Heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger that has a simple configuration of a heat exchange unit.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger 1 comprises: an outside housing 13 formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom; an inside housing 15 having a columnar outer shape and installed on the outside housing 13 so that a thick-walled cylindrical space 25 is formed between a side surface and an inner surface of the outside housing 13; and a spiral pipe 1 that is installed in the thick-walled cylindrical space 25 with a central axis oriented vertically, and through which first fluid 9 flows.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and relates to a device for heating tap water using used cleaning fluid. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a falling film heat exchanger (heat exchanger) including a housing and a heat exchange unit provided inside the housing has been known (see Patent Document 1). The heat exchange unit of the falling film heat exchanger is formed by arranging a plurality of pipes in parallel at a distance from each other and connecting them in the radial direction by a connecting plate, with both ends connected by a U-shaped bent pipe. Heat is exchanged between a fluid flowing inside the plurality of pipes and a fluid flowing outside the plurality of pipes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-158239 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional heat exchangers, the heat exchange section is formed by connecting multiple pipes, connecting plates, and U-shaped bent pipes, making the structure complicated. An object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger with a simple heat exchange section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention is a heat exchanger comprising an outer casing formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, an inner casing having a columnar outer shape and installed in the outer casing so that a thick-walled cylindrical space is formed between the side surface and the inner surface of the outer casing, and a spiral pipe installed in the thick-walled cylindrical space so that its central axis is in the vertical direction and through which a first fluid flows.

[0006] In a heat exchanger according to an aspect of the present invention, the piping is flexible and is constructed separately from the outer casing and the inner casing, and is elastically deformed and bent into a spiral shape so that it fits within the thick-walled cylindrical space.

[0007] In the heat exchanger according to the aspect of the present invention, the pipes are provided with flexibility by periodically changing the values ​​of the outer diameter and the inner diameter.

[0008] In the heat exchanger according to the aspect of the present invention, the spiral pipe is provided in a plurality of strands.

[0009] In addition, in the heat exchanger according to this aspect of the present invention, the side wall portion of the outer housing is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the side wall portion of the outer housing is covered with a thick-walled cylindrical insulating material.

[0010] A heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention is a heat exchanger comprising: a housing formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom; a container provided within the housing and having a bottom wall and a side wall, into which a second fluid supplied into the housing is poured; and a container having a plurality of notches provided in the side wall, recessed downward from the upper end of the side wall, aligned in the extension direction of the side wall, and having the positions of their lower ends aligned with each other; and a pipe provided within the housing through which a first fluid flows, the pipe being spirally formed with its central axis in the vertical direction and extending along the side wall of the container in a planar view, and being exposed to the second fluid that enters the container and exits the container through each of the plurality of notches and falls.

[0011] A heat exchanger according to one aspect of the present invention is a heat exchanger having a fluid guide body that is provided on the side wall of the container outside the container and guides the second fluid that enters the container and emerges outside the container through each of the multiple notches so that the second fluid first comes into contact with the spiral piping.

[0012] In the heat exchanger according to this aspect of the present invention, the width dimension of the notch is large at the upper end of the side wall portion of the container and gradually decreases toward the lower side.

[0013] A heat exchanger according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a pipe fitting provided at the bottom of the housing and to which the lower end of the piping is connected, a notch provided at the upper end of the side wall of the housing, recessed downward from the upper end of the side wall of the housing, and through which an extension portion of the cylindrical piping passes, and a piping member provided within the housing to introduce a second fluid into the container, the container being configured to be placed within the housing by being placed on the bottom wall of the housing, and when the state in which the container, the piping, and the piping member are installed in the housing is viewed in a plane from above the opening of the housing, part of the container and part of the piping are hidden by the piping member.

[0014] A heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention is a heat exchanger having a housing with a space formed therein and an opening at the top end, a spiral pipe installed in the space inside the housing with its central axis in the vertical direction and through which a first fluid flows, and a second fluid supply section provided within the housing for uniformly supplying a second fluid supplied into the housing to a section of the pipe located at the top end of the spiral in order to minimize the occurrence of bias in the extension direction of the pipe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger having a heat exchange section with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1. (a) is a view taken along the line IIA in FIG. 1, and (b) is a view taken along the line IIB in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing a spiral piping of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are enlarged views of a portion of the spiral piping of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where (b) is a view taken along the VB arrow in (a), and (c) to (e) are views showing the arrangement of the piping in which the piping is arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modification of the VI section in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing modified examples of part VII in FIG. 3, in which (b) is a view as viewed from arrow VIIB in (a), (c) is a view as viewed from arrow VIIC in (a), and (d) is a diagram corresponding to (a) and showing a state in which the cleaning liquid supply unit has been removed from the outer housing. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a state in which a cleaning liquid guide member is provided in the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIIB-VIIIB in FIG. 8A. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram showing an example of use of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] (a) is a front view of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a view taken along the XB arrow in (a) and is a view taken along the XB arrow (plan view) with the cover removed from the view shown in (a), (c) is a view taken along the XC arrow in (a), and (d) is a view taken along the XD arrow in (a). [Figure 11] FIG. 10(b) is an enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10(a) is a plan view of a container (including a guide member) of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10(b) is a view (front view) taken along the arrow XIVB in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10(a) is a plan view of piping of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a view (front view) taken along the arrow XVB in (a). [Figure 16] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a housing of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII-XVII in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a view taken along the arrow XVIII in FIG. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a procedure for removing a container and piping from a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 14(a) is a view corresponding to FIG. 14(a) and showing a container (guide member) according to a modified example, and FIG. 14(b) is a view taken along the arrow XXB in FIG. 14(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [First embodiment] 9, the heat exchanger 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention recovers heat contained in a second fluid (e.g., cleaning liquid) 5 used for cleaning in a cleaning device 3. The heat exchanger 1 recovering the heat contained in the cleaning liquid 5 in this manner may also be called a wastewater exhaust heat recovery device.

[0018] The cleaning device 3 cleans a container or other object (not shown) using cleaning liquid 5 heated by steam, and then rinses the object. The cleaning liquid 5 used for cleaning is stored in a cleaning tank 7.

[0019] The cleaning liquid 5 stored in the cleaning tank 7 is reused to clean the object to be cleaned, and a portion of the cleaning liquid 5 stored in the cleaning tank 7 is supplied to the heat exchanger 1. The cleaning liquid 5 supplied to the heat exchanger 1 is discharged from the heat exchanger 1 and, for example, discarded. Note that the reference numeral 2 in Figure 9 denotes a conveyor that transports the containers.

[0020] A first fluid (for example, tap water) 9 is supplied to the heat exchanger 1 (see FIG. 3). The tap water 9 supplied to the heat exchanger 1 is heated by the cleaning liquid 5 supplied to the heat exchanger 1, and is then discharged from the heat exchanger 1. The tap water 9 discharged from the heat exchanger 1 is stored in a rinsing tank 11 of the cleaning device 3. The heated tap water 9 stored in the tank 11 is used, for example, to rinse an object that has been cleaned using the cleaning liquid 5. The tap water 9 in the tank 11 can also be heated by steam.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heat exchanger 1 is configured to include an outer casing 13, an inner casing 15, and piping (spiral piping 17).

[0022] For ease of explanation, one predetermined horizontal direction will be referred to as the horizontal direction, another predetermined horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction will be referred to as the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the horizontal and vertical directions will be referred to as the up-down direction.

[0023] The outer housing 13 is formed in a bottomed tubular shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) having a side wall portion 19 and a bottom wall portion 21. The side wall portion 19 of the outer housing 13 is formed in a thin tubular shape (for example, a thin-walled cylindrical shape) with a central axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0024] The bottom wall 21 of the outer housing 13 is formed in the shape of a thin flat plate (for example, a thin disk) with its thickness direction aligned vertically, and closes the lower opening of the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13. This means that the outer housing 13 is formed in the shape of a box (cylindrical box) with an opening 23 at its upper end. The outer housing 13 is made of a rust-resistant metal such as stainless steel.

[0025] The inner housing 15 has a columnar (for example, cylindrical) outer shape. The inner housing 15 is installed integrally with the outer housing 13 inside the outer housing 13. A thick-walled tubular (for example, thick-walled cylindrical) space 25 is formed between the side surface of the outer surface of the inner housing 15 and the inner surface of the side wall portion 19 of the outer housing 13.

[0026] More specifically, inner housing 15 is formed, for example, in the shape of a hollow pillar, and includes side wall 27, bottom wall 29, and top wall 31. Side wall 27 of inner housing 15 is formed in the shape of a thin tube (for example, a thin-walled cylinder) with a central axis extending in the vertical direction. The central axis of side wall 19 of outer housing 13 and the central axis of side wall 27 of inner housing 15 coincide with each other.

[0027] The bottom wall 29 of the inner housing 15 is formed in the shape of a thin flat plate (for example, a thin disk) with its thickness direction extending vertically, and closes the lower opening of the side wall 27 of the inner housing 15. The upper wall 31 of the inner housing 15 is formed in the same shape as the bottom wall 29, with its thickness direction extending vertically, and closes the upper opening of the side wall 27. Like the outer housing 13, the inner housing 15 is made of a rust-resistant metal such as stainless steel.

[0028] The spiral piping 17 is installed in the thick-walled cylindrical space 25 with its central axis oriented in the vertical direction. Tap water 9 flows through the inside of the spiral piping 17. Like the outer casing 13, the piping 17 is also made of a rust-resistant metal such as stainless steel.

[0029] To explain further, the spiral piping (cylindrical coil spring piping) 17 constitutes the heat exchange section, and is, for example, in contact with the inner housing 15 and wound spirally around the side wall portion 27 of the inner housing 15.

[0030] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the spiral piping 17 (the outer diameter of the spiral) is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13. As a result, the spiral piping 17 and the inner surface of the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13 are slightly separated from each other, and a small gap 33 is formed between the spiral piping 17 and the inner surface of the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13.

[0031] The outer diameter of the spiral piping 17 may be equal to the inner diameter of the side wall 19 of the outer casing 13 to prevent the formation of the gap 33. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the spiral piping 17 may be equal to the inner diameter of the side wall 19 of the outer casing 13, and the inner diameter of the spiral piping 17 may be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the side wall 27 of the inner casing 15.

[0032] Tap water 9 enters spiral piping 17 from the opening at the bottom end of spiral piping 17, flows from the bottom to the top inside spiral piping 17, and comes out from the opening at the top end of spiral piping 17. The tap water 9 is supplied into spiral piping 17 with a predetermined pressure. This allows the tap water 9 to flow from the bottom to the top inside spiral piping 17 against gravity.

[0033] In the heat exchanger 1, the cleaning liquid 5 flows from the top to the bottom in a space 35 of the thick-walled cylindrical space 25 excluding the spiral piping 17. The tap water 9 flows in the spiral piping 17, and the cleaning liquid 5 flows in the space 35 of the thick-walled cylindrical space 25 excluding the spiral piping 17, thereby causing heat exchange between the cleaning liquid 5 and the tap water 9. In other words, heat is transferred from the cleaning liquid 5 to the tap water 9, and the tap water 9 is heated by the cleaning liquid 5.

[0034] The cleaning liquid 5 is supplied from a location located in the outer casing 13 above the inner casing 15 to a space 35 in the thick-walled cylindrical space 25 excluding the spiral pipe 17. The supplied cleaning liquid 5 flows from the top to the bottom of the space 35 by the action of gravity, and is discharged from a discharge port 37 provided at the lower end of the bottom wall portion 21 of the outer casing 13.

[0035] The piping 17 is flexible and is configured as a separate body from the outer casing 13 and the inner casing 15. The piping 17 is elastically deformed and bent into a spiral shape, and is thereby accommodated within the thick-walled cylindrical space 25.

[0036] Before being installed in the thick-walled cylindrical space 25, the piping 17 is, for example, wound with a diameter different from the diameter of the thick-walled cylindrical space 25, or extends in a straight line. When installed in the thick-walled cylindrical space 25, the piping 17 is elastically deformed and bent into a spiral shape so as to fit within the thick-walled cylindrical space 25.

[0037] Note that piping 17 may be formed using at least one of inner casing 15 and outer casing 13 as a constituent part. For example, part of the wall portion of piping 17 may be formed as part of side wall portion 19 of inner casing 15. In this case, the part of side wall portion 19 of inner casing 15 that constitutes part of piping 17 also has a spiral shape. Also, part of the wall portion of piping 17 may be formed as part of side wall portion 27 of outer casing 13. In this case, the part of side wall portion 27 of outer casing 13 that constitutes part of piping 17 also has a spiral shape.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the pipe 17 is flexible mainly due to the fact that the outer diameter and inner diameter values ​​change periodically (large diameter sections 39 and small diameter sections 41 are alternately arranged and connected).

[0039] The piping 17 is formed, for example, by a flexible electrical conduit. The outer diameter and inner diameter of the flexible electrical conduit 17 change periodically and repeatedly. When a cross section of the flexible electrical conduit 17 (a cross section taken along a plane including the central axis of the cylindrical flexible electrical conduit 17) is taken, the outer surface of the wall portion of the flexible electrical conduit 17 (the outer surface of the piping 17) changes in a wavy shape in the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrical conduit 17. Examples of the wavy shape include a sine wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, and a trapezoidal wave. The thickness dimension of the wall portion of the flexible electrical conduit 17 is constant, and the wall surface of the flexible electrical conduit 17 (the inner surface of the piping 17) also changes in a wavy shape like the outer surface.

[0040] The spiral piping 17 is provided in multiple strands (for example, two strands) (multiple spirals). Since the spiral piping 17 has two strands, the spiral piping 17 has two spiral wires. Figure 4 shows a pipe 17 (17A) with one spiral wire. In a configuration in which the spiral piping 17 has two strands, the pipe 17 (17B) with one spiral wire enters the spiral gap 43 shown in Figure 4 (see also Figure 3). Note that the pipe 17 may have a single spiral wire.

[0041] Here, the positional relationship between adjacent pipes 17A and 17B will be described with reference to Figures 5(c), (d), and (e). In the heat exchanger 1, as shown in Figure 5(c), the outer periphery of the large diameter portion 39 of pipe 17A (17B) is in contact with the outer periphery of the large diameter portion 39 of pipe 17B (17A). Note that in the heat exchanger 1, the positional relationship between adjacent pipes 17A and 17B may be as shown in Figures 5(d) and (e).

[0042] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5(d), the pipe 17A (17B) and the pipe 17B (17A) are slightly separated from each other. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5(e), the large diameter portion 39 of the pipe 17B (17A) is inserted between the adjacent large diameter portions 39 of the pipe 17A (17B) (at the small diameter portion 41).

[0043] The heat exchanger 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

[0044] A plurality of legs 45 are provided on the bottom wall 21 of the outer housing 13. The legs 45 extend downward from the bottom wall 21 by a predetermined length. As shown in FIG. 1, a through-hole 47 for maintenance is provided on the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13. The through-hole 47 is closed with a cover 49 when the heat exchanger 1 is in use.

[0045] 3, the inner housing 15 is also provided with a plurality of legs 51. The legs 51 extend a predetermined length downward from the bottom wall 29 of the inner housing 15. When the inner housing 15 is installed in the outer housing 13 within the outer housing 13, the lower ends of the legs 51 contact the bottom wall 21 of the outer housing 13.

[0046] The spiral piping 17 is wound around the inner casing 15, and is thereby integrated with the inner casing 15. A pipe stopper 53 is provided to prevent the spiral piping 17 wound around the inner casing 15 from shifting in the vertical direction relative to the inner casing 15. The pipe stopper 53 is provided integrally with the inner casing 15, and clamps the spiral piping 17 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the pipe stopper 53 may apply tension to the spiral piping 17 (tension in the extension direction of the central axis of the tube of the pipe 17). This causes the spiral piping 17 to wind around the inner casing 15 with a biasing force.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 3, a cleaning liquid supply unit 55 is provided inside outer casing 13 and above inner casing 15 to supply cleaning liquid 5 to space 35 of thick-walled cylindrical space 25 excluding spiral piping 17. Cleaning liquid supply unit 55 is configured to include a socket 57, internal piping 59, and a nozzle 61. Socket 57 is provided integrally with outer casing 13, penetrating side wall 19 of outer casing 13. Internal piping 59 extends laterally from a connection portion on the inside of socket 57 to near the center of outer casing 13. A nozzle 61 is provided at the tip of internal piping 59.

[0048] An external pipe 63 extends from a connecting portion on the outside of the socket 57. The cleaning liquid 5 stored in the cleaning tank 7 of the cleaning device 3 flows through the external pipe 63, the socket 57, the internal pipe 59, and the nozzle 61, and is discharged downward at a predetermined solid angle from the discharge hole of the nozzle 61. In plan view, the discharge hole of the nozzle 61 is located at the center between the outer housing 13 and the inner housing 15. The cleaning liquid 5 (cleaning liquid discharged from the nozzle 61) shown in FIG. 3 falls in a cone shape.

[0049] 3, the inner housing 15 is fixed to the outer housing 13 by a bolt 65. A head 67 of the bolt 65 protrudes from the outer surface of the outer housing 13. More specifically, a neck portion (not shown) of the bolt 65 penetrates the bottom wall portion 21 of the outer housing 13, and a threaded portion (not shown) of the bolt 65 is screwed into a leg portion 51 of the outer housing 13.

[0050] A head 67 of the bolt 65 protrudes downward from the underside of the bottom wall 21 of the outer casing 13. Then, by applying a tool to the head 67 and turning the bolt 65 to remove the bolt 65, the fixed state of the inner casing 15 by the outer casing 13 is released. Note that a packing (not shown) is appropriately provided at the bottom wall 21 and the head 67 of the bolt 65 to prevent leakage of the cleaning liquid 5 from the through hole in the bolt 65 provided in the bottom wall 21 of the outer casing 13.

[0051] 3, a lower connecting pipe 69 is connected to the lower opening (the inlet for tap water 9) of the spiral pipe 17. Tap water 9 is supplied into the spiral pipe 17 from outside the outer casing 13 via the lower connecting pipe 69.

[0052] The lower connecting pipe 69 is provided inside the outer casing 13 but outside the inner casing 15, and is configured with two inner pipes 71 (71A, 71B), a tee 73, an inner piping material 75, and an outer piping material 77. The inner piping material 75 is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 21 of the outer casing 13, and the outer piping material 77 is provided on the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 21 of the outer casing 13. The inner piping material 75 and the outer piping material 77 are fixed to the bottom wall portion 21 of the outer casing 13 with bolts 79.

[0053] A head 81 of the bolt 79 protrudes from the outer surface of the outer casing 13. More specifically, a neck 83 of the bolt 79 penetrates the outer piping material 77 and the bottom wall 21 of the outer casing 13, and a threaded portion 85 of the bolt 79 is screwed into the inner piping material 75. The head 81 of the bolt 79 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the bottom wall 21 of the outer casing 13. A tool is applied to the head 81 to turn the bolt 79 and remove the bolt 79, thereby releasing the fixation of the inner piping material 75 to the outer casing 13 (bottom wall 21). Note that a packing is provided appropriately near the bottom wall 21 or the like to prevent leakage of the cleaning liquid 5 from through holes of the bolt 79 provided in the bottom wall 21 of the outer casing 13.

[0054] A tee 73 is connected to the top of the inner piping material 75. Two inner pipes 71 (71A, 71B) are connected to the tee 73. The inner pipe 71A connects the tee 73 to the spiral pipe 17A. The inner pipe 71B connects the tee 73 to the spiral pipe 17B. The inner pipes 71A and 71B are arranged approximately point-symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the outer casing 13 (inner casing 15). The inner pipe 71 is made of, for example, the same flexible electrical conduit as the pipe 17.

[0055] An external pipe 87 is connected to the outer pipe material 77. Tap water 9 flows through the outer pipe material 87, the outer pipe material 77, the inner pipe material 75, the tee 73, and the inner pipes 71 (71A, 71B), and is supplied to the pipes 17 (17A, 17B).

[0056] Note that, since the lower connecting pipe 69 is configured in this manner, in the heat exchanger 1, it can be said that the opening of the lower connecting pipe 69 (the opening at the end opposite the spiral pipe 17) can be seen from outside the outer casing 13. It can also be said that the end of the lower connecting pipe 69 opposite the spiral pipe 17 is fixed to the outer casing 13 by a bolt 79. It can also be said that a head 81 of the bolt 79 protrudes from the outer surface of the outer casing 13. It can also be said that in the configuration shown in FIG. 3 , the outer piping material 77 is omitted, and the inner piping material 75 is fixed to the bottom wall portion 21 of the outer casing 13 by the bolt 79. Then, the external piping 87 can be connected to the inner piping material 75.

[0057] 3, an upper connecting pipe 89 is connected to the upper opening (outlet for tap water 9) of the spiral pipe 17. The tap water 9 is discharged from the spiral pipe 17 to the outside of the outer casing 13 via the upper connecting pipe 89.

[0058] To explain further, the upper connecting pipe 89 is configured with three internal pipes 91 (91A, 91B, 91C), a tee 93, a socket 95, two elbows 97 (97A, 97B), and two nipples 99 (99A, 99B), as shown in Figures 2(a) and 3.

[0059] The socket 95 penetrates the side wall portion 19 of the outer housing 13 and is provided integrally with the outer housing 13. One end of the internal pipe 91A is connected to the upper end of the spiral pipe 17A. One end of the internal pipe 91B is connected to the upper end of the spiral pipe 17B. The other end of the internal pipe 91A is connected to the tee 93 via an elbow 97A and a nipple 99A. The other end of the internal pipe 91B is connected to the tee 93 via an elbow 97B and a nipple 99B. The internal pipes 91A and 91B are provided approximately point-symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the outer housing 13 (inner housing 15). The internal pipes 91A and 91B are formed, for example, from the same flexible electrical conduit as the pipe 17.

[0060] Internal pipe 91C connects tee 93 to the end inside socket 95 (inside outer casing 13). External pipe 101 extends from the connecting portion on the outside of socket 95. Tap water 9 flowing through pipe 17 flows through internal pipes 91A and 91B, elbows 97A and 97B, nipples 99A and 99B, tee 93, internal pipe 91C, and socket 95. Furthermore, tap water 9 flowing through pipe 17 passes through external pipe 101 and is supplied to rinse tank 11 of cleaning device 3.

[0061] 7, a socket support member 103 having a rectangular, flat plate shape may be provided integrally with the socket 57 of the cleaning liquid supply unit 55. Also, a seat 105 on which the socket support member 103 is to be placed and a "U"-shaped notch 107 may be provided on the side wall portion 19 of the outer housing 13. Then, the cleaning liquid supply unit 55 (socket support member 103) may be fixed to the outer housing 13 using a bolt 109. A head portion 111 of the bolt 109 is located outside the outer housing 13.

[0062] Furthermore, the head 111 of the bolt 109 may be turned with a tool to remove the bolt 109, thereby releasing the cleaning liquid supply unit 55 (socket support member 103) from the outer housing 13. Then, by moving the cleaning liquid supply unit 55 upward relative to the outer housing 13, the socket 57 may pass through the "U"-shaped notch 107, and the cleaning liquid supply unit 55 may be separated from the outer housing 13, as shown in FIG. 7(d). Furthermore, the portion of the notch 107 above the socket support member 103 may be covered with a cover member (not shown).

[0063] 7, a tool is applied to head 111 of bolt 109 protruding from the outer surface of outer casing 13, and the bolt 109 is loosened and removed. After this, cleaning liquid supply unit 55 installed inside outer casing 13 is moved upward relative to outer casing 13. This allows cleaning liquid supply unit 55 to be removed from outer casing 13 and easily separated from outer casing 13.

[0064] 2(a) and 3 may be installed in outer casing 13 in the same manner as socket 57 shown in FIG. 7. Then, a tool may be applied to the head of a bolt on the outside of outer casing 13 to turn it and loosen the bolt, thereby removing the bolt. After this, pipes 17 and the like installed inside outer casing 13 may be moved upward relative to outer casing 13, and pipes 17 and the like may be pulled out from outer casing 13, allowing the pipes 17 and the like to be separated from outer casing 13.

[0065] This configuration will be further explained. An opening at the end of the upper connecting pipe 89 opposite the spiral pipe 17 can be seen from outside the outer casing 13. In addition, the end of the upper connecting pipe 89 opposite the spiral pipe 17 is fixed to the outer casing 13 by a bolt. The head of the bolt protrudes from the outer surface of the outer casing 13.

[0066] The inner casing 15, the spiral piping 17, the lower connecting piping 69, and the upper connecting piping 89 are integrated together. From the outer surface of the outer casing 13, the head 67 of the bolt 65, the head 81 of the bolt 79, and the head of the bolt (not shown) that secures the upper connecting piping 89 to the outer casing 13 protrude.

[0067] With the cleaning liquid supply unit 55 separated from the outer casing 13, a tool is applied to the heads of the bolts 65, 79, etc. protruding from the outer surface of the outer casing 13 to loosen and remove the bolts 65, 79, etc. After this, the inner casing 15, etc. (the integrated inner casing 15, spiral piping 17, lower connecting piping 69, and upper connecting piping 89) installed inside the outer casing 13 are moved upward relative to the outer casing 13. This allows the inner casing 15, etc. to be pulled out from the outer casing 13 and separated from the outer casing 13.

[0068] In the heat exchanger 1 configured in this manner, as described above, the inner casing 15, the spiral piping 17, the lower connecting piping 69, and the upper connecting piping 89 are integrated together. By applying a tool to the head of the bolt fastening the inner casing 15 etc. and turning it to loosen the bolt, the inner casing 15 etc. can be removed from the outer casing 13, and the inner casing 15 etc. can be separated from the outer casing 13.

[0069] This allows the inner casing 15 etc. to be easily removed from the outer casing 13 and separated from the outer casing 13, facilitating maintenance of the inner casing 15 and the spiral piping 17 (for example, cleaning the piping 17).

[0070] 3, the lower connecting pipe 69 is fixed to the outer casing 13 using bolts 79 or the like, but as shown in FIG. 6(a), the lower connecting pipe 69 may be fixed to the outer casing 13 using a union joint 113. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the lower connecting pipe 69 may be fixed to the outer casing 13 using a manifold 115. The manifold 115 is fixed to the bottom wall portion 21 of the outer casing 13 by bolts 116.

[0071] Here, we will explain the operation of the heat exchanger 1. In the initial state, it is assumed that the cleaning liquid 5 is not supplied to the heat exchanger 1 and the tap water 9 is not supplied to the heat exchanger 1 either.

[0072] In the above initial state, first, the supply of cleaning liquid 5 to heat exchanger 1 is started. As a result, cleaning liquid 5 flows through space 35 of thick-walled cylindrical space 25 excluding spiral piping 17, and piping 17 and the like are warmed. A short time after the start of the supply of cleaning liquid 5 to heat exchanger 1, the supply of tap water 9 to heat exchanger 1 is started. Note that the supply of cleaning liquid 5 to heat exchanger 1 and the supply of tap water 9 to heat exchanger 1 may be started simultaneously, or the supply of tap water 9 may be started first.

[0073] As a result, heat is exchanged between the cleaning liquid (second fluid) 5 and tap water (first fluid) 9 via the pipe 17. In the above description, the temperature of the second fluid 5 is higher than the temperature of the first fluid 9, and heat is transferred from the second fluid 5 to the first fluid 9; however, the temperatures may be reversed, and heat may be transferred from the first fluid 9 to the second fluid 5.

[0074] In the heat exchanger 1, the piping 17 constituting the heat exchange section is formed in a spiral shape, which does not require a connecting plate or a U-shaped bent pipe. This simplifies the configuration of the heat exchange section. In addition, by forming the piping 17 in a spiral shape, the flow resistance of the piping 17 can be reduced.

[0075] Furthermore, in heat exchanger 1, piping 17 is flexible and is configured as a separate body from outer casing 13 and inner casing 15. Pipe 17 elastically deforms and bends into a spiral shape, allowing it to fit within thick-walled cylindrical space 25. This also simplifies the configuration of the heat exchange section. Furthermore, the rigidity (flexibility) of piping 17 is such that it can be bent by a person's bare hands, facilitating the task of fitting piping 17 into outer casing 13 and thick-walled cylindrical space 25.

[0076] In addition, in the heat exchanger 1, the outer diameter and inner diameter of the pipe 17 change periodically, which makes it easier to bend the pipe 17 and increases the area of ​​the heat exchange portion, improving the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0077] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 1 is provided with two spiral pipes 17. This further reduces the flow resistance of the pipes 17, and in the unlikely event that one of the pipes 17 becomes clogged, the other pipe acts as a bypass flow path, allowing tap water 9 to flow.

[0078] In the heat exchanger 1, the side wall 19 of the outer casing 13 and the side wall 27 of the inner casing 15 are formed in a cylindrical shape as described above. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, the side wall 19 of the outer casing 13 is covered with a thick-walled cylindrical insulating material 117. The insulating material 117 is in contact with the side wall 19 of the outer casing 13.

[0079] With the heat exchanger 1 equipped with the insulating material 117, the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13 and the side wall 27 of the inner housing 15 can be constructed using commercially available pipe material, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the outer housing 13 and the inner housing 15. Furthermore, since the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13 is covered with the thick-walled cylindrical insulating material 117, heat loss from the outer housing 13 can be minimized. Furthermore, since a commercially available product can be used for the thick-walled cylindrical insulating material 117, the cost of the insulating material 117 can be reduced. Furthermore, if the insulating material 117 is damaged, it can be easily replaced. The upper opening 23 of the outer housing 13 may be covered with a disk-shaped lid (not shown). The lid is detachably attached to the outer housing 13 using fasteners such as bolts. Furthermore, the top surface of the lid may be covered with a disk-shaped insulating material.

[0080] 8, the heat exchanger 1 may be provided with a cleaning liquid guide member 119. As described above, a small gap 33 is formed between the spiral piping 17 and the inner surface of the side wall portion 19 of the outer casing 13. This may cause the cleaning liquid 5 supplied from the upper part of the inner casing 15 to flow down along the inner surface of the side wall portion 19 of the outer casing 13 without coming into contact with the spiral piping 17. To prevent this, the cleaning liquid guide member 119 is provided.

[0081] The cleaning liquid guide member 119 is configured to include, for example, a lower portion 121 and an upper portion 123. The lower portion 121 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an extremely small vertical dimension. The lower portion 121 may be formed by slightly extending the side wall portion 27 of the inner housing 15 upward. The lower portion 121 is provided with a plurality of through-holes 125 penetrating this portion. These through-holes 125 are arranged, for example, at positions that equally distribute the circumference of the lower portion 121. The cleaning liquid 5 supplied from the upper portion of the inner housing 15 flows through the through-holes 125.

[0082] The upper portion 123 is formed in the shape of a low truncated cone. The thickness of the upper portion 123 is, for example, the same as the thickness of the lower portion 121. The diameter of the upper portion 123 is smaller at the bottom and larger at the top. The diameter of the lower end of the upper portion 123 is the same as the diameter of the lower portion 121, and the lower end of the upper portion 123 is joined to the upper end of the lower portion 121. The diameter of the upper end of the upper portion 123 is equal to the inner diameter of the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13, and the outer periphery of the upper end of the upper portion 123 is in contact with the inner surface of the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13. Note that the diameter of the upper end of the upper portion 123 may be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13, and the outer periphery of the upper end of the upper portion 123 may be slightly separated from the inner surface of the side wall 19 of the outer housing 13.

[0083] By providing the cleaning liquid guide member 119 in this manner, the cleaning liquid 5 supplied by the cleaning liquid supply unit 55 passes through the through hole 125 in the lower portion 121 and is supplied to the space 35 of the thick-walled cylindrical space 25 excluding the spiral pipe 17. This makes it possible to prevent the cleaning liquid 5 from dropping down along the inner surface of the side wall portion 19 of the outer housing 13 without hitting the pipe 17 as much as possible.

[0084] Second Embodiment The heat exchanger 151 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is used in the same manner as the heat exchanger 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in Figures 10 to 13, is configured to include a housing 153, a container 155, and piping (piping for primary fluid) 157.

[0085] 16 to 18, housing 153 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, including bottom wall portion (housing bottom wall portion) 159 and side wall portion (housing side wall portion) 161. The central axis of housing 153 formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom extends in the vertical direction, and opening portion (housing opening portion) 163 of housing 153 is located at the upper end of housing 153.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 14, the container 155 is configured to include a bottom wall portion (container bottom wall portion) 165 and a side wall portion (container side wall portion) 167, and is provided inside the housing 153 as shown in Figs. 10 to 13. The container 155 is configured to receive a second fluid 169 (see Fig. 12) supplied to the housing 153 inside. That is, the second fluid 169 supplied to the housing 153 enters an inner space 171 formed by the bottom wall portion 165 and the side wall portion 167 of the housing 153.

[0087] The first fluid 173 (see FIG. 12) can be, for example, tap water. The second fluid 169 can be, for example, a fluid used to wash things and that has a higher temperature than the first fluid 173.

[0088] 14, the container 155 is provided with a plurality of notches (fluid notches) 175. The notches 175 penetrate the side wall portion 167 of the container 155 in the thickness direction of the side wall portion 167, are provided at the upper end of the side wall portion 167, and are recessed downward from the upper end of the side wall portion 167. The plurality of notches 175 are also aligned in the extension direction of the side wall portion 167. In other words, the plurality of notches 175 are aligned in the extension direction of the edge of an opening (container opening) 177 at the upper end of the container 155. The positions of the respective lower ends of the plurality of notches 175 are aligned with each other.

[0089] Container 155 is formed in a box shape by being configured with bottom wall portion 165 and side wall portion 167. An inner space 171 is formed inside the box of container 155. An opening (opening of the inner space) 177 of container 155 is also located at the upper end of container 155.

[0090] The second fluid 169 is supplied from above the opening 177 of the container 155 into the inner space 171 of the container 155 , temporarily collects in the inner space 171 of the container 155 , and then overflows from the notch 175 to the outside of the container 155 .

[0091] The pipe 157 allows a first fluid 173 to flow therethrough. The pipe 157 is formed in a spiral shape as shown in Fig. 15, and is installed in the housing 153 with the central axis of the spiral in the up-down direction as shown in Figs. 11 to 13. In plan view, the pipe 157 surrounds the container 155 and extends along the side wall 167 of the container 155 as shown in Fig. 11. In addition, the pipe 157 is surrounded by the side wall 161 of the housing 153 in plan view and extends along the side wall 161 of the housing 153.

[0092] Furthermore, pipe 157 is adapted to be showered with second fluid (falling fluid) 169A (see FIG. 12 ) that enters inner space 171 of container 155, comes out to the outside of container 155 through each of the plurality of cutouts 175, and falls. That is, second fluid 169 (169A) that overflows from container 155 through the plurality of cutouts 175 and falls reaches pipe 157 and flows around the outer periphery of pipe 157 while touching pipe 157.

[0093] The pipe 157 is a spiral pipe formed by appropriately bending a long, thin, cylindrical pipe 157. The first fluid 173 is supplied into the pipe 157 from the lower end thereof (see reference numeral 173A in FIG. 12), flows from the bottom to the top of the pipe 157, and emerges from the top end thereof (see reference numeral 173B in FIG. 12).

[0094] 11, container 155 is located in the center of housing 153. Also, in plan view, an annular space 179 of a predetermined width is formed between housing side wall 161 and container side wall 167. Pipe 157 is installed in annular space 179.

[0095] Furthermore, the spiral piping 157 is located below the lower end of the notch 175 of the container 155. The uppermost one-turn portion (upper end one-turn portion) 157A of the spiral piping 157 is configured to be first to be hit by the falling fluid 169A (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

[0096] 14, the plurality of cutouts 175 are formed to have the same shape. In a plan view, the plurality of cutouts 175 are arranged at regular intervals in the extension direction of the side wall portion 167 of the container 155. The flow rates of the second fluid 169 overflowing from each of the plurality of cutouts 175 to the outside of the container 155 are approximately equal. This allows the second fluid 169 to pass through each of the plurality of cutouts 175 in the side wall portion 167 of the container 155 and reach the upper end one-turn portion 157A with very little bias.

[0097] 11, in plan view, the spiral piping 157 is parallel to the side wall 167 of the container 155, so that the upper end one turn portion 157A is able to be showered with the falling fluid 169A almost uniformly. That is, the upper end one turn portion 157A is able to be showered with the falling fluid 169A with very little deviation, regardless of its position in the extension direction.

[0098] The following describes falling fluid 169A that has fallen to upper end one turn portion 157A and touched the outer surface of upper end one turn portion 157A. After touching the outer surface of upper end one turn portion 157A, falling fluid 169A continues to fall while touching the outer surface of a portion (removed upper end one turn portion) 157B of spiral piping 157 that is below upper end one turn portion 157A. Even while falling over removed upper end one turn portion 157B, removed upper end one turn portion 157B is exposed to falling fluid 169A with very little bias in the extension direction of removed upper end one turn portion 157B, just like upper end one turn portion 157A.

[0099] A leveling adjustment unit 181 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) is provided in the housing 153. The leveling adjustment unit 181 is provided, for example, to align the positions in the up-down direction of the bottom ends of a plurality of notches 175 provided in a container 155 placed in the housing 153 with each other.

[0100] In the heat exchanger 151, the first fluid 173 flows inside the pipe 157, and the second fluid 169 flows outside the pipe 157, so that heat is exchanged between the first fluid 173 and the second fluid 169 through the wall of the pipe 157.

[0101] 12 to 14, the heat exchanger 151 is provided with a fluid guide body 183. The fluid guide body 183 is provided integrally with the side wall portion 167 of the container 155 on the outside of the container 155, and is configured to guide the second fluid 169 (falling fluid 169A).

[0102] By the above-mentioned guiding, almost all of the second fluid 169 (falling fluid 169A) comes into contact with the outer wall of the upper end single turn portion 157A of the spiral piping 157 first.

[0103] More specifically, the point at which falling fluid 169A falls from fluid guide body 183 is located directly above pipe 157. In plan view, for example, the point at which falling fluid 169A falls from fluid guide body 183 is linear, and the central axis of pipe 157 and the point at which falling fluid 169A falls from fluid guide body 183 almost overlap each other. This allows almost all of falling fluid 169A to first come into contact with only the outer wall of upper end single-turn portion 157A.

[0104] The width dimension B (see FIG. 14(b)) of the notch 175 is large at the upper end of the side wall portion 167 of the container 155 and gradually decreases toward the bottom.

[0105] 14(b), the rate of change in the value of width dimension B of notch 175 is, for example, constant. When viewed in the thickness direction (vertical direction, horizontal direction) of side wall portion 167 of container 155, the notch is V-shaped or isosceles triangular. The rate of change in the value of width dimension B of notch 175 may gradually decrease from top to bottom, or may gradually increase from top to bottom.

[0106] Furthermore, the multiple cutouts 175 are arranged at regular intervals, for example, but the intervals between adjacent cutouts 175 may be different. Furthermore, the multiple cutouts 175 may be arranged in contact with each other.

[0107] 11 to 13, a pipe joint (lower pipe joint) 185 to which a lower end (an end into which tap water enters) of pipe 157 is connected is provided in a lower part of housing 153 (for example, a lower end part of housing side wall 161 inside housing 153). As shown in FIG. 12, a discharge port 187 is provided in bottom wall 159 of housing 153 for discharging second fluid 169, which is supplied into housing 153 and falls down along the outer wall of pipe 157, to the outside of housing 153.

[0108] 16 and 18, a notch (piping notch) 189 recessed downward from the upper end of side wall 161 of housing 153 is provided at the upper end of side wall 161 of housing 153. As shown in Figures 10(c), 13, etc., an extension portion 191 extending from cylindrical pipe 157 passes through notch (piping notch) 189.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 12 and other figures, piping member 193 (piping member inside casing for second fluid) is provided inside casing 153. Piping member 193 is provided to introduce second fluid 169, which has flowed from the outside of casing 153 through piping member (piping member outside casing for second fluid) 195 to sidewall portion 161 of casing 153, into container 155. The flow path cross-sectional areas of piping member 193 and piping member 195 are substantially constant. For example, the change in the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​piping member 193 and piping member 195 in the longitudinal direction of piping member 193 and piping member 195 is such that the maximum value of flow path cross-sectional area / maximum value of flow path cross-sectional area is within a range of 1.0 to 1.4 (more preferably 1.0 to 1.2, and even more preferably 1.0 to 1.1).

[0110] Piping member 193 is detachably attached to housing 153 and piping member 195. For example, a piping thread (not shown) is formed on the end of piping member 193 that faces piping member 195, and a piping thread (not shown) is formed on the end of piping member 195 that faces piping member 193. The piping thread of piping member 193 is screwed into the piping thread of piping member 195. This makes it possible to easily attach and detach piping member 193 to and from piping member 195 (to be detachable). A flange may be provided on the end of piping member 193 that faces piping member 195. Then, piping member 193 may be detachably attached to and from housing 153 and piping member 195 using this flange and bolts.

[0111] The container 155 is configured to be installed in the housing 153 by being placed on the bottom wall 159 of the housing 153. A state in which the opening 163 of the housing 153 is not covered with the lid 197 (see FIG. 12 ) and the container 155, the pipe 157, and the piping member 193 are installed in the housing 153 is referred to as a container-piping-piping member installed state (see FIG. 19(a)). The lid 197 is used to close the opening 163 of the housing 153.

[0112] When the state in which the container, pipes, and pipe members are installed is viewed from above opening 163 of housing 153 in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 11, part of container 155 and part of pipe 157 are hidden by pipe member 193.

[0113] The state in which piping member 193 is removed from the state in which the container, piping, and piping member are installed is referred to as the piping member removed state (see FIG. 19(b)). When the piping member removed state is viewed from above the opening 163 of the housing 153 in a plan view, part of the piping 157 is hidden by the container 155. Note that when the fluid guide body 183 is provided and the piping member removed state is viewed from above the opening 163 of the housing 153 in a plan view, all of the fluid guide body 183 is visible, and part of the piping 157 is hidden by the fluid guide body 183.

[0114] Regardless of whether or not fluid guide body 183 is present, container 155 can be easily removed from housing 153 by setting it to the piping member removed state. That is, simply by moving container 155 upward relative to housing 153 in the piping member removed state, container 155 passes through opening 163 of housing 153, and container 155 can be removed from housing 153. Note that leg parts 221 (see FIG. 12), which will be described later, can also be removed together with container 155.

[0115] The state in which the container has been removed from the piping member removed state is referred to as the container removed state (see FIG. 19(c)). When the container removed state is viewed from above opening 163 of housing 153 in a plan view, all of piping 157 is visible. In the container removed state, piping 157 is removed from piping joint (lower piping joint) 185. Next, simply by moving piping 157 upward relative to casing 153, piping 157 passes through opening 163 of casing 153, and extension portion 191 passes through notch 189. Then, piping 157 and extension portion 191 extending from the upper end of piping 157 can be removed together from casing 153.

[0116] Notch 189 through which extension portion 191 extending from spiral piping 157 passes is provided only in side wall portion 161 (161A) of housing 153 (see FIG. 18). Here, notch 189 may be provided only in lid 197, or may be provided in both side wall portion 161 and lid 197 of housing 153. Even when notch 189 is provided in this manner, piping 157 and extension portion 191 can be removed from housing 153 simply by moving piping 157 upward relative to housing 153 in the container-removed state. Note that FIG. 19(d) shows a state in which piping 157 and extension portion have been removed from the container-removed state.

[0117] Furthermore, a pipe joint (an upper pipe joint similar to pipe joint 185) to which the upper end (the end from which tap water comes out) of pipe 157 is connected may be provided in an upper portion of housing 153 (for example, an upper end portion of housing side wall portion 161 inside housing 153). Then, with the container removed, the pipe is removed from the upper pipe joint and the lower pipe joint 185. Next, the pipe 157 may be configured so that it can be removed from housing 153 by simply moving the pipe 157 upward relative to housing 153, whereby the pipe 157 passes through opening 163 of housing 153.

[0118] Here, a more detailed description will be given of the heat exchanger 151. The housing 153, container 155, piping 157, etc. of the heat exchanger 151 are made of a rust-resistant metal such as stainless steel.

[0119] As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the housing 153 is configured to include one bottom wall 159 and four side walls 161. The bottom wall 159 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, with the thickness direction being the up-down direction. The side walls 161 are also formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. Each of the four side walls 161 stands upright from each of the four sides of the outer periphery of the bottom wall 159. As a result, the housing 153 is formed in a rectangular box shape, with the space inside the bottom wall 159 and the side walls 161 being a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0120] The thickness direction of a pair of side walls 161A and 161B that face each other among the four side walls 161 is the horizontal direction. The thickness direction of another pair of side walls 161C and 161D that face each other among the four side walls 161 is the horizontal direction.

[0121] 10 and other figures, the heat exchanger 151 is provided with a stand 199. The housing 153 is placed on the stand 199. The stand 199 is provided integrally with the housing 153. The stand 199 is configured to include a plurality of (for example, four) legs 201. The leveling adjustment unit 181 is configured to include leveling bolts (jack bolts) 203 provided at the lower end of each of the plurality of legs 201.

[0122] The piping joint 185 is configured by, for example, a union joint. A piping member 205 penetrates the side wall portion 161A of the housing 153. The piping member 205 extends in the horizontal direction and is provided integrally with the side wall portion 161A. The piping joint 185 is provided at an end of the piping joint 185 inside the housing 153.

[0123] Furthermore, piping member 205 and piping joint 185 are provided at the bottom of housing 153 in the up-down direction, and are provided on one side of housing 153 in the vertical direction. Pipe joint 185 is located on the side of side wall portion 161A in the horizontal direction.

[0124] Piping member 193 is configured to include a cylindrical piping member main body 207 and an elbow 209. Piping member main body 207 is provided at the top of casing 153 in the up-down direction and in the center of casing 153 in the vertical direction. Piping member 195 is provided in the same position as piping member 193 (piping member main body 207) in the up-down and vertical directions. Piping member main body 207 and piping member 193 extend in the horizontal direction.

[0125] Piping member 195 is provided outside housing 153. An end of piping member 195 on the housing 153 side is provided integrally with side wall portion 161B, and extends in a direction away from side wall portion 161B.

[0126] Piping member main body 207 is provided inside housing 153. An end of piping member main body 207 on the side of side wall 161B of housing 153 is engaged with piping member 195. In this way, piping member main body 207 is supported integrally with piping member 195.

[0127] Elbow 209 is provided at the end of piping member main body 207 opposite side wall 161B of housing 153. Opening 211 of elbow 209 is located in the center of housing 153 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Second fluid 169 that has flowed through piping members 195, 193 is discharged downward from opening 211 of elbow 209 and is supplied only into container 155.

[0128] The cutout 189 of the housing 153 is provided in the side wall portion 161A. The cutout 189 is located at the end of the housing 153 in the vertical direction (the end opposite to the side where the pipe joint 185 is provided).

[0129] Cylindrical members such as socket 213 are integrally provided on side wall 161A of housing 153. Socket 213 is located at the same position as piping members 193 and 195 in the up-down and longitudinal directions. A through-hole is provided in side wall 161A, so that the flow path of socket 213 is connected to the space inside housing 153 (see FIG. 12).

[0130] The provision of a cylindrical member such as socket 213 can prevent second fluid 169 from overflowing outside of housing 153. More specifically, if second fluid 169 is contaminated and this contaminant adheres to the outer periphery of pipe 157, second fluid 169 will not be able to fall within housing 153 and will overflow from opening 163. Therefore, a cylindrical member such as socket 213 is provided, and second fluid 169 that is no longer able to fall will overflow from the cylindrical member such as socket 213 and be discharged.

[0131] Instead of or in addition to providing a cylindrical member such as socket 213 on side wall portion 161A, it may be provided on side wall portion 161C or side wall portion 161D. Also, instead of piping members 193 and 195, piping members similar to piping members 193 and 195 may be installed in socket 213, so that second fluid 169 can be supplied only to container 155.

[0132] Furthermore, an external piping member 215 extends from the outlet 187 of the housing 153 to allow the second fluid 169 coming out of the housing 153 to flow. The external piping member 215 is located outside the housing 153.

[0133] As shown in Figures 12, 13, etc., lid 197 is placed on the upper end of housing 153 and closes opening 163 of housing 153. The vertical and horizontal dimensions of lid 197 are slightly larger than the vertical and horizontal dimensions of housing 153. Furthermore, the depth dimension (dimension in the up-down direction) of housing 153 is larger than the vertical and horizontal dimensions. As a result, housing 153 is formed in the shape of a deep rectangular box. In contrast, lid 197 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box with an extremely small depth dimension.

[0134] Container 155 is also formed into a rectangular box shape by one bottom wall 165 and four side walls 167. However, the value of the horizontal dimension of container 155 is smaller than the value of the dimension between the pair of side walls 161A, 161B of housing 153. In addition, the value of the vertical dimension of container 155 is smaller than the value of the dimension between the pair of side walls 161C, 161D of housing 153. Furthermore, the value of the vertical dimension (depth dimension) of container 155 is smaller than the value of the horizontal dimension of container 155 and the value of the vertical dimension of container 155.

[0135] In the vertical direction, container 155 is located below opening 211 of elbow 209 and above the center of housing 153. In addition, container 155 is located in the center of housing 153 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0136] Explaining further, as shown in Figure 14, chamfered portions 217 are formed at each of the four corners of container 155. As a result, bottom wall 165 is formed in the shape of an octagonal flat plate, to be precise. Eight side walls 167 stand upright from each of the eight sides of bottom wall 165. The reason for forming chamfered portions 217 is that piping 157 has an arc-shaped portion 223, as can be seen from Figure 11 and other figures.

[0137] The fluid guide body 183 is provided on each of a pair of side wall portions 167 extending in the vertical direction in a plan view and on each of a pair of side wall portions 167 extending in the horizontal direction. The four side wall portions 167 at the chamfered portion 217 extend in a direction inclined at 45° with respect to the vertical direction (horizontal direction) in a plan view.

[0138] The length values ​​of each of the pair of side wall portions 167 extending in the vertical direction and the length values ​​of each of the pair of side wall portions 167 extending in the horizontal direction are greater than the length values ​​of the four side wall portions 167 at the chamfered portion 217.

[0139] Container 155 is provided with legs 221. Container 155 is provided integrally with legs 221 above legs 221. A plurality of legs 221 (for example, four) are provided. When container 155 is installed in housing 153, the lower ends of legs 221 abut against bottom wall 159 of housing 153.

[0140] 15(a) and the like, the pipe 157 has a rectangular loop shape in plan view, with four straight portions 219 and four arc-shaped portions 223 alternately connected. The extension length of the straight portions 219 is greater than the extension length of the arc-shaped portions 223.

[0141] When viewed from the side, adjacent portions of the pipe 157 are in contact with each other in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 15(b) etc., but adjacent portions may be slightly spaced apart in the vertical direction. An extension portion 191 of a predetermined length extends from the upper end of the pipe 157 (the end of the upper end one-turn portion 157A). The pipe 157 and the extension portion 191 are formed by appropriately bending a long, thin cylindrical piece, for example. The arc-shaped portion 223 of the pipe 157 is a portion formed by bending.

[0142] The position of the pipe 157 in the vertical direction in the heat exchanger 151 will be described. As shown in Figure 12 etc., the upper end one-turn portion 157A of the pipe 157 is located below the lower end of the cutout 175 and the lower end of the fluid guide body 183, and is located above the bottom wall portion 165 of the container 155. The lower end of the pipe 157 is located at the pipe joint 185.

[0143] When the heat exchanger 151 with the lid 197 removed is viewed from above the opening 163 of the housing 153, as shown in Figure 11, the piping 157 is arranged between the side wall 161 of the housing 153 and the side wall 167 of the container 155. The straight portion 219 of the piping 157 extends in both the vertical and horizontal directions. The arc-shaped portion 223 of the piping 157 is located outside the chamfered portion 217 of the container 155.

[0144] Although the straight portion 219 of the pipe 157 contacts the side wall portion 161 of the housing 153 with a slight biasing force, the straight portion 219 may contact the side wall portion 161 without any biasing force. Furthermore, a slight gap may be formed between the straight portion 219 and the side wall portion 161.

[0145] Furthermore, although the upper straight portion 219 of the pipe 157 is in contact with the side wall portion 167 of the container 155 with a slight biasing force, the upper straight portion 219 may be in contact with the side wall portion 167 without any biasing force. Furthermore, a slight gap may be formed between the upper straight portion 219 and the side wall portion 167.

[0146] The fluid guide body 183 is formed in the shape of a long, narrow rectangular flat plate. The fluid guide body 183 is provided integrally with each of the side wall portions 167 of the container 155, which extend in the vertical and horizontal directions. The fluid guide body 183 extends along the side wall portions 167 of the container 155, which extend in the vertical and horizontal directions, over the entire length of the side wall portions 167.

[0147] The upper end of the fluid guide body 183 is joined to the side wall portion 167. In the vertical direction, the upper end of the fluid guide body 183 is located slightly below the lower end of the cutout 175. The fluid guide body 183 extends obliquely downward from the side wall portion 167 of the container 155 so that its lower end is away from the side wall portion 167. In the vertical direction, the lower end of the fluid guide body 183 is located slightly above the upper end one-turn portion 157A of the piping 157. The lower end of the fluid guide body 183 may be in contact with the upper end one-turn portion 157A.

[0148] Next, we will explain the heat exchange operation in heat exchanger 151. In the heat exchange operation, first fluid 173 enters pipe 157 from the lower end of pipe 157, and after flowing through pipe 157, first fluid 173 exits pipe 157 from the upper end.

[0149] Furthermore, second fluid 169 flows out from opening 211 of elbow 209, accumulates in container 155, passes through notch 175, and overflows from container 155. This overflowing second fluid 169 (169A) flows along the upper slope of fluid guide body 183 and reaches upper end one-turn portion 157A. Due to its viscosity and surface tension, second fluid 169 flows from the top to the bottom of pipe 157, in contact with pipe 157, with almost no separation from pipe 157.

[0150] Heat then flows through the wall of pipe 157, and heat is exchanged between first fluid 173 and second fluid 169. For example, the temperature of second fluid 169 emerging from opening 211 of elbow 209 is higher than the temperature of first fluid 173 when second fluid 169 enters pipe 157 from the lower end of pipe 157. As a result, first fluid 173 flowing through pipe 157 is heated by second fluid 169.

[0151] The second fluid 169 that flows outside the pipe 157 along the pipe 157 and falls below the pipe 157 reaches the bottom wall 159 of the housing 153 and is discharged from the discharge port 187 to the outside of the housing 153 .

[0152] Next, the disassembly operation of the heat exchanger 151 will be described with reference to Figure 19. First, the lid 197 is removed from the heat exchanger 1 (see Figure 19(a)), and the piping member 193 is removed (see Figure 19(b)). Next, the container 155 is removed (see Figure 19(c)), and the piping 157 is removed (see Figure 19(d)). This completes the disassembly of the heat exchanger 151. The assembly operation for assembling the heat exchanger 151 from the state shown in Figure 19(d) is performed in the reverse order of the disassembly operation.

[0153] The heat exchanger 151 has the same effect as the heat exchanger 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that the piping 157 of the heat exchanger 151 can be changed to the same form as the heat exchanger 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0154] In heat exchanger 151, a plurality of notches 175 are provided in sidewall 167 of container 155. The plurality of notches 175 are aligned in the extension direction of sidewall 167, and the positions of the lower ends of the notches 175 are aligned in the vertical direction. In heat exchanger 151, piping 157 extends along sidewall 167 of container 155, and is configured so that piping 157 is exposed to second fluid 169 that enters inside container 155 and drops from each of the plurality of notches 175.

[0155] This prevents a situation in which only a predetermined portion of the pipe 157 is exposed to the second fluid 169. In other words, the second fluid 169 passes through each of the plurality of cutouts 175 at an approximately equal flow rate, and the second fluid 169 that has passed through the pipe 157 can be uniformly applied to almost the entire pipe 157. This increases the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0156] If a container without cutout 175 were used, the second fluid 169 accumulated inside container 155 would overflow from a predetermined location on side wall 167 of container 155 due to the surface tension of second fluid 169. As a result, only a predetermined location of piping 157 would be exposed to second fluid 169, reducing the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0157] Furthermore, in the heat exchanger 151, there is no narrowing in the flow path of the second fluid 169 (for example, the flow path of the piping members 193 and 195). This makes it difficult for the flow path of the second fluid 169 to be clogged by small particles of contaminants that may be mixed in the second fluid 169.

[0158] The heat exchanger 151 is also provided with a fluid guide body 183 that guides the second fluid 169. The second fluid 169 that comes out of the container 155 from each of the plurality of cutouts 175 is guided by the fluid guide body 183 so that the second fluid 169 first comes into contact with the pipe 157. This can further increase the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0159] Furthermore, in heat exchanger 151, the value of width dimension B of notches 175 is large at the upper end of side wall portion 167 of container 155 and gradually decreases toward the bottom. This makes it possible to make the flow rate of second fluid 169 passing through each of multiple notches 175 approximately equal, even if the surface tension of second fluid 169 acts, and allows second fluid 169 to flow uniformly outside pipe 157.

[0160] Furthermore, in heat exchanger 151, a notch 189 is provided at the upper end of side wall portion 161 of housing 153, through which an extension portion 191 extending from cylindrical piping 157 passes. In heat exchanger 151, a piping member 193 is provided in housing 153 to introduce second fluid 169 into container 155. Furthermore, in heat exchanger 151, container 155 is placed on bottom wall portion 159 of housing 153, thereby being disposed within housing 153. When the state in which the container, piping, and piping member are installed is viewed from above opening 163 of housing 153 in a plan view, part of container 155 and part of piping 157 are hidden by piping member 193.

[0161] Furthermore, in heat exchanger 151, when the state where the piping components are removed is viewed from above opening 163 of housing 153 in a plan view, almost the entire container 155 is visible, and part of piping 157 is hidden by container 155. When the state where the container is removed is viewed from above opening 163 of housing 153 in a plan view, all of piping 157 is visible.

[0162] As a result, when container 155 and piping 157 become soiled inside housing 153 or the inner wall surface of housing 153 becomes soiled, container 155 and piping 157 can be easily removed from housing 153. Furthermore, the soiling of container 155, piping 157, and the inner wall surface of housing 153 can be easily removed.

[0163] 20, a fluid guide body 183 may be provided on a diagonally extending side wall portion 167 of the side wall portion 167 of the container 155 (a side wall portion at the chamfered portion 217). Also, a notch 175 may be provided on the diagonally extending side wall portion 167 of the side wall portion 167 of the container 155. Furthermore, a plurality of notches 225 may be provided on the lower end portion of the fluid guide body 183, thereby forming a plurality of sharp points on the lower end of the fluid guide body 183. Also, similar to the heat exchanger 1 according to the first embodiment, the housing 153 may be covered with a heat insulating material.

[0164] The heat exchanger 151 described above is an example of a heat exchanger having a housing with a space formed inside and an opening at the top end, a spiral pipe installed in the space inside the housing with its central axis in the vertical direction and through which a first fluid flows, and a second fluid supply section provided within the housing for uniformly supplying the second fluid supplied into the housing to the section of the pipe located at the top end of the spiral in order to prevent as much as possible the occurrence of bias in the extension direction of the pipe.

[0165] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present embodiment. For example, in the description of the first embodiment, the space 25 between the outer housing 13 and the inner housing 15 is thick-walled and cylindrical, but the space 25 may be formed in the shape of a thick-walled truncated cone. The diameter of the space shaped like a thick-walled truncated cone may be small at the bottom and gradually increase toward the top, or conversely, the diameter of the space shaped like a thick-walled truncated cone may be large at the bottom and gradually decrease toward the top. Accordingly, the piping 17 may be shaped like a conical coil spring. Similar modifications may be made in the second embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] 1 heat exchanger 9. First fluid (tap water) 13 Outer housing 15 Inner housing 17 Spiral piping 19 Side wall of outer housing 25 Thick-walled cylindrical space 117 Insulation 151 Heat exchanger 153 Case 155 Container 157 Piping 163 Opening 165 Bottom wall 167 Side wall 169 Second Fluid 173 First Fluid 175 notch 183 Fluid guide body 185 Pipe fittings 189 Notch 191 Extended part 193 Piping components B Width dimension

Claims

1. an outer housing formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom; an inner housing having a columnar outer shape and installed on the outer housing such that a thick-walled cylindrical space is formed between a side surface of the inner housing and the inner surface of the outer housing; a spiral pipe installed in the thick-walled cylindrical space with its central axis extending in the vertical direction, through which a first fluid flows; A heat exchanger having:

2. 2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the piping is flexible, is constructed separately from the outer casing and the inner casing, and is elastically deformed to bend into a spiral shape so as to fit within the thick-walled cylindrical space.

3. 3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the piping has flexibility due to the size of the outer diameter and the size of the inner diameter varying periodically.

4. 4. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the spiral pipe is provided in a plurality of strands.

5. The side wall of the outer housing is formed in a cylindrical shape, 4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the side wall of the outer housing is covered with a thick cylindrical insulating material.

6. a housing formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom; a container provided within the housing, the container having a bottom wall and a side wall, the container containing the second fluid supplied into the housing, the side wall having a plurality of notches recessed downward from an upper end of the side wall, aligned in an extension direction of the side wall, and having the positions of the lower ends aligned with one another; a piping installed in the housing so that a first fluid flows inside the piping, the piping is formed in a spiral shape with a central axis extending in a vertical direction, extends along a side wall portion of the container in a plan view, and is exposed to the second fluid that enters the container, exits the container through each of the plurality of notches, and falls outside the container; A heat exchanger having:

7. 7. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, further comprising a fluid guide body provided on a side wall portion of the container outside the container, for guiding the second fluid that enters the container and emerges from each of the plurality of notches to the outside of the container so that the second fluid first comes into contact with the spiral piping.

8. 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein the width of the notch is greater at the upper end of the side wall of the container and gradually decreases toward the lower end.

9. a pipe joint provided at a lower portion of the housing and connected to a lower end of the pipe; a notch provided at an upper end of a side wall portion of the housing, recessed downward from the upper end of the side wall portion of the housing, and through which an extension portion extending from the cylindrical pipe passes; a piping member provided within the housing for introducing a second fluid into the container; The container is configured to be placed in the housing by being placed on a bottom wall portion of the housing, 7. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein when the container, the piping, and the piping member are installed in the housing and viewed from above the opening of the housing in a plan view, a portion of the container and a portion of the piping are hidden by the piping member.

10. a housing having a space formed therein and an opening formed at an upper end; a spiral pipe installed in the space inside the housing with its central axis extending in the vertical direction, through which a first fluid flows; a second fluid supply unit provided within the housing for uniformly supplying the second fluid supplied into the housing to a portion of the piping located at an upper end of the spiral in order to prevent as much as possible the occurrence of deviation in the extension direction of the piping; A heat exchanger having:

Images