Heat exchange plate and method for manufacturing a heat exchange plate

Abstract

The present invention provides a heat exchange plate and a method for manufacturing the same that can suppress the complexity of the manufacturing process. [Solution] The heat exchange plate 30 comprises an upper wall 31 and a lower wall 32 that cover a plurality of flow channels FP from both sides in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30, and a plurality of partition walls 35 to 37 that connect the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 in the thickness direction and partition the plurality of flow channels FP. At least one end of the heat exchange plate 30 in the longitudinal direction is a closure portion 30C that closes off the plurality of flow channels FP. The upper wall 31, the lower wall 32 and the plurality of partition walls 35 to 37 that constitute the closure portion 30C are compressed in the thickness direction. The heat exchange plate 30 further comprises a brazed portion 39 that fills the gap GP that exists between the upper wall 31, the lower wall 32 and the plurality of partition walls 35 to 37 that constitute the closure portion 30C.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchange plate and a method for manufacturing the heat exchange plate.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a liquid-cooled heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange plate through which a coolant flows, an inlet joint for allowing the coolant to flow into the heat exchange plate, and an outlet joint for allowing the coolant to flow out of the heat exchange plate. The heat exchanger has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The heat exchanger has an upper wall and a lower wall arranged at intervals, and a plurality of flow path side walls connecting the upper wall and the lower wall. In the heat exchanger, a plurality of flow paths through which the coolant flows are defined by the upper wall, the lower wall, and the plurality of flow path side walls. The inlet joint and the outlet joint are connected to the upper wall.

[0003] The heat exchange plate is manufactured by performing a removal process, a pressing process, and a welding process on an extruded material that has been extruded to have the upper wall, the lower wall, and the plurality of flow path side walls. The removal process is a process of removing the plurality of flow path side walls at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the extruded material. The pressing process is a process of crushing the portion of the extruded material where the plurality of flow path side walls have been removed, thereby bringing the upper wall and the lower wall constituting the portion into close contact. The welding process is a process of laser-welding the pressed portion of the extruded material. By going through such processes, the plurality of flow paths are blocked at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the extruded material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, both ends of the flow path of the heat exchange plate are sealed by laser welding during the welding process. Therefore, in order to ensure the quality of the welding, it is important to accurately remove multiple flow path sidewalls during the removal process and to accurately seal the upper and lower walls during the pressing process. In this respect, the manufacturing process of heat exchange plates tends to be complex. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A heat exchange plate that solves the above problems is a long rectangular plate having a plurality of channels through which a heat transfer medium flows, comprising an upper wall and a lower wall covering the plurality of channels from both sides in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate, and a plurality of partition walls connecting the upper wall and the lower wall in the thickness direction and dividing the plurality of channels, wherein the direction in which the heat transfer medium flows through the plurality of channels is the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate, and at least one end of the heat exchange plate in the longitudinal direction is a closure portion that closes the plurality of channels, and the upper wall, the lower wall and the plurality of partition walls constituting the closure portion are compressed in the thickness direction and further comprise brazed portions that fill the gaps existing between the upper wall, the lower wall and the plurality of partition walls constituting the closure portion.

[0007] A method for manufacturing a heat exchange plate that solves the above problems is a method for manufacturing a heat exchange plate, comprising: an extrusion step of forming an extruded material having an upper wall, a lower wall, and a plurality of partition walls by extrusion processing; a pressing step of forming a compressed portion at at least one end of the extruded material in the thickness direction by compressing the end of the extruded material in the extrusion direction; and a penetration step of making the compressed portion a closed portion by penetrating a brazing material into the gap between the upper wall, the lower wall, and the plurality of partition walls that constitute the compressed portion from the end face of the end of the extruded material in the extrusion direction where the compressed portion is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The heat exchange plate and its manufacturing method can suppress the complexity of the manufacturing process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the heat exchange system of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger of the heat exchange system of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a partial side view of the heat exchange plate of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a process diagram showing the manufacturing method of the heat exchange plate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first end of the extruded material after the cutting process in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first end of the extruded material after the second pressing process in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the first end of the extruded material after the impregnation process in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting pipe and adapter of the heat exchanger in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting pipe and adapter of the heat exchanger in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a partial side view of the heat exchanger of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a partial side view of the heat exchanger of the first embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a partial side view of the heat exchanger of the second embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 16-16 in Figure 15. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of a heat exchange plate according to the first modification example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a heat exchange plate according to the second modification example. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of a heat exchange plate according to the second modification example.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the heat exchanger will be described. <Configuration of the First Embodiment> As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchange system 10 is a device for adjusting the temperature of the heat exchange target 100 to an appropriate temperature by cooling or heating the heat exchange target 100. In the first embodiment, the heat exchange target 100 is a plurality of batteries mounted on an electric vehicle. Specifically, the battery is a cylindrical cell.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchange system 10 includes a plurality of heat exchangers 20 and a plurality of pipes 90. Although not shown, the heat exchange system 10 includes a pump for circulating the heat medium and a temperature control unit for adjusting the temperature of the heat medium. The heat medium is a liquid such as oil or water used for cooling and heating the heat exchange target 100. In other embodiments, the heat medium may be a gas such as air.

[0012] <Heat Exchanger 20> As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 20 has a long configuration. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger 20 is defined as the first direction D1, the direction orthogonal to the first direction D1 is defined as the second direction D2, and the direction orthogonal to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is defined as the third direction D3. In the first embodiment, the third direction D3 is the direction in which the plurality of heat exchangers 20 in the heat exchange system 10 are arranged.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heat exchanger 20 comprises a heat exchange plate 30, a plurality of connecting pipes 50, two adapters 60, and a cap 70. In the first embodiment, the components of the heat exchanger 20 are made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum.

[0014] <Heat exchange plate 30> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heat exchange plate 30 constitutes the majority of the heat exchanger 20. The heat exchange plate 30 is a long, rectangular plate. The thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30 is the third direction D3. When the heat exchange plate 30 is viewed from the thickness direction, the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate 30 is the first direction D1, and the short direction of the heat exchange plate 30 (hereinafter also referred to as the "width direction") is the second direction D2. The cross-sectional shape of the heat exchange plate 30 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is approximately constant with respect to that longitudinal direction.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the heat exchange plate 30 has multiple flow paths FP. The heat exchange plate 30 also has an upper wall 31 and a lower wall 32, two side walls 33 and 34, multiple partition walls 35 to 37, and a brazed portion 39. Furthermore, the upper wall 31, the lower wall 32, the two side walls 33 and 34, and the multiple partition walls 35 to 37 of the heat exchange plate 30 constitute a connection portion 30A, a heat exchange portion 30B, a closure portion 30C, and a reversal portion 30D. In the following description, one end of the heat exchange plate 30 in the longitudinal direction will be referred to as the first end, the other end of the heat exchange plate 30 in the longitudinal direction will be referred to as the second end, the tip surface of the first end will be referred to as the first end surface EF1, and the tip surface of the second end will be referred to as the second end surface EF2. The first end is the end opposite to the second end, and the first end face EF1 is the end face opposite to the second end face EF2. Furthermore, the first and second ends of the heat exchange plate 30 are portions that have a fixed length in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] <Flow FP> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the multiple flow channels FP include a plurality of first flow channels FP1 that constitute the upstream portion of the plurality of flow channels FP, and a plurality of second flow channels FP2 that constitute the downstream portion of the plurality of flow channels FP. The plurality of first flow channels FP1 and the plurality of second flow channels FP2 are arranged in the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30. More specifically, the plurality of first flow channels FP1 are arranged so as to be concentrated on one side in the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30, and the plurality of second flow channels FP2 are arranged so as to be concentrated on the other side in the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30. In this respect, the first flow channels FP1 and the second flow channels FP2 are not arranged alternately in the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30.

[0017] The direction in which the heat transfer fluid flows through the multiple first channels FP1 is opposite to the direction in which the heat transfer fluid flows through the multiple second channels FP2. Furthermore, the upstream ends of the multiple first channels FP1 and the downstream ends of the multiple second channels FP2 are located at the first end of the heat exchange plate 30. On the other hand, the downstream ends of the multiple first channels FP1 and the upstream ends of the multiple second channels FP2 are located at the second end of the heat exchange plate 30.

[0018] In the first embodiment, the total number of first flow channels FP1 is equal to the total number of second flow channels FP2, but in other embodiments, the total number of first flow channels FP1 may be different from the total number of second flow channels FP2. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the flow channels FP may be rectangular or circular. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the flow channels FP does not have to be constant in multiple flow channels FP.

[0019] <Upper wall 31 and lower wall 32, side walls 33, 34 and partition walls 35-37> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 are rectangular plates. The thickness direction of the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 is the third direction D3. The upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 face each other in the third direction D3 with a certain distance between them. In this way, the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 cover multiple flow channels FP from both sides in the thickness direction.

[0020] The two side walls 33 and 34 are semi-cylindrical in shape. The two side walls 33 and 34 extend in a first direction D1. The two side walls 33 and 34 face each other in a second direction D2 with a certain distance between them. Side wall 33 connects one end of the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 in the width direction, and side wall 34 connects the other end of the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 in the width direction. In this way, the two side walls 33 and 34 cover multiple flow paths FP from both sides in the width direction. In this respect, it can be said that the multiple first flow paths FP1 are arranged from one side wall 34 toward the other side wall 33. Similarly, it can be said that the multiple second flow paths FP2 are arranged from the other side wall 33 toward the one side wall 34.

[0021] The multiple partition walls 35-37 are rectangular plate-shaped. The thickness direction of the multiple partition walls 35-37 is the second direction D2. The multiple partition walls 35-37 connect the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 in the third direction D3. In this way, the multiple partition walls 35-37, together with the upper wall 31, the lower wall 32 and the two side walls 33, 34, partition multiple flow paths FP. The multiple partition walls 35-37 include multiple first partition walls 35 that partition multiple first flow paths FP1, multiple second partition walls 36 that partition multiple second flow paths FP2, and a central partition wall 37 that partitions adjacent first flow paths FP1 and second flow paths FP2 in the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30. In the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30, the central partition wall 37 is located in the center of the multiple first partition walls 35 and the multiple second partition walls 36.

[0022] <Connection part 30A> As shown in Figure 3, the connection portion 30A is the part of the heat exchange plate 30 that supplies a heat transfer medium to the first flow path FP1 and discharges the heat transfer medium from the second flow path FP2. The connection portion 30A has a first through hole 41 and a second through hole 42 that penetrate through the connection portion 30A in the thickness direction. The first through hole 41 and the second through hole 42 are spaced apart in the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30. When viewed from the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30, the first through hole 41 and the second through hole 42 have an oval shape.

[0023] The first through-hole 41 and the second through-hole 42 penetrate the upper wall 31, the lower wall 32, and the multiple partition walls 35 and 36. Specifically, the first through-hole 41 removes a portion of the multiple first partition walls 35, so all first flow paths FP1 are connected to the first through-hole 41. On the other hand, the second through-hole 42 removes a portion of the multiple second partition walls 36, so all second flow paths FP2 are connected to the second through-hole 42. However, the first through-hole 41 and the second through-hole 42 are provided to avoid the central partition wall 37. For this reason, at the connection section 30A, the first flow paths FP1 and the second flow paths FP2 that are adjacent in the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30 are not connected.

[0024] In the following description, the opening formed by the first through-hole 41 penetrating the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 will be referred to as the "first opening 43," and the opening formed by the second through-hole 42 penetrating the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 will be referred to as the "second opening 44." The first opening 43 and the second opening 44 open in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30. The first opening 43 and the second opening 44 are spaced apart in the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30. The first opening 43 is connected to the upstream end of a plurality of first flow paths FP1, which are the upstream ends of a plurality of flow paths FP. The second opening 44 is connected to the downstream end of a plurality of second flow paths FP2, which are the downstream ends of a plurality of flow paths FP.

[0025] The first opening 43 and the second opening 44 include two arc-shaped sections 45 and 46 and two straight sections 47 and 48. One arc-shaped section 45 connects one end of the two straight sections 47 and 48, and the other arc-shaped section 46 connects the other ends of the two straight sections 47 and 48.

[0026] <Heat exchange section 30B> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heat exchange section 30B is the part that heats or cools the heat exchange target 100 while in contact with it. The heat exchange section 30B is located in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate 30 between the connection section 30A and the reversal section 30D. Since the heat exchange target 100 in the first embodiment consists of multiple cylindrical cells, the portion of the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34 and multiple partition walls 35-37 that constitutes the heat exchange section 30B is curved in a bellows-like manner. In other words, the portion of the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34 and multiple partition walls 35-37 that constitutes the heat exchange section 30B is curved in a corrugated shape.

[0027] <Occluded part 30C> As shown in Figure 2, the sealed portion 30C constitutes the first end of the heat exchange plate 30. The sealed portion 30C is the part that is sealed to prevent the heat transfer medium from leaking from the first end of the heat exchange plate 30.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33 and 34, and multiple partition walls 35 to 37 that constitute the closed section 30C are compressed in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30. Therefore, the upper wall 31 and lower wall 32 that constitute the closed section 30C are in close contact with the heat exchange plate 30 in the thickness direction. On the other hand, the two side walls 33 and 34 and the multiple partition walls 35 to 37 are bent between the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32. As shown in Figure 5, it is preferable that the multiple partition walls 35 to 37 are bent such that both ends connected to the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 are offset from the central part. Furthermore, it is preferable that the bending direction of the multiple partition walls 35 to 37 is the same direction. However, the bending manner of the multiple partition walls 35 to 37 can take various forms depending on the conditions when the closed section 30C is generated by the second pressing process S40 described later.

[0029] Multiple gaps GP exist between the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34, and multiple partition walls 35-37 that constitute the closed section 30C. The multiple gaps GP are multiple flow channels FP whose shape has been changed by compression. The multiple gaps GP are filled with brazed sections 39 made of brazing material BR. In this respect, the portions of the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34, and multiple partition walls 35-37 that constitute the closed section 30C that face the multiple gaps GP are joined to each other by the brazed sections 39. For example, the brazing material BR is aluminum brazing material containing aluminum. The melting point of the brazing material BR is lower than the melting point of the materials of the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34, and multiple partition walls 35-37 that constitute the majority of the heat exchange plate 30. The multiple gaps GP are each connected to multiple flow channels FP. It is desirable that the brazed sections 39 fill the multiple gaps GP but not be located inside the multiple flow channels FP.

[0030] <Reversal section 30D> As shown in Figure 2, the reversal section 30D constitutes the second end of the heat exchange plate 30. The reversal section 30D is a part that connects the downstream end of the multiple first flow channels FP1 and the upstream end of the multiple second flow channels FP2.

[0031] <Method for manufacturing heat exchange plate 30> The manufacturing method of the heat exchange plate 30 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9. Figures 7 to 9 are cross-sectional views showing how the state of the closed portion 30C of the heat exchange plate 30 changes as the process progresses.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, the method for manufacturing the heat exchange plate 30 comprises an extrusion step S10, a cutting step S20, a first pressing step S30, a second pressing step S40, and a penetration step S50. The main entity manufacturing the heat exchange plate 30 may be a person or an industrial machine.

[0033] The extrusion process S10 is a process in which a metal material is extruded to form an extruded material 80 that is long and has a uniform cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction. As a result of the extrusion process S10, an upper wall 31, a lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34, and multiple partition walls 35-37 are formed in the extruded material 80. In other words, multiple flow channels FP are formed in the extruded material 80.

[0034] The cutting process S20 is a subsequent process to the extrusion process S10. The cutting process S20 is a process of cutting the extruded material 80 to a predetermined length. One end of the extruded material 80 in the longitudinal direction becomes the first end of the heat exchange plate 30, and the other end of the extruded material 80 in the longitudinal direction becomes the second end of the heat exchange plate 30. In this respect, one end of the extruded material 80 in the longitudinal direction is called the first end, and the other end of the extruded material 80 in the longitudinal direction is called the second end.

[0035] As shown in Figure 7, the first end face EF1 of the first end of the extruded material 80 in the longitudinal direction is cut so as not to be perpendicular to the extrusion direction. In other words, the first end face EF1 of the extruded material 80 is inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the extruded material 80. Although not shown in the figure, the second end face EF2 of the second end of the extruded material 80 is cut so as to be perpendicular to the extrusion direction. As a result, in the longitudinal direction of the extruded material 80, the length of the upper wall 31 is longer than the length of the lower wall 32. In other words, the end face of the upper wall 31 that constitutes the first end of the extruded material 80 is offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the end face of the lower wall 32 that constitutes the first end of the extruded material 80. As a result, when the first end of the extruded material 80 in the longitudinal direction is viewed from the thickness direction of the extruded material 80, the lower wall 32 and the multiple partition walls 35-37 are partially exposed.

[0036] The first pressing process S30 is a subsequent process to the cutting process S20. The first pressing process S30 is a process in which the extruded material 80 is pressed to form a connecting portion 30A and a heat exchange portion 30B in the extruded material 80. In other words, the first pressing process S30 is a process in which a first through hole 41 and a second through hole 42 are formed in the portion of the extruded material 80 that will become the connecting portion 30A, and a process in which the portion of the extruded material 80 that will become the heat exchange portion 30B is curved into a corrugated shape.

[0037] The second pressing process S40 is a subsequent process to the cutting process S20. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second pressing process S40 is a process in which a compression section 81 is generated at the first end of the extruded material 80 by pressing the first end in the thickness direction of the extruded material 80. The portions of the upper wall 31 and lower wall 32 that constitute the compression section 81 move closer to each other in the thickness direction of the extruded material 80 as a result of the second pressing process S40. In addition, the two side walls 33, 34 and the multiple partition walls 35-37 that connect the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 are bent in the same direction as shown in Figure 5. Therefore, as a result of the second pressing process S40, multiple flow channels FP become multiple gaps GP. Note that while the shape of the multiple flow channels FP is constant, the shape of the multiple gaps GP is not necessarily constant. Also, the inclination of the first end face EF1 of the extruded material 80 with respect to the extrusion direction becomes gentler as a result of the pressing process.

[0038] The penetration process S50 is a process of impregnating the brazing material BR into multiple gaps GP in the compression section 81 of the extruded material 80. The penetration process S50 includes the coating process S51 and the heating process S52. The penetration process S50 is a post-process of the second pressing process S40.

[0039] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 8, the coating step S51 is a step of applying a paste-like brazing agent BR to the first end face EF1 of the extruded material 80. The coating step S51 is performed with the upper wall 31 positioned vertically above the lower wall 32. In this case, it is preferable that the thickness direction of the extruded material 80 is vertical. Therefore, the first end face EF1 of the extruded material 80 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. As a result, the coating step S51 makes it easier to apply the paste-like brazing agent BR to the first end face EF1 of the extruded material 80. In addition, the paste-like brazing agent BR applied to the first end face EF1 of the extruded material 80 is less likely to flow vertically downward. In the coating step S51, when the paste-like brazing agent BR is applied to the first end face EF1 of the extruded material 80, it may be slightly pushed into the interior of the multiple gaps GP.

[0040] The heating step S52 is a subsequent step after the coating step S51. The heating step S52 is a step in which the paste-like brazing material BR applied to the extruded material 80 is heated and liquefied. In the heating step S52, the extruded material 80 may be heated in a heating furnace, or it may be heated in the atmosphere with a burner or the like. In the heating step S52, the paste-like brazing material BR applied to the first end face EF1 of the extruded material 80 liquefies. The liquefied brazing material BR penetrates into the multiple gaps GP of the extruded material 80 by capillary action. After the heating step S52 is completed, the molten brazing material BR solidifies to form a brazed joint 39. Thus, as shown in Figures 5 and 9, the multiple gaps GP of the extruded material 80 are filled by the brazed joint 39. In other words, the parts of the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, the two side walls 33, 34 and the multiple partition walls 35-37 that demarcate the gaps GP are joined together by the brazed joint 39. Furthermore, as the penetration process S50 is performed, the compression section 81 becomes the closed section 30C.

[0041] As shown in Figure 9, the first end face EF1 is the end face of the closed portion 30C. When viewed from the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30, the first end face EF1 is inclined with respect to the thickness direction. As a result, the length of the upper wall 31 constituting the closed portion 30C is longer than the length of the lower wall 32 constituting the closed portion 30C. In other embodiments, the length of the upper wall 31 constituting the closed portion 30C may be shorter than the length of the lower wall 32 constituting the closed portion 30C. In this embodiment, since the second pressing process S40 is performed, the inclination of the first end face EF1 of the heat exchange plate 30 is different from the inclination of the first end face EF1 of the extruded material 80.

[0042] Although the impregnation process S50 is a subsequent process to the second pressing process S40, the first pressing process S30 may be a preceding or succeeding process to both the second pressing process S40 and the impregnation process S50. Furthermore, the first pressing process S30 and the second pressing process S40 may be performed simultaneously. Once the first pressing process S30 and the impregnation process S50 are completed, the manufacturing of the heat exchange plate 30 is complete.

[0043] <Connecting pipe 50> As shown in Figures 2, 10, and 11, the plurality of connecting pipes 50 include a supply pipe 51, a discharge pipe 52, a first branch pipe 53, and a second branch pipe 54. The supply pipe 51 is cylindrical. The supply pipe 51 has a small diameter section 50a with a small outer diameter, a large diameter section 50b with a large outer diameter, and an intermediate section 50c connecting the small diameter section 50a and the large diameter section 50b. The inner and outer diameters of the intermediate section 50c gradually increase in the axial direction of the supply pipe 51 from the small diameter section 50a to the large diameter section 50b. The supply pipe 51 is formed, for example, by drawing a metal pipe. In the first embodiment, the discharge pipe 52, the first branch pipe 53, and the second branch pipe 54 have the same shape as the supply pipe 51. In other words, the discharge pipe 52, the first branch pipe 53, and the second branch pipe 54 each have a small diameter section 50a, a large diameter section 50b, and an intermediate section 50c.

[0044] <Adapter 60> As shown in Figure 2, one adapter 60 is configured to connect the supply pipe 51 and the discharge pipe 52 to the heat exchange plate 30, and the other adapter 60 is configured to connect the first branch pipe 53 and the second branch pipe 54 to the heat exchange plate 30. In the following description, when distinguishing between the two adapters 60, one adapter 60 will be referred to as the "first adapter 60," and the other adapter 60 will be referred to as the "second adapter 60."

[0045] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the adapter 60 includes a base panel 61, a first cylindrical portion 62, a second cylindrical portion 63, and a plurality of locking portions 64. The base panel 61 is rectangular in shape. The first cylindrical portion 62 and the second cylindrical portion 63 are cylindrical in shape. The first cylindrical portion 62 and the second cylindrical portion 63 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the base panel 61. The axial direction of the first cylindrical portion 62 and the axial direction of the second cylindrical portion 63 coincide with the thickness direction of the base panel 61. The adapter 60 is formed, for example, by burring a metal plate. For this reason, there are holes in the portion of the base panel 61 where the first cylindrical portion 62 and the second cylindrical portion 63 are provided. In other words, the base panel 61 has a portion that extends radially outward from the base end of the first cylindrical portion 62 and a portion that extends radially outward from the base end of the second cylindrical portion 63.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the total number of locking portions 64 is "4". The four locking portions 64 are provided on the surface of the base panel 61 opposite to the surface on which the first cylindrical portion 62 and the second cylindrical portion 63 are provided. The four locking portions 64 are projections that protrude from the base panel 61. The direction of projection of the four locking portions 64 with respect to the base panel 61 is the opposite direction to the direction of projection of the first cylindrical portion 62 and the second cylindrical portion 63 with respect to the base panel 61. The four locking portions 64 have two first locking portions 64a and two second locking portions 64b. The two first locking portions 64a and the two second locking portions 64b are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the base panel 61. The two first locking portions 64a are spaced apart in the short direction of the base panel 61. Similarly, the two second locking portions 64b are positioned spaced apart in the short-side direction of the base panel 61.

[0047] <Cap 70> As shown in Figure 2, the cap 70 is configured to seal the inverted portion 30D of the heat exchange plate 30. The cap 70 may be composed of a single component or of two or more components. The cap 70 is configured so that the second end of the heat exchange plate 30 can be inserted into it.

[0048] <Engagement relationships of components of the heat exchanger 20> The engagement relationships of the components of the heat exchanger 20 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and 12-14. For ease of explanation, some components are omitted from Figures 12 and 13.

[0049] As shown in Figures 2 and 12, the supply pipe 51 and the discharge pipe 52 are connected to the first adapter 60, and the first branch pipe 53 and the second branch pipe 54 are connected to the second adapter 60. More specifically, as shown in Figure 12, the small-diameter portion 50a of the supply pipe 51 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 62 of the first adapter 60, and the first cylindrical portion 62 and the small-diameter portion 50a of the supply pipe 51 are joined together. Also, the small-diameter portion 50a of the discharge pipe 52 is inserted into the second cylindrical portion 63 of the first adapter 60, and the second cylindrical portion 63 and the small-diameter portion 50a of the discharge pipe 52 are joined together. In this way, the first cylindrical portion 62 of the first adapter 60 holds the supply pipe 51, and the second cylindrical portion 63 of the first adapter 60 holds the discharge pipe 52.

[0050] Similarly, with the small-diameter portion 50a of the first branch pipe 53 inserted into the first cylindrical portion 62 of the second adapter 60, the first cylindrical portion 62 and the small-diameter portion 50a of the first branch pipe 53 are joined together. Also, with the small-diameter portion 50a of the second branch pipe 54 inserted into the second cylindrical portion 63 of the second adapter 60, the second cylindrical portion 63 and the small-diameter portion 50a of the second branch pipe 54 are joined together. In this way, the first cylindrical portion 62 of the second adapter 60 holds the first branch pipe 53, and the second cylindrical portion 63 of the second adapter 60 holds the second branch pipe 54.

[0051] As shown in Figures 2, 12, and 13, a first adapter 60 is joined to the upper wall 31 that constitutes the connection portion 30A of the heat exchange plate 30, and a second adapter 60 is joined to the lower wall 32 that constitutes the connection portion 30A.

[0052] More specifically, as shown in Figure 13, the first adapter 60, to which the supply pipe 51 and the discharge pipe 52 are joined, is joined to the upper wall 31 so as to cover the first opening 43 and the second opening 44 of the upper wall 31. At this time, the first adapter 60 connects the supply pipe 51 to the first through-hole 41 and the discharge pipe 52 to the second through-hole 42. In this way, the supply pipe 51 and the first cylindrical portion 62 of the first adapter 60 are able to supply the heat transfer medium to the flow path FP via the first opening 43 of the heat exchange plate 30. Furthermore, the discharge pipe 52 and the second cylindrical portion 63 of the first adapter 60 are able to discharge the heat transfer medium from the flow path FP via the second opening 44 of the heat exchange plate 30.

[0053] The second adapter 60, to which the first branch pipe 53 and the second branch pipe 54 are joined, is joined to the lower wall 32 so as to cover the first opening 43 and the second opening 44 of the lower wall 32. At this time, the second adapter 60 connects the first branch pipe 53 to the first through hole 41 and the second branch pipe 54 to the second through hole 42. Furthermore, when the two adapters 60 are joined to the heat exchange plate 30, the axis of the supply pipe 51 coincides with the axis of the first branch pipe 53, and the axis of the discharge pipe 52 coincides with the axis of the second branch pipe 54.

[0054] Since the connection method of the first adapter 60 to the upper wall 31 is the same as the connection method of the second adapter 60 to the lower wall 32, the following description will focus only on the connection method of the first adapter 60 to the upper wall 31.

[0055] Multiple locking portions 64 of the first adapter 60 engage with the first opening 43 of the first through hole 41 and the second opening 44 of the second through hole 42. Specifically, two first locking portions 64a of the first adapter 60 engage with the arc portion 45 of the first opening 43 of the upper wall 31. Also, two second locking portions 64b of the first adapter 60 engage with the arc portion 45 of the second opening 44 of the upper wall 31. As a result, the movement of the first adapter 60 in the direction perpendicular to the third direction D3 relative to the heat exchange plate 30 is restricted. In other words, the first adapter 60 is positioned relative to the heat exchange plate 30 in the direction perpendicular to the third direction D3.

[0056] The base panel 61 of the first adapter 60 is joined to the upper wall 31 of the heat exchange plate 30 in a surface contact state. In other words, the contact area between the base panel 61 of the first adapter 60 and the upper wall 31 of the heat exchange plate 30, or in other words, the joining area between the base panel 61 of the first adapter 60 and the upper wall 31 of the heat exchange plate 30, is relatively large. Furthermore, by joining the first adapter 60 to the heat exchange plate 30, leakage of the heat transfer medium from between the base panel 61 of the first adapter 60 and the upper wall 31 of the heat exchange plate 30 is suppressed.

[0057] As shown in Figure 14, the reversal portion 30D of the heat exchange plate 30 is joined to the cap 70 while inserted into it. Multiple first flow channels FP1 of the heat exchange plate 30 are connected to multiple second flow channels FP2 of the heat exchange plate 30 via the internal space SP of the cap 70. In this way, as shown by the thick arrows in Figure 14, the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium can be reversed at the second end of the heat exchange plate 30.

[0058] In the first embodiment, the components of the heat exchanger 20 are joined by brazing. In other embodiments, the components of the heat exchanger 20 may be joined by other methods such as welding and bonding, as long as leakage of the heat transfer medium between the components of the heat exchanger 20 can be prevented. The components of the heat exchanger 20 may also be formed by processing clad plates, which are aluminum plates coated with brazing material. This reduces the number of work steps required for brazing.

[0059] <Piping 90> As shown in Figure 1, multiple pipes 90 connect two adjacent heat exchangers 20. The pipes 90 have multiple first pipes 91 and multiple second pipes 92. The number of first pipes 91 and the number of second pipes 92 vary depending on the total number of heat exchangers 20 that make up the heat exchange system 10. The first pipes 91 connect the supply pipe 51 of one of the two adjacent heat exchangers 20 to the first branch pipe 53 of the other. On the other hand, the second pipes 92 connect the discharge pipe 52 of one of the two adjacent heat exchangers 20 to the second branch pipe 54 of the other. The pipes 90 may be hoses with moderate elasticity or rigid pipes.

[0060] <Operation of the First Embodiment> As shown by the thick arrows in Figure 1, the heat exchange system 10 circulates a heat transfer medium between multiple heat exchangers 20 when adjusting the temperature of the heat exchange target 100. The first pipe 91 corresponds to the forward path of the heat transfer medium circulating in the heat exchange system 10, and the second pipe 92 corresponds to the return path of the heat transfer medium circulating in the heat exchange system 10. In other words, the amount of heat transfer medium flowing into the first flow path FP1 of the heat exchanger 20 is the amount of heat transfer medium supplied to the supply pipe 51 of the heat exchanger 20 minus the amount of heat transfer medium discharged from the first branch pipe 53 of the heat exchanger 20. On the other hand, the amount of heat transfer medium flowing out from the second flow path FP2 of the heat exchanger 20 is the amount of heat transfer medium discharged from the discharge pipe 52 of the heat exchanger 20 minus the amount of heat transfer medium supplied to the second branch pipe 54 of the heat exchanger 20.

[0061] Furthermore, when the heat exchange system 10 is cooling the heat exchange target 100, it adjusts the temperature of the circulating heat transfer medium to a temperature lower than the temperature of the heat exchange target 100. On the other hand, when the heat exchange system 10 is heating the heat exchange target 100, it adjusts the temperature of the heat transfer medium circulating in the heat exchange system 10 to a temperature higher than the temperature of the heat exchange target 100.

[0062] A heat transfer medium is supplied to the heat exchanger 20 from a first pipe 91 connected to a supply pipe 51. The heat transfer medium circulating in the heat exchanger 20 flows sequentially through the first flow path FP1, the internal space SP of the cap 70, and the second flow path FP2. In other words, the heat transfer medium flows through the heat exchange section 30B of the heat exchanger 20. In this way, the heat transfer medium cools or heats the heat exchange target 100. The heat transfer medium that reaches the downstream end of the second flow path FP2 is discharged from a second pipe 92 connected to a discharge pipe 52.

[0063] <Effects of the First Embodiment> (1) The closed portion 30C of the heat exchange plate 30 is compressed in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30. Furthermore, in the closed portion 30C of the heat exchange plate 30, the gaps GP between the upper wall 31, the lower wall 32, the two side walls 33, 34 and the multiple partition walls 35-37 are filled by the brazed portion 39. In this way, the closed portion 30C of the heat exchange plate 30 closes the first ends of the multiple flow channels FP. In other words, it is possible to close the first ends of the multiple flow channels FP at the first end of the heat exchange plate 30 without removing the multiple partition walls 35-37 or making the spacing between the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 constant. In this respect, the heat exchange plate 30 can reduce the effort required for manufacturing.

[0064] (2) As shown in Figure 8, the heat exchange plate 30 has an end face of the upper wall 31 that is offset longitudinally from the end face of the lower wall 32 at the end where the closure portion 30C is located, making it easy to apply paste-like brazing material BR to the end where the closure portion 30C is located. For this reason, when a manufacturing process is adopted in which paste-like brazing material BR is applied to one end of the heat exchange plate 30 and then the paste-like brazing material BR is heated, it becomes easier to manufacture the heat exchange plate 30.

[0065] (3) By making the first end face EF1 constituting the closed portion 30C of the heat exchange plate 30 an inclined surface, the length of the upper wall 31 constituting the closed portion 30C can be made longer than the length of the lower wall 32. In other words, by making the first end face EF1 constituting the closed portion 30C of the heat exchange plate 30 an inclined surface, a configuration in which the end face of the upper wall 31 is offset longitudinally from the end face of the lower wall 32 at the end where the closed portion 30C is located can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0066] (4) In the closed portion 30C of the heat exchange plate 30, the bending directions of the multiple partition walls 35 to 37 are the same. Therefore, the shape of the gap GP between the upper wall 31, the lower wall 32, and the multiple partition walls 35 to 37 that constitute the closed portion 30C of the heat exchange plate 30 is easily aligned. Thus, unevenness in brazing is less likely to occur when creating the brazed portion 39.

[0067] (Second Embodiment) The following describes a second embodiment of the heat exchanger 20. Compared to the heat exchanger 20 according to the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 20X according to the second embodiment has a different flow pattern of the heat transfer medium in the heat exchanger 20X. For this reason, the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and components common to both the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0068] <Configuration of the second embodiment> As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the heat exchanger 20X comprises a heat exchange plate 30X, a plurality of connecting pipes 50, two first adapters 60X1, and two second adapters 60X2. Here, the first adapter 60X1 in the second embodiment connects the supply pipe 51 to the heat exchange plate 30X or the first branch pipe 53 to the heat exchange plate 30X. Similarly, the second adapter 60X2 in the second embodiment connects the discharge pipe 52 to the heat exchange plate 30X or the second branch pipe 54 to the heat exchange plate 30X. In this respect, the meaning of "first and second" in "first adapter and second adapter" differs somewhat from that in the first embodiment.

[0069] The heat exchange plate 30X has multiple flow paths FP. The heat exchange plate 30X also has an upper wall 31 and a lower wall 32, two side walls 33 and 34, multiple partition walls 38, and a brazed portion 39. Furthermore, the heat exchange plate 30X is composed of a heat exchange section 30B, a first connection section 30E and a second connection section 30F, a first closure section 30G and a second closure section 30H, formed by the upper wall 31, the lower wall 32, the two side walls 33 and 34, and the multiple partition walls 38.

[0070] Multiple flow channels FP are arranged in the width direction of the heat exchange plate 30X. The upstream ends of the multiple flow channels FP are located at the first end of the heat exchange plate 30X, and the downstream ends of the multiple flow channels FP are located at the second end of the heat exchange plate 30X.

[0071] The first connection portion 30E and the second connection portion 30F are located on both sides of the heat exchange portion 30B in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate 30X, respectively. The first connection portion 30E and the second connection portion 30F correspond to the connection portion 30A in the first embodiment. The first connection portion 30E has a first through hole 41X. The first through hole 41X penetrates the upper wall 31, the lower wall 32, and the multiple partition walls 38 in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30X. Specifically, the first through hole 41X removes a portion of the multiple partition walls 38, so all flow paths FP are connected to the first through hole 41X. Similarly, the second connection portion 30F has a second through hole 42X. The second through hole 42X penetrates the upper wall 31, the lower wall 32, and the multiple partition walls 38 in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30X. More specifically, the second through-hole 42X removes a portion of the multiple partition walls 38, thereby connecting all the flow paths FP to the second through-hole 42X. The first through-hole 41X and the second through-hole 42X have an oval shape when viewed from the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30X.

[0072] In the following description, the opening formed by the first through-hole 41X penetrating the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 will be referred to as the "first opening 43X," and the opening formed by the second through-hole 42X penetrating the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 will be referred to as the "second opening 44X." The first opening 43X is connected to the upstream end of the multiple flow channels FP. The second opening 44X is connected to the downstream end of the multiple flow channels FP. The first opening 43X and the second opening 44X include two arc-shaped sections 45 and 46 and two straight sections 47 and 48. The lengths of the straight sections 47 and 48 in the second embodiment are longer than the lengths of the straight sections 47 and 48 in the first embodiment.

[0073] The first closure section 30G and the second closure section 30H correspond to the closure section 30C in the first embodiment. The first closure section 30G seals multiple flow channels FP at the first end of the heat exchange plate 30X. That is, the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34 and multiple partition walls 38 that constitute the first closure section 30G are compressed in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30X. Although not shown in the figure, multiple gaps GP that exist between the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34 and multiple partition walls 38 that constitute the first closure section 30G are filled by brazed sections 39. Similarly, the second closure section 30H seals multiple flow channels FP at the second end of the heat exchange plate 30X. That is, the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34 and multiple partition walls 38 that constitute the second closure section 30H are compressed in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30X. Although not shown in the diagram, the gaps GP between the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34 and multiple partition walls 38 that constitute the second closed section 30H are filled by brazed joints 39.

[0074] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, in the second embodiment, both ends of the heat exchange plate 30X in the longitudinal direction are a first closure portion 30G and a second closure portion 30H, respectively. Therefore, the manufacturing method of the heat exchange plate 30X in the second embodiment comprises a second pressing step S40 and a penetration step S50 for generating the first closure portion 30G, and a second pressing step S40 and a penetration step S50 for generating the second closure portion 30H.

[0075] The first adapter 60X1 includes a base panel 61, a first cylindrical portion 62, and a plurality of first locking portions 64a. The first cylindrical portion 62 extends from the central part of the base panel 61. The axial direction of the first cylindrical portion 62 coincides with the thickness direction of the base panel 61. In the second embodiment, the total number of first locking portions 64a is "4". The four first locking portions 64a are provided on the side of the base panel 61 opposite to the side on which the first cylindrical portion 62 is provided. The four first locking portions 64a are provided in pairs at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base panel 61. Also, at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base panel 61, two first locking portions 64a are positioned spaced apart in the short direction of the base panel 61. The base panel 61 has a portion that extends radially from the base end of the first cylindrical portion 62.

[0076] The second adapter 60X2 includes a base panel 61, a second cylindrical portion 63, and a plurality of second locking portions 64b. The second cylindrical portion 63 extends from the central part of the base panel 61. The axial direction of the second cylindrical portion 63 coincides with the thickness direction of the base panel 61. In the second embodiment, the total number of second locking portions 64b is "4". The four second locking portions 64b are provided on the side of the base panel 61 opposite to the side on which the second cylindrical portion 63 is provided. The four second locking portions 64b are provided in pairs at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base panel 61. Also, at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base panel 61, two second locking portions 64b are positioned spaced apart in the short direction of the base panel 61. The base panel 61 has a portion that extends radially from the base end of the second cylindrical portion 63.

[0077] <Engagement relationships of components of heat exchanger 20X> At the first end of the heat exchanger 20X in the longitudinal direction, the supply pipe 51 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 62 of the first adapter 60X1, and the first cylindrical portion 62 and the supply pipe 51 are joined together. The first adapter 60X1 is also joined to the upper wall 31 of the heat exchange plate 30X so as to cover the first opening 43X of the upper wall 31 of the heat exchange plate 30X. In this way, the supply pipe 51 and the first cylindrical portion 62 of the first adapter 60X1 are able to supply a heat transfer medium to the flow path FP through the first opening 43X of the heat exchange plate 30X.

[0078] Furthermore, multiple first locking portions 64a of the first adapter 60X1 are locked into the first opening 43X of the first through hole 41X. Specifically, two first locking portions 64a of the first adapter 60X1 are locked into the arc portion 45 of the first opening 43X, and two first locking portions 64a of the first adapter 60X1 are locked into the arc portion 46 of the first opening 43X. In this way, the first adapter 60X1 is positioned relative to the heat exchange plate 30X. In addition, the base panel 61 of the first adapter 60X1 is joined to the upper wall 31 of the heat exchange plate 30X in surface contact.

[0079] Although I will omit the explanation, the same applies to the connection between the first adapter 60X1 to which the first branch pipe 53 is joined and the lower wall 32 of the heat exchange plate 30X. At the second end of the heat exchanger 20X in the longitudinal direction, the discharge pipe 52 is inserted into the second cylindrical portion 63 of the second adapter 60X2, and the second cylindrical portion 63 and the discharge pipe 52 are joined together. The second adapter 60X2 is also joined to the upper wall 31 of the heat exchange plate 30X so as to cover the second opening 44X of the upper wall 31 of the heat exchange plate 30X. In this way, the discharge pipe 52 and the second cylindrical portion 63 of the second adapter 60X2 are able to discharge the heat transfer medium from the flow path FP through the second opening 44X of the heat exchange plate 30X.

[0080] Furthermore, multiple second locking portions 64b of the second adapter 60X2 are locked into the second opening 44X of the second through hole 42X. Specifically, two second locking portions 64b of the second adapter 60X2 are locked into the arc portion 45 of the second opening 44X, and two second locking portions 64b of the second adapter 60X2 are locked into the arc portion 46 of the second opening 44X. In this way, the second adapter 60X2 is positioned relative to the heat exchange plate 30X. In addition, the base panel 61 of the second adapter 60X2 is joined to the upper wall 31 of the heat exchange plate 30X in surface contact.

[0081] Although I will omit the explanation, the same applies to the connection between the second adapter 60X2 to which the second branch pipe 54 is joined and the lower wall 32 of the heat exchange plate 30X. <Operation of the second embodiment> In the second embodiment, when adjusting the temperature of the heat exchange target 100, the heat transfer medium is circulated within the heat exchanger 20X, similar to the first embodiment. That is, the heat transfer medium is supplied to the heat exchanger 20X from the first pipe 91 connected to the supply pipe 51. The heat transfer medium circulating in the heat exchanger 20X flows through multiple flow paths FP of the heat exchange plate 30X from the first end to the second end. In other words, the heat transfer medium flows through the heat exchange section 30B of the heat exchanger 20X. In this way, the heat transfer medium cools or heats the heat exchange target 100. The heat transfer medium that reaches the downstream end of the flow path FP is discharged from the second pipe 92 connected to the discharge pipe 52.

[0082] <Effects of the second embodiment> The second embodiment provides the same effects as the effects (1) to (4) of the first embodiment, plus the following effects.

[0083] (5) The upstream end of the flow path FP is located at the first end in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate 30X, and the downstream end of the flow path FP is located at the second end in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate 30X. Therefore, in the heat exchange plate 30X, the heat transfer medium flows from the first end to the second end of the heat exchange plate 30X. In other words, the configuration of the heat exchanger 20X is simplified because the configuration of the flow path FP through which the heat transfer medium flows is simplified. To put it another way, the configuration of the heat exchanger 20X is simplified because the heat exchange plate 30X does not require a cap 70.

[0084] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0085] The shape of the closure portion 30C of the heat exchange plate 30 can be changed as appropriate. For example, as shown in Figure 17, the upper wall 31 constituting the closure portion 30I of the heat exchange plate 30Y according to the first modified example has a plurality of supply holes 83 that penetrate the upper wall 31 in the plate thickness direction. The number of supply holes 83 is the same as the number of flow paths FP. Each of the supply holes 83 is connected to a plurality of gaps GP that are filled by the brazed portion 39.

[0086] When manufacturing the heat exchange plate 30Y according to the first modification example, the compression section 82 is formed in the second pressing step S40. Also in the second pressing step S40, multiple supply holes 83 are formed, each connected to a plurality of gaps GP. Subsequently, in the coating step S51, the brazing material BR is applied so as to cover the plurality of supply holes 83, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 17. After that, in the heating step S52, the liquefied brazing material BR penetrates into the plurality of gaps GP through the plurality of supply holes 83. As a result, it becomes possible to fill the gaps GP between the upper wall 31, lower wall 32, two side walls 33, 34 and the plurality of partition walls 35-37 that constitute the closed section 30I with the brazed section 39. In this way, the compression section 82 becomes the closed section 30I, and the heat exchange plate 30Y according to the first modification example is manufactured.

[0087] As shown in Figure 18, the manufacturing method of the heat exchange plate 30Z according to the second modified example includes a removal step and a placement step instead of the coating step S51. The removal step and the placement step are steps preceding the second pressing step S40. The removal step is a step of removing a plurality of partition walls 35-37 that constitute the first end of the extruded material 80, as shown in Figure 18. After the removal step is performed, a space AR is formed at the first end of the extruded material 80 in which the brazing material BR can be placed. The placement step is a step of placing the rod-shaped brazing material BR into the space AR.

[0088] After the placement process, when the second pressing process S40 is performed, the upper wall 31 and lower wall 32 constituting the first end of the extruded material 80 are compressed in the thickness direction, and the brazing material BR is compressed between the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32. Also, the compressed portion 84 is formed. Therefore, when the heating process S52 is performed after the second pressing process S40, as shown in Figure 19, the space AR between the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 is filled by the brazing portion 39. In this way, the compressed portion 84 becomes the closed portion 30J, and the heat exchange plate 30Z according to the second modified example is manufactured.

[0089] The heat exchange portion 30B of the heat exchange plate 30 is preferably shaped according to the heat exchange target 100. For example, the heat exchange portion 30B of the heat exchange plate 30 may be flat.

[0090] The heat exchanger 20 may be mounted on a vehicle or other mounting object such that the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30 is in the vertical direction. In this case, it is preferable that the heat exchange target 100 is placed on the heat exchange portion 30B of the heat exchange plate 30. In other words, the heat exchanger 20 cools or heats the heat exchange target 100 through its bottom surface.

[0091] In the first embodiment, the first end of the heat exchange plate 30 may be stepped in the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction. Thus, at the first end of the heat exchange plate 30, the end faces of the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 may be offset in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate 30.

[0092] In the first embodiment, the positions of the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 32 at the first end of the heat exchange plate 30 may coincide with the longitudinal direction. That is, the first end face EF1 of the heat exchange plate 30 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate 30. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0093] In the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 20 can also be used on its own. In this case, it is preferable that one of the two first openings 43 is closed, and it is preferable that one of the two second openings 44 is closed. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0094] In the first embodiment, the material of the components of the heat exchanger 20, excluding the heat exchange plate 30, may be a non-metallic material such as resin. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0095] The heat exchange plate 30 of the first embodiment may be configured such that the first flow path FP1 and the second flow path FP2 are aligned in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate 30. The battery, which serves as the heat exchange target 100, may be rectangular or pouch-type.

[0096] <Summary of this embodiment> The heat exchange plate is a long rectangular plate having a plurality of channels through which a heat transfer medium flows, and comprises an upper wall and a lower wall covering the plurality of channels from both sides in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate, and a plurality of partition walls connecting the upper wall and the lower wall in the thickness direction and dividing the plurality of channels, wherein the direction in which the heat transfer medium flows through the plurality of channels is the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate, and at least one end of the heat exchange plate in the longitudinal direction is a closure portion that closes the plurality of channels, and the upper wall, the lower wall and the plurality of partition walls constituting the closure portion are compressed in the thickness direction and further comprise brazed portions that fill the gaps existing between the upper wall, the lower wall and the plurality of partition walls constituting the closure portion.

[0097] The closed portion of the heat exchange plate is compressed in the thickness direction. Furthermore, in the closed portion of the heat exchange plate, the gaps between the upper wall, lower wall, and multiple partition walls are filled by brazing. In this way, the closed portion of the heat exchange plate closes at least one end of multiple flow channels. In other words, it is possible to close the ends of multiple flow channels at the ends of the heat exchange plate without removing partition walls or making the spacing between the upper and lower walls constant. In this respect, the heat exchange plate can reduce the effort required for manufacturing.

[0098] In the longitudinal direction, it is preferable that the length of one of the upper wall and the lower wall constituting the closing portion is longer than the length of the other. The heat exchange plate is designed to facilitate the placement of brazing material, which forms the basis of the brazing joint, on the longer longitudinal section of the upper and lower walls that constitute the closed section. This makes it easier to create a brazed joint that fills the gap in the closed section.

[0099] In a heat exchange plate, it is preferable that the end faces constituting the closed portion of the heat exchange plate in the longitudinal direction are inclined with respect to the thickness direction when viewed from a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction.

[0100] By making the end faces that constitute the closed portion of the heat exchange plate into the sloped surfaces described above, the length of one of the upper and lower walls constituting the closed portion can be made longer than the length of the other. In other words, a configuration in which the length of one of the upper and lower walls constituting the closed portion is longer than the length of the other can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0101] In a heat exchange plate, the plurality of partition walls constituting the closed portion are preferably compressed in the thickness direction so as to bend, and the bending direction of the plurality of partition walls is preferably the same direction.

[0102] In the heat exchange plate described above, the shape of the gaps between the upper wall, lower wall, and multiple partition walls that constitute the closed section is easily uniform. Therefore, unevenness in brazing is less likely to occur when creating the brazed joint.

[0103] A method for manufacturing a heat exchange plate is a method for manufacturing a heat exchange plate as described above, comprising: an extrusion step of forming an extruded material having the upper wall, the lower wall and the plurality of partition walls by extrusion processing; a pressing step of forming a compressed portion at at least one end of the extruded material in the thickness direction by compressing the end of the extruded material in the extrusion direction in the thickness direction; and a penetration step of making the compressed portion a closed portion by penetrating a brazing material into the gap between the upper wall, the lower wall and the plurality of partition walls constituting the compressed portion from the end face of the end of the extruded material in the extrusion direction where the compressed portion is provided.

[0104] The method for manufacturing the heat exchange plate can obtain the same effects and benefits as those of the heat exchange plate described above. In a heat exchange plate, it is preferable that the end face of the upper wall constituting the closure portion is offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the end face of the lower wall constituting the closure portion.

[0105] Because the end face of the upper wall constituting the closure is offset from the end face of the lower wall in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate, it is easy to apply paste-like brazing material to the end where the closure is located. Therefore, when a manufacturing process is adopted in which paste-like brazing material is applied to the end where the closure is located and then heated, the manufacturing of the heat exchange plate becomes easier. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] 10…Heat exchange system, 20,20X…Heat exchanger, 30,30X~30Z…Heat exchange plate, 30B…Heat exchange section, 30C,30G,30H,30I,30J…Closed section, 31…Upper wall, 32…Lower wall, 33,34…Side walls, 35…First partition (partition), 36…Second partition (partition), 37…Central partition (partition), 39…Brazed section, 80…Extruded material, 81,82,84…Compression section, 83…Supply hole, 100…Heat exchange target, BR…Brazing material, EF1…First end face, EF2…Second end face, FP…Flow path, GP…Gap

Claims

1. A heat exchange plate having multiple channels through which a heat transfer medium flows, and having a long rectangular plate shape, The heat exchange plate has upper and lower walls that cover the plurality of flow channels from both sides in the thickness direction, The upper wall and the lower wall are connected in the thickness direction of the plate, and the system comprises a plurality of partition walls that divide the plurality of flow paths, The direction in which the heat transfer medium flows through the plurality of channels is the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange plate. At least one end of the heat exchange plate in the longitudinal direction is a blocking portion that blocks the plurality of flow paths, The upper wall, the lower wall, and the plurality of partition walls constituting the closed section are compressed in the thickness direction of the plate. The aforementioned closed section is further provided with a brazed section that fills the gaps between the upper wall, the lower wall, and the plurality of partition walls that constitute the closed section. Heat exchange plate.

2. In the longitudinal direction, the length of one of the upper wall and the lower wall constituting the closing portion is longer than the length of the other. The heat exchange plate according to claim 1.

3. Of the end faces of the heat exchange plate in the longitudinal direction, the end face constituting the closed portion is inclined with respect to the thickness direction when viewed from a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction. The heat exchange plate according to claim 2.

4. The plurality of partition walls constituting the closed portion are compressed in the thickness direction so as to bend, The bending direction of the aforementioned multiple partitions is the same. A heat exchange plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A method for manufacturing a heat exchange plate according to claim 1, An extrusion process for forming an extruded material having the upper wall, the lower wall and the plurality of partition walls by extrusion processing, A pressing step in which at least one end of the extruded material in the extrusion direction is compressed in the thickness direction to form a compressed portion at at least one end, The method includes a penetration step in which a brazing material is permeated from the end face of the end of the extruded material in the extrusion direction where the compression portion is provided, into the gaps between the upper wall, the lower wall and the plurality of partitions that constitute the compression portion, thereby making the compression portion the closed portion. A method for manufacturing heat exchange plates.

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