Heat exchanger and air conditioner equipped with the same

Abstract

A heat exchanger and an air conditioner including the same include: a plurality of heat transfer tubes through which a fluid flows inside, both ends in the tube axis direction being sealed, and the plurality of heat transfer tubes being arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction; a tube pitch defining portion that defines a tube pitch in the first direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes; and one or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction. In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which one or more headers are inserted are formed, and in each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger including a plurality of heat transfer tubes and an air conditioner including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Some heat exchangers include a plurality of heat transfer tubes arranged at intervals and a header (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1, a header flow path provided inside the header and a heat transfer flow path provided inside each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes communicate with each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1, tube holes into which the ends of the heat transfer tubes are inserted are provided in the header at intervals, and the pitch of the plurality of heat transfer tubes is defined by the header. Therefore, a force for supporting the heat transfer tubes is applied to the peripheral portions of the holes in the header. When trying to reduce the pitch, the interval between the holes in the header becomes short, and it is difficult to ensure the required strength at the peripheral portions of the holes, making it difficult to reduce the pitch of the heat transfer tubes.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a heat exchanger capable of reducing the pitch of heat transfer tubes (hereinafter also referred to as tube pitch) more than before and an air conditioner including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The heat exchanger according to the present disclosure has a plurality of heat transfer tubes through which a fluid flows internally, both ends in the tube axis direction are sealed, and are arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction, a tube pitch defining portion that defines the tube pitch in the first direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and one or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction. In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which the one or more headers are inserted are formed, and in each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed. Each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes has a first tube side wall portion on one side in the first direction and a second tube side wall portion on the other side in the first direction. Each of the one or more header insertion holes is composed of a first hole provided in the first tube side wall portion of the heat transfer tube in which the one or more header insertion holes are formed and a second hole provided in the second tube side wall portion. In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, a peripheral convex portion extending in the first direction is provided at the peripheral edge of each of the one or more header insertion holes. The peripheral convex portion is formed at the peripheral edge of the first hole in the first tube side wall portion and is composed of a first peripheral convex portion extending toward the one side in the first direction and a second peripheral convex portion formed at the peripheral edge of the second hole in the second tube side wall portion and extending toward the one side in the first direction. In each of the one or more headers, each of the plurality of communication holes is disposed between the tip of the first peripheral convex portion of the communicating heat transfer tubes among the plurality of heat transfer tubes and the outer surface of the second tube side wall portion in the first direction. The outer peripheral surface of the one or more headers is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the one or more header insertion holes of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and in the first direction, there is a portion exposed from the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes outside the space between the tip of the first peripheral convex portion of the communicating heat transfer tubes among the plurality of heat transfer tubes and the outer surface of the second tube side wall portion 。 In addition, the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes through which a fluid flows internally, both ends in the tube axis direction being sealed, and arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction; a tube pitch defining portion that defines the tube pitch in the first direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes; and one or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction. In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which the one or more headers are inserted are formed. In each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed. Each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes has a first tube side wall portion on one side in the first direction and a second tube side wall portion on the other side in the first direction. Each of the one or more header insertion holes is composed of a first hole provided in the first tube side wall portion and a second hole provided in the second tube side wall portion of the heat transfer tube in which the one or more header insertion holes are formed. At the peripheral edge of each of the one or more header insertion holes in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, a peripheral convex portion extending in the first direction is provided. The peripheral convex portion is formed at the peripheral edge of the first hole in the first tube side wall portion and includes a first peripheral convex portion extending to one side in the first direction, and is formed at the peripheral edge of the second hole in the second tube side wall portion and includes a second peripheral convex portion extending to the other side in the first direction. The first peripheral convex portion and the second peripheral convex portion each have a tapered portion inclined toward the base end side. In the first direction, the width of each of the plurality of communication holes formed in each of the one or more headers is larger than the distance between the first tube side wall portion and the second tube side wall portion of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. In addition, the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes through which a fluid flows internally, both ends in the tube axis direction are sealed, and the heat transfer tubes are arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction; a tube pitch defining portion that defines the tube pitch in the first direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes; and one or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction. In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which the one or more headers are inserted are formed. In each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed. The one or more headers include flat headers that penetrate the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction and have a flat cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction. The flat headers penetrate the plurality of heat transfer tubes such that the longitudinal direction of the cross section coincides with the tube axis direction and the direction orthogonal to the first direction in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. In addition, the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes through which a fluid flows internally, both ends in the tube axis direction are sealed, and the heat transfer tubes are arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction; a tube pitch defining portion that defines the tube pitch in the first direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes; and one or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction. In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which the one or more headers are inserted are formed. In each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed. In a state where the heat exchanger is arranged such that the tube axis direction is the vertical direction, each of the plurality of communication holes in each of the one or more headers is provided such that when the angle when the vertically downward direction of the center of the header peripheral wall is 0 degrees is defined as Φ, the liquid level angle when it is assumed that the slip ratio of the gas and liquid of the fluid is 1 and the gas-liquid interface is flat and horizontal is defined as ΦDo, and the liquid level angle of the fluid in the header peripheral wall is defined as ΦDs, Φ satisfies ΦDo < Φ < ΦDs. When the cross-sectional area of the flow path in the header peripheral wall is defined as As [mm 2 , ΦDo is (-0.0408 × As + 74.124) × 0.62, and ΦDs is (-0.0408 × As + 74.124) × 1.2. Further, the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes through which a fluid flows internally, both ends in the tube axis direction are sealed, and are arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction, a tube pitch defining portion that defines the tube pitch in the first direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and one or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction. One or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which the one or more headers are inserted are formed in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. A plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed in each of the one or more headers. The tube pitch defining portion is arranged to cover one end of the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the tube axis direction, and has a plurality of locking portions that engage with each of the one ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and a connecting portion that connects adjacent locking portions of the plurality of locking portions, and seals each of the one ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes.

[0007] Further, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes a compressor, the above-described heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger, which are connected via piping and have a fluid circuit through which the fluid circulates.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] In the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure and the air conditioner including the same, the tube pitch in the first direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes is defined by a tube pitch defining portion different from the header. In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, a header insertion hole penetrating in the first direction is formed, and the header penetrates and connects the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction. And in the header, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a tube hole into which the end of the heat transfer tube is inserted like a conventional header, and no force for supporting the heat transfer tube is applied to the peripheral portion of the communication hole of the header. As a result, the interval between the openings (communication holes in the present disclosure) of the header can be made shorter than in the conventional case, and the tube pitch can be made smaller.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings and the like. In the following drawings including FIG. 1, the relative dimensional relationships and shapes of the respective constituent members may be different from the actual ones. Further, in the following drawings, those denoted by the same reference numerals are the same or corresponding ones, and this shall be common throughout the entire specification. In addition, for the sake of easy understanding, terms indicating directions (for example, "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "front", "rear", etc.) are used as appropriate, but their notations are only described as such for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the arrangement and orientation of the device or parts. In the specification, the positional relationship between the respective constituent members, the extending direction of each constituent member, and the arrangement direction of each constituent member are, in principle, those when the heat exchanger is installed in a usable state.

[0011] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a heat exchanger 101 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a longitudinal section of the upper part of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the A-A section of the heat exchanger of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the portion surrounded by a square in the heat exchanger of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the B-B section of the heat exchanger of FIG. 4. Based on FIGS. 1 to 5, the configuration of the heat exchanger 101 of Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 101 includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 arranged in a first direction D1 intersecting the tube axis direction, and two headers (upper header 61 and lower header 62) that penetrate the end portions on both sides in the tube axis direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the first direction D1. Further, the heat exchanger 101 includes a tube pitch defining portion 20 that defines the tube pitch Lp (see FIG. 2) in the first direction D1 of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. The heat exchanger 101 also includes a plurality of heat transfer fins 50.

[0013] In the heat exchanger 101, each heat transfer tube 10 extends in a direction along the tube axis Ax (see FIG. 2) (i.e., the tube axis direction), and is a flat tube having a flat shape that is long in one direction in a cross section perpendicular to the tube axis Ax. Hereinafter, the first direction D1 in which the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 are arranged is referred to as the arrangement direction, the tube axis direction of the heat transfer tube 10 is referred to as the second direction D2 or the longitudinal direction of the heat transfer tube 10, and the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the heat transfer tube 10 may be referred to as the third direction D3 or the short side direction of the heat transfer tube 10. Further, hereinafter, the heat exchanger 101 is defined as being installed such that the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the heat transfer tubes 10 is the left-right direction. And each heat transfer tube 10 is defined to be arranged such that its tube axis Ax is in the vertical direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (first direction D1), and its short side direction (third direction D3) is in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the tube axis direction and the arrangement direction.

[0014] Note that the arrangement of the heat exchanger 101 or the angle between the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the heat transfer tubes 10 in the heat exchanger 101 and the tube axis direction (second direction D2) of each heat transfer tube 10 is not limited to the above case. For example, the heat exchanger 101 may be arranged inclined such that the tube axis direction of each heat transfer tube 10 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Alternatively, when the heat exchanger 101 is installed such that the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the heat transfer tubes 10 is the left-right direction, the heat exchanger 101 may be configured such that the tube axis direction of each heat transfer tube 10 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a gap serving as an air flow path P2 is formed between the tube walls 11 of adjacent heat transfer tubes 10 in the array direction (first direction D1). In the heat exchanger 101, air flows through each gap along the short direction (third direction D3) of the heat transfer tube 10.

[0016] In FIG. 1, a first pipe a and a second pipe b, which are inlets and outlets of a fluid (e.g., refrigerant, etc.) in the heat exchanger 101, are provided at the right ends of the upper header 61 and the lower header 62. Here, the fluid flowing through the heat transfer tube 10 may be a refrigerant, water, brine, or the like. A fluid flow path is provided between the first pipe a and the second pipe b in the heat exchanger 101. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the fluid flow path is composed of the internal spaces of a plurality of heat transfer tubes 10, the internal space of the upper header 61, and the internal space of the lower header 62. The heat exchanger 101 performs heat exchange between air and the fluid. Hereinafter, it will be described on the assumption that the fluid flowing through the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 is a refrigerant.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, at the upper end of each heat transfer tube 10, a header insertion hole 10h1 penetrating in the first direction D1 into which the upper header 61 is inserted is formed, and at the lower end of each heat transfer tube 10, a header insertion hole 10h2 penetrating in the first direction D1 into which the lower header 62 is inserted is formed. The heat transfer tube 10 has a tube structure in which an internal space through which the refrigerant flows is maintained over its longitudinal direction (second direction D2), that is, from the upper end to the lower end of the tube wall 11. The open ends 10e on both longitudinal sides of the heat transfer tube 10 are sealed. The sealing structure will be described later.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the tube wall 11 of the heat transfer tube 10 includes substantially flat first and second tube side wall portions 10a and 10b facing each other in the first direction D1, and curved connection wall portions 10c and 10d that connect the first tube side wall portion 10a and the second tube side wall portion 10b at both ends on both sides in the third direction D3 of the first tube side wall portion 10a and the second tube side wall portion 10b. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the first tube side wall portion 10a and the second tube side wall portion 10b has a rectangular shape in which the long side extends in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the heat transfer tube 10 and the short side extends in the short side direction (third direction D3) of the heat transfer tube 10. Although the first tube side wall portions 10a and 10b are each in a flat plate shape, the "flat plate shape" here does not have to be a completely flat surface, and any structure that appears to extend flat as a whole is acceptable. For example, depressions, protrusions, or waveforms may be formed in a part of the region that extends flat. In FIG. 2, the wall portion on the left side of the tube wall 11 is the first tube side wall portion 10a, and the wall portion on the right side of the tube wall 11 is the second tube side wall portion 10b.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, a first hole ha penetrating in the first direction D1 is formed in the left first tube side wall portion 10a, a second hole hb penetrating in the first direction D1 is formed in the right second tube side wall portion 10b, and the header insertion hole 10h1 is composed of the first hole ha and the second hole hb. The shapes of the first hole ha and the second hole hb are, for example, circular (see FIG. 3). The configuration of the header insertion hole 10h2 into which the lower header 62 is inserted is the same as the configuration of the above-described header insertion hole 10h1 into which the upper header 61 is inserted, and is composed of the first hole ha formed in the first tube side wall portion 10a and the second hole hb formed in the second tube side wall portion 10b.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the header insertion holes 10h1 and 10h2 are provided inside the open end 10e on both sides in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the heat transfer tube 10. In the heat exchanger 101 arranged as shown in FIG. 1, the header insertion holes 10h1 and 10h2 of each heat transfer tube 10 are provided below the upper open end 10e of the heat transfer tube 10 and above the lower open end 10e of the heat transfer tube 10.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper header 61 and the lower header 62 each penetrate and connect a plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. The upper header 61 and the lower header 62 have, for example, a cylindrical shape. In FIG. 1, the left ends of the upper header 61 and the lower header 62 that are not used as refrigerant inlets and outlets are sealed.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper header 61 is formed with a plurality of communication holes 60h that communicate the internal space thereof with the internal spaces of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. In the upper header 61, the plurality of communication holes 60h are formed at the same interval Lh as the tube pitch Lp in the first direction D1 of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. Although not shown, the lower header 62 in FIG. 1 is also formed with a plurality of communication holes 60h that communicate the internal space thereof with the internal spaces of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10.

[0023] That is, the refrigerant flow path of the heat exchanger 101 includes a heat transfer flow path P1a provided in the tube wall 11 of each heat transfer tube 10 and extending in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the heat transfer tube 10, and a header flow path P1h provided inside each of the upper header 61 and the lower header 62, extending in the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10, and communicating the heat transfer flow paths P1a of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 with each other.

[0024] In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of communication holes 60h are provided at the circumferential lower end portion of the upper header 61 extending in the first direction D1. The communication holes 60h have, for example, a circular shape (see FIG. 5). Further, in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, the center of the communication hole 60h is provided so as to coincide with the position at the center of the heat transfer tube 10 in the first direction D1, and one communication hole 60h is provided for one heat transfer tube 10. Further, in the first direction D1, the communication hole 60h is provided such that the width, i.e., the diameter, of the communication hole 60h is substantially the same as the width W of the heat transfer passage P1a of the heat transfer tube 10, i.e., the distance between the first tube side wall portion 10a and the second tube side wall portion 10b. The lower part of the heat exchanger 101 has substantially the same structure as the structure obtained by inverting the upper part of the heat exchanger 101 up and down. In the lower header 62, the plurality of communication holes 60h are provided at the circumferential upper end portion of the lower header 62. Note that the position, number, and shape of the communication holes 60h in each header (the upper header 61 and the lower header 62) are not limited to the above-described position, number, and shape. Other configuration examples of the communication holes 60h of each header will be described later.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the tube pitch regulating portion 20 is composed of a plate-like member that is substantially rectangular in plan view and covers the open ends 10e of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. In the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 1, the tube pitch regulating portion 20 is disposed at two locations above and below the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10.

[0026] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the tube pitch regulating portion 20 has a plurality of groove portions 22 (hereinafter also referred to as locking portions) and a connection flat portion 21 (hereinafter also referred to as a connection portion) between the groove portions 22. In the tube pitch regulating portion 20, the groove portions 22 are formed at a constant pitch Lr in the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the heat transfer tubes 10 and extend in the short side direction (third direction D3) of the heat transfer tubes 10 along the open ends 10e of the heat transfer tubes 10 (see FIG. 1). The pitch Lr of the groove portions 22 in the tube pitch regulating portion 20 is the same as the tube pitch Lp of the heat transfer tubes 10. An end portion including the open end 10e of the heat transfer tube 10 is disposed in each groove portion 22 of the tube pitch regulating portion 20. The width of the groove portion 22 in the first direction D1 is substantially the same as or slightly wider than the thickness of the heat transfer tube 10 in the first direction D1.

[0027] When arranging a plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 with a gap therebetween during the manufacture of the heat exchanger 101, the longitudinal ends of each heat transfer tube 10 are inserted into the respective groove portions 22 of the tube pitch defining portion 20. Thereby, the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 are arranged at a constant tube pitch Lp in the first direction D1. Since the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 are arranged at a constant tube pitch Lp in the first direction D1 by the tube pitch defining portion 20, in the process of assembling the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and the upper header 61, or in the process of assembling the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and the upper header 61, it is not necessary to adjust the position for each heat transfer tube 10, and it becomes easy to align the positions of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and the plurality of communication holes 60h in each header (upper header 61, lower header 62). The tube pitch defining portion 20 is joined to the open end 10e of the heat transfer tube 10 by a joining means such as brazing or an adhesive. Further, the outer peripheral surfaces of each header (upper header 61, lower header 62) are joined to the inner peripheral surfaces of the header insertion holes 10h1, 10h2 of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 by a joining means such as brazing or an adhesive.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, by providing tube pitch defining portions 20 that cover the open ends 10e of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 on both sides in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the heat transfer tubes 10, the open ends 10e on both sides in the longitudinal direction of each heat transfer tube 10 are sealed. That is, the two tube pitch defining portions 20 also function as a common tube sealing structure for the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10.

[0029] In the lower tube pitch defining portion 20, it is preferable that drain holes for draining water such as condensed water or thawed water of frost generated by the heat transfer tubes 10 or the like are formed in the connection plane portion 21 other than the portion (i.e., the groove portion 22) that closes the lower open end 10e of the heat transfer tube 10.

[0030] Note that the tube pitch defining portion 20 may be arranged at one end (open end 10e) in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. In this case, the other end in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 may be sealed with a tube sealing portion 70 (see FIG. 8 described later) that individually seals the open end 10e.

[0031] The configuration of the tube pitch defining portion 20 is not limited to the above configuration. However, if the configuration is such that the end portion of the heat transfer tube 10 is inserted into the groove portion 22 as described above, the movement of the heat transfer tube 10 in the first direction D1 can be suppressed on both side surfaces of the groove portion 22, and it is excellent in terms of the function of defining the tube pitch Lp and strength. Other configuration examples of the tube pitch defining portion 20 will be described later.

[0032] The heat exchanger 101 in FIG. 1 includes, as an example of the heat transfer fins 50, corrugated fins that connect the opposing first tube side wall portion 10a and second tube side wall portion 10b of adjacent heat transfer tubes 10 to each gap between the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10, that is, the air flow path P2. In this case, the opposing first tube side wall portion 10a and second tube side wall portion 10b of adjacent heat transfer tubes 10 and the heat transfer fins 50 are brazed and joined to each other. By providing the heat transfer fins 50, the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air is promoted, and the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger 101 is improved.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner 100 equipped with the heat exchanger 101 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the heat exchanger 101 constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 100c in which the refrigerant circulates in the air conditioner 100.

[0034] The air conditioner 100 has a compressor 102, a heat exchanger 101, an expansion valve 105, an indoor heat exchanger 104, and a four-way valve 103. In FIG. 6, the compressor 102, the heat exchanger 101, the expansion valve 105, and the four-way valve 103 are provided in the outdoor unit 100A, and the indoor heat exchanger 104 is provided in the indoor unit 100B. The first pipe a and the second pipe b (see FIG. 1) serving as the refrigerant inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger 101 are connected to the four-way valve 103 and the expansion valve 105 of the refrigerant circuit 100c.

[0035] The compressor 102, the heat exchanger 101, the expansion valve 105, the indoor heat exchanger 104, and the four-way valve 103 are connected to each other via refrigerant pipes (also simply referred to as pipes), thereby constituting a refrigerant circuit 100c through which the refrigerant can circulate. In the air conditioner 100, when the compressor 102 operates, a refrigeration cycle is performed in which the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 102, the heat exchanger 101, the expansion valve 105, and the indoor heat exchanger 104 while undergoing a phase change.

[0036] The outdoor unit 100A is provided with an outdoor fan 107 that forces outdoor air to pass through the heat exchanger 101. The heat exchanger 101 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air flow of the outdoor air generated by the operation of the outdoor fan 107. The indoor unit 100B is provided with an indoor fan 106 that forces indoor air to pass through the indoor heat exchanger 104. The indoor heat exchanger 104 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air flow of the indoor air generated by the operation of the indoor fan 106.

[0037] The operation of the air conditioner 100 can be switched between a cooling operation and a heating operation. In FIG. 6, the direction of the refrigerant flow during the cooling operation is indicated by a dashed arrow, and the direction of the refrigerant flow during the heating operation is indicated by a solid arrow. The four-way valve 103 is an electromagnetic valve that switches the refrigerant flow path according to the switching between the cooling operation and the heating operation of the air conditioner 100. Note that instead of the four-way valve 103, a combination of a two-way valve and a three-way valve may be configured to switch the refrigerant flow path. The four-way valve 103 guides the refrigerant from the compressor 102 to the heat exchanger 101 and guides the refrigerant from the indoor heat exchanger 104 to the compressor 102 during the cooling operation, and guides the refrigerant from the compressor 102 to the indoor heat exchanger 104 and guides the refrigerant from the heat exchanger 101 to the compressor 102 during the heating operation.

[0038] During the cooling operation of the air conditioner 100, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 102 is sent to the heat exchanger 101. In the heat exchanger 101, the refrigerant releases heat to the outdoor air and is condensed. After that, the refrigerant is sent to the expansion valve 105, and after being depressurized by the expansion valve 105, it is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 104. After that, the refrigerant takes in heat from the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 104 and evaporates, and then returns to the compressor 102. Therefore, during the cooling operation of the air conditioner 100, the heat exchanger 101 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 104 functions as an evaporator.

[0039] During the heating operation of the air conditioner 100, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 102 is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 104. In the indoor heat exchanger 104, the refrigerant releases heat to the indoor air and is condensed. After that, the refrigerant is sent to the expansion valve 105, and after being depressurized by the expansion valve 105, it is sent to the heat exchanger 101. After that, the refrigerant takes in heat from the outdoor air in the heat exchanger 101 and evaporates, and then returns to the compressor 102. Therefore, during the heating operation of the air conditioner 100, the heat exchanger 101 functions as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchanger 104 functions as a condenser.

[0040] Next, an example of the operation of the heat exchanger 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6. As shown by the white arrows in FIG. 1, the refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger 101 from the first pipe a. As shown in FIG. 2, in the heat exchanger 101, the refrigerant first flows into the header flow path P1h of the upper header 61 and flows through the header flow path P1h from right to left. In this process, the refrigerant is distributed from the communication holes 60h provided in the upper header 61 to the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and flows into the heat transfer flow paths P1a of the respective heat transfer tubes 10. In each heat transfer flow path P1a, the refrigerant flows downward. At this time, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the air flowing through the gaps between the tube walls 11 of the heat transfer tubes 10 (i.e., the air flow path P2) through the tube walls 11. The refrigerant from the plurality of heat transfer flow paths P1a flows into the header flow path P1h of the lower header 62 passing through the lower ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 through the plurality of communication holes 60h and merges in the header flow path P1h. The refrigerant that has merged in the header flow path P1h flows out of the heat exchanger 101 from the second pipe b provided at the right end of the lower header 62 to the outside of the heat exchanger 101 (for example, the expansion valve 105 of the refrigerant circuit 100c shown in FIG. 6).

[0041] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first modified example of the tube pitch regulating portion in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the tube pitch regulating portion 120 according to the first modified example is composed of a plate-like member that is substantially rectangular in plan view, similar to the case of the example in FIG. 2. However, the portion (i.e., the locking portion) that engages and joins with the end portions of the respective heat transfer tubes 10 is a convex portion 122 instead of a groove portion 22.

[0042] On one surface of the tube pitch regulating portion 120, a plurality of linear convex portions 122 each extending in the third direction D3 are provided at a constant pitch Lr1 in the first direction D1. By inserting each convex portion 122 into the inside of the end portion of the heat transfer tube 10, the open end 10e is closed, and the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 are arranged at a constant tube pitch Lp (i.e., the pitch Lr1) by the tube pitch regulating portion 120. The tube pitch regulating portion 120 is joined to the end portions of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 by joining means such as brazing or an adhesive.

[0043] In the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 7, compared with the configuration in which the end portions of the heat transfer tubes 10 are inserted into the groove portions 22 as in the example of FIG. 2, the surface of the tube wall 11 of each heat transfer tube 10 is exposed to the air flow path P2 from one end to the other end in the tube axis direction (second direction D2), so that the heat exchange area becomes larger.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second modified example of the tube pitch defining portion in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the tube pitch defining portion 220 according to the second modified example is provided on the tube wall 11 of the heat transfer tube 210. That is, in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 8, a tube sealing portion 70 for closing the open end 10e of the heat transfer tube 210 is provided separately from the tube pitch defining portion 220 that defines the tube pitch Lp of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 210.

[0045] The tube pitch defining portion 220 is a protrusion protruding outward from the tube wall 11 of each heat transfer tube 210. Specifically, the tube pitch defining portion 220 is provided with a first protrusion 221 protruding to the left on the left first tube side wall portion 10a and a second protrusion 222 protruding to the right on the right second tube side wall portion 10b among the substantially flat plate-shaped first tube side wall portion 10a and second tube side wall portion 10b facing each other in the left-right direction (first direction D1) on the tube wall 11. Then, the distance between the tube walls 11 of adjacent heat transfer tubes 210 is defined by the contact between the tip of the first protrusion 221 and the tip of the second protrusion 222 of adjacent heat transfer tubes 210. In other words, the tube pitch defining portion 220 according to the second modified example is a spacer provided on the tube wall 11 of the heat transfer tube 210.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, when the heat exchanger 101 is viewed from the front, the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222 each have, for example, a rectangular frame shape. Note that the shape of each of the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222 is not limited to the above shape, and may be, for example, a trapezoidal or triangular frame shape. By configuring the tube pitch defining portion 220 with the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222 provided on each heat transfer tube 210, the heat transfer area in the heat exchanger 101 is enlarged and the heat exchange performance is improved. Here, the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222 are each in a frame shape in order to reduce the ventilation resistance.

[0047] In the example of FIG. 8, two protrusions, i.e., a first protrusion 221 and a second protrusion 222, are provided on the heat transfer tube 210. However, the heat transfer tube 210 may be provided with one longer protrusion, and this protrusion may be configured to contact the tube wall 11 of the adjacent heat transfer tube 210.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8, the tube pitch defining portion 220 can be provided integrally with the heat transfer tube 210. Specifically, it is formed of a part of the member constituting the heat transfer tube 210. For example, when the heat transfer tube 210 is made of a plate-like member, the heat transfer tube 210 is formed of a member including a margin portion in addition to the portion that will become the tube wall 11 at the same time as forming the header insertion holes 10h1, 10h2, etc., a cut is made in a part of the margin portion, and the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222 can be formed by bending, etc.

[0049] Note that the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222 may be formed of a member different from the heat transfer tube 210.

[0050] The tube sealing portion 70 is provided for each heat transfer tube 210 and seals the open end 10e. In FIG. 8, the tube sealing portion 70 is arranged to cover the end face of the heat transfer tube 210 and is joined to close the open end 10e. Note that the configuration of the tube sealing portion 70 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the tube sealing portion 70 may have a convex portion inserted into the inside of the end portion of the heat transfer tube 210, or the open end 10e itself of the heat transfer tube 10 may be processed.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first modification of the connection portion between the heat transfer tube 10 and the header in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 4. At the peripheral edge of the header insertion hole 10h1 in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10, a peripheral convex portion 12 extending in the first direction D1 is provided. Although not shown, at the peripheral edge of the header insertion hole 10h2 in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10, a peripheral convex portion 12 extending in the first direction D1 is also provided in the same manner as the peripheral edge of the header insertion hole 10h1.

[0052] Specifically, the peripheral convex portion 12 is composed of a first peripheral convex portion 12a formed at the peripheral portion of the first hole ha in the left first pipe side wall portion 10a and a second peripheral convex portion 12b formed at the peripheral portion of the second hole hb in the right second pipe side wall portion 10b. The first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b are provided in opposite directions so as to protrude outward from the pipe wall 11 of the heat transfer pipe 10. That is, the first peripheral convex portion 12a extends to the left from the left first pipe side wall portion 10a, and the second peripheral convex portion 12b extends to the right from the right second pipe side wall portion 10b.

[0053] In each header (upper header 61, lower header 62), each of the plurality of communication holes 60h is arranged between the tips of the first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b of the heat transfer pipes 10 that communicate with each other in the first direction D1.

[0054] In the first direction D1, when the width Wh of the communication hole 60h is set to be substantially the same as the width W of the heat transfer flow path P1a of the heat transfer pipe 10, if the position of the communication hole 60h in the first direction D1 is displaced with respect to the heat transfer pipe 10, there is a concern about refrigerant leakage. In the configuration in which the peripheral convex portion 12 protruding outward is provided at the peripheral portions of the header insertion holes 10h1 and 10h2 as shown in FIG. 9, compared with the configuration of FIG. 5 in which there is no peripheral convex portion 12 at the peripheral portions of the header insertion holes 10h1 and 10h2, even if the position of the communication hole 60h of the header is slightly displaced with respect to the heat transfer pipe 10 in the first direction D1, the refrigerant leakage can be suppressed by the peripheral convex portion 12 extending outward from the pipe wall 11.

[0055] Such a heat transfer pipe 10 can be manufactured, for example, by previously forming the first hole ha, the second hole hb, the first peripheral convex portion 12a, and the second peripheral convex portion 12b in the member that becomes the heat transfer pipe 10 and then forming the member by roll forming. Further, the first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b may be formed by raising the peripheral portions when forming the first hole ha and the second hole hb in the member that becomes the heat transfer pipe 10, and can be formed, for example, by a flanging process. Note that the forming method of the heat transfer pipe 10 may be extrusion, drawing, or the like in addition to roll forming.

[0056] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second modification of the connection portion between the heat transfer tube 10 and the header in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 10, the first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b are provided in the same direction of the first direction D1 from the tube wall 11 of the heat transfer tube 10. In FIG. 10, the first peripheral convex portion 12a extends leftward from the left first tube side wall portion 10a, and the second peripheral convex portion 12b extends leftward from the right second tube side wall portion 10b.

[0057] In each header (upper header 61, lower header 62), each of the plurality of communication holes 60h is disposed between the tip of the first peripheral convex portion 12a of the communicating heat transfer tube 10 and the outer surface of the second tube side wall portion 10b among the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the first direction D1.

[0058] In the configuration in which the peripheral convex portion 12 extending in one direction (left side in FIG. 10) of the first direction D1 is provided at the peripheral portions of the header insertion holes 10h1 and 10h2 as shown in FIG. 10, compared with the configuration of FIG. 5 in which there is no peripheral convex portion 12 at the peripheral portions of the header insertion holes 10h1 and 10h2, even if the position of the communication hole 60h of the header with respect to the heat transfer tube 10 is slightly shifted in one direction (left side) of the first direction, the refrigerant leakage can be suppressed by the first peripheral convex portion 12a extending from the tube wall 11.

[0059] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third modification of the connection portion between the heat transfer tube 10 and the header in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 11, the first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b are provided in opposite directions so as to protrude outward from the tube wall 11 of the heat transfer tube 10, and the first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b each have inclined tapered portions 12at and 12bt on the base end side. The tip portions 12ae and 12be of the first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b respectively extend in the first direction D1 along the outer peripheral surface of the header. The tip portions 12ae and 12be are joined to the outer peripheral surface of the header.

[0060] The tapered portion 12at of the first peripheral convex portion 12a is an annular portion whose opening diameter decreases as it extends from the first pipe side wall portion 10a toward the left tip portion 12ae. The tapered portion 12bt of the second peripheral convex portion 12b is an annular portion whose opening diameter decreases as it extends from the second pipe side wall portion 10b toward the right tip portion 12be. That is, the first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b each have a shape in which the base end side bulges compared to the tip portions 12ae and 12be joined to the outer peripheral surface of the header.

[0061] As described above, in the example of FIG. 11, the first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b each have tapered portions 12at and 12bt. Thereby, the width Wh of each communication hole 60h of the header in the first direction D1 can be made larger than the width W of the heat transfer passage P1a of the heat transfer tube 10, that is, the distance between the first pipe side wall portion 10a and the second pipe side wall portion 10b.

[0062] Hereinafter, other configuration examples of the communication hole 60h of the header will be described. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a first modification of the communication hole 60h of the header in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 5. In the example of FIG. 5, one communication hole 60h was provided for each heat transfer tube 10 in each header (upper header 61, lower header 62). However, in the example of FIG. 12, two communication holes 60h are provided for each heat transfer tube 10 in each header. Specifically, two communication holes 60h are provided in the peripheral wall portion of the lower half of the upper header 61, behind and in front of the tube axis Ax of the heat transfer tube 10. Also, two communication holes 60h are provided in the peripheral wall portion of the upper half of the lower header 62, behind and in front of the tube axis Ax of the heat transfer tube 10. Note that three communication holes 60h may be provided for each heat transfer tube 10 in each header.

[0063] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a second modification of the communication hole 60h of the header in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 5. In the example of FIG. 5, the shape of the communication hole 60h was circular, but in the example of FIG. 13, the communication hole 60h is in the shape of a slit extending in the third direction D3. Thus, by forming the communication hole 60h in a shape extending in the third direction D3, the communication hole 60h is expanded in the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the heat transfer tube 10, and the bias of the refrigerant flowing from the header flow path P1h into the heat transfer flow path P1a of the heat transfer tube 10 in the third direction D3 is alleviated.

[0064] FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third modification of the communication hole 60h of the header in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 5. In the example of FIG. 5, the communication hole 60h was provided at the lower end of the upper header 61, but in the example of FIG. 14, in the circumferential direction of the upper header 61, the communication hole 60h is provided in a predetermined angular range so as to be near the liquid level height of the refrigerant in the upper header 61. Hereinafter, an example of the angular range of the communication hole 60h will be described. The heat exchanger 101 is defined as being arranged such that the tube axis direction of the heat transfer tube 10 is in the vertical direction.

[0065] In the following description, the angle Φ of the communication hole 60h is the angle viewed from the center Ch from the lower end on the vertical straight line passing through the center Ch of the header peripheral wall to the position of the communication hole 60h. That is, the circumferential position of the communication hole 60h is represented by the angle Φ when the vertically downward direction of the center Ch is 0 degrees. The communication hole 60h is provided such that the angle Φ of the communication hole 60h satisfies ΦDo < Φ < ΦDs. Here, ΦDo is the liquid level angle when it is assumed that the slip ratio of the gas and liquid of the refrigerant is 1 and the gas-liquid interface is flat and horizontal, and ΦDs is the liquid level angle of the refrigerant in the header tube. And when the flow path cross-sectional area of the header flow path P1h is defined as As [mm 2 , ΦDo is (-0.0408 × As + 74.124) × 0.62, and ΦDs is (-0.0408 × As + 74.124) × 1.2.

[0066] Incidentally, in the example of FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 101 is defined as including two headers (upper header 61 and lower header 62), with the upper header 61 penetrating the upper ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and the lower header 62 penetrating the lower ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. However, it may also have a configuration with only one header. Alternatively, both of the two headers may be arranged front and back so as to penetrate one end of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the tube axis direction. Further, the heat exchanger 101 may include three or more headers.

[0067] FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first modified example of the header in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 15, the upper header 161 is composed of three small-diameter headers 161a, 161b, and 161c that penetrate the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the first direction D1 and are arranged in the tube axis direction (second direction D2) and in a direction (third direction D3) orthogonal to the first direction D1 in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. Each of the small-diameter headers 161a, 161b, and 161c has a cylindrical shape, and its outer diameter W2 is smaller than the outer diameter W1 of the upper header 61 in FIG. 3. And in each heat transfer tube 10, three circular header insertion holes 10h1a, 10h1b, and 10h1c are formed into which the three small-diameter headers 161a, 161b, and 161c are inserted. Note that the number of the small-diameter headers 161a, 161b, and 161c arranged in the third direction D3 is not limited to three, and may be two or four or more.

[0068] In this way, by configuring the header (upper header 161) with the plurality of small-diameter headers 161a, 161b, and 161c, the opening diameters of the header insertion holes 10h1a, 10h1b, and 10h1c can be made smaller compared to the case of being configured with one header tube (upper header 61) as in FIG. 3. Therefore, the heat transfer area is enlarged in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the heat transfer tube 10, and the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger 101 is improved. Also, by configuring the header (upper header 161) with the plurality of small-diameter headers 161a, 161b, and 161c, the bias of the liquid is alleviated, the distribution becomes good, and the heat exchange performance is improved.

[0069] FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second modification of the header in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 16, the upper header is composed of a flat header 261 having a flat cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction D1. In FIG. 16, the cross-sectional shape of the flat header 261 is an oval shape. The flat header 261 penetrates a plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 such that the longitudinal direction of its cross-section coincides with the tube axis direction and the direction (third direction D3) perpendicular to the first direction D1 in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. In the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the heat transfer tube 10, the outer diameter W3 of the flat header 261 is smaller than the outer diameter W1 of the upper header 61 in FIG. 3.

[0070] Thus, by configuring the header (upper header) with the flat header 261, the opening width of the header insertion hole 10h1 in the second direction D2 can be made smaller compared to the case of being configured with one header tube (upper header 61) as in FIG. 3. Therefore, similar to the case of FIG. 15, also in the case of FIG. 16, the heat transfer area is enlarged in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the heat transfer tube 10, and the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger 101 is improved.

[0071] FIG. 17 is an external perspective view schematically showing a first modification of the flow path configuration in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 1. FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing the C-C section of the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 18. As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, by changing the arrangement of the two headers, a refrigerant flow path different from that in FIG. 1 can be configured.

[0072] In the heat exchanger 101 of FIGS. 17 to 19, two headers (first header 361 and second header 362) are provided in parallel in the front-rear direction at the lower part of the heat exchanger 101. In FIG. 17, the first header 361 provided with the first pipe a is arranged at the rear side, and the second header 362 provided with the second pipe b is arranged at the front side. Both the first pipe a and the second pipe b are provided at the lower left side of the heat exchanger 101. For example, at the upper end of each header (first header 361, second header 362), a plurality of communication holes 60h for communicating the internal space of the header and the internal space of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 are provided.

[0073] Also, inside each heat transfer tube 10, a first partition 30 is provided that extends in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2, vertical direction) of the heat transfer tube 10 and divides the internal space of the tube wall 11 of the heat transfer tube 10 in the short-hand direction (third direction D3, front-back direction). As shown in FIG. 19, the upper end 30e of the first partition 30 is provided below the upper opening end 10e of the heat transfer tube 10. Thereby, a return flow path P1at through which the refrigerant can flow in the front-back direction (third direction D3) is formed in the upper part of the internal space of the tube wall 11. That is, the heat transfer flow path P1a of the refrigerant in the heat transfer tube 10 has an inverted U shape including the return flow path P1at.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 18, the refrigerant flow path of the heat exchanger 101 is composed of a plurality of heat transfer flow paths P1a and two header flow paths P1h that are provided in parallel in the front-back direction at the lower part of the heat exchanger 101 and each of which intersects the plurality of heat transfer flow paths P1a.

[0075] In the heat exchanger 101 of FIGS. 17 to 19, the refrigerant first flows into a first header 361 that penetrates the lower rear side of a plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 18, the refrigerant that has flowed into the first header 361 flows through a header flow path P1h in the first header 361 from left to right. In this process, the refrigerant is distributed to the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 through a plurality of communication holes 60h provided in the first header 361 and flows into a heat transfer flow path P1a of each heat transfer tube 10. As shown in FIG. 19, in each heat transfer flow path P1a, the refrigerant flows upward along the rear side of the internal space of the tube wall 11, flows forward through a return flow path P1at at the upper part of the internal space of the tube wall 11, and then flows downward along the front side of the internal space of the tube wall 11. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the air flowing through the gap between the tube walls 11 of the heat transfer tubes 10 (i.e., the air flow path P2) and through the tube walls 11. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the refrigerant from the plurality of heat transfer flow paths P1a flows into a header flow path P1h in a second header 362 that penetrates the lower front side of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and merges in the header flow path P1h. The refrigerant that has merged in the header flow path P1h in the second header 362 flows out of the heat exchanger 101 from the left-side second pipe b to the outside (for example, the expansion valve 105 of the refrigerant circuit 100c shown in FIG. 2).

[0076] Note that the heat exchanger 101 shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 is an example of the heat exchanger 101 of the present disclosure, and the shape of the heat transfer flow path P1a, the presence, number, and arrangement of the first partitions 30 in the heat transfer tubes 10, and the arrangement of the first pipe a and the second pipe b in the heat exchanger 101 can be changed as appropriate.

[0077] FIG. 20 is an external perspective view schematically showing a second modified example of the flow path configuration in the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 1. In the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 20, the two headers (the first header 461 and the second header 462) are provided at the lower and upper portions in the center in the front-rear direction (the third direction D3) of the heat exchanger 101. In FIG. 20, the first header 461 provided with the first pipe a and the second pipe b is arranged on the lower side, and the second header 462 is arranged on the upper side. The first pipe a is provided at the left end of the first header 461, and the second pipe b is provided at the right end of the first header 461. Although not shown, a plurality of communication holes 60h are provided in the first header 461 and the second header 362, respectively.

[0078] The heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 20 includes a second partition 40 that divides the header flow path P1h in the arrangement direction (the first direction D1) of the heat transfer tubes 10. The second partition 40 blocks the progress of the refrigerant in the first direction D1 between adjacent heat transfer flow paths P1a. In the heat exchanger of FIG. 20, one second partition 40 is provided in the first header 461 where the first pipe a and the second pipe b are provided. Note that the second partition 40 may be provided in both the first header 461 and the second header 462, and the number of the second partitions 40 provided in each header may be appropriately determined according to a desired flow path configuration.

[0079] Although not shown, the refrigerant flow path of the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 20 is composed of a plurality of heat transfer flow paths P1a and two header flow paths P1h that are provided in parallel at the lower and upper portions in the center in the front-rear direction of the heat exchanger 101 and each intersect with the plurality of heat transfer flow paths P1a. However, the header flow path P1h of the first header 461 is divided by the second partition 40 into a left side portion where the first pipe a is provided and a right side portion where the second pipe b is provided. The heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 20 is not provided with the first partition 30 of FIGS. 17 to 19, and the internal space of the pipe wall 11 is a single I-shaped heat transfer flow path P1a.

[0080] In the heat exchanger 101 of FIG. 20, the refrigerant first flows into the left side portion of the header flow path P1h in the first header 461 that penetrates the lower portions of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10, and flows from left to right through this left side portion. In this process, the refrigerant is distributed and flows into the respective heat transfer flow paths P1a of some of the left-side heat transfer tubes 10 among the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. The refrigerant flowing into each heat transfer flow path P1a of some of the left-side heat transfer tubes 10 flows upward through the internal space of the tube wall 11, and then, after merging in the header flow path P1h of the second header 462 that penetrates the upper portions of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10, in the process of flowing rightward through the header flow path P1h, it is distributed and flows into the respective heat transfer flow paths P1a of some of the right-side heat transfer tubes 10 among the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and flows downward. When flowing upward through each heat transfer flow path P1a of some of the left-side heat transfer tubes 10, and when flowing downward through each heat transfer flow path P1a of some of the right-side heat transfer tubes 10, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the air flowing through the gap between the tube walls 11 of the heat transfer tubes 10 (i.e., the air flow path P2) via the tube wall 11. Thereafter, the refrigerant from each heat transfer flow path P1a of some of the right-side heat transfer tubes 10 flows into the right side portion of the header flow path P1h in the first header 461, merges in this right side portion, and flows out from the heat exchanger 101 to the outside (for example, the expansion valve 105 of the refrigerant circuit 100c shown in FIG. 2) through the second pipe b.

[0081] In the heat exchanger 101 of the present disclosure, the heat transfer tube 10 has both ends in the tube axis direction sealed. The sealing structure for sealing both ends in the tube axis direction of the heat transfer tube 10 may also have a function of defining the tube pitch Lp, such as the tube pitch defining portions 20 and 120 in FIGS. 2 and 7, or may be composed of a member different from the tube pitch defining portion 220, such as the tube sealing portion 70 in FIG. 8. When the sealing structure and the tube pitch defining portion are composed of different members, the sealing structure may be formed by crushing the end portion itself of the heat transfer tube 10 instead of a cap-shaped member that covers the opening end 10e of the heat transfer tube 10, such as the tube sealing portion 70 in FIG. 8.

[0082] As described above, the heat exchanger 101 according to Embodiment 1 has a plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 through which a fluid flows, with both ends in the tube axis direction (second direction D2) sealed and arranged in a first direction D1 intersecting the tube axis direction, a tube pitch defining portion 20 that defines the tube pitch Lp of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the first direction D1, and one or more headers (for example, upper header 61) that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the first direction D1. In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10, one or more header insertion holes 10h1 penetrating in the first direction D1 into which one or more headers are inserted are formed, and in each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes 60h that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 are formed.

[0083] In this way, in the heat exchanger 101, the tube pitch Lp of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the first direction D1 is defined by the tube pitch defining portion 20 separate from the header, and the header penetrates and connects the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the first direction D1. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide tube holes into which the ends of the heat transfer tubes 10 are inserted in the header like a conventional header, and no force for supporting the heat transfer tubes 10 is applied to the peripheral portion of the communication hole 60h of the header. As a result, the interval between the openings (communication holes 60h in the present disclosure) of the header can be made shorter than in the past, and the tube pitch Lp can be made smaller.

[0084] Also, peripheral convex portions 12 extending in the first direction D1 are provided at the peripheral portions of the one or more header insertion holes 10h1 in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. Thereby, the header (upper header 61) can be supported, and when assembling the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and the header, the header can be guided in the insertion direction.

[0085] Further, each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 has a first tube side wall portion 10a on one side in the first direction D1 and a second tube side wall portion 10b on the other side in the first direction D1. Each of the one or more header insertion holes 10h1 is composed of a first hole ha provided in the first tube side wall portion 10a of the heat transfer tube 10 in which the one or more header insertion holes 10h1 are formed and a second hole hb provided in the second tube side wall portion 10b. The peripheral edge convex portion 12 is formed at the peripheral edge of the first hole ha in the first tube side wall portion 10a, and includes a first peripheral edge convex portion 12a extending to one side in the first direction D1 and a second peripheral edge convex portion 12b formed at the peripheral edge of the second hole hb in the second tube side wall portion 10b and extending to the other side in the first direction D1. And in each of the one or more headers, each of the plurality of communication holes 60h is arranged between the tip of the first peripheral edge convex portion 12a of the communicating heat transfer tube 10 among the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and the tip of the second peripheral edge convex portion 12b in the first direction D1.

[0086] By providing the first peripheral edge convex portion 12a and the second peripheral edge convex portion 12b extending in opposite directions to each other on the heat transfer tube 10 in this way, even if the position of the communication hole 60h of the header is slightly displaced with respect to the heat transfer tube 10 in the first direction D1, the peripheral edge convex portion 12 can suppress refrigerant leakage.

[0087] Further, each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes has a first tube side wall portion 10a on one side in the first direction D1 and a second tube side wall portion 10b on the other side in the first direction D1. Each of the one or more header insertion holes 10h1 is composed of a first hole ha provided in the first tube side wall portion 10a of the heat transfer tube 10 in which the one or more header insertion holes 10h1 are formed and a second hole hb provided in the second tube side wall portion 10b. The peripheral edge convex portion 12 is formed at the peripheral edge of the first hole ha in the first tube side wall portion 10a, and includes a first peripheral edge convex portion 12a extending to one side in the first direction D1 and a second peripheral edge convex portion 12b formed at the peripheral edge of the second hole hb in the second tube side wall portion 10b and extending to the one side in the first direction D1. And in each of the one or more headers, each of the plurality of communication holes 60h is arranged between the tip of the first peripheral edge convex portion 12a of the communicating heat transfer tube 10 among the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and the outer surface of the second tube side wall portion 10b in the first direction D1.

[0088] By providing the first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b extending in the same direction (for example, the left side) on the first tube side wall portion 10a and the second tube side wall portion 10b of the heat transfer tube 10 in this way, even if the position of the communication hole 60h of the header is slightly shifted to one side (the left side) in the first direction with respect to the heat transfer tube 10, the refrigerant leakage can be suppressed by the first peripheral convex portion 12a.

[0089] Each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 has a first tube side wall portion 10a on one side in the first direction D1 and a second tube side wall portion 10b on the other side in the first direction D1. Each of the one or more header insertion holes 10h1 is composed of a first hole ha provided in the first tube side wall portion 10a and a second hole hb provided in the second tube side wall portion 10b of the heat transfer tube 10 in which the one or more header insertion holes 10h1 are formed. The peripheral convex portion 12 is formed at the peripheral edge of the first hole ha in the first tube side wall portion 10a and includes a first peripheral convex portion 12a extending to one side in the first direction D1 and a second peripheral convex portion 12b formed at the peripheral edge of the second hole hb in the second tube side wall portion 10b and extending to the other side in the first direction D1. The first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b each have inclined tapered portions 12at, 12bt on the base end side. And in the first direction D1, the width Wh of each of the plurality of communication holes 60h formed in each of the one or more headers is larger than the distance between the first tube side wall portion 10a and the second tube side wall portion 10b of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10.

[0090] By having the first peripheral convex portion 12a and the second peripheral convex portion 12b each have the tapered portions 12at, 12bt in this way, the width Wh of each communication hole 60h of the header in the first direction D1 can be made larger than the width W of the heat transfer flow path P1a in the first direction D1, and the distribution amount of the refrigerant to each heat transfer tube 10 can be ensured.

[0091] Also, in each of the headers having a value of 1 or more, a plurality of communication holes 60h are arranged such that two or more communication holes 60h are arranged at the same interval Lh as the tube pitch Lp in the first direction D1 with respect to each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. These two or more communication holes 60h are arranged in the direction (third direction D3) orthogonal to the first direction D1 in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes 10 among the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 that communicate with each other. With such a configuration, the bias of the refrigerant is alleviated in the longitudinal direction (third direction D3) of the cross section of the heat transfer tube 10.

[0092] Also, in each of the headers having a value of 1 or more, a plurality of communication holes 60h are arranged such that one communication hole 60h is arranged at the same interval Lh as the tube pitch Lp in the first direction D1 with respect to each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. And one communication hole 60h has a shape extending in the direction (third direction D3) orthogonal to the first direction D1 in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes 10 among the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 that communicate with each other. With such a configuration, the bias of the refrigerant is alleviated in the longitudinal direction (third direction D3) of the cross section of the heat transfer tube 10.

[0093] Also, one or more headers (for example, the upper header 161) include a plurality of small-diameter headers 161a, 161b, and 161c that penetrate the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the first direction D1 and are arranged in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes 10 and in the direction (third direction D3) orthogonal to the first direction D1.

[0094] In this way, by configuring the header (for example, the upper header 161) with the plurality of small-diameter headers 161a, 161b, and 161c, the opening diameters of the respective header insertion holes 10h1a, 10h1b, and 10h1c can be made small. Therefore, the heat transfer area is enlarged in the axial direction (second direction D2) of the heat transfer tube 10, and the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger 101 is improved. Also, the bias of the liquid is alleviated in the third direction D3, the distribution becomes good, and the heat exchange performance is improved.

[0095] In addition, one or more headers include a flat header 261 that penetrates a plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the first direction D1 and has a flat cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction D1. The flat header 261 penetrates the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 such that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section coincides with the tube axis direction and the direction (third direction D3) perpendicular to the first direction D1 in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10.

[0096] In this way, by configuring the header with the flat header 261, the opening width of the header insertion hole 10h1 in the tube axis direction (second direction D2) can be made small, and the effect of expanding the heat transfer area can be obtained. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where the header is composed of a plurality of small-diameter headers 161a, 161b, and 161c.

[0097] In addition, in a state where the heat exchanger 101 is arranged such that the tube axis direction is the vertical direction, each of the plurality of communication holes 60h in each of the one or more headers is defined as having an angle Φ when the vertical downward direction of the center Ch of the header peripheral wall is set to 0 degrees, a liquid level angle ΦDo when assuming that the slip ratio of the gas and liquid of the fluid is 1 and the gas-liquid interface is flat and horizontal, and a liquid level angle ΦDs of the fluid in the header peripheral wall. Φ is provided so as to satisfy ΦDo < Φ < ΦDs. Here, when the cross-sectional area of the flow path in the header peripheral wall is defined as As [mm 2 , ΦDo is (-0.0408 × As + 74.124) × 0.62, and ΦDs is (-0.0408 × As + 74.124) × 1.2.

[0098] As a result, the communication holes 60h are provided at positions near the liquid level on the header peripheral wall, the ratio of the liquid and gas distributed to each heat transfer tube 10 becomes substantially uniform, the distribution performance by the header is improved, and the performance of the heat exchanger 101 is improved.

[0099] Further, the tube pitch defining portions 20 and 120 are arranged to cover one end of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 in the tube axis direction, and include a plurality of locking portions (groove portions 22 and convex portions 122) that engage with one end of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10, and a connecting portion (connecting flat surface portion 21) that connects adjacent locking portions of the plurality of locking portions. The tube pitch defining portions 20 and 120 also seal one end of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10.

[0100] Thereby, the tube pitch defining portions 20 and 120 can define the tube pitch Lp and seal one end of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. Therefore, even when using the heat transfer tubes 10 with one end open in the tube axis direction, the configuration can be such that the heat transfer tubes 10 are sealed by the tube pitch defining portions 20 and 120, facilitating the manufacture of the heat exchanger 101.

[0101] Also, the tube pitch defining portion 220 is a protrusion protruding outward from the tube wall 11 of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. This eliminates the need to assemble the tube pitch defining portion 220 and the heat transfer tubes 10, facilitating the manufacture of the heat exchanger 101.

[0102] Moreover, the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a fluid circuit (refrigerant circuit 100c) in which a compressor 102, the above-described heat exchanger 101, an expansion valve 105, and an indoor heat exchanger 104 are connected via pipes and fluid circulates. Since the air conditioner 100 is equipped with a heat exchanger 101 having a smaller tube pitch Lp of the heat transfer tubes 10 and better performance than conventional ones, energy savings are expected through efficient operation.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0103] 10 heat transfer tube, 10a first tube side wall portion, 10b second tube side wall portion, 10c connecting wall portion, 10d connecting wall portion, 10e open end, 10h1 header insertion hole, 10h1a header insertion hole, 10h1b header insertion hole, 10h1c header insertion hole, 10h2 header insertion hole, 11 tube wall, 12 peripheral convex portion, 12a first peripheral convex portion, 12ae tip portion, 12at tapered portion, 12b second peripheral convex portion, 12be tip portion, 12bt tapered portion, 20 tube pitch defining portion, 21 connecting flat portion, 22 groove portion, 30 first partition, 30e upper end, 40 second partition, 50 heat transfer fin, 60h communication hole, 61 upper header, 62 lower header, 70 tube sealing portion, 100 air conditioner, 100A outdoor unit, 100B indoor unit, 100c refrigerant circuit, 101 heat exchanger, 102 compressor, 103 four-way valve, 104 indoor heat exchanger, 105 expansion valve, 106 indoor fan, 107 outdoor fan, 120 tube pitch defining portion, 122 convex portion, 161 upper header, 161a small-diameter header, 161b small-diameter header, 161c small-diameter header, 210 heat transfer tube, 220 tube pitch defining portion, 221 first protrusion, 222 second protrusion, 261 flat-shaped header, 361 first header, 362 second header, 461 first header, 462 second header, Ax tube axis, Ch center, D1 first direction, D2 second direction, D3 third direction, Lp tube pitch, Lr pitch, Lr1 pitch, P1a heat transfer flow path, P1at folded-back flow path, P1h header flow path, P2 flow path, W1 outer diameter, W2 outer diameter, W3 outer diameter, a first pipe, b second pipe, ha first hole, hb second hole, Φ angle.

Claims

1. A plurality of heat transfer tubes through which fluid circulates internally, both ends in the tube axis direction being sealed, and arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction; A tube pitch defining portion that defines the tube pitch of the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction; One or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction, and comprising: In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which the one or more headers are inserted are formed; In each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed; Each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes has a first tube side wall portion on one side in the first direction and a second tube side wall portion on the other side in the first direction; Each of the one or more header insertion holes is composed of a first hole provided in the first tube side wall portion of the heat transfer tube in which the one or more header insertion holes are formed and a second hole provided in the second tube side wall portion; At the peripheral edge of each of the one or more header insertion holes in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, a peripheral convex portion extending in the first direction is provided; The peripheral convex portion is formed at the peripheral edge of the first hole in the first tube side wall portion and is composed of a first peripheral convex portion extending to the one side in the first direction, and is formed at the peripheral edge of the second hole in the second tube side wall portion and a second peripheral convex portion extending to the one side in the first direction; In each of the one or more headers, each of the plurality of communication holes is arranged in the first direction between the tip of the first peripheral convex portion of the heat transfer tubes that communicate among the plurality of heat transfer tubes and the outer surface of the second tube side wall portion; The outer peripheral surface of the one or more headers is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the one or more header insertion holes of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and in the first direction, has a portion exposed from the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes outside the space between the tip of the first peripheral convex portion of the heat transfer tubes that communicate among the plurality of heat transfer tubes and the outer surface of the second tube side wall portion; Heat exchanger. **Claim 2**: A plurality of heat transfer tubes through which a fluid flows internally, both ends in the tube axis direction being sealed, and arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction, a tube pitch defining portion that defines the tube pitch of the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction, and one or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction. In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which the one or more headers are inserted are formed, In each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed, Each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes has a first tube side wall portion on one side in the first direction and a second tube side wall portion on the other side in the first direction, Each of the one or more header insertion holes is composed of a first hole provided in the first tube side wall portion of the heat transfer tube in which the one or more header insertion holes are formed and a second hole provided in the second tube side wall portion, At the peripheral edge of each of the one or more header insertion holes in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, a peripheral convex portion extending in the first direction is provided, The peripheral convex portion is composed of a first peripheral convex portion formed at the peripheral edge of the first hole in the first tube side wall portion and extending to the one side in the first direction, and a second peripheral convex portion formed at the peripheral edge of the second hole in the second tube side wall portion and extending to the other side in the first direction, Each of the first peripheral convex portion and the second peripheral convex portion has an inclined taper portion on the base end side, In the first direction, the width of each of the plurality of communication holes formed in each of the one or more headers is larger than the distance between the first tube side wall portion and the second tube side wall portion of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes A heat exchanger. **Claim 3**: A plurality of heat transfer tubes through which a fluid flows internally, both ends in the tube axis direction being sealed, and arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction, a tube pitch defining portion that defines the tube pitch of the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction, one or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which the one or more headers are inserted are formed. In each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed. The one or more headers include a flat header that penetrates the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction and has a flat cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction. The flat header penetrates the plurality of heat transfer tubes such that the longitudinal direction of the cross section coincides with the tube axis direction and the direction perpendicular to the first direction in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. Heat exchanger.

4. A plurality of heat transfer tubes through which fluid flows internally, both ends in the tube axis direction being sealed, and arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction, A tube pitch defining portion that defines the tube pitch in the first direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which the one or more headers are inserted are formed. In each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed. In a state where the heat exchanger is arranged such that the tube axis direction is the vertical direction, each of the plurality of communication holes in each of the one or more headers has an angle Φ when the vertically downward direction of the center of the header peripheral wall is 0 degrees, a liquid level angle ΦDo when assuming that the slip ratio of the gas and liquid of the fluid is 1 and the gas-liquid interface is flat and horizontal, and a liquid level angle ΦDs of the fluid in the header peripheral wall. When defined, the Φ is provided so as to satisfy ΦDo < Φ < ΦDs, and the cross-sectional area of the flow path in the header peripheral wall is As [mm ２When defined as ], ΦDo is (−0.0408 × As + 74.124) × 0.62, and ΦDs is (−0.0408 × As + 74.124) × 1.2 Heat exchanger.

5. A plurality of heat transfer tubes through which a fluid flows internally, both ends in the tube axis direction being sealed, and arranged in a first direction intersecting the tube axis direction; A tube pitch defining portion that defines the tube pitch in the first direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes; One or more headers that penetrate and connect the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction, and In each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, one or more header insertion holes penetrating in the first direction into which the one or more headers are inserted are formed, In each of the one or more headers, a plurality of communication holes that communicate the inside thereof with the inside of the plurality of heat transfer tubes are formed, The tube pitch defining portion is disposed so as to cover one end of the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the tube axis direction, and has a plurality of locking portions that engage with each of the one ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and a connecting portion that connects adjacent locking portions of the plurality of locking portions, and seals each of the one ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes Heat exchanger.

6. At each peripheral edge of each of the one or more header insertion holes in each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, a peripheral convex portion extending in the first direction is provided. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. Each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes has a first tube side wall portion on one side in the first direction and a second tube side wall portion on the other side in the first direction, Each of the one or more header insertion holes is composed of a first hole provided in the first tube side wall portion and a second hole provided in the second tube side wall portion in the heat transfer tube in which the one or more header insertion holes are formed, The peripheral convex portion is composed of a first peripheral convex portion formed at the peripheral edge of the first hole in the first tube side wall portion and extending to one side in the first direction, and a second peripheral convex portion formed at the peripheral edge of the second hole in the second tube side wall portion and extending to the other side in the first direction. In each of the one or more headers, each of the plurality of communication holes is disposed between the tip of the first peripheral convex portion and the tip of the second peripheral convex portion of the heat transfer tubes communicating with each other among the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction. The heat exchanger according to claim 6.

8. In each of the one or more headers, the plurality of communication holes are arranged such that two or more communication holes are disposed at the same interval as the tube pitch in the first direction with respect to each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. The two or more communication holes are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes among the plurality of heat transfer tubes that communicate with each other. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. In each of the one or more headers, the plurality of communication holes are arranged such that one communication hole is disposed at the same interval as the tube pitch in the first direction with respect to each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. The one communication hole has a shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes among the plurality of heat transfer tubes that communicate with each other. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. The one or more headers include a plurality of small-diameter headers that penetrate the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction and are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and in the axial direction of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

11. The tube pitch defining portion is a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the tube wall of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Claim 12 A compressor, a heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger, which are connected via pipes, and a fluid circuit through which the fluid circulates Air conditioner

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