Heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger capable of reducing displacement occurring at an end of a side tank (a connection part with an inflow / outflow pipe) during assembly or brazing.SOLUTION: The heat exchanger 1 includes the core part 10 in which the tubes 100 extending in the first direction are integrated and arranged in the second direction, the header tank 11 arranged at the end of the core part 10 in the first direction, the partition plate 80 extending in the second direction inside the header tank 11, and the side tank 60 connecting the opening 111 at the end of the header tank 11 in the second direction and the inflow / outflow pipe 99 of the heat medium arranged at a position away from the opening 111 in the first direction. A partition plate end portion side 80T of the partition plate 80 in the second direction penetrates a part of the side tank 60 and is exposed to the outside, and the partition plate end portion side 80T has at least one notch 81.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in a heat exchanger (evaporator) for a vehicle, the ends of the heat medium inlet and outlet pipes (heat medium inlet and heat medium outlet) are directly connected to the opening of a tank that is connected to the ends of multiple tubes in the extension direction (longitudinal direction) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] On the other hand, the positions of the heat medium inlet and the heat medium outlet vary depending on the vehicle structure, and since the heat exchanger is housed in the case of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit, it may be necessary to accommodate the layout of the heat medium inlet and the heat medium outlet without interfering with the case. In such cases, that is, when the opening of the tank of the heat exchanger and the heat medium inlet and the heat medium outlet are in different positions that cannot be directly connected, a flow path connecting the two is required (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which, in cases where it is not possible to provide refrigerant flow path inlets and outlets directly on the sides of a core section made up of multiple tubes, side plates are provided on both sides of the core section, and a refrigerant flow path tank is disposed on the side of the side plates, connecting the opening of the tank with the refrigerant flow path inlets and outlets. One end of this refrigerant flow path tank is connected to the inlet and outlet (opening) of the tank, extends downward parallel to the tubes, and bends forward from the middle of the core section, with a piping member through which the refrigerant flows connected to its end. This configuration makes it possible to accommodate the layout of the piping member inlets and outlets for each vehicle while minimizing increases in space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6483409 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-28393 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the case of a heat medium (refrigerant) flow path tank in which the flow path is routed on the side of the core part as described in Patent Document 2, the flow path becomes long, which causes a problem that the position of the end of the heat medium flow path tank on the piping member side (the connection part with the piping member) moves when assembling the heat exchanger.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a heat exchanger that can reduce misalignment that occurs at the end of the side tank (the connection part with the inlet and outlet piping) during assembly or brazing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising: a core section in which tubes extending in a first direction are arranged in a stack in a second direction; a header tank arranged at an end of the core section in the first direction; a partition plate extending in the second direction inside the header tank; and a side tank connecting an opening at an end of the header tank in the second direction to inlet and outlet pipes for a heat medium (hereinafter referred to as "inlet and outlet pipes") arranged at a position away from the opening in the first direction, wherein the end of the partition plate in the second direction (hereinafter referred to as "partition plate end") penetrates a part of the side tank and is exposed to the outside, and the partition plate end has at least one notch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger that can reduce misalignment that occurs at the end of the side tank (the connection portion with the inlet / outlet pipes) during assembly or brazing, which is an excellent effect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a part of the configuration of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the side tank according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a side tank according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is an exploded side view. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a part of the configuration of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a front view and (B) is a cross-sectional view. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a state in which a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention is assembled, in which (A) is an overall view and (B) is a partially enlarged view. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a part of the configuration of a side tank according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a side view and (B) is a front view. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front schematic view showing a partition plate according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing a partition plate according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a cross-sectional view and (B) is a front view. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a comparative example of the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a comparative example of the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a comparative example of the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a comparative example of the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a comparative example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 9 show an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and in the figures, parts with the same reference numerals indicate parts with the same functions, and duplicated explanations in each figure will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] <Heat exchanger> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a heat exchanger 1 according to this embodiment. The heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment includes a core 10 consisting of a plurality of tubes 100, a side plate 13, a first header tank 11, a second header tank 12, a side tank 60, and the like. Hereinafter, the directions in this embodiment are defined as follows: the extension direction of the tubes 100 that are long in one direction is defined as a first direction; the direction in which the plurality of tubes 100 are arranged is defined as a second direction; and the direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions is defined as a third direction. The first direction is defined as the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1 ; the second direction is defined as the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 1 ; and the third direction is defined as the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1 . These directions will be used to define the directions in the heat exchanger 1 in the following drawings.

[0013] More specifically, the core unit 10 has a plurality of tubes 100 extending in the Y-axis direction (first direction) stacked at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction (second direction), with fins (not shown) provided between them. Side plates 13 (13A, 13B) are arranged parallel to the tubes 100 at both ends of the core unit 10 in the X-axis direction. The plurality of tubes 100 form a first tube group 100a arranged on the front side in the Z-axis direction and a second tube group 100b arranged on the back side in the Z-axis direction. The first tube group 100a and the second tube group 100b are arranged parallel to the Z-axis direction.

[0014] The first header tank 11 is long in the X-axis direction (its axial direction runs along the X-axis direction) and is connected to the upper ends of the multiple tubes 100 in the Y-axis direction. The first header tank 11 is a cylindrical member and has openings 111 and 112 at both ends in the longitudinal direction (extension direction). The second header tank 12 is long in the X-axis direction (its axial direction runs along the X-axis direction) and is connected to the lower ends of the multiple tubes 100 in the Y-axis direction. The second header tank 12 is also a cylindrical member and has openings 121 and 122 at both ends in the longitudinal direction (extension direction).

[0015] The two side plates 13 (13A, 13B) are arranged opposite each other with the core unit 10 in between. The side tank 60 is provided on the side of one of the two side plates 13A, 13B, the side plate 13A. Specifically, the side tank 60 is arranged on the opposite side of the core unit 10 in the X-axis direction with the side plate 13A in between.

[0016] The side tank 60 is a blocking means for blocking one opening 111 of the first header tank 11, and also serves as a flow path 64 (inflow flow path 64A, outflow flow path 64B) that connects the inflow pipe 99A and outflow pipe 99B (see Figure 2) of the heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) to the first header tank 11.

[0017] In the heat exchanger 1 of this example, the heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows from the inlet pipe 99A (see FIG. 2) into the inlet flow path 64A of the side tank 60 and then into the first header tank 11. Inside the first header tank 11, the heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows in the X-axis direction in the figure, is diverted to the first tube group 100a of the core unit 10, and flows downward in the Y-axis direction through the first tube group 100a in the figure. The heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) then merges in the second header tank 12, flows in the X-axis direction in the figure, flows upward in the Y-axis direction through the second tube group 100b of the core unit 10, and returns to the first header tank 11.

[0018] The heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) in the first header tank 11 flows into the outflow passage 64B of the side tank 60 and then flows out to the outflow piping 99B (see FIG. 2). That is, the heat exchanger 1 in this example has a so-called two-path structure. In the core section 10, heat exchange occurs between the heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flowing in the tubes 100 in the Y-axis direction in the figure and a fluid (e.g., air) moving between the multiple tubes 100 along the Z-axis direction in the figure.

[0019] The first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12 have storage spaces for the heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) inside. The first header tank 11 is a storage space on the inflow and outflow sides of the heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.), while the second header tank 12 is a storage space on the return side of the flow path of the heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.).

[0020] One opening 111 of the first header tank 11 is closed by the side tank 60, while the other opening 112 is closed by a cap 70A. In addition, openings 121 and 122 at both ends of the second header tank 12 are closed by caps 70B and 70C, respectively.

[0021] In the following description, the first header tank 11 (simply referred to as the header tank 11) will be described as the main component of this embodiment, and a description of the second header tank 12 will be omitted.

[0022] A partition plate 80 is provided inside the header tank 11. The partition plate 80 is provided along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the header tank 11 so as to divide the interior of the header tank 11 into two regions in the short side direction (Z-axis direction). The heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) that accumulates in the two regions divided by the partition plate 80 cannot enter each other. One region is connected to the inflow flow path 64A of the side tank 60 and serves as the inflow region, and the other region is connected to the outflow flow path 64B of the side tank 60 and serves as the outflow region.

[0023] <Side tank> The side tank 60 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a side view of the heat exchanger 1 as seen from the X-axis direction, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the side tank 60 as seen from the core unit 10 side. Figure 4(A) is a side view of the side tank 60 as seen from the Z-axis direction (arrow V1 in Figure 3), and Figure 4(B) is an exploded side view of Figure 4(A).

[0024] 2, the side tank 60 is provided at its upper end in the Y-axis direction with heat exchanger-side inlet and outlet ports 61 (heat exchanger-side inlet 61A, heat exchanger-side outlet 61B). These are connected to the openings 111 (inlet opening 111A, outlet opening 111B) of the first header tank 11. Furthermore, the side tank 60 is provided at its lower end in the Y-axis direction with piping-side inlet and outlet ports 62 (piping-side inlet 62A, piping-side outlet 62B). These are connected to piping connections 63 (inlet piping connection 63A, outlet piping connection 63B).

[0025] The side tank 60 has an inflow passage 64A and an outflow passage 64B. The inflow passage 64A and the outflow passage 64B are each configured to be approximately L-shaped in a side view seen from the X-axis direction, and are nested and arranged side by side along the Z-axis direction (in the YZ plane).

[0026] The inflow passage 64A has an inflow passage straight section (first passage) 641 (extending in the Y-axis direction) through which the heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows in the Y-axis direction, and an inflow passage bent section (second passage) 642 that is continuous with the inflow passage straight section 641 and through which the heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows (changes the flow direction) in a direction (Z-axis direction) different from that of the inflow passage straight section 641. In this embodiment, the passage length of the inflow passage straight section 641 is longer than the passage length of the inflow passage bent section 642 (from the inflow passage bent section 642 to the piping-side inlet 62A).

[0027] The outflow passage 64B has an outflow passage straight portion (first passage) 644 (extending in the Y-axis direction) through which the heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows in the Y-axis direction, and an outflow passage bent portion (second passage) 645 that is continuous with the outflow passage straight portion 644 and through which the heat medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows (changes the flow direction) in a direction (Z-axis direction) different from that of the outflow passage straight portion 644. In this embodiment, the passage length of the outflow passage straight portion 644 is longer than the passage length of the outflow passage bent portion 645 (from the outflow passage bent portion 645 to the piping-side outlet 62B).

[0028] An upper end of the inflow passage 64A in the Y-axis direction (heat exchanger-side inlet 61A) communicates with the inflow opening 111A of the first header tank 11, and a lower end of the inflow passage 64A in the Y-axis direction (piping-side inlet 62A) communicates with an inflow pipe connecting portion 63A. An inflow pipe 99A shown by a dashed line is connected to the inflow pipe connecting portion 63A.

[0029] An upper end of the outflow passage 64B in the Y-axis direction (heat exchanger-side outlet 61B) communicates with the outflow opening 111B of the first header tank 11, and a lower end of the outflow passage 64B in the Y-axis direction (piping-side outlet 62B) communicates with an outflow pipe connecting portion 63B. An outflow pipe 99B shown by a dashed line is connected to the outflow pipe connecting portion 63B.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3 , the side tank 60 is composed of a first tank member 601 and a second tank member 602 that are divided into two by a plane parallel to the YZ plane. The surface facing the side plate 13A is included in the first tank member 601. The heat exchanger-side inlet / outlet 61 (heat exchanger-side inlet 61A and heat exchanger-side outlet 61B) that communicate with the opening 111 of the header tank 11 is provided above the first tank member 601 in the Y axis direction. The upper part of the second tank member 602 in the Y axis direction (the surface facing the heat exchanger-side inlet 61A and the heat exchanger-side outlet 61B) functions as a cap that closes the opening 111 of the header tank 11 and the heat exchanger-side inlet / outlet 61 that communicates therewith. Since the side tank 60 also serves as a closing means (cap) that closes the opening 111 of the first header tank 11, a dedicated cap for closing the opening 111 is not required, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0031] In this embodiment, the plane on which the opening 111 of the header tank 11 (the heat exchanger-side inlet 61A and the heat exchanger-side outlet 61B of the side tank 60 that communicate with the opening 111) is located intersects with the plane on which at least one of the piping-side inlet 62A and the piping-side outlet 62B of the side tank 60 is located. Here, as an example, the plane on which the opening 111 is located intersects with the plane on which the piping-side inlet 62A and the piping-side outlet 62B are located.

[0032] In detail, in the side tank 60, the heat exchanger-side inlet 61A and the heat exchanger-side outlet 61B are arranged side by side along the Z-axis direction (in the YZ plane), but the piping-side inlet 62A and the piping-side outlet 62B are arranged side by side along the Y-axis direction (in the XY plane). On the other hand, the piping-side inlet 62A and the piping-side outlet 62B are not located in the axial direction of the opening 111 (heat exchanger-side inlet / outlet 61) of the header tank 11, but are located below them in the Y-axis direction.

[0033] The heat exchanger 1 must be designed to accommodate the layout of the inlet and outlet piping 99 (inlet piping 99A and outlet piping 99B) on the vehicle side (HVAC system), and it may not be possible to arrange the piping-side inlet and outlet ports 62 along the axial direction of the opening 111 of the header tank 11 (directly at the opening 111). In such cases, it is necessary to provide a flow path connecting the heat exchanger 1 and the inlet and outlet piping 99 along the side plate 13A in a limited space without interfering with the case of the HVAC unit. In this embodiment, the side tank 60 allows for compact accommodation in the case of the HVAC unit, while still allowing the flow path to be routed to the inlet and outlet piping 99.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the side tank 60 is partially abutted against the side plate 13A adjacent to the side tank 60. Specifically, a protruding portion 68 that abuts against the side plate 13A is provided on a part of the surface of the side tank 60 facing the side plate 13A.

[0035] 4, the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 are disposed opposite each other so as to cover each other's open surfaces, thereby forming a flow path 64. The first tank member 601 has claws 601A disposed on its periphery engaged (crimped) with the second tank member 602. The second tank member 602 has claws 602A disposed on its upper periphery in the Y-axis direction engaged (crimped) with the header tank 11, with the first tank member 601 sandwiched between them.

[0036] The first tank member 601 has a protruding portion 68. The protruding portion 68 is, for example, a bulging portion formed by bulging a portion of the first tank member 601 constituting the long-length straight flow path portion (in this example, the inlet flow path straight portion 641 and the outlet flow path straight portion 644) into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape toward the side plate 13A. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the protruding portion (bulging portion) 68 in this example is independent on the inlet flow path 64A side and the outlet flow path 64B side, with a first bulging portion 68A provided on a portion of the inlet flow path straight portion 641 and a second bulging portion 68B provided on a portion of the outlet flow path straight portion 644. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the first bulging portion 68A is provided on the header tank 11 side of the center of the inlet flow path straight portion 641 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction), and the second bulging portion 68B is provided on the header tank 11 side of the center of the outlet flow path straight portion 644 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). The first bulging portion 68A and the second bulging portion 68B have the same bulging amount (height to the side plate 13A), for example.

[0037] 5A and 5B are views illustrating the vicinity of the bulging portion 68 in this embodiment, with FIG. 5A being a front view seen from the left (air flow direction) of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5B being a cross-sectional view corresponding to line AA in FIG. 2. According to this embodiment, when assembled into the heat exchanger 1, the first bulging portion 68A and the second bulging portion 68B (their most protruding contact surfaces 68S) abut against the side plate 13A (the surface of the side tank 60 side). On the other hand, portions of the first tank member 601 other than the bulging portion 68 do not abut against the side plate 13A. The bulging portions 68 (68A, 68B) are provided, for example, in portions of the inflow passage 64A and the outflow passage 64B near the header tank 11.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the protruding portion (bulge portion) 68 can suppress misalignment of the pipe-side inlet / outlet port 62 of the side tank 60 in the X-axis direction. This will be described below. First, FIGS. 10 to 13 are diagrams showing a heat exchanger 500 as a comparative example of this embodiment, illustrating an example of a heat exchanger 500 in which a heat medium flow path tank (side tank) 506 with a long flow path is provided on the side of a core section 501. FIG. 10 is a side view of the side tank 506 as seen from the axial direction of a tank (header tank) 503 connected to tubes 502 that constitute the core section 501, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of the side tank 506. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the state of the heat exchanger 500 during assembly, as seen from the air flow direction, and FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 12.

[0039] 10 , the side tank 506 has an inflow passage 507 and an outflow passage 508 for the heat medium, a heat exchanger-side inflow / outflow port 510 connected to the opening of the header tank 503, and a piping-side inflow / outflow port 511. A piping connector 512 is connected to the piping-side inflow / outflow port 511, and the piping member (not shown) of the HVAC unit is connected thereto. The inflow passage 507 and the outflow passage 508 are formed so as to run from the opening of the header tank 503 along the side plate 516 in accordance with the layout of the piping member. As a result, the heat exchanger-side inflow / outflow port 510 of the side tank 506 exists in a plane parallel to the side plate 516 (e.g., the YZ plane), and the piping-side inflow / outflow port 511 exists in a plane perpendicular to the above (e.g., the XY plane), and is located lower in the Y-axis direction than the heat exchanger-side inflow / outflow port 510. The inflow channel 507 and the outflow channel 508 are provided in a substantially L-shape on the YZ plane, and the inflow channel 507 and the outflow channel 508 are arranged in a nested manner.

[0040] 11, the side tank 506 of the comparative example is not provided with the protruding portion (bulge) 68 of this embodiment. That is, the surface facing the side plate 516, specifically the linear flow path portions (indicated by the dashed dotted lines) of the inlet flow path 507 and the outlet flow path 508, are in contact with the side plate 516 as a whole.

[0041] In the case of a heat exchanger 500 having a side tank 506 that routes the flow path along the side of the core section, the flow path becomes long, which creates a problem in that the position of the end of the side tank 506 on the piping member side (piping side inlet / outlet 511) moves when assembling the heat exchanger 500.

[0042] When assembling the heat exchanger 500, the brazing material applied to each part is melted in a high-temperature furnace and brazing is performed, and at this time, the brazing is performed by wrapping and holding down a jig 520 such as wire around the side tank 506, side plate 516, and core part 501 in an orientation such that the direction in which the multiple tubes 502 of the core part 501 are gathered is perpendicular to the height direction in the furnace, as shown in Figure 12. The jig 520 is made of a metal material with a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the heat exchanger 500, and the core part 501 is tightened and fixed by the jig 520 due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the two.

[0043] At this time, focusing on the clamping force of the jig 520 on the side plate 516, the rigidity against the clamping force of the jig 520 is high near the header tank 503, while the rigidity against the clamping force of the jig 520 is weak near the center of the side plate 516 in the extension direction. Therefore, the side plate 516, which was arranged parallel to the tubes 502 as shown in FIG. 11 before brazing, warps toward the center in the stacking direction as shown in FIG. 13 due to the clamping of the jig 520. As a result, in the side tank 506, which is in overall contact with the side plate 516, the position of the piping-side inlet / outlet port 511 farthest from the header tank 503 shifts in the stacking direction of the tubes 502 (the up-down direction in FIG. 13), resulting in a problem of greater variation in the amount of misalignment. The longer the linear flow path portion in the side tank 506, the more pronounced the misalignment.

[0044] Furthermore, if the pipe-side inlet / outlet port 511 is misaligned, a large load will be applied to the connection between the opening 504 of the header tank 503 and the side tank 506, which may cause the side tank 506 to come off.

[0045] 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing the heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment in an assembled state. FIG. 6A is a schematic front view showing the entire heat exchanger 1, and FIG. 6B is a schematic front view showing the side tank 60. When assembling (brazing) the heat exchanger 1, as in the comparative example, the assembly direction (X-axis direction) of the multiple tubes 100 in the core unit 10 is perpendicular to the height direction in the furnace, as shown in FIG. 6A. Then, brazing is performed by wrapping a jig 200 such as a wire around the periphery of the side tank 60, the side plates 13 (13A, 13B), and the core unit 10. In this case, too, the jig 200 is made of a metal material with a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the heat exchanger 1, and the core unit 10 is clamped and fixed by the jig 200 due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the two materials.

[0046] Here, both ends of the multiple tubes 100 in the extension direction (left-right direction in FIG. 6) are inserted into and fixed to the (first) header tank 11 and the second header tank 12. Similarly, both ends of the side plates 13 (13A, 13B) in the extension direction (left-right direction in FIG. 6) are inserted into and fixed to the (first) header tank 11 and the second header tank 12 (see FIG. 5).

[0047] That is, with respect to the fastening force of the jig 200 for the side plate 13 and the core unit 10, the rigidity against the fastening force of the jig 200 is high near the header tank 11, whereas the rigidity against the fastening force of the jig 200 is weak near the center in the extension direction of the side plate 13 and the tubes 100 of the core unit 10. That is, the side plate 13A and the tubes 100 are more likely to warp toward the center in the accumulation direction the farther they are from the header tank 11.

[0048] In this embodiment, the side plate 13A and the bulging portion 68 of the side tank 60 come into contact in a region near the header tank 11, which has a relatively high rigidity against the tightening force of the jig 200. The "near the header tank 11" where the bulging portion 68 is provided refers to, for example, a side of the side tank 60 that is closer to the header tank 11 than the center of the inlet flow path straight portion 641 of the flow path 64 with a long flow path length (in this case, the inlet flow path 64A). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(A), if the length in the longitudinal direction (extension direction) of the inlet flow path straight portion 641 is L1, the first bulging portion 68A (its center) is located closer to the header tank 11 than a position P1 that is half the length L1.

[0049] With this configuration, even if the clamping force of the jig 200 is applied to the core unit 10 via the side tank 60 and the side plate 13A during assembly (brazing), deformation (warping toward the center in the direction in which the tubes 100 are stacked) of the side tank 60 and the side plate 13A can be avoided near the bulge 68. Furthermore, even if warping toward the center in the direction in which the tubes 100 are stacked occurs in a portion of the side plate 13A (a region away from the header tank 11) as shown in FIG. 6B , the side tank 60 is not in contact with the side plate 13A in regions other than the bulge 68, and is therefore less susceptible to deformation of the side plate 13A. Therefore, misalignment in the X-axis direction of the piping-side inlet / outlet ports 62 (piping-side inlet 62A and piping-side outlet 62B) of the side tank 60 and the piping connectors 63 (inlet piping connector 63A and outlet piping connector 63B) connected thereto can be suppressed. Furthermore, since it is possible to prevent a large load due to warping from being applied to the connection portion between the opening 111 of the header tank 11 and the side tank 60, it is also possible to prevent the side tank 60 from being separated.

[0050] Here, it is conceivable to make the entire side tank 60 non-contact with the side plate 13A, but in that case, the side tank 60 would be supported only at the joint portion with the header tank 11 (around the opening 111), which is not preferable because it would be insufficiently supported and fixed to the core part 10. In this embodiment, the side tank 60 can be supported and fixed to the core part 10 not only at the joint portion with the header tank 11 (around the opening 111) but also at the bulge portion 68, so the side tank 60 can be sufficiently supported while minimizing the effects of deformation of the side plate 13A.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6B, the position of the protruding portion (bulge) 68 may be such that at least a portion of the protruding portion (bulge) 68 overlaps with the attachment position of the jig 200 (shown by a thick dashed line in FIG. 6B). The attachment position of the jig 200 is where the clamping force is greatest. Therefore, by arranging the bulge 68 so that it overlaps with the attachment position, the rigidity against the clamping force can be increased. Although the jig 200 is removed after assembly, a clamping trace FP of the jig 200 remains at the corners of the heat exchanger 1 (the side tank 60 or the opposite side plate 13B) where the jig 200 was wrapped. Based on this trace FP, the positional relationship between the attachment position of the jig 200 and the protruding portion (bulge) 68 can be identified.

[0052] In this case, too, deformation of the side tank 60 and the side plate 13A (warping toward the center in the direction in which the tubes 100 are accumulated) can be avoided near the bulging portion 68. Furthermore, even if warping toward the center in the direction in which the tubes 100 are accumulated occurs in a portion of the side plate 13A (an area away from the attachment position of the jig 200), the side tank 60 is not in contact with the side plate 13A in areas other than the bulging portion 68, so it is not affected by the deformation of the side plate 13A and positional displacement of the piping-side inlet / outlet 62 (piping-side inlet 62A and piping-side outlet 62B) can be suppressed. Furthermore, detachment of the side tank 60 from the header tank 11 can also be prevented.

[0053] Furthermore, because only a portion of the surface of the side tank 60 facing the side plate 13A (protruding portion 68) abuts against the side plate 13A, heat transfer from the core unit 10 and the side plate 13A to the side tank 60 can be suppressed compared to the configuration of the comparative example in which the entire surface of the side tank 60 abuts against the side plate 13A. In the heat exchanger 1, it is important to exchange heat with the air, etc., in the core unit 10 with high efficiency, and it is desirable to suppress heat exchange (heat transfer) in areas other than the core unit 10 (such as the flow path of the side tank 60). Because the only contact between the side plate 13A and the side tank 60 is at the protruding portion 68, heat transfer to the side tank 60 can be suppressed compared to when the entire side tank 60 is in contact.

[0054] The side tank 60 may be configured such that only the protruding portion (bulge) 68 comes into contact with the side plate 13A (the side tank 60 is not in contact with the side plate 13A except for the protruding portion 68), and the configuration (shape) of the protruding portion 68 is not limited to the above example. For example, the protruding portion 68 may have a single bulge on the outside, and the inside may be partitioned into an inflow passage 64A and an outflow passage 64B by a partition member.

[0055] Furthermore, the bulge portion 68 does not need to correspond to each of the inflow flow path 64A and the outflow flow path 64B. For example, it may be provided between the inflow flow path 64A and the outflow flow path 64B, assuming that the inflow flow path 64A and the outflow flow path 64B are separated, or it may be provided in either the inflow flow path 64A or the outflow flow path 64B.

[0056] In this example, the contact areas (areas of the contact surfaces 68S) of the first bulge portion 68A and the second bulge portion 68B with the side plate 13A are the same, but they may be different. In this case, it is preferable that the second bulge portion 68B has a larger volume than the first bulge portion 68A. In the above-described embodiment, in the side tank 60, the volume (cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction) of the outflow passage 64B is larger than that of the inflow passage 64A. In other words, when the contact surfaces 68S of the first bulge portion 68A and the second bulge portion 68B are the same, the volume of the second bulge portion 68B is larger than that of the first bulge portion 68A. The size of the bulge portion 68 can be selected arbitrarily as long as it does not affect the pressure loss of the side tank 60.

[0057] Furthermore, the protruding portion 68 is not limited to a bulging portion that expands the volume of the flow path, but may be a protrusion (rib) or the like provided on the first tank member 601.

[0058] 5(A), the side tank 60 of this embodiment is engaged (crimped) with the header tank 11 by the claw portions 602A of the second tank member 602 while sandwiching the first tank member 601. This also makes it possible to suppress misalignment of the piping-side inlet / outlet port 62 (piping connection portion 63) during brazing, and also reduces brazing defects.

[0059] <Divider> Next, the partition plate 80 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7(A) is a side view showing the vicinity of the header tank 11 in Fig. 2, and Fig. 7(B) is a front view showing the vicinity of the opening 111 of the header tank 11 as viewed from the Z-axis direction, with the side tank 60 omitted.

[0060] The partition plate 80 extends in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the header tank 11 so as to divide the interior of the header tank 11 in the lateral direction (Z-axis direction) into two regions.

[0061] Specifically, an insertion hole 69 is provided in the upper region in the Y-axis direction of the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 that constitute the side tank 60 at a position corresponding to the partition plate 80 (FIG. 7(A)), and an end portion of the partition plate 80 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) is inserted into the insertion hole 69 and exposed to the outside (from the header tank 11) (FIG. 7(B)). Hereinafter, the end portion of the partition plate 80 that is exposed to the outside will be referred to as the "partition plate end portion 80T." The amount of protrusion of the partition plate end portion 80T from the side tank 60 is, for example, a degree that can be processed and that can absorb processing variations of the partition plate 80.

[0062] In this embodiment, the partition plate end portion 80T is inserted into the side tank 60, and then the partition plate end portion 80T is deformed. This allows the side tank 60 to be reliably fixed to the header tank 11.

[0063] Here, a case where the side tank 506 and the header tank 503 are not sufficiently fixed will be described with reference to the comparative example shown in Figures 10, 12, and 14. Figure 14 shows the side tank 506 of the comparative example, and is a side view taken along the arrow V2 in Figure 12.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10 , the side tank 506 has an inflow passage 507 and an outflow passage 508 for the heat medium, a heat exchanger-side inflow / outflow port 510 connected to the opening of the header tank 503, and a piping-side inflow / outflow port 511. A piping connector 512 is connected to the piping-side inflow / outflow port 511, and the piping components (not shown) of the HVAC unit are connected thereto. The inflow passage 507 and the outflow passage 508 are formed so as to be routed from the opening of the header tank 503 in accordance with the layout of the piping components. As a result, the heat exchanger-side inflow / outflow port 510 of the side tank 506 exists in a plane parallel to the side plate 516 (e.g., the YZ plane), and the piping-side inflow / outflow port 511 exists in a plane perpendicular to the above (e.g., the XY plane), and is located lower in the Y-axis direction than the heat exchanger-side inflow / outflow port 510. The inflow passage 507 and the outflow passage 508 are arranged in a substantially L-shape in the YZ plane, and the inflow passage 507 and the outflow passage 508 are nested. In this comparative example, the partition plate does not penetrate the side tank 506.

[0065] When assembling the heat exchanger 500, the brazing is performed in such a manner that the direction in which the multiple tubes 502 of the core part 501 are stacked is perpendicular to the height direction inside the furnace, and the piping side inlet / outlet ports 511 face upward, as shown in FIG.

[0066] When the generally L-shaped side tank 506, in which the inflow channel 507 (and the outflow channel 508) include a long straight portion in one direction, is oriented as shown in Fig. 12, the short-side channel is oriented so as to stand upright at the end of the long-side channel, as shown in Fig. 14. In this case, a load that tends to rotate the side tank 506 in the direction of the arrow is applied around the joint between the side tank 506 and the opening 504 of the header tank 503 due to the gravity moment of the short-side channel (the portion from the bent portion to the piping-side inlet / outlet port 511), as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 14. This is significant when the straight portions of the inflow channel 507 and the outflow channel 508 are long.

[0067] As a result, there is a risk that the position of the piping side inlet / outlet port 511, which is the tip of the piping member side of the side tank 506, may change or become misaligned, or that a force that rotates the side tank 506 may apply a large load to the connection between the opening 504 of the header tank 503 and the side tank 506, causing the side tank 506 to come off.

[0068] In contrast, in the heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, the partition plate end portion 80T penetrates the side tank 60, thereby increasing the connection strength between the side tank 60 and the header tank 11. In detail, as already described, in this embodiment as well as in the comparative example, the direction in which the multiple tubes 100 of the core portion 10 are stacked (X-axis direction) is perpendicular to the height direction inside the furnace, and brazing is performed with the piping side inlet 62A and the piping side outlet 62B facing upward (see FIG. 6(A)).

[0069] The side tank 60 has a generally L-shaped pattern in which the length of the flow paths extending in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) is longer than the length of the flow paths extending in the lateral direction (Z-axis direction), and the two paths intersect at right angles. Specifically, the side tank 60 has, as inflow flow path 64A, an inflow flow path straight section 641 through which the heat medium (refrigerant, coolant, etc.) flows in the Y-axis direction and an inflow flow path bent section 642 that changes the flow direction to the Z-axis direction. The inflow flow path straight section 641 has a longer flow path length than the inflow flow path bent section 642. The outflow flow path 64B has, as outflow flow path 644 through which the heat medium (refrigerant, coolant, etc.) flows in the Y-axis direction and an outflow flow path bent section 645 that changes the flow direction to the Z-axis direction. The outflow flow path straight section 644 has a longer flow path length than the outflow flow path bent section 645.

[0070] When this heat exchanger 1 is in the brazing position shown in Fig. 6, the lateral flow paths (from the inlet flow path bend portion 642 and the outlet flow path bend portion 645 to the piping-side inlet / outlet port 62) are in an upright position (the same position as in Fig. 14) at the ends of the longitudinal flow paths (the inlet flow path straight portion 641 and the outlet flow path straight portion 644). In this case, a moment due to gravity is generated around the joint between the side tank 60 and the opening 111 of the header tank 11 in the region from the inlet flow path bend portion 642 and the outlet flow path bend portion 645 to the piping-side inlet / outlet port 62. As a result, a load is applied to the side tank 60 such that it rotates clockwise in Fig. 2 around the joint with the header tank 11 (see Fig. 14).

[0071] However, in this embodiment, the partition plate end portion 80T penetrates the side tank 60 and is engaged with the side tank 60. This makes it possible to suppress rotation of the side tank 60.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by deforming the partition plate end portion 80T, it is possible to increase the fixing strength between the side tank 60 and the header tank 11. Therefore, even if the flow path length of the inflow flow path straight portion 641 (the longer of the inflow flow path straight portion 641 or the outflow flow path straight portion 644) in the side tank 60 is increased and the moment due to gravity in the portion from the inflow flow path bent portion 642 and the outflow flow path bent portion 645 to the piping-side inflow and outflow port 62 increases, it is possible to increase the fixing strength between the side tank 60 and the header tank 11 and suppress rotation of the side tank 60.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 7(B), the partition plate end 80T has at least one notch 81. The notch 81 is used for the extension deformation and / or bending deformation of the partition plate end 80T.

[0074] The notches 81 (81A, 81B) are provided, for example, at positions near both ends (upper end H1 and lower end H2) of the partition plate end 80T in the Y-axis direction (short side direction). More specifically, "positions near the upper end H1 and lower end H2" refer to positions where, when the distance from the center C of the partition plate end 80T in the Y-axis direction (short side direction) to the upper notch 81A (center) is L3 and the distance from the notch 81A (center) to the upper end H1 is L4, L3 > L4. Similarly, when the distance from the center C of the partition plate end 80T to the notch 81B (center) on the lower end H2 side is L5 and the distance from the notch 81B (center) to the lower end H2 is L6, L5 > L6.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 7A, showing an example of deformation of the partition plate end 80T. As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 8, a predetermined clearance CL exists between the partition plate end 80T and the insertion hole 69 before deformation. The notch 81 can accommodate, for example, a tool for elongating and deforming the partition plate end 80T. By inserting a tool (not shown) into the notch 81 from the left side of the figure to widen the notch 81 in the Y-axis direction (short-side direction), the partition plate end 80T is elongated and deformed in the short-side direction (Y-axis direction) of the partition plate 80, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 8. This eliminates the clearance CL that existed between the insertion hole 69 and the partition plate end 80T in the left diagram of FIG. 8. In other words, the partition plate end 80T is crimped or press-fitted into the side tank 60 (insertion hole 69), and the side tank 60 and the header tank 11 are more firmly fixed together than before deformation (left diagram of FIG. 8).

[0076] By providing the notches 81 near the upper end H1 and lower end H2 of the partition plate end 80T, the amount of elongation deformation in the short direction (L4, L6) is reduced, making it possible to fix (crimp) with less deformation.

[0077] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 7(A) showing another example of deformation of the partition plate end 80T. The notch 81, for example, facilitates bending deformation of the partition plate end 80T. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, by bending a portion of the partition plate end 80T adjacent to the notch 81 in the Z-axis direction, with the notch 81 as a boundary, the partition plate end 80T is locked into the insertion hole 69. The partition plate end 80T is crimped to the side tank 60, and the side tank 60 and the header tank 11 are fixed more firmly than before deformation (left diagram in FIG. 9).

[0078] 8 and 9, the side tank 60 and the header tank 11 are firmly fixed together. That is, even if the shape of the side tank 60 increases the moment due to gravity, particularly depending on the posture during assembly (such as during brazing), rotation of the side tank 60 can be suppressed, and positional deviation of the side tank 60 (pipe-side inlet / outlet port 62) can be suppressed.

[0079] In order to suppress rotation of the side tank 60 in this embodiment, given its shape and its posture during assembly, the notch 81 only needs to be provided at least in a portion of the partition plate end 80T that is far from the inlet / outlet pipes, i.e., near the upper end H1. In other words, in FIG. 7(B), the notch 81B on the lower end H2 side does not need to be provided.

[0080] Furthermore, when notches 81 are provided in two locations, notch 81A may be provided at a position where L3≦L4 is satisfied and notch 81B may be provided at a position where L3≦L4 is satisfied. In particular, in the case of the bending deformation shown in Fig. 9, a strong fixation equivalent to that in the case of Fig. 7(B) is possible.

[0081] Furthermore, when the notch 81 is provided in one location, the location may be the center C of the partition plate end 80T, for example.

[0082] The heat exchanger 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 heat exchanger 10 Core 11 (1st) Header Tank 13, 13A, 13B side plates 60 Side Tank 61 Heat exchanger side inflow / outflow port 61A Heat exchanger side inlet 61B Heat exchanger side outlet 62 Piping side inflow / outflow port 62A Pipe side inlet 62B Piping side outlet 63 Piping connection 63A Inlet pipe connection 63B Outlet pipe connection 64 flow path 64A Inlet channel 64B Outlet channel 68 Protruding part (bulging part) 68A First bulge 68B Second bulge 68S contact surface 69 Insertion hole 80 Divider 80T Partition plate end 81, 81A, 81B notch 99 Inflow and outflow piping 99A Inflow pipe 99B Outlet piping 100 tubes 111,112, 121,122 openings 111A Inflow opening 111B Outflow opening 200 Jig 601 First tank member 602 Second tank member 641 Straight section of inlet flow path (first flow path) 642 Inlet flow path bending part (second flow path) 644 Outlet flow straight section 645 Outlet flow path bend

Claims

1. a core portion in which tubes extending in a first direction are integrated and arranged in a second direction; a header tank disposed at an end of the core portion in the first direction; a partition plate extending in the second direction inside the header tank; a side tank connecting an opening at an end of the header tank in the second direction to an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe (hereinafter referred to as "inlet and outlet pipes") for the heat medium that are located at a position away from the opening in the first direction, an end portion of the partition plate in the second direction (hereinafter referred to as a "partition plate end portion") penetrates a part of the side tank and is exposed to the outside, and the partition plate end portion has at least one notch; A heat exchanger characterized by:

2. The notch is capable of receiving a tool for expanding and deforming the partition plate end portion.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1.

3. The notch is provided at a portion of the partition plate end far from the inlet / outlet pipes.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1.

4. The plane on which the opening exists and the plane on which at least one of the inlet and the outlet of the inlet / outlet pipe exists are intersecting planes.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1.

5. the side tank is a closing means for the opening and has a first flow path that causes the heat medium to flow in the first direction and a second flow path that causes the heat medium to flow in a direction different from the first flow path, The length of the first flow path is longer than the length of the second flow path.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1.

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