Heat exchanger plate and heat exchanger

Abstract

This heat exchanger plate includes a plate main body having a first surface and a second surface, and a joint portion, wherein the plate main body includes: a pair of first recessed / protruding portions that protrude toward the first surface side, are arranged on a diagonal of the plate main body, and have a first through-hole which penetrates in the thickness direction formed therein; a pair of second recessed / protruding portions that protrude toward the second surface side, are arranged on another diagonal of the plate main body, and have a second through-hole which penetrates in the thickness direction formed therein; a first rib that is provided adjacent to the first recessed / protruding portion and the second recessed / protruding portion that are adjacent to one another on one side, and that protrudes toward the first surface side; and a second rib that is provided adjacent to the first recessed / protruding portion and the second recessed / protruding portion that are adjacent to one another on another side, and that protrudes toward the second surface side.

Description

Heat exchanger plate and heat exchanger

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-137383, filed on August 25, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] One type of heat exchanger known is a plate-type heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1 below. This type of heat exchanger has a pair of plates stacked alternately at a distance in the thickness direction. Each plate has a pair of through-holes through which a low-temperature fluid and a high-temperature fluid are supplied and discharged. The low-temperature fluid that flows into a flow path between the plates through the through-holes can exchange heat with a high-temperature fluid flowing in another flow path adjacent to the plate in the thickness direction.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-089223

[0004] However, the heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1 does not take measures to ensure that the fluid introduced through the through holes is uniformly distributed within the flow paths between the plates, which results in a problem of limited heat exchange efficiency.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a heat exchanger plate and a heat exchanger with improved heat exchange efficiency.

[0006] A heat exchanger plate according to the present disclosure is a heat exchanger plate having a plate-shaped plate body having a first surface facing one side in a thickness direction and a second surface facing the other side, and joints rising from edges of the plate body in the thickness direction, wherein the plate body has: a pair of first uneven portions that protrude toward the first surface side and are recessed from the second surface side toward the first surface side, are arranged on diagonal lines of the plate body, and have first through holes penetrating in the thickness direction; a pair of second uneven portions that protrude toward the second surface side and are recessed from the first surface side toward the second surface side, are arranged on the other diagonal line of the plate body, and have second through holes penetrating in the thickness direction; a first rib that is provided close to the first uneven portion and the second uneven portion on one side that are adjacent to each other, and protrudes toward the first surface side and is recessed from the second surface side toward the first surface side; and a second rib that is provided close to the first uneven portion and the second uneven portion on the other side that are adjacent to each other, and protrudes toward the second surface side and is recessed from the first surface side toward the second surface side.

[0007] The heat exchanger according to the present disclosure comprises a heat exchanger plate as the first plate described above, a second plate stacked on the first plate from the first surface side, having a flat closed surface abutting the pair of first uneven portions on the first surface side, and further having a third through hole and a fourth through hole formed at positions corresponding to the first through hole and the second through hole, respectively, and fins provided between the first uneven portions and the second uneven portions in the longitudinal direction of the plate body.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger plate and a heat exchanger with further improved heat exchange efficiency.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a main part showing a modified example of a heat exchanger plate (first plate) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] (Configuration of Heat Exchanger 1) Hereinafter, a heat exchanger 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 . The heat exchanger 1 is suitably applied to transportation machinery such as vehicles and aircraft. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the heat exchanger 1 includes a plurality of first plates 10 (heat exchanger plates 90) and a plurality of second plates 20 stacked alternately, a high-temperature fluid supply unit 30, a high-temperature fluid discharge unit 40, a low-temperature fluid supply unit 50, a low-temperature fluid discharge unit 60, and fins 70. A high-temperature fluid flows through a flow path F formed between the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 from the high-temperature fluid supply unit 30 toward the high-temperature fluid discharge unit 40. A low-temperature fluid flows through the flow path F from the low-temperature fluid supply unit 50 toward the low-temperature fluid discharge unit 60. During this time, heat exchange occurs between the high-temperature fluid and the low-temperature fluid.

[0011] (Configuration of first plate 10) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first plate 10 has a plate body 11, a pair of first uneven portions 12, a pair of second uneven portions 13, a first rib 14, a second rib 15, and a joint portion 16.

[0012] The plate body 11 has a rectangular plate shape. The surface of the plate body 11 facing one side in the thickness direction is a first surface 17a, and the surface facing the other side is a second surface 17b. Of the two diagonal lines connecting the four corners of the plate body 11, a first uneven portion 12 is provided on each of the two diagonal lines. The first uneven portion 12 protrudes toward the first surface 17a and is recessed from the second surface 17b toward the first surface 17a. In a cross-sectional view, the top surface of the first uneven portion 12 is flat and parallel to the plate body 11. A first through hole 18 is formed in the top surface of the first uneven portion 12, penetrating in the thickness direction. The first through hole 18 is circular, oval, or rectangular.

[0013] Of the two diagonals connecting the four corners of the plate body 11, a second uneven portion 13 is provided on the other diagonal. The second uneven portion 13 protrudes toward the second surface 17b and is recessed from the first surface 17a toward the second surface 17b. In a cross-sectional view, the top surface of the second uneven portion 13 is flat and parallel to the plate body 11. A second through hole 19 is formed in the top surface of the second uneven portion 13, penetrating in the thickness direction. The second through hole 19 is circular, oval, or rectangular.

[0014] On both sides of the plate body 11 in the longitudinal direction, one first uneven portion 12 and one second uneven portion 13 are adjacent to each other. The boundary between adjacent first uneven portions 12 and second uneven portions 13 is connected by a single continuous surface. In other words, no step or the like is formed between these first uneven portions 12 and second uneven portions 13.

[0015] The first rib 14 and the second rib 15 are provided adjacent to the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13, which are adjacent on both sides of the plate body 11 in the longitudinal direction. The first rib 14 is provided between the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13 on one side. The first rib 14 protrudes toward the first surface 17a and is recessed from the second surface 17b toward the first surface 17a. When viewed from the first surface 17a side, the first rib 14 extends toward the second uneven portion 13 as it moves from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11. A plurality of first ribs 14 are provided at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first rib 14. Both ends of the first rib 14 in the longitudinal direction are arc-shaped.

[0016] The second rib 15 is provided between the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13 on the other side. The second rib 15 protrudes toward the second surface 17b and is recessed from the first surface 17a toward the second surface 17b. When viewed from the second surface 17b side, the second rib 15 extends toward the second uneven portion 13 as it moves from the other side to the one side in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11. A plurality of second ribs 15 are provided at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second ribs 15. Both ends of the second rib 15 in the longitudinal direction are arc-shaped.

[0017] A joint 16 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the plate body 11. The joint 16 rises in the thickness direction from the edge of the plate body 11. The joint 16 extends so as to widen outward as it moves away from the plate body 11 in the thickness direction.

[0018] (Configuration of Second Plate 20) As shown in FIG. 2 or 3 , the second plate 20 is stacked on the first plate 10 from the first surface 17a side. The second plate 20 has a second plate main body 21 and a joint portion 16 similar to those of the first plate 10. Furthermore, a third through hole 22 and a fourth through hole 23 are formed in the second plate 20 at positions corresponding to the first through hole 18 and the second through hole 19, respectively. Therefore, when viewed in the thickness direction, the first through hole 18 and the third through hole 22 are open coaxially, and the second through hole 19 and the fourth through hole 23 are open coaxially. On the other hand, unlike the first plate 10, the second plate 20 does not have the first uneven portion 12 or the second uneven portion 13 formed therein. In other words, the second plate main body 21 is flat.

[0019] When the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 are stacked, the surface of the second plate 20 facing the first plate 10 is a closed surface 24a. The surface facing the opposite side of the closed surface 24a is a top surface 24b. The closed surface 24a is in surface contact with the top surface of the first uneven portion 12 of the first plate 10. Although not shown in detail, a brazing material 80 is interposed between the closed surface 24a and the top surface. The second surface 17b side of the second uneven portion 13 of the first plate 10 is in surface contact with the top surface 24b of the second plate 20. A brazing material 80 is interposed between the top surface 24b and the second surface 17b.

[0020] Furthermore, a brazing material 80 is interposed between the joint portion 16 of the first plate 10 and the joint portion 16 of the second plate 20 by brazing. These brazing materials 80 ensure liquid-tightness between the first plate 10 and the second plate 20. The space formed between the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 is a flow path F through which a fluid flows. As shown in FIG. 1 , fins 70 for promoting heat exchange are provided within the flow path F. As an example, the fins 70 extend in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11, and a plurality of fins 70 are provided at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A clearance C extending in the longitudinal direction is formed between the end of the fin 70 and the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13 in the longitudinal direction. This clearance C is provided to allow the fluid to spread throughout the entire area of ​​the plate body 11.

[0021] The first plates 10 and second plates 20 described above are stacked alternately in the thickness direction. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , four first plates 10 and four second plates 20 are stacked. Of the flow paths F formed between them, two flow paths F carry high-temperature fluid, and the remaining two flow paths F carry low-temperature fluid. More specifically, the high-temperature fluid supplied from the high-temperature fluid supply unit 30 flows into the flow paths F through a space formed on the first surface 17a side of the second uneven portion 13. After flowing between the fins 70 in the flow paths F, the fluid flows into the space formed by the second uneven portion 13 on the opposite side in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11. The high-temperature fluid is then discharged to the outside through the high-temperature fluid discharge unit 40.

[0022] On the other hand, the low-temperature fluid supplied from the low-temperature fluid supply unit 50 flows into the flow path F through a space formed on the second surface 17b side of the first uneven portion 12. After flowing between the fins 70 in the flow path F, the fluid flows into a space formed by the first uneven portion 12 on the opposite side in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11. The low-temperature fluid is then discharged to the outside through the low-temperature fluid discharge unit 60. As the low-temperature fluid and the high-temperature fluid flow adjacent to each other in the thickness direction while flowing through each flow path F, heat exchange occurs between these fluids.

[0023] (Effects) In conventional devices of this type, no measures were taken to ensure that the fluid introduced through the through holes was uniformly distributed within the flow paths F between the plates. This resulted in a problem of limited heat exchange efficiency. To solve this problem, the present embodiment employs the above-described configurations.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the first rib 14 protruding toward the first surface 17a guides the fluid flow toward the second uneven portion 13 on one side of the first surface 17a, allowing the fluid to flow smoothly toward the second through-hole 19. Furthermore, the second rib 15 is recessed from the first surface 17a toward the second surface 17b. Therefore, the second rib 15 does not impede the fluid flow when the fluid flows out of the second uneven portion 13 on the other side of the first surface 17a. This allows the fluid to be distributed evenly throughout the entire plate body 11. Therefore, when the heat exchanger plate 90 is used in the heat exchanger 1, the heat exchange efficiency can be significantly improved. Furthermore, the first rib 14 and the second rib 15 abut against adjacent plates in the thickness direction, improving the pressure resistance of the heat exchanger 1. As a result, the heat exchanger 1 can be stably operated even when the fluid pressure is high.

[0025] According to the above configuration, the boundary between the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13 is connected by a single continuous surface. In other words, no flat surface on which fluid pressure is applied is formed between the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13. This allows the heat exchanger 1 to stably resist fluid pressure, further improving the pressure resistance of the heat exchanger 1.

[0026] According to the above configuration, since a plurality of first ribs 14 and second ribs 15 are provided at intervals, the flow of fluid can be guided more smoothly. As a result, the fluid that has spread throughout the entire area of ​​the plate body 11 can be smoothly collected toward the second through holes 19. This makes it possible to further improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 1. In addition, the plurality of first ribs 14 and second ribs 15 makes it possible to further improve the pressure resistance performance.

[0027] According to the above configuration, since the longitudinal ends of the first rib 14 and the second rib 15 are arc-shaped, it is possible to reduce flow resistance when the fluid flows toward the first rib 14 and the second rib 15. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a smoother flow of the fluid on the plate body 11. As a result, it is possible to further improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 1.

[0028] According to the above configuration, the stacked first plates 10 and second plates 20 can supply larger amounts of high-temperature fluid and low-temperature fluid to the heat exchanger 1. This allows the capacity of the heat exchanger 1 to be expanded. Meanwhile, since the dimensions are smaller than those of conventional fin-and-tube devices, the heat exchanger 1 can be easily installed in objects with many space constraints, such as transportation machinery such as vehicles and aircraft. This further improves the versatility of the heat exchanger 1.

[0029] According to the above configuration, the first uneven portion 12 of the first plate 10 and the closed surface 24a of the second plate 20 are in surface contact with each other. Therefore, sealing between these surfaces can be ensured simply by brazing or diffusion bonding. This eliminates the need for other sealing members, thereby reducing the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the device.

[0030] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure are also included.

[0031] As shown as a modified example in FIG. 4 , the first uneven portions 12 on the first surface 17a may have a smaller longitudinal dimension of the plate body 11 than the adjacent second uneven portions 13. Furthermore, multiple second ribs 15 are provided in regions adjacent to the first uneven portions 12 in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11. With this configuration, the longitudinal dimension of the first uneven portions 12 is smaller than the dimension of the second uneven portions 13. Therefore, when fluid flows through the second through holes 19 of the second uneven portions 13, the fluid can be diffused into the space formed by the contracted first uneven portions 12. This allows the fluid to be distributed more evenly throughout the entire plate body 11. This further improves the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 1.

[0032] Furthermore, the number of first ribs 14 and second ribs 15 is not limited to the above embodiment and can be changed as appropriate depending on the design and specifications. Regardless of the number, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0033] Similarly, the number of stacked first plates 10 and second plates 20 is not limited to the above embodiment and may be changed as appropriate depending on the design and specifications. In any case, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0034] Furthermore, the number and shape of the fins 70 are not limited to those in the above embodiment. Furthermore, pins can be used instead of the fins 70.

[0035] In addition to brazing, diffusion bonding can also be used to bond the first plate 10 and the second plate 20. In this case, good sealing properties can also be ensured.

[0036] <Additional Notes> The heat exchanger plate 90 and the heat exchanger 1 described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0037] (1) A heat exchanger plate 90 according to a first aspect includes a plate-shaped plate body 11 having a first surface 17a facing one side in a thickness direction and a second surface 17b facing the other side, and a joint portion 16 rising from an edge of the plate body 11 in the thickness direction, wherein the plate body 11 has a pair of first concave-convex portions 12 that protrude toward the first surface 17a and are recessed from the second surface 17b toward the first surface 17a, and are arranged on a diagonal line of the plate body 11 and have first through holes 18 penetrating in the thickness direction, and a pair of first concave-convex portions 12 that protrude toward the second surface 17b and are recessed toward the first surface 17a. a pair of second uneven portions 13 that are recessed from the first surface 17a toward the second surface 17b, are arranged on the other diagonal of the plate body 11, and have second through holes 19 that penetrate in the thickness direction; a first rib 14 that is provided close to the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13 on one side that are adjacent to each other, and protrudes toward the first surface 17a and is recessed from the second surface 17b toward the first surface 17a; and a second rib 15 that is provided close to the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13 on the other side that are adjacent to each other, and protrudes toward the second surface 17b and is recessed from the first surface 17a toward the second surface 17b.

[0038] According to the above configuration, since the first rib 14 protruding toward the first surface 17a is provided, when the fluid flows toward the second uneven portion 13 on one side of the first surface 17a, the flow of the fluid is guided by the first rib 14, and the fluid flows smoothly toward the second through-hole 19. Furthermore, since the second rib 15 is recessed from the first surface 17a toward the second surface 17b, the second rib 15 does not obstruct the flow when the fluid flows out from the second uneven portion 13 on the other side of the first surface 17a. This makes it possible to distribute the fluid evenly throughout the entire area of ​​the plate body 11.

[0039] (2) The heat exchanger plate 90 according to the second aspect is the heat exchanger plate 90 of (1), in which the boundaries between the adjacent first uneven portion 12 and the adjacent second uneven portion 13 are connected by a single continuous surface.

[0040] According to the above configuration, the boundary between the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13 is connected by a single continuous surface. In other words, no flat surface on which fluid pressure is applied is formed between the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13. This allows the heat exchanger 1 to stably resist fluid pressure, further improving the pressure resistance of the heat exchanger 1.

[0041] (3) A heat exchanger plate 90 according to a third aspect is the heat exchanger plate 90 of (1) or (2), wherein the first ribs 14, when viewed from the first surface 17a side, extend toward the second uneven portion 13 as they move from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11, and are provided in plurality at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first ribs 14; and the second ribs 15, when viewed from the second surface 17b side, extend toward the second uneven portion 13 as they move from the other side to one side in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11, and are provided in plurality at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second ribs 15.

[0042] According to the above configuration, since a plurality of first ribs 14 and a plurality of second ribs 15 are provided at intervals, the flow of fluid can be guided more smoothly.

[0043] (4) The heat exchanger plate 90 according to the fourth aspect is the heat exchanger plate 90 according to any one of the aspects (1) to (3), and the longitudinal ends of the first rib 14 and the second rib 15 are arc-shaped when viewed from the thickness direction.

[0044] According to the above configuration, the longitudinal ends of the first rib 14 and the second rib 15 are arc-shaped, so that the flow resistance when the fluid flows toward the first rib 14 and the second rib 15 can be kept small.

[0045] (5) A heat exchanger plate 90 according to a fifth aspect is a heat exchanger plate 90 according to any one of aspects (1) to (4), wherein the first uneven portion 12 on the first surface 17a has a smaller dimension in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11 than the adjacent second uneven portion 13, and the second rib 15 is provided in an area adjacent to the first uneven portion 12 in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11.

[0046] According to the above configuration, the dimension of the first uneven portion 12 in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11 is smaller than the dimension of the second uneven portion 13, so when a fluid flows through the second through hole 19 of the second uneven portion 13, the fluid can be diffused into the space formed by the first uneven portion 12 being reduced in size.

[0047] (6) A heat exchanger 1 according to a sixth aspect comprises a heat exchanger plate 90 according to any one of aspects (1) to (5), a second plate 20 stacked on the first plate 10 from the first surface 17a side, having a flat blocking surface 24a that abuts against a pair of first uneven portions 12 on the first surface 17a side, and further having a third through hole 22 and a fourth through hole 23 formed at positions corresponding to the first through hole 18 and the second through hole 19, respectively, and a fin 70 provided between the first uneven portion 12 and the second uneven portion 13 in the longitudinal direction of the plate body 11.

[0048] According to the above configuration, the fluid that flows in from the second through holes 19 of the second uneven portion 13 is distributed evenly between the fins 70. This makes it possible to eliminate areas in the plate where the flow velocity is low and to make the flow velocity uniform, thereby improving the heat transfer coefficient and significantly improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 1.

[0049] (7) A heat exchanger plate 90 according to a seventh aspect is the heat exchanger 1 of (6), in which the first plates 10 and the second plates 20 are stacked alternately in the thickness direction.

[0050] According to the above configuration, the stacked first plates 10 and second plates 20 can supply a larger amount of high-temperature fluid and low-temperature fluid to the heat exchanger 1 .

[0051] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger plate and a heat exchanger with further improved heat exchange efficiency.

[0052] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Heat exchanger 10...First plate 11...Plate body 12...First uneven portion 13...Second uneven portion 14...First rib 15...Second rib 16...Joint portion 17a...First surface 17b...Second surface 18...First through hole 19...Second through hole 20...Second plate 21...Second plate body 22...Third through hole 23...Fourth through hole 24a...Blocked surface 24b...Top surface 30...High temperature fluid supply portion 40...High temperature fluid discharge portion 50...Low temperature fluid supply portion 60...Low temperature fluid discharge portion 70...Fin 80...Brazing material 90...Heat exchanger plate C...Clearance F...Flow path

Claims

1. A heat exchanger plate having a plate-shaped plate body having a first surface facing one side in a thickness direction and a second surface facing the other side, and a joint portion rising from an edge of the plate body in the thickness direction, wherein the plate body comprises: a pair of first uneven portions protruding toward the first surface side and recessed from the second surface side toward the first surface side, disposed on a diagonal line of the plate body, and having a first through hole penetrating in the thickness direction; a pair of second uneven portions protruding toward the second surface side and recessed from the first surface side toward the second surface side, disposed on the other diagonal line of the plate body, and having a second through hole penetrating in the thickness direction; a first rib provided adjacent to the first uneven portion and the second uneven portion on one side adjacent to each other, protruding toward the first surface side and recessed from the second surface side toward the first surface side; a second rib provided adjacent to the other of the first and second uneven portions on the adjacent side, protruding toward the second surface and recessed from the first surface toward the second surface.

2. A heat exchanger plate according to claim 1, wherein the boundaries between adjacent first and second uneven portions are connected by a single continuous surface.

3. A heat exchanger plate as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first rib, when viewed from the first surface side, extends toward the second uneven portion as it moves from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction of the plate body, and is provided in a plurality of spaces apart in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first rib, and the second rib, when viewed from the second surface side, extends toward the second uneven portion as it moves from the other side to one side in the longitudinal direction of the plate body, and is provided in a plurality of spaces apart in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second rib.

4. A heat exchanger plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal ends of the first rib and the second rib are arc-shaped when viewed in the thickness direction.

5. A heat exchanger plate as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first uneven portion on the first surface side has a smaller dimension in the longitudinal direction of the plate body than the adjacent second uneven portions, and the second rib is provided in an area adjacent to the first uneven portion in the longitudinal direction of the plate body.

6. A heat exchanger comprising: a heat exchanger plate as a first plate as described in claim 1 or 2; a second plate stacked on said first plate from the first surface side, having a flat closed surface abutting a pair of said first uneven portions on said first surface side, and further having a third through hole and a fourth through hole formed at positions corresponding to said first through hole and said second through hole, respectively; and fins provided between said first uneven portions and said second uneven portions in the longitudinal direction of said plate body.

7. A heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein the first plates and the second plates are stacked alternately in the thickness direction.

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