Heat exchanger and air conditioner

Abstract

A heat exchanger comprising: heat exchanger tubes arranged in a step direction; and wire fins including wavy portions formed into a wavy shape by a wire line and having a wavy shape, and heat exchanger tube joint portions inserted into and joined to the heat exchanger tubes, wherein a periodic interval direction, which is the direction in which the waves of the wire fins advance, is along the step direction of the heat exchanger tubes.

Description

Heat exchangers and air conditioners

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner, and more particularly to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner having wire fins.

[0002] To obtain a high-performance, high-density heat exchanger using a smaller amount of refrigerant gas, it is necessary to make the heat transfer tubes, such as flat or circular tubes, thinner and to arrange them in greater numbers at closer intervals. However, to meet this demand using the conventional plate fin method, the fins have reached their limits in terms of forming and assembling the heat transfer tubes and fins in close contact with each other.

[0003] Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a wire fin type flat tube heat exchanger in which wire fins are wound around flat tubes, and discloses a method of winding the wire fins around the flat tubes by forming the wire fins and then winding them around the flat tubes. There is also a heat exchanger in which the wire fins are woven into the tubes in a net-like pattern.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-217791

[0005] In the wire fin type flat tube heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1, the wave periodic spacing direction of the wavy wire fins is perpendicular to the row direction of the flat tubes. That is, the wave periodic spacing direction of the wavy wire fins is parallel to the refrigerant flow path direction of the flat tubes. In this case, if there is variation in the spacing dimension between the flat tubes, there will be areas where the wire fins contact the flat tubes and areas where they do not, which will not extend the linear contact length between the wire fins and the flat tubes, making it difficult to obtain a reliable heat transfer interface.

[0006] Furthermore, when the wire fins are not joined to the flat tubes but are simply wound around the flat tubes, it is not easy to arrange and assemble multiple wire fins and multiple flat tubes while maintaining the heat transfer joint surface.Furthermore, it is difficult to accommodate variations in the spacing dimensions between the flat tubes and ensure contact between the wire fins and the flat tubes to stabilize the heat transfer joint.

[0007] In conventional heat exchangers, it is difficult to wind wire around thin and low-rigid heat transfer tubes, such as flat tubes or multiple tubes bent into hairpin shapes, making it difficult to increase the area of ​​line contact between the wire fins and the flat tubes and to obtain a highly reliable heat transfer interface.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a heat exchanger and an air conditioner in which the heat transfer performance between the wire fins and the heat transfer tubes is improved.

[0009] The heat exchanger according to the present disclosure comprises heat transfer tubes arranged in a row direction, wire fins each having a wavy portion formed in a wave shape by a wire and a heat transfer tube joint portion inserted into and joined to the heat transfer tube, and the periodic interval direction, which is the direction in which the waves of the wire fins advance, is aligned with the row direction of the heat transfer tube.

[0010] In addition, the air conditioner of the present disclosure includes a heat exchanger provided inside a housing and including a heat transfer tube, a wire fin having a wavy portion with a wave shape and a heat transfer tube joint portion inserted into and joined to the heat transfer tube, wherein the periodic interval direction, which is the direction in which the waves of the wire fins advance, is arranged along the step direction of the heat transfer tube, and a blower fan provided inside the housing and blowing air that has exchanged heat through the heat exchanger to the outside of the housing, wherein the heat exchanger is circular, arc-shaped, or U-shaped and is arranged to surround the blower fan.

[0011] In the heat exchanger and air conditioner according to the present disclosure, the wire fins are joined to the heat transfer tubes so that the periodic spacing direction of the wavy wire fins is aligned with the row direction of the heat transfer tubes, thereby extending the contact length between the heat transfer tubes and the wire fins and improving the heat transfer performance between the wire fins and the heat transfer tubes.

[0012] 15 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger according to embodiment 1. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of wire fins and heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 1. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 1 before assembly. FIG. 18 is an image of the wire fins of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 1. FIG. 19 is a schematic view of an air conditioner including the heat exchanger according to embodiment 1. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to embodiment 2. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of first wire fins, second wire fins, and heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 2. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 2 before assembly. FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a heat exchanger according to embodiment 3. FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 3. FIG. 24 is a schematic view of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 3 as seen in the refrigerant flow path direction. FIG. 25 is a schematic view of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 3 as seen in the row direction. FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a second connecting wire of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 3. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a third connecting wire of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 3. FIG. 28 is a schematic view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 14 as seen in the row direction. FIG. 29 is a schematic view of a heat exchanger according to embodiment 4. FIG. 29 is a side view of a blower fan arranged together with the heat exchanger according to embodiment 4. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner including a heat exchanger according to embodiment 5. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to embodiment 6. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to embodiment 6 as viewed in the refrigerant flow path direction. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to a modified example of embodiment 6.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, in the following drawings, including FIG. 1, the size relationships of the components may differ from the actual ones. Furthermore, in the following description, terms indicating directions are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, but these terms are used only to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the present disclosure. Examples of terms indicating directions include "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "rear."

[0014] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wire fins 1 and the heat transfer tubes 2 of the heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 1 before assembly.

[0015] 1 to 3, the heat exchanger 100 has wire fins 1 and heat transfer tubes 2. In the following description, the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path 600 is the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes that are the heat transfer tubes 2, and is the depth direction of the flat tubes, and is referred to as the refrigerant flow path direction Y. The direction in which a plurality of refrigerant flow paths 600 are arranged side by side is the row direction of the flat tubes that are the heat transfer tubes 2, and is referred to as the major axis direction Z. The plurality of heat transfer tubes 2 are arranged side by side, and the predetermined direction in which the plurality of heat transfer tubes 2 are arranged is the minor axis direction of the flat tubes that are the heat transfer tubes 2, and is referred to as the row direction X.

[0016] The direction of the wave period of the wire fins 1, that is, the direction in which the waves travel, is referred to as the period interval direction U. The direction of the wave amplitude of the wire fins 1 is referred to as the amplitude direction W. The direction in which the wire fins 1 are arranged at a predetermined interval is the overlap direction, which is the depth direction and is referred to as the overlap direction V.

[0017] The heat transfer tubes 2 are, for example, flat tubes having a flat cross section. A plurality of refrigerant flow paths 600 having a predetermined length are formed inside the heat transfer tubes 2 so as to overlap each other. The refrigerant flow paths 600 are arranged, for example, in a vertical direction. Note that in FIG. 1 , the refrigerant flow paths 600 are shown in only one of the three heat transfer tubes 2, and are not shown in the other two heat transfer tubes 2. A plurality of the heat transfer tubes 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals in a row direction X. The row direction X is, for example, the vertical direction.

[0018] The heat transfer tubes 2 are arranged so that a plurality of refrigerant flow paths 600 each having a predetermined length are overlapped, that is, a plurality of heat transfer tubes 2 are arranged in the long axis direction Z, which is the up-and-down direction in Fig. 1. The plurality of heat transfer tubes 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the row direction X, which is the short axis direction, which is a predetermined direction. It is desirable that the plurality of heat transfer tubes 2 be arranged at approximately equal intervals.

[0019] The wire fins 1 are fins formed by shaping wires, such as aluminum wires, into a corrugated shape. The wire fins 1 are provided at predetermined intervals in the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2. The intervals between the wire fins 1 may be equal or unequal. A predetermined number of wire fins 1 are provided.

[0020] The wire fin 1 is composed of a fixed portion 101 and a wavy portion 105. The fixed portion 101 is a heat transfer tube joint portion that is joined to the heat transfer tube 2, and has a wire fin arc portion 103 and a wire fin straight portion 104. The fixed portion 101 is fixed to the heat transfer tube 2 by line contact. The wavy portion 105 is a plurality of wavy portions formed in the periodic spacing direction U.

[0021] The wire fin arc portion 103 is a portion formed in an arc shape at one end side in the amplitude direction W of the fixed portion 101. The other end side in the amplitude direction W of the fixed portion 101 forms an opening 103a for inserting the wire fin 1 into the heat transfer tube 2.

[0022] The heat transfer tube 2 has a flattened tube shape having a heat transfer tube arc portion 203 and a heat transfer tube straight portion 204. The heat transfer tube arc portion 203 has a first end portion 201 and a second end portion 202 in the longitudinal axis direction Z of the heat transfer tube 2. The first end portion 201 and the second end portion 202 are formed in an arc shape having a radius approximately equal to that of the wire fin arc portion 103.

[0023] The fixed portions 101 and wavy portions 105, which are heat transfer joints of the wire fin 1, are formed at predetermined intervals in the periodic spacing direction U. The total amplitude H of the wire fin 1 may be equal to the major axis dimension P, which is the dimension in the major axis direction of the heat transfer tube 2. When the heat exchanger 100 is assembled, the wire fin 1 is arranged so that the periodic spacing direction U is the row direction X of the heat transfer tube 2.

[0024] The opening 103a of the wire fin 1 is inserted from one end in the longitudinal direction Z of the heat transfer tube 2, for example, the first end 201, until the wire fin arc portion 103 and the heat transfer tube arc portion 203 come into contact with each other. The wire fin arc portion 103 is inserted into the heat transfer tube arc portion 203 from one end in the longitudinal direction Z of the heat transfer tube 2, that is, from the insertion direction A in FIG. 3 . The wire fin 1 is inserted into the heat transfer tube 2 by, for example, press fitting. Instead of inserting by press fitting, the wire fin 1 may be inserted by a close contact molding press in which the heat transfer tube 2 is inserted and then press-molded with the heat transfer tube 2 using a jig or the like to closely contact the wire fin 1.

[0025] The wire fin 1 is inserted until the wire fin arc portion 103 of the wire fin 1 contacts the heat transfer tube arc portion 203 of the heat transfer tube 2, whereby the wire fin straight portion 104 contacts and is thermally joined to the heat transfer tube straight portion 204. The wire fin 1 and the heat transfer tube 2 are thermally joined by, for example, brazing or zinc spraying.

[0026] Because the radius of the wire fin arc portion 103 is formed to be substantially equal to the radius of the heat transfer tube arc portion 203, the wire fin arc portion 103 and the heat transfer tube arc portion 203 can contact each other through their arc shapes. This improves the contact rate between the wire fin 1 and the heat transfer tube 2 and ensures a sufficient contact length, thereby improving thermal conductivity and thermally bonding the wire fin 1 and the heat transfer tube 2. Furthermore, because the fixing portion 101 of the wire fin 1 to which the heat transfer tube 2 is bonded is inserted while being press-fitted into the heat transfer tube 2, the wire fin straight portion 104 can be in linear line contact with the heat transfer tube straight portion 204. Therefore, the contact length between the wire fin 1 and the heat transfer tube 2 is longer than when the wire fin 1 is not press-fitted, improving reliability and heat transfer performance.

[0027] Even when the wire fin 1 and the heat transfer tube 2 are tightly attached by press molding, the wire fin straight portion 104 makes linear contact with the heat transfer tube straight portion 204, thereby increasing the contact length, improving reliability, and also improving heat transfer performance.

[0028] The wire fin arc portion 103 provided on the fixing portion 101 of the wire fin 1 is formed in an arc shape so that the arc shapes come into contact with the heat transfer tube arc portion 203 of the heat transfer tube 2, thereby increasing the contact length with the heat transfer tube 2. The wire fin straight portion 104 provided on the fixing portion 101 of the wire fin 1 is provided so as to come into linear contact with the heat transfer tube straight portion 204, and the wire fin straight portion 104 and the heat transfer tube straight portion 204 are thermally joined so as to come into linear contact.

[0029] As described above, the wire fin 1 has a plurality of fixed portions 101 and wavy portions 105 arranged in the periodic spacing direction U, and is arranged so that the periodic spacing direction U is approximately parallel to the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, even if there is variation in the spacing K between the heat transfer tubes 2, the wire fin arc portions 103 of the wire fin 1 are inserted into the heat transfer tube arc portions 203 of the heat transfer tubes 2 in a press-fit manner, thereby absorbing the variation in the spacing K.

[0030] Fig. 4 is an image diagram of the wire fins 1 of the heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 shows the wire fins 1 before being inserted into the heat transfer tubes 2 and the wire fins 1 after being inserted into the heat transfer tubes 2 side by side. As shown in Fig. 4, in the wire fins 1 before being inserted into the heat transfer tubes 2, the distance between adjacent fixing portions 101 is wider than the distance K, which is the tube pitch between the adjacent heat transfer tubes 2.

[0031] Because the wire fins 1 are formed in a wave shape, when the wire fins 1 are inserted into the heat transfer tubes 2, the wave-shaped portions 105 expand and contract in accordance with the spacing K between the adjacent heat transfer tubes 2, and the shape of the wave-shaped portions of the wave-shaped portions 105 changes. This makes it possible to absorb variations in the size of the spacing K between the adjacent heat transfer tubes 2.

[0032] 3 , the wire fins 1 are inserted by press-fitting into one end of the heat transfer tube 2 in the longitudinal direction Z, for example, the first end 201. Therefore, even if there is variation in the dimension of the spacing K between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2, the deformation of the corrugated portion 105 prevents the wire fins 1 from coming off or becoming misaligned from the heat transfer tube 2, improving the ease of assembly of the heat exchanger 100.

[0033] The wire fins 1 are formed by shaping a wire, such as an aluminum wire, into a corrugated shape. The wire fins 1 are thermally connected to the heat transfer tubes 2 so that the wave period spacing direction U is parallel to the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2. The length H of the corrugated portion 105 of the wire fin 1 in the amplitude direction W is set equal to the length P of the heat transfer tubes 2 in the row direction Z, which is the longitudinal axis direction of the heat transfer tubes 2. It is preferable that the length H of the corrugated portion 105 of the wire fin 1 in the amplitude direction W is approximately equal to or shorter than the length P of the heat transfer tubes 2 in the row direction Z, which is the longitudinal axis direction of the heat transfer tubes 2. In this manner, the corrugated portion 105 of the wire fin 1 does not protrude in the row direction Z, which is the longitudinal axis direction of the heat transfer tubes 2, thereby improving the assembly and reliability of the heat exchanger 100.

[0034] Next, the effects will be described. The fixing portion 101, which is the heat transfer tube joining portion of the wire fin 1 configured in this manner, has a wire fin arc portion 103 and two wire fin straight portions 104. The wire fin arc portion 103 and the wire fin straight portion 104 are thermally joined in line contact with the heat transfer tube arc portion 203 and the heat transfer tube straight portion 204 of the heat transfer tube 2, respectively. Therefore, the length of line contact between the wire fin 1 and the heat transfer tube 2 is extended, which extends the contact length, improves the reliability of the joining portion, and also improves heat exchange efficiency.

[0035] Furthermore, the wire fins 1 are formed in a wave shape, and the wave-shaped portions 105 of the wire fins 1 can expand and contract in the periodic spacing direction U, in the direction of the interval K between the heat transfer tubes 2, so that no problems arise even if the dimension of the interval K between the heat transfer tubes 2 varies. Therefore, the wave-shaped portions 105 of the wire fins 1 can absorb variations in the interval K between the heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, the heat transfer tube straight portions 204 of the heat transfer tubes 2 and the wire fin straight portions 104 of the wire fins 1 can be thermally joined in a state of tight contact.

[0036] 1 , the wire fin 1 is folded back at the heat transfer tube straight portion 204 of the heat transfer tube 2 a that is located at the outermost end in the row direction X among the multiple heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, multiple wire fins 1 are arranged in the refrigerant flow path direction Y using a single wire. For example, if the wire fins 1 are woven into the tubes in a mesh-like pattern, the formed wire fins 1 must be wrapped around each heat transfer tube individually, which reduces productivity. In contrast, the wire fins 1 of the heat exchanger 100 are folded back at the heat transfer tube straight portion 204 of the heat transfer tube 2 a that is located at the outermost end in the row direction X. In other words, the wire fin 1 has a folded back portion 1 a formed at the heat transfer tube straight portion 204 of the heat transfer tube 2 a that is located at the outermost end in the row direction X. This improves productivity of the heat exchanger 100.

[0037] As described above, in the heat exchanger 100, the wire fins 1 are formed in a wave shape, and in addition to the wire fin arc portions 103, the wire fin straight portions 104 also make line contact with the heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, the line contact length between the wire fins 1 and the heat transfer tubes 2 is longer than when the fins and the heat transfer tubes are in contact only at the arc-shaped portions. Moreover, because the wire fins 1 and the heat transfer tubes 2 are combined by selecting the shape of the wire fins 1 and the combination direction, i.e., the joining direction, the contact force between the wire fins 1 and the heat transfer tubes 2 is increased, thereby improving the reliability and heat transferability of the joint.

[0038] The wire fins 1 are formed into a wave shape using wire such as aluminum wire, and are thermally joined to the heat transfer tubes 2 so that the periodic spacing direction U of the wire fins 1 is parallel to the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2. The wavy portions 105 of the wire fins 1 expand and contract in the periodic spacing direction U, in the direction of the spacing K between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2, and the expansion and contraction of the wavy portions 105 can absorb variations in the spacing K. Therefore, even if the spacing K between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 varies, heat transfer performance can be improved without reducing the reliability of the joint.

[0039] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner 140 including a heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the air conditioner 140 is configured by arranging the heat exchanger 100 and a blower fan 500 inside a housing 130. The housing 130 is, for example, an indoor unit arranged indoors. The blower fan 500 blows air that has undergone heat exchange via the heat exchanger 100 into the room or outside. When the housing 130 is an indoor unit, the blower fan 500 blows the air into the room.

[0040] The heat exchanger 100 is composed of wire fins 1 and heat transfer tubes 2. The wire fins 1 are formed in a wave shape using wire. The heat transfer tubes 2 are, for example, flat tubes and are arranged in the row direction X. The wire fins 1 are joined to the heat transfer tubes 2 so that the periodic spacing direction U, which is the direction in which the waves of the wire fins 1 advance, is aligned with the row direction X. The periodic spacing direction U of the wire fins 1 is the direction in which the waves advance and the direction of the periodic spacing. Therefore, in the heat exchanger 100, the contact length between the wire fins 1 and the heat transfer tubes 2 is increased, improving reliability and heat transfer performance, as well as the reliability and thermal efficiency of the air conditioner 140.

[0041] According to the heat exchanger 100 according to the first embodiment described above, the heat transfer tubes 2 and the wire fins 1 are connected so that the periodic spacing direction U of the wire fins 1 is parallel to the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2. This increases the contact length between the heat transfer tubes 2 and the wire fins 1, improving the heat transfer performance between the wire fins 1 and the heat transfer tubes 2.

[0042] The wire fins 1 are inserted from the row direction Z, which is the longitudinal direction of the heat transfer tubes 2, and sandwich the heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, even if there is variation in the dimension of the spacing K between the heat transfer tubes 2, the wire fins 1 are prevented from coming off the heat transfer tubes 2 or from becoming misaligned due to deformation of the corrugated portions 105, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the heat exchanger 100.

[0043] Furthermore, the wire fin 1 has a wavy portion 105 and a fixed portion 101 which is the heat transfer tube joint portion, and the heat transfer tube 2 is pressed into the fixed portion. Therefore, even if there is variation in the spacing K between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2, the variation in the spacing K can be absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the wavy portion 105.

[0044] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 100 can provide an air conditioner 140 with high thermal efficiency.

[0045] Embodiment 2. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 2. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the first wire fins 11, the second wire fins 12, and the heat transfer tubes 2 of the heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that the wire fins 1 sandwich the heat transfer tubes 2 from both sides in the longitudinal direction Z, whereas embodiment 1 in which the wire fins 1 are inserted from one end side of the heat transfer tubes 2 in the longitudinal direction Z, thereby extending the line contact length between the wire fins 1 and the heat transfer tubes 2. In embodiment 2, parts common to embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from embodiment 1.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6 or 7, the wire fin 1 is composed of a first wire fin 11 and a second wire fin 12. As in the first embodiment, the first wire fin 11 and the second wire fin 12 are formed into a wave shape using wire such as aluminum wire. As in the second embodiment, the heat transfer tube 2 is, for example, a flat tube, and is configured by arranging a plurality of refrigerant flow paths 600, each having a predetermined length, in a stacked arrangement. Figure 4 illustrates a state in which a plurality of refrigerant flow paths 600 are arranged in a vertical line.

[0047] As in the first embodiment, the refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant flow path 600 is the flat tube longitudinal direction or the flat tube depth direction, and is referred to as the refrigerant flow path direction Y. The direction in which multiple refrigerant flow paths 600 are arranged side by side is referred to as the flat tube long axis direction Z or row direction Z. Multiple heat transfer tubes 2 are arranged side by side in a predetermined direction and at predetermined intervals, and the predetermined direction in which the heat transfer tubes 2 are arranged side by side is the flat tube short axis direction, and is referred to as the row direction X. It is desirable that the predetermined intervals between the multiple heat transfer tubes 2 be equal.

[0048] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 2 before assembly. As shown in Fig. 8, the first wire fin 11 is composed of a fixed portion 111 joined to the heat transfer tube 2 and a corrugated portion 115, and the second wire fin 12 is composed of a fixed portion 121 joined to the heat transfer tube 2 and a corrugated portion 125.

[0049] 8, the direction of the wave period of the first wire fin 11 and the second wire fin 12, that is, the direction in which the waves advance, is referred to as the period interval direction U, and the direction of the wave amplitude is referred to as the amplitude direction W. Also, in FIG. 8, the total amplitude of the waves of the first wire fin 11 is indicated by H1, and the total amplitude of the waves of the second wire fin 12 is indicated by H2.

[0050] The fixing portion 111 has a wire fin arc portion 113 and two wire fin straight portions 114, and the fixing portion 121 has a wire fin arc portion 123 and two wire fin straight portions 124. The first wire fin 11 fits into the heat transfer tube 2 and is fixed to the heat transfer tube 2 by line contact at the fixing portion 111. The second wire fin 12 fits into the heat transfer tube 2 and is fixed to the heat transfer tube 2 by line contact at the fixing portion 121.

[0051] The wavy portion 115 and the wavy portion 125 are each formed in a shape in which a plurality of waves progress along the periodic interval direction U. The first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 are each provided at a predetermined interval along the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2. The predetermined intervals may be equal or unequal. Furthermore, a predetermined number of the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 are each provided. The numbers of the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 may be equal or different. The direction in which the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 are provided at a predetermined interval is referred to as the refrigerant flow path direction Y, the overlapping direction V, or the overlapping depth direction V.

[0052] The fixed portion 111 of the first wire fin 11 has one end in the amplitude direction W of the periodic spacing direction U, the overlapping direction V, and the amplitude direction W as a wire fin arc portion 113 formed in an arc shape. The other end of the fixed portion 111 has an opening 113a formed for insertion into the heat transfer tube 2. Meanwhile, the fixed portion 121 of the second wire fin 12 has one end in the amplitude direction W as an opening 123a formed for insertion into the heat transfer tube 2, and the other end as a wire fin arc portion 123 formed in an arc shape.

[0053] The heat transfer tube 2 is provided with a plurality of refrigerant flow paths 600 in the row direction X, the longitudinal depth direction which is the refrigerant flow path direction Y, and the longitudinal axis direction Z. The first end 201 and the second end 202 of the heat transfer tube 2 in the longitudinal axis direction Z are formed in an arc shape. Of the first end 201 and the second end 202 in the longitudinal axis direction Z, the first end 201 is a heat transfer tube arc portion 213 which is formed in an arc shape having a radius equivalent to that of the wire fin arc portion 113. The second end 202 is a heat transfer tube arc portion 223 which is formed in an arc shape having a radius equivalent to that of the wire fin arc portion 123.

[0054] The fixed portions 111 and the wavy portions 115 of the first wire fin 11 are arranged in plurality at predetermined intervals so that the periodic spacing direction U is aligned with the row direction X of the heat transfer tube 2. The fixed portions 111 and the wavy portions 115 of the second wire fin 12 are also arranged in plurality at predetermined intervals so that the periodic spacing direction U is aligned with the row direction X of the heat transfer tube 2.

[0055] The first wire fin 11 is moved in the insertion direction B in Fig. 8 until the wire fin arc portion 113 of the first wire fin 11 contacts the heat transfer tube arc portion 213, whereby the first end portion 201 in the longitudinal axis direction Z of the heat transfer tube 2 is inserted through the opening 113a while being press-fitted. The second wire fin 12 is moved in the insertion direction C in Fig. 8 until the wire fin arc portion 123 of the second wire fin 12 contacts the heat transfer tube arc portion 223. As a result, the second end portion 202 in the longitudinal axis direction Z of the heat transfer tube 2 is inserted through the opening 123a in the insertion direction B while being press-fitted.

[0056] The radius of the wire fin arc portion 113 is formed to be approximately equal to the radius of the heat transfer tube arc portion 213, allowing the wire fin arc portion 113 and the heat transfer tube arc portion 213 to contact with each other with approximately the same shape. Therefore, the wire fin arc portion 113 and the heat transfer tube arc portion 213 contact with each other with a high contact rate, ensuring a contact length and allowing for thermal bonding. Similarly, the radius of the wire fin arc portion 123 is formed to be approximately equal to the radius of the heat transfer tube arc portion 223, allowing the wire fin arc portion 123 and the heat transfer tube arc portion 223 to contact with each other with approximately the same shape. Therefore, the wire fin arc portion 123 and the heat transfer tube arc portion 223 contact with each other with a high contact rate, ensuring a contact length and allowing for thermal bonding.

[0057] Furthermore, because the first wire fins 11 are inserted into the heat transfer tube 2 while being press-fitted, the wire fin straight portions 114 can be in linear contact with the heat transfer tube straight portions 214. Similarly, because the second wire fins 12 are inserted into the heat transfer tube 2 while being press-fitted, the wire fin straight portions 124 can be in linear contact with the heat transfer tube straight portions 214. Therefore, the contact length between the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 and the heat transfer tube 2 is longer than when they are not press-fitted, improving reliability and heat transfer performance.

[0058] The first wire fin 11 is formed with a wire fin arc portion 113 formed in an arc shape so as to be in arc shape contact with the heat transfer tube arc portion 213 of the heat transfer tube 2, thereby extending the contact length between the fixing portion 111 and the heat transfer tube 2. Furthermore, the first wire fin 11 is provided with a wire fin straight portion 114 that is in linear contact with the heat transfer tube straight portion 214 of the heat transfer tube 2, and the wire fin straight portion 114 is thermally joined to the heat transfer tube straight portion 214 in a linear contact state.

[0059] Similarly, the second wire fin 12 is formed with a wire fin arc portion 123 formed in an arc shape so as to be in arc-shape contact with the heat transfer tube arc portion 213 of the heat transfer tube 2, thereby extending the contact length between the fixing portion 121 and the heat transfer tube 2. Furthermore, the second wire fin 12 is provided with a wire fin straight portion 124 that is in linear contact with the heat transfer tube straight portion 214 of the heat transfer tube 2, and the wire fin straight portion 124 is thermally joined to the heat transfer tube straight portion 214 in a linear contact state.

[0060] The first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 are both arranged such that the periodic spacing direction U is aligned with the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2. The wire fin arc portions 113 of the first wire fin 11 are inserted into the heat transfer tube arc portions 213 of the heat transfer tubes 2, and the wire fin arc portions 123 of the second wire fin 12 are inserted into the heat transfer tube arc portions 223 of the heat transfer tubes 2. Even if there is variation in the spacing K between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2, the wire fin arc portions 113 of the first wire fin 11 and the wire fin arc portions 123 of the second wire fin 12 are inserted while being press-fitted, thereby absorbing the variation in the spacing K.

[0061] The first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 are inserted while being press-fitted from insertion directions B and C, respectively, along the longitudinal axis direction Z of the heat transfer tubes 2, so that the wavy portions 115 and 125 can deform to match the spacing K between the adjacent heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, even if there is variation in the dimension of the spacing K between the adjacent heat transfer tubes 2, deformation of the wavy portions 115 and 125 can prevent the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 from becoming detached or misaligned from the heat transfer tube 2. Furthermore, the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12, which are formed into a wavy shape using wires such as aluminum wires to improve assembly, are thermally joined to the heat transfer tube 2 with the periodic spacing direction U aligned along the row direction X of the heat transfer tube 2.

[0062] 8 , the length H1 in the amplitude direction W of the corrugated portion 115 of the first wire fin 11 and the length H2 in the amplitude direction W of the corrugated portion 125 of the second wire fin 12 are approximately equal, with H1 ≈ H2. Furthermore, the total length H1 + H2 of the length H1 in the amplitude direction W of the corrugated portion 115 of the first wire fin 11 and the length H2 in the amplitude direction W of the corrugated portion 125 of the second wire fin 12 are approximately equal to the length L in the longitudinal axis direction Z of the heat transfer tube 2, i.e., in the row direction Z, with H1 + H2 ≈ L. It is preferable that the total length H1 in the amplitude direction W of the corrugated portion 115 of the first wire fin 11 and the length H2 in the amplitude direction W of the corrugated portion 125 of the second wire fin 12 be approximately equal to or shorter than the longitudinal axis direction Z of the heat transfer tube 2. The longitudinal axis direction Z is the length L in the row direction Z. As a result, the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 do not protrude in the longitudinal direction of the heat transfer tube 2, i.e., in the column direction Z, improving assembly efficiency and reliability.

[0063] 8, the length H1 of the first wire fin 11 in the amplitude direction W and the length H2 of the second wire fin 12 in the amplitude direction W are approximately equal, i.e., H1≈H2, but the lengths H1 and H2 do not have to be equal. The length H1 of the first wire fin 11 in the amplitude direction W and the length H2 of the second wire fin 12 in the amplitude direction W may be changed to improve efficiency depending on the air flow direction or flow rate when the heat exchanger 100 is installed. That is, the length H1 of the first wire fin 11 in the amplitude direction W may be longer than the length H2 of the second wire fin 12 in the amplitude direction W, i.e., H1>H2. Furthermore, the length H1 of the first wire fin 11 in the amplitude direction W may be shorter than the length H2 of the second wire fin 12 in the amplitude direction W, i.e., H1<H2.

[0064] 8, the radius r1 of the first wire fin 11 and the radius r2 of the second wire fin 12 are approximately equal, i.e., r1≈r2, but these may be changed to improve efficiency depending on the air flow direction or flow rate when the heat exchanger 100 is installed. That is, the radius r1 of the first wire fin 11 may be larger than the radius r2 of the second wire fin 12, i.e., r1>r2. Also, the radius r1 of the first wire fin 11 may be smaller than the radius r2 of the second wire fin 12, i.e., r1<r2.

[0065] Next, the effects will be described. The fixing portion 111 of the first wire fin 11 has a wire fin arc portion 113 and a wire fin straight portion 114. The wire fin arc portion 113 and the wire fin straight portion 114 of the first wire fin 11 are thermally joined by line contact to the heat transfer tube arc portion 213 and the heat transfer tube straight portion 214 of the heat transfer tube 2, respectively. Therefore, the length of line contact between the first wire fin 11 and the heat transfer tube 2 can be extended, and the contact length is extended, improving the reliability of the joint and also improving heat exchange efficiency.

[0066] Similarly, the fixing portion 121 of the second wire fin 12 has a wire fin arc portion 123 and a wire fin straight portion 124. The wire fin arc portion 123 and the wire fin straight portion 124 of the second wire fin 12 are thermally joined by line contact to the heat transfer tube arc portion 213 and the heat transfer tube straight portion 214 of the heat transfer tube 2, respectively. This allows the length of line contact between the second wire fin 12 and the heat transfer tube 2 to be extended, thereby extending the contact length and improving the reliability of the joint and the heat exchange efficiency.

[0067] Furthermore, the first wire fin 11 has a wavy portion 115 formed in a wave shape, and the second wire fin 12 has a wavy portion 125 formed in a wave shape. Therefore, even if the dimension of the interval K between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 varies, the first wire fin 11 and the second wire fin 12 can expand and contract in the periodic interval direction U, which is the direction of the interval K, so no problem occurs. In this way, the wavy portion 115 of the first wire fin 11 and the wavy portion 125 of the second wire fin 12 absorb the dimension variation of the interval K between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, the heat transfer tube straight portion 214 of the heat transfer tube 2 and the wire fin straight portion 114 of the first wire fin 11 are in close contact with each other, and the heat transfer tube straight portion 224 of the heat transfer tube 2 and the wire fin straight portion 124 of the second wire fin 12 are in close contact with each other. The first wire fin 11 and the second wire fin 12 are then thermally joined in this state.

[0068] 6 , the first wire fin 11 and the second wire fin 12 are folded back at the heat transfer tube straight portion 214 and the heat transfer tube straight portion 224 of the heat transfer tube 2 a that is located at the outermost end in the row direction X among the multiple heat transfer tubes 2. That is, the first wire fin 11 and the second wire fin 12 are configured so that a plurality of the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 are arranged in the refrigerant flow path direction Y by a single wire. Specifically, the first wire fin 11 and the second wire fin 12 have folded back portions 11 a and 12 a at the wire fin straight portion 114 and the wire fin straight portion 124 that are located on the heat transfer tube 2 a that is located at the outermost end in the row direction X. Therefore, the first wire fin 11 and the second wire fin 12 are folded back at the folded back portions 11 a and 12 a and are shifted in the refrigerant flow path direction Y.

[0069] As described above, the first wire fin 11 is formed in a wavy shape, and not only the wire fin arc portions 113 but also the wire fin straight portions 114 are in line contact with the heat transfer tube 2. The second wire fin 12 is also formed in a wavy shape, and not only the wire fin arc portions 123 but also the wire fin straight portions 124 are in line contact with the heat transfer tube 2. Therefore, the first wire fin 11 and the second wire fin 12 have an extended line contact length with the heat transfer tube 2 compared to when the fins and the heat transfer tube are in contact at the arc-shaped mating line portions.

[0070] Furthermore, the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 are combined with their shapes and the direction in which they are combined or joined with the heat transfer tube 2 selected to increase the contact force with the heat transfer tube 2. This makes it possible to improve the reliability and thermal conductivity of the joints between the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 and the heat transfer tube 2.

[0071] Furthermore, the first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12, which are formed into a wave shape using wire such as aluminum wire, are thermally joined to the heat transfer tubes 2 so that the periodic spacing direction U is aligned with the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2. The first wire fins 11 and the second wire fins 12 formed into a wave shape can expand and contract in the periodic spacing direction U, along the direction of the interval K between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, the wave-shaped portions 115 of the first wire fins 11 and the wave-shaped portions 125 of the second wire fins 12 can absorb variations in the interval K between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, even if there is variation in the interval K between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2, thermal conductivity and heat transferability can be improved without reducing the reliability of the joint.

[0072] Embodiment 3. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 3. Embodiment 3 differs from embodiments 1 and 2 in that, when dew drips from the heat exchanger 100, the dew 150 can be collected in a predetermined location and discharged. In embodiment 3, parts common to embodiments 1 and 2 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from embodiments 1 and 2.

[0073] 9, the heat exchanger 100 is installed at an angle relative to the horizontal direction. A drain pan 30 is disposed below the heat exchanger 100 to receive dew 150 generated in the heat exchanger 100.

[0074] When the heat exchanger 100 is installed in an indoor unit such as an air conditioner 140, dew 150 occurs in the heat exchanger 100. However, if the heat exchanger 100 is installed substantially horizontally, the dew dripping during heat exchange is not taken into consideration. If the heat exchanger 100 is installed at an angle to the horizontal, the dew 150 falls from the lower apex 60 located below the wire fins 1 or the lower apex 50 at the lower end of the heat transfer tube 2.

[0075] The dew 150 generated by heat exchange flows to the lower apex 50 of the second end 202, which is located lower out of the first end 201 and second end 202 of the heat transfer tube 2. Alternatively, the dew 150 flows to the lower apex 60 of the corrugated portion 105, which is located lower, in the wire fin 1. The dew 150 accumulates at the lower apex 50 and the lower apex 60, and when it grows to a certain size, it turns into droplets and falls downward.

[0076] Therefore, the dew 150 temporarily stays at both ends in the longitudinal direction Z of the wire fin 1, i.e., at the lower arc-shaped second end 202 of the first end 201 or the second end 202, or at multiple locations on the lower apexes 60 of the wavy portion 105, until it grows, and then falls downward. Alternatively, the dew 150 temporarily stays at multiple locations on the lower apexes 60 of the wavy portion 105 until it grows, and then falls downward. The dew 150 also falls downward from the lower apexes 50 of the heat transfer tube 2.

[0077] In this way, the dew 150 flows to multiple locations on the lower apexes 50 and 60 in the periodic spacing direction U, in which the lower apexes 50 of the second end 202 of the heat transfer tube 2 and the lower apexes 60 of the corrugated portions 105 of the wire fins 1 exist, and in the overlapping direction V. The dew 150 then falls into the drain pan 30 below the heat exchanger 100. The dew 150 also accumulates at multiple locations on the lower apexes 50 in the row direction X, in which the lower apexes 50 of the heat transfer tube 2 exist, and in the refrigerant flow path direction Y, and grows to a certain size. The dew 150 can then fall into the drain pan 30 provided below the heat exchanger 100 from a wide range of the lower apexes 50 and 60, i.e., from multiple locations.

[0078] Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view of the heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 3. Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 3 as seen in the refrigerant flow path direction Y. Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 3 as seen in the row direction X.

[0079] 10 to 12 , the lower apex 50 of the heat transfer tube 2 and the lower apex 60 of the wire fin arc portion 103 of the wire fin 1 are connected by a first connecting wire 70. As described above, the dew 150 temporarily accumulates at multiple locations below the heat exchanger 100 and then falls below the heat exchanger 100 from the multiple locations. The temporarily accumulated dew 150 travels along the first connecting wire 70, is collected at a predetermined location, and falls from the predetermined location into the drain pan 30. The first connecting wire 70 prevents the temporarily accumulated dew 150 from splashing, which occurs when the dew 150 is blown out as dew from the air outlet before it falls.

[0080] In this way, to prevent temporary accumulation of condensation water generated in the heat exchanger 100, the dew 150 is collected in a predetermined location and discharged into the drain pan 30. This eliminates the problem of drainage treatment due to temporary accumulation of the dew 150 or the problem of dew splashing from the air outlet.

[0081] The first connecting wire 70 connects the lower apex 50 of the heat transfer tube 2 to the lower apex 60 of the wire fin arc portion 103 of the wire fin 1. The first connecting wire 70 connects the lower apex 50 of the heat transfer tube 2 to the lower apex 60 of the wire fin arc portion 103 of the wire fin 1 in the row direction X of the heat transfer tube 2 and in the periodic spacing direction U of the wire fin 1. Therefore, the first connecting wire 70 connects adjacent wire fin arc portions 103 in the wave amplitude direction W of the wire fin 1.

[0082] The heat exchanger 100 is installed at a predetermined angle, for example, 3 to 10 degrees, in a predetermined direction, for example, the row direction X. In FIG. 11 , the right side D in FIG. 11 , which is one side of the row direction X, is installed lower than the left side E in FIG. 11 . Therefore, dew 150 flows from the right side D in FIG. 11 , which is one side of the row direction X, to the left side E in FIG. 11 . Therefore, dew 150 generated in the heat exchanger 100 collects below the heat exchanger 100 due to gravity, but the heat exchanger 100 is inclined by a predetermined angle. Therefore, the dew 150 that collects below the heat exchanger 100 flows along the first connecting wire 70 in a predetermined direction, for example, from the right side D in FIG. 11 to the left side E in FIG. 11 , without stagnating. The dew 150 then collects at the lower end of the heat transfer tube 2 on the left side E in FIG. 11 , which is the other side of the row direction X, and falls downward from there. Therefore, the dew 150 generated in the heat exchanger 100 can be collected at the lower end of the heat transfer tube 2 on the left side E in FIG. 11 , which is the other side in the row direction X, without accumulating.

[0083] In other words, the dew 150 generated in the heat exchanger 100 is collected at one end, on the left side E in Figure 11, in the predetermined direction, the row direction X, making it easier to drain and preventing the dew 150 from accumulating, thereby preventing dew from splashing.

[0084] If drainage of dew 150 that has fallen into the drain pan 30 as droplets becomes a problem, it is advisable to tilt the drain pan 30 at a predetermined angle, for example, 3 to 10 degrees. This allows the dew 150 in the drain pan 30 to be collected and discharged in one or a predetermined location.

[0085] As described above, the lower tops 50 of the heat transfer tubes 2, from which dew 150 easily drips as droplets, and the lower tops 60 of the wire fins 1 are connected by the multiple first connecting wires 70, and the heat exchanger 100 is inclined in a predetermined direction, for example, in the row direction X. Therefore, the dew 150 does not accumulate at the lower end of the heat exchanger 100, but travels along the first connecting wires 70 to the end of the heat exchanger 100 in the row direction X, which is the end in the inclined direction, and falls downward to be drained.

[0086] This makes it possible to obtain a heat exchanger 100 that is less susceptible to dew dripping or dew splashing. Furthermore, by linking or connecting the lower apexes 60 of the wavy portions 105 of the wire fins 1 to each other with the first connecting wires 70, deformation of the wavy portions 105 after the wire fins 1 are attached to the heat transfer tubes 2 is suppressed. Furthermore, because the lower apexes 60 of the wavy portions 105 are connected to each other, the heat transfer area can be increased, and a high-performance heat exchanger 100 can be obtained.

[0087] 13 is a perspective view showing the second connecting wire 75 of the heat exchanger 100 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the upper apexes 65 of the wavy portions 105 may be connected by the second connecting wire 75. The second connecting wire 75 connects the upper apexes 65 of the wavy portions 105 in a predetermined direction of the heat transfer tube 2, for example, in the row direction X. This further increases the heat transfer area, resulting in a heat exchanger 100 with even higher performance.

[0088] 10 to 13 illustrate an example in which the first connecting wire 70 or the second connecting wire 75 is arranged to extend in a predetermined direction, for example, in the row direction X, at the lower or upper part of the heat exchanger 100. The first connecting wire 70 improves drainage, making it difficult for dew 150 to temporarily accumulate at the lower part of the heat exchanger 100. In addition, the first connecting wire 70 and the second connecting wire 75 increase the heat transfer area.

[0089] Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a third connecting wire 85 of the heat exchanger 100 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 15 is a schematic view of the heat exchanger 100 of Fig. 14 as viewed in the row direction X. As shown in Figs. 14 and 15 , the heat exchanger 100 may include a third connecting wire 85. The third connecting wire 85 is a depth direction connecting wire that extends in the depth direction V in addition to the first connecting wires 70 and the second connecting wires 75 that extend in the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2.

[0090] The third connecting wire 85 connects the upper apexes 65 or the lower apexes 60 of the wavy portions 105 of the wire fins 1. The third connecting wire 85 is arranged to extend in the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2 and toward the stacking depth direction V of the wire fins 1.

[0091] In this case, the heat exchanger 100 may be installed at a predetermined angle, for example, 3 to 10 degrees, in a predetermined direction, for example, the refrigerant flow direction Y. Because the heat exchanger 100 is installed so that one side of the refrigerant flow direction Y is lower than the other side, the heat exchanger 100 is tilted so that the dew 150 flows from one side of the refrigerant flow direction Y to the other side. Therefore, the dew 150 generated on the heat exchanger 100 collects below the heat exchanger 100 due to gravity, but the heat exchanger 100 is tilted at a predetermined angle in the predetermined direction. The dew 150 that collects below the heat exchanger 100 flows along the third connecting wire 85 from one side to the other in the refrigerant flow direction Y, for example, and collects at the other lower end of the heat transfer tube 2 in the refrigerant flow direction Y, from which it falls downward. Therefore, the dew 150 generated on the heat exchanger 100 can be collected at the other lower end of the heat transfer tube 2.

[0092] That is, the dew 150 generated in the heat exchanger 100 can be collected in a predetermined direction, for example, at one end in the refrigerant flow path direction Y, thereby preventing the dew 150 from accumulating. This makes it easy to drain the dew 150, and also prevents the dew 150 from accumulating, thereby preventing dew splashing or dripping.

[0093] 14, the heat exchanger 100 may include second connection wires 75 in addition to the third connection wires 85. The second connection wires 75 are arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the third connection wires 85, which are depth direction connection wires. The second connection wires 75 and the third connection wires 85 are formed in a mesh shape.

[0094] The second connecting wires 75 are provided at the lower or upper part of the heat exchanger 100 so as to extend toward the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2, and are arranged in a row in a direction approximately perpendicular to the third connecting wires 85 in the refrigerant flow path direction Y. Here, as described above, the second connecting wires 75 are arranged so as to extend between the upper apexes 65 or between the lower apexes 60 of the wavy portions 105 of the wire fins 1 in the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2 and toward the periodic spacing direction U of the wire fins 1.

[0095] The third connecting wires 85 are arranged at the lower or upper part of the heat exchanger 100 so as to extend toward the refrigerant flow direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2, and multiple wires are arranged approximately parallel to each other in the row direction X.

[0096] The second connecting wire 75, which is a second row-wise connecting wire, is arranged to extend in the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2 and toward the stacking depth direction V of the wire fins 1. The second connecting wire 75 connects the upper apexes 65 or the lower apexes 60 of the wavy portions 105 of the wire fins 1 to each other.

[0097] The third connecting wires 85 and the second connecting wires 75 are arranged in a mesh pattern, crossing at approximately right angles, and are connected at their intersections. In this manner, the third connecting wires 85 and the second connecting wires 75 are arranged in a mesh pattern, crossing at approximately right angles. Therefore, dew 150 is well drained in both the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2 and the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tubes 2, and a heat exchanger 100 can be obtained that is less likely to cause dew dripping or splashing.

[0098] Furthermore, the second connection wire 75 and the third connection wire 85 do not have to be arranged so as to intersect at approximately right angles, and the second connection wire 75 may be arranged so as to intersect the third connection wire 85 at a predetermined angle.

[0099] When the second connecting wire 75 and the third connecting wire 85 are arranged to intersect at approximately right angles, the direction in which the second connecting wire 75 or the third connecting wire 85 is arranged becomes perpendicular to the tilt direction of the heat exchanger 100, depending on the tilt direction of the heat exchanger 100. In other words, when the heat exchanger 100 is tilted in the direction in which one of the second connecting wire 75 or the third connecting wire 85 is arranged, the direction in which the other of the second connecting wire 75 or the third connecting wire 85 is arranged becomes perpendicular to the tilt direction of the heat exchanger 100.

[0100] The second connecting wire 75 is arranged to intersect at a predetermined angle with the third connecting wire 85. Even if the heat exchanger 100 is tilted in the direction in which one of the second connecting wire 75 and the third connecting wire 85 is arranged, the direction in which the other of the second connecting wire 75 and the third connecting wire 85 is arranged will not be perpendicular to the tilt direction of the heat exchanger 100. This improves the drainage of dew 150.

[0101] As described above, either the second connecting wire 75 or the third connecting wire 85, or both, are connected to the lower apex 50 of the heat transfer tube 2, the second end 202 of the wire fin 1, or the lower apex 60 of the wire fin 1. This prevents dew 150 from collecting and temporarily accumulating at the lower end of the heat exchanger 100, which is the starting point of dew dripping, the lower apex 50 of the heat transfer tube 2, the second end 202 of the wire fin 1, or the lower apex 60 of the wire fin 1. This makes it possible to obtain a heat exchanger 100 that is less susceptible to dew dripping or dew splashing.

[0102] That is, either the second connecting wire 75 or the third connecting wire 85, or both, connect the lower apexes 50 of the heat transfer tubes 2, the second ends 202 of the wire fins 1, or the lower apexes 60 of the wire fins 1. This allows dew 150 generated in the heat exchanger 100 to be collected at a predetermined location, for example, near the end of the heat transfer tube 2 in the row direction X or near the end of the heat transfer tube 2 in the refrigerant flow path direction Y. This prevents dew 150 from collecting and temporarily accumulating at the lower apexes 50 of the heat transfer tubes 2, the second ends 202 of the wire fins 1, or the lower apexes 60 of the wire fins 1, which are locations that serve as starting points for dew dripping at the lower end of the heat exchanger 100.

[0103] Here, both the second connecting wire 75 and the third connecting wire 85 may be connected in a mesh pattern to the lower tops 50 of the heat transfer tubes 2, the second ends 202 of the wire fins 1, or the lower tops 60 of the wire fins 1 to form the heat exchanger 100. Even with this configuration, dew 150 generated in the heat exchanger 100 is collected in a predetermined location, for example, near the end of the heat transfer tubes 2 in the row direction X or near the end of the heat transfer tubes 2 in the refrigerant flow path direction Y. By configuring the heat exchanger 100 by connecting the second connecting wire 75 and the third connecting wire 85 in a mesh pattern, the dew 150 can be collected in a predetermined location without limiting the inclination direction of the heat exchanger 100, thereby improving the flexibility in installing the heat exchanger 100.

[0104] Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the dew 150 from collecting and accumulating near the center of a wide area at the lower end of the heat exchanger 100, where dew dripping or dew splashing is likely to occur. Furthermore, the dew 150 is prevented from falling from the wide area at the lower end, and the dew 150 can be collected in a predetermined area where dew dripping or dew splashing is unlikely to occur, such as near the end of the heat transfer tube 2 in the row direction X or near the end of the heat transfer tube 2 in the refrigerant flow direction Y. This makes it possible to obtain a heat exchanger 100 and an air conditioner 140 in which dew dripping or dew splashing is unlikely to occur.

[0105] According to the heat exchanger 100 according to the third embodiment described above, the first connecting wire 70 connects the ends of the second wire fins 12 in the amplitude direction W. The dew 150 that has collected below the heat exchanger 100 flows along the first connecting wire 70 and falls downward, so that the dew 150 generated in the heat exchanger 100 does not accumulate but is collected at the lower end of the heat transfer tube 2. This prevents the dew from splashing, and the collection of the dew 150 makes it easier to drain.

[0106] Fourth Embodiment Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a heat exchanger 100 according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 17 is a side view of a blower fan 500 arranged together with the heat exchanger 100 according to the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments, in that the heat exchanger 100 has a circular shape, in that the heat exchanger 100 has a linear shape. In the fourth embodiment, the same parts as those of the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted, and the following description focuses on the differences from the first to third embodiments.

[0107] 16 and 17 , the heat exchanger 100 is configured by arranging the heat transfer tubes 2, the third wire fins 16, and the fourth wire fins 17 in a circular shape. The heat exchanger 100 is arranged in a circular shape around a blower fan 500, which is a circular fan. The heat exchanger 100 is arranged radially and outwardly by a predetermined gap 510 from a fan outer diameter 501 of the blower fan 500, for example, a propeller fan, a sirocco fan, or a crossflow fan.

[0108] The heat exchanger 100 is configured such that the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2 and the third wire fins 16 and the fourth wire fins 17 are arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction of the blower fan 500. In the fourth embodiment, the periodic spacing direction U of the waves of the circularly arranged third wire fins 16 and the fourth wire fins 17 is the circumferential direction of the circularly arranged third wire fins 16 and the fourth wire fins 17 in the heat exchanger 100. The periodic spacing direction U of the waves of the third wire fins 16 and the fourth wire fins 17 is the circumferential direction of the fan outer diameter 501 of the blower fan 500.

[0109] In the heat exchanger 100, the third wire fins 16 and the fourth wire fins 17 are formed into a wave shape using wire such as aluminum, and therefore the wave-shaped portions 115 and 125 can be freely deformed. This increases the degree of freedom in arranging the heat transfer tubes 2, and allows the shape of the heat exchanger 100 to be freely arranged. Therefore, the shape of the heat exchanger 100 can be freely selected, such as a circular, sector-shaped, or U-shaped shape.

[0110] The heat exchanger 100, which is composed of the heat transfer tubes 2, the third wire fins 16, and the fourth wire fins 17, is arranged radially relative to the fan outer diameter 501 of the blower fan 500. The heat transfer tubes 2, the third wire fins 16, and the fourth wire fins 17 are arranged in an arc shape so that predetermined radial gaps 510 between the blower fan 500 and the heat exchanger 100 are approximately equally spaced at any position and angle in the circumferential direction of the blower fan 500. In the fourth embodiment, the heat exchanger 100 is arranged around the rotation shaft 530 of the blower fan 500 so as to surround the blower fan 500 around the rotation shaft 530. The row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2 and the periodic spacing direction U of the third wire fins 16 and the fourth wire fins 17 correspond to the circumferential direction of the blower fan 500.

[0111] 16 shows an example in which the heat exchanger 100 is arranged to surround the entire circumference of the circular blower fan 500 in the circumferential direction, but the heat exchanger 100 does not have to be configured to surround the entire circumference of the circular blower fan 500 in the circumferential direction. The heat exchanger 100 may be arranged in an arc shape or a fan shape in the circumferential direction of the circular blower fan 500 as long as it can obtain a predetermined air volume and a predetermined heat exchange efficiency. Furthermore, since the long axis direction Z of the heat transfer tube 2 is arranged to face the blower fan 500, wind or air can be efficiently applied to the third wire fins 16 and the fourth wire fins 17. This improves heat exchange efficiency.

[0112] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 100 can be configured in a circular or U-shape to surround the blower fan 500 without bending the heat transfer tubes 2. Because the long axis direction Z of the heat transfer tubes 2 is oriented toward the blower fan 500, air can be efficiently directed onto the third wire fins 16 and the fourth wire fins 17. This improves heat exchange efficiency.

[0113] As described above, the heat exchanger 100, which is composed of the heat transfer tubes 2, the third wire fins 16, and the fourth wire fins 17, is arranged in a circular, arc-like, or fan-like shape relative to the circular blower fan 500. The heat exchanger 100 is arranged radially in the circumferential direction and is close to the circular blower fan 500 with a predetermined gap 510 that is approximately equally spaced. This allows the airflow of the blower fan 500 to be efficiently obtained over the entire circumferential area of ​​the heat exchanger 100, i.e., the entire arc-shaped area, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency and enabling the heat exchanger 100 to be made more compact. Therefore, since the heat exchanger 100 can be made smaller, the use of the heat exchanger 100 allows for a compact, lightweight, low-cost, and highly efficient outdoor unit for an air conditioner 140, a heat source unit for a water heater, or a water heater.

[0114] That is, the heat exchanger 100 is formed such that the periodic spacing direction U of the third wire fins 16 and the fourth wire fins 17, each having a wavy wire, is arranged along the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2, and the heat exchanger 100 is thermally joined to the heat transfer tubes 2. The heat exchanger 100 is arranged in a housing so as to be circular, arc-shaped, or U-shaped so as to surround the periphery of the blower fan 500, which is a circular fan. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 can be used to obtain a small, lightweight, low-cost, and highly efficient indoor unit or outdoor unit of an air conditioner 140, an air conditioner 140, a heat source unit of a water heater, or a water heater.

[0115] According to the heat exchanger 100 according to the fourth embodiment described above, the heat exchanger 100 is circular, arc-shaped, or U-shaped. Even if the heat exchanger 100 is circular, sector-shaped, or U-shaped, the wavy portions 105 can be freely deformed by the wire fins 1 formed in a wave shape, which increases the degree of freedom in arranging the heat transfer tubes 2 and allows the shape of the heat exchanger 100 to be freely selected.

[0116] The heat transfer tubes 2 can be arranged in a circular, arc-shaped, or U-shaped configuration. Even if the heat transfer tubes 2 are arranged in a circular, arc-shaped, or U-shaped configuration, the wavy portions 105 can be freely deformed by the wire fins 1 formed in a shape, so that the degree of freedom in arranging the heat transfer tubes 2 is increased, and the shape of the heat exchanger 100 can be freely selected.

[0117] Embodiment 5. Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner 140 including a heat exchanger 100 according to embodiment 5. Embodiment 5 differs from embodiments 1 to 3 in that the heat exchanger 100 is arranged to surround the blower fan 500, in that it is arranged in a linear manner. Furthermore, in embodiment 5, the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2 and the overlap depth direction V of the fifth wire fin 18 and the sixth wire fin 19 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 530 of the blower fan 500. Therefore, embodiment 5 differs from embodiment 4 in that the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2 and the overlap depth direction V of the third wire fin 16 and the fourth wire fin 17 are arranged substantially parallel to the rotation axis 530 of the blower fan 500. In embodiment 5, parts common to embodiments 1 to 4 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from embodiments 1 to 4.

[0118] The heat exchanger 100 uses the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19, which are formed into a wave shape using wire such as aluminum, and can be freely deformed at the wave-like portions. This increases the degree of freedom in arranging the heat transfer tubes 2, and allows for the shape of the heat exchanger 100 to be freely arranged. Therefore, the shape of the heat exchanger 100 can be freely selected, such as a circular, sector-shaped, or U-shaped shape.

[0119] 18 , the heat exchanger 100 is arranged in a U-shape around the blower fan 500 so as to surround at least a portion of the blower fan 500. The heat exchanger 100 is housed in a housing 130 together with the blower fan 500, and constitutes an air conditioner 140. The housing 130 is, for example, an indoor unit placed in a room.

[0120] The refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2 and the overlapping direction V of the fifth wire fin 18 and the sixth wire fin 19 are arranged approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the blower fan 500. The heat exchanger 100 is composed of the heat transfer tube 2, the fifth wire fin 18, and the sixth wire fin 19. The heat exchanger 100 is composed of straight portions and arc-shaped portions in the row direction X. The straight portions are composed of a first straight portion M1, a second straight portion M2, and a third straight portion M3, and the arc-shaped portions, for example, quarter-circular arc portions, are composed of a first arc portion N1 and a second arc portion N2.

[0121] The first straight portion M1 is provided in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 530 so as to face the blower fan 500. That is, the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tubes 2 constituting the first straight portion M1 is arranged to be approximately parallel to the air flow direction of the blower fan 500. The second straight portion M2 and the third straight portion M3 are provided on the side surface of the blower fan 500 and are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft 530.

[0122] A first arc portion N1 is provided between the first linear portion M1 and the second linear portion M2, connecting the first linear portion M1 and the second linear portion M2 and having an arc shape. A second arc portion N2 is provided between the first linear portion M1 and the third linear portion M3, connecting the first linear portion M1 and the third linear portion M3 and having an arc shape.

[0123] In the first arc portion N1, the number of wavy portions of the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19 provided between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 is smaller than the number of wavy portions of the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19 provided between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 in the first straight portion M1 or the second straight portion M2. This reduces the spacing between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 in the first arc portion N1, and the radius of the arcs forming the first arc portion N1 can be reduced, resulting in a small and compact heat exchanger 100.

[0124] The number of wavy portions of the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19 provided between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 in the first arc portion N1 may be equal to the number of wavy portions of the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19 provided between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 in the first straight portion M1 or the second straight portion M2. Deformation of the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19 reduces the spacing between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 in the first arc portion N1, thereby reducing the radius of the arc forming the first arc portion N1. This allows for a small, compact heat exchanger 100.

[0125] Similarly, in the second arc portion N2, the number of wavy portions of the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19 provided between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 is smaller than the number of wavy portions of the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19 provided between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 in the first straight portion M1 or the third straight portion M3. Therefore, the spacing between adjacent heat transfer tubes 2 in the second arc portion N2 is reduced, and the radius of the arcs forming the second arc portion N2 can be reduced, resulting in a small and compact heat exchanger 100.

[0126] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 100 can be configured in a circular or U-shape to surround the blower fan 500 without bending the heat transfer tubes 2. Because the long axis direction Z of the heat transfer tubes 2 is oriented toward the blower fan 500, air can be efficiently directed onto the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19. This improves heat exchange efficiency.

[0127] In embodiment 5, the wave periodic spacing direction U of the fifth wire fin 18 and the sixth wire fin 19 arranged in a circular or U-shape is the same as the wave periodic spacing direction U of the fifth wire fin 18 and the sixth wire fin 19 of the heat exchanger 100 arranged in a circular or U-shape, and is therefore the circumferential direction of the circular heat exchanger 100 or the U-shape direction of the U-shaped heat exchanger 100.

[0128] As described above, the heat exchanger 100 can be configured without bending the heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 can be configured and stored to fit the product's storage space or storage shape without causing a decrease in pressure resistance or reliability due to deformation of the heat transfer tubes 2. Furthermore, the periodic spacing direction U of the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19, each having a wavy wire, is arranged along the row direction X of the heat transfer tubes 2, and the fifth wire fins 18 and the sixth wire fins 19 are thermally bonded to the heat transfer tubes 2. Furthermore, because the heat exchanger 100 can be formed in a circular, arc-like, or U-shape, it can be placed within a housing so as to surround the circular blower fan 500. This allows for a compact, lightweight, low-cost, and highly efficient indoor unit or outdoor unit of an air conditioner 140, an air conditioner 140, a heat source unit of a water heater, or a water heater.

[0129] According to the air conditioner 140 according to the fifth embodiment described above, the heat exchanger 100 provided in the housing 130 has wire fins 1, and therefore the heat exchanger 100 can be arranged to surround the blower fan without bending the heat transfer tubes 2. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 can be configured to fit the storage space or storage shape of the product and stored in the air conditioner 140 without causing a decrease in pressure resistance or reliability due to deformation of the heat transfer tubes 2, etc.

[0130] Furthermore, the housing 130 is, for example, an indoor unit placed indoors, and it is possible to obtain a small, lightweight, low-cost, and highly efficient indoor unit.

[0131] Sixth Embodiment Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 100 according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of the heat exchanger 100 according to the sixth embodiment as viewed in the refrigerant flow path direction Y. The sixth embodiment differs from the first to fifth embodiments in that the heat transfer tubes 2 are circular tubes. In the sixth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to denote parts common to the first to fifth embodiments, and a description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the first to fifth embodiments.

[0132] 19 and 20 , the heat exchanger 100 is composed of heat transfer tubes 800, which are circular tubes, and seventh wire fins 850 formed for the circular tubes. A plurality of heat transfer tubes 800 are arranged in a predetermined direction at predetermined intervals, preferably at equal intervals. The seventh wire fins 850 are thermally connected to the plurality of heat transfer tubes 800.

[0133] In the heat transfer tube 800, the predetermined direction in which the seventh wire fins 850 are connected is referred to as the row direction L. The direction in which the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant flow paths 900 of the heat transfer tube 800 is the longitudinal direction or the depth direction, and is referred to as the refrigerant flow path direction M. The heat transfer tube 800 is configured such that a plurality of refrigerant flow paths 900 having a predetermined length are arranged side by side so as to overlap each other. The plurality of heat transfer tubes 800 are arranged side by side in a direction approximately perpendicular to the wave direction of the seventh wire fins 850. The direction in which the plurality of heat transfer tubes 800 are arranged side by side is referred to as the column direction N of the circular tube.

[0134] Like the wire fin 1, the seventh wire fin 850 is formed into a wave shape using wire such as aluminum wire. In the seventh wire fin 850, the direction in which the waves advance, i.e., the direction of the period, is referred to as the periodic interval direction U, and the direction of the wave amplitude is referred to as the amplitude direction W. Like the wire fin 1, the seventh wire fin 850 is composed of a fixing portion 870 and a wave-like portion 860. The fixing portion 870 has a wire fin arc portion 871 and is fixed to the heat transfer tube 2 by line contact at the wire fin arc portion 871. The wave-like portion 860 is formed using wire so that the wave shape advances in the periodic interval direction U. The seventh wire fin 850 is arranged at predetermined intervals, for example, at equal intervals or unequal intervals, in the refrigerant flow path direction M of the heat transfer tube 800. A plurality of, for example, a predetermined number of, seventh wire fins 850 are provided. In the seventh wire fin 850, the refrigerant flow path direction M of the heat transfer tubes 800 provided at predetermined intervals is referred to as the overlapping direction V or the overlapping depth direction V.

[0135] With this configuration, the wavy seventh wire fin 850 can be used even if the heat transfer tube 800 is a small-diameter circular tube. The seventh wire fin 850 has a fixing portion 870 and a wavy portion 860 formed in a wavy shape. Even if the spacing between adjacent heat transfer tubes 800 varies slightly, when the heat transfer tubes 800 are inserted into the fixing portion 870 in a press-fit manner, the wavy portion 860 expands and contracts due to the spring characteristics of the wavy portion 860, thereby absorbing the spacing variation. This allows the heat transfer tube 800 and the seventh wire fin 850 to be thermally intimately attached to each other. This improves assembly ease and heat transfer performance.

[0136] Furthermore, the wave periodic spacing direction U of the seventh wire fin 850, in which the wire is formed into a wave shape, is arranged in the row direction of the heat transfer tube 800 and is thermally joined to the heat transfer tube 800 to form the heat exchanger 303. The heat exchanger 100 makes it possible to obtain a small, lightweight, low-cost, and highly efficient air conditioner 140. Similarly, the heat exchanger 100 can also make it possible to obtain a small, lightweight, low-cost, and highly efficient indoor unit, outdoor unit, air conditioner 140, heat source unit for a water heater, or water heater.

[0137] The heat exchanger 100 can also be arranged in a circular, arc-shaped, or U-shaped configuration so as to surround the periphery of the blower fan 500, which is a circular fan. This allows the use of the heat exchanger 100 to provide a compact, lightweight, low-cost, and highly efficient air conditioner 140. Furthermore, by arranging the heat transfer tubes 800 so that the column direction N faces the blower fan 500, wind or air can be efficiently directed onto the seventh wire fins 850. This improves heat exchange efficiency.

[0138] 1 and 6 , in the heat transfer tube 2 a provided at the outermost end in the row direction X, one wire fin 1, the first wire fin 11, or the second wire fin 12 is folded back at the folding portion 1 a, the folding portion 11 a, or the folding portion 12 a, respectively. By folding back at the folding portion 1 a, the folding portion 11 a, or the folding portion 12 a, one wire fin 1, the first wire fin 11, or the second wire fin 12, a plurality of wire fins 1, the first wire fin 11, or the second wire fin 12 are arranged in the refrigerant flow path direction Y. By arranging a plurality of wire fins 1, the first wire fin 11, or the second wire fin 12 in the refrigerant flow path direction Y, it is not necessary to cut the wire fin 1, the first wire fin 11, or the second wire fin 12. Therefore, a low-cost heat exchanger 100 or a heat exchanger 100 can be obtained.

[0139] The third wire fin 16, the fourth wire fin 17, the fifth wire fin 18, the sixth wire fin 19, or the seventh wire fin 850 may also be folded back at the heat transfer tube 2a or the heat transfer tube 800a provided at the outermost end in the row direction X. By folding back the third wire fin 16, the fourth wire fin 17, the fifth wire fin 18, the sixth wire fin 19, or the seventh wire fin 850, multiple fins can be arranged in the refrigerant flow path direction Y. There is no need to cut one of the third wire fin 16, the fourth wire fin 17, the fifth wire fin 18, the sixth wire fin 19, or the seventh wire fin 850, so a low-cost heat exchanger 100 can be obtained.

[0140] Fig. 21 is a schematic diagram of a heat exchanger 100 according to a modification of embodiment 6. As shown in Fig. 21 , in the heat exchanger 100, a continuous coiled wire may be used as it is as a single eighth wire fin 851. This can improve workability and work efficiency.

[0141] Note that the wire fin 1 does not have to be configured so that one wire fin 1 is folded back at the folding portion 1a and multiple wire fins 1 are arranged in the refrigerant flow path direction Y, but multiple wire fins 1 may be arranged in the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2. A configuration in which multiple wire fins 1 are arranged in the refrigerant flow path direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2 allows the use of wavy wire fins 1 that have been cut to a predetermined length in advance, improving assembly efficiency. The same applies to the first wire fin 11 to the eighth wire fin 851.

[0142] As described above, the heat exchanger 100 is composed of wire fins 1 and heat transfer tubes 2. The heat exchanger 100 is disposed inside a housing 130 to constitute an air conditioner 140. The wire fins 1 are formed in a wave shape using wire. The heat transfer tubes 2 are, for example, flat tubes and are disposed in the row direction X. The wire fins 1 are joined to the heat transfer tubes 2 so that the periodic spacing direction U, which is the direction in which the waves of the wire fins 1 advance, is aligned with the row direction X. A first connecting wire 70 is connected to the lower apex 50 of the heat transfer tube 2, the second end 202 of the wire fin 1, or the lower apex 60 of the wire fin 1. Furthermore, within the housing 130, a drain pan 30 is disposed below the heat exchanger 100 to collect dew 150 that falls from the heat exchanger 100. Furthermore, within the housing 130, the heat exchanger 100 is disposed so as to be tilted at a predetermined angle.

[0143] This makes it possible to prevent dew 150 from collecting and accumulating at locations at the lower end of the heat exchanger 100 that are the starting points for dew dripping, such as the lower apex 50 of the heat transfer tube 2, the second end 202 of the wire fin 1, or the lower apex 60 of the wire fin 1. This makes it possible to obtain the heat exchanger 100 and the air conditioner 140 that are less likely to cause dew dripping or dew splashing.

[0144] Furthermore, since the first connecting wire 70 is provided under the heat exchanger 100 and the heat exchanger 100 is installed at an angle, the location to which the dew 150 generated in the heat exchanger 100 falls is specified to a predetermined location. In addition to the first connecting wire 70, the heat exchanger 100 may be provided with a second connecting wire 75 or a third connecting wire 85. This improves the flexibility in the installation location of the drain pan 30 and allows the size of the drain pan 30 to be reduced.

[0145] In the air conditioner 140, the first connecting wire 70 or the second connecting wire 75 may be connected in a mesh pattern so as to cross the third connecting wire 85 at a direction approximately perpendicular to the third connecting wire 85. This allows for good drainage of dew 150 in both the row direction X of the heat transfer tube 2 and the refrigerant flow direction Y of the heat transfer tube 2, resulting in a heat exchanger 100 or air conditioner 140 in which dew dripping or dew splashing is unlikely to occur.

[0146] The heat exchanger 100 may be used in a water heater instead of an air conditioner 140. The heat exchanger 100 may be used in an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a heat source unit of a water heater, or a water heater. The wire fin 1 may be any of the first wire fin 11 to the eighth wire fin 851. The first connecting wire 70 may be the second connecting wire 75 or the third connecting wire 85. The heat transfer tube 2 may be the heat transfer tube 800, which is a circular tube. The first connecting wire 70 may be connected to the second end 202 of the wire fin 1 or the lower top 60 of the wire fin 1, in addition to the lower top 50 of the heat transfer tube 2.

[0147] The air conditioner 140 also includes a heat exchanger 100 thermally joined to a heat transfer tube 2, with wire fins 1 formed into a wave shape using wire so that the periodic spacing direction U of the wire fins 1 is aligned with the row direction of the heat transfer tube 2. The periodic spacing direction U of the wire fins 1 is the direction in which the waves advance, i.e., the direction of the periodic spacing. The air conditioner 140 also includes a blower fan 500 for blowing air that has undergone heat exchange through the heat exchanger 100 indoors or outdoors. The air conditioner 140 also includes an indoor unit or outdoor unit in which the heat exchanger 100 is arranged in a circular, arc-shaped, or U-shaped configuration so as to surround the periphery of the blower fan 500. This allows for a compact, lightweight, low-cost, and highly efficient air conditioner 140 to be obtained.

[0148] 1 Wire fin, 1a Folded portion, 2 Heat transfer tube, 2a Heat transfer tube, 11 First wire fin, 11a Folded portion, 12 Second wire fin, 12a Folded portion, 16 Third wire fin, 17 Fourth wire fin, 18 Fifth wire fin, 19 Sixth wire fin, 30 Drain pan, 50 Lower top, 60 Lower top, 65 Upper top, 70 First connecting wire, 75 Second connecting wire, 85 Third connecting wire, 100 Heat exchanger, 101 Fixing portion, 103 Wire fin arc portion, 103a Opening, 104 Wire fin straight portion, 105 Wavy portion, 111 Fixing portion, 113 Wire fin arc portion, 113a Opening, 114 Wire fin straight portion, 115 Wavy portion, 121 Fixing portion, 123 Wire fin arc portion, 123a Opening, 124 wire fin straight portion, 125 wavy portion, 130 housing, 140 air conditioner, 150 dew, 201 first end, 202 second end, 203 heat transfer tube arc portion, 204 heat transfer tube straight portion, 213 heat transfer tube arc portion, 214 heat transfer tube straight portion, 223 heat transfer tube arc portion, 224 heat transfer tube straight portion, 303 heat exchanger, 500 blower fan, 501 fan outer diameter, 510 specified gap, 530 rotating shaft, 600 refrigerant flow path, 800 heat transfer tube, 800a heat transfer tube, 850 seventh wire fin, 851 eighth wire fin, 860 wavy portion, 870 fixed portion, 871 wire fin arc portion, 900 refrigerant flow path.

Claims

1. A heat transfer tube arranged in a row direction; A wire fin including a corrugated portion formed into a corrugated shape by a wire line and a heat transfer tube joint portion inserted into and joined to the heat transfer tube; Equipped with The periodic spacing direction, which is the direction in which the waves of the wire fins advance, is aligned with the row direction of the heat transfer tube. heat exchanger.

2. The heat transfer tube is a flat tube having a cross section with a long axis, The wire fins include: The heat transfer tube is sandwiched from the direction of the long axis.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1.

3. The wire fin is Press-fitted into the heat transfer tube 3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The wire fin further includes a connecting wire that connects adjacent ends of the wire fin in the wave amplitude direction.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 3.

5. The wire fin is made of an aluminum material, The wire fins and the heat transfer tubes are Joined by brazing or zinc spraying 3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.

6. Circular, arcuate, or U-shaped 3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The heat transfer tubes are arranged in a circular, arcuate, or U-shape to form a circular, arcuate, or U-shape.

3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.

8. A heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2 is provided. Air conditioner.

9. a heat exchanger provided inside a housing, the heat exchanger comprising: a heat transfer tube; and a wire fin having a corrugated portion having a corrugated shape and a heat transfer tube joint portion inserted into and joined to the heat transfer tube, the periodic interval direction being the direction in which the waves of the wire fin advance, being arranged along the row direction of the heat transfer tube; a blower fan provided inside the housing and configured to blow air that has been heat exchanged through the heat exchanger to the outside of the housing; Equipped with The heat exchanger includes: It is circular, arcuate, or U-shaped; It is arranged so as to surround the blower fan. Air conditioner.

10. The housing is an indoor unit installed indoors. The air conditioner according to claim 9.