Heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger capable of reducing the pressure loss of refrigerant.SOLUTION: In a heat exchanger, a refrigerant flow path and a fluid flow path are formed by a plurality of first outer plates 62 arranged in layers. Each of the first outer plates 62 is formed with a through-hole 626 through which refrigerant flows into the refrigerant flow path 81, a through-hole 632 out of which the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 81 flows, a recessed part 633 arranged neighboring the through-hole 632, a communication path 636 communicating the through-hole 632 with the recessed part 633, and a rib 641 partitioning the refrigerant flow path 81 and the communication path 636 from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1 below. This heat exchanger has a plate stack and a gas-liquid separation section. The plate stack is composed of a plurality of plate members laminated together. In the plate stack, a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows and a cooling water flow path through which cooling water flows are alternately arranged in the plate stacking direction. At one end face of the plate stack in the plate stacking direction, a refrigerant inlet connector and an outlet connector are provided. At the other end face of the plate stack in the plate stacking direction, a gas-liquid separation section is provided.

[0003] The plate stack is provided with a condensation section and a subcooling section. In the condensation section, vapor-phase refrigerant flows in through the inlet connector. In the condensation section, heat exchange occurs between the vapor-phase refrigerant and the cooling water, thereby generating a two-phase refrigerant in which the vapor-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant are mixed. The two-phase refrigerant generated in the condensation section flows into the gas-liquid separation section and is separated into a vapor-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant. The liquid-phase refrigerant separated in the condensation section flows into the subcooling section of the plate stack. In the subcooling section, heat exchange occurs between the liquid-phase refrigerant and the cooling water, thereby further cooling the liquid-phase refrigerant. The liquid-phase refrigerant subcooled in the subcooling section is discharged to the outside through the outlet connector.

[0004] The plate laminate has, as the above-mentioned plate members, a plurality of first plate members constituting a condensation part and a plurality of second plate members constituting a subcooling part. Each first plate member is provided with an inflow part for guiding the refrigerant flowing into the inflow connector into the inside of the first plate member, an outflow part for guiding the refrigerant that has passed through the inside of the first plate member to the gas-liquid separation part, and a through-hole forming part for guiding the refrigerant that has passed through the subcooling part to the outflow connector. Further, each second plate member is provided with an inflow part for guiding the refrigerant flowing out from the gas-liquid separation part into the inside of the second plate member, an outflow part for guiding the refrigerant that has passed through the inside of the second plate member to the outflow connector, and a through-hole forming part for guiding the refrigerant that has passed through the condensation part to the gas-liquid separation part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In a heat exchanger as described in Patent Document 1, since the refrigerant easily flows through the shortest flow path from the inflow part to the outflow part in each plate member, there is a possibility that a dead water area where the refrigerant hardly flows is formed inside each plate member. When such a dead water area is formed inside the plate member, the flow velocity of the refrigerant increases in other areas. This is a factor that increases the pressure loss of the refrigerant and is not preferable.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a heat exchanger capable of reducing the pressure loss of the refrigerant.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The heat exchanger for solving the above problems is a heat exchanger (10) in which a refrigerant flow path and a fluid flow path are formed by a plurality of plate members (61 to 66, 70) arranged in a stacked manner, and heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path and the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path. In the plate member (62), an inflow portion (626) provided at one end of the refrigerant flow path for allowing the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant flow path, an outflow portion (632) provided at the other end of the refrigerant flow path for allowing the refrigerant that has flowed through the refrigerant flow path to flow out, a recess (633, 637) arranged adjacent to either the inflow portion or the outflow portion and communicating with the refrigerant flow path, a communication path (629, 636) for communicating either the inflow portion or the outflow portion with the recess, and a partition wall (640, 641) for partitioning the refrigerant flow path and the communication path. A passage flow path portion (634) provided in the recess and allowing the refrigerant to pass through the plate member without flowing through the refrigerant flow path is formed. Another heat exchanger for solving the above problems is a heat exchanger (10) in which a refrigerant flow path and a fluid flow path are formed by a plurality of plate members (61 to 66, 70) arranged in a stacked manner, and heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path and the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path. In the plate member (62), an inflow portion (626) provided at one end of the refrigerant flow path for allowing the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant flow path, an outflow portion (632) provided at the other end of the refrigerant flow path for allowing the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path to flow out, a recess (633, 637) arranged adjacent to either the inflow portion or the outflow portion and communicating with the refrigerant flow path, a communication path (629, 636) for communicating either the inflow portion or the outflow portion with the recess, and a partition wall (640, 641) for partitioning the refrigerant flow path and the communication path are formed. The cross-sectional shape of the plate member perpendicular to the stacking direction of the plate members is formed in a rectangular shape. The inflow portion and the outflow portion are respectively formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plate member. The inflow portion is formed adjacent to the outer wall portion of the plate member in the short side direction of the plate member. The recess (637) is arranged on the opposite side of the outer wall portion of the plate member across the inflow portion in the short side direction of the plate member

[0009] According to this configuration, a part of the refrigerant flowing from the inflow portion into the refrigerant flow path or a part of the refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant flow path to the outflow portion flows through the recess. As a result, a refrigerant flow different from the straight-line refrigerant flow from the inflow portion to the outflow portion can be formed, so that it is difficult to form the above-described dead water area. As a result, the pressure loss of the refrigerant can be reduced.

[0010] Note that the reference numerals in parentheses described in the above means and the claims are an example showing the correspondence relationship with the specific means described in the embodiments described later.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the heat exchanger of the present disclosure, the pressure loss of the refrigerant can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the perspective structure of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front structure of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the exploded structure of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an exploded structure of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a planar structure of the first outer plate according to the first embodiment. [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a planar structure of the second outer plate according to the first embodiment. [FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a planar structure of the third outer plate according to the first embodiment. [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a planar structure of the outer plate of the reference example. [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a planar structure of the first outer plate of the first modification of the first embodiment. [FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a planar structure of the first outer plate of the first modification of the first embodiment. [FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a planar structure of the first outer plate of the first modification of the first embodiment. [FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing an enlarged structure of an end portion of the first outer plate according to the second embodiment. [FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the width of the communication passage and the number of repetitions of pressurization according to the second embodiment. [FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the width of the rib and the number of repetitions of pressurization according to the second embodiment. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a heat exchanger will be described with reference to the drawings. For ease of understanding the description, the same components in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant descriptions are omitted. <First Embodiment> First, the heat exchanger 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. This heat exchanger 10 is used as a condenser, for example, in the refrigeration cycle of a vehicle air conditioner. The refrigeration cycle is composed of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. High-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the heat exchanger 10. The heat exchanger 10 releases the heat of the refrigerant to the cooling water by performing heat exchange between the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant and the cooling water, thereby condensing the gaseous refrigerant. The heat exchanger 10 discharges the condensed liquid-phase refrigerant to the expansion valve. In this embodiment, the cooling water corresponds to the fluid.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchanger 10 includes a core portion 20, a refrigerant inlet connector 30, a refrigerant outlet connector 31, a cooling water inlet connector 40, a cooling water outlet connector 41, a receiver connector 50, and a gas-liquid separation portion 51. The core portion 20 is composed of a plurality of plates stacked and arranged in the direction indicated by the arrow Z in the figure. Hereinafter, the direction indicated by the arrow Z will be referred to as the "plate stacking direction Z". The core portion 20 includes a condensation portion 20A and a subcooling portion 20B. The condensation portion 20A condenses the gaseous refrigerant by performing heat exchange between the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the cooling water in the core portion 20. The subcooling portion 20B is a portion that further cools the liquid-phase refrigerant by performing heat exchange between the liquid-phase refrigerant flowing out from the gas-liquid separation portion 51 and the cooling water in the core portion 20.

[0015] The gas-liquid separation portion 51 is provided on one end surface 21 of the core portion 20 in the plate stacking direction Z. The gas-liquid separation portion 51 is connected to the core portion 20 via the receiver connector 50. The gas-liquid separation portion 51 separates the refrigerant flowing out from the condensation portion 20A into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant, and flows the separated liquid-phase refrigerant to the subcooling portion 20B.

[0016] Each of the connectors 30, 31, 40, and 41 is provided on the other end face 22 of the core portion 20 in the plate stacking direction Z. An inlet-side refrigerant pipe is connected to the refrigerant inlet connector 30. The vapor-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the condensing portion 20A through the inlet-side refrigerant pipe and the refrigerant inlet connector 30. An outlet-side refrigerant pipe is connected to the refrigerant outlet connector 31. The liquid-phase refrigerant supercooled by the subcooling portion 20B is discharged to the expansion valve through the refrigerant outlet connector 31 and the outlet-side refrigerant pipe. An inlet-side cooling water pipe is connected to the cooling water inlet connector 40. The cooling water flows into the core portion 20 through the inlet-side cooling water pipe and the cooling water inlet connector 40. An outlet-side cooling water pipe is connected to the cooling water outlet connector 41. The cooling water that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the core portion 20 is discharged to the outside through the cooling water outlet connector 41 and the outlet-side cooling water pipe.

[0017] Next, the structure of the core portion 20 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the core portion 20 includes, as a portion constituting the condensing portion 20A, a top plate 60, a top outer plate 61, a plurality of first outer plates 62, a first partition outer plate 63, and a plurality of second outer plates 64 that are stacked and arranged in the plate stacking direction Z, and an inner plate 70 disposed between the outer plates 61 to 64. Further, the core portion 20 includes, as a portion constituting the subcooling portion 20B, a second partition outer plate 65, a plurality of third outer plates 66, a bottom plate 67, and a bracket 68 that are stacked and arranged in the plate stacking direction Z, and an inner plate 70 disposed between the outer plates 65 and 66. In the present embodiment, these plates 61 to 66 and 70 correspond to plate members.

[0018] The gaps formed between the outer plates 61 to 66 are partitioned by the inner plate 70 into two independent spaces 80 and 81 in the plate stacking direction Z. One space 80 constitutes a cooling water flow path through which cooling water flows. The other space 81 constitutes a refrigerant flow path 81 through which refrigerant flows. Hereinafter, the spaces 80 and 81 are respectively referred to as the "cooling water flow path 80" and the "refrigerant flow path 81". In the cooling water flow path 80, cooling water fins 110 are arranged to increase the heat transfer area for the cooling water. In the refrigerant flow path 81, refrigerant fins 111 are arranged to increase the heat transfer area for the refrigerant. In the present embodiment, the cooling water flow path 80 corresponds to the fluid flow path.

[0019] In the core part 20, refrigerant tank holes 91 to 95 are formed inside for circulating refrigerant. Specifically, at the left end portions of each of the top plate 60, the top outer plate 61, and the plurality of first outer plates 62, and at the left end portions of each of the plurality of inner plates 70 disposed between these outer plates 61 and 62, a first refrigerant tank hole 91 is formed so as to penetrate them in the plate stacking direction Z. The upper end portion of the first refrigerant tank hole 91 communicates with the refrigerant inlet connector 30.

[0020] At the right end portions of each of the plurality of first outer plates 62, the first partition outer plate 63, and the plurality of second outer plates 64, and at the right end portions of each of the plurality of inner plates 70 disposed between these outer plates 62 to 64, a second refrigerant tank hole 92 is formed so as to penetrate them in the plate stacking direction Z.

[0021] At the left end of each of the plurality of second outer plates 64, second partition outer plates 65, plurality of third outer plates 66, bottom plate 67, and brackets 68, and at the left end of each of the plurality of inner plates 70 disposed between those outer plates 64 to 66, a third refrigerant tank hole 93 is formed so as to penetrate them in the plate stacking direction Z. The lower end of the third refrigerant tank hole 93 communicates with the gas-liquid separation section 51 via the receiver connector 50.

[0022] At the left end of each of the plurality of third outer plates 66, bottom plate 67, and brackets 68, and at the left end of each of the plurality of inner plates 70 disposed between the plurality of third outer plates 66, a fourth refrigerant tank hole 94 is formed so as to penetrate them in the plate stacking direction Z. The lower end of the fourth refrigerant tank hole 94 communicates with the gas-liquid separation section 51 via the receiver connector 50.

[0023] At the right end of the top plate 60, each of the plurality of outer plates 61 to 66, and at the right end of each of the plurality of inner plates 70 disposed between those outer plates 61 to 66, a fifth refrigerant tank hole 95 is formed so as to penetrate them in the plate stacking direction Z.

[0024] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, in the core section 20, cooling water tank holes 101 and 102 for circulating cooling water inside are further formed. Specifically, at the right end of the top plate 60, each of the plurality of outer plates 61 to 66, and at the right end of the inner plate 70 disposed between those outer plates 61 to 66, a first cooling water tank hole 101 is formed so as to penetrate them in the plate stacking direction Z.

[0025] At the left end of the top plate 60, each of the plurality of outer plates 61 to 66, and at the left end of the inner plate 70 disposed between those outer plates 61 to 66, a second cooling water tank hole 102 is formed so as to penetrate them in the plate stacking direction Z.

[0026] In this heat exchanger 10, as shown in FIG. 4, the cooling water flowing into the first cooling water tank hole 101 from the inlet-side cooling water pipe connected to the cooling water inlet connector 40 is distributed to the right ends of a plurality of cooling water flow paths 80 formed between the outer plates 61 to 66, and flows through each cooling water flow path 80 from the right end toward the left end. The cooling water that has flowed to the left ends of the respective cooling water flow paths 80 is collected at the second cooling water tank hole 102 and then discharged from the outlet-side cooling water pipe connected to the cooling water outlet connector 41.

[0027] On the other hand, in this heat exchanger 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the gaseous-phase refrigerant flowing into the first refrigerant tank hole 91 from the inlet-side refrigerant pipe connected to the refrigerant inlet connector 30 is distributed to the left end of the refrigerant flow path 81 formed between the top outer plate 61, the plurality of first outer plates 62, and the first partition outer plate 63, and flows through the refrigerant flow path 81 from the left end toward the right end. At this time, the gaseous-phase refrigerant flowing through this refrigerant flow path 81 is condensed by exchanging heat with the cooling water flowing through the cooling water flow path 80 disposed adjacent to the refrigerant flow path 81. The refrigerant that has flowed to the right end of the refrigerant flow path 81 is collected above the second refrigerant tank hole 92 and then flows toward the lower part of the second refrigerant tank hole 92.

[0028] The refrigerant flowing toward the lower part of the second refrigerant tank hole 92 is distributed to the right end of the refrigerant flow path 81 formed between the first partition outer plate 63, the plurality of second outer plates 64, and the second partition outer plate 65, and flows through the refrigerant flow path 81 from the right end toward the left end. At this time, the gaseous-phase refrigerant flowing through this refrigerant flow path 81 is further condensed by exchanging heat with the cooling water flowing through the cooling water flow path 80 disposed adjacent to the refrigerant flow path 81. The refrigerant that has flowed to the left end of this refrigerant flow path 81 is collected above the third refrigerant tank hole 93. As the refrigerant is condensed, a two-phase refrigerant in which the gaseous phase and the liquid phase are mixed is collected in the third refrigerant tank hole 93. The two-phase refrigerant collected in the third refrigerant tank hole 93 flows into the gas-liquid separation unit 51 via the receiver connector 50.

[0029] The gas-liquid separation unit 51 separates the two-phase refrigerant flowing in from the third refrigerant tank hole 93 through the receiver connector 50 into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separation unit 51 flows into the lower part of the fourth refrigerant tank hole 94 through the receiver connector 50. The liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the lower part of the fourth refrigerant tank hole 94 is distributed to the left end of the refrigerant flow path 81 formed between the second partition outer plate 65 and the plurality of third outer plates 66, and flows through the refrigerant flow path 81 from the left end toward the right end. At this time, the liquid refrigerant flowing through this refrigerant flow path 81 is further cooled by exchanging heat with the cooling water flowing through the cooling water flow path 80 arranged adjacent to the refrigerant flow path 81. The liquid refrigerant that has flowed to the right end of this refrigerant flow path 81 is collected at the lower part of the fifth refrigerant tank hole 95, and then is led from the upper part of the fifth refrigerant tank hole 95 to an expansion valve through an outlet-side cooling water pipe connected to the refrigerant outlet connector 31.

[0030] In this way, in the heat exchanger 10, the condensation part 20A is constituted by the region from the top outer plate 61 to the second partition outer plate 65 in the core part 20, and the subcooling part 20B is constituted by the region from the second partition outer plate 65 to the third outer plate 66 in the core part 20.

[0031] Next, the structures of the first outer plate 62, the second outer plate 64, and the third outer plate 66 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. First, with reference to FIG. 5, the structure of the first outer plate 62 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the first outer plate 62 is composed of a plate-like member and has a bottom part 620, an outer wall part 621, a left inner wall part 622, and a right inner wall part 623, and is formed in a cup shape as a whole.

[0032] Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the bottom part 620 orthogonal to the plate stacking direction Z is formed in a rectangular shape. In FIG. 5, the longitudinal direction of the bottom part 620 is indicated by an arrow X, and the short-side direction of the bottom part 620 is indicated by an arrow Y. The left inner wall portion 622 and the right inner wall portion 623 are respectively provided at both ends of the bottom portion 620 in the longitudinal direction X. Each inner wall portion 622, 623 is formed so as to protrude in the plate stacking direction Z from the bottom portion 620. The bottom surface of the inner plate 70 is joined to the upper surface of each inner wall portion 622, 623 by brazing.

[0033] The outer wall portion 621 is provided over the entire circumference on the outer periphery of each of the bottom portion 620 and the inner wall portions 622, 623, and is formed so as to protrude in the plate stacking direction Z from those outer peripheries. The outer peripheral surface of the inner plate 70 is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall portion 621 by brazing.

[0034] In the core portion 20, a space surrounded by the upper surface of the bottom portion 620 of the first outer plate 62, the inner surfaces of the inner wall portions 622, 623, the inner surface of the outer wall portion 621, and the bottom surface of the inner plate 70 forms the refrigerant flow path 81. Refrigerant fins 111 shown in FIG. 3 are arranged in the refrigerant flow path 81.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, a through hole 624 is formed at one end of the left inner wall portion 622 in the short transverse direction Y so as to penetrate it in the plate thickness direction. This through hole 624 forms the second cooling water tank hole 102. A recess 625 is formed at the other end of the left inner wall portion 622 in the short transverse direction Y. The recess 625 is formed so as to communicate with the refrigerant flow path 81. A through hole 626 is formed in the recess 625 so as to penetrate its bottom surface in the plate thickness direction. Therefore, the through hole 626 is arranged adjacent to the outer wall portion 621 in the short transverse direction Y. The through hole 626 constitutes the first refrigerant tank hole 91. Therefore, the first refrigerant tank hole 91 communicates with the refrigerant flow path 81 through the recess 625. In the first outer plate 62, the through hole 626 corresponds to the inflow portion.

[0036] A recess 637 is further formed between the through-hole 624 and the recess 625 in the short-side direction Y. The recess 637 is disposed on the opposite side of the outer wall portion 621 in the short-side direction Y, with the through-hole 626, which is an inflow portion, interposed therebetween. The recess 637 is formed so as to communicate with the refrigerant flow path 81. In the recess 637, a through-hole 627 is formed so as to penetrate the bottom surface thereof, and a shielding wall 628 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the through-hole 627. The shielding wall 628 is provided so that the through-hole 627 and the refrigerant flow path 81 do not communicate with each other. Note that in the first outer plate 62, the through-hole 627 does not function as a refrigerant flow path.

[0037] A communication path 629 for communicating the recess 625 and the recess 637 is further formed in the left inner wall portion 622. The portion formed between the communication path 629 and the refrigerant flow path 81 in the left inner wall portion 622 functions as a rib 640 that partitions them. In the first outer plate 62, the rib 640 corresponds to a partition wall.

[0038] A through-hole 630 is formed at one end of the right inner wall portion 623 in the short-side direction Y so as to penetrate it in the plate thickness direction. The through-hole 630 is located diagonally to the through-hole 624 in the first outer plate 62. This through-hole 630 forms the first cooling water tank hole 101.

[0039] At the other end of the right inner wall portion 623 in the short-side direction Y, a recess 631 is formed. The recess 631 is located diagonally to the recess 625 in the first outer plate 62. The recess 631 is formed so as to communicate with the refrigerant flow path 81. In the recess 631, a through hole 632 is formed so as to penetrate the bottom surface thereof. Therefore, the through hole 632 is disposed adjacent to the outer wall portion 621 in the short-side direction Y. The through hole 632 constitutes the second refrigerant tank hole 92. Therefore, the second refrigerant tank hole 92 communicates with the refrigerant flow path 81 through the recess 631. In the first outer plate 62, the through hole 632 corresponds to the outflow portion. Thus, in the first outer plate 62, the through hole 626 which is the inflow portion and the through hole 632 which is the outflow portion are respectively disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction X. Further, the through hole 626 which is the inflow portion and the through hole 632 which is the outflow portion are disposed diagonally in the first outer plate 62.

[0040] Between the through hole 630 and the recess 631 in the short-side direction Y, a further recess 633 is formed. The recess 633 is disposed on the opposite side of the outer wall portion 621 in the short-side direction Y across the through hole 632 which is the outflow portion. The recess 633 is formed so as to communicate with the refrigerant flow path 81. In the recess 633, a through hole 634 is formed so as to penetrate the bottom surface thereof, and a shielding wall 635 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the through hole 634. The shielding wall 635 is provided so that the through hole 634 and the recess 633 do not communicate with each other, in other words, so that the through hole 634 and the refrigerant flow path 81 do not communicate with each other. The through hole 634 forms the fifth refrigerant tank hole 95. In the first outer plate 62, the through hole 634 corresponds to a passage flow path portion that allows the refrigerant to pass through the first outer plate 62 without flowing into the refrigerant flow path 81.

[0041] On the right inner wall portion 623, a communication path 636 for communicating the recess 631 and the recess 633 is further formed. The portion formed between the communication path 636 and the refrigerant flow path 81 in the right inner wall portion 623 functions as a rib 641 that partitions them. In the first outer plate 62, the rib 641 corresponds to a partition wall.

[0042] In this first outer plate 62, the refrigerant flowing into the recess 625 from the first refrigerant tank hole 91 flows directly into the left end of the refrigerant flow path 81 as indicated by the arrow W11, or flows into the left end of the refrigerant flow path 81 through the communication path 629 and the recess 637 as indicated by the arrow W12. On the other hand, the refrigerant that has flowed through the refrigerant flow path 81 from the left end to the right end flows into the second refrigerant tank hole 92 through the recess 631 as indicated by the arrow W21, or flows into the second refrigerant tank hole 92 through the recess 633, the communication path 636, and the recess 631 as indicated by the arrow W22.

[0043] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the structure of the second outer plate 64 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the second outer plate 64 has a structure similar to that of the first outer plate 62. Therefore, with respect to the same components as those of the first outer plate 62 in the second outer plate 64, the same reference numerals are given, and redundant descriptions are omitted as much as possible.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the second outer plate 64 is different from the first outer plate 62 in that the through hole 626 is not formed. Further, in the second outer plate 64, since the shielding wall 628 is not formed, the through hole 627 communicates with the refrigerant flow path 81 through the recess 637. The through hole 627 of the second outer plate 64 forms the third refrigerant tank hole 93. In the second outer plate 64, the through hole 627 corresponds to the outflow portion. Further, the through hole 632 corresponds to the inflow portion. Furthermore, the through hole 634 corresponds to the passage flow path portion that allows the refrigerant to pass through the second outer plate 64 without flowing into the refrigerant flow path 81.

[0045] In this second outer plate 64, the refrigerant flowing into the recess 631 from the second refrigerant tank hole 92 flows directly into the right end of the refrigerant flow path 81 as indicated by the arrow W13, or flows into the right end of the refrigerant flow path 81 through the recess 633 from the communication path 636 as indicated by the arrow W14. On the other hand, the refrigerant that has flowed through the refrigerant flow path 81 from the right end to the left end flows into the third refrigerant tank hole 93 through the recess 637 as indicated by the arrow W23, or flows into the third refrigerant tank hole 93 through the recess 625, the communication path 629, and the recess 637 as indicated by the arrow W24.

[0046] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the structure of the third outer plate 66 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the third outer plate 66 has a structure obtained by rotating the second outer plate 64 by 180 degrees, and has a structure similar to that of the first outer plate 62, similar to the second outer plate 64. Therefore, for the same components as the first outer plate 62 in the third outer plate 66, the same reference numerals are given, and redundant explanations are omitted as much as possible.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, the third outer plate 66 differs from the first outer plate 62 in that the through hole 632 is not formed. Further, in the third outer plate 66, since the shielding wall 635 is not formed, the through hole 634 communicates with the refrigerant flow path 81 through the recess 633. Further, in the third outer plate 66, the through hole 626 forms the fourth refrigerant tank hole 94, and the through hole 627 forms the third refrigerant tank hole 93. The third refrigerant tank hole 93 is not communicated with the refrigerant flow path 81 by the shielding wall 628. In the third outer plate 66, the through hole 626 corresponds to the inflow portion, and the through hole 634 corresponds to the outflow portion. Further, the through hole 627 corresponds to the passage flow path portion that allows the refrigerant to pass through the third outer plate 66 without flowing into the refrigerant flow path 81.

[0048] In this third outer plate 66, the refrigerant that has flowed into the recess 637 from the fourth refrigerant tank hole 94 either flows directly into the left end portion of the refrigerant flow path 81 as indicated by the arrow W15, or flows into the left end portion of the refrigerant flow path 81 from the communication path 629 through the recess 637 as indicated by the arrow W16. On the other hand, the refrigerant that has flowed through the refrigerant flow path 81 from the left end portion to the right end portion flows into the fifth refrigerant tank hole 95 through the recess 631 as indicated by the arrow W25, or flows into the fifth refrigerant tank hole 95 from the recess 633 through the communication path 636 and the recess 631 as indicated by the arrow W27.

[0049] According to the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment described above, the operations and effects shown in the following (1) and (2) can be obtained. Since the operations and effects obtained by the first outer plate 62, the second outer plate 64, and the third outer plate 66 are the same or similar, the operations and effects of the first outer plate 62 will be described representatively below.

[0050] (1) If, as shown in FIG. 8, the recesses 633, 637 and the communication paths 629, 636 are not formed in the first outer plate 62, in the refrigerant flow path 81, for example, a flow of refrigerant from the recess 625 toward the recess 631 as indicated by the arrow W31, or a flow of refrigerant that flows along the outer wall portion 621 in the longitudinal direction X from the recess 625 and then along the right inner wall portion 623 is formed. Therefore, in the region A10 indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8, a so-called dead water area where it is difficult to form a refrigerant flow is likely to be formed. In this regard, in the first outer plate 62 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 5, since a flow of refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant flow path 81 from the first refrigerant tank hole 91 through the communication path 629 and the recess 637 is formed as indicated by the arrow W12, another flow of refrigerant as indicated by the arrow W33 can be newly formed. As a result, the region where a dead water area is likely to be formed becomes the region A11 indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, and that region can be narrowed. Therefore, the pressure loss of the refrigerant can be reduced. Further, since the dead water area becomes narrower, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant fins 111 increases, so that the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger 10 can also be improved.

[0051] (2) As shown in FIG. 8, when the communication passages 629 and 636 are not formed in the first outer plate 62, the recesses 625 and 631 have an annular shape. In this case, inside the recess 631, the flowing refrigerant is likely to flow in a vortex towards the through-hole 632, so there is a possibility of vortex loss in the refrigerant. This also increases the pressure loss of the refrigerant. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 5, in the first outer plate 62, since the recess 631 communicates with the recess 633 through the communication passage 636, it is difficult for the refrigerant to flow in a vortex inside the recess 631. As a result, it is difficult for vortex loss to occur in the refrigerant, so the pressure loss of the refrigerant can be reduced.

[0052] (First Modified Example) Next, a first modified example of the heat exchanger 10 of the first embodiment will be described. The positions of the through-holes 624, 626, and 627 formed in the left inner wall portion 622 of the first outer plate 62 and the positions of the through-holes 630, 632, and 634 formed in the right inner wall portion 623 can be appropriately changed.

[0053] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the through-hole 624 in the left inner wall portion 622 and the through-hole 630 in the right inner wall portion 623 may be arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction X, and the through-hole 626 in the left inner wall portion 622 and the through-hole 632 in the right inner wall portion 623 may be arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction X.

[0054] Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the through-hole 624 in the left inner wall portion 622 and the through-hole 630 in the right inner wall portion 623 may be arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction X, the through-hole 626 in the left inner wall portion 622 and the through-hole 632 in the right inner wall portion 623 may be arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction X, and further the through-hole 627 in the left inner wall portion 622 and the through-hole 634 in the right inner wall portion 623 may be arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction X. As shown in FIG. 10, a communication path 638 may be further formed in the left inner wall portion 622 so as to pass through the outer peripheral portion of the through-hole 624 from the through-hole 626 and penetrate into the refrigerant flow path 81. Similarly, a communication path 639 may be further formed in the right inner wall portion 623 so as to pass through the outer peripheral portion of the through-hole 630 from the through-hole 632 and penetrate into the refrigerant flow path 81.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the through-holes 626 and 627 may be respectively arranged at both ends in the short-side direction Y of the left inner wall portion 622, and the through-hole 624 may be arranged between the through-holes 626 and 627. Similarly, the through-holes 632 and 634 may be respectively arranged at both ends in the short-side direction Y of the right inner wall portion 623, and the through-hole 630 may be arranged between the through-holes 632 and 634.

[0056] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the heat exchanger 10 will be described. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the heat exchanger 10 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, when the communication path 636 is formed in the right inner wall portion 623 of the first outer plate 62, ribs 641 are formed between the communication path 636 and the refrigerant flow path 81 in the right inner wall portion 623. Therefore, since the bottom surface of the inner plate 70 is partially joined to the first outer plate 62 at the ribs 641, the strength is likely to be weakened at the joining portion between the ribs 641 and the inner plate 70 due to its structure. In consideration of this, the inventors experimentally obtained the number of times of repeated pressurization when the width Ha of the communication path 636 and the width Hb of the ribs 641 were changed. The number of times of repeated pressurization is the number of times when damage first occurs around the ribs 641 when pressurization is repeatedly performed on the core portion 20.

[0057] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the width Ha of the communication path 636 obtained by the experiments of the inventors and the number of pressurization repetitions. Further, FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the width Hb of the rib 641 obtained by the experiments of the inventors and the number of pressurization repetitions. As shown in FIG. 13, when the width Ha of the communication path 636 was 2.8 [mm], the number of pressurization repetitions was a predetermined number Na. Further, it has been confirmed by experiments that if the width Ha of the communication path is set to 2.8 [mm] or less, the number of pressurization repetitions will be a predetermined number Na or more.

[0058] Also, as shown in FIG. 14, when the width Hb of the rib 641 was 5.0 [mm] or more, the number of pressurization repetitions was a predetermined number Nb. Further, it has been confirmed by experiments that if the width Hb of the rib 641 is 5.0 [mm] or more, the number of pressurization repetitions can be maintained at the predetermined number Nb.

[0059] According to the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment described above, the operations and effects shown in the following (3) and (4) can be further obtained. (3) The width Hb of the communication path 636 is set to 2.8 [mm] or less. Also, the width Hb of the rib 641 is set to 5 [mm] or more. According to this configuration, the pressure resistance of the core portion 20 can be ensured.

[0060] Note that the above embodiment can also be implemented in the following forms. · The flow path through which the refrigerant flows and the flow path through which the cooling water flows in the heat exchanger 10 can be changed as appropriate. · The present disclosure is not limited to the above specific examples. Even if those skilled in the art make appropriate design changes to the above specific examples, as long as they have the features of the present disclosure, they are included in the scope of the present disclosure. Each element included in each of the above-described specific examples, and its arrangement, conditions, shape, etc. are not limited to those illustrated and can be changed as appropriate. Each element included in each of the above-described specific examples can be combined as appropriate as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0061] 10: Heat exchanger 61: Top outer plate (plate member) 62: First outer plate (plate member) 63: First partition outer plate (plate member) 64: Second outer plate (plate member) 65: Second partition outer plate (plate member) 66: Third outer plate (plate member) 70: Inner plate (plate member) 626: Through hole (inflow part) 629,636: Communication path 632: Through hole (outflow part) 633,637: Concave part 634: Through hole (passage flow path part) 640,641: Rib (partition wall)

Claims

1. A heat exchanger (10) in which a refrigerant flow path and a fluid flow path are formed by a plurality of plate members (61 to 66, 70) arranged in a stacked manner, and heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path and the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path, wherein in the plate member (62), an inlet portion (626) provided at one end of the refrigerant flow path for allowing the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant flow path; an outlet portion (632) provided at the other end of the refrigerant flow path for allowing the refrigerant that has flowed through the refrigerant flow path to flow out; recesses (633, 637) arranged adjacent to either the inlet portion or the outlet portion and communicating with the refrigerant flow path; communication paths (629, 636) for communicating either the inlet portion or the outlet portion with the recesses; partition walls (640, 641) for partitioning the refrigerant flow path and the communication paths; and a passage flow path portion (634) provided in the recess for allowing the refrigerant to pass through the plate member without flowing through the refrigerant flow path are formed. Heat exchanger.

2. A heat exchanger (10) in which a refrigerant flow path and a fluid flow path are formed by a plurality of plate members (61 to 66, 70) arranged in a stacked manner, and heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path and the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path, wherein in the plate member (62), an inlet portion (626) provided at one end of the refrigerant flow path for allowing the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant flow path; an outlet portion (632) provided at the other end of the refrigerant flow path for allowing the refrigerant that has flowed through the refrigerant flow path to flow out; recesses (633, 637) arranged adjacent to either the inlet portion or the outlet portion and communicating with the refrigerant flow path; communication paths (629, 636) for communicating either the inlet portion or the outlet portion with the recesses; and partition walls (640, 641) for partitioning the refrigerant flow path and the communication paths are formed, the cross-sectional shape of the plate member in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the plate members is formed in a rectangular shape, the inlet portion and the outlet portion are respectively formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plate member, the inlet portion is formed adjacent to the outer wall portion of the plate member in the short side direction of the plate member, and the recess (637) is arranged on the opposite side of the outer wall portion of the plate member across the inlet portion in the short side direction of the plate member. Heat exchanger.

3. The cross-sectional shape of the plate member in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the plate members is formed in a rectangular shape, The inflow portion and the outflow portion are respectively formed at both longitudinal ends of the plate member. The outflow portion is formed adjacent to the outer wall portion of the plate member in the short side direction of the plate member. The recess (633) is disposed on the opposite side of the outer wall portion of the plate member across the outflow portion in the short side direction of the plate member. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The inflow portion and the outflow portion are disposed diagonally to the plate member. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The width of the communication path is set to 2.8 [mm] or less. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The width of the partition wall from the refrigerant flow path to the communication path is set to 5.0 [mm] or more. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images