Heat exchanger, and indoor unit of an air conditioning system equipped with the heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger using a heat transfer pipe made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy that is improved in rigidity of the heat exchanger as a whole so as not to be damaged due to torsion or the like and keeps strength of the heat exchanger proper as a whole.SOLUTION: An indoor heat exchanger 20 includes a reinforcement member 24 made of a steel or a stainless steel, having high stiffness and disposed between a first heat exchange part 21 and a second heat exchange part 22, and thereby improved in rigidity of the heat exchanger 20 as a whole and suppressed in torsion or the like.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Relates to a heat exchanger using a heat transfer tube made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

Background Art

[0002] Copper tubes are widely used as heat transfer tubes in heat exchangers used in refrigeration equipment. However, due to the recent soaring copper prices, aluminum or an aluminum alloy, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-63216), for example, has been considered as an alternative pipe material.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, a heat transfer tube made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy is weaker in strength than a copper tube. Therefore, there is a problem of improving the rigidity of the entire heat exchanger and properly maintaining the strength of the entire heat exchanger so as not to be damaged by torsion or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The heat exchanger of the first aspect includes a first heat exchange part, a second heat exchange part, and a reinforcing member disposed between the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part. The first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part each have a plurality of fins and a plurality of heat transfer tubes made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy that penetrate the fins, and are arranged adjacent to each other. The reinforcing member is made of steel or stainless steel.

[0005] In this heat exchanger, by disposing a highly rigid reinforcing member between the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part, the rigidity of the entire heat exchanger is improved and torsion or the like is suppressed.

[0006] The heat exchanger of the second aspect is the heat exchanger of the first aspect, wherein the reinforcing member is disposed so as to cover the gap between the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part.

[0007] In this heat exchanger, gaps with particularly low strength can be reinforced by placing reinforcing members to cover those gaps.

[0008] A heat exchanger according to the third aspect is a heat exchanger according to the first or second aspect, further comprising side plates. The side plates fix the longitudinal ends of the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section. The ends of the reinforcing members are fixed to the side plates.

[0009] In this heat exchanger, the first heat exchange section, the second heat exchange section, and the reinforcing members are fixed to the side plate, thus suppressing misalignment between them.

[0010] The heat exchanger in the fourth aspect is the heat exchanger in the third aspect, but its side plates are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. This heat exchanger is designed to be lightweight.

[0011] The heat exchanger of the fifth aspect is a heat exchanger of the third or fourth aspect, wherein the reinforcing member has a fixing piece. The fixing piece is screw-fixed to the side plate. In this heat exchanger, the attachment of the reinforcing member is robust.

[0012] The heat exchanger of the sixth aspect is the heat exchanger of the fifth aspect, wherein either the fixing piece or the side plate has a recess, and the other has a claw that fits into the recess. In this heat exchanger, positioning is facilitated by the fitting of the recess and the claw.

[0013] The heat exchanger of the seventh aspect is a heat exchanger of any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the reinforcing member has a bent portion.

[0014] In this heat exchanger, the strength of the reinforcing member is increased by the bending process used to form the bent portion of the reinforcing member.

[0015] The heat exchanger of the eighth aspect is a heat exchanger of any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the reinforcing member has a flat portion. The flat portion faces the flat surface of the upper end in the orientation of the first or second heat exchanger when in use.

[0016] In this heat exchanger, the heat exchange section and the reinforcing member face each other face to face, so even if the two come into contact with each other, the heat exchange section is less likely to be damaged.

[0017] The heat exchanger in the ninth aspect is the heat exchanger in the eighth aspect, and the shortest distance between the heat transfer tubes and the flat surface is set to 2 mm or more.

[0018] In this heat exchanger, the shortest distance between the heat transfer tubes and the flat surface is set to 2 mm or more, which suppresses interference between the reinforcing members and the heat transfer tubes, and even if interference occurs, it does not damage the heat transfer tubes.

[0019] The heat exchanger of the tenth aspect is a heat exchanger of any one of the first to ninth aspects, further comprising a foamed resin material. The foamed resin material is interposed between the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section and the reinforcing member.

[0020] In this heat exchanger, a foamed resin material is interposed between the first and second heat exchange sections and the reinforcing member, thereby preventing direct contact between the reinforcing member and the heat exchange section. Furthermore, even if the foamed resin material comes into contact with the heat exchange section, deformation of the heat exchange section is prevented.

[0021] The heat exchanger of the 11th aspect is a heat exchanger of any one of the 1st to 10th aspects, wherein the shortest distance between the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section is set in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0022] The heat exchanger of the 12th perspective is a heat exchanger of any one of the 1st to 11th perspectives, and the dimension of the reinforcing member in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is set in the range of 2.0 to 4.0 times the shortest distance between the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section.

[0023] The heat exchanger of the 13th aspect is a heat exchanger of any one of the 12th aspects of the 1st aspect, wherein the plate thickness of the reinforcing member is set to be greater than the plate thickness of the heat transfer tube.

[0024] The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the 14th aspect includes any one of the heat exchangers according to the 1st to 13th aspects.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner including a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is an external perspective view of the indoor unit. [Figure 3] It is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the indoor unit. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged view of the periphery of the top part of the indoor heat exchanger 20. [Figure 5] It is a view with the side plate removed from FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 4.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are specific examples of the present disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0027] (1) Overall Configuration of Air Conditioner 100 FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 100 equipped with a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 is a separate-type air conditioner composed of an outdoor unit 1 installed outdoors and an indoor unit 2 installed on an inner wall surface.

[0028] [[ID=?]] The outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are connected by refrigerant pipes Pi1 and Pi2, thereby forming a vapor compression type refrigerant circuit 10. The air conditioner 100 performs a refrigerant operation or a heating operation to cool or heat the room where the indoor unit 2 is installed. [[ID=?]]

[0029] [[ID=?]] It seems there are some redundant or incorrect tags in the original text (e.g., ID=41, 42, 43, 45 are not used in a meaningful way in the current context). Please check and correct if necessary. Also, the "?" in the translation indicates where there seem to be issues in the original text's tag usage.(2) Configuration of the outdoor unit 1 The outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 11, a four-way switching valve 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an expansion mechanism 14, a liquid side shut-off valve 15, a gas side shut-off valve 16, and an outdoor fan 17.

[0030] (2-1) Compressor 11 The compressor 11 draws in low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, compresses it, and discharges it as high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The compressor 11 is a closed-type compressor in which positive displacement compression elements, such as rotary or scroll type, are driven by a compressor motor M11. The compressor 11 is a type of compressor with variable capacity.

[0031] (2-2) Four-way switching valve 12 The four-way diverter valve 12 switches the direction of refrigerant flow when switching between cooling and heating operation. During cooling operation, the four-way diverter valve 12 connects the discharge side of the compressor 11 to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and also connects the gas side shut-off valve 16 to the suction side of the compressor 11 (see the solid line of the four-way diverter valve 12 in Figure 1).

[0032] During heating operation, the four-way switching valve 12 connects the discharge side of the compressor 11 to the gas side shut-off valve 16, and also connects the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 to the suction side of the compressor 11 (see the dashed line of the four-way switching valve 12 in Figure 1).

[0033] (2-3) Outdoor heat exchanger 13 The outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as a refrigerant radiator during cooling operation and as a refrigerant evaporator during heating operation. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 has multiple fins and multiple heat transfer tubes inserted into the fins, and performs heat exchange between the outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan 17 and the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes.

[0034] (2-4) Expansion mechanism 14 The expansion mechanism 14 is an electrically operated expansion valve. During cooling operation, the expansion mechanism 14 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been released heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 before sending it to the indoor heat exchanger 20. During heating operation, the expansion mechanism 14 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been released heat in the indoor heat exchanger 20 before sending it to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.

[0035] (2-5) Closing valves 15, 16 The liquid-side shut-off valve 15 is connected to the connection port of the refrigerant piping Pi1. The gas-side shut-off valve 16 is connected to the connection port of the refrigerant piping Pi2. Inside the outdoor unit 1, the liquid-side shut-off valve 15 is connected to the expansion mechanism 14 via piping. The gas-side shut-off valve 16 is connected to the four-way switching valve 12 via piping.

[0036] (2-6) Outdoor fan 17 The outdoor fan 17 draws outside air into the outdoor unit 1 and supplies it to the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and then discharges the air outside the outdoor unit 1. For example, a propeller fan is used as the outdoor fan 17. The outdoor fan 17 is rotationally driven by the outdoor fan motor M17.

[0037] (3) Configuration of indoor unit 2 Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit 2. Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 2. In Figures 2 and 3, the indoor unit 2 includes a main frame 31, an indoor heat exchanger 20, an indoor fan 27, and a filter 29. The indoor heat exchanger 20, indoor fan 27, and filter 29 are located within the main frame 31.

[0038] (3-1) Main frame 31 The main frame 31 forms the outer shell of the indoor unit 2. As shown in Figure 3, the main frame 31 has air intake ports 32aa, 32da and an air outlet port 32db. The main frame 31 also has a main casing 32 and a bottom frame 35.

[0039] (3-1-1) Main casing 32 As shown in Figure 2, the main casing 32 has a box-like shape that is elongated horizontally. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main casing 32 forms a three-dimensional space with a top panel 32a, a front panel 32b, and a rear panel 32c.

[0040] The top panel 32a forms the top surface of the main casing 32, and the front panel 32b forms the front surface of the main casing 32. The upper end of the front panel 32b is rotatably supported by a part of the top panel 32a and can operate in a hinge-like manner. The rear panel 32c forms the rear surface of the main casing 32. The rear panel 32c is attached to a mounting plate (not shown) installed on the interior wall by screws or the like, thereby installing the interior unit 2 on the interior wall.

[0041] The top panel 32a of the main casing 32 is provided with a top intake port 32aa that extends from the front to the rear.

[0042] The lower surface 32d of the main casing 32 is formed by the bottom portion 35a of the bottom frame 35. The lower surface 32d has a lower intake port 32da and an outlet port 32db formed therein.

[0043] The lower intake port 32da is located closer to the wall than the outlet port 32db and is connected to the inside of the main casing 32 by the intake passage 33a.

[0044] The air outlet 32db is located on the front side of the indoor unit 2. The air outlet 32db is connected to the inside of the main casing 32 by the air outlet passage 33b.

[0045] The suction channel 33a is formed from the lower suction port 32da along the channel forming portion 35b of the bottom frame 35. The discharge channel 33b is formed from the discharge port 32db along the channel forming portion 35b of the bottom frame 35.

[0046] Furthermore, a horizontal flap 34 is attached near the air outlet 32 ​​dB, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The horizontal flap 34 is rotatably mounted to the main casing 32. The horizontal flap 34 is driven by a flap motor (not shown). The horizontal flap 34 can open and close the air outlet 32 ​​dB. In addition, the horizontal flap 34 changes the direction of airflow so that the air blown out from the air outlet 32 ​​dB is guided in the direction desired by the user.

[0047] (3-1-2) Bottom frame 35 As shown in Figure 3, the bottom frame 35 consists of a bottom portion 35a and a flow channel forming portion 35b.

[0048] The bottom portion 35a constitutes at least a part of the lower surface 32d of the main casing 32. The bottom portion 35a is exposed to the outside of the indoor unit 2.

[0049] The flow path forming portion 35b is located inside the main casing 32. The flow path forming portion 35b extends upward from one end of the bottom portion 35a and is curved to follow the shape of the indoor fan 27.

[0050] (3-2) Indoor heat exchanger 20 The indoor heat exchanger 20 is attached to the flow path forming portion 35b of the bottom frame 35 inside the main casing 32. During cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 20 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, and during heating operation, it functions as a refrigerant radiator.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the indoor heat exchanger 20 has an inverted V-shape in which both ends are bent downwards when viewed from the side. The indoor fan 27 is located below the indoor heat exchanger 20.

[0052] (3-3) Indoor fan 27 The indoor fan 27 is a cross-flow fan. The indoor fan 27 draws air into the main casing 32 through the intake ports 32aa and 32da. The drawn-in air exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger 20 as it passes through it. The air after heat exchange is blown out into the room from inside the main casing 32 through the outlet port 32db. The indoor fan 27 is rotationally driven by the indoor fan motor M27.

[0053] (4) Detailed configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 As shown in Figure 3, the indoor heat exchanger 20 has a first heat exchange section 21, a second heat exchange section 22, and a third heat exchange section 23.

[0054] The first heat exchange unit 21 is positioned with its upper end tilted backward, covering the upper front portion of the indoor fan 27 from above. The second heat exchange unit 22 is positioned with its upper end tilted forward, covering the upper rear portion of the indoor fan 27 from above.

[0055] The upper end of the second heat exchange section 22 and the upper end of the first heat exchange section 21 are opposite each other, thereby forming an inverted V-shaped apex portion T.

[0056] The third heat exchange unit 23 is located below the first heat exchange unit 21, and the upper end of the third heat exchange unit 23 is close to the lower end of the first heat exchange unit 21. The third heat exchange unit 23 is positioned to cover the front of the indoor fan 27.

[0057] Each heat exchange section 21, 22, 23 includes a plurality of fins 211, 221, 231 and a plurality of heat transfer tubes 212, 222, 232. The plurality of fins 211, 221, 231 and the plurality of heat transfer tubes 212, 222, 232 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0058] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the area around the top portion T of the indoor heat exchanger 20. Figure 5 is a view of Figure 4 with the side plates removed. In Figures 4 and 5, the indoor heat exchanger 20 further includes a reinforcing member 24 positioned at the top portion T, side plates 25 that fix the first heat exchange section 21, the second heat exchange section 22, and the third heat exchange section 23, and an insulating member 26 attached to the reinforcing member 24.

[0059] (4-1) Side panel 25 The side plate 25 is a plate-shaped member made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. As shown in Figure 4, the side plate 25 is fixed with screws to the end faces of the first heat exchange section 21, the second heat exchange section 22, and the third heat exchange section 23, thereby maintaining the shape and orientation of the indoor heat exchanger 20.

[0060] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 4. In Figure 6, a claw 25a is formed on the side plate 25 by a cutting and bending process. In the front view of Figure 6, the claw 25a is cut vertically upward relative to the side plate 25 and then bent parallel to the side plate 25. This claw 25a is used to fix the reinforcing member 24 to the side plate 25.

[0061] Furthermore, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 4. In Figure 7, the side plate 25 has a first hole 25b that penetrates in the thickness direction. The first hole 25b is used when screwing the reinforcing member 24 to the side plate 25. In this embodiment, when forming the first hole 25b, the side plate 25 is raised by burring to extend the effective length of the first hole 25b.

[0062] (4-2) Reinforcement member 24 The shortest distance between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 is set in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm, and as shown in Figure 3, a gap exists in the top portion T formed by the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22.

[0063] This gap is located just inside the intake port 32aa, between the intake port 32aa and the indoor fan 27, and because air can easily pass through it, it can reduce heat exchange performance. Therefore, a reinforcing member 24 is installed to close this gap, combining a sealing function to prevent air from passing through and a reinforcing function to improve the overall strength of the indoor heat exchanger 20.

[0064] The dimensions of the reinforcing member 24 in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction are set in the range of 2.0 to 4.0 times the shortest distance between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22.

[0065] The reinforcing member 24 is fitted over the top portion T from above, and therefore has a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of the top portion T. The gap in the top portion T exists along the longitudinal direction of the indoor heat exchanger 20, and the reinforcing member 24 is also elongated and has a length approximately the same as the longitudinal length of the indoor heat exchanger 20. The reinforcing member 24 is made of steel or stainless steel. The plate thickness of the reinforcing member 24 is set to be greater than the plate thickness of the heat transfer tubes 212 and 222, and in this embodiment it is approximately 2 mm.

[0066] As shown in Figure 4, the reinforcing member 24 includes a main plate 240, a fixing piece 241 extending from the end of the main plate 240 along the thickness direction, and a bent portion 242 extending along the width direction of the main plate 240. The bent portion 242 includes a plane that is not parallel to the main plate 240.

[0067] (4-2-1) Main plate 240 As shown in Figure 4, the main plate 240 is a bridging portion that spans the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22. The main plate 240 has sufficient width to cover the gap between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22.

[0068] (4-2-2) Fixed piece 241 The fixing piece 241 is a portion that protrudes in a cantilevered manner from the longitudinal end face of the main plate 240 along the side plate 25. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the fixing piece 241 has a recess 241a that engages with a claw 25a that is provided in advance on the side plate 25.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the fixing piece 241 has a second hole 241b that is slightly larger than the first hole 25b, at a position corresponding to the first hole 25b that is pre-provided in the side plate 25. When the recess 241a of the fixing piece 241 and the claw 25a of the side plate 25 engage, the second hole 241b of the fixing piece 241 and the first hole 25b of the side plate 25 overlap concentrically.

[0070] With the second hole 241b and the first hole 25b overlapping, the fixing piece 241 is fixed to the side plate 25 by rotating and inserting the tapping screw Sc from the second hole 241b toward the first hole 25b. As a result, the reinforcing member 24 and the side plate 25 become one unit.

[0071] (4-2-3) Folded section 242 As shown in Figures 4 and 5, bent portions 242 extend from the widthwise ends of the main plate 240 toward the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22, respectively.

[0072] The bent portion 242 on the first heat exchange section 21 side is bent in a mountain shape along the shape of the upper end surface of the first heat exchange section 21. Similarly, the bent portion 242 on the second heat exchange section 22 side is bent in a mountain shape along the shape of the upper end surface of the second heat exchange section 22.

[0073] The bent portion 242 has a flat portion 242a that faces the flat surfaces at the upper ends of the first heat exchange portion 21 and the second heat exchange portion 22. The shortest distance between the flat portion 242a and the heat transfer tubes 212 and 222 is 2 mm or more. Furthermore, an insulating member 26 is interposed between the upper ends of the first heat exchange portion 21 and the second heat exchange portion 22 and the flat portion 242a. Therefore, the reinforcing member 24 and the heat transfer tubes 212 and 222 do not interfere with each other.

[0074] Even if the reinforcing member 24 interferes with the heat transfer tubes 212 and 222, the interference is between the flat portion 242a and the circumferential surface of the heat transfer tubes 212 and 222, so damage to the heat transfer tubes 212 and 222 can be avoided.

[0075] (4-3) Insulation material 26 The thermal insulation member 26 is attached to the inside of the reinforcing member 24 (the side facing the indoor heat exchanger 20) along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member 24. Expanded polystyrene or polyurethane foam is used as the thermal insulation member 26.

[0076] During cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 20 functions as an evaporator. For example, if there is no insulating member 26, the reinforcing member 24 is cooled from the inside (indoor heat exchanger 20 side) to the outside. The outside of the reinforcing member 24 comes into contact with the indoor air containing moisture, so this moisture condenses and condensation forms on the outer surface of the reinforcing member 24.

[0077] By attaching the insulating material 26 to the inside of the reinforcing material 24 (the side facing the indoor heat exchanger 20), cooling from the inside of the reinforcing material 24 (the side facing the indoor heat exchanger 20) toward the outside is suppressed, thereby preventing or suppressing condensation.

[0078] By positioning the reinforcing member 24 at the top T, the airflow from the intake ports 32aa and 32da toward the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 toward the vicinity of the top T is blocked by the reinforcing member 24.

[0079] As a result, air flows to the indoor fan 27 without bypassing the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22, thus maintaining the heat exchange capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 20.

[0080] As described above, the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to this embodiment uses aluminum or aluminum alloy tubes as heat transfer tubes 212, 222, and 232, and a reinforcing member 24 made of steel or stainless steel is placed at the top portion T in order to improve the overall strength of the indoor heat exchanger 20. The reinforcing member 24 improves the overall strength of the indoor heat exchanger 20 and also blocks air that would otherwise bypass the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 and enter the top portion T, thereby preventing a decrease in heat exchange performance.

[0081] (5) Characteristics (5-1) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, a highly rigid reinforcing member 24 made of steel or stainless steel is placed between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22, thereby improving the overall rigidity of the indoor heat exchanger 20 and suppressing twisting and other distortions.

[0082] (5-2) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the reinforcing member 24 is positioned to cover the gap between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22. The reinforcing member 24 prevents air from passing through the gap between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22.

[0083] (5-3) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first heat exchange section 21, the second heat exchange section 22, and the reinforcing member 24 are fixed to the side plate 25, so that misalignment between them is suppressed.

[0084] (5-4) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the side plates 25 are made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, thus reducing the weight of the indoor heat exchanger 20.

[0085] (5-5) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the reinforcing member 24 has a fixing piece 241. The fixing piece 241 is screw-fixed to the side plate 25. In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the attachment of the reinforcing member 24 is made more secure.

[0086] (5-6) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the fixing piece 241 has a recess 241a, and the side plate 25 has a claw 25a that fits into the recess 241a. The fitting of the recess 241a and the claw 25a makes positioning easier.

[0087] (5-7) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the reinforcing member 24 has a bent portion 242. The bent portion 242 extends along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member 24 and is bent in the thickness direction. The strength is further increased by bending when forming the bent portion 242 in the reinforcing member 24.

[0088] (5-8) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the flat portion 242a of the reinforcing member 24 faces the flat surface of the upper end of the first heat exchange section 21 or the second heat exchange section 22 in its operating position. Since the flat portion 242a and the upper end of the first heat exchange section 21 or the second heat exchange section 22 face each other face to face, each heat exchange section is less likely to be damaged even if they come into contact with each other.

[0089] (5-9) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the shortest distance between the heat transfer tubes 212 and 222 and the flat portion 242a of the reinforcing member 24 is set to 2 mm or more, so that interference between the reinforcing member 24 and the heat transfer tubes 212 and 222 is suppressed, and even if interference occurs, the heat transfer tubes will not be damaged.

[0090] (5-10) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the insulating member 26 is interposed between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 and the reinforcing member 24, thereby suppressing condensation on the reinforcing member 24.

[0091] (5-11) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the shortest distance between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 is set to a range of 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0092] (5-12) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the width dimension of the reinforcing member 24, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, is set to a range of 2.0 to 4.0 times the shortest distance between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22.

[0093] (5-13) In the indoor heat exchanger 20, the plate thickness of the reinforcing member 24 is set to be greater than the plate thickness of the heat transfer tubes 212 and 222.

[0094] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that various modifications to the form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 2. Indoor unit (indoor unit) 20 Indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 21 1st heat exchange section 22 Second heat exchange section 24 Reinforcement members 25 Side panels 25a claw 26. Insulation material (foamed resin material) 100 Air conditioning system 211 Fin 221 Fins 212 Heat transfer tubes 222 Heat transfer tubes 241 Fixed piece 241a Recess 242 Folding section 242a Plane section [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0096] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-63216

Claims

1. A first heat exchange section (21) and a second heat exchange section (22) are arranged adjacent to each other, each having a plurality of fins (211, 221) and a plurality of heat transfer tubes (212, 222) made of aluminum or aluminum alloy that penetrate the fins, A reinforcing member (24) made of steel or stainless steel is disposed between the first heat exchange section (21) and the second heat exchange section (22), A foamed resin material (26) is interposed between the first heat exchange section (21) and the second heat exchange section (22) and the reinforcing member (24), Equipped with, Heat exchanger (20).

2. The foamed resin material (26) is interposed between the first heat exchange portion (21) and the second heat exchange portion (22) and the reinforcing member (24) from one end to the other end in the short direction of the reinforcing member (24), The heat exchanger (20) according to claim 1.

3. The invention further comprises side plates (25) to which the longitudinal ends of the first heat exchange section (21) and the second heat exchange section (22) are fixed, In the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member (24), a portion is formed where the foamed resin material (26) and the side plate (25) overlap. The heat exchanger (20) according to claim 2.

4. In a cross section perpendicular to the heat transfer tubes (212, 222), the shortest distance between the first end face, which is the end face of the first heat exchange section (21) or the second heat exchange section (22) facing the reinforcing member (24), and the heat transfer tubes (212, 222) is smaller than the shortest distance between the second end face, which is the end face of the first heat exchange section (21) or the second heat exchange section (22) intersecting the first end face, and the heat transfer tubes (212, 222). The heat exchanger (20) according to claim 1.

5. The reinforcing member (24) is positioned to cover the gap between the first heat exchange section (21) and the second heat exchange section (22). The heat exchanger (20) according to claim 1.

6. The first heat exchange section (21) and the second heat exchange section (22) are further provided with side plates (25) to which their longitudinal ends are fixed. The end of the reinforcing member (24) is fixed to the side plate (25). A heat exchanger (20) according to claim 1 or claim 5.

7. The side plate (25) is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The heat exchanger (20) according to claim 6.

8. The reinforcing member (24) has a fixing piece (241) that is screw-fixed to the side plate (25), The heat exchanger (20) according to claim 6.

9. Either the fixing piece (241) or the side plate (25) has a recess (241a), and the other has a claw (25a) that fits into the recess (241a). The heat exchanger (20) according to claim 8.

10. The reinforcing member (24) has a bent portion (242), A heat exchanger (20) according to claim 1 or claim 5.

11. The reinforcing member (24) has a flat portion (242a) that faces the flat surface of the upper end in the orientation when the first heat exchange section (21) or the second heat exchange section (22) is in use. A heat exchanger (20) according to claim 1 or claim 5.

12. The shortest distance between the heat transfer tubes (212, 222) and the flat portion (242a) is set to 2 mm or more. The heat exchanger (20) according to claim 11.

13. The shortest distance between the first heat exchange section (21) and the second heat exchange section (22) is set to a range of 10 mm to 30 mm. A heat exchanger (20) according to claim 1 or claim 5.

14. The dimensions of the reinforcing member (24) in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction are set in the range of 2.0 to 4.0 times the shortest distance between the first heat exchange section (21) and the second heat exchange section (22). A heat exchanger (20) according to claim 1 or claim 5.

15. The thickness of the reinforcing member (24) is set to be greater than the thickness of the heat transfer tubes (212, 222). A heat exchanger (20) according to claim 1 or claim 5.

16. A heat exchanger (20) according to claim 1 or claim 5, Indoor unit of an air conditioning system (2).

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