Heat exchanger and air conditioner equipped therewith

Abstract

In a heat exchanger equipped with corrugated fins, the accumulation of condensation water on the surface of the corrugated fins is suppressed. [Solution] The heat exchanger has an internal flow path IP through which a first fluid flows, and has a plurality of main fins 46 spaced apart and arranged in a first direction, and a plurality of corrugated fins 48 that meander in a second direction intersecting the first direction, are positioned between the plurality of main fins 46, and exchange heat with the second fluid flowing between the plurality of main fins 46. One end 48c of the corrugated fins 48 in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is in contact with the main fins 46.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a heat exchanger provided with corrugated fins is known. The heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1 is a so-called drone cup type heat exchanger.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when a heat exchanger provided with corrugated fins is used as an evaporator, water vapor in the air flowing between the corrugated fins may condense on the surface of the corrugated fins, and water droplets may be generated on the surface. The water droplets are pushed by the air flow and move on the surface of the corrugated fins, and stay at one end portion on the downstream side of the corrugated fins located on the downstream side in the air flow direction. When many water droplets gather at one end portion on the downstream side of the corrugated fins and the water droplets on the end portion grow large, the ventilation resistance of the corrugated fins increases due to the large grown water droplets. Further, the large grown water droplets are blown off from the heat exchanger by the air flow.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to suppress the retention of water droplets on the surface of corrugated fins in a heat exchanger provided with corrugated fins.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, It has an internal channel through which a first fluid flows, and a plurality of main fins arranged at intervals in a first direction, It has a plurality of corrugated fins that extend in a meandering manner in a second direction intersecting the first direction, are arranged between the plurality of main fins, and exchange heat with a second fluid flowing between the plurality of main fins, A heat exchanger is provided in which one end of a corrugated fin in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is in contact with the main fin.

[0007] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, A compressor that discharges refrigerant, It has a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant flows, The aforementioned heat exchanger, It has an internal channel through which a first fluid flows, and a plurality of main fins arranged at intervals in a first direction, It has a plurality of corrugated fins that extend in a meandering manner in a second direction intersecting the first direction, are arranged between the plurality of main fins, and exchange heat with a second fluid flowing between the plurality of main fins, An air conditioner is provided in which one end of a corrugated fin in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is in contact with the main fin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, in a heat exchanger equipped with corrugated fins, the accumulation of water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fins can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure [Figure 2] schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit of an air conditioner. [Figure 3] Schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Rear view of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Exploded perspective view of a part of the fin laminate according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of a part of the fin laminate along the C-C line shown in FIG. 4 [Figure 7A] Exploded perspective view of the main fin [Figure 7B] Exploded perspective view of the main fin as seen from different viewpoints [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of a part of the fin laminate in the heat exchanger of the comparative example [Figure 9] Schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of a part of the fin laminate in the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 11] Perspective view showing a part of the corrugated fin provided with louvers

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The heat exchanger according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows, and a plurality of main fins arranged in a first direction at intervals, and a plurality of corrugated fins extending in a meandering shape in a second direction intersecting the first direction, disposed between the plurality of main fins, and exchanging heat with a second fluid flowing between the plurality of main fins. One end portion of the corrugated fin in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction is in contact with the main fin.

[0011] According to such an aspect, in a heat exchanger provided with corrugated fins, it is possible to suppress the retention of water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fins.

[0012] For example, the one end portion of the corrugated fin may be an end portion on the downstream side in the flow direction of the second fluid.

[0013] For example, the main fin may extend beyond the one end portion of the corrugated fin in the third direction.

[0014] For example, the other end of the corrugated fin in the third direction may contact the main fin.

[0015] For example, the main fin may be formed by overlapping and joining a first plate and a second plate, and one end of each of the first plate and the second plate in the third direction may be bent so as to contact the one end of the corrugated fin.

[0016] For example, the corrugated fin may include a louver.

[0017] An air conditioner according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a compressor that discharges a refrigerant and a heat exchanger through which the refrigerant flows. The heat exchanger includes an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows, and a plurality of main fins arranged in a first direction with a gap therebetween, and a plurality of corrugated fins that meander in a second direction intersecting the first direction, are disposed between the plurality of main fins, and exchange heat with a second fluid flowing between the plurality of main fins. One end of the corrugated fin in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction contacts the main fin.

[0018] According to such another aspect, in a heat exchanger provided with corrugated fins, it is possible to suppress the retention of water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fins, and as a result, it is possible to suppress the blowing out of water droplets from the air conditioner.

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Further, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indoor unit in the air conditioner.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment 1 has an indoor unit 12 that is placed inside the room and an outdoor unit 14 that is placed outside the room.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the indoor unit 12 is equipped with a heat exchanger 20 that exchanges heat with indoor air (second fluid), and a blower, such as a cross-flow fan 22, that generates a flow of indoor air A so that the indoor air A passes through the heat exchanger 20.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the outdoor unit 14 is equipped with a heat exchanger 24 that exchanges heat with the outdoor air, a blower, such as an axial flow fan 26, that generates a flow of outdoor air so that the outdoor air passes through the heat exchanger 24, and a compressor 28 that discharges the refrigerant (first fluid) that passes through the heat exchangers 20 and 24. The heat exchangers 20, 24, and compressor 28 are connected via refrigerant piping 30. An expansion valve 32 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant and a four-way valve 34 that changes the direction of the refrigerant flow depending on whether it is in cooling or heating operation are arranged on the refrigerant piping 30. In Figure 1, the flow of refrigerant during cooling operation is shown by solid arrows, and the flow of refrigerant during heating operation is shown by dashed arrows.

[0024] During cooling operation, the refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 28 and returns to the compressor 28 after passing through the four-way valve 34, the heat exchanger 24 of the outdoor unit 14, the expansion valve 32, the heat exchanger 20 of the indoor unit 12, and then the four-way valve 34 again. During heating operation, the refrigerant is sent out from the compressor 28 and returns to the compressor 28 after passing through the four-way valve 34, the heat exchanger 20 of the indoor unit 12, the expansion valve 32, the heat exchanger 24 of the outdoor unit 14, and then the four-way valve 34 again. The flow of the refrigerant during cooling operation and the flow of the refrigerant during heating operation are switched by the four-way valve 34.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a rear view of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the fin stack according to Embodiment 1. And finally, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the fin stack along the CC line shown in Figure 4.

[0026] Note that the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in the drawings is for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the embodiment and does not limit the embodiment. The X-axis direction (third direction) and the Y-axis direction (second direction) indicate the direction of extension of the fins constituting the fin stack in the heat exchanger, and the Z-axis direction (first direction) indicates the stacking direction of the fins. In this embodiment 1, the air A (white arrow) passing through the heat exchanger 20 flows mainly in the X-axis direction.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the heat exchanger 20 includes a fin stack 40. The fin stack 40 is positioned between two end plates 42 and 44. One end plate 42 is provided with a connecting pipe 42a at one end and a connecting pipe 42b at the other end, which are connected to the refrigerant piping 30 through which the refrigerant flows in or out.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the fin stack 40 is formed by alternately stacking a plurality of main fins 46 and a plurality of corrugated fins 48. In Figures 3 and 4, five main fins 46 are arranged between two end plates 42 and 44, but the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. That is, the heat exchanger according to the embodiments of this disclosure has at least two main fins 46 and at least one corrugated fin 48 arranged between the main fins 46.

[0029] Figure 7A is an exploded perspective view of the main fin. Figure 7B is an exploded perspective view of the main fin from a different viewpoint.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, each of the multiple main fins 46 is provided with an internal flow path IP through which the refrigerant flows.

[0031] Specifically, in this embodiment 1, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, each of the multiple main fins 46 is formed by joining a first plate 50 and a second plate 52 to each other in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the fin stack 40. As a result of this joining, an internal flow channel IP is formed between the first plate 50 and the second plate 52, as shown in Figure 6.

[0032] In this first embodiment, the first plate 50 and the second plate 52 are made by processing, for example by press working, a thin metal sheet, so-called brazing sheet, which has brazing material layers on both sides. The brazing sheet is made, for example, by forming aluminum-silicon alloy layers as brazing material on both sides of a thin sheet made from an aluminum alloy. The first plate 50 and the second plate 52 are joined by so-called brazing, where the brazing material layers melt once by heating and then solidify again.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the first plate 50 and the second plate 52 are joined to each other, forming an internal flow path IP through which the refrigerant flows. As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, in this embodiment 1, a meandering recess 52b is formed on the inner surface 52a of the second plate 52 facing the first plate 50, and a meandering recess 50b is formed on the inner surface 50a of the first plate 50 facing the second plate 52. These recesses 50b and 52b facing each other constitute a meandering internal flow path IP through which the refrigerant flows.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the internal flow path IP communicates with the interiors of tubular headers 46a and 46b provided at both ends of the main fin 46 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). Each of the headers 46a and 46b is formed by joining the cylindrical portions 50c and 50d of the first plate 50 and the cylindrical portions 52c and 52d of the second plate 52, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the inlet manifold 40a is formed by connecting the headers 46a of each of the multiple main fins 46. The manifold 40a is connected to the inlet connecting pipe 42a of the end plate 42, and guides the refrigerant that has passed through the inlet connecting pipe 42a to the internal flow path IP of each of the main fins 46.

[0036] Furthermore, the headers 46b of each of the multiple main fins 46 are connected to form an outlet-side manifold 40b, as shown in Figure 4. The manifold 40b is connected to the outlet-side connecting pipe 42b of the end plate 42, and guides the refrigerant that has flowed out from the internal flow path IP of each of the main fins 46 to the outlet-side connecting pipe 42b.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, multiple main fins 46 are stacked at intervals. A corrugated fin 48 is positioned between each of the main fins 46. The corrugated fin 48 extends in a meandering manner in the direction (Y-axis direction) that intersects the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the main fins 46 when viewed in the direction of air A flow (X-axis direction). In this embodiment 1, the corrugated fin 48 extends in a rectangular wave shape. Also in this embodiment 1, the corrugated fin 48 is made from the same material as the metal sheets in the first and second plates 50 and 52, for example, an aluminum alloy.

[0038] Furthermore, each corrugated fin 48 exchanges heat with the air A flowing between adjacent main fins 46 and is thermally connected to each adjacent main fin 46. As shown in Figure 4, each corrugated fin 48 has a plurality of substantially parallel heat exchange portions 48a that extend in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the main fins 46 and substantially exchange heat with the air A, and a plurality of connection portions 48b that contact the main fins 46 and are thermally connected to them. Specifically, as shown in Figures 6 to 7B, the connection portions 48b of the corrugated fins 48 are partially joined to the tops of the serpentine protrusions 50e and 52e created by the formation of serpentine recesses 50b and 52b that constitute the internal flow path IP.

[0039] With such a heat exchanger 20, during heating operation, heat is transferred from the refrigerant flowing through the internal flow path IP of the main fins 46 to the air A flowing between the main fins 46 via the main fins 46 and the corrugated fins 38. Also, during cooling operation, heat is transferred from the air A flowing between the main fins 46 to the refrigerant flowing through the internal flow path IP of the main fins 46 via the corrugated fins 38 and the main fins 46.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, the corrugated fins 48 also contact (join) the main fins 46 via one end 48c of the corrugated fin 48 in the direction of the short side of the main fins 46 (X-axis direction), that is, in the direction of the air A flowing between the main fins 46. In other words, one end 48c of the corrugated fin 48 located downstream in the direction of the air A flow is in contact with the main fins 46. This is to facilitate the transfer of water droplets generated on the surface of the corrugated fins 48 to the main fins 46. This will be explained in detail with reference to a comparative example.

[0041] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the fin stack in the comparative example heat exchanger.

[0042] As shown in Figure 8, in the comparative example fin laminate, one end 148c of the corrugated fin 148 on the downstream side in the direction of air A flow does not come into contact with the main fin 146. Therefore, water droplets tend to accumulate on one end 148c of the corrugated fin 148.

[0043] To explain in more detail, during cooling operation, the air A flowing between the main fins 146 (i.e., between the corrugated fins 148) is cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the internal flow path IP of the main fins 146. Due to this cooling, the water vapor contained in the air A condenses on the surface of the corrugated fins 148, and water droplets W are generated on that surface. The water droplets W on the surface of the corrugated fins 148 are pushed by the flow of air A and move along the surface of the corrugated fins 148 towards one end 148c.

[0044] Water droplets W that have moved to one end 148c of the corrugated fin 148 may remain at that end 148c instead of being blown out from the corrugated fin 148 to the outside. For example, if the flow velocity of air A is low, i.e., if the rotation speed of the cross-flow fan 22 is low, water droplets W may remain at the end 148c. If many water droplets W accumulate and remain at the end 148c, the water droplets W will grow larger on the end 148c. When the water droplets W grow large enough to contact both of the heat exchange sections 148a of the corrugated fins 148 that are spaced apart and facing each other, the flow resistance of the corrugated fin 148 increases significantly. Also, if such large water droplets W are blown out from the corrugated fin 148, the area around the indoor unit 12 of the air conditioner 10 will become wet with water droplets W.

[0045] To suppress the accumulation of water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fin, in this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 6, one end 48c of the corrugated fin 48 on the downstream side in the direction of air A flow is in contact with the main fin 46. Water droplets generated on the surface of the corrugated fin 48 move along the surface of the corrugated fin 48 toward the end 48c. When a portion of the water droplet on the end 48c comes into contact with the surface of the main fin 46, it is pushed by the air A flow and moves from the surface of the corrugated fin 48 to the surface of the main fin 46. Also, water droplets remaining on the end 48c grow larger and come into contact with the surface of the main fin 46, and are pushed by the air A flow and move from the surface of the corrugated fin 48 to the surface of the main fin 46. The water droplets that have moved to the surface of the main fin 46 eventually move along the surface of the main fin 46 toward a drain pan (not shown) located below the main fin 46. As a result, the accumulation of water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fin 48 is suppressed.

[0046] Furthermore, the accumulation of water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fins 48 is more likely to occur when the flow direction of the air A flowing between the main fins 46 is substantially horizontal (i.e., when the flow direction includes a water component). In other words, it is more likely to occur when the flat heat exchange portion 48a of the corrugated fins 48 extends substantially horizontally. This is because, when the heat exchange portion 48a is substantially horizontal, the water droplets on the heat exchange portion 48a do not substantially move on the heat exchange portion 48a due to their own weight.

[0047] As described above and as shown in Figure 6, one end 48c of the corrugated fin 48 is in contact with (joined to) one end 46c of the main fin 46. In this embodiment 1, one end 50f of the first plate 50 and one end 52f of the second plate 52 on one end 46c of the main fin 46 are bent to contact one end 48c of the corrugated fin 48. Alternatively, one end 48c of the corrugated fin 48 may be indirectly brought into contact with the main fin 46 via another member. In other words, the method of contact between one end 48c of the corrugated fin 48 and the main fin 46 is not limited, as long as water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fin 48 can move from one end 48c of the corrugated fin 48 to the main fin 46 without resistance.

[0048] Furthermore, by bringing one end 48c of the corrugated fin 48 into contact with (joining) the main fin 46, as described above, the accumulation of water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fin 48 is suppressed, and the rigidity of the fin laminate 40 and the heat conduction efficiency between the main fin 46 and the corrugated fin 48 are improved. In other words, the main fin 46 and the corrugated fin 48 are joined to each other via a larger contact area compared to the comparative example shown in Figure 8. As a result, the rigidity of the fin laminate 40 is improved, and the heat conduction efficiency between the main fin 46 and the corrugated fin 48 is improved.

[0049] According to this embodiment 1 described above, in a heat exchanger 20 equipped with corrugated fins 48, the accumulation of water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fins 48 can be suppressed.

[0050] (Embodiment 2) This second embodiment is an improved version of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, this second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above.

[0051] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the fin stack in the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2.

[0052] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in the fin stack 240 of the heat exchanger 210 according to Embodiment 2, one downstream end 248c of the corrugated fin 248 in the direction of air A flow (X-axis direction) is in contact with the main fin 246, similar to Embodiment 1 described above. However, unlike Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 6, the main fin 246 extends beyond the one end 248c of the corrugated fin 248 in the direction of air A flow.

[0053] Specifically, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 6, the downstream end face 46d of the main fin 46 in the direction of air A flow (X-axis direction) is not offset from the downstream end face 48d of the corrugated fin 48, and is substantially located on the same plane. In contrast, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, the downstream end face 246d of the main fin 246 is offset downstream in the direction of air A flow relative to the downstream end face 248d of the corrugated fin 48.

[0054] In this way, because the main fin 246 extends beyond one end 248c of the corrugated fin 248, water droplets generated on the surface of the corrugated fin 246 are more easily moved onto the surface of the main fin 246. In particular, water droplets pushed by the airflow A and guided by the connection portion 248b of the corrugated fin 248 do not stop at the one end 248c of the corrugated fin 248, but move beyond that end 248c onto the surface of the main fin 246. As a result, the accumulation of water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fin 248 is further suppressed.

[0055] As described above, this second embodiment, like the first embodiment described above, can suppress the accumulation of water droplets on the surface of the corrugated fins 248 in a heat exchanger equipped with corrugated fins 248.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0057] For example, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 6, the other end 48e of the corrugated fin 48 (the upstream end in the direction of air A flow) does not contact the main fin 46. However, it is not limited to this, and the other end 48e of the corrugated fin 48 may contact the main fin 46. In this case, the rigidity of the fin laminate 40 and the heat conduction efficiency between the main fin 46 and the corrugated fin 48 are further improved.

[0058] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the corrugated fin 48 is rectangular in shape, that is, the multiple heat exchange sections 48a are parallel to each other. However, the embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the shape of the corrugated fin to a rectangular shape. For example, the corrugated fin may be sinusoidal. Also, the corrugated fin may have louvers.

[0059] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a portion of a corrugated fin with louvers.

[0060] As shown in Figure 11, the corrugated fin 348 is equipped with louvers 348d on each of the multiple heat exchange sections 348a. The louvers 348d allow air flowing on one surface side of the heat exchange section 348a to flow on the other surface side of that heat exchange section 348a. As a result, the length of the airflow path between the main fins is longer than when the louvers 348d are not present on the corrugated fin 348, improving the heat exchange efficiency between the air flowing between the main fins and the corrugated fin 348. In addition, the presence of the louvers 348d suppresses the accumulation of water droplets on one end 348c of the corrugated fin 348.

[0061] Furthermore, the heat exchanger described above is installed in an air conditioner that provides indoor air conditioning. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. The heat exchanger according to the embodiments of this disclosure can be used in devices that require heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid.

[0062] In other words, the heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a heat exchanger that has an internal flow path through which a first fluid flows, and comprises a plurality of main fins arranged at intervals in a first direction, and a plurality of corrugated fins that extend in a meandering manner in a second direction intersecting the first direction, are arranged between the plurality of main fins, and exchange heat with the second fluid flowing between the plurality of main fins, wherein one end of the corrugated fins in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is in contact with the main fins. [Industrial applicability]

[0063] This disclosure is applicable to a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 46 Main Fins 48 corrugated fins 48c One end IP internal flow path

Claims

1. It has an internal channel through which a first fluid flows, and a plurality of main fins arranged at intervals in a first direction, It has a plurality of corrugated fins that extend in a meandering manner in a second direction intersecting the first direction, are arranged between the plurality of main fins, and exchange heat with a second fluid flowing between the plurality of main fins, A heat exchanger in which one end of a corrugated fin in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is in contact with the main fin.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein one end of the corrugated fin is the downstream end in the flow direction of the second fluid.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the main fin extends beyond one end of the corrugated fin in the third direction.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the corrugated fin in the third direction is in contact with the main fin.

5. The main fin is formed by overlapping and joining a first plate and a second plate together. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein one end of each of the first plate and the second plate in the third direction is bent so as to contact the one end of the corrugated fin.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the corrugated fins are equipped with louvers.

7. A compressor that discharges refrigerant, It has a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant flows, The aforementioned heat exchanger, It has an internal channel through which a first fluid flows, and a plurality of main fins arranged at intervals in a first direction, It has a plurality of corrugated fins that extend in a meandering manner in a second direction intersecting the first direction, are arranged between the plurality of main fins, and exchange heat with a second fluid flowing between the plurality of main fins, An air conditioner in which one end of a corrugated fin in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is in contact with the main fin.

Images