Flow channel structure, and method for manufacturing a flow channel structure

Abstract

To provide a flow channel structure that can be manufactured simply and in a short amount of time. [Solution] The flow path structure comprises a first member 41 having a first flow path 42 through which fluid flows, a second member 51 having a second flow path 52 through which fluid flows, and a cylindrical connecting member 61 provided across the first member 41 and the second member 51 to connect the first flow path 42 and the second flow path 52. The connecting member 61 is composed of a cylindrical portion 64 extending along the axial direction, a first flange portion 65 integrally provided on one end of the cylindrical portion 64 and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64, and a second flange portion 66 integrally provided on the other end of the cylindrical portion 64 and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64. The connecting member 61 has brazed portions 81 brazed between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow path structure through which a fluid flows, and a method for manufacturing such a flow path structure.

Background Art

[0002] In vehicles, many fluids such as coolant and refrigerant are used. Such fluids are used in many devices through flow paths provided in the vehicle. In such flow paths, since fluids with relatively high pressure flow through, technologies for appropriately connecting the flow paths and the devices have been studied.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a liquid-cooled cooling device (1). In this liquid-cooled cooling device (1), with one end side of an inlet pipe (6) inserted into a through-hole (29) of an inlet header (3), a first annular convex portion (27) protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the inlet pipe (6) at one end side of the inlet pipe (6) and the inlet header (3) are brazed together. Then, with a first flange plate (21) placed axially outside a second annular convex portion (28) protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the inlet pipe (6) at the other end side of the inlet pipe (6), the first flange plate (21) and the inlet pipe (6) are brazed together. Further, thereafter, a first pipe joint member (22) is provided axially outside the inlet pipe (6) and the first flange plate (21), and the first flange plate (21) and the first pipe joint member (22) are brazed together.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the liquid-cooled cooling device (1) described in Patent Document 1, at least three brazing steps are required when connecting the inlet header (3) and the first pipe joint member (22) with the inlet pipe (6), as described above. Therefore, if there are many points where two members, such as the inlet header (3) and the first pipe joint member (22) in Patent Document 1, are connected by a connecting member such as the inlet pipe (6), the brazing process becomes more complex and time-consuming, leading to increased manufacturing costs.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a flow channel structure that can be manufactured simply and in a short time, and a method for manufacturing such a flow channel structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The characteristic configuration of the flow path structure according to the present invention is that it comprises a first member having a first flow path through which fluid flows, a second member having a second flow path through which the fluid flows, and a cylindrical connecting member provided across the first member and the second member to connect the first flow path and the second flow path, wherein the connecting member is composed of a cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction, a first flange portion integrally provided on one end of the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion, and a second flange portion integrally provided on the other end of the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion, and has brazed portions brazed between the first flange portion and the first member, and between the second flange portion and the second member.

[0008] With this characteristic configuration, the first flow path of the first member and the second flow path of the second member can be connected via a connecting member by brazing the first flange portion and the first member, and the second flange portion and the second member. Therefore, a flow path structure connecting the first member and the second member can be manufactured simply and in a short time.

[0009] Furthermore, a characteristic configuration of the method for manufacturing a flow channel structure according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a flow channel structure comprising: a first member having a first flow channel through which a fluid flows; a second member having a second flow channel through which the fluid flows; and a cylindrical connecting member provided across the first member and the second member to connect the first flow channel and the second flow channel, wherein the connecting member comprises a cylindrical portion extending along the axial direction, a first flange portion integrally provided on one end of the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion, and a second flange portion integrally provided on the other end of the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion, and the method for manufacturing a flow channel structure comprising: a brazing material placement step of placing brazing material between the first flange portion and the first member, and between the second flange portion and the second member; and a brazing step of simultaneously heating and brazing between the first flange portion and the first member, and between the second flange portion and the second member.

[0010] With this characteristic configuration, brazing can be performed to connect the first flow path of the first member and the second flow path of the second member via a connecting member by brazing the first flange portion and the first member, and the second flange portion and the second member. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a flow path structure that connects the first flow path of the first member and the second flow path of the second member in a simple and short time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an air conditioning system to which a flow path structure is applied. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the flow channel structure. [Figure 3] This is a lateral cross-sectional view of the flow channel structure. [Figure 4] This is an expanded perspective view of the flow channel structure. [Figure 5] This figure shows a connecting member according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows a connecting member according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Conventionally, in manifold-type refrigerant circuits, heat exchangers are typically connected using a spigot joint and bolt fastening. An O-ring is also provided to seal the spigot joint and prevent gas leakage. In such a joint system using a spigot joint and O-ring, the possibility of leakage is low, for example, with fluorocarbon refrigerant gases.

[0013] However, due to the impact of P-FAS regulations, primarily in Europe, the conventionally used fluorocarbon refrigerant gases are expected to be restricted. These regulations also apply to refrigerant circuits in vehicles, for example. Therefore, it will be necessary to replace them with natural refrigerant gases that are not subject to the regulations. However, since natural refrigerants are low-molecular-weight gases, conventional O-ring seals may allow the natural refrigerant to permeate the O-ring and leak into the atmosphere. For this reason, an alternative sealing material to the O-ring is required. The use of metal gaskets, etc., could be considered, but this is not practical because it would increase the processing cost of the sealing surface and increase the size due to the need for many bolt fastening points to withstand high-pressure gases.

[0014] Therefore, the flow channel structure according to the present invention is configured to be implemented simply and at low cost without increasing the size. The flow channel structure of this embodiment will be described below. However, the flow channel structure is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 1 shows the circuit configuration of an air conditioning system 1 to which a flow path structure is applied. The air conditioning system 1 comprises a refrigerant module 2 mounted on the vehicle and an air conditioning unit 3 that cools the passenger compartment 5. The system is configured so that a refrigerant flows between the refrigerant module 2 and the air conditioning unit 3. The refrigerant flows through a refrigerant flow path 4, which is included in the refrigerant module 2. Refrigerants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) flow through the refrigerant flow path 4.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerant module 2 includes a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an expansion valve 13, and an evaporator 14, and the refrigerant flow path 4 is configured to allow the refrigerant to flow through the compressor 11, the condenser 12, the expansion valve 13, and the evaporator 14. An accumulator 15 is further provided in the refrigerant flow path 4 of the present embodiment.

[0017] According to the air conditioning unit 3, it is possible to cool the passenger compartment 5 as described above. When cooling the passenger compartment 5 by the air conditioning unit 3, the accumulator 15 stores the liquid refrigerant and separates the gas and liquid of the stored refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant separated by the accumulator 15 flows through the first refrigerant path 21 and is sent to the compressor 11.

[0018] The compressor 11 compresses the refrigerant from the accumulator 15. As a result, the refrigerant becomes a high-temperature compressed gas. The compressor 11 sends the refrigerant that has become this high-temperature compressed gas to the condenser 12 via the second refrigerant path 22. Therefore, the compressor 11 pressure-feeds the refrigerant from the accumulator 15 to the condenser 12.

[0019] The condenser 12 condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 11. The condenser 12 is configured such that a coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant flows through it. The condenser 12 is configured such that the flow path through which the refrigerant flows and the flow path through which the coolant flows are separate from each other. The refrigerant is condensed and liquefied by being deprived of heat by the coolant. The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the third refrigerant path 23. Note that the condenser 12 may be an air-cooled condenser provided near the radiator.

[0020] The refrigerant sent from the condenser 12 to the third refrigerant path 23 is sent to the expansion valve 13. In the expansion valve 13, the refrigerant (liquefied refrigerant) flowing through the third refrigerant path 23 during cooling of the passenger compartment 5 is expanded into a low-temperature and low-pressure mist. The mist-like refrigerant is sent to the fourth refrigerant path 24.

[0021] The evaporator 14 evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve 13 and sends it to the fifth refrigerant passage 25. As described above, the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 13 and in a low-temperature, low-pressure mist state flows through the evaporator 14, and such refrigerant is sent to the evaporator 14. In the evaporator 14, the mist-like refrigerant evaporates by, for example, taking the heat of the outside air. The evaporated and vaporized refrigerant flows through the fifth refrigerant passage 25 to the accumulator 15.

[0022] The air-conditioning unit 3 includes a blower 16 together with the evaporator 14. The blower 16 sucks in the outside air and sends the sucked outside air to the evaporator 14.

[0023] In the evaporator 14, heat exchange is performed between the outside air sent from the blower 16 and the refrigerant supplied via the fourth refrigerant passage 24, and the air after the heat exchange is introduced into the passenger compartment 5. Specifically, the outside air is cooled in the evaporator 14, and cold air is introduced into the passenger compartment 5. Thereby, it becomes possible to cool the inside of the passenger compartment 5.

[0024] Although not shown in the figure, a cabin condenser arranged in the air-conditioning unit 3 and an expansion valve for heating arranged outside the air-conditioning unit 3 are provided in the second refrigerant passage 22. When heating the passenger compartment 5, the refrigerant from the condenser 12 may be made to flow through the accumulator 15 so as to bypass the expansion valve 13 and the evaporator 14. Thereby, the outside air is warmed by the cabin condenser, and it becomes possible to heat the passenger compartment 5.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the flow path structure of this embodiment. Figure 2 shows the flow path structure applied to the compressor 11 and condenser 12. The flow path structure comprises a first member 41, a second member 51, and a connecting member 61. In this embodiment, the first member 41 corresponds to the manifold 31. The first member 41 is made of ADC material (aluminum die-cast material). The second member 51 corresponds to the compressor 11, condenser 12, and accumulator 15 (however, the accumulator 15 is not shown in Figure 2). The second member 51 is made of a wrought material. Of course, the expansion valve 13 and evaporator 14 can also be the second member 51.

[0026] The first member 41 has a first flow path 42 through which a refrigerant (an example of a "fluid") flows. In this embodiment, as described above, the first member 41 corresponds to the manifold 31. Therefore, the first flow path 42 corresponds to the first refrigerant passage 21, the second refrigerant passage 22, the third refrigerant passage 23, the fourth refrigerant passage 24, and the fifth refrigerant passage 25. Thus, the first member 41 has a plurality of first flow paths 42. In Figure 2, the first flow paths 42 are shown as the first refrigerant passage 21, the second refrigerant passage 22, and the third refrigerant passage 23.

[0027] The second member 51 has a second flow path 52 through which refrigerant flows. In this embodiment, as described above, the second member 51 corresponds to the compressor 11, the condenser 12, and the accumulator 15. Therefore, the second flow path 52 in the compressor 11 corresponds to a flow path 11A provided within the compressor 11 through which refrigerant is introduced via the first refrigerant passage 21, and a flow path 11B through which refrigerant is discharged via the second refrigerant passage 22. Specifically, it corresponds to a flow path 11A that connects the compression chamber 11C provided within the compressor 11 with the first refrigerant passage 21, and a flow path 11B provided within the compressor 11 that connects the compression chamber 11C with the second refrigerant passage 22.

[0028] Furthermore, the second flow path 52 in the condenser 12 corresponds to a flow path 12A through which refrigerant is introduced via the second refrigerant passage 22, and a flow path 12B through which refrigerant is discharged via the third refrigerant passage 23, both of which are provided within the condenser 12. Specifically, this corresponds to a flow path 12A that connects the heat exchange chamber 12C provided within the condenser 12 with the second refrigerant passage 22, and a flow path 12B that connects the heat exchange chamber 12C provided within the condenser 12 with the third refrigerant passage 23.

[0029] Furthermore, the second flow path 52 in the accumulator 15 corresponds to a flow path (not shown) provided within the accumulator 15 through which refrigerant is introduced via the fifth refrigerant passage 25, and a flow path (not shown) through which refrigerant is discharged via the first refrigerant passage 21. Specifically, it corresponds to a flow path connecting a gas-liquid separation chamber (not shown) provided within the accumulator 15 with the fifth refrigerant passage 25, and a flow path connecting the gas-liquid separation chamber provided within the accumulator 15 with the first refrigerant passage 21.

[0030] Therefore, the second member 51 is the member through which the refrigerant flows via the manifold 31.

[0031] The connecting member 61 is provided across the first member 41 and the second member 51, connecting the first flow path 42 and the second flow path 52. The connecting member 61 is cylindrical in shape, and its interior is used as a flow path for the refrigerant. The connecting member 61 is formed from a wrought material.

[0032] In this embodiment, the connecting member 61 used is a connecting member 61A that connects the first refrigerant passage 21 of the manifold 31 to the passage 11A of the compressor 11, a connecting member 61B that connects the second refrigerant passage 22 of the manifold 31 to the passage 11B of the compressor 11, a connecting member 61C that connects the second refrigerant passage 22 of the manifold 31 to the passage 12A of the condenser 12, a connecting member 61D that connects the third refrigerant passage 23 of the manifold 31 to the passage 12B of the condenser 12, a connecting member (not shown) that connects the fifth refrigerant passage 25 of the manifold 31 to the passage of the accumulator 15, and a connecting member (not shown) that connects the first refrigerant passage 21 of the manifold 31 to the passage of the accumulator 15.

[0033] The connecting member 61 connects the flow path in the manifold 31 described above with the flow paths in the compressor 11, condenser 12, and accumulator 15, respectively, through a flow path formed inside it.

[0034] Each connecting member 61 is composed of a cylindrical portion 64, a first flange portion 65, and a second flange portion 66. In this embodiment, the connecting member 61 is cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical portion 64 is the portion of each connecting member 61 that extends along the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 64 is constructed to have a uniform outer diameter along the axial direction, that is, the same outer diameter regardless of its position along the axial direction.

[0035] The first flange portion 65 is a portion of the cylindrical portion 64 that is integrally provided on one end side and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64. The one end side of the cylindrical portion 64 is the side where the first member 41, i.e., the manifold 31 in the example of Figure 2, is located, when viewed axially outward from the axial center of the cylindrical portion 64. In this embodiment, as described above, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64 is uniform along the axial direction, and the first flange portion 65 is configured to have an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64. Furthermore, the first flange portion 65 is configured coaxially with the cylindrical portion 64. Integral provision means that the cylindrical portion 64 and the first flange portion 65 are configured as a single member. Therefore, the first flange portion 65 is configured as a single member, projecting radially outward in an annular shape from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 64.

[0036] The second flange portion 66 is a portion of the cylindrical portion 64 that is integrally provided on the other end side and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64. The other end side of the cylindrical portion 64 is the side where the second member 51, i.e., the compressor 11 and condenser 12 are located, when viewed axially outward from the axial center of the cylindrical portion 64. In this embodiment, similar to the first flange portion 65, the second flange portion 66 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64 and is configured coaxially with the cylindrical portion 64. Furthermore, the second flange portion 66 is configured as a single member with respect to the cylindrical portion 64. Therefore, the second flange portion 66 is configured as a single member that protrudes radially outward in an annular shape from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 64.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the flow channel structure. Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of Figure 3. The connecting member 61 has an annular first flange portion 65 that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 64 at a position axially closer to the center than one axial end 71 of the cylindrical portion 64, and an annular second flange portion 66 that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 64 at a position axially closer to the center than the other axial end 72 of the cylindrical portion 64.

[0038] The connecting member 61 has its end portion 71 of the cylindrical portion 64 inserted into the first member 41. In the example shown in Figure 2, the connecting member 61 is inserted into the first flow path 42 of the first member 41, that is, into the flow paths of the manifold 31 (first refrigerant passage 21, second refrigerant passage 22, third refrigerant passage 23). At this time, the assembly is carried out with a brazing material 80 sandwiched between the axial end face 65A of the first flange portion 65 and the surface of the first member 41 on the first flange portion 65 side, that is, the outer surface 31A of the manifold 31.

[0039] Furthermore, the end 72 side of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61 is inserted into the second member 51. In the example shown in Figure 2, the connecting member 61 is inserted into the second flow path 52 of the second member 51, that is, the flow paths of the compressor 11 and the capacitor 12 (flow paths 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B). At this time, the assembly is carried out with a brazing material 80 sandwiched between the end face 66A on the other axial side of the second flange portion 66 and the surface of the second member 51 on the second flange portion 66 side, that is, the outer surface 19 of the compressor 11 and the capacitor 12.

[0040] The step of placing brazing material 80 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51, that is, between the axial end face 65A of the first flange portion 65 and the outer surface 31A of the manifold 31, and between the axial end face 66A of the second flange portion 66 and the outer surfaces 19 of the compressor 11 and condenser 12, is called the brazing material placement step in the manufacturing method of the flow path structure.

[0041] A horseshoe-shaped induction heating coil 90 (high-frequency coil) is positioned between the first flange portion 65 and the second flange portion 66 of the assembled connecting member 61, sandwiching the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61 from the radially outer side, and energized. As a result, the connecting member 61 is actively heated, and the brazing material 80 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51, that is, between the first flange portion 65 and the manifold 31, and between the second flange portion 66 and the compressor 11 and condenser 12 can be melted simultaneously, and a brazed portion 81 is formed at the same time (a fillet may also be formed).

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the brazing material 80 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and the brazing material 80 between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 are provided with at least a portion overlapping when viewed along the axial direction. In the example of Figure 3, the brazing material 80 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and the brazing material 80 between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 are provided with all overlapping when viewed along the axial direction. This makes it possible to shorten the distance (spacing) from the induction heating coil 90 between the brazing material 80 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and between the brazing material 80 between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51, and to heat the brazing material 80 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and between the brazing material 80 between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 simultaneously and efficiently.

[0043] The process of simultaneously heating and brazing the space between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and the space between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51, that is, the process of simultaneously heating and brazing the space between the axial end face 65A of the first flange portion 65 and the outer surface 31A of the manifold 31, and the space between the axial end face 66A of the second flange portion 66 and the outer surfaces 19 of the compressor 11 and condenser 12, is called the brazing step in the manufacturing method of a flow path structure.

[0044] In this brazing step, heating between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51, that is, heating between the axial end face 65A of the first flange portion 65 and the outer surface 31A of the manifold 31, and heating between the axial end face 66A of the second flange portion 66 and the outer surfaces 19 of the compressor 11 and condenser 12, is performed by high-frequency induction heating as described above.

[0045] By performing brazing as described above, the brazed portion 81 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and the brazed portion 81 between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 can be configured to overlap at least partially when viewed along the axial direction. That is, the brazed portion 81 between the first flange portion 65 and the manifold 31 and the brazed portion 81 between the second flange portion 66 and the compressor 11 and condenser 12 can be configured to overlap at least partially when viewed along the axial direction. Therefore, the connecting member 61 can be installed with equal force across the manifold 31 and the compressor 11 and condenser 12, making it possible to prevent refrigerant leakage from between the first flange portion 65 and the manifold 31, and from between the second flange portion 66 and the compressor 11 and condenser 12.

[0046] By manufacturing the flow path structure using the manufacturing method described above, brazing becomes possible even when the base material of the manifold 31 is an aluminum die-cast material such as "ADC12" which is difficult to braze. Furthermore, when aluminum die-cast material is directly heated with high frequency, there is a high possibility that gas contained in the base material will surface or the base material will soften and lose its shape when it reaches near the melting point of the base material. However, by using a wrought material such as "A6000 series" for the joint parts and preferentially heating the connecting member 61, it is possible to minimize the impact on the base material of the manifold 31. For this reason, by using high-frequency induction heating as described above, it becomes possible to perform local brazing instead of furnace brazing. Note that the heating of the brazing material 80 is not limited to high frequency; other methods such as flame, halogen, or laser may be used as long as they allow for localized uniform heating.

[0047] [Other Embodiments] Next, other embodiments of the flow channel structure and the method for manufacturing the flow channel structure will be described.

[0048] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the flow path structure is applied to the circuit configuration of the air conditioning system 1. However, the flow path structure can also be used in circuit configurations different from the air conditioning system 1 (for example, a coolant circuit or a gaseous fuel circuit).

[0049] In the above embodiment, it was explained that the brazed portion 81 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and the brazed portion 81 between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 overlap when viewed along the axial direction. However, it is also acceptable for the brazed portion 81 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and the brazed portion 81 between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 to partially overlap when viewed along the axial direction. Alternatively, the brazed portion 81 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and the brazed portion 81 between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 do not need to overlap when viewed along the axial direction.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the first member 41 was described as a manifold 31 having a plurality of first flow paths 42, and the second member 51 was described as a member through which fluid flows via the manifold 31. However, when the flow path structure is applied to the circuit configuration of the air conditioning system 1, the first member 41 may be a different member from the manifold 31, and the second member 51 may be a different member from the member through which fluid flows via the manifold 31.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the heating between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 in the brazing step was described as being performed by induction heating. However, the heating between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 in the brazing step may be performed by a heating method other than induction heating. For example, a heat gun may be used for such a heating method.

[0052] In the above embodiment, it was explained that the first member 41 is formed from ADC material, the second member 51 is formed from a wrought material, and the connecting member 61 is formed from a wrought material. However, the first member 41 may be formed from a wrought material, the second member 51 may be formed from ADC material, and the connecting member 61 may be formed from ADC material.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the first flange portion 65 and the second flange portion 66 of the connecting member 61 are shown in Figure 3 as plate-shaped members protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 64. However, the connecting member 61 may be formed so that a part of the cylindrical portion 64 protrudes radially outward in a curved state, as shown in Figure 5. In this case, as shown in Figure 5, the brazed portion 81 is formed in a fillet shape between the first member 41 and the first flange portion 65, and between the second member 51 and the second flange portion 66.

[0054] In the above embodiment, it was explained that brazing is performed between the first flange portion 65 at one end of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 at the other end of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61 and the second member 51. In other words, it was explained that brazing is performed on both axial sides of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61. However, as shown in Figure 6, it is also possible to configure the connection to be brazed on only one axial side of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61.

[0055] In this case, the flow channel structure should be configured as follows. The device comprises a member 102 having a flow path 101 through which fluid flows, and a cylindrical connecting member 61 provided on the member 102 and communicating with the flow path 101. The connecting member 61 is configured to include a cylindrical portion 64 extending along the axial direction and a protruding portion 103 integrally provided on the cylindrical portion 64 and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64. Preferably, the connecting member 61 has a brazed portion 81 brazed between a surface 103A of the protruding portion 103 that faces the member 102 and intersects it in the axial direction, and a surface 102A of the member 102 that faces the protruding portion 103 and intersects it in the axial direction.

[0056] In the example shown in Figure 6, the connecting member 61 has a projection 103 on the end 71 side, and a brazed portion 81 is provided between the surface 103A of the projection 103 on the end 71 side and the surface 102A of the member 102 on the end 71 side. The end 72 side of the connecting member 61 may be configured such that, for example, the end 72 side of the cylindrical portion 64 is press-fitted into the flow path 101 of the member 102 on the end 72 side, or a female threaded portion may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the flow path 101 of the member 102 on the end 72 side, and a male threaded portion may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 64 on the end 72 side, so that they are screwed together. Of course, the end 72 side of the cylindrical portion 64 may be fixed to the flow path 101 of the member 102 by methods other than those described above.

[0057] Furthermore, if, for example, the axis of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61 is aligned vertically, and a protrusion 103 is provided on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61, the weight of the connecting member 61 acts on the brazed portion 81, resulting in a stronger connection and preventing fluid leakage.

[0058] Although not shown in the figures, the connecting member 61 may also be provided with a projection 103 on the end 72 side, and a brazed portion 81 may be provided between the surface 103A of the projection 103 on the end 72 side and the surface 102A of the member 102 on the end 72 side. In this case, the end 71 side of the connecting member 61 may be configured such that the end 71 side of the cylindrical portion 64 is press-fitted into the flow path 101 of the member 102 on the end 71 side, or a female thread may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the flow path 101 of the member 102 on the end 71 side, and a male thread may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 64 on the end 71 side, so that they are screwed together. Of course, the end 71 side of the cylindrical portion 64 may be fixed to the flow path 101 of the member 102 by methods other than those described above.

[0059] Furthermore, if, for example, the axis of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61 is aligned vertically, and a protrusion 103 is provided on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61, the weight of the member 102 on the vertically upper side (the member 102 on the end 72 side) acts on the brazed portion 81, resulting in a stronger connection and preventing fluid leakage.

[0060] Of course, protrusions 103 may be provided on both the end 71 side and the end 72 side of the connecting member 61, and brazed portions 81 may be provided between the surface 103A of the protrusion 103 on the end 71 side and the surface 102A of the member 102 on the end 71 side, and between the surface 103A of the protrusion 103 on the end 72 side and the surface 102A of the member 102 on the end 72 side.

[0061] [Summary of the above embodiment] The following describes the flow channel structure and the manufacturing method of the flow channel structure as explained above.

[0062] (1) The flow path structure comprises a first member 41 having a first flow path 42 through which a refrigerant (fluid) flows, a second member 51 having a second flow path 52 through which a refrigerant flows, and a cylindrical connecting member 61 provided across the first member 41 and the second member 51 to connect the first flow path 42 and the second flow path 52. The connecting member 61 is composed of a cylindrical portion 64 extending along the axial direction, a first flange portion 65 integrally provided on one end of the cylindrical portion 64 and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64, and a second flange portion 66 integrally provided on the other end of the cylindrical portion 64 and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64. The connecting member 61 has brazed portions 81 brazed between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51.

[0063] According to this configuration, by brazing the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51, the first flow path 42 of the first member 41 and the second flow path 52 of the second member 51 can be connected via the connecting member 61. Therefore, a flow path structure connecting the first member 41 and the second member 51 can be manufactured simply and in a short time.

[0064] (2) In the flow path structure described in (1), it is preferable that the brazed portion 81 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and the brazed portion 81 between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 overlap by at least a portion when viewed along the axial direction.

[0065] With this configuration, the brazing point between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and the brazing point between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 can be brought closer together, so that the brazing portion 81 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41 and the brazing portion 81 between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 can be formed simultaneously. Therefore, it is possible to perform brazing at two locations simultaneously in a single process.

[0066] (3) In the flow path structure described in (1) or (2), the first member 41 is preferably a manifold 31 having a plurality of first flow paths 42, and the second member 51 is preferably a member through which fluid flows via the manifold 31.

[0067] With this configuration, fluid can be circulated between the manifold 31 constituting the first member 41 and the member constituting the second member 51 via the connecting member 61. Therefore, the pipe connecting the first member 41 and the second member 51 can be simplified.

[0068] (4) A method for manufacturing a flow channel structure comprises a first member 41 having a first flow channel 42 through which fluid flows, a second member 51 having a second flow channel 52 through which fluid flows, and a cylindrical connecting member 61 that spans the first member 41 and the second member 51 and connects the first flow channel 42 and the second flow channel 52, wherein the connecting member 61 has a cylindrical portion 64 extending along the axial direction, a first flange portion 65 integrally provided on one end of the cylindrical portion 64 having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64, and a cylindrical portion A method for manufacturing a flow channel structure comprising a second flange portion 66 having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of a cylindrical portion 64 integrally provided on the other end side of 64, the method comprising: a brazing material placement step of placing brazing material 80 between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51; and a brazing step of simultaneously heating and brazing the space between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51.

[0069] With this configuration, by brazing the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51, brazing can be performed to connect the first flow path 42 of the first member 41 and the second flow path 52 of the second member 51 via the connecting member 61. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a flow path structure that connects the first flow path 42 of the first member 41 and the second flow path 52 of the second member 51 in a simple and quick manner.

[0070] In the method for manufacturing the flow channel structure described in (5)(4), heating between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 in the brazing step is preferably performed by induction heating.

[0071] With this configuration, the space between the first flange portion 65 and the first member 41, and the space between the second flange portion 66 and the second member 51 can be heated locally. Therefore, the efficiency of the process of connecting the first flow path 42 of the first member 41 and the second flow path 52 of the second member 51 can be increased.

[0072] (6) The flow path structure also comprises a member 102 having a flow path 101 through which fluid flows, and a cylindrical connecting member 61 provided on the member 102 and communicating with the flow path 101. The connecting member 61 is composed of a cylindrical portion 64 extending along the axial direction and a protruding portion 103 integrally provided on the cylindrical portion 64 and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64. The connecting member 61 has a brazed portion 81 brazed between a surface 103A of the protruding portion 103 that faces the member 102 and intersects it in the axial direction, and a surface 102A of the member 102 that faces the protruding portion 103 and intersects it in the axial direction.

[0073] For example, when brazing the cylindrical portion 64, if there are tolerances between the inner diameter of the member 102 and the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 64, the amount of brazing material 80 used for brazing may vary. However, with this configuration, since brazing is performed on both surfaces of the protruding portion 103 and the member 102, it is always possible to set an appropriate amount of brazing material 80. Furthermore, for example, if the axis of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61 is aligned vertically and the protruding portion 103 is provided on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61, the weight of the connecting member 61 acts on the brazed portion 81, resulting in a stronger connection and preventing fluid leakage. Furthermore, for example, if the axis of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61 is aligned vertically and the protruding portion 103 is provided on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61, the weight of the upper member 102 acts on the brazed portion 81, resulting in a stronger connection and preventing fluid leakage.

[0074] In the flow path structure described in (7)(6), the connecting member 61 is preferably provided across two members 102, and includes protruding portions 103 at one end and the other end of the cylindrical portion 64, and the brazed portion 81 is preferably provided at one end and the other end in the axial direction.

[0075] According to this configuration, by brazing the projection 103 on one axial end to the member 102, and the projection 103 on the other axial end to the member 102, the flow path 101 in the member 102 on one axial end and the flow path 101 in the member 102 on the other axial end can be connected via the connecting member 61. Therefore, a flow path structure that connects the member 102 on one axial end and the member 102 on the other axial end can be manufactured simply and in a short time. Furthermore, for example, if the axis of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61 is aligned vertically, the weight of the connecting member 61 and the information member 102 acts on the brazed portion 81 at the lower protrusion 103 of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61, allowing for a stronger connection and preventing fluid leakage. Similarly, the weight of the member 102 acts on the brazed portion 81 at the upper protrusion 103 of the cylindrical portion 64 of the connecting member 61, allowing for a stronger connection and preventing fluid leakage. [Industrial applicability]

[0076] The technology relating to this disclosure can be used for fluid flow channel structures and methods for manufacturing such fluid flow channel structures. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 31: Manifold, 41: First member, 42: First flow path, 51: Second member, 52: Second flow path, 61: Connecting member, 64: Cylindrical part, 65: First flange part, 66: Second flange part, 80: Brazing material, 81: Brazed part, 101: Flow path, 102: Member, 102A: Surface, 103: Protrusion, 103A: Surface

Claims

1. A first member having a first channel through which a fluid flows, A second member having a second channel through which the fluid flows, The device comprises a cylindrical connecting member provided across the first member and the second member, which connects the first flow path and the second flow path, The connecting member comprises a cylindrical portion extending along the axial direction, a first flange portion integrally provided on one end of the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion, and a second flange portion integrally provided on the other end of the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. A flow channel structure having brazed portions brazed between the first flange portion and the first member, and between the second flange portion and the second member.

2. The flow path structure according to claim 1, wherein the brazed portion between the first flange portion and the first member and the brazed portion between the second flange portion and the second member overlap in at least a portion when viewed along the axial direction.

3. The first member is a manifold having a plurality of the first flow paths, The flow path structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second member is a member through which the fluid flows via the manifold.

4. A first member having a first channel through which a fluid flows, A second member having a second channel through which the fluid flows, The device comprises a cylindrical connecting member provided across the first member and the second member, which connects the first flow path and the second flow path, The method for manufacturing a flow channel structure comprises a connecting member comprising a cylindrical portion extending along the axial direction, a first flange portion integrally provided on one end of the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion, and a second flange portion integrally provided on the other end of the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion, A brazing material placement step in which brazing material is placed between the first flange portion and the first member, and between the second flange portion and the second member, A brazing step in which the space between the first flange portion and the first member, and the space between the second flange portion and the second member are simultaneously heated and brazed, A method for manufacturing a flow channel structure including a flow channel structure.

5. The method for manufacturing a flow channel structure according to claim 4, wherein the heating between the first flange portion and the first member, and between the second flange portion and the second member in the brazing step is performed by induction heating.

6. A member having a flow path through which fluid flows, The member comprises a cylindrical connecting member provided on the member and communicating with the flow path, The connecting member is configured to include a cylindrical portion extending along the axial direction and a protruding portion integrally provided with the cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. A flow channel structure having a brazed portion between a surface of the protrusion facing the member and intersecting in the axial direction and a surface of the member facing the protrusion and intersecting in the axial direction.

7. The connecting member is provided across the two members, and includes the protruding portion at one end and the other end of the cylindrical portion. The flow path structure according to claim 6, wherein the brazed portion is provided on one end and the other end in the axial direction.

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