adjusted by the flow rate adjustment valves 74a, 74b in accordance with the heating amount required by the passenger compartment radiator 36, thereby making it possible to obtain the required heating capacity. For example, when the amount of heat radiation required by the passenger compartment radiator 36 increases, the flow rate ratio of the flow rate adjustment valve 74a provided between the branch part D2 and the heat medium inlet 21 is increased, and at the same time, the flow rate ratio of the flow rate adjustment valve 74b provided between the branch part D2 and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 is decreased. This makes it possible to increase the ratio of the heat medium flowing from the heat medium inlet 21 to the heat medium outlet 22 in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1, thereby making it possible to increase the heating capacity of the liquid heat medium by the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1. Then, the amount of heat radiation by the passenger compartment radiator 36 can be increased.

[0069] (Modification of the second embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning system) The configuration shown in Fig. 15 can also be realized by an equivalent heat medium cycle 70. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, an integrated pump 73 that sends a liquid heat medium to a path 72 from the heat medium outlet 22 to a branching point D2 may be provided, and a three-way flow control valve 75 may be provided at the branching point D2 instead of the flow control valves provided at the branching passages 71a and 71b.

[0070] According to this configuration, the flow rate ratio of the liquid heat transfer medium flowing through each branch flow path 53a, 53b can be adjusted by adjusting the three-way flow control valve 57 provided at the branch portion D2, so that it is possible to adjust the heating capacity required by the passenger compartment radiator 36 (the amount of heat dissipated by the passenger compartment radiator 36).

[0071] (Another Modification of the Second Embodiment of the Vehicle Air Conditioning System) Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, a pump may not be provided in the path 72 from the heat medium outlet 22 to the branching portion D2, and a three-way flow control valve may not be provided in the branching portion D2, and instead, pumps 73a, 73b may be provided in each of the branching flow paths 71a, 71b, respectively.

[0072] According to this configuration, the flow rate of the liquid heat transfer medium flowing through each branch flow path 71a, 71b can be adjusted by adjusting the discharge rate of each flow pump 73a, 73b, making it possible to adjust the heating capacity required by the passenger compartment radiator 36 (the amount of heat dissipated by the passenger compartment radiator 36).

[0073] (Third embodiment of vehicle air conditioning system) FIG. 18 shows a third embodiment of a vehicle air conditioning system S that uses the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 (a heat exchanger including a refrigerant inlet 11, a refrigerant outlet 12, a heat medium inlet 21, a heat medium outlet 22, and an intermediate heat medium inlet 25) shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

[0074] In this example, the vehicle air conditioning system S includes a refrigerant cycle 80 that circulates a refrigerant through the passenger compartment radiator 36 in the air conditioning unit 30, and a heat medium cycle 90 that circulates a liquid heat medium through the passenger compartment heat sink 35 in the air conditioning unit 30.

[0075] The refrigerant cycle 80 includes a compressor 81 through which a refrigerant circulates and which pumps out the refrigerant, a passenger compartment radiator 36 to which the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 81 is supplied, a first expansion valve 82 through which the refrigerant flowing out from the passenger compartment radiator 36 can pass, an outdoor heat exchanger 83 into which the refrigerant that has passed through the first expansion valve 82 flows, a liquid tank 84 that separates the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 83 into gas and liquid, a second expansion valve 85 that reduces pressure and expands the liquid-phase refrigerant from which the gas-phase refrigerant has been separated in the liquid tank 84, and a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant reduced pressure and expanded by the second expansion valve 85 and a liquid heat medium of the heat medium cycle 90.

[0076] In contrast to this, in the heat medium cycle 90, a passenger compartment heat absorber 35 that cools the air flowing through the ventilation space 34 of the air conditioning unit 30 and a branch section D3 provided on the outlet side of the passenger compartment heat absorber 35 are connected in this order to the heat medium outlet 22 of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1, and this branch section D3 is connected to the heat medium inlet 21 and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1 via branch flow paths 91a, 91b.

[0077] The heat transfer medium cycle 90 also has at least one of an integrated pump 93 for supplying a liquid heat transfer medium provided in a path 92 from the heat transfer medium outlet 22 to the branch point D3, and individual flow pumps 93a, 93b provided in the branch flow paths 91a, 91b, respectively. Here, in the heat transfer medium cycle 90 shown in FIG. 18, an integrated pump 93 is provided to send a liquid heat transfer medium to a path 92 from the heat transfer medium outlet 22 to a branch point D3, and flow control valves 94a, 94b are provided in the branch flow paths 91a, 91b, respectively, to adjust the amount of the liquid heat transfer medium flowing through each of the branch flow paths 91a, 91b.

[0078] In this configuration, the temperature of the liquid heat medium flowing out from the heat medium outlet 22 can be adjusted by changing the flow rate ratio of the liquid heat medium by the flow rate adjustment valves 94a, 94b, so that the flow rate of the liquid heat medium flowing through each branch flow path 91a, 91b can be adjusted by the flow rate adjustment valves 94a, 94b in accordance with the cooling capacity required by the passenger compartment heat absorber 35, thereby making it possible to obtain the required cooling capacity (the amount of heat recovered by the passenger compartment heat absorber 35 can be adjusted). For example, when the amount of heat absorption required by the passenger compartment heat absorber 35 increases, the flow rate ratio of the flow rate adjustment valve 94a provided between the branch part D3 and the heat medium inlet 21 is increased, and at the same time, the flow rate ratio of the flow rate adjustment valve 94b provided between the branch part D3 and the intermediate heat medium inlet 25 is decreased. This makes it possible to increase the ratio of the heat medium flowing from the heat medium inlet 21 to the heat medium outlet 22 in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1, thereby making it possible to increase the cooling capacity of the liquid heat medium by the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 1. As a result, the amount of heat absorbed by the passenger compartment heat absorber 35 can be increased.

[0079] (Modification of the third embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning system) The configuration of Fig. 18 can also be realized by an equivalent configuration of a heat medium cycle 90. For example, as shown in Fig. 19, an integrated pump 93 for feeding a liquid heat medium to a path 92 from the heat medium outlet 22 to a branching point D3 may be provided, and a three-way flow control valve 95 may be provided at the branching point D3 instead of the flow control valves provided at the branching passages 91a and 91b.

[0080] According to this configuration, by adjusting the three-way flow control valve 95 provided at the branching section D3, the flow rate ratio of the liquid heat transfer medium flowing through each branching flow path 91a, 91b can be adjusted, making it possible to adjust the required cooling capacity (amount of heat absorption by the passenger compartment heat sink 35).

[0081] (Another Modification of the Third Embodiment of the Vehicle Air Conditioning System) Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 20, a pump may not be provided in the path 92 from the heat medium outlet 22 to the branch point D3, and the three-way flow control valve 95 may not be provided in the branch point D3, and instead, pumps 93a, 93b may be provided in each of the branch flow paths 91a, 91b, respectively.

[0082] According to this configuration, the flow rate of the liquid heat transfer medium flowing through each branch flow path 91a, 91b can be adjusted by adjusting the discharge rate of each flow pump 93a, 93b, so that it is possible to adjust the cooling capacity required by the passenger compartment heat sink 35 (the amount of heat absorbed by the passenger compartment heat sink 35).

[0083] In the above embodiments, an example has been shown in which a plate-type heat exchanger having heat transfer plates 5 stacked is used as the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1. However, the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1 is not limited to this, and any other type of heat exchanger may be used as long as it is capable of exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the liquid heat medium, such as a shell-and-tube type or a finned tube type. [Industrial Applicability]

[0084] The refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger 1 of the present invention and the vehicle air conditioning system S using the same are suitable for mounting on a passenger vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 Refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 Refrigerant inlet 12 Refrigerant outlet 13 Coolant flow path 16 Refrigerant flow layer 21 Heat medium inlet 22 Heat medium outlet 23 Heat transfer medium flow path 25 Intermediate heat medium inlet 26 Heat medium distribution layer 30 Air Conditioning Unit 34 Ventilation space 35 Passenger compartment heat sink 36 Passenger compartment radiator 40 Refrigerant Cycle 46 Third expansion valve 50 Heat Transfer Cycle 51 First heating element 52 First heating element heat sink 53a, 53b Branch flow path 55,73,93 Integrated Pump 55a, 55b Each flow pump 60 Refrigerant Cycle 61 Compressor 70 Heat Transfer Cycle 71a, 71b Branch flow path 73a, 73b Each flow pump 80 Refrigerant Cycle 85 Expansion valve 90 Heat Transfer Cycle 91a, 91b Branch flow path 93a, 93b Various flow pumps S Vehicle air conditioning system D1, D2, D3 branch

Claims

1. A refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and a liquid heat medium, a refrigerant inlet (11) through which a refrigerant flows, a refrigerant outlet (12) through which the refrigerant flows, and a refrigerant flow path (13) connecting the refrigerant inlet (11) and the refrigerant outlet (12); a heat medium inlet (21) through which a liquid heat medium can flow, a heat medium outlet (22) through which the liquid heat medium can flow, and a heat medium flow path (23) that connects the heat medium inlet (21) and the heat medium outlet (22) and is provided along the refrigerant flow path (13); an intermediate heat medium inlet (25) that is connected to the heat medium flow path (23) and is provided between the heat medium inlet (21) and the heat medium outlet (22) when viewed along the flow of the liquid heat medium, and through which the liquid heat medium can flow; A refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger comprising:

2. a refrigerant flow layer (16) communicating with the refrigerant inlet (11) and the refrigerant outlet (12); a heat medium flow layer (26) communicating with the heat medium inlet (21), the heat medium outlet (22), and the intermediate heat medium inlet (25); It is composed of alternating layers, The refrigerant flow path (13) is constituted by each of the refrigerant flow layers (16), The heat transfer medium flow path (23) is constituted by each of the heat transfer medium flow layers (26).

2. The refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger according to claim 1.

3. 3. A vehicle air conditioning system using the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger according to claim 1, The refrigerant inlet (11) is connected to an outlet of an expansion valve (46) that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant and expands it. The refrigerant flow path (13) is capable of circulating a refrigerant that has been decompressed and expanded by the expansion valve (46), the heat medium outlet (22) is connected to the heat medium inlet (21) and the intermediate heat medium inlet (25) via a first heat generating element heat absorber (52) that absorbs heat from a first heat generating element (51), a branch section (D1) provided on the outlet side of the first heat generating element heat absorber (52), and branch flow paths (53a, 53b) branched at the branch section (D1); an integrated pump (55) for supplying a liquid heat medium provided in a path (54) from the heat medium outlet (22) to the branch portion (D1), and / or individual flow pumps (55a, 55b) provided in each of the branch flow paths (53a, 53b).

4. 3. A vehicle air conditioning system using the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger according to claim 1, A compressor (61) is connected to the refrigerant inlet (11), A refrigerant compressed by the compressor (61) can flow through the refrigerant flow path (13), the heat medium outlet (22) is connected to the heat medium inlet (21) and the intermediate heat medium inlet (25) via a passenger compartment radiator (36) arranged in a ventilation space (34) of an air conditioning unit (30), a branch portion (D2) provided on an outlet side of the passenger compartment radiator (36), and branch flow paths (71a, 71b) branched at the branch portion (D2); a heat transfer medium outlet (22) for supplying a liquid heat transfer medium from the heat transfer medium outlet (22) to the branching portion (D2) and / or a respective flow pump (73a, 73b) provided in each of the branching flow paths (71a, 71b).

5. 3. A vehicle air conditioning system using the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger according to claim 1, The refrigerant inlet (11) is connected to an outlet of an expansion valve (85) that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant and expands it. A refrigerant that has been decompressed and expanded by the expansion valve (85) can flow through the refrigerant flow path (13), the heat medium outlet (22) is connected to the heat medium inlet (21) and the intermediate heat medium inlet (25) via a passenger compartment heat absorber (35) arranged in a ventilation space (34) of an air conditioning unit (30), a branch portion (D3) provided on the outlet side of the passenger compartment heat absorber (35), and branch flow paths (91a, 91b) branched at the branch portion (D3); and at least one of an integrated pump (93) for supplying a liquid heat medium provided in a path (92) from the heat medium outlet (22) to the branch portion (D3), and individual flow pumps (93a, 93b) provided in each of the branch flow paths (91a, 91b).

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