Header plateless heat exchanger

Abstract

To simplify a structure of a separator in a header plate-less type heat exchanger.SOLUTION: In a heat exchanger which has: flat tubes 1 including bulge portions 1e radially bulging at end portions 1d; cores 2 in which a number of flat tubes 1 are laminated in a manner that their bulge portions 1a are put together; and headers 3 disposed at least at one end of the cores 2, and in which a first fluid 4 is circulated into each of the flat tubes 1 via the headers 3, the headers 3 are composed of a plurality of cylindrical components 3a having planar laminated portions 3b, frame portions 3c for fitting outer peripheries of end portions 2d of the cores 2 are formed at a core 2 side of the cylindrical components 3a, and each of the cylindrical components 3a is laminated in a direction same as a lamination direction of the flat tubes 1 at the lamination portions 3b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This paper deals with simplifying the part shapes of header plateless heat exchangers. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional header plateless heat exchanger is known from Patent Document 1 below. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional header plateless heat exchanger, FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger in an assembled state, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 8A. This heat exchanger is used for an EGR cooler or the like, and has a core 22 formed by laminating flat tubes 21, and a header 23 fitted onto an end 22d of the core 22. As shown in Figures 7 and 8A, the core 22 of this heat exchanger has a multi-path structure in which the flow path is folded back, and a separator 27 is attached to the header 23, with the tip of the separator 27 contacting and joining the flat tubes 21 at the middle position in the stacking direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6276054 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] 7 and 8A, a separator 27 is required, increasing the number of parts compared to a heat exchanger without a folded flow path. Furthermore, a seat 23a must be provided to attach the separator 27 to the header 23, as shown in FIG. 8B, complicating the structure of the header 23 and reducing its workability. Furthermore, the seat 23a in the header 23 narrows the flow path of the first fluid 24, increasing pressure loss. The shape of the flange 31 joined to the header 23 needs to match the shape of the header 23. For example, if the shape of the header 23 becomes complicated by adding the seating surface 23a, etc., as shown in Fig. 7, the shape of the flange 31 also becomes complicated by adding a configuration that matches the seating surface 23a, which leads to a decrease in formability of the flange 31, a decrease in quality, and an increase in manufacturing costs. Furthermore, when high-temperature fluid is circulated through the core 22 of the heat exchanger, a reinforcing shape such as a bridge may be added to the header 23 to deal with thermal stress in the header 23. Adding a reinforcing shape to the header 23 makes the shape of the header 23 more complex, which reduces moldability, reduces quality, and increases manufacturing costs.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the objective of each invention of the present application is to simplify the shape of the header 23 of the header plateless type heat exchanger, and to provide a structure that can improve the quality and reduce the cost of the heat exchanger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Book The invention relates to a flat tube having an end 1d including a bulging portion 1e that bulges in the radial direction. With Bu1, a core 2 formed by stacking a large number of flat tubes 1 with their bulging portions 1e aligned with one another; a header 3 provided at least at one end of the core 2; Equipped with In a header plateless type heat exchanger in which a first fluid 4 flows through each flat tube 1 via a header 3, The header 3 is composed of multiple tubular parts 3a each having a planar stacked portion 3b, and a frame portion 3c that contacts the end portion 2d of the core 2 is formed on the core 2 side of the tubular parts 3a, and each tubular part 3a is stacked in the same direction as the stacking direction of the flat tubes 1 at the stacked portion 3b, forming a header plateless type heat exchanger.

[0007] Book The invention The aforementioned In a header plateless type heat exchanger, Adjacent stacked portions 3b of the stacked tubular parts 3a form separators 7 of the header 3, A tank 5 having a U-turn portion 5a is disposed at the other end of the core 2, This is a header plateless heat exchanger in which a first fluid 4 flows into the core 2 through at least one of the multiple tubular parts 3a, and then flows out of the core 2 through other tubular parts 3a via the U-turn portion 5a of the tank 5.

[0008] Book The invention is The aforementioned In a header plateless type heat exchanger, At least two of the cylindrical parts 3a are header plateless heat exchangers having the same shape.

[0009] Book The invention is The aforementioned In a header plateless type heat exchanger, This is a header plateless type heat exchanger in which the end 3d of the stacked portion 3b of each adjacent tubular part 3a is joined to the end 1d of the part stacked at the bulged portion 1e of the flat tube 1.

[0010] Book The invention is The aforementioned In a header plateless type heat exchanger, A labyrinth seal 6 is formed between the end 3d of the stacked portion 3b of each of the parallel-arranged tubular parts 3a and the end 1d of the flat tube 1, thereby separating the flow path of the flat tube 1 connected to at least one tubular part 3a from the flow path of the flat tube 1 connected to the other tubular parts 3a, in a header plateless heat exchanger. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] Book In the header plateless heat exchanger of the invention, the header 3 is composed of multiple tubular parts 3a each having a planar stacked portion 3b, and a frame portion 3c that contacts the end portion 2d of the core 2 is formed on the core 2 side of the tubular parts 3a, and each tubular part 3a is stacked in the same direction as the stacking direction of the flat tubes 1 at the stacked portion 3b. With this configuration, the tubular parts 3a are stacked by the stacked portions 3b, which prevents the first fluid 4 from leaking from the joints of the tubular parts 3a to the outside of the header 3. In addition, the rigidity of the header 3 can be easily increased by the adjacent stacked portions 3b. Furthermore, the header 3 can be formed in an appropriate size by combining the cylindrical parts 3a without complicating the configuration of the header 3. The present invention The header plateless heat exchanger configuration can also be applied to heat exchangers in which the first fluid 4 does not make a U-turn (the heat exchanger does not have a multi-pass structure), and can also be applied to heat exchangers in which the first fluid 4 does not make a U-turn (the heat exchanger does not have a multi-pass structure), even when the heat exchanger is made up of non-identical cylindrical parts 3a. In addition, the state of the frame portion 3c contacting the end portion 2d of the core 2 described in claim 1 includes a state in which the end portion 2d of the core 2 is fitted into the frame portion 3c of the header 3, and a state in which the end portion 2d of the core 2 and the frame portion 3c of the header 3 are abutted against each other.

[0012] The present invention In the header plateless heat exchanger shown in FIG. 1, adjacent stacked portions 3b of stacked tubular parts 3a form separators 7 of the header 3, and the core 2 has a tank 5 with a U-turn portion 5a at the other end thereof. The first fluid 4 flows into the core 2 through at least one of the tubular parts 3a, and then flows out of the core 2 through the U-turn portion 5a of the tank 5 and another tubular part 3a. In this case, the conventional separate separator 27 can be eliminated in a structure in which the first fluid 4 makes a U-turn (the heat exchanger has a multi-pass structure), thereby reducing the number of components. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to form a seating surface 23a for the separator 27 in the header 3, the shape of the header 3 can be simplified. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to form a seating surface 23a for the separator 27, the pressure loss of the first fluid 4 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the configuration of the header 3 is simplified, it is not necessary to match the shape of the flange 11 to the seating surface 23a for the separator 27 of the header 3, which allows for simplification.

[0013] The present inventionWhen at least two of the cylindrical parts 3a have the same shape, as in the header plateless type heat exchanger of , it is possible to standardize the cylindrical parts 3a, and the number of types of parts can be reduced.

[0014] The present invention As in the header plateless heat exchanger of the present invention, when the end 3d of the stacked portion 3b of each adjacent tubular part 3a is joined to the end 1d of the part stacked at the bulge portion 1e of the flat tube 1, the flow paths inside the group of multiple flat tubes (first core 2a) connected to the first tubular part and the flow paths inside the group of flat tubes (second core 2b) connected to the second tubular part are separated from each other, and no short circuit occurs between the flow paths.

[0015] The present invention As in the header plateless heat exchanger of the present invention, when a labyrinth seal 6 is formed between the end 3d of the stacked portion 3b of each of the parallel-arranged tubular parts 3a and the end 1d of the flat tube 1, thereby separating the flow path of the flat tube 1 connected to at least one tubular part 3a from the flow path of the flat tube 1 connected to another tubular part 3a, the flow path inside the group of multiple flat tubes (first core 2a) connected to the first tubular part is separated from the flow path inside the group of flat tubes (second core 2b) connected to the second tubular part. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a header plateless heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the header plateless heat exchanger. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the header 3 of the header-plateless heat exchanger, and is a perspective view of a cylindrical part 3a that constitutes the header 3. [Figure 3B] BB arrow view of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a stacked state of tubular parts 3a. [Figure 3D] Cross section DD of Figure 3C. [Figure 4A]4 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the header plateless heat exchanger, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Figure 4B] Enlarged view of part B in Figure 4A. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a header plateless heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional header plateless heat exchanger. [Figure 8A] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger in an assembled state. [Figure 8B] Enlarged view of part B in Figure 8A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a header plateless heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the heat exchanger. Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a tubular part 3a constituting a header 3 of the heat exchanger, Fig. 3B is a view taken along the arrow BB in Fig. 3A, Fig. 3C is a perspective view showing the stacked state of the tubular parts 3a, and Fig. 3D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in Fig. 3C. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 4A.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger of this embodiment comprises flat tubes 1 each having a radially bulging end 1d including a bulging portion 1e, a core 2 formed by stacking a number of flat tubes 1 with their bulging portions 1e aligned with one another, and a header 3 disposed at one end of the core 2. In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, a tank 5 that forms a U-turn portion 5a is disposed at the other end of the core 2. A first fluid 4 flows through each of the flat tubes 1 .

[0019] The header 3 of the present invention is made up of two tubular parts 3a. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3A to 3D, the tubular part 3a has a planar laminated portion 3b, a frame portion 3c that fits over the end of the core 2, and a flange mounting portion 3e. As shown in Fig. 3A, the flange mounting portion 3e side of the tubular part 3a is formed with the flange mounting portion 3e and the laminated portion 3b in an annular shape. The frame portion 3c of the tubular part 3a is formed to extend from the flange mounting portion 3e toward the core 2 by the amount of the fitting margin W of the core 2 (Figs. 3B and 3D). (In this example, the side portion of the frame portion 3c is formed with a step that widens from the side portion of the flange mounting portion 3e. However, a design without a step is also possible.) The frame portion 3c does not extend from the end 3d of the laminated portion 3b.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the frame portion 3c of the header 3 is formed in a rectangular shape at the open end on the core 2 side in a stacked state. As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the headers 3 are stacked with the stacked portions 3b of the cylindrical parts 3a facing each other, with the planes of the stacked portions 3b facing each other. The laminated portion 3 b of the header 3 forms a separator 7 of the header 3 . In this example, the outer periphery of the flange mounting portion 3e of the heat exchanger header 3 is formed in a square shape as shown in Figures 3A and 3C. The size of the outer periphery of the flange mounting portion 3e matches the size of the inner periphery of the flange 11. By forming the header 3 in this manner, the structure of the header 3 is simplified compared to the conventional structure shown in Figures 7, 8A, and 8B, and the shape of the flange 11 can also be simplified to match the structure of the header 3 of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4A, the core 2 of this heat exchanger is divided by a separator 7 into a first core 2a and a second core 2b. When the end 2d of the core 2 is fitted into the frame portion 3c of the header 3, the end 3d of the laminated portion 3b constituting the separator 7 of the header 3 abuts against each end 1d of the bulge portion 1e of the flat tube 1c constituting the boundary between the first core 2a and the second core b, as shown in Figure 4B. 3B, the end 3d of each laminated portion 3b is offset from the end of the frame portion 3c by the fitting margin W of the core 2. When fitting the frame portion 3c of the header 3 onto the outer periphery of the end portion 2d of the core 2, it is preferable that the laminated portion 3b of the tubular part 3a is offset. The abutting portions are joined by brazing or welding. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the plane of the laminated portion 3b constituting the separator 7 is parallel to the plane of the flat tube 1 at the contact position. The first fluid 4 that flows into the heat exchanger passes through the first tubular part 3a of the header 3 into the first core 2a, and then passes through the U-turn portion 5a of the tank 5, passes through the second tubular part 3a, and flows out of the second core 2b.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, a casing 10 is fitted around the outer periphery of the heat exchanger core 2. The casing 10 can be formed of a deep-groove first member 10a that forms the main body of the casing 10, and a shallow-groove second member 10b. In addition, inner fins 13 may be installed inside each flat tube 1, as shown in Figs. 1, 4A, and 4B. The second fluid 12 flows between the outer surface of each flat tube 1 and the inner surface of the casing 10 and exchanges heat with the first fluid 4 .

[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the first embodiment. As in this embodiment, instead of fitting the end 2d of the core 2 into the frame 3c of the header 3, the end 3d of the frame 3c may be abutted against the end 2d of the core 2. In this case, unlike the first embodiment, the stacked portions 3b of the tubular parts 3a are not offset. In this embodiment, the end 3d of the frame portion 3c abuts against the end 2d of the core 2, and the end 3d of the laminated portion 3b abuts against each end 1d of the bulging portion 1e of the flat tube 1c that forms the aforementioned boundary.

[0024] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This example differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the end 3d of the laminated portion 3b that constitutes the separator . The end 3d of the stacked portion 3b of each tubular part 3a is slightly bent, and when the tubular parts 3a are stacked, the tip of the separator 7 has a Y-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. Each end 1d of the flat tube 1c that forms the boundary between the first core 2a and the second core 2b is sandwiched between the Y-shaped ends 3d of the separator 7 as shown in the figure. As shown in FIG. 6, a labyrinth seal 6 is formed between the end 3d of the laminated portion 3b of each cylindrical part 3a thus formed and the end 1d of each flat tube 1c.

[0025] As shown in the first and second embodiments, the flat tubes 1a constituting the first core 2a and the flat tubes 1b constituting the second core 2b are preferably each constructed by stacking a plurality of tubes, but this is not limiting, and either core may be constructed from a single flat tube 1, or both cores 2a, 2b may be constructed from a single flat tube 1. In this case, the dimensions of the tubular part 3a constituting the header 3 are changed according to the dimensions of each core 2a, 2b. When three or more tubular parts 3a are stacked, the dimensions of the frame part 3c of the header 3 must match the dimensions of the stack of flat tubes 1 at the end 2d of the core 2. Furthermore, the separator 7 may be formed in the header 3 in a plurality of numbers, not just one. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the tank 5 is disposed on the other end side of the core 2, but instead, a header 3 can also be provided on the other end side. [Industrial Applicability]

[0026] The configurations of the inventions according to the present application can be used in heat exchangers such as EGR coolers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1 Flat tube 1a Flat tube constituting the first core 2a 1b Flat tube constituting second core 2b 1c Flat tube forming the boundary 1d end 1e bulge 2 cores 2a First Core 2b Second Core 2d end

[0028] 3. Header 3a Cylindrical parts 3b Laminated section 3c Frame 3d edge 3e Flange mounting part

[0029] 4 1st fluid 5 Tank 5a U-turn section 6 Labyrinth Seal 7 Separator

[0030] 10 Casing 10a First member 10b Second member 11 flange 12 Second fluid 13 Innafin

[0031] 21 Flat tube 22 cores 22d end 23 Header 23a Seat 24 1st fluid 27 Separator 31 flange W Fitting margin

Claims

1. A header plateless heat exchanger comprising flat tubes (1) each having a radially expanding end (1d) including a bulging portion (1e), a core (2) formed by stacking a number of flat tubes (1) with their bulging portions (1e) aligned with one another, and a header (3) provided at at least one end of the core (2), wherein a first fluid (4) circulates within each flat tube (1) via the header (3), The header (3) is composed of a plurality of tubular parts (3a) having planar stacked portions (3b), and a frame portion (3c) that contacts an end portion (2d) of the core (2) is formed on the core (2) side of the tubular parts (3a), and each tubular part (3a) is stacked in the stacked portion (3b) in the same direction as the stacking direction of the flat tubes (1), A header plateless heat exchanger in which the end (3d) of the stacked portion (3b) of each adjacent tubular part (3a) is joined to the end (1d) of the portion stacked at the bulge portion (1e) of the flat tube (1).

2. A header plateless heat exchanger comprising flat tubes (1) each having a radially expanding end (1d) including a bulging portion (1e), a core (2) formed by stacking a number of flat tubes (1) with their bulging portions (1e) aligned with one another, and a header (3) provided at at least one end of the core (2), wherein a first fluid (4) circulates within each flat tube (1) via the header (3), The header (3) is composed of a plurality of tubular parts (3a) having planar stacked portions (3b), and a frame portion (3c) that contacts an end portion (2d) of the core (2) is formed on the core (2) side of the tubular parts (3a), and each tubular part (3a) is stacked in the stacked portion (3b) in the same direction as the stacking direction of the flat tubes (1), A header plateless heat exchanger in which a labyrinth seal (6) is formed between the end (3d) of the stacked portion (3b) of each stacked tubular part (3a) and the end (1d) of the flat tube (1), thereby separating the flow path of the flat tube (1) connected to at least one tubular part (3a) from the flow path of the flat tube (1) connected to another tubular part (3a).

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