heat exchanger

Abstract

In a heat exchanger comprising multiple tubes, a pair of header tanks to which the tubes are connected, a partition section provided within the pair of header tanks, and a heat exchange core section, slit holes were formed in the header tanks and protrusions were formed in the partition section. After fitting and assembling the two, they were fixed by brazing. However, the fillets at the joints between the header tanks and the partition section had poor corrosion resistance, resulting in a shortened service life for the heat exchanger. [Solution] In the heat exchanger having a header tank equipped with a partition that divides the interior, the fitting hole provided in the header tank that fits with the fitting portion of the partition is shaped to bulge vertically upward.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, a heat exchanger used in a vehicle air conditioner or the like is composed of a plurality of tubes through which a heat medium flows, laminated via heat transfer fins, and a header tank connected to the ends of the tubes and extending in the lamination direction. A partition plate for partitioning the inside of the header tank is provided in the header tank. By restricting the flow of the heat medium in the header tank with the partition plate, the heat medium is made to flow uniformly in each tube.

[0003] A protruding portion is formed on the partition plate, and a slit hole into which the protruding portion of the partition plate fits is formed on the upper surface of the header tank.

[0004] With such a configuration, it is possible to confirm whether the brazing of the partition plate is properly performed by visually observing the joint portion between the slit hole and the partition plate, so that poor brazing of the partition plate can be appropriately prevented (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, water droplets associated with condensation or the like tend to accumulate on the protruding portion of the partition plate protruding from the upper surface of the header tank, and the fillet at the joint between the header tank and the partition plate has poor corrosion resistance, resulting in a problem that the service life of the heat exchanger is shortened.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve these problems, the heat exchanger according to the present invention has the following configuration.

[0008] A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of tubes extending vertically through which a heat transfer medium flows, a pair of header tanks provided at both ends of the tubes in the direction of extension into which the tubes are inserted, and a heat exchange core portion composed of the plurality of tubes, wherein the header tanks are provided with partition portions that divide the interior, the partition portions have fitting portions that fit into fitting holes formed in the header tanks, and the fitting holes have a shape that bulges upward in the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, which has these features, by improving the fitting structure between the header tank and the partition, drainage near the fitting is improved, which increases corrosion resistance near the fitting and extends the service life of the heat exchanger. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the external appearance of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the header tank of Example 1, showing the surface to which the tubes are connected as the bottom surface. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the partition in Example 1. [Figure 4] This is a top view of the header tank of Example 1, showing the side opposite to the side to which the tubes are connected. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged perspective view of section C in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view AA in Figure 4. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged view of section D in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a bottom view of the header tank of Example 1, showing the side to which the tubes are connected. [Figure 9]It is a side view of the bottom partition part of Example 2. [Figure 10] It is an enlarged view of part F in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] It is a bottom view of the header tank of Example 2, showing the surface opposite to the surface to which the tube is connected. [Figure 12] It is an enlarged perspective view of part G in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line B - B in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] It is an enlarged view of part H in FIG. 13.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each drawing shows an embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate parts having the same function, and duplicate descriptions in each drawing are omitted as appropriate. Also, in the drawings, the dimensional relationships of each element are for facilitating understanding and do not limit the actual dimensional ratios. In the illustration, the Y direction represents the air flow direction, the Z direction represents the vertically upward direction, and the X direction represents the direction of the thumb in a right - hand system when the index finger is in the Y direction and the middle finger is in the Z direction.

[0012] Also, the term "aluminum" includes aluminum alloys in addition to pure aluminum.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows an example of the schematic configuration of the heat exchanger 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 1 includes a first header tank 11, a second header tank 12, and a heat exchange core part 10 formed between the first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12.

[0014] The heat exchange core part 10 has a plurality of tubes 100, fins (not shown) provided between adjacent tubes 100, and a pair of side plates 101 provided at both ends in the arrangement direction of the plurality of tubes 100. In the heat exchanger 1, heat exchange is performed between the heat medium (including refrigerant) flowing up and down in the Z direction in the figure through the tubes 100 of the heat exchange core part 10 via the first header tank 11 or the second header tank 12, and a fluid (for example, air) passing along the heat exchange core part 10 in the Y direction in the figure.

[0015] The first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12 are cylindrical members extending in the X direction in the figure, and a plurality of tubes 100 are arranged in parallel between the first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12 along this extending direction. Also, the tubes 100 are arranged in two rows along the Y direction (the air passing direction) in the figure between the first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12. Each tube 100 extends along the Z direction in the figure, and one end of each tube 100 is connected to the first header tank 11, and the other end is connected to the second header tank 12.

[0016] Inside the first header tank 11, a plurality of divided regions are formed. Specifically, the inside of the first header tank 11 is divided into two regions: a region corresponding to the tubes 100 arranged in one row among the plurality of tubes 100 arranged in two rows in the Y direction of the heat exchange core part 10, and a region corresponding to the tubes 100 arranged in the other row (see Fig. 2 etc.). At one end in the longitudinal direction of the first header tank 11, an inlet E1 for the heat medium is provided in one of the divided regions, and an outlet (not shown) for the heat medium is provided in the other region. An inflow pipe (not shown) is connected to the inlet E1, and an outflow pipe (not shown) is connected to the outlet (not shown).

[0017] Multiple partitioned regions are also formed inside the second header tank 12. The inside of the second header tank 12 is divided into two regions: one corresponding to the tubes 100 located in one of the two rows of tubes 100 arranged in the Y direction of the heat exchange core 10, and the other corresponding to the tubes 100 located in the other row.

[0018] The upper partition 30 that divides the interior of the first header tank 11 completely closes off two adjacent regions in the Y direction, whereas the lower partition 32 that divides the interior of the second header tank 12 has a communication hole formed therein that allows the heat transfer medium to move between two adjacent regions in the Y direction.

[0019] Generally, brazing sheets, which consist of a core material clad with brazing material, are used in the manufacture of the first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12. For the core material, for example, an aluminum alloy containing Mn is used, and for the brazing material, an aluminum alloy containing Si or Zn is used.

[0020] (Example 1) The header tank 201, which is applied as the first header tank 11 of the heat exchanger 1 described above, will be explained below with reference to Figures 2 to 8, based on Example 1.

[0021] The header tank 201 is one embodiment of the first header tank 11 and is located above the heat exchanger 1 in the Z direction shown in the figure.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the header tank 201 is a cylindrical member with a substantially rectangular cross-section and extending in the direction of X shown in the figure. The header tank 201 is provided with an upper partition 30 that divides the interior into multiple regions. The upper partition 30 is a plate-shaped member provided inside the header tank 201 along the longitudinal direction (direction of X shown in the figure), and at the center of the header tank 201 in the direction of Y shown in the figure, a pair of long sides of the upper partition 30 are provided so as to be joined to the inner walls of the top surface (upper side in the direction of Z shown in the figure) and the bottom surface (lower side in the direction of Z shown in the figure) of the header tank 201, respectively. As a result, the interior of the header tank 201 is divided into two regions, the upper first region 21 and the upper second region 22, along the longitudinal direction (direction of X shown in the figure).

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, a rectangular upper fitting portion 31 is formed on the upper edge of the upper partition portion 30, with a flat top extending in the X direction. The upper fitting portion 31 is formed in, for example, 1 to 5 locations, preferably 2 locations.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the upper surface of the header tank 201 has the same number of upper fitting holes 25 as the upper fitting portion 31 of the upper partition portion 30, at positions corresponding to the upper fitting portion 31 of the upper partition portion 30. As shown in Figure 5, the upper fitting holes 25 have a bulging structure that expands vertically upward. Then, as shown in Figure 6, the upper fitting portion 31 of the upper partition portion 30 fits into the upper fitting holes 25.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, upper grooves 24 are provided on the inner walls of the upper surface (upper side in the Z direction shown) and lower surface (lower side in the Z direction shown) of the header tank 201, so as to be along the long side of the upper partition 30 when the upper partition 30 is joined. The side walls of the upper grooves 24 are tapered, widening towards the inside of the header tank 201.

[0026] After assembling these components, the heat exchanger 1 is manufactured by brazing.

[0027] In this embodiment 1, the header tank 201 has an upper fitting hole 25 that bulges out vertically upward, which improves the drainage of the fitting area between the upper fitting hole 25 and the upper fitting part 31. For example, even if condensation occurs, water droplets are less likely to remain, thus improving corrosion resistance. This makes it possible to extend the service life of the heat exchanger 1.

[0028] Furthermore, when the upper fitting portion 31 is fitted with the upper fitting hole 25, the upper surface of the upper fitting portion 31 is made to be at the same height as the outer surface of the header tank 201, or slightly higher. This makes the upper surface of the upper fitting portion 31 flat or convex, thus preventing the fitting area from becoming concave where water droplets tend to accumulate.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the upper fitting hole 25 cuts through the inner radius of the bulging structure formed on the upper surface of the header tank 201, so the cut surface is longer than the plate thickness. Therefore, the surface of the upper partition 30 that joins with the upper fitting portion 31 is wider than in the case where there is no bulging structure, and the upper brazing reservoir 40 is formed inside the bulging portion of the upper fitting hole 25 of the header tank 201, resulting in stronger brazing. In addition, the length of the vertical section filled with brazing material (the cut surface of the upper fitting hole 25 and the length of the joining surface between the upper brazing reservoir 40 and the upper fitting portion 31) is increased, which makes it possible to prolong the time it takes for corrosion to progress at the brazed joint. In this way, it is possible to extend the service life of the heat exchanger 1.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, two rows of communication holes 23 are formed on the bottom surface of the header tank 201, along the X direction shown in the figure, to which multiple tubes 100 are connected.

[0031] (Example 2) Next, as Example 2, an example of a header tank 202 applied as the second header tank 12 of the heat exchanger 1 according to the present invention will be described.

[0032] The header tank 202 is an embodiment of the second header tank 12 and is located below the heat exchanger 1 in the Z direction shown in the figure.

[0033] Header tank 202 has basically the same structure as header tank 201, except for the partition and the fitting holes for the header tank.

[0034] The header tank 202, like the header tank 201, has a substantially rectangular cross-section and is a cylindrical member extending in the direction of X in the figure. The header tank 202 is provided with a bottom partition 32, shown in Figure 9, which divides the interior into multiple regions. The bottom partition 32 is a plate-shaped member provided along the longitudinal direction (direction of X in the figure) inside the header tank 202, and has multiple bottom communication holes 34 formed therein. Through the multiple bottom communication holes 34, the heat transfer medium flows from the bottom first region 26 to the bottom second region 27, which will be described later.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, a bottom fitting portion 33 is formed on the lower edge of the bottom partition portion 32. The bottom fitting portion 33 is formed in, for example, 1 to 5 locations, but preferably in 2 locations. The bottom fitting portion 33 consists of a recess that engages with the bottom fitting hole 29, which will be described later, and a protrusion formed within the recess that fits into the bottom fitting hole 29. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the top of the protrusion is formed as a flat shape extending in the X direction and is formed at approximately the same height as the lower edge of the bottom partition portion 32. As a result, when the bottom fitting portion 33 and the bottom fitting hole 29 are assembled, the top of the bottom fitting portion 33 is approximately the same height as, or lower than, the outer surface (flat part) of the header tank 202.

[0036] As shown in Figure 11, bottom fitting holes 29 are formed on the lower surface of the header tank 202 at positions corresponding to the bottom fitting portions 33 of the bottom partition 32. The number of bottom fitting holes 29 is the same as the number of bottom fitting portions 33. As shown in Figure 12, the bottom fitting holes 29 have a bulging structure that expands vertically upward from the header tank 202. Then, as shown in Figure 13, the bottom fitting portions 33 of the bottom partition 32 fit into the bottom fitting holes 29.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the bottom partition 32 is provided so that a pair of long sides of the bottom partition 32 are joined to the inner walls of the top surface (upper side in the Z direction) and bottom surface (lower side in the Z direction) of the header tank 202 at the center of the header tank 202 in the Y direction shown. As a result, the inside of the header tank 202 is divided into two regions, the bottom first region 26 and the bottom second region 27, along the longitudinal direction (X direction shown).

[0038] As shown in Figure 13, the inner walls of the upper surface (upper surface in the Z direction shown) and lower surface (lower surface in the Z direction shown) of the header tank 202 are provided with bottom grooves 28 that contact the bottom partition 32 along its long side when the bottom partition 32 is joined. The side walls of the bottom grooves 28 are tapered, widening towards the inside of the header tank 202.

[0039] Furthermore, on the upper surface of the header tank 202, similar to the lower surface of the header tank 201 shown in Figure 8, two rows of communication holes are formed along the X direction, to which multiple tubes 100 are connected.

[0040] After assembling these components, the heat exchanger 1 is manufactured by brazing.

[0041] By forming the bottom fitting hole 29 in a shape that bulges inward into the header tank 202, the drainage of the fitting area between the bottom fitting hole 29 and the bottom fitting portion 33 on the outside of the header tank 202 is improved. Therefore, even if condensation occurs, water droplets are less likely to remain, improving corrosion resistance. This makes it possible to extend the service life of the heat exchanger 1.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, the bottom fitting hole 29 cuts through the inner radius of the bulging structure formed on the bottom surface of the header tank 202, so the cut surface is longer than the plate thickness. Therefore, the surface of the bottom partition 32 that joins with the bottom fitting portion 33 is wider than in the case where there is no bulging structure, and a bottom brazing reservoir 42 is formed on the inside of the bulging portion of the bottom fitting hole 29 of the header tank 202 (i.e., on the outside of the header tank 202), resulting in stronger brazing. In addition, the vertical section filled with brazing material (the length of the cut surface of the bottom fitting hole 29 and the joining surface between the bottom brazing reservoir 42 and the bottom fitting portion 33) is longer, which extends the time before the brazed portion corrodes. In this way, the service life of the heat exchanger 1 can be extended. Therefore, it is preferable that the vertical length of the bottom fitting portion 33 be the length at which the bottom brazing reservoir 42 is formed.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the heat exchanger of the present invention was shown applied to an air conditioning system for a vehicle, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to heat exchangers used in air conditioning systems for the interior of buildings, or in refrigerated display cases and refrigerator display cases.

[0044] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows the application of the present invention to a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and air, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between water or antifreeze and air.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1: Heat exchanger, 10: Heat exchange core section, 11: First header tank, 12: Second header tank, 21: Upper first region, 22: Upper second region, 23: Communication hole, 24: Upper groove, 25: Upper fitting hole, 26: Bottom first region, 27: Bottom second region, 28: Bottom groove, 29: Bottom fitting hole, 30: Upper partition, 31: Upper fitting, 32: Bottom partition, 33: Bottom fitting portion, 34: Bottom communication hole, 40: Upper solder reservoir, 42: Bottom solder reservoir, 100: Tube, 101: Side plate, 201: Header tank, 202: Header tank, E1: Inlet

Claims

1. Multiple tubes extending vertically through which a heat transfer medium flows, A pair of header tanks are provided at both ends of the tube in the extending direction into which the tube is inserted, In a heat exchanger comprising a heat exchange core section composed of the aforementioned plurality of tubes, The header tank is equipped with a partition section that divides the interior, The partition portion has a fitting portion that fits into a fitting hole formed in the header tank, The fitting hole has a shape that bulges upward in the vertical direction. A heat exchanger characterized by the following features.

2. The header tank consists of an upper header tank and a lower header tank. The fitting hole formed in the upper header tank bulges outwards from the inside to the outside of the upper header tank, and the fitting hole formed in the lower header tank bulges outwards from the outside to the inside of the lower header tank. The heat exchanger according to feature 1.

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