heat exchanger

Abstract

To miniaturize a heat exchanger.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of intermediate plates laminated between two end portion plates, each set of adjacent intermediate plates defines an inter-plate flow passage so that a fluid flows therebetween, each of the plurality of intermediate plates has a flow portion in which the fluid flows through the intermediate plate, the flow portion is disposed on one inter-plate flow passage so that the fluid can flow from one side to the other side, each of through holes of each of the plurality of intermediate plates defines a through flow passage penetrating through the intermediate plate in a lamination direction and separating from the inter-plate flow passage, boss portions having a substantially elliptical edge portion at the outside of the circulation portion and the through hole in a plane view of an intermediate heat exchange core are respectively formed on each of the plates, and the circulation portion is formed by the flow portion, the through hole and an internal space of the boss portion at least at one side of an upper end portion plate and a lower end portion plate in the lamination direction, of the end plates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A heat exchanger that exchanges heat among multiple fluids is used as a water-cooled oil cooler that cools the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine using a refrigerant such as long-life coolant (LLC). Note that there is known a heat exchanger in which the distance plates stacked on the core are thinned to reduce weight, and the heat exchange efficiency is improved by using communication passages (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-120131 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some heat exchangers ensure the length of the flow path by making a U-turn inside the fluid circuit of the fluid that undergoes heat exchange, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchange section.In such cases, it is common to provide a flow path for circulating the fluid (hereinafter also referred to as a ``circulation flow path'') so that the fluid inlet and outlet are on the same side of the heat exchanger.

[0005] However, in the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1, the circulation flow path as described above is provided separately from the part where heat exchange takes place, and therefore the device configuration cannot be made compact.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to reduce the size of a heat exchanger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a heat exchanger comprising a heat exchange core made up of a plurality of stacked plates, a top plate, and a bottom plate, Heat exchange core Multiple plates are An upper end plate on the upper side in the stacking direction and a lower end plate on the lower side in the stacking direction and, upper side End Plate and a lower end plate and a plurality of intermediate plates stacked between the Heat exchange core Each pair of adjacent plates among the plurality of plates defines an inter-plate flow path for fluid flow therebetween, and middle Each of the plates is It connects to the flow path between the plates and The fluid passes through the plate In the stacking direction Flowing through the passage opening and a flow passage portion opening teeth, Interplate flow channels on the other hand End of From the other End of To allow fluid to flow The plates are formed at opposing positions across the inter-plate flow path, One middle plate The end to There are four openings in total, two for each fluid, spaced apart from each other. Provided, multiple middle Each of the plates is At each end of the plate, between the two flow openings Further through holes One by one each of the through holes having a plurality of middle defining a portion of a through-flow passage that penetrates the plate in a stacking direction and is isolated from the inter-plate flow passages; The upper end plate or the lower end plate may be Plan view of the heat exchange core From one direction Flow section opening and through holes Position where it overlaps with outside of 、 A boss portion having a substantially elliptical edge bulge It is formed, The edge portion is positioned so as to surround the outside of both the flow passage opening and the through hole when viewed from above the heat exchange core, Flow section opening and through holes is open to the internal space of the boss portion, and this internal space forms a connecting passage that connects the flow passage opening and the through-flow passage. A circumferential flow is formed The circulating portion is configured so that the flow in the stacking direction of the flow passage opening and the flow in the stacking direction of the through-flow passage make a U-turn and are connected. are.

[0008] According to this aspect, the circulation section is formed by the boss portion formed on the plate, so there is no need to add a member to form a new circulation flow path, and the heat exchanger can be made smaller. Furthermore, since the boss portion shape is common to all plates, it is rational that different types of plates can be press-molded using a common mold in the press process.

[0009] in particular, The upper end plate is The boss portion is formed to protrude downward and the top plate is brazed to the upper surface, so that the circulation portion is connected to the flow passage portion. opening and a through hole, a boss portion, and a top plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the heat exchanger can be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an oil cooler according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the oil cooler according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the oil cooler according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first core plate of the oil cooler according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a second fin plate of the oil cooler according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a lower first core plate of the oil cooler according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line B-B. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second core plate of the oil cooler according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second core plate of the oil cooler according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a first fin plate of the oil cooler according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an upper first core plate of the oil cooler according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example will be described in which a heat exchanger according to the present invention is used as a water-cooled oil cooler that cools lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine using a refrigerant such as long-life coolant (LLC).

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an oil cooler 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the oil cooler 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the oil cooler 1. An oil cooler 1 that is an embodiment of a heat exchanger of the present invention will be described.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the oil cooler 1 includes a plurality of stacked plates. The plurality of plates includes two end plates (an upper second core plate 6U and a lower first core plate 5L) and a plurality of intermediate plates (a first core plate 5 and second core plates 6, 60) stacked between the two end plates. Each pair of adjacent intermediate plates defines an inter-plate flow path (an inter-plate oil flow path 7 and an inter-plate cooling water flow path 8) for fluid to flow therebetween. Each of the plurality of intermediate plates has a flow passage (an oil passage hole 11, a cooling water passage hole 12) through which fluid passes through the intermediate plate. At least one pair of the flow passages is provided in each inter-plate flow path so that fluid can flow from one flow passage to the other. Each of the plurality of intermediate plates further includes a through-hole 13, and each of the through-holes 13 defines a portion of a through-passage 130 that penetrates the plurality of intermediate plates in the stacking direction and is isolated from the inter-plate flow path. Each of the plurality of intermediate plates has a first boss portion (boss portions 23, 26) formed to protrude from each adjacent intermediate plate until they abut against each other. Each of the plurality of intermediate plates has a second boss portion (boss portions 21, 24, 241) formed to protrude from each adjacent intermediate plate until they abut against each other, and the second boss portion is formed to surround the first boss portion and protrude in the opposite direction from the first boss portion. The oil cooler 1 according to this embodiment will be specifically described below.

[0016] For ease of explanation, the x-direction (left-right direction) refers to one of the directions along the x-axis of the first core plate 5, the second core plate 6, 60, the upper second core plate 6U, and the lower first core plate 5L of the oil cooler 1 in FIGS. 1 to 3 , and the y-direction (front-rear direction) refers to the other direction along the y-axis. Furthermore, the z-direction (z direction) of the oil cooler 1, which is perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis, refers to the up-down direction or the stacking direction of the first core plate 5, the second core plate 6, 60, the upper second core plate 6U, and the lower first core plate 5L. One side in the stacking direction refers to the upper side in the z-axis direction, and the other side in the stacking direction refers to the lower side in the z-axis direction. In the following explanation, when the positional relationship or direction of each component is described as right side, left side, front side, rear side, upper side, lower side, top, bottom, etc., these terms refer only to the positional relationship or direction in the drawings and do not limit the positional relationship or direction in an actual heat exchanger.

[0017] FIG. 4 is an AA cross-sectional view of the oil cooler 1. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the first core plate 5 of the oil cooler 1 with the second fin plate 10 placed thereon. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the second fin plate 10 of the oil cooler 1. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the lower first core plate 5L of the oil cooler 1 with the second fin plate 10 placed thereon. FIG. 8 is a B-B cross-sectional view of the oil cooler 1. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the second core plate 6 of the oil cooler 1 with the first fin plate 9 placed thereon. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the second core plate 60 of the oil cooler 1 with the first fin plate 9 placed thereon. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the first fin plate 9 of the oil cooler 1. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the upper second core plate 6U of the oil cooler 1. The oil cooler 1 will be outlined using FIGS. 1 to 12.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the oil cooler 1 is roughly composed of a heat exchange section 2 (heat exchange core) that performs heat exchange between oil as a first fluid and cooling water as a second fluid, a top plate 3 attached to the upper surface of the heat exchange section 2, and a bottom plate 4 attached to the lower surface of the heat exchange section 2.

[0019] The heat exchange section 2 is formed by alternately stacking first core plates 5 and second core plates 6, 60 as a plurality of plates having a common basic shape. In the heat exchange section 2, inter-plate oil passages 7 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) as first inter-plate passages and inter-plate cooling water passages 8 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) as second inter-plate passages are alternately formed between the first core plates 5 and the second core plates 6, 60. In the oil cooler 1, a plurality of inter-plate oil passages 7 and inter-plate cooling water passages 8 are formed within the heat exchange section 2. In the oil cooler 1 of this embodiment, for example, six inter-plate oil passages 7 and seven inter-plate cooling water passages 8 are formed.

[0020] As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the oil cooler 1 has inter-plate oil flow paths 7 defined between the lower surface of the first core plate 5 and the upper surfaces of the second core plates 6, 60. The oil cooler 1 also has inter-plate cooling water flow paths 8 defined between the upper surface of the first core plate 5 and the lower surfaces of the second core plates 6, 60. A first fin plate 9 is disposed in the inter-plate oil flow paths 7. A second fin plate 10 is disposed in the inter-plate cooling water flow paths 8. Note that in Figures 3, 4, and 8, the detailed shapes of the fins of the first fin plate 9 and the second fin plate 10 are not shown.

[0021] The multiple first core plates 5, second core plates 6, 60, lower first core plate 5L, upper second core plate 6U, top plate 3, bottom plate 4, multiple first fin plates 9, and multiple second fin plates 10 are joined together and integrated by brazing. Specifically, the top plate 3, first core plate 5, lower first core plate 5L, second core plates 6, 60, and upper second core plate 6U are formed using a so-called clad material in which a brazing material layer is coated on the surface of an aluminum alloy base material, and after each part is temporarily assembled in a predetermined position, they are brazed together by heating in a furnace.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the first core plate 5 is press-formed from a thin aluminum alloy base material, and is rectangular (approximately square) overall, and has a pair of oil passage holes 11, 11 as a pair of first flow sections, a pair of cooling water passage holes 12, 12 as a pair of second flow sections, and a pair of through holes 13, 13.

[0023] The pair of oil passage holes 11, 11 are located on the outer edge of the first core plate 5 and are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the core plate. More specifically, the pair of oil passage holes 11, 11 are located on the outer edge of the first core plate 5 and are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the first core plate 5 on a diagonal line of the first core plate 5.

[0024] The pair of cooling water passage holes 12, 12 are located on the outer edge of the first core plate 5 and are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the first core plate 5. More specifically, the pair of cooling water passage holes 12, 12 are located on the outer edge of the first core plate 5 and are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the first core plate 5 on a diagonal line of the first core plate 5.

[0025] The cooling water passage holes 12 are formed so as not to overlap with the oil passage holes 11. More specifically, the cooling water passage holes 12 are formed on a diagonal line of the first core plate 5 at a position different from the position where the oil passage holes 11 are provided.

[0026] The pair of through holes 13, 13 are located on the outer edge of the first core plate 5 symmetrically across the center of the first core plate 5, and are formed to be located between the oil passage hole 11 and the cooling water passage hole 12.

[0027] In the first core plate 5, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 8, the peripheries of the oil passage holes 11 and the through holes 13 are formed as boss portions 21 that are elliptical or approximately elliptical in plan view and protrude toward the inter-plate cooling water flow passage 8 side (upward). The shape of the boss portions 21 is not limited to that described above. Also, in the first core plate 5, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the peripheries of the cooling water passage holes 12 are formed as boss portions 22 that protrude toward the inter-plate oil flow passage 7 side (downward). Also, in the first core plate 5, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the peripheries of the through holes 13 are formed as boss portions 23 that protrude toward the inter-plate oil flow passage 7 side (downward). The boss portions 23 are formed on the inner periphery side of the boss portions 21 and on the outer periphery side of the through holes 13.

[0028] The boss portion 21 is a convex portion provided to protrude from the first core plate 5 in the stacking direction, i.e., in any one direction in the z-axis direction, for example, in the +z-axis direction (the upward direction in the z-axis direction of the heat exchanger 2). The boss portion 21 is formed to protrude until it abuts against the adjacent second core plate 6 (boss portions 24, 241). The boss portion 21 is formed to surround the boss portion 23 and protrude in the opposite direction from the boss portion 23. In the boss portion 21, the oil passage hole 11 provided in this boss portion 21 and the through hole 13 provided in the boss portion 23 are adjacent to each other. The boss portion 21 is also disposed adjacent to the boss portion 22. The boss portion 21 is formed in an uneven shape in the cross-sectional direction of the first core plate 5. Furthermore, the edge portion of the boss portion 21 protruding from the first core plate 5 has a single shape that is continuous with the edge portion of the boss portion 22 in a plan view of the first core plate 5.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 7 , the lower first core plate 5L located at the bottom of the heat exchange section 2 has a basic configuration similar to that of the first core plate 5. However, due to its relationship with the bottom plate 4, it has a configuration that differs from the first core plate 5 located in the middle of the heat exchange section 2 in the following respects. Specifically, unlike the first core plate 5, the lower first core plate 5L does not have boss portions 22 and 23, but only has boss portions 211 and 212 that protrude toward the inter-plate cooling water flow path 8 (upward). Furthermore, the boss portion 211 has only an oil passage hole 11, and does not have a through hole 13. Furthermore, the boss portion 212 has only a through hole 13, and does not have an oil passage hole 11.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3, 9, and 10, the second core plate 6, 60 is press-formed from a thin aluminum alloy base material, and is rectangular (approximately square) overall, and has a pair of oil passage holes 11, 11 as a pair of first flow sections, a pair of cooling water passage holes 12, 12 as a pair of second flow sections, and a pair of through holes 13, 13.

[0031] The pair of oil passage holes 11, 11 are located on the outer edges of the second core plates 6, 60 and are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the core plates 6, 60. More specifically, the pair of oil passage holes 11, 11 are located on the outer edges of the second core plates 6, 60 and are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the second core plates 6, 60 on a diagonal line of the second core plates 6, 60.

[0032] The pair of cooling water passage holes 12, 12 are located on the outer edges of the second core plates 6, 60 and are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the second core plates 6, 60. More specifically, the pair of cooling water passage holes 12, 12 are located on the outer edges of the second core plates 6, 60 and are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the second core plates 6, 60 on a diagonal line of the second core plates 6, 60.

[0033] The cooling water passage holes 12 are formed so as not to overlap with the oil passage holes 11. More specifically, the cooling water passage holes 12 are formed on a diagonal line of the second core plates 6, 60 at positions different from the positions where the oil passage holes 11 are provided.

[0034] The pair of through holes 13, 13 are located on the outer edges of the second core plates 6, 60 symmetrically with respect to the center of the second core plates 6, 60, and are formed to be located between the oil passage hole 11 and the cooling water passage hole 12.

[0035] In the second core plate 6, 60, as shown in FIGS. 3, 8, 9, and 10, the peripheries of the oil passage holes 11 and the through holes 13 are formed as boss portions 24 that are elliptical or approximately elliptical in plan view and protrude toward the inter-plate cooling water flow passage 8 side (downward). The shape of the boss portion 24 is not limited to the above. Also, in the second core plate 6, 60, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 9, and 10, the peripheries of the cooling water passage holes 12 are formed as boss portions 25 that protrude toward the inter-plate oil flow passage 7 side (upward). Also, in the second core plate 6, as shown in FIGS. 3, 8, 9, and 10, the peripheries of the through holes 13 are formed as boss portions 26 that protrude toward the inter-plate oil flow passage 7 side (upward). The boss portion 26 is formed on the inner periphery side of the boss portion 24 and on the outer periphery side of the through holes 13.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 10, the second core plate 60 has a configuration slightly different from that of the second core plate 6. Specifically, the second core plate 60 is provided with one boss portion 24 instead of a pair (two), and a boss portion 241 having a planar shape corresponding to the boss portion 24 is provided diagonally from the boss portion 24. The boss portion 241 is formed to protrude toward the inter-plate cooling water flow path 8 (downward). The boss portion 241 is not provided with an oil passage hole 11, and is provided with only a through hole 13. A boss portion 26 is provided around the through hole 13 provided in the boss portion 241.

[0037] The boss portions 24, 241 are convex portions provided to protrude from the second core plates 6, 60 in the stacking direction, i.e., in any one direction in the z-axis direction, for example, in the -z-axis direction (the downward direction in the z-axis direction of the heat exchanger 2). The boss portions 24, 241 are formed to protrude until they abut against the adjacent first core plates 5 (boss portions 21, 211, 212). The boss portions 24, 241 are formed to surround the boss portion 26 and protrude in the opposite direction from the boss portion 26. The boss portions 24, 241 are provided at positions corresponding to the boss portions 21 of the adjacent first core plates 5 in the z-axis direction. In the boss portions 24, 241, the oil passage holes 11 and the through holes 13 provided in the boss portion 26 are adjacent to each other. The boss portions 24, 241 are also arranged adjacent to the boss portion 25. The boss portions 24, 241 are formed to have an uneven shape in the cross-sectional direction of the second core plate 6. Furthermore, the edge portions of the boss portions 24, 241 protruding from the second core plate 6 have a single shape that is continuous with the edge portion of the boss portion 25 when the second core plates 6, 60 are seen in plan view.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 12 , the upper second core plate 6U located at the top of the heat exchange section 2 has a basic configuration common to the second core plates 6, 60. However, due to its relationship with the top plate 3, it has a configuration that differs from the other second core plates 6, 60 located in the middle of the heat exchange section 2 in the following respects. Specifically, the uppermost upper second core plate 6U is not provided with boss portions 25, 26. In other words, the upper second core plate 6U is not provided with boss portions 25 around the cooling water passage holes 12. Furthermore, the upper second core plate 6U is provided with boss portions 243 and 244 that protrude toward the inter-plate cooling water flow passage 8 side (downward). The boss portion 243 is not provided with oil passage holes 11 and through holes 13. The boss portion 244 is provided with oil passage holes 11 and through holes 13.

[0039] The boss portions 243, 244 are convex portions provided to protrude from the upper second core plate 6U in the stacking direction, i.e., in any one direction in the z-axis direction, for example, in the -z-axis direction (the downward direction in the z-axis direction of the heat exchanger 2). Of the boss portions 243, 244, the boss portion 244 is formed to protrude until it abuts against the adjacent first core plate 5 (boss portion 21). The boss portion 244 surrounds the oil passage hole 11 and the through hole 13, and no boss portion 26 is formed around the through hole 13. The boss portions 243, 244 are provided at positions corresponding to the boss portion 21 of the adjacent first core plate 5 in the z-axis direction. The oil passage hole 11 and the through hole 13 are adjacent to each other in the boss portion 244. The boss portions 243, 244 are arranged adjacent to the coolant passage hole 12. The boss portions 243, 244 are formed in an uneven shape in the cross-sectional direction of the upper second core plate 6U.

[0040] By alternately combining the first core plates 5 and second core plates 6 as described above, a certain gap is formed between the first core plates 5 and the second core plates 6, which forms the inter-plate oil flow paths 7 and the inter-plate cooling water flow paths 8.

[0041] The boss portions 21, 211, 212 provided around the oil passage holes 11 and through holes 13 in the first core plate 5 and the lower first core plate 5L are joined to the boss portions 24, 241 provided around the oil passage holes 11 and through holes 13 in the adjacent second core plate 6. As a result, the two adjacent upper and lower inter-plate oil flow paths 7 communicate with each other and are isolated from the inter-plate cooling water flow path 8 between them. Therefore, when a plurality of first core plates 5 and a plurality of second core plates 6 are joined together, the inter-plate oil flow paths 7 communicate with each other via the plurality of oil passage holes 11.

[0042] The boss portions 25 provided around the cooling water passage holes 12 in the second core plates 6, 60 are joined to the boss portions 22 provided around the cooling water passage holes 12 of the adjacent first core plate 5. As a result, the two adjacent inter-plate cooling water passages 8, one above the other, communicate with each other and are isolated from the inter-plate oil passage 7 between them. Therefore, when a plurality of first core plates 5 and a plurality of second core plates 6 are joined together, the inter-plate cooling water passages 8 communicate with each other via the plurality of cooling water passage holes 12.

[0043] The bosses 23 around the through holes 13 in the first core plate 5 are joined to bosses 26 provided around the through holes 13 of the adjacent upper and lower second core plates 6, 60. As shown in Figure 3, the through holes 13 are connected to each other above and below.

[0044] Here, in the heat exchanger 2 of the oil cooler 1, of the multiple stacked plates, the boss portion 241 of the second core plate 60 does not have an oil passage hole 11 as described above. Therefore, in the heat exchanger 2, the oil passage hole 11 is blocked by the second core plate 60. In this way, by blocking the oil passage hole 11 by the second core plate 60, the oil flow path in the heat exchanger 2 has a so-called multi-path configuration that passes through inter-plate oil flow paths 7 formed in the upper and lower stages of the second core plate 60. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 2 has two second core plates 60, so that the oil flow path has three paths.

[0045] In the heat exchange section 2, of the multiple stacked plates, as described above, the boss portion 211 of the lower first core plate 5L in the lowest row is not provided with a through hole 13 or a boss portion 23. The boss portion 211 is joined to the boss portion 24 of the second core plate 6 immediately above. Also, in the heat exchange section 2, of the multiple stacked plates, as described above, the boss portion 243 of the upper second core plate 6U in the highest row is not provided with an oil passage hole 11, a through hole 13, or a boss portion 26. The boss portion 243 is joined to the boss portion 21 of the first core plate 5 immediately below. Therefore, when the multiple first core plates 5 and second core plates 6 are joined together, one of the pair of through holes 13 in the first and second core plates 5, 6, 60 does not communicate with the inter-plate oil flow path 7 and the inter-plate cooling water flow path 8.

[0046] In the heat exchange section 2, of the multiple stacked plates, as described above, the boss portion 212 of the lower first core plate 5L in the lowest row has a through hole 13, but does not have an oil passage hole 11 or a boss portion 23. The boss portion 212 is joined to the boss portion 24 of the second core plate 6 immediately above. Also, in the heat exchange section 2, of the multiple stacked plates, as described above, the boss portion 244 of the upper second core plate 6U in the highest row has an oil passage hole 11 and a through hole 13, but does not have a boss portion 26. The boss portion 244 is formed so as to protrude until it abuts against the boss portion 21 of the adjacent first core plate 5. The boss portion 244 is joined to the boss portion 21 of the first core plate 5 immediately below. Therefore, the through-holes 13 of the boss portions 244 of the upper second core plate 6U and the through-holes 13 of the second core plates 6, 60 are connected in the stacking direction to form through-flow passages 130 that are isolated from the inter-plate oil passages 7 and the inter-plate cooling water passages 8. 、 The boss portion 244 communicates with the oil passage hole 11 at the top via a reflux portion 29 which is an internal space formed between the boss portion 244 and the top plate 3 .

[0047] The top plate 3 is provided with a cooling water inlet 14 that communicates with one of the cooling water passing holes 12 at the top of the heat exchanger 2, and a cooling water outlet 15 that communicates with the other of the cooling water passing holes 12 at the top of the heat exchanger 2. As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, a cooling water inlet pipe 16 is connected to the cooling water inlet 14. As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, a cooling water outlet pipe 17 is connected to the cooling water outlet 15. In the oil cooler 1, cooling water is supplied from the cooling water inlet pipe 16 to one of the cooling water passing holes 12, flows through the other cooling water passing hole 12, and is discharged from the cooling water outlet pipe 17.

[0048] 3 and 8, the bottom plate 4 is provided with an oil inlet 18 communicating with one of the oil passage holes 11 at the bottom of the heat exchanger 2, and an oil outlet 19 communicating with the other of the oil passage holes 11 at the bottom of the heat exchanger 2. The oil inlet 18 and the oil outlet 19 of the bottom plate 4 are attached to a cylinder block (not shown) or the like via a gasket (not shown) or the like that seals them. In the oil cooler 1, oil is supplied from the oil inlet 18 to one of the oil passage holes 11, flows through the other oil passage hole 11 and the through-flow passage 130, and is discharged from the oil outlet 19.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first fin plate 9 has a substantially rectangular outer shape and has a pair of opposing vertical sides 9a and a pair of opposing horizontal sides 9b.

[0050] The first fin plate 9 is joined by an appropriate method such as brazing to flat portions of the second core plate 6 where the boss portions 24, 25, 26 are not provided. As shown in FIG. 118, the first fin plate 9 is formed using a fin plate main body 91 made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as an aluminum plate-shaped member. The first fin plate 9 is formed by processing the fin plate main body 91 by an appropriate method such as bending, to form fins in which convex portions 92 and concave portions 93 are alternately provided in the x direction. Furthermore, the first fin plate 9 has concave portions 94 and convex portions 95 formed by press working or the like on the side surfaces of the fins in the fin plate main body 91, alternately provided in the y direction.

[0051] In a plan view, the first fin plate 9 has anisotropy in which the flow path resistance in a direction parallel to the y-axis direction is smaller than the flow path resistance in a direction parallel to the x-axis direction. In other words, the first fin plate 9 has anisotropy in which the flow path resistance in a direction parallel to the horizontal sides 9b is larger than the flow path resistance in a direction parallel to the vertical sides 9a.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second fin plate 10 has a substantially rectangular outer shape and has a pair of opposing vertical sides 10a and a pair of opposing horizontal sides 10b.

[0053] The second fin plate 10 is joined by an appropriate method such as brazing to a flat portion of the first core plate 5 where the bosses 21, 22, 23 are not provided, and is positioned in the y direction by multiple embossments 117 formed on the second core plate 6. As shown in FIG. 6 , the second fin plate 10 is formed using a fin plate main body 101 made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as an aluminum plate-shaped member. The second fin plate 10 is formed by processing the fin plate main body 101 by an appropriate method such as bending, to form fins in which convex portions 102 and concave portions 103 are alternately provided in the x direction. Furthermore, the second fin plate 10 has concave portions 104 and convex portions 105 alternately formed in the y direction on the side surfaces of the fins in the fin plate main body 101.

[0054] In a plan view, the second fin plate 10 has anisotropy in which the flow path resistance in a direction parallel to the y-axis direction is smaller than the flow path resistance in a direction parallel to the x-axis direction. In other words, the second fin plate 10 has anisotropy in which the flow path resistance in a direction parallel to the horizontal sides 10b is larger than the flow path resistance in a direction parallel to the vertical sides 10a.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the boss portions 21, 211, and 212 of the first core plate 5 and the lower first core plate 5L are provided with edge portions 27. The edge portions 27 function as second edge portions that come into contact with the cooling water serving as the second fluid. The edge portions 27 are provided on portions of the boss portions 21 that face the centers of the first core plate 5 and the lower first core plate 5L, i.e., on portions that face the second fin plate 10. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the edge portions 27 are formed to extend in the x-axis direction (left-right direction). The edge portions 27 are formed so that the distance between them and the second fin plate 10 narrows toward the left-right ends of the first core plate 5 and the lower first core plate 5L in the second direction. Here, the edge portions 27 are formed to be angled (inclined) with respect to the upright wall portions 116 that correspond to the sides of the first core plate 5, which are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0056] Because the edge portions 27 have the above-described shape, in the heat exchange section 2, the flow of cooling water from one cooling water passage hole 12 toward the other cooling water passage hole 12 on the first core plate 5 and the lower first core plate 5L spreads along the edge portions 27 toward the second direction of the inter-plate cooling water flow path 8 and enters the second fin plate 10. The cooling water that has entered the second fin plate 10 on the first core plate 5 and the lower first core plate 5L flows along the fins toward the other cooling water passage hole 12 provided in the y direction. In other words, according to the oil cooler 1, because the first core plate 5 and the lower first core plate 5L have the edge portions 27, the cooling water can be diffused over the entire surface of the second fin plate 10.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the boss portion 25 of the second core plate 6, 60 is provided with an edge portion 28. The edge portion 28 functions as a first edge portion that comes into contact with oil as the first fluid, and is provided on a portion of the boss portion 25 facing the center of the second core plate 6, 60, i.e., a portion facing the first fin plate 9. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 , the edge portion 28 is formed to extend in the x-axis direction (left-right direction). The edge portion 28 is formed so that the distance between the edge portion 28 and the first fin plate 9 narrows toward the left-right ends of the plate in the second direction. Here, the edge portion 28 is provided so as to be angled (inclined) with respect to the upright wall portions 126 that correspond to the sides of the second core plate 6, 60, which are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0058] Because the edge portion 28 has the above-described shape, in the heat exchange section 2, the flow of oil that flows through the inter-plate oil flow passage 7 from one oil passage hole 11 toward the other oil passage hole 11 on the second core plate 6 spreads along the edge portion 28 in the x direction of the inter-plate oil flow passage 7 and enters the first fin plate 9. In the second core plates 6, 60, the oil that has entered the first fin plate 9 flows along the fins toward the other oil passage hole 11 provided in the y direction. In other words, according to the oil cooler 1, because the second core plates 6, 60 have the edge portion 28, oil can be diffused over the entire surface of the first fin plate 9.

[0059] Cooling water introduced through the cooling water inlet 14 of the top plate 3 flows through the interplate cooling water channels 8, flows through the heat exchange unit 2 in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the first and second core plates 5 and 6, and reaches the cooling water outlet 15 of the top plate 3. The solid arrow "Water In" in FIG. 3 indicates the flow of cooling water on the inlet side. The dashed arrow "Water Out" in FIG. 3 indicates the flow of cooling water on the outlet side. Oil introduced through the oil inlet 18 of the bottom plate 4 flows through the interplate oil channels 7, flows through the heat exchange unit 2 in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the first and second core plates 5 and 6, and reaches the oil outlet 19 of the bottom plate 4. The dashed arrow "Oil In" in FIG. 3 indicates the flow of oil on the inlet side. The dashed arrow "Oil Out" in FIG. 3 indicates the flow of oil on the outlet side.

[0060] The oil cooler 1 having the heat exchange unit 2 configured by the above-described multiple plates has the following oil path formed. Oil introduced into the heat exchange unit 2 from the oil inlet 18 passes through the oil passing holes 11 and the inter-plate oil flow paths 7 toward the uppermost second core plate 6U. The oil changes direction between the lower and upper inter-plate oil flow paths 7 of the second core plate 60, where the oil passing holes 11 are blocked, and the upper second core plate 6U, before flowing toward the uppermost second core plate 6U.

[0061] The oil that passes through the inter-plate oil flow path 7 of the topmost stage passes through the oil passage hole 11 of the topmost first core plate 5, reaches the upper second core plate 6U, flows into the circulation section 29 formed between the boss portion 244 of the upper second core plate 6U and the underside of the top plate 3, flows into the through flow path 130 through the through hole 13 formed in the boss portion 244 of the upper second core plate 6U, passes through the through flow path 130, reaches the bottommost lower first core plate 5L, and is discharged from the oil discharge section 19 via the inside of the boss portion 212.

[0062] As described above, in the oil cooler 1, the boss portions 21, 211, 212, 24, 241, 243, 244 having the same outer contour shape are formed in the first core plate 5, the lower first core plate 5L, the second core plates 6, 60, and the upper second core plate 6U at positions surrounding the two holes, the oil passage hole 11 and the through hole 13. Therefore, the uppermost and lowermost paths for circulating the oil and cooling water introduced into the heat exchange unit 2 can be provided in the stacked plates. This eliminates the need to form a dome-shaped passage in the top plate 3 above the heat exchange unit 2 or to provide an inter-plate oil flow path 7 by adding a plate below the lowermost lower first core plate 5L. Therefore, with the oil cooler 1, the height in the plate stacking direction (vertical direction) can be reduced.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the heat exchanger according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, and includes all aspects encompassed by the concept and scope of the claims. Furthermore, each component may be appropriately and selectively combined to achieve at least some of the above-described problems and advantages. For example, the shape, material, arrangement, size, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments may be appropriately modified depending on the specific use of the present invention. Circulation part In the above example, the oil passage is provided at the top of the oil passage, but it is also possible to provide it at the bottom or in the cooling water passage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1...oil cooler, 2...heat exchange section, 3...top plate, 4...bottom plate, 5...first core plate, 5L...lower first core plate, 6, 60...second core plate, 6U...upper second core plate, 7...oil flow path between plates, 8...cooling water flow path between plates, 9...first fin plate, 9a, 10a...vertical sides, 9b, 10b...horizontal sides, 10...second fin plate, 11...oil passage hole, 12...cooling water passage hole, 13...through hole, 14...cooling water Inlet portion, 15...cooling water outlet portion, 16...cooling water inlet pipe, 17...cooling water outlet pipe, 18...oil inlet portion, 19...oil outlet portion, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 211, 212, 241, 243, 244...boss portion, 27, 28...edge portion, 29...circulation portion, 116, 126...standing wall portion, 91, 101...fin plate main body, 92, 95, 102, 105...convex portion, 93, 94, 103, 104...concave portion, 117...embossment, 130...through flow channel

Claims

1. a heat exchange core made up of a plurality of stacked plates, a top plate, and a bottom plate; the plurality of plates of the heat exchange core include an upper end plate on the upper side in the stacking direction, a lower end plate on the lower side in the stacking direction, and a plurality of intermediate plates stacked between the upper end plate and the lower end plate; each pair of adjacent plates of the plurality of plates of the heat exchange core defines an inter-plate flow path for fluid flow therebetween; each of the plurality of intermediate plates has a flow passage opening that is connected to the inter-plate flow passage and passes through the plate so that the fluid flows in the stacking direction, the flow passage openings are formed at opposing positions across the inter-plate flow passage so that the fluid can flow from one end of the inter-plate flow passage to the other end, and one of the intermediate plates has a total of four flow passage openings, two of which are provided at each end and spaced apart from each other for passing different fluids; Each of the plurality of intermediate plates further has one through hole at each end of the plate between the two flow-through openings, and each of the through holes defines a part of a through-flow passage that penetrates the plurality of intermediate plates in the stacking direction and is isolated from the inter-plate flow passage, a boss portion having a substantially elliptical edge is formed on the upper end plate or the lower end plate at a position overlapping one of the flow passage openings and the through hole when viewed from above the heat exchange core, The edge portion is positioned so as to surround the outside of both the flow section opening and the through hole when viewed from a planar view of the heat exchange core, and the flow section opening and the through hole open into the internal space of the boss portion, and this internal space forms a circulating section that constitutes a connecting passage that connects the flow section opening and the through flow path, and the circulating section is configured so that the flow in the stacking direction of the flow section opening and the flow in the stacking direction of the through flow path make a U-turn and connect.

2. The upper end plate comprises: the boss portion is formed to protrude downward, and the top plate is brazed to an upper surface thereof, The circulating portion is formed between the flow passage opening and the through hole, the boss portion, and the top plate. The heat exchanger of claim 1 .

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