Heat exchanger and air conditioner comprising the same

Abstract

To improve rigidity of a fin laminate formed by laminating a plurality of fins, in a plate lamination type heat exchanger.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger 18 comprises: a plurality of fins 46 each having an internal flow path 46a through which first fluid flows, and laminated in a first direction with gaps for second fluid to pass through to form a fin laminate 40; a reinforcing plate 52 extending in the first direction and facing at least one end surface of each of the plurality of fins 46 in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a brazing material 54 joining the reinforcing plate 52 and the end surface of the fin 46.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner including the heat exchanger. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1, there is known a plate stacking type heat exchanger having a plurality of fins each formed by joining first and second plates. Each of the fins has an internal flow path through which a refrigerant flows. Heat exchange takes place between the air flowing between the fins and the refrigerant flowing inside each of the fins.

[0003] A stack of multiple fins (fin stack) in such a plate-stacked heat exchanger is produced by stacking first and second plates alternately, and then heating them while pressing them in the stacking direction. For this purpose, each of the first and second plates is produced, for example, by press-molding a thin metal plate (brazing plate) with a brazing material layer provided on both sides. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-180856 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of a plate-stacked heat exchanger, when the number of fins increases, the fin stack becomes flat as if it is long in the stacking direction. Therefore, the fin stack is easily deformed in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction. In particular, when the fins have a short side direction and a long side direction, the fin stack is easily deformed in the short side direction. As a result, when an impact (external force) is applied to the fin stack in the short side direction and / or the long side direction (for example, when the heat exchanger is dropped alone during transportation, or when the product is dropped while mounted on the product), the fin stack is deformed. When the fin stack is deformed, the fin stack may collide with other components in the vicinity, such as a fan, causing damage to at least one of the fan and the fin stack. In addition, when the impact applied to the fin stack is large, the fin stack may be plastically deformed and may not return to its original shape.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the rigidity of a fin stack formed by stacking a plurality of fins in a plate stacked type heat exchanger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a plurality of fins each having an internal flow passage through which a first fluid flows, the fins being stacked in a first direction with gaps therebetween through which a second fluid passes to form a fin stack; a reinforcing plate extending in the first direction and facing at least one end surface of each of the fins in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a brazing material that bonds the reinforcing plate and the end surfaces of the fins.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, A compressor that outputs a refrigerant; a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant flows; a fan for generating an air flow through the heat exchanger; The heat exchanger, a plurality of fins each having an internal flow passage through which a first fluid flows, the fins being stacked in a first direction with gaps therebetween through which a second fluid passes to form a fin stack; a reinforcing plate extending in the first direction and facing at least one end surface of each of the fins in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a brazing material that joins the reinforcing plate and the end surfaces of the fins. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, in a plate stacked type heat exchanger, it is possible to improve the rigidity of a fin stack formed by stacking a plurality of fins. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] Schematic cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner. [Diagram 3] Perspective view of a heat exchanger [Figure 4] Exploded perspective view of a heat exchanger [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger showing the bond between a stiffener plate and multiple fins. [Figure 6A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger in which a reinforcing plate is not provided and the heat exchanger is deformed in the longitudinal direction of the fins; [Figure 6B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger in which a reinforcing plate is not provided and the heat exchanger is deformed in the short-side direction of the fins; [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a joint between a reinforcing member and a plurality of fins in a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a joint between a reinforcing member and a plurality of fins in a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of fins, each of which has an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows and which are stacked in a first direction with gaps provided for a second fluid to pass through, to form a fin stack; a reinforcing plate extending in the first direction and facing at least one end face of each of the plurality of fins in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a solder material joining the reinforcing plate to the end faces of the fins.

[0012] According to this aspect, in a plate stacking type heat exchanger, it is possible to improve the rigidity of a fin stack formed by stacking a plurality of fins.

[0013] For example, the brazing material may join the reinforcing plate to the end faces of all of the plurality of fins.

[0014] For example, the second direction may be a longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of fins.

[0015] For example, when each of the fins is constructed by joining a first plate and a second plate in the first direction, at least one end of the first plate in the second direction may be bent in the first direction so that the end face facing the reinforcing plate is larger than a cross section of the first plate perpendicular to the second direction.

[0016] For example, at least one end of the first plate bent in the first direction in the second direction may extend in the first direction to the first plate in another adjacent fin, and at least one end face of the second plate in the second direction may face the end of the first plate.

[0017] For example, the fin stack may further include first and second end plates attached to both ends in the first direction of the fin stack, respectively. In this case, both ends of the reinforcing plate in the first direction may be fixed to the first and second end plates.

[0018] For example, the body portion of the reinforcing member may include a through hole.

[0019] Another aspect of the air conditioner of the present disclosure includes a compressor that outputs a refrigerant, a heat exchanger through which the refrigerant flows, and a fan that generates a flow of air that passes through the heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger has an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows, and a plurality of fins that form a fin stack by being stacked in a first direction with gaps remaining therebetween through which a second fluid passes, a reinforcing plate that extends in the first direction and faces at least one end face of each of the plurality of fins in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a solder material that joins the reinforcing plate to the end face of the fin.

[0020] According to this alternative embodiment, in a plate stack type heat exchanger mounted in an air conditioner, the rigidity of a fin stack formed by stacking a plurality of fins can be improved.

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment has an indoor unit 12 arranged indoors, and an outdoor unit 14 arranged outdoors.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the indoor unit 12 is equipped with a housing 16 installed indoors, a heat exchanger 18 arranged in the housing 16 to exchange heat with indoor air, and a cross-flow fan 20 that generates a flow of indoor air so that the indoor air passes through the heat exchanger 18. The housing 16 is formed with an intake port 16a that opens upward, an intake port 16b that opens forward, and an outlet port 16c that faces diagonally downward. When the cross-flow fan 20 rotates, indoor air flows into the housing 16 through the intake ports 16a and 16b and passes through the heat exchanger 18. The air that has passed through the heat exchanger 18 is blown out of the housing 16 through the outlet port 16c. A drain pan 22 that stores moisture in the air that condenses on the surface of the heat exchanger 18 is provided below the heat exchanger 18.

[0025] 1, the outdoor unit 14 is equipped with a heat exchanger 24 that exchanges heat with outdoor air, an axial flow fan 26 that generates a flow of outdoor air so that the outdoor air passes through the heat exchanger 24, and a compressor 28 that sends out a refrigerant (first fluid) that passes through the heat exchangers 18, 24. The heat exchanger 18, the heat exchanger 24, and the compressor 28 are connected via a refrigerant piping 30. An expansion valve 32 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, and a four-way valve 34 that changes the flow direction of the refrigerant are arranged on the refrigerant piping 30.

[0026] During cooling operation, the refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 28, passes through the four-way valve 34, the heat exchanger 24 of the outdoor unit 14, the expansion valve 32, and the heat exchanger 18 of the indoor unit 12, in that order, and returns to the compressor 28. During heating operation, the refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 28, passes through the four-way valve 34, the heat exchanger 18 of the indoor unit 12, the expansion valve 32, and the heat exchanger 24 of the outdoor unit 14, in that order, and returns to the compressor 28. The four-way valve 34 switches the flow of the refrigerant during cooling operation and the flow of the refrigerant during heating operation. During cooling operation, water droplets generated by condensation of indoor air on the surface of the heat exchanger 18 flow along the surface of the heat exchanger 18 and fall into the drain pan 22.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger. The XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in the drawings is for facilitating understanding of the embodiment, and does not limit the embodiment. The X-axis direction indicates the short-side direction of the fins constituting the fin stack in the heat exchanger, the Y-axis direction indicates the long-side direction of the fins, and the Z-axis direction indicates the thickness direction of the fins and the stacking direction of the fins. In the drawings, the outline arrows indicate the flow direction of air A (second fluid) flowing into the heat exchanger 18. In the case of the present embodiment 1, the air A passing through the heat exchanger 18 flows in the X-axis direction.

[0028] 3 and 4, the heat exchanger 18 includes a fin stack 40. First and second end plates 42, 44 are attached to both ends in the stacking direction of the fin stack 40. The first end plate 42 is provided with an inlet side connecting pipe 42a connected to the refrigerant piping 30 through which the refrigerant flows in, and an outlet side connecting pipe 42b connected to the refrigerant piping 30 through which the refrigerant flows out.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 4, the fin stack 40 is formed by stacking a plurality of substantially rectangular fins 46 in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction). By stacking the many fins 46, the heat exchanger 18 becomes a flat plate that is long in the stacking direction of the fins 46, as shown in Fig. 3. In the case of the present embodiment 1, the multiple fins 46 are stacked in the left-right direction of the indoor unit 12.

[0030] 4, an internal flow path 46a through which a coolant flows is provided inside each of the multiple fins 46. In the case of the first embodiment, each of the multiple fins 46 is formed by bonding a first plate 48 and a second plate 50 to each other in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the fin stack 40. The internal flow path 46a is formed between the first plate 48 and the second plate 50.

[0031] For example, the first plate 48 and the second plate 50 are produced by processing, for example, pressing, a thin metal plate with brazing material layers on both sides, a so-called brazing plate. The brazing plate is produced, for example, by forming an aluminum-silicon alloy layer as a brazing material on both sides of a thin plate made of an aluminum alloy. The first plate 48 and the second plate 50 are joined by heating the brazing material layer to melt it once and then solidifying it again.

[0032] The first plate 48 and the second plate 50 are joined together to form an internal flow path 46a through which the refrigerant flows. In the first embodiment, recesses are formed on the inner surfaces of the first plate 48 and the second plate 50. The internal flow path 46a is formed from these recesses.

[0033] The internal flow passage 46a is connected to the insides of tubular headers 46b, 46c provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the fin 46. That is, the internal flow passage 46a is provided in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the fin 46, and both ends thereof are connected to the insides of the headers 46b, 46c. Each of these headers 46b, 46c is formed by joining a cylindrical portion formed in the first plate 48 and a cylindrical portion formed in the second plate 50.

[0034] The headers 46b of the fins 46 are connected and joined to form an inlet manifold. The inlet manifold is connected to the inlet connecting pipe 42a of the first end plate 42. As a result, the refrigerant that has passed through the inlet connecting pipe 42a flows into the internal flow passages 46a of each of the fins 46.

[0035] Additionally, the headers 46c of the fins 46 are connected and joined to form an outflow side manifold. The outflow side manifold is connected to the outflow side connecting pipe 42b of the first end plate 42. As a result, the refrigerant flowing out from the internal flow paths 46a of the fins 46 flows toward the outflow side connecting pipe 42b.

[0036] The multiple fins 46 are stacked with gaps between them. Specifically, the gap between two adjacent fins 46 is formed by joining the header 46b of one fin 46 to the header 46b of the other fin 46 while joining the header 46c of one fin 46 to the header 46c of the other fin 46. Air A flows through this gap.

[0037] According to such a heat exchanger 18, heat exchange takes place between the refrigerant flowing through the internal flow paths 46a of the fins 46 and the air A flowing through the gaps between the fins 46.

[0038] In the case of the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 18 includes a reinforcing plate 52, as shown in FIGS.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger showing the bonding between a reinforcing plate and a number of fins.

[0040] 3 to 5, the reinforcing plate 52 is a band-shaped plate member extending in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the fin stack 40, and is made of a metal material such as stainless steel. In the case of the first embodiment, the reinforcing plate 52 has a thickness greater than the thicknesses of the first and second plates 48, 50 of each of the fins 46. In other words, the rigidity (e.g., bending rigidity and torsional rigidity) of the reinforcing plate 52 is greater than the rigidity of each of the first and second plates 48, 50.

[0041] In the case of the present embodiment 1, the reinforcing plate 52 is fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the fins 46 in the fin stack 40, that is, fixed to both longitudinal end faces of each fin 46. Specifically, both longitudinal end faces 48a, 50a of the first and second plates 48, 50 in each fin 46 are fixed to the reinforcing plate 52, respectively.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, both end faces in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the fins 46 in the fin stack 40, i.e., both end faces 48a, 50a in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the first and second plates 48, 50 in each fin 46, face the reinforcing plate 52 and are joined to the reinforcing plate 52 via solder 54.

[0043] A method of joining the reinforcing plate 52 to the fin stack 40 via the brazing material 54 will now be described.

[0044] For example, a reinforcing plate 52 having a brazing material layer (a layer of brazing material 54) on one side, i.e., a brazing plate, is prepared. The fin stack 40 is sandwiched between two brazing plates in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the fins 46 and heated to melt the brazing material 54. After the brazing material 54 has been sufficiently melted, heating is stopped. When the brazing material 54 has solidified, both end faces 48a, 50a in the longitudinal direction of the first and second plates 48, 50 of each fin 46 are joined to the reinforcing plate 52 via the brazing material 54, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0045] It is also possible to simultaneously perform the bonding between the first plate 48 and the second plate 50 (i.e., the production of the fins 46) and the bonding between the reinforcing plate 52 and both end faces 48a, 50b of the first and second plates 48, 50. For example, the first plates 48 and the second plates 50 are alternately stacked and pressurized in the stacking direction, while the reinforcing plate 52 is brought into contact with both end faces 48a, 50a of the first and second plates 48, 50 at a predetermined contact pressure and maintained. By heating while maintaining this state, the first and second plates 48, 50 are bonded to each other, and the reinforcing plate 52 is bonded to the first and second plates 48, 50.

[0046] Such reinforcing plate 52 improves the rigidity of the fin stack 40 and suppresses deformation of the fin stack 40. Here, deformation of the fin stack 40 will be described.

[0047] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a heat exchanger in which a reinforcing plate is not provided and the heat exchanger is deformed in the longitudinal direction of the fins, and Fig. 6B is a perspective view of a heat exchanger in which a reinforcing plate is not provided and the heat exchanger is deformed in the lateral direction of the fins.

[0048] As described above and as shown in FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 18, i.e., the fin stack 40, is a plate-like structure that is long in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the fins 46, and has gaps between the fins 46. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, when an external force F1 acts in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the fins 46, the fin stack 40 is likely to bend and deform in the longitudinal direction of the fins 46. Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, when an external force F2 acts in the transverse direction (X-axis direction) of the fins 46, the fin stack 40 is likely to bend and deform in the transverse direction of the fins 46. Such external forces F1 and F2 are generated, for example, when the heat exchanger 18 is dropped during transportation. Naturally, when such external forces F1 and F2 become large, the fin stack 40 may be plastically deformed and may not be able to return to its original shape.

[0049] In order to suppress deformation of the fin stack 40 due to such external forces F1 and F2, that is, in order to improve the rigidity of the fin stack 40, a reinforcing plate 52 is provided in the heat exchanger 18.

[0050] Specifically, in the case of the first embodiment, each of the fins 46 is fixed (joined) at both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) to the reinforcing plate 52, and is therefore unlikely to be displaced in the short direction (X-axis direction), longitudinal direction, and thickness direction (Z-axis direction). In addition, the reinforcing plate 52 has high rigidity and is therefore unlikely to deform. As a result, the rigidity of the fin stack 40 is improved compared to a case in which the reinforcing plate 52 is not provided.

[0051] Both ends of the reinforcing plate 52 in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the fin stack 40 are preferably fixed to the first and second end plates 42, 44. The first and second end plates 42, 44 and the reinforcing plate 52 are thicker than the first and second plates 48, 50 of the fin 46, and therefore can be fixed to each other via, for example, bolts.

[0052] Furthermore, the reinforcing plates 52 are not attached to both ends in the short side direction (X-axis direction) of each of the fins 46. As a result, the reinforcing plates 52 do not interfere with the flow of air A flowing in the short side direction into the gap between two adjacent fins 46.

[0053] According to the first embodiment as described above, in the plate-stacking type heat exchanger 18, the rigidity of the fin stack 40 formed by stacking a plurality of fins 46 can be improved.

[0054] (Embodiment 2) The heat exchanger according to the second embodiment differs from the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment in the joining of the fins to the reinforcing plate. Therefore, the second embodiment will be described focusing on this difference. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the components of the second embodiment that are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating bonding between a reinforcing member and a plurality of fins in a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, the heat exchanger 118 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the heat exchanger 18 according to the first embodiment described above, except that the first plate 148 of each fin 146 is different from the first plate 48 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0057] In the case of the second embodiment, both ends of the first plate 148 of each fin 146 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) are bent by 90 degrees and extend in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction). Therefore, the end face 148a of the first plate 148 facing the reinforcing plate 52 is wider than the end face 48a of the first plate 48 in the first embodiment described above. That is, the end face 148a of the first plate 148 is larger than the cross section (cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of the first plate 148. By using such a wide end face 148a, the first plate 148 can be bonded to the reinforcing plate 52 more reliably and with higher strength.

[0058] Both ends of the second plate 50 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) may be bent 90 degrees and extend in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) in the same manner as the first plate 148. In this case, the second plate 50 is bent in the opposite direction to the first plate 148.

[0059] According to the above-described second embodiment, similarly to the above-described first embodiment, in the plate-stacking type heat exchanger 118, the rigidity of the fin stack 140 formed by stacking a plurality of fins 146 can be improved.

[0060] (Embodiment 3) The heat exchanger according to the third embodiment differs from the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment in the joining of the fins to the reinforcing plate. Therefore, the third embodiment will be described focusing on this difference. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the components of the third embodiment that are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating bonding between a reinforcing member and a plurality of fins in a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8, the heat exchanger 218 according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as the heat exchanger 18 according to the first embodiment described above, except that the first plate 248 of each fin 246 is different from the first plate 48 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0063] In the case of the third embodiment, both ends of the first plate 248 of each fin 246 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) are bent by 90 degrees and extend in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction). In addition, the ends of each first plate 248 extend to and contact the first plate 248 of the other adjacent fin 246. Then, the end face 50a of the second plate 50 contacts the end of the first plate 248 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the end face 248a of the first plate 248 facing the reinforcing plate 52 is wider than the end face 48a of the first plate 48 of the first embodiment described above, and further than the end face 148a of the first plate 148 of the second embodiment described above. By using such a wide end face 248a, the first plate 248 can be bonded to the reinforcing plate 52 more reliably and with higher strength. In addition, the first plates 248 of the adjacent fins 246 contact each other at both longitudinal ends, thereby improving the rigidity of the fin stack 240 itself.

[0064] According to the third embodiment as described above, similarly to the first embodiment described above, in the plate stacked type heat exchanger 218, the rigidity of the fin stack 240 formed by stacking a plurality of fins 246 can be improved.

[0065] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0066] For example, in the case of the above-mentioned first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, there are two reinforcing plates 52, each of which is joined to both end faces in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the fin 46 via brazing material 54. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The reinforcing plate 52 may be joined to only one end of the fin 46 in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the reinforcing plate 52 may be a single plate.

[0067] In the case of the first embodiment described above, all of the fins 46 in the fin stack 40 are joined to the reinforcing plate 52 via the brazing material 54. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, only the fins 46 located at both ends in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) and the fin 46 located in the center in the stacking direction may be joined to the reinforcing plate 52. Also, for example, the fins 46 joined to the reinforcing plate 52 and the fins 46 not joined to the reinforcing plate 52 may be arranged alternately in the stacking direction.

[0068] Furthermore, in the case of the above-mentioned first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the reinforcing plate 52 is in the shape of a strip extending in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the fins 46. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when viewed in the stacking direction of the fins 46, the reinforcing plate 52 may have an "L"-shaped or "C"-shaped cross section. That is, a part of the reinforcing plate 52 may face a part of the end face of the fin 46 in the short side direction (X-axis direction) of the fin 46.

[0069] Furthermore, the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment is provided in an air conditioner that performs indoor air conditioning. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in a device that needs to perform heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid.

[0070] That is, a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure broadly comprises a plurality of fins each having an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows and stacked in a first direction with gaps provided for a second fluid to pass through to form a fin stack, a reinforcing plate extending in the first direction and facing at least one end face of each of the plurality of fins in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a solder material joining the reinforcing plate to the end face of the fin. [Industrial Applicability]

[0071] The present disclosure is applicable not only to heat exchangers that perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, but also to heat exchangers that perform heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 18 Heat exchanger 40 Fin stack 46 Finn 46a Internal flow path 52 Reinforcement plate 54 Brazing material

Claims

1. a plurality of fins each having an internal flow passage through which a first fluid flows, the fins being stacked in a first direction with gaps therebetween through which a second fluid passes to form a fin stack; a reinforcing plate extending in the first direction and facing at least one end surface of each of the fins in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a brazing material that joins the reinforcing plate and the end surfaces of the fins.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the brazing material bonds the reinforcing plate to the end faces of all of the plurality of fins.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the second direction is a longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of fins.

4. Each of the fins is formed by joining a first plate and a second plate in the first direction; 2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein at least one end of the first plate in the second direction is bent in the first direction so that the end face facing the reinforcing plate is larger than a cross section of the first plate perpendicular to the second direction.

5. At least one end in the second direction of the first plate bent in the first direction extends in the first direction to the first plate in another adjacent fin, The heat exchanger according to claim 4 , wherein at least one end face of the second plate in the second direction faces the end of the first plate.

6. The fin stack further includes first and second end plates attached to both ends of the fin stack in the first direction, The heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein both ends of the reinforcing plate in the first direction are fixed to the first and second end plates.

7. A compressor that outputs a refrigerant; a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant flows; a fan for generating an air flow through the heat exchanger; The heat exchanger, a plurality of fins each having an internal flow passage through which a first fluid flows, the fins being stacked in a first direction with gaps therebetween through which a second fluid passes to form a fin stack; a reinforcing plate extending in the first direction and facing at least one end surface of each of the fins in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a brazing material that joins the reinforcing plate and the end surfaces of the fins.

Images