heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger capable of enhancing drainability for condensed water, melted water, etc. to suppress stagnation, and also enhancing the degree of freedom for design of a fin pitch.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger comprises: a plurality of flat pipes arranged in a first direction, and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a plurality of fins arranged at predetermined intervals in the second direction, and extending in the first direction. The fin has a plurality of slits, a plurality of opening parts, and a plurality of segments. The plurality of slits extends from the inlet of a side part along the first direction in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, where the flat pipes are inserted thereinto. The plurality of opening parts is located in areas sandwiched between adjacent slits in the first direction, and penetrates the fins in the second direction. The plurality of segments extends parallel to the second direction from the edges of the opening parts to the same side in the second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a parallel flow heat exchanger. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a parallel-flow heat exchanger used in an air conditioner mainly comprises a pair of headers standing apart from each other, a plurality of flat tubes horizontally extending between the headers, and heat-dissipating fins arranged at a predetermined pitch in the direction in which the flat tubes are extended. The flat tubes are arranged at intervals along the height of the header. The fins are inserted into a plurality of slits formed in the header corresponding to the flat tubes arranged along the height of the header, thermally connecting adjacent flat tubes. The flat tubes and fins are joined to each other by, for example, brazing.

[0003] This type of heat exchanger functions as an evaporator or condenser, exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing through the flat tubes and the outside air. During heat exchange, condensed water or melted water may accumulate in the space surrounded by adjacent flat tubes and adjacent fins. In this case, the accumulated water may obstruct the passage of airflow through the space, reducing the resistance (ventilation resistance) of the airflow passing through the heat exchanger. Furthermore, if the flat tubes or fins thermally expand during brazing, the degree of expansion may cause variations in the spacing between adjacent fins (fin pitch). In addition to suppressing such variations in fin pitch, it is also necessary to increase the design flexibility of the fin pitch, without making it dependent on factors such as the height (thickness) of the flat tubes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6628879 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention was made based on this, and its purpose is to provide a heat exchanger that improves the drainage of condensed water, melted water, etc., thereby preventing their accumulation, and also allows for greater freedom in designing the fin pitch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes arranged in a first direction and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of fins arranged at predetermined intervals in the second direction and extending in the first direction. The fins have a plurality of slits, a plurality of openings, and a plurality of segments. The slits extend from inlets of sides along the first direction toward a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, into which the flat tubes are inserted. The openings are located in a surface area sandwiched between adjacent slits in the first direction, and penetrate the fins in the second direction. The segments extend from the edges of the openings toward the same side in the second direction, parallel to the second direction. The openings and the segments are provided below the slits in at least the first direction. When the flat tubes are inserted into the slits, Multiple The slit Each a closed end in the third direction; Applicable Slit Each The edge of the opening provided on the lower side along the first direction is aligned in the first direction. The openings provided below each of the plurality of slits are arranged by connecting the lower surface of the piece that is connected to the lower edge of the edge that defines the slit in which the opening is provided with to the upper part of the edge that defines the opening. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which a plurality of flat tubes and a plurality of fins are assembled in a heat exchanger according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A4-A4 in FIG. 2, schematically showing an assembled state of the flat tubes and fins in FIG. 3 in the heat exchanger according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a fin from one side in the second direction (first surface side) in the heat exchanger according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the fins from the other side in the second direction (the second surface side) in the heat exchanger according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a plan view schematically showing the fins of the heat exchanger according to the embodiment, viewed from one side in the second direction (first surface side). FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a plan view schematically showing fins of the heat exchanger according to the embodiment, viewed from one side in the first direction. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between segments and collars in terms of fin pitch in a heat exchanger according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a drainage mode in the heat exchanger according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is, for example, an air conditioner capable of either or both of cooling and heating operation, and includes, as main elements, a compressor 2, a four-way valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an expansion valve 5, an indoor heat exchanger 6, and a refrigerant flow path 7 connecting these elements.

[0009] The compressor 2 includes, for example, a compressor main body 2a and an accumulator 2b. The compressor main body 2a compresses the gas refrigerant supplied from the accumulator 2b and discharges the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant into the refrigerant flow path 7. The accumulator 2b separates the refrigerant supplied via the refrigerant flow path 7 into gas and liquid, and supplies the gas refrigerant to the compressor main body 2a.

[0010] The four-way valve 3 switches between operation modes such as cooling operation and heating operation by changing the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path 7. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the solid arrows indicate the flow of refrigerant during cooling operation, and the dashed arrows indicate the flow of refrigerant during heating operation.

[0011] For example, during cooling operation, the refrigerant flows in the order of compressor 2, four-way valve 3, outdoor heat exchanger 4, expansion valve 5, and indoor heat exchanger 6. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator, thereby cooling the space to be air-conditioned.

[0012] On the other hand, during heating operation, the refrigerant flows in the following order: compressor 2, four-way valve 3, indoor heat exchanger 6, expansion valve 5, and outdoor heat exchanger 4. In this case, the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as an evaporator, thereby heating the space to be air-conditioned.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a heat exchanger 100 according to this embodiment. The heat exchanger 100 can be applied as the outdoor heat exchanger 4 or the indoor heat exchanger 6 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. The heat exchanger 100 can also be applied to refrigeration cycle apparatuses of a type different from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, or to various apparatuses other than refrigeration cycle apparatuses.

[0014] In the following description, a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction D3 are defined as shown in FIGS. 2 to 10. These directions D1, D2, and D3 are, for example, perpendicular to one another. In this embodiment, as an example, the first direction D1 is the up-down direction, the second direction D2 is the left-right direction, and the third direction D3 is the front-rear direction. In this case, the first direction D1 is the vertical direction (the direction of gravity), and the plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 is the horizontal plane. The third direction D3 is the direction in which air passes (the blowing direction) in the heat exchanger 100, which will be described later.

[0015] The heat exchanger 100 includes, as main elements, a first header 10, a second header 20, a plurality of flat tubes 30, and a plurality of fins 40. The first header 10 and the second header 20 are both straight tubular elements that are arranged at a predetermined interval in the second direction D2 and stand upright parallel to the first direction (vertical direction) D1. Both ends of the first header 10 in the first direction D1 are closed by first end caps 11 and 12. The first header 10 has a first joint 13 for connection to the refrigerant flow path 7, located closer to the first end cap 11 in the first direction D1. Similarly, both ends of the second header 20 in the first direction D1 are closed by second end caps 21 and 22. The second header 20 has a second joint 23 for connection to the refrigerant flow path 7, located closer to the second end cap 22 in the first direction D1.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view that schematically shows a state in which a plurality of flat tubes 30 and a plurality of fins 40 are assembled together. 2 and 3, the flat tubes 30 are tubular elements arranged at predetermined intervals in a first direction D1 and extending in a second direction D2. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the flat tubes 30 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the first direction D1 and parallel to the second direction D2 so as to connect the first header 10 and the second header 20. In other words, the flat tubes 30 are flow-dividing pipes that branch the refrigerant flowing through the first header 10 and the second header 20 in the first direction D1 into two paths in the second direction D2 between the headers 10 and 20.

[0017] The flat tube 30 is compressed in the first direction D1, and has a flattened shape in which the lengths (dimensions) in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 are greater than the length (dimension) in the first direction D1. In this flattened shape, the flat tube 30 has a first flat surface 31 and a second flat surface 32 that are parallel to the horizontal plane. The first flat surface 31 is a surface facing one side in the first direction D1 (upper side in the vertical direction). The second flat surface 32 is a surface facing the other side in the first direction D1 (lower side in the vertical direction).

[0018] Furthermore, the ends 33, 34 of the flat tube 30 in the third direction D3 are curved in a convex shape when viewed from the second direction D2. In the flat tube 30, the length (dimension) in the first direction D1 is the height (thickness), the length (dimension) in the second direction D2 is the width, and the length (dimension) in the third direction D3 is the depth. The interior of the flat tube 30 is partitioned into a plurality of flow paths (internal flow paths) 35 aligned in the third direction (depth direction) D3. Each of these internal flow paths 35 extends along the second direction D2.

[0019] In the second direction D2, one end of each flat tube 30 is connected to the first header 10, and each internal flow path 35 opens within the piping of the first header 10. These openings are lined up at a predetermined interval in the first direction D1 and face the same direction as each other. The other end of each flat tube 30 is connected to the second header 20, and each internal flow path 35 opens within the piping of the second header 20. These openings are lined up at a predetermined interval in the first direction D1 and face the same direction as each other (the opposite direction to the openings of each flat tube 30).

[0020] For example, when a refrigerant is introduced into the heat exchanger 100 through the first joint 13, the refrigerant is divided into each flat tube 30 from the first header 10, merges in the second header 20, and is discharged from the heat exchanger 100 through the second joint 23. On the other hand, when a refrigerant is introduced into the heat exchanger 100 through the second joint 23, the refrigerant is divided into each flat tube 30 from the second header 20, merges in the first header 10, and is discharged from the heat exchanger 100 through the first joint 13.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A4-A4 in Fig. 2, schematically illustrating an assembled state of the flat tubes 30 and fins 40 shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the multiple fins 40 are arranged at predetermined intervals (hereinafter referred to as fin pitch) in the second direction D2 and are plate-like elements extending in the first direction D1. The fins 40 are plate-like bodies defined by a first side portion 41, a second side portion 42, a third side portion 43, and a fourth side portion 44.

[0022] The first side 41 and the second side 42 are sides that extend parallel to the first direction D1. In the example shown in Figures 2 to 4, the first side 41 is arranged on the upstream side of the air passage direction (air blowing direction) in the heat exchanger 100, and the second side 42 is arranged on the downstream side. The upstream side of the air blowing direction is the front side (near side) of the third direction D3, and the downstream side is the rear side (far side) of the third direction D3.

[0023] The third side 43 and the fourth side 44 are sides that extend parallel to the third direction D3 and are shorter sides than the first side 41 and the second side 42. In the example shown in Figures 2 to 4, the third side 43 is disposed on one side of the first direction D1 in the heat exchanger 100, and the third side 43 is disposed on the other side. One side of the first direction D1 is the upper side in the up-down direction, and the other side is the lower side in the up-down direction.

[0024] These four sides 41 to 44 form a pair of surfaces 45, 46 that are elongated in the first direction D1 and back-to-back in the second direction D2. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first surface 45 is disposed on one side of the heat exchanger 100 in the second direction D2, and the second surface 46 is disposed on the other side. In the present embodiment, as an example, the one side in the second direction D2 is the right side in the left-right direction, and the first surface 45 corresponds to the right surface of the fin 40. In contrast, the other side in the second direction D2 is the left side in the left-right direction, and the second surface 46 corresponds to the left surface of the fin 40.

[0025] 5 to 8 schematically show the configuration of the fin 40. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the fin 40 from the first surface portion 45 side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the fin 40 from the second surface portion 46 side. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the fin 40 from the first surface portion 45 side. FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing the fin 40 from one side in the first direction D1 (the upper side in the up-down direction).

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 , the fins 40 have a plurality of slits 50. These slits 50 are spatial regions into which the flat tubes 30 are inserted to integrally assemble the flat tubes 30 and the fins 40, and are arranged at intervals in the first direction D1 that are the same as the intervals between the flat tubes 30. The state in which the flat tubes 30 are inserted into the slits 50 and integrally assembled with the fins 40 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The slits 50 extend in the third direction D3 from an entrance of the first side portion 41 (in other words, the upstream side of the heat exchanger 100 in the air blowing direction) of the side portions along the first direction D1 to just before the second side portion 42, and penetrate between the first surface portion 45 and the second surface portion 46 in the second direction D2. The entrances of the slits 50 are insertion openings that open into the first side portion 41 and through which the flat tubes 30 are inserted.

[0027] The slit 50 has a first edge 51 , a second edge 52 , and a bottom 53 . The first edge 51 and the second edge 52 are guides that guide the flat tube 30 to the bottom 53 when the flat tube 30 is inserted into the slit 50, and are support parts that support the flat tube 30 after insertion. These edges 51, 52 extend linearly parallel to the third direction D3, facing each other at a distance substantially equal to the height (thickness), which is the dimension of the flat tube 30 in the first direction D1. In the examples shown in Figures 5 to 8, the first edge 51 is the upper edge of the slit 50, and the second edge 52 is the lower edge of the slit 50.

[0028] The bottom 53 is continuous with the first edge 51 and the second edge 52, and is a protruding portion, i.e., a closed end, against which the flat tube 30 inserted into the slit 50 abuts. When viewed from the second direction D2, the bottom 53 has a concave curve that conforms to the end 34 of the flat tube 30. This makes it possible to bring the end 34 of the flat tube 30 inserted into the slit 50 into tight contact with the bottom 53. The flat tube 30 is positioned relative to the slit 50 with the end 34 in tight contact with the bottom 53.

[0029] 4, as an example in the present embodiment, the depth of the slit 50 (the length in the third direction D3) is smaller than the depth of the flat tube 30. Therefore, the end 33 of the flat tube 30 protrudes from the slit 50 to the near side in the third direction D3. However, the depth dimension of the slit 50 may be approximately the same as the depth dimension of the flat tube 30, or may be larger.

[0030] The flat tubes 30 and the fins 40 are thermally connected by joining, for example, brazing, with the flat tubes 30 inserted into the slits 50. This allows the flat tubes 30 and the fins 40 to be assembled integrally, and heat transfer occurs between them.

[0031] 5 to 8, the fin 40 has a step portion 47 that continues parallel to the first direction D1 near the second side portion 42. The first surface portion 45 has an uneven surface in which the surface area on the first side 41 side is raised and the surface area on the second side 42 side is recessed, with the step portion 47 as a boundary. The second surface portion 46 has an uneven surface in which the surface area on the first side 41 side is recessed and the surface area on the second side 42 side is raised, with the step portion 47 as a boundary. The step portion 47 makes the fin 40 less likely to bend, and deformation is suppressed.

[0032] The fin 40 has a plurality of collars 48 that support and stabilize the posture of each of the flat tubes 30 inserted into the plurality of slits 50. The collars 48 are continuous with the first edge 51, the second edge 52, and the bottom 53 of the slits 50, respectively, and rise from the first surface 45 parallel to the second direction D2. The collars 48 rise at an angle (angle α shown in FIG. 9 ) relative to the first surface 45, for example, 90 degrees. That is, the collars 48 are provided in a flange shape along the edges that define the slits 50. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 , in each fin 40, all of the plurality of collars 48 rise from the edges that define the slits 50 (specifically, the first edge 51, the second edge 52, and the bottom 53) toward the same side (the first surface 45 side) in the second direction D2.

[0033] As a result, each collar 48 comes into surface contact with the first flat surface 31, the second flat surface 32, and the end portion 34 of the flat tube 30 inserted into the slit 50. Therefore, the collar 48 controls the fin pitch by its length (standing dimension) in the second direction D2. The length of the collar 48 in the second direction D2 is the dimension from the base end connected to the first surface portion 45 to the standing end (dimension L48 shown in FIG. 9). The collar 48 also functions as a brazing allowance when brazing the flat tube 30 and the fins 40, for example.

[0034] Additionally, the fins 40 each have a plurality of openings 60 and a plurality of segments 70 . The openings 60 penetrate the fins 40 in the second direction D2. As a result, the fins 40 have a configuration in which the first surface portion 45 and the second surface portion 46 are connected via the openings 60. In other words, the space on the first surface portion 45 side and the space on the second surface portion 46 side of the fins 40 are in communication with each other via the openings 60.

[0035] The openings 60 are located in a surface area sandwiched between adjacent slits 50 in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 , the openings 60 are arranged one on each of the upper and lower sides of the slit 50 in the first direction D1, i.e., the vertical direction. The openings 60 are also arranged adjacent to the slit 50, specifically, the edges defining the slit 50. However, the number of openings 60 may be two or more on each of the upper and lower sides of the slit 50 in the first direction D1. The number of openings 60 may also differ between the upper and lower sides of the slit 50 in the first direction D1. Thus, the number of openings 60 is not limited, and can be increased to a number that maximizes both the minimum heat dissipation performance and strength required of the fin 40 and the drainage performance described below.

[0036] 5 to 8, the opening 60 (hereinafter referred to as the first opening 61) arranged on the upper side of the slit 50 in the first direction D1 is arranged near the middle of the length (depth) of the slit 50 in the third direction D3. In contrast, the opening 60 (hereinafter referred to as the second opening 62) arranged on the lower side of the slit 50 in the first direction D1 is arranged near the bottom 53, which is the closed end of the slit 50 in the third direction D3.

[0037] In the third direction D3, the length (depth) of the openings 60 is one-third or less of the length (depth) of the flat tubes 30. However, the length of the openings 60 may exceed one-third of the length (depth) of the flat tubes 30 as long as it is a length that maximizes both the minimum heat dissipation performance and strength that the fins 40 should have and the drainage performance described below.

[0038] The segments 70 are provided corresponding to the openings 60. For example, the openings 60 are formed by forming a pair of notches parallel to the first direction D1 and a notch connecting the notches parallel to the third direction D3 in the fin 40, and bending (tilting) the area surrounded by these notches in the direction opposite to the direction in which the collar 48 stands (the opposite side, i.e., toward the first surface portion 45). In other words, the collar 48 stands on the opposite side of the segment 70 in the second direction D2 from the edges that define the slit 50 (specifically, the first edge portion 51, the second edge portion 52, and the bottom portion 53). As a result, the bent (tilted) areas surrounded by these notches become the segments 70. All of the multiple segments 70 extend from the edges that define the openings 60 on the same side of the second direction D2 (the second surface portion 46 side) in the second direction D2 and toward the side opposite to the direction in which the collar 48 stands. In this embodiment, the segment 70 is formed by bending and tilting a square portion (rectangular portion) surrounded by a plurality of linear cuts corresponding to the opening 60 of the fin 40 .

[0039] 5 to 8, a pair of notches parallel to the first direction D1 that are continuous with the first edge portion 51 of the slit 50, and a notch parallel to the third direction D3 that connects the upper ends of the notches are formed in the fin 40, and the portion surrounded by these notches is tilted toward the second surface portion 46, thereby forming the first opening 61. As a result, the portion surrounded by these notches and tilted toward the second surface portion 46 in parallel to the second direction D2 is defined as an upper segment 70 (hereinafter referred to as a first segment 71). Therefore, the first segment 71 is located near the middle of the length (depth) of the slit 50 in the third direction D3, corresponding to the first opening 61.

[0040] In contrast, a pair of notches parallel to the first direction D1 that are continuous with the second edge portion 52 of the slit 50, and a notch parallel to the third direction D3 that connects the lower ends of the notches are formed in the fin 40, and the area surrounded by these notches is tilted toward the second surface portion 46, thereby forming a second opening 62. As a result, the area surrounded by these notches and tilted toward the second surface portion 46 in parallel to the second direction D2 is formed as a lower segment 70 (hereinafter referred to as a second segment 72). Therefore, the second segment 72 is located near the bottom 53, which is the closed end of the slit 50 in the third direction D3, corresponding to the second opening 62.

[0041] In each fin 40, all of the multiple segments 70 are bent (inclined) parallel to the second direction D2 toward the same side of the opening 60 in the second direction D2 (toward the second surface 46). As a result, each segment 70 comes into surface contact with the first flat surface 31 or the second flat surface 32 of the flat tube 30 inserted into the slit 50. In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the first segment 71 comes into surface contact with the first flat surface 31, and the second segment 72 comes into surface contact with the second flat surface 32. The bending angle of the first segment 71 and the second segment 72 with respect to the second surface 46 (angle β shown in FIG. 9) is, for example, 90 degrees. However, as long as the first segment 71 can come into surface contact with the first flat surface 31 and the second segment 72 can come into surface contact with the second flat surface 32, the bending angle is not limited to 90 degrees.

[0042] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the relationship between the segments 70 and the collars 48, focusing on the fin pitch. As shown in FIG. 9, the segments 70 (first segments 71 and second segments 72) extend parallel to the second direction D2 toward the second surface 46 of the opening 60, i.e., toward the opposite side of the collar 48 that rises toward the first surface 45. Therefore, the first segments 71 and second segments 72 are flush with and continuous with the collar 48. Therefore, in the fins 40 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2, one collar 48 and the other segment 70 can abut in the second direction D2. That is, the fin pitch of the first segments 71 and second segments 72 is controlled by their lengths in the second direction D2 (dimension L70 shown in FIG. 9). The length (L70) of the first segments 71 and second segments 72 in the second direction D2 is the dimension from the base end connected to the second surface 46 to the extended end. As a result, the fin pitch (dimension FP shown in FIG. 9) can be controlled by the sum (L48+L70) of the length of the collar 48 in the second direction D2 (dimension L48 shown in FIG. 9) and the length of the segment 70 in the second direction D2. Furthermore, the first segment 71 and the second segment 72 function as a brazing allowance together with the collar 48 when brazing the flat tube 30 and the fin 40, for example.

[0043] In this embodiment, the length (L70) of the segment 70 (first segment 71 and second segment 72) in the second direction D2 is less than or equal to the fin pitch (FP) (L70≦FP). Furthermore, the length (L70) of the first segment 71 and the second segment 72 in the second direction D2 is greater than the length (L48) of the collar 48 in the second direction D2 (L70>L48).

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, the fins 40 have openings 60, which allow condensed water and melted water generated during heat exchange in the heat exchanger 100 to fall along the edges of the openings 60 due to the surface tension of the edges. This allows the condensed water and other water to be drained smoothly. Figure 10 schematically shows the drainage mode when the fins 40 according to this embodiment have first openings 61 and second openings 62.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 10, when condensed water and other substances generated during heat exchange in the heat exchanger 100 fall into the first opening 61 as indicated by arrow A1, the fallen condensed water and other substances are guided onto the first flat surface 31 of the flat tube 30 along the edges 63 and 64 of the first opening 61 as indicated by arrow A2. The condensed water and other substances guided onto the first flat surface 31 are caused to flow toward the end 34 on the first flat surface 31 by the flow of air (blowing air flow) passing through the heat exchanger 100, along the end 34, and further along the edge 65 of the second opening 62 as indicated by arrow A3. When the weight of the condensed water and other substances exceeds the surface tension of the edge 65 and accumulates, they fall due to gravity. This allows the condensed water and other substances to be smoothly drained.

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in the example of Fig. 10, when the flat tube 30 is inserted into the slit 50, the end 34 and the edge 65 of the second opening 62 are aligned in the first direction D1. Specifically, the end 34 and the edge 65 are arranged at a position where the curved line of the end 34, which is convexly curved when viewed from the second direction D2, intersects with an imaginary line (two-dot chain line L shown in Fig. 10) that extends the edge 65 of the second opening 62 in the first direction D1. This arrangement makes it easier to guide and drop condensed water, etc., as shown by arrow A3 in Fig. 10.

[0047] Therefore, even if condensed water or the like is generated, in the heat exchanger 100, the condensed water or the like does not accumulate in, for example, a space surrounded by adjacent flat tubes 30 in the first direction D1 and adjacent fins 40 in the second direction D2, or in the first flat surfaces 31 and second flat surfaces 32 that partition the space, and the condensed water or the like can be expelled. This prevents the airflow from being obstructed by the accumulation of condensed water or the like, and reduces the resistance (ventilation resistance) of the airflow. Furthermore, the space is connected to adjacent spaces on both sides in the second direction D2 via the first opening 61 and the second opening 62. Therefore, the condensed water or the like can flow from the space to adjacent spaces on both sides in the second direction D2 through the first opening 61 and the second opening 62. This prevents the space from being clogged with condensed water or the like, and further reduces the resistance (ventilation resistance) of the airflow.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the fins 40 have segments 70, which allow the fin pitch to be controlled by the segments 70. That is, the fin pitch can be controlled by the segments 70 in addition to the collars 48. This increases the design freedom of the fin pitch. For example, it becomes easier to suppress fin pitch deviations due to impacts when assembling the flat tubes 30 and the fins 40 or thermal expansion thereof during brazing. Furthermore, even with a simple structure in which the segments 70 and the collars 48 are provided, the fin pitch can be controlled uniformly.

[0049] In addition to managing the fin pitch, the segments 70 also function as brazing allowances when brazing the fins 40 to the flat tubes 30. That is, the segments 70 can be used as brazing allowances in addition to the collars 48. Therefore, the brazing allowance can be increased by the amount of the segments 70. As a result, the bonding area between the flat tubes 30 and the fins 40 can be increased by the amount of the collars 48 and the segments 70, thereby increasing the bonding strength. From this perspective, if the length of the segments 70 in the second direction D2 is made larger than the length of the collars 48, it becomes easier to increase the brazing allowance.

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] REFRIGERATION CYCLE DEVICE 10 FIRST HEADER 11, 12 FIRST END CAP 13 FIRST JOINT 20 SECOND HEADER 21, 22 SECOND END CAP 23 SECOND JOINT 30 FLAT TUBE 31 FIRST FLAT SURFACE 32 SECOND FLAT SURFACE 33, 34 END PORTION 35 INTERNAL FLOW CAVITY 40 FIN 41 FIRST SIDE PORTION 42 SECOND SIDE PORTION 43 THIRD SIDE PORTION 44 FOURTH SIDE PORTION 45 FIRST SURFACE , 46...second surface portion, 47...step portion, 48...collar, 50...slit, 51...first edge portion, 52...second edge portion, 53...bottom portion, 60...opening, 61...first opening, 62...second opening, 63, 64, 65...edge, 70...section, 71...first section, 72...second section, 100...heat exchanger, D1...first direction, D2...second direction, D3...third direction, α...standing angle of collar, β...bending angle of section.

Claims

1. a plurality of flat tubes arranged in a first direction and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of fins arranged at predetermined intervals in the second direction and extending in the first direction, The fins are a plurality of slits extending from entrances of side portions along the first direction toward a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, into which the flat tubes are inserted; a plurality of openings that are located in a surface area sandwiched between the slits adjacent to each other in the first direction and that penetrate the fin in the second direction; a plurality of segments extending from the edge of the opening toward the same side in the second direction in parallel with the second direction, the opening and the piece are provided below the slit in at least the first direction, When the flat tube is inserted into the slit, a closed end of each of the plurality of slits in the third direction and an edge of the opening provided on the lower side of each of the slits along the first direction are aligned in the first direction, The openings provided on the lower side of each of the plurality of slits are arranged such that the lower surface of the piece provided in connection with the lower edge of the edges defining the slit in which the openings are provided is connected to the upper part of the edge defining the openings. heat exchanger.

2. The length of the segment in the second direction is equal to or less than the interval. The heat exchanger of claim 1 .

3. The length of the opening in the third direction is one-third or less of the length of the flat tube in the third direction. The heat exchanger of claim 1 .

4. the first direction is a vertical direction, At least one opening and at least one segment are provided on each of the upper and lower sides of the slit in the vertical direction, the opening and the segment arranged on the upper side of each of the plurality of slits in the vertical direction are arranged near the middle of the length of the slit in the third direction, The opening and the segment arranged on the lower side of each of the plurality of slits in the vertical direction are arranged near the closed end of the slit in the third direction. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The plurality of fins have collars that stand up from edges that define each of the plurality of slits in the second direction on the opposite side to the segments in parallel with the second direction. The heat exchanger of claim 1 .

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