heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger that can reduce the dimensional accuracy required at the joint with the connecting pipe. [Solution] The heat exchanger 10 comprises a heat exchange plate 20 and a connecting pipe 30. A heat transfer medium flows through the heat exchange plate 20. The connecting pipe 30 is joined to the heat exchange plate 20. The heat exchange plate 20 comprises a first main wall 21 and a second main wall 22 arranged in the thickness direction T. The first main wall 21 comprises a first joint portion 23 joined to the connecting pipe 30. The second main wall 22 comprises a second joint portion 25 joined to the connecting pipe 30. The first joint portion 23 is flat. The second joint portion 25 is curved along the connecting pipe 30.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In the heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1, inlet and outlet pipes are joined to grooves formed in each of a pair of plates. The pair of plates are processed to have shapes that match each other.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1, in order to join each of the two grooves to the inlet and outlet pipe, it is necessary to align the positions of the grooves on the plates between the pair of plates. Furthermore, in a heat exchanger, it is necessary to form a groove corresponding to the shape of the inlet and outlet pipe on each plate. From the above, there is a possibility that the dimensional accuracy required for the grooves formed on each plate may increase.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] A heat exchanger for solving the above problem includes a heat exchange plate through which a heat medium flows, and a connection pipe joined to the heat exchange plate. The heat exchange plate includes a first main wall and a second main wall arranged in the plate thickness direction of the heat exchange plate. The first main wall includes a first joint portion joined to the connection pipe, the second main wall includes a second joint portion joined to the connection pipe, the first joint portion has a flat plate shape, and the second joint portion is curved along the connection pipe.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The above heat exchanger can reduce the dimensional accuracy required at the joint with the connecting pipe. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes one embodiment of a heat exchanger. <Configuration of this embodiment> As shown in Figure 1, the heat exchanger 10 is a long plate-shaped body with its longitudinal side extending in one direction. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger 10 will be referred to as the first direction D1, and the width direction, where the short side of the heat exchanger 10 extends, will be referred to as the second direction D2. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are perpendicular to each other. The heat exchanger 10 is configured such that a heat transfer medium flows inside it. In Figure 1, the direction in which the heat transfer medium flows inside the heat exchanger 10 is indicated by a dashed arrow.

[0009] The heat exchanger 10 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle and adjusts the temperature of an object (not shown) placed on the heat exchanger 10 by a heat transfer medium flowing inside it. An example of a heat transfer medium is water or air. An example of an object is a battery module. The heat exchanger 10 of this embodiment is installed on other components and is provided to be interposed between the other components and the object. An example of other components is a panel that makes up the bottom of the vehicle. In this embodiment, we consider the case where the heat exchanger 10 cools the object. Note that the heat exchanger 10 may also heat the object placed on it.

[0010] The heat exchanger 10 comprises a heat exchange plate 20 through which a heat transfer medium flows, and connecting pipes 30 joined to the heat exchange plate 20. The heat exchanger 10 has two connecting pipes 30. The object to be cooled by the heat exchanger 10 is placed on one side of the heat exchange plate 20. The heat exchange plate 20 faces the opposite side of the side on which the object is placed, towards other components on which the heat exchanger 10 is installed.

[0011] <Heat exchange plate 20> The heat exchange plate 20 constitutes the majority of the heat exchanger 10. The heat exchange plate 20 is a long plate-shaped body with the first direction D1 as its longitudinal direction. The thickness direction T of the heat exchange plate 20 is perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0012] The heat exchange plate 20 comprises a first main wall 21 and a second main wall 22. The first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 are aligned in the thickness direction T. Each of the first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 is a long plate-shaped body. The heat exchange plate 20 is formed by joining the first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 while facing each other in the thickness direction T. The first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 are joined by brazing.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a flow path 20a is provided inside the heat exchange plate 20. In Figure 1, the flow path 20a is schematically shown by a dashed arrow. The dashed arrow in Figure 1 corresponds to the direction in which the flow path 20a extends. The heat transfer medium flowing inside the heat exchanger 10 flows along the flow path 20a of the heat exchange plate 20. The flow path 20a is defined by a first main wall 21 and a second main wall 22. The first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 are joined together while defining the flow path 20a. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 10 cools an object by bringing the first main wall 21 into contact with the object. The heat exchanger 10 has the object placed on the first main wall 21, and the second main wall 22 facing the other members on which the heat exchanger 10 is installed.

[0014] The flow path 20a is provided with an inlet end 20b and an outlet end 20c in a portion of the heat exchange plate 20 near one edge in the first direction D1. The heat transfer medium flows into the flow path 20a from the inlet end 20b and then flows along the flow path 20a throughout the entire heat exchange plate 20. The heat transfer medium that has flowed through the flow path 20a flows out to the outside of the heat exchange plate 20 from the outlet end 20c. The flow path 20a branches inside the heat exchange plate 20. The flow path 20a branches inside the heat exchange plate 20 by being partitioned, for example, by ribs (not shown) provided on the first main wall 21 or the second main wall 22.

[0015] In the following section, the heat exchanger 10 will be described focusing on the portion of the heat exchange plate 20 that defines the inlet end 20b. The same description applies when focusing on the portion of the heat exchange plate 20 that defines the outlet end 20c.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the first main wall 21 has a first joint 23 and two first closing portions 24 extending from the first joint 23 in the second direction D2, located near one edge in the first direction D1. The first main wall 21 has the first joint 23 and the two first closing portions 24 in the portion defining the inlet end 20b. The first joint 23 is the portion of the first main wall 21 that connects to the connecting pipe 30. Therefore, the first main wall 21 has the first joint 23. In Figure 2, the boundary between the first joint 23 and the first closing portions 24 is shown by a dashed line. As described above, the explanation for the inlet end 20b also applies to the outlet end 20c, so the heat exchanger 10 has two first joints 23 and four first closing portions 24 in the first main wall 21 of the heat exchange plate 20.

[0017] The first joint 23 is interposed between the two first closing portions 24. The first joint 23 is the portion of the first main wall 21 that is between the two first closing portions 24 in the second direction D2. The first joint portion 23 is flat. Also, the two first closing portions 24 are flat. In other words, the first main wall 21 is flat throughout the portion that defines the inflow end portion 20b.

[0018] The first joint portion 23 is joined to the connection pipe 30. The first main wall 21 is joined to the connection pipe 30 at the first joint portion 23, and is spaced apart from the connection pipe 30 at the two first closing portions 24.

[0019] The second main wall 22 includes, in a portion near one edge in the first direction D1, a second joint portion 25 and two second closing portions 26 extending from the second joint portion 25 in the second direction D2. Therefore, the second main wall 22 is provided with the second joint portion 25. The second main wall 22 is provided with the second joint portion 25 and the two second closing portions 26 in the portion defining the inflow end portion 20b. As described above, the description of the inflow end portion 20b also applies to the outflow end portion 20c. For this reason, the heat exchanger 10 includes two second joint portions 25 and four second closing portions 26 on the second main wall 22 of the heat exchange plate 20.

[0020] The second joint portion 25 is a portion of the second main wall 22 that is joined to the connection pipe 30. The second joint portion 25 includes a flat joint portion 251 and two curved joint portions 252. The flat joint portion 251 and the two curved joint portions 252 are arranged side by side in the second direction D2.

[0021] The flat joint portion 251 is a plate-shaped portion of the second joint portion 25. The thickness direction of the flat joint portion 251 coincides with the plate thickness direction T. The flat joint portion 251 is located between the two curved joint portions 252.

[0022] Each of the two curved joint portions 252 extends from the flat joint portion 251. The two curved joint portions 252 are portions of the second joint portion 25 that are respectively connected to the two second closing portions 26. The curved joint portion 252 is located between the flat joint portion 251 and the second closing portion 26 on the second main wall 22.

[0023] The second joint portion 25 is joined to the connection pipe 30. The second main wall 22 is joined to the connection pipe 30 at the second joint portion 25, and is spaced apart from the connection pipe 30 at the two second closing portions 26.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the second joint 25 is curved along the connecting pipe 30. In the second joint 25, the flat joint 251 and the curved joint 252 are formed according to the shape of the connecting pipe 30. Each of the two second closing portions 26 is curved where it connects to the curved joint 252, and becomes flat as it moves away from the second joint 25. In other words, the second closing portion 26 includes both a curved portion and a flat portion.

[0025] The heat exchange plate 20 has a brazed joint 27 between the first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22. The brazed joint 27 is formed by hardening brazing material. The heat exchanger 10 has brazed joints 27 between the first closing section 24 and the second closing section 26, between the first joint section 23 and the connecting pipe 30, and between the second joint section 25 and the connecting pipe 30.

[0026] <Connecting pipe 30> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connecting pipe 30 is a cylindrical body. The connecting pipe 30 extends in one direction from the first end to the second end. The connecting pipe 30 is joined to the heat exchange plate 20 at the first end and protrudes from the heat exchange plate 20 at the second end. The connecting pipe 30 is joined to the first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 by brazing.

[0027] The connecting pipe 30 opens into the flow path 20a at its first end. The connecting pipe 30 opens to the outside of the heat exchange plate 20 at its second end. The connecting pipe 30 connects the flow path 20a to the outside of the heat exchange plate 20. The inside and outside of the heat exchange plate 20 are in communication through the connecting pipe 30.

[0028] A connecting pipe 30 is joined to each of the portions of the heat exchange plate 20 that define the inlet end 20b and the outlet end 20c. The heat transfer medium supplied to the heat exchanger 10 flows into the flow path 20a via the connecting pipe 30 at the inlet end 20b and flows out of the flow path 20a via the connecting pipe 30 at the outlet end 20c.

[0029] In the following explanation, we will focus on the connecting pipe 30 joined to the portion of the heat exchange plate 20 where the inlet end 20b is defined, but the same explanation applies to the connecting pipe 30 joined to the portion where the outlet end 20c is defined.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the connecting pipe 30 comprises a first cylindrical portion 31, a connecting cylindrical portion 32, a second cylindrical portion 33, and a mounting portion 34. The first cylindrical portion 31, the connecting cylindrical portion 32, the second cylindrical portion 33, and the mounting portion 34 are arranged in this order in the direction in which the connecting pipe 30 extends. The connecting pipe 30 has the first cylindrical portion 31 near the first end and the mounting portion 34 near the second end. The connecting pipe 30 has a projection 35 at the mounting portion 34. The connecting pipe 30 is open at both the first cylindrical portion 31 and the mounting portion 34. In Figures 2 and 4, the boundaries between the first cylindrical portion 31 and the connecting cylindrical portion 32, the boundaries between the connecting cylindrical portion 32 and the second cylindrical portion 33, and the boundaries between the second cylindrical portion 33 and the mounting portion 34 are indicated by dashed lines.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the first cylindrical portion 31 is a cylindrical body with the first axis L1 as its central axis. The connecting pipe 30 is joined to the first joint portion 23 and the second joint portion 25 at the first cylindrical portion 31. The first cylindrical portion 31 is joined to the first joint portion 23 and the second joint portion 25 by brazing.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the first cylindrical portion 31 opens toward the interior of the heat exchange plate 20. The first main wall 21, the first cylindrical portion 31, and the flat joint portion 251 in the second main wall 22 are arranged in this order in the plate thickness direction T. In other words, the first axis L1, which is the central axis of the first cylindrical portion 31, is located between the first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 in the plate thickness direction T.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the first cylindrical portion 31 comprises a first flat portion 36, a second flat portion 37, and two side portions 38. The first flat portion 36 corresponds to the "flat portion" in the connecting pipe 30. The first flat portion 36 and the second flat portion 37 are flat plates parallel to the first joint portion 23. The first flat portion 36 and the second flat portion 37 are aligned in the plate thickness direction T. In the first cylindrical portion 31, the two side portions 38 are aligned in the second direction D2. The side portions 38 are arc-shaped when viewed from the first direction D1. The first flat portion 36 and the second flat portion 37 are connected by the two side portions 38.

[0034] The first cylindrical portion 31 is joined to the first joint portion 23 at the first flat portion 36. In other words, the connecting pipe 30 includes a first flat portion 36 that is joined to the first joint portion 23. The first joint portion 23 is joined to the flat plate-shaped first flat portion 36 without being molded according to the shape of the connecting pipe 30.

[0035] The first cylindrical portion 31 is joined to the second joint portion 25 by the second flat portion 37 and two side portions 38. The second flat portion 37 is joined to the flat joint portion 251 of the second joint portion 25. Each of the two side portions 38 is joined to the curved joint portion 252 in a portion of the side portion 38. The side portion 38 is joined to the portion of the curved joint portion 252 that is closer to the flat joint portion 251. The curved joint portion 252 is curved along a portion of the side portion 38. The second joint portion 25 is shaped according to the shape of the connecting pipe 30.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the connecting cylinder portion 32 is connected to the first cylindrical portion 31. The connecting cylinder portion 32 is the part of the connecting pipe 30 that is closer to the second end than the first cylindrical portion 31. The connecting cylinder portion 32 is located outside the heat exchange plate 20. In the plate thickness direction T, the dimensions of the part of the connecting cylinder portion 32 closer to the first end are the same as the dimensions of the first cylindrical portion 31. Also, in the plate thickness direction T, the dimensions of the part of the connecting cylinder portion 32 closer to the second end are larger than the dimensions of the first cylindrical portion 31. In this embodiment, the dimensions in the plate thickness direction T refer to the distance between two opposing surfaces on the inner surface of the relevant portion in the plate thickness direction T. In the connecting pipe 30, the dimensions in the plate thickness direction T increase from the first end to the second end of the connecting cylinder portion 32.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the second cylindrical portion 33 is a cylindrical body with the second axis L2 as its central axis. The second cylindrical portion 33 is circular when viewed from the direction in which the second axis L2 extends. The second axis L2 is further away from the second main wall 22 than the first axis L1 in the direction toward the first main wall 21. The second axis L2 is located further away from the second main wall 22 in the thickness direction T than the first axis L1.

[0038] The second cylindrical portion 33 is connected to the connecting cylindrical portion 32. The second cylindrical portion 33 is the part of the connecting pipe 30 that is closer to the second end than the connecting cylindrical portion 32. The second cylindrical portion 33 is located outside the heat exchange plate 20. The dimensions of the second cylindrical portion 33 are constant in the plate thickness direction T in the direction in which the second axis L2 extends. In the plate thickness direction T, the dimensions of the second cylindrical portion 33 are the same as the dimensions of the part of the connecting cylindrical portion 32 that is closer to the second end. Therefore, the dimensions of the second cylindrical portion 33 in the plate thickness direction T are larger than the dimensions of the first cylindrical portion 31 in the plate thickness direction T.

[0039] The mounting portion 34 is connected to the second cylindrical portion 33. The mounting portion 34 is the part of the connecting pipe 30 that is closer to the second end than the second cylindrical portion 33. The mounting portion 34 includes the second end of the connecting pipe 30. The central axis of the mounting portion 34 coincides with the second axis L2.

[0040] The mounting portion 34 is equipped with a projection 35. The projection 35 is provided on the portion of the mounting portion 34 closer to the second cylindrical portion 33. A supply pipe (not shown) located outside the heat exchanger 10 is connected to the mounting portion 34. The supply pipe is mounted to the mounting portion 34 so as to be in contact with the projection 35.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the connecting pipe 30 has an extended portion 39 formed by connecting a first cylindrical portion 31, a connecting cylindrical portion 32, and a second cylindrical portion 33. Therefore, the connecting pipe 30 has an extended portion 39. The extended portion 39 is the part of the connecting pipe 30 that is closer to the second main wall 22 in the plate thickness direction T.

[0042] The extended portion 39 extends parallel to the first axis L1 from the first cylindrical portion 31 toward the second cylindrical portion 33. The extended portion 39 is a plate-like part of the connecting pipe 30 whose thickness direction is perpendicular to the first axis L1. The extended portion 39 can also be described as the part that is not bent in the direction perpendicular to the first axis L1.

[0043] The extended portion 39 extends from the first cylindrical portion 31 to the second cylindrical portion 33. The extended portion 39 is included in the first cylindrical portion 31 and the second cylindrical portion 33. More specifically, the portion of the extended portion 39 closer to the first end of the connecting pipe 30 is included in the first cylindrical portion 31, and the portion closer to the second end of the connecting pipe 30 is included in the second cylindrical portion 33.

[0044] The extended portion 39 is included in the connecting cylindrical portion 32. Of the extended portion 39, the portion included in the first cylindrical portion 31, the portion included in the connecting cylindrical portion 32, and the portion included in the second cylindrical portion 33 are arranged in this order in the direction in which the connecting pipe 30 extends. In other words, the extended portion 39 extends continuously from the first cylindrical portion 31 toward the second cylindrical portion 33 in the direction in which the connecting pipe 30 extends.

[0045] The extended portion 39 is the part of each of the first cylindrical portion 31, the connecting cylindrical portion 32, and the second cylindrical portion 33 that is closer to the second main wall 22 in the plate thickness direction T. In Figure 4, the extended portion 39 is located between the first end of the connecting pipe 30 and the dashed line indicating the boundary between the second cylindrical portion 33 and the mounting portion 34.

[0046] <Operation of this embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will now be explained. The heat exchanger 10 cools an object in contact with the first main wall 21 by a heat transfer medium flowing inside the heat exchange plate 20. In the heat exchanger 10, the heat transfer medium flows inside the heat exchange plate 20. The inflow and outflow of the heat transfer medium in the heat exchange plate 20 is performed via the connecting pipe 30.

[0047] The connecting pipe 30 is joined to a flat first joint 23 and a second joint 25 that curves along the connecting pipe 30. In other words, the second main wall 22 of the heat exchange plate 20 is formed according to the shape of the connecting pipe 30 when it is joined to the connecting pipe 30.

[0048] <Effects of this embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will now be explained. (1) The heat exchange plate 20 is joined to the connecting pipe 30 at a first joint 23 which is flat and a second joint 25 which is curved to conform to the shape of the connecting pipe 30. Of the heat exchange plate 20, the second main wall 22 which includes the second joint 25 is formed according to the shape of the connecting pipe 30. Compared to, for example, a case where both the first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 are formed according to the shape of the connecting pipe 30, the heat exchanger 10 can reduce the number of members that need to be formed to accommodate the connecting pipe 30 on the heat exchange plate 20. As a result, the heat exchanger 10 can reduce the dimensional accuracy required at the part that is joined to the connecting pipe 30.

[0049] (2) The connecting pipe 30 has a first flat portion 36 parallel to the first joint portion 23, and is joined to the first joint portion 23 at the first flat portion 36. As a result, the connecting pipe 30 can increase the area of ​​contact with the first main wall 21 compared to the case where the contact point with the first joint portion 23 is not flat. In other words, the heat exchanger 10 can increase the area of ​​contact between the connecting pipe 30 and the first main wall 21 by making the first main wall 21 flat and having the connecting pipe 30 have a first flat portion 36. As a result, the heat exchanger 10 can improve the reliability of the connection of the connecting pipe 30 to the heat exchange plate 20.

[0050] (3) The dimensions of the second cylindrical portion 33 in the plate thickness direction T of the connecting pipe 30 are larger than the dimensions of the first cylindrical portion 31 in the plate thickness direction T. Compared to the case where, for example, the dimensions of the second cylindrical portion 33 in the plate thickness direction T are less than or equal to the dimensions of the first cylindrical portion 31 in the plate thickness direction T of the heat exchanger 10, the degree of design freedom regarding the shape and size of the connecting pipe 30 can be improved.

[0051] (4) The first axis L1 is located between the first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 in the plate thickness direction T. The second axis L2 is located further away from the second main wall 22 than the first axis L1 in the direction from the second main wall 22 toward the first main wall 21. For example, consider the case where the first axis L1 and the second axis L2 are on the same straight line. Compared to this case, the heat exchanger 10 can reduce the amount by which the second cylindrical portion 33 protrudes from the second main wall 22 to the outside of the heat exchanger 10, even when the dimensions of the second cylindrical portion 33 in the plate thickness direction T are larger than the dimensions of the first cylindrical portion 31. In other words, the heat exchanger 10 can reduce the interference of the second cylindrical portion 33 with other members when the heat exchanger 10 is installed on other members. As a result, the heat exchanger 10 can improve the ease of installation to other members while improving the design freedom of the connecting pipe 30.

[0052] (5) The extended portion 39 extends parallel to the first axis L1 and is included in the first cylindrical portion 31 and the second cylindrical portion 33. By having the extended portion 39, the connecting pipe 30 is parallel to the first axis L1 from the first cylindrical portion 31 joined to the heat exchange plate 20 to the second cylindrical portion 33 located outside the heat exchange plate 20. In other words, the connecting pipe 30 does not have a portion that protrudes from the second main wall 22 in the thickness direction T to the outside of the heat exchanger 10 from the first cylindrical portion 31 to the second cylindrical portion 33. As a result, when the heat exchanger 10 is attached to other members with the second main wall 22 interposed between the first main wall 21 and other members, the second cylindrical portion 33 can avoid interfering with other members. Thus, the heat exchanger 10 can be made more attachable to other members.

[0053] (6) The connecting cylindrical portion 32 connects a first cylindrical portion 31 having a first flat portion 36 and a circular second cylindrical portion 33. By making the second cylindrical portion 33 circular, the heat exchanger 10 can reduce the load on the connecting pipe 30 due to the flow of the heat transfer medium compared to, for example, the case where the first flat portion 36 is provided over the entire length of the connecting pipe 30. In other words, by comprising the first cylindrical portion 31, the connecting cylindrical portion 32, and the second cylindrical portion 33, the heat exchanger 10 can improve the durability of the connecting pipe 30 while reducing the dimensional accuracy required at the part where it is joined to the connecting pipe 30.

[0054] (7) The heat exchanger 10 is equipped with two first joints 23 and two second joints 25 to be joined to each of the two connecting pipes 30. In the heat exchange plate 20, the second main wall 22 is formed according to the shape of the connecting pipe 30. Consider the case in which both the first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 are formed according to the shape of the connecting pipe 30. In this case, the heat exchange plate 20 needs to align the positions of the first joint 23 and the second joint 25 on each of the two connecting pipes 30, which may increase the required dimensional accuracy at each first joint 23 and each second joint 25. Compared to this case, the heat exchanger 10 only needs to form the second main wall 22 on each connecting pipe 30, thus avoiding the increased dimensional accuracy required in the formation of the heat exchange plate 20.

[0055] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0056] The connecting pipe 30 does not necessarily have to have an extended portion 39 that extends parallel to the first axis L1. For example, the second cylindrical portion 33 of the connecting pipe 30 may protrude further outward from the heat exchanger 10 than the second main wall 22 in the plate thickness direction T.

[0057] The second axis L2 does not have to be further from the second main wall 22 than the first axis L1 in the direction from the second main wall 22 toward the first main wall 21. For example, the second axis L2 may be located between the first axis L1 and the second main wall 22 in the plate thickness direction T.

[0058] The connecting pipe 30 does not necessarily have a first flat portion 36. For example, the connecting pipe 30 may be curved at the portion where it joins with the first joint 23. Also, the connecting pipe 30 does not necessarily have a second flat portion 37. For example, the connecting pipe 30 may be circular when viewed from the direction in which it extends. In this case, it is preferable for the heat exchanger 10 to increase the area where the second joint 25 and the connecting pipe 30 join. This allows the heat exchanger 10 to reduce the amount of brazing material used in the brazing portion 27 between the first main wall 21, the second main wall 22, and the connecting pipe 30.

[0059] The heat exchanger 10 only needs to have a flat first joint 23 and a curved second joint 25 in at least one of the portions of the heat exchange plate 20 that define the inlet end 20b and the outlet end 20c. More specifically, the first main wall 21 may be flat in the portion defining one of the inlet end 20b and the outlet end 20c, and curved in the portion defining the other. In short, if the heat exchanger 10 has multiple connecting pipes 30 provided on the heat exchange plate 20, it is sufficient that at least one of the connecting pipes 30 is connected to the flat first joint 23 and the curved second joint 25.

[0060] The heat exchanger 10 may be installed with the first main wall 21 facing other components while the second main wall 22 is in contact with the object. In short, the heat exchanger 10 only needs to have at least one of the first main wall 21 and the second main wall 22 in contact with the object, and the method of installation to other components is not limited to the embodiment.

[0061] <Summary of this embodiment> The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchange plate through which a heat transfer medium flows, and a connecting pipe joined to the heat exchange plate, wherein the heat exchange plate has a first main wall and a second main wall aligned in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate, the first main wall has a first joint joined to the connecting pipe, and the second main wall has a second joint joined to the connecting pipe, the first joint being flat, and the second joint being curved along the connecting pipe.

[0062] The heat exchange plate is joined to the connecting pipe by a first joint which is flat and a second joint which is curved to conform to the shape of the connecting pipe. Of the heat exchange plate, only the second main wall, which includes the second joint, is formed according to the shape of the connecting pipe. Compared to a heat exchanger where both the first and second main walls are formed according to the shape of the connecting pipe, for example, the number of components that need to be formed to accommodate the connecting pipe on the heat exchange plate can be reduced. As a result, the dimensional accuracy required at the joint with the connecting pipe can be reduced in the heat exchanger.

[0063] In the heat exchanger described above, the connecting pipe is provided with a flat portion that connects to the first joint, and it is preferable that the flat portion is a flat plate parallel to the first joint. This allows the connecting pipe to have a larger contact area with the first main wall compared to the case where the connection point with the first joint is not flat. In other words, by making the first main wall flat and having the connecting pipe have a flat section, the heat exchanger can increase the contact area between the connecting pipe and the first main wall. This improves the reliability of the connection of the connecting pipe to the heat exchange plate in the heat exchanger.

[0064] In the heat exchanger described above, the connecting pipe comprises a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion arranged in the direction in which the connecting pipe extends, the first cylindrical portion comprises the flat portion and is joined to the first joint and the second joint and opens toward the interior of the heat exchange plate, the second cylindrical portion is located outside the heat exchange plate, the central axis of the first cylindrical portion is located between the first main wall and the second main wall in the plate thickness direction, the central axis of the second cylindrical portion is further away from the second main wall than the central axis of the first cylindrical portion in the direction from the second main wall toward the first main wall, and preferably the dimensions of the second cylindrical portion in the plate thickness direction are larger than the dimensions of the first cylindrical portion in the plate thickness direction.

[0065] According to this, the heat exchanger can, for example, improve the design flexibility regarding the shape and size of the connecting pipes compared to a case where the dimensions of the second cylindrical section in the plate thickness direction are less than or equal to the dimensions of the first cylindrical section in the plate thickness direction.

[0066] Furthermore, by positioning the central axes of the first and second cylindrical sections of the heat exchanger as described above, the dimensions of the second cylindrical section in the thickness direction can be increased while reducing the amount by which the second cylindrical section protrudes beyond the second main wall in the thickness direction. One method of installing the heat exchanger to other components is to interpose the second main wall between the first cylindrical section and the other component. When installed to other components using this method, the heat exchanger can reduce interference of the second cylindrical section with the other component. In other words, the heat exchanger can improve the design flexibility of the connecting pipes while also improving the ease of installation to other components.

[0067] In the heat exchanger described above, the connecting pipe preferably has an extended portion that extends from the first cylindrical portion toward the second cylindrical portion parallel to the central axis of the first cylindrical portion, and the extended portion is included in the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.

[0068] According to this, the connecting pipe, by having an extended portion, is parallel to the central axis of the first cylindrical portion from the first cylindrical portion joined to the heat exchange plate to the second cylindrical portion located outside the heat exchange plate. In other words, the connecting pipe does not have a portion that protrudes outward from the second main wall in the thickness direction from the second main wall to the outside of the heat exchanger, extending from the first cylindrical portion to the second cylindrical portion. As a result, when the heat exchanger is attached to other members with the second main wall interposed between the first main wall and other members, interference between the second cylindrical portion and other members can be avoided. Thus, the heat exchanger can be made easier to attach to other members.

[0069] In the heat exchanger described above, it is preferable that the second cylindrical portion is circular when viewed from the direction in which the central axis of the second cylindrical portion extends, and that the connecting pipe includes a connecting cylindrical portion interposed between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.

[0070] The connecting cylinder section connects a first cylindrical section with a flat section and a second cylindrical section that is circular. By making the second cylindrical section circular, the heat exchanger can reduce the load on the connecting pipe due to the flow of the heat transfer medium compared to, for example, a case where a flat section is provided throughout the entire connecting pipe. In other words, by comprising the first cylindrical section, the second cylindrical section, and the connecting cylinder section, the heat exchanger can improve the durability of the connecting pipe while reducing the dimensional accuracy required at the joint with the connecting pipe.

[0071] The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchange plate through which a heat transfer medium flows, and two connecting pipes joined to the heat exchange plate. The heat exchange plate has a first main wall and a second main wall aligned in the thickness direction, the first main wall has two first joints joined to the connecting pipes, and the second main wall has two second joints joined to the connecting pipes. The two first joints are flat, and the two second joints are curved along the connecting pipes.

[0072] The heat exchanger has two joints, a first joint and a second joint, to connect to each of the two connecting pipes. In the heat exchange plate, the second main wall is formed according to the shape of the connecting pipe. For example, consider the case where both the first and second main walls are formed according to the shape of the connecting pipe. In this case, the heat exchange plate needs to align the first joint and the second joint at each of the two connecting pipes, which may increase the required dimensional accuracy at each first joint and each second joint. Compared to this case, the heat exchanger only needs to form the second main wall at each connecting pipe, thus avoiding the increased dimensional accuracy required in the formation of the heat exchange plate. Therefore, the heat exchanger can reduce the required dimensional accuracy at the parts that connect to each of the two connecting pipes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 10...Heat exchanger, 20...Heat exchange plate, 21...First main wall, 22...Second main wall, 23...First joint, 25...Second joint, 30...Connecting pipe, 31...First cylindrical section, 33...Second cylindrical section, 36...First flat section (flat section), 39...Extending section, L1...First axis (central axis of the first cylindrical section), L2...Second axis (central axis of the second cylindrical section), T...Plate thickness direction.

Claims

1. A heat exchange plate through which a heat transfer medium flows, The system comprises a connecting pipe joined to the heat exchange plate, The heat exchange plate comprises a first main wall and a second main wall arranged in the thickness direction of the heat exchange plate, The first main wall includes a first joint that is joined to the connecting pipe, The second main wall includes a second joint that is joined to the connecting pipe, The first joint is flat, The second joint is curved along the connecting pipe, heat exchanger.

2. The connecting pipe has a flat portion that connects to the first joint, The flat portion is in the shape of a flat plate parallel to the first joint portion. The heat exchanger according to claim 1.

3. The connecting pipe comprises a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion arranged in the direction in which the connecting pipe extends, The first cylindrical portion has the flat portion and is joined to the first joint and the second joint, and is open toward the interior of the heat exchange plate. The second cylindrical portion is located outside the heat exchange plate, The central axis of the first cylindrical portion is located between the first main wall and the second main wall in the plate thickness direction. The central axis of the second cylindrical portion is located further away from the second main wall than the central axis of the first cylindrical portion in the direction from the second main wall toward the first main wall. The dimensions of the second cylindrical portion in the thickness direction are greater than the dimensions of the first cylindrical portion in the thickness direction. The heat exchanger according to claim 2.

4. The connecting pipe has an extended portion that extends from the first cylindrical portion toward the second cylindrical portion, parallel to the central axis of the first cylindrical portion, The extended portion is included in the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion. The heat exchanger according to claim 3.

Images