Fins, heat exchanger, and method for manufacturing heat exchanger

Abstract

To prevent deformation of flat surface wall parts in fins.SOLUTION: Inner fins 40 are formed in a wavy shape in a width direction X of a second flow path 10B and include a plurality of wavy parts 41 that are provided in a flow direction Y' of a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 10B, the wavy parts 41 being provided at intervals in the width direction X and having a plurality of flat surface wall parts 42 erected in a height direction Z of the second flow path 10B, and folded parts 43 that are provided alternately with the flat surface wall parts 42 in the width direction X and connect adjacent flat surface wall parts 42 to each other, some of the flat surface wall parts 42 in the wavy parts 41 adjacent to each other in the flow direction Y' being provided so as to be offset from each other in the width direction X, the flat surface wall parts 42 that are adjacent to each other in the flow direction Y' and are not offset in the width direction X being connected to each other, and a cutting part 48 that is cut along the width direction X being provided between top parts 47 of each of the folded parts 43 that are connected to the flat surface wall parts 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to fins that promote heat exchange, heat exchangers, and methods for manufacturing heat exchangers.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses offset fins (fins) in which a plurality of wave portions formed in a wave shape by being bent in a rectangular wave shape are provided in the longitudinal direction, and adjacent wave portions in the longitudinal direction are offset in the width direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the offset fins described in Patent Document 1, the offset cut-up position of the rising surface (flat wall portion) and the offset cut-up position of the falling surface (flat wall portion) are different in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, since the top surfaces of the wave portions are continuously formed in the longitudinal direction, the rigidity of the wave portions is high. Thus, when assembling the offset fins to the heat exchanger, there is a risk that the rising surface and the falling surface will be deformed due to being compressed in the thickness direction.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to suppress deformation of the flat wall portion in the fins.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, fins provided in a flow path of at least one fluid in a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between two fluids and that promote heat exchange are formed in a wavy shape in the width direction of the flow path, and include a plurality of wavy portions provided in the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the flow path. The wavy portions are provided in a plurality at intervals in the width direction, and include a plurality of flat wall portions standing upright in the height direction of the flow path, and folding portions provided alternately with the flat wall portions in the width direction and connecting adjacent flat wall portions. In some of the flat wall portions adjacent to each other in the flow direction among the wavy portions, they are provided offset in the width direction, and the flat wall portions adjacent to each other in the flow direction and not offset in the width direction are connected to each other. A cut portion that is cut along the width direction is provided between the tops of each of the folding portions connected to the flat wall portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] In the above aspect, the flat wall portions adjacent to each other in the flow direction of the fluid and not offset in the width direction of the flow path are connected to each other, and a cut portion that is cut along the width direction is provided between the tops of each of the folding portions connected to the flat wall portion. Therefore, the rigidity of the flat wall portions connected in the flow direction is increased, and the rigidity of the folding portions provided with the cut portions is decreased. Thus, when assembling the fins to the heat exchanger, the deformation of the flat wall portions with high rigidity can be suppressed by the deformation of the folding portions with low rigidity. Therefore, the deformation of the flat wall portions in the fins can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

Figure 9

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the inner fin 40 as a fin according to an embodiment of the present invention and the heat exchanger 1 including the inner fin 40 will be described.

[0010] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the overall configuration of the heat exchanger 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the heat exchanger 1, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the heat exchanger 1.

[0011] Hereinafter, the flow path width direction of the first flow path 10A and the second flow path 10B is referred to as the "width direction" and indicated by X, the direction in which the first fluid (cooling water) flows in the first flow path 10A is referred to as the "flow direction" and indicated by Y, and the direction in which the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are stacked (the height direction of the first flow path 10A and the second flow path 10B) is referred to as the "stacking direction" or "height direction" and indicated by Z. Similarly, the direction in which the second fluid (gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant) flows in the second flow path 10B is also referred to as the "flow direction" and indicated by Y'. The direction in which the second fluid (gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant) flows in the second flow path 10B is the direction opposite to the flow direction Y of the first fluid. That is, the flow direction Y and the flow direction Y' are opposite directions.

[0012] The heat exchanger 1 is provided in a refrigeration cycle mounted on, for example, a vehicle or the like, and performs heat exchange between cooling water as a first fluid and a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant as a second fluid. That is, the heat exchanger 1 performs heat exchange between two fluids.

[0013] The heat exchanger 1 includes a core portion 10, a support plate 20 (see FIG. 2), and a bottom plate 30.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the core portion 10 is configured by alternately laminating a plurality of first plates 11 and a plurality of second plates 12 arranged in parallel. These first plates 11 and second plates 12 correspond to laminated plates. On the upper surface of the core portion 10, there are provided a first fluid inlet 15 (see FIG. 2) for allowing cooling water to flow into the core portion 10, a first fluid outlet 16 for allowing cooling water to flow out of the core portion 10, a second fluid inlet 25 for allowing the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to flow into the core portion 10, and a second fluid outlet 26 for allowing the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to flow out of the core portion 10. The structure of the core portion 10 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate 20 is attached to one end face (here, the upper surface) of the core portion 10. The support plate 20 is formed of a member thicker than the first plates 11 and second plates 12 that constitute the core portion 10. The support plate 20 supports the core portion 10 from the upper surface. The support plate 20 fixes the first fluid inlet 15, the first fluid outlet 16, the second fluid inlet 25, and the second fluid outlet 26.

[0016] The bottom plate 30 is attached to the other end face (here, the lower surface) of the core portion 10. The bottom plate 30 is formed of a member thicker than the first plates 11 and second plates 12 that constitute the core portion 10. The bottom plate 30 supports the core portion 10 from the lower surface. The bottom plate 30 includes a plurality of flanges 31 for fixing the heat exchanger 1 to other members.

[0017] The first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are formed using flat plate members (plates) made of a metal with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum, so that their outer peripheries have the same rectangular shape (rectangle). As shown in FIG. 2, the corners of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 have a slightly rounded shape to guide the flow of cooling water or the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

[0018] Pipes (not shown) through which cooling water flows are connected to the first fluid inlet 15 and the first fluid outlet 16. Pipes (not shown) through which the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows are connected to the second fluid inlet 25 and the second fluid outlet 26. Since the volume of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant changes between the gas phase and the liquid phase, its pressure is higher compared to the cooling water. Therefore, the second fluid inlet 25 and the second fluid outlet 26 are provided with bolt holes for fixing with pipe bolts or the like.

[0019] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the structure of the core portion 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heat exchanger 1 and corresponds to the III-III section of FIG. 2.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the core portion 10 is configured by alternately arranging a plurality of first plates 11 and a plurality of second plates 12. In the core portion 10, a first flow path 10A through which cooling water flows and a second flow path 10B through which the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows are alternately formed by a first plate 11 and a pair of second plates 12 adjacent to the first plate 11. Inner fins 40 are provided in the second flow path 10B.

[0021] In each of the plurality of first flow paths 10A, the cooling water flowing in from the first fluid inlet 15 branches and flows in after changing its flow direction inside the support plate 20. The cooling water that has passed through the plurality of first flow paths 10A merges and flows out of the heat exchanger 1 from the first fluid outlet 16.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, in each of the plurality of second flow paths 10B, a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that flows in from the second fluid inlet 25 and changes its flow direction inside the support plate 20 branches and flows in. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has passed through the plurality of second flow paths 10B merges and flows out of the heat exchanger 1 from the second fluid outlet 26. The ends of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are joined to each other so that the first flow path 10A is closed with respect to the second fluid inlet 25 and the second fluid outlet 26. Similarly, for the second flow path 10B, the ends of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are joined to each other so as to be closed with respect to the first fluid inlet 15 and the first fluid outlet 16.

[0023] The inner fin 40 is provided in the second flow path 10B and abuts against the first plate 11 and the second plate 12. The inner fin 40 is an offset fin for increasing the heat transfer area of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 and promoting heat exchange of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 10B. Further, the inner fin 40 also has a role of supporting the second flow path 10B in the stacking direction Z so that the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are not deformed by the pressure of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

[0024] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the detailed configuration of the inner fin 40 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner fin 40. FIG. 5 is a plan view in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, only two corrugated portions 41 are shown for easy understanding of the structure of the inner fin 40.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the inner fin 40 includes a corrugated portion 41 formed in a wave shape in the width direction X of the second flow path 10B.

[0026] A plurality of corrugated portions 41 are provided in the flow direction Y' of the gas-liquid two-layer refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 10B. The corrugated portions 41 are provided in order in the flow direction Y' with a pair of the first and second corrugated portions 41 offset in the width direction X.

[0027] The corrugated portion 41 has a plurality of flat wall portions 42 and a plurality of folded-back portions 43, respectively.

[0028] A plurality of flat wall portions 42 are provided at intervals in the width direction X. The flat wall portions 42 are erected in the height direction Z of the second flow path 10B.

[0029] Some of the flat wall portions 42 in adjacent corrugated portions 41 in the flow direction Y' are provided offset in the width direction X. On the other hand, the flat wall portions 42 that are adjacent in the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X are connected to each other, and a cut portion 48 that is cut along the width direction X is provided between the top portions 47 of each of the folded-back portions 43 connected to the flat wall portions 42. Therefore, the rigidity of the flat wall portions 42 connected in the flow direction Y' is increased, and the rigidity of the folded-back portions 43 where the cut portions 48 are provided is decreased.

[0030] The cut portions 48 are respectively formed between adjacent folded-back portions 43 in the flow direction Y'. The cut portions 48 cut only between the folded-back portions 43 and do not cut up to the flat wall portions 42 connected in the flow direction Y'.

[0031] The folded-back portions 43 are provided alternately with the flat wall portions 42 in the width direction X. The folded-back portions 43 connect adjacent flat wall portions 42. The folded-back portions 43 have wide peak portions 44, narrow peak portions 45, and valley portions 46.

[0032] The wide peak portions 44 are formed large in the width direction X and protrude in one direction of the height direction Z. The narrow peak portions 45 are formed smaller in the width direction X than the wide peak portions 44 and protrude in one direction of the height direction Z. The wide peak portions 44 and the narrow peak portions 45 are provided alternately in the width direction X with the valley portions 46 interposed therebetween. Between adjacent corrugated portions 41 in the flow direction Y', the wide peak portions 44 and the narrow peak portions 45 are provided alternately.

[0033] The valley portion 46 is provided between the wide mountain portion 44 and the narrow mountain portion 45 adjacent to each other in the width direction X. The valley portion 46 is provided such that the size in the width direction X is substantially the same as that of the narrow mountain portion 45. The valley portion 46 protrudes in the other direction in the height direction Z. That is, the valley portion 46 protrudes in the direction opposite to the wide mountain portion 44 and the narrow mountain portion 45.

[0034] A part of the valley portion 46 is connected to each other at the wavy portion 41 adjacent to each other in the flow direction Y'. That is, the inner fin 40 includes a folded-back portion 43 that is connected to each other at the wavy portion 41 adjacent to each other in the flow direction Y'. The valley portion 46 connected in the flow direction Y' is connected only to one end (here, the bottom) of the flat wall portion 42.

[0035] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the first (the bottommost in FIG. 5) wavy portion 41, the narrow mountain portion 45 is provided so as to be continuous from the flat wall portion 42 (the right end in FIG. 5) adjacent to each other in the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X, and from there, the valley portion 46, the wide mountain portion 44, and the valley portion 46 are continuously provided while sandwiching the flat wall portion 42. On the other hand, in the second (the second from the bottom in FIG. 5) wavy portion 41, the wide mountain portion 44 is provided so as to be continuous from the flat wall portion 42 (the right end in FIG. 5) adjacent to each other in the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X, and from there, the valley portion 46, the narrow mountain portion 45, and the valley portion 46 are continuously provided while sandwiching the flat wall portion 42.

[0036] Here, since the valley portion 46 is provided such that the size in the width direction X is substantially the same as that of the narrow mountain portion 45, the valley portion 46 next to the wide mountain portion 44 in the first wavy portion 41 and the valley portion 46 next to the narrow mountain portion 45 in the second wavy portion 41 are provided at the same position in the width direction X. By connecting the valley portions 46 provided at the same position in the width direction X to each other, a flow path for the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant continuous in the flow direction Y' is formed in the second flow path 10B.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the folded-back portion 43 is provided in an arc shape in which the top portion 47 protrudes in the height direction Z. Thereby, in the process of manufacturing the heat exchanger 1 described later, the inner fin 40 can be easily compressed.

[0038] Next, with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a method for manufacturing the heat exchanger 1 will be described. FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining the first step in the method for manufacturing the heat exchanger 1. FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining the steps following FIG. 7A in the method for manufacturing the heat exchanger 1.

[0039] First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the inner fins 40 are stacked so as to be disposed between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12.

[0040] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7B, the inner fins 40 are compressed in the stacking direction Z via the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, and the inner fins 40 are held between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 while being deformed so that the arc-shaped folded-back portions 43 become flat.

[0041] At this time, the flat wall portions 42 that are adjacent to each other in the flow direction Y' of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and are not offset in the width direction X of the second flow path 10B are connected to each other, and at each top 47 of the folded-back portions 43 connected to the flat wall portions 42, a cut portion 48 that is cut along the width direction X is provided. Therefore, the rigidity of the flat wall portions 42 connected in the flow direction Y' is increased, and the rigidity of the folded-back portions 43 provided with the cut portions 48 is decreased. Thus, when the inner fins 40 are assembled to the heat exchanger 1, the deformation of the flat wall portions 42 having high rigidity can be suppressed by the deformation of the folded-back portions 43 having low rigidity. Therefore, the deformation of the flat wall portions 42 in the inner fins 40 can be suppressed.

[0042] Subsequently, with the inner fins 40 compressed in the stacking direction Z via the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, the brazing material 50 held on the surfaces of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 is melted to perform brazing. Through the above steps, the heat exchanger 1 can be manufactured.

[0043] According to the above embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.

[0044] In a heat exchanger 1 that performs heat exchange between cooling water and a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, an inner fin 40 that is provided at least in a second flow path 10B of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and promotes heat exchange is formed in a wave shape in the width direction X of the second flow path 10B, and includes a plurality of wave-shaped portions 41 provided in the flow direction Y' of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 10B. The wave-shaped portions 41 are provided at intervals in the width direction X, and include a plurality of flat wall portions 42 standing in the height direction Z of the second flow path 10B, and a folded-back portion 43 that is provided alternately with the flat wall portions 42 in the width direction X and connects adjacent flat wall portions 42. Among the flat wall portions 42 of a part of the wave-shaped portions 41 adjacent to each other in the flow direction Y', they are provided offset in the width direction X, and the flat wall portions 42 adjacent to each other in the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X are connected to each other. A cut portion 48 that is cut along the width direction X is provided between the tops 47 of each of the folded-back portions 43 connected to the flat wall portions 42.

[0045] In this configuration, the flat wall portions 42 adjacent to each other in the flow direction Y' of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and not offset in the width direction X of the second flow path 10B are connected to each other, and a cut portion 48 that is cut along the width direction X is provided at the top 47 of each of the folded-back portions 43 connected to the flat wall portions 42. Therefore, the rigidity of the flat wall portions 42 connected in the flow direction Y' becomes high, and the rigidity of the folded-back portions 43 provided with the cut portions 48 becomes low. Thus, when assembling the inner fin 40 to the heat exchanger 1, the deformation of the flat wall portions 42 with high rigidity can be suppressed by the deformation of the folded-back portions 43 with low rigidity. Therefore, the deformation of the flat wall portions 42 in the inner fin 40 can be suppressed.

[0046] Further, the folded-back portion 43 is provided in an arc shape in which the top 47 protrudes in the height direction Z. Thereby, in the process of manufacturing the heat exchanger 1 described later, the inner fin 40 can be easily compressed.

[0047] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the first and second modified examples of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the inner fin 40 according to the first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the inner fin 40 according to the second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. In each of the following modified examples, the description will focus on the points different from the above embodiment, and the components having the same functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8, in the first modified example, in the first (the lowermost in FIG. 8) corrugated portion 41, a narrow peak portion 45 is provided so as to be continuous from a flat wall portion 42 (the right end in FIG. 8) that is adjacent in the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X. From there, in order, a valley portion 46, a wide peak portion 44, and a valley portion 46 are continuously provided while sandwiching the flat wall portion 42. On the other hand, in the second (the second from the bottom in FIG. 8) corrugated portion 41, a wide peak portion 44 is provided so as to be continuous from a flat wall portion 42 (the right end in FIG. 8) that is adjacent in the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X. From there, in order, a valley portion 46, a narrow peak portion 45, and a valley portion 46 are continuously provided while sandwiching the flat wall portion 42.

[0049] In the above embodiment, following the second corrugated portion 41, the first corrugated portion 41 identical to the first one and the second corrugated portion 41 identical to the second one are provided in order, offset in the width direction X with respect to the second corrugated portion 41. In contrast, in the first modified example, following the second corrugated portion 41, the first corrugated portion 41 identical to the first one and the second corrugated portion 41 identical to the second one are provided in order without being offset in the width direction X with respect to the second corrugated portion 41.

[0050] Here, since the valley portion 46 is provided such that the size in the width direction X is substantially the same as that of the narrow peak portion 45, the valley portion 46 next to the wide peak portion 44 in the first corrugated portion 41 and the valley portion 46 next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the second corrugated portion 41 are provided at the same position in the width direction X. By connecting the valley portions 46 provided at the same position in the width direction X to each other, a flow path for the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant continuous in the flow direction Y' is formed in the second flow path 10B.

[0051] Subsequently, following the second corrugated portion 41, the first corrugated portion 41 identical to the first one and the second corrugated portion 41 identical to the second one are provided in order without being offset in the width direction X with respect to the second corrugated portion 41. Therefore, the valley portion 46 next to the wide peak portion 44 in the third corrugated portion 41 and the valley portion 46 next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the fourth corrugated portion 41 are also provided at the same position in the width direction X as the valley portion 46 next to the wide peak portion 44 in the first corrugated portion 41 and the valley portion 46 next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the second corrugated portion 41.

[0052] As a result, the valley portions 46 are connected to each other throughout the flow direction Y' in the inner fin 40, thereby forming a continuous flow path for the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant throughout the flow direction Y' in the second flow path 10B.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, in the second modification, the folded-back portion 43 has a wide peak portion 44, a narrow peak portion 45, a wide valley portion 46A, and a narrow valley portion 46B.

[0054] The wide valley portion 46A is provided in the second (the second from the bottom in FIG. 9) corrugated portion 41. The wide valley portion 46A is provided between a pair of narrow peak portions 45 adjacent to each other in the width direction X. The wide valley portion 46A is provided such that the size in the width direction X is substantially the same as that of the wide peak portion 44.

[0055] The narrow valley portion 46B is provided in the first (the bottommost in FIG. 9) corrugated portion 41 and the second corrugated portion 41. In the first corrugated portion 41, the narrow valley portion 46B is provided between the wide peak portion 44 and the narrow peak portion 45 adjacent to each other in the width direction X. In the second corrugated portion 41, the narrow valley portion 46B is provided between a pair of narrow peak portions 45 adjacent to each other in the width direction X. The narrow valley portion 46B is provided such that the size in the width direction X is substantially the same as that of the narrow peak portion 45.

[0056] In the first corrugated portion 41, a wide peak portion 44 is provided so as to be continuous from a flat wall portion 42 (the left end in FIG. 9) adjacent in the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X. From there, a narrow valley portion 46B, a narrow peak portion 45, and a narrow valley portion 46B are continuously provided while sandwiching the flat wall portion 42 in order. On the other hand, in the second corrugated portion 41, a narrow peak portion 45 is provided so as to be continuous from a flat wall portion 42 (the left end in FIG. 9) adjacent in the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X. From there, a narrow valley portion 46B, a narrow peak portion 45, and a wide valley portion 46A are continuously provided while sandwiching the flat wall portion 42 in order.

[0057] In the above embodiment, following the second corrugated portion 41, the same corrugated portion 41 as the first one and the same corrugated portion 41 as the second one are provided in order, offset in the width direction X with respect to the second corrugated portion 41. In contrast, in the second modification, as in the first modification, following the second corrugated portion 41, the same corrugated portion 41 as the first one and the same corrugated portion 41 as the second one are provided in order without being offset in the width direction X with respect to the second corrugated portion 41.

[0058] Here, the wide valley portion 46A is provided such that the size in the width direction X is substantially the same as that of the wide peak portion 44, and the narrow valley portion 46B is provided such that the size in the width direction X is substantially the same as that of the narrow peak portion 45. Therefore, the narrow valley portion 46B next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the first corrugated portion 41 and the wide valley portion 46A next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the second corrugated portion 41 are provided so as to be continuous in the flow direction Y'. By connecting the narrow valley portion 46B and the wide valley portion 46A that are continuously provided in the flow direction Y' to each other, a flow path for the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that is continuous in the flow direction Y' is formed in the second flow path 10B.

[0059] Subsequently, following the second corrugated portion 41, the first corrugated portion 41 identical to the first one and the second corrugated portion 41 identical to the second one are provided in sequence without being offset in the width direction X with respect to the second corrugated portion 41. Therefore, the narrow-width valley portion 46B next to the narrow-width peak portion 45 in the third corrugated portion 41 and the wide-width valley portion 46A next to the narrow-width peak portion 45 in the fourth corrugated portion 41 are also provided so as to be continuous in the flow direction Y' with the narrow-width valley portion 46B next to the narrow-width peak portion 45 in the first corrugated portion 41 and the wide-width valley portion 46A next to the narrow-width peak portion 45 in the second corrugated portion 41.

[0060] As a result, the narrow-width valley portion 46B and the wide-width valley portion 46A are connected to each other over the entire flow direction Y' in the inner fin 40, thereby forming a continuous flow path for the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant over the entire flow direction Y' in the second flow path 10B.

[0061] Also, according to the above-described first and second modified examples, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

[0062] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the above-described embodiments merely show a part of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above-described embodiments.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the first fluid is cooling water and the second fluid is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. However, the first fluid and the second fluid are not limited to these. The heat exchanger 1 can be applied to any fluid as long as it performs heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid having different temperatures.

[0064] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the inner fin 40 is provided in the second flow path 10B, but it may be provided in the first flow path 10A, or may be provided in each of the first flow path 10A and the second flow path 10B. That is, the inner fin 40 is provided in at least one of the flow paths of the two fluids.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1 Heat exchanger 10A First flow path 10B Second flow path 11 First plate (laminated plate) 12 Second plate (laminated plate) 40 Inner fin (fin) 41 Wavy portion 42 Flat wall portion 43 Folded-back portion 47 Top 48 Cut portion

Claims

1. A fin that is provided in a flow path of at least one fluid in a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between two fluids and promotes heat exchange, is formed in a wavy shape in the width direction of the flow path, and includes a plurality of wavy portions provided in the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the flow path, wherein the wavy portion includes a plurality of flat wall portions provided at intervals in the width direction and standing in the height direction of the flow path, and a folding portion provided alternately with the flat wall portions in the width direction and connecting adjacent flat wall portions, and has, some of the flat wall portions in the wavy portions adjacent to each other in the flow direction are provided offset in the width direction, the flat wall portions adjacent to each other in the flow direction and not offset in the width direction are connected to each other, and a cutting portion cut along the width direction is provided between the tops of the folding portions connected to the flat wall portions, a fin.

2. The fin according to claim 1, wherein the folding portion is provided in an arc shape with the top protruding in the height direction, a fin.

3. The fin according to claim 2, including the folding portions connected to each other in the wavy portions adjacent to each other in the flow direction, a fin.

4. The fin according to claim 3, wherein the folding portions connected in the flow direction are connected only to one end of the flat wall portion, a fin.

5. A heat exchanger including the fin according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger for manufacturing the heat exchanger according to claim 5, including a step of arranging the fin between laminated plates, a step of compressing the fin in the lamination direction through the laminated plates and holding the fin between the laminated plates while deforming the arc-shaped folding portion to be flat, and a step of melting a brazing material held by the laminated plates to perform brazing, and includes, a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger.

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