Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger according to one embodiment comprises a heat exchange part which is provided with a plurality of flat tubes and a plurality of fins and a support part which supports the heat exchange part. The heat exchanger is housed in a housing comprising sheet metal. The flat tubes are arranged so as to be spaced in a first direction along a vertical line, and extend in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction. The fins are arranged so as to be spaced in the second direction, and extend in the first direction. The support part is provided with a base which extends in the first direction and a plurality of protruding parts which protrude from the base in a third direction that is orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction. The plurality of protruding parts are each inserted between flat tubes which are adjacent to each other in the first direction, and each make contact with faces of those flat tubes which face upward or downward in the first direction. The base and / or an end of each protruding part away from the base is fixed to the housing.

Description

heat exchanger

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a heat exchanger.

[0002] Refrigeration cycle devices, such as air conditioners, are equipped with heat exchangers that exchange heat between a refrigerant and air. A parallel-flow heat exchanger, one example of such a heat exchanger, primarily comprises a pair of headers that stand vertically at a distance from each other, a plurality of flat tubes that are horizontally suspended between the headers, and a plurality of fins that are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the direction in which the flat tubes are suspended. The flat tubes are arranged at intervals in the height direction of the header. The fins are inserted into a plurality of slits formed in the header that correspond to the flat tubes that are arranged in the height direction of the header, thermally connecting adjacent flat tubes.

[0003] The header, flat tubes, and fins are made of various materials depending on the application, capacity, etc. One example of such a material is aluminum. Aluminum is lighter and has higher thermal conductivity than iron or copper, so using aluminum for the header, flat tubes, and fins makes it possible to reduce the weight of the heat exchanger and increase its heat exchange efficiency.

[0004] On the other hand, when a heat exchanger is housed and fixed in a housing made of sheet metal such as iron, the aluminum header, flat tubes, and fins may come into contact with the housing, causing electrolytic corrosion and potentially damaging the heat exchanger. Therefore, when using an aluminum heat exchanger, measures are required to prevent electrolytic corrosion in the heat exchanger in order to prevent damage due to electrolytic corrosion.

[0005] Patent No. 6820750 Patent No. 5403085

[0006] The present invention has been made in light of this, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger that can appropriately and easily prevent electrolytic corrosion from occurring between the heat exchanger and the housing.

[0007] According to an embodiment, a heat exchanger includes a heat exchange unit including a plurality of flat tubes and a plurality of fins, and a support unit that supports the heat exchange unit, and is housed in a housing made of sheet metal. The flat tubes are arranged at intervals in a first direction along a vertical line and extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The fins are arranged at intervals in the second direction and extend in the first direction. The support unit has a base extending in the first direction and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the base in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. Each of the plurality of protrusions is inserted between adjacent flat tubes in the first direction and contacts a surface of the flat tube facing upward or downward in the first direction. At least one of the protrusions and the base is fixed to the housing.

[0008] 5 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an outdoor unit including an outdoor heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a support part is inserted into a predetermined position of a heat exchange part according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a support part according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a state in which a support part supporting a heat exchange part is fixed to a housing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a state in which a support part supporting a heat exchange part is fixed to a housing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of a support part according to a second embodiment, taken from the arrow direction, at a position equivalent to the position indicated by arrow A5 in FIG. 5. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of a support part according to a third embodiment, taken from the arrow direction, at a position equivalent to the position indicated by arrow A5 in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a state in which a support part supporting a heat exchange part is fixed to a housing according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a state in which a support part supporting a heat exchange part is fixed to a housing according to a fifth embodiment. Fig. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a support part is inserted into a predetermined position of a heat exchange part in a sixth embodiment. Fig. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a support part according to a seventh embodiment. Fig. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a support part according to an eighth embodiment. Fig. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a support part according to a ninth embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14 . (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is, for example, an air conditioner capable of either or both of cooling and heating operation, and includes, as main components, a compressor 2, a four-way valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an expansion valve 5, an indoor heat exchanger 6, a refrigerant flow path 7 connecting these components, an outdoor blower 8, and an indoor blower 9. Of these components, for example, the compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the expansion valve 5, and the outdoor blower 8 constitute an outdoor unit 11 of the air conditioner. In contrast, for example, the indoor heat exchanger 6 and the indoor blower 9 constitute an indoor unit 12 of the air conditioner.

[0010] The compressor 2 includes, for example, a compressor main body 2a and an accumulator 2b. The compressor main body 2a compresses the gas refrigerant supplied from the accumulator 2b and discharges the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant into the refrigerant flow path 7. The accumulator 2b separates the refrigerant returned via the refrigerant flow path 7 into gas and liquid, and supplies the gas refrigerant to the compressor main body 2a.

[0011] The four-way valve 3 switches between operation modes such as cooling operation and heating operation by changing the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path 7. In the example shown in Fig. 1 , the solid arrows indicate the flow of refrigerant during cooling operation, and the dashed arrows indicate the flow of refrigerant during heating operation.

[0012] For example, during cooling operation, as shown by the solid arrows in Figure 1, the refrigerant flows in the order of compressor 2, four-way valve 3, outdoor heat exchanger 4, expansion valve 5, and indoor heat exchanger 6. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator, thereby cooling the space to be air-conditioned.

[0013] On the other hand, during heating operation, as shown by the dashed arrows in Figure 1, the refrigerant flows in the order of compressor 2, four-way valve 3, indoor heat exchanger 6, expansion valve 5, and outdoor heat exchanger 4. In this case, the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as an evaporator, thereby heating the space to be air-conditioned.

[0014] Next, a heat exchanger according to this embodiment will be described. While such a heat exchanger can be used as the outdoor heat exchanger 4 or the indoor heat exchanger 6 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1, this embodiment assumes, as an example, that the heat exchanger is the outdoor heat exchanger 4. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an outdoor unit 11 equipped with the outdoor heat exchanger 4 according to this embodiment.

[0015] 1 and 2 , the outdoor unit 11 includes, as main elements, a compressor 2 (a compressor main body 2 a and an accumulator 2 b), a four-way valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an expansion valve 5, and an outdoor blower 8. Each of these elements is housed in a housing 21.

[0016] The housing 21 has a three-dimensional, approximately box-like shape formed by molding sheet metal. FIG. 2 shows a schematic vertical view of the outdoor unit 11 with the top panel, front cover, and other components removed. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the bottom plate 21a, side plates 21b and 21c, back plate 21d, and partition plate 21e of the housing 21 are made of sheet metal such as iron. The bottom plate 21a serves as a base on which the compressor 2, outdoor heat exchanger 4, outdoor blower 8, and other components are mounted. The bottom plate 21a is fixed to the mounting surface by bolts or other fastening means using mounting pieces 21f.

[0017] The side plates 21b, 21c and the back plate 21d are attached to the bottom plate 21a so as to stand vertically from the bottom plate 21a. The interior of the housing 21, which is defined by the bottom plate 21a, the side plates 21b, 21c, the back plate 21d, and a top plate and front cover (not shown), is divided by a partition plate 21e into a space (machine room) in which the compressor 2 and other components are disposed and a space (heat exchange room) in which the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the outdoor blower 8, and other components are disposed. The partition plate 21e, together with the side plates 21b, 21c and the back plate 21d, is attached to the bottom plate 21a so as to stand vertically from the bottom plate 21a.

[0018] The outdoor blower 8 includes, for example, a fan 8a and a fan motor 8b. The outdoor blower 8 is positioned opposite the outdoor heat exchanger 4. It draws air (outside air) into the housing 21 through the outdoor heat exchanger 4 via an opening 21g and discharges it to the outside through an opening 21h in the housing 21. The opening 21g is formed between an end 210b of the side plate 21b and an end 210d of the back plate 21d, sandwiched between the top plate and the bottom plate 21a. The end 210b of the side plate 21b is the end where the side plate 21b bends toward the end 210d of the back plate 21d. The opening 21h is formed between an end 211b of the side plate 21b and an end 210c of the side plate 21c, sandwiched between the top plate and the bottom plate 21a. A front cover (not shown) is attached to the opening 21h. The front cover stands vertically from the bottom plate 21a so as to face the outdoor blower 8, and covers the opening 21h so that the air (outside air) drawn in from the opening 21g can be discharged to the outside of the housing 21.

[0019] The outdoor heat exchanger 4 is disposed so as to face the opening 21g of the housing 21. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 has a generally continuous L-shape in which the portion along the opening 21g (back plate 21d) and the portion along the side plate 21b are gently curved when viewed from above in the vertical direction.

[0020] The outdoor heat exchanger 4 includes, as its main components, a heat exchange unit 41 that exchanges heat between the outside air and the refrigerant and a support unit 42. As described above, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is housed in the housing 21. As shown in FIG. 2 , the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is positioned and fixed to the housing 21 (the side panel 21b, the back panel 21d, and the partition panel 21e in the illustrated example) with the heat exchange unit 41 supported by the support unit 42. As shown in FIG. 3 , the support unit 42 is inserted into a predetermined position 41a of the heat exchange unit 41 from a predetermined direction (a third direction D3 described below) to support the heat exchange unit 41 relative to the housing 21 at the predetermined position 41a. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the state in which the support unit 42 is inserted into the predetermined position 41a of the heat exchange unit 41 from the dashed line position. In the illustrated example, the support unit 42 is inserted from the dashed line position to the solid line position as indicated by the outline arrow.

[0021] In the following description, a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction D3 are defined as shown in FIG. 3 . These directions D1, D2, and D3 are perpendicular to one another. The first direction D1 is a vertical direction (up-down direction). In the illustrated example, the arrow points downward (downward) and the opposite direction points upward (upward). The second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and corresponds to the extension direction of the flat tubes 53 of the heat exchanger 41 (described later). The third direction D3 is perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The support member 42 is inserted into the heat exchanger 41 in the direction of the arrow of the third direction D3 or in the opposite direction. In other words, the third direction D3 is parallel to the insertion direction of the support member 42 into the heat exchanger 41. The second direction D2 and the third direction D3 define a horizontal plane.

[0022] 2 and 3, the heat exchange section 41 is configured to include, as main elements, a pair of headers 51, 52, a plurality of flat tubes 53, and a plurality of fins 54. The headers 51, 52, the flat tubes 53, and the fins 54 are all formed of the same material, which in this embodiment is aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0023] The pair of headers 51, 52 are both straight tubular elements that are arranged at a predetermined interval in the second direction D2 and stand upright parallel to the first direction D1. Both ends of the headers 51, 52 in the first direction D1 are closed by, for example, sealing members (end caps). The headers 51, 52 are provided with joints (not shown) for connection to the refrigerant flow paths 7 (see FIG. 1 ), and the refrigerant flows in and out of the refrigerant flow paths 7 via the joints.

[0024] 2 shows an example in which the headers 51, 52 are cylindrical elements, but the shape of the headers 51, 52 is not limited to this. For example, the headers may be formed by stacking multiple plate-like members having slits, through-holes, etc. In this case, for example, one of the pair of headers may be a header for allowing the refrigerant to flow in from the refrigerant flow path 7 and for allowing the refrigerant to flow out to the refrigerant flow path 7, and the other may be a header for receiving the refrigerant from one header through the flat tubes 53 and returning the refrigerant to the other header through the flat tubes 53.

[0025] The flat tubes 53 are tubular elements arranged at predetermined intervals in the first direction D1 and extending in the second direction D2. The number of flat tubes 53 included in the heat exchange unit 41 is not particularly limited. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the flat tubes 53 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the first direction D1 in the second direction D2 to connect the pair of headers 51, 52. In other words, the flat tubes 53 are flow-dividing pipes that branch the refrigerant flowing through the pair of headers 51, 52 in the first direction D1 into the second direction D2 between the headers 51, 52.

[0026] The flat tube 53 has a flat shape in which the dimension (width) in the second direction D2 and the dimension (depth) in the third direction D3 are larger than the dimension (height or thickness) in the first direction D1. In this flat shape, the flat tube 53 has a first flat surface 53a and a second flat surface 53b parallel to a horizontal plane. The first flat surface 53a is the surface facing one side in the first direction D1 (the upper side in the vertical direction), i.e., the surface of the flat tube 53 facing upward in the first direction D1. The second flat surface 53b is the surface facing the other side in the first direction D1 (the lower side in the vertical direction) opposite the first flat surface 53a, i.e., the surface of the flat tube 53 facing downward in the first direction D1.

[0027] Furthermore, ends 53c, 53d of flat tube 53 in third direction D3 are curved convexly when viewed from second direction D2. For example, multiple flow paths (not shown) are defined inside flat tube 53 and aligned in third direction D3. Each of these multiple flow paths extends in second direction D2. The interior of flat tube 53 may not be defined into multiple flow paths as described above, but may instead have only one flow path.

[0028] In the second direction D2, one end of the flat tube 53 is connected to the header 51, and one end side of each flow path of the flat tube 53 opens within the piping of the header 51. In addition, in the second direction D2, the other end of the flat tube 53 is connected to the header 52, and the other end side of each flow path of the flat tube 53 opens within the piping of the header 52.

[0029] For example, when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is in cooling operation, the refrigerant flows into one header 51, is divided into each of the flat tubes 53, joins in the other header 52, and flows out from the outdoor heat exchanger 4 (heat exchange section 41). Also, when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is in heating operation, the refrigerant flows into the other header 52, is divided into each of the flat tubes 53, joins in the one header 51, and flows out from the outdoor heat exchanger 4 (heat exchange section 41).

[0030] 2 and 3 show a configuration example in which the flat tubes 53 are arranged in a single row in the third direction D3, but the flat tubes 53 may also be arranged in double rows (two rows) in the third direction D3. In this case, for example, one group of flat tubes 53 in the double rows is an outflow path through which refrigerant flowing into one of the pair of headers is diverted and flows toward the other header, and the other group of flat tubes 53 is a return path through which refrigerant flowing from the outflow path into the other header is diverted and returns to the one header. The pair of headers may be stacked headers (headers formed by stacking multiple plate-shaped members) as described above. However, the pair of headers may also have a tubular shape similar to the headers 51 and 52.

[0031] The fins 54 are plate-like elements arranged at predetermined intervals (fin pitch) in the second direction D2 and extending in the first direction D1. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fins 54 have a generally rectangular shape with a dimension (height) in the first direction D1 greater than a dimension (width) in the third direction D3 when viewed from the second direction D2. The fins 54 do not have to be flat in the second direction D2, and may have an uneven portion, such as a bent portion or a stepped portion, in part.

[0032] 3, the fins 54 have a plurality of slits 55. These slits 55 are spatial regions into which the flat tubes 53 are inserted to integrally assemble the flat tubes 53 and the fins 54, and are arranged at intervals equal to the intervals at which the flat tubes 53 are arranged in the first direction D1.

[0033] When viewed from the second direction D2, the edge of the slit 55 is continuous and follows the outer contour of the flat tube 53. When viewed from the second direction D2, the slit 55 has an opening 55a on one side in the third direction D3 and a closed bottom 55b on the other side, and extends from the opening 55a to the bottom 55b in the third direction D3. The flat tube 53 is inserted through the opening 55a of the slit 55 and abuts against the bottom 55b. The bottom 55b is concavely curved to follow the end 53c of the flat tube 53. This allows the end 53c of the flat tube 53 inserted into the slit 55 to be tightly fitted to the bottom 55b.

[0034] The flat tubes 53 are positioned relative to the slits 55 with their ends 53c in close contact with the bottoms 55b. In this state, the flat tubes 53 and the fins 54 are integrally assembled by brazing or the like, and thermally connected. This results in heat transfer between the flat tubes 53 and the fins 54.

[0035] 3 , the depth of the slit 55 (the dimension in the third direction D3) is smaller than the depth of the flat tube 53. Therefore, the end 53d of the flat tube 53 protrudes from the opening 55a of the slit 55. However, the depth of the slit 55 may be approximately the same as the depth of the flat tube 53, or may be greater.

[0036] As described above, the heat exchanger 41, which includes the headers 51 and 52, the flat tubes 53, and the fins 54, is positioned and fixed to the housing 21 (the side plate 21b, the back plate 21d, and the partition plate 21e in the illustrated example) while being supported by the supports 42. As shown in Fig. 3, the supports 42 are inserted into predetermined locations 41a of the heat exchanger 41. As shown in Fig. 2, the predetermined locations 41a of the heat exchanger 41, i.e., the locations where the heat exchanger 41 is supported by the supports 42, are the locations in the heat exchanger 41 where the flat tubes 53 extend between the header 51 and the fins 541 located at both ends in the second direction D2, and between the header 52 and the fins 542.

[0037] A plurality of flat tubes 53 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the first direction D1. Therefore, an arbitrary number of support portions 42, for example, about 4 to 10 support portions 42, are arranged at predetermined locations 41 a, one each in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0038] 4 to 6 schematically show the configuration of the support unit 42. Fig. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the support unit 42. Figs. 5 and 6 are each a diagram schematically showing an example of a state in which the support unit 42, which supports the heat exchange unit 41, is fixed to the housing 21.

[0039] In this embodiment, as an example, the support portion 42 is formed of an insulating material. The insulating material is, for example, an electrically insulating material such as a resin material containing rubber. As another example, the support portion 42 may be formed of a metal material or the like, and its surface may be processed to prevent corrosion, i.e., may be subjected to a corrosion-preventing surface treatment or coating. Furthermore, the support portion 42 may be formed of a metal that is more electrically base than the heat exchange portion 41, specifically, a metal that is more electrically base than the headers 51, 52, flat tubes 53, and fins 54, which are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. That is, at least the surface portion of the support portion 42 that contacts the surface of the heat exchange portion 41 may be formed of an insulating material or a material more electrically base than the heat exchange portion 41, or may be subjected to a corrosion-preventing surface treatment or coating instead.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the support portion 42 has a base portion 61 and multiple protrusions 62. The width of the base portion 61 and the protrusions 62 that make up the support portion 42 is smaller than the length of the flat tubes 53 extending between the headers 51, 52 and the fins 541, 542 (see Figure 2) located at both ends in the second direction D2 at the predetermined location 41a of the heat exchange portion 41. The width of the base portion 61 and the protrusions 62 is the dimension in the second direction D2 (distance L41 shown in Figure 4). This allows the support portion 42 to be inserted into the predetermined location 41a of the heat exchange portion 41.

[0041] The base 61 is a portion of the support portion 42 that extends in the first direction D1. In the illustrated example, the base 61 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the dimension (height) in the first direction D1 is greater than the dimension (width) in the second direction D2 and the dimension (depth) in the third direction D3. In this generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, the base 61 has a first vertical surface 61a and a second vertical surface 61b. These vertical surfaces 61a and 61b are planes that are perpendicular to the horizontal plane, i.e., planes that are parallel to the plane defined by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0042] The first vertical surface 61a is a surface facing one side in the third direction D3, and the second vertical surface 61b is a surface facing the other side in the third direction D3. One side of the third direction D3 corresponds to the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3 , and in the illustrated example, corresponds to the rear side in the insertion direction of the support portion 42 into the heat exchanger 41. The other side of the third direction D3 corresponds to the opposite direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3 , and in the illustrated example, corresponds to the front side in the insertion direction of the support portion 42 into the heat exchanger 41. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the support portion 42 supporting the heat exchanger 41 is fixed to the housing 21, the first vertical surface 61a is a surface facing the flat tubes 53. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 6 , when the support portion 42 supporting the heat exchanger 41 is fixed to the housing 21, the second vertical surface 61b is a surface fixed to the housing 21 (a contact surface with the housing 21).

[0043] The protrusions 62 are portions of the support portion 42 that protrude from the base 61 in the third direction D3 and come into contact with the flat tubes 53. In the illustrated example, two protrusions 62 protrude from the base 61, but the number of protrusions 62 is not limited to this. For example, one or more additional protrusions may protrude from the base 61 between the protrusions 62 located at both ends in the first direction D1 as shown in Figures 3 to 6 .

[0044] 5 and 6 , the protrusion length of the protrusion 62 from the base 61 (the dimension indicated by L31 in FIG. 3 ) is greater than both the dimension (depth) in the third direction D3 of the flat tube 53 and the dimension (width) in the third direction D3 of the fin 54. This protrusion length is the shortest distance from the protrusion base end 62 a to the protrusion end 62 b of the protrusion 62 in the third direction D3.

[0045] 5 and 6 , when the support 42 supporting the heat exchanger 41 is fixed to the housing 21, the ends 62a, 62b of the protrusion 62 in the third direction D3 are positioned outside the ends 53c, 53d of the flat tubes 53 and the edges 54a, 54b of the fins 54 in the third direction D3 as viewed from the second direction D2. The edges 54a, 54b of the fins 54 are both sides in the third direction D3 as viewed from the second direction D2, and the distance between these edges 54a, 54b (both sides) is the width of the fin 54 (the dimension in the third direction).

[0046] This allows the headers 51 and 52 , the flat tubes 53 , and the fins 54 , which are the heat exchanger 41 , to be positioned and fixed away from the housing 21 while being supported by the support portion 42 .

[0047] Unlike the illustrated example, the protruding length (L31) of the protrusion 62 from the base 61 may be equal to or less than the dimension (width) of the fin 54 in the third direction D3. In this case, the fin 54 can be positioned and fixed away from the housing 21 by, for example, making the dimension (depth) of the base 61 in the third direction D3, i.e., the distance between the first vertical surface 61a and the second vertical surface 61b, greater than the distance between the bottom 55b of the slit and the edge 54a of the fin. However, as will be described later with reference to the example shown in FIG. 5 , when the support portion 42 is fixed to the housing 21 by screwing only the protruding ends 62b of the pair of protrusions 62, the dimension (depth) of the base 61 in the third direction D3 may be equal to or less than the distance between the bottom 55b of the slit and the edge 54a of the fin. Furthermore, the distance between the first vertical surface 61a of the base 61 and the locking surface 62f of the barb 62e (described later) may be equal to the dimension (depth) of the flat tube 53 in the third direction D3. This allows the flat tubes 53 and the support portion 42 to be in close contact with each other, and when supported by the support portion 42, the accuracy of positioning the heat exchange portion 41, which consists of the headers 51, 52, flat tubes 53, and fins 54, relative to the housing 21 can be further improved.

[0048] The protrusion 62 has a first horizontal surface 62c and a second horizontal surface 62d parallel to the horizontal plane. The first horizontal surface 62c faces the first direction D1 and is a surface that contacts the flat tube 53. The second horizontal surface 62d faces the first direction D1 in the opposite direction to the first horizontal surface 62c and is a surface that faces the flat tube 53. In the illustrated example, of the two protrusions 62, the first horizontal surface 62c of one protrusion 621 is a surface that contacts the second flat surface 53b of the flat tube 53 and is the upper surface in the first direction D1. Therefore, the second horizontal surface 62d of the protrusion 621 is a lower surface in the first direction D1. In contrast, the first horizontal surface 62c of the other protrusion 622 of the two protrusions 62 is a surface that contacts the first flat surface 53a of the flat tube 53 and is the lower surface in the first direction D1. Therefore, the second horizontal surface 62d of the protrusion 622 is the upper surface in the first direction D1.

[0049] However, contrary to the illustrated example, the first horizontal surface 62c may face the flat tube 53, and the second horizontal surface 62d may be in contact with the flat tube 53. That is, of the two protrusions 62, the second horizontal surface 62d of one protrusion 621 may be in contact with the first flat surface 53a of the flat tube 531, and the second horizontal surface 62d of the other protrusion 622 may be in contact with the second flat surface 53b of the flat tube 532. Furthermore, of the two protrusions 62, the first horizontal surface 62c of one protrusion 62 may face the flat tube 53, and the second horizontal surface 62d may be in contact with the flat tube 53, and the first horizontal surface 62c of the other protrusion 62 may be in contact with the flat tube 53, and the second horizontal surface 62d may face the flat tube 53.

[0050] The dimension (thickness) of the protrusion 62 in the first direction D1 is smaller than the separation distance between adjacent flat tubes 53 in the first direction D1. The thickness of the protrusion 62 (the dimension indicated by L32 in FIG. 3 ) is the distance between the first horizontal surface 62 c and the second horizontal surface 62 d of the protrusion 62. This allows the protrusion 62 to be inserted between adjacent flat tubes 53 in the first direction D1 at the predetermined location 41 a of the heat exchanger 41.

[0051] The protrusion 62 has a barb 62e on the protruding end 62b. The barb 62e is a portion of the protrusion 62 that engages with the flat tube 53 that the protrusion 62 comes into contact with. In the illustrated example, the barb 62e of one protrusion 621 engages with the flat tube 53 whose second flat surface 53b contacts the first horizontal surface 62c (flat tube 533 in the example shown in FIG. 3). In contrast, the barb 62e of the other protrusion 622 engages with the flat tube 53 whose first flat surface 53a contacts the first horizontal surface 62c (flat tube 534 in the example shown in FIG. 3). However, when the first horizontal surface 62c faces the flat tube 53 and the second horizontal surface 62d contacts the flat tube 53, the barb 62e engages with the flat tube 53 adjacent to the flat tube 53 with which the protrusion 62 contacts in the first direction D1.

[0052] The barb 62e protrudes from the first horizontal surface 62c of the protrusion 62 in the first direction D1, and has a locking surface 62f and an inclined surface 62g.

[0053] The locking surface 62f is a plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane, i.e., a vertical plane parallel to the plane defined by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In other words, the locking surface 62f is a surface that contacts the second end 53d of the flat tube 53 when the first horizontal surface 62c is in contact with the flat tube 53. The inclined surface 62g is a surface that slopes from the protruding end 62b of the protrusion 62 toward the locking surface 62f. In other words, the inclined surface 62g serves as a guide when the protrusion 62 is inserted between adjacent flat tubes 53 in the first direction D1 at the predetermined location 41a of the heat exchanger 41. At this time, the inclined surface 62g contacts the first end 53c of the flat tube 53, elastically deforming the protrusion 62 so as to bend it. This allows the protrusion 62 to be smoothly inserted between adjacent flat tubes 53 in the first direction D1.

[0054] 3 to 6, in this embodiment, two protrusions 621 and 622 protrude from the base 61. These protrusions 621 and 622 are symmetrical in the first direction D1.

[0055] In the illustrated example, the separation distance between the two protrusions 621, 622 (the dimension indicated by L33 in FIG. 3 ) is greater than the distance (the dimension indicated by L34 in FIG. 3 ) between the first flat surface 53 a of the upper flat tube 53 (flat tube 531 in the example shown in FIG. 3 ) and the second flat surface 53 b of the lower flat tube 53 (flat tube 532 in the example shown in FIG. 3 ) of adjacent flat tubes 53 in the first direction D1. The separation distance between the two protrusions 621, 622 is the distance between the second horizontal surfaces 62 d, 62 d of these protrusions 621, 622.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the distance between the first horizontal surfaces 62c, 62c of the two protrusions 621, 622 (the dimension indicated by L35 in FIG. 3) is approximately equal to the distance between the second flat surface 53b of the upper flat tube 533 and the first flat surface 53a of the lower flat tube 534 of the two flat tubes 53 located further outside of the flat tubes 531, 532 located between the two protrusions 621, 622 in the first direction D1. The distance L35 between the first horizontal surfaces 62c, 62c of these protrusions 621, 622 corresponds to the dimension (height) of the base 61 in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the flat tubes 531, 532 located between the two protrusions 621, 622 define the separation distance L33 between these protrusions 621, 622.

[0057] In this illustrated example, the distance L33 between the second horizontal surfaces 62d, 62d of the two protrusions 621, 622 and the distance L35 between the first horizontal surfaces 62c, 62c are determined by four flat tubes 53 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1. However, the number of flat tubes 53 that determine these distances L33, L35 is not limited to this. For example, these distances L33, L35 may be determined by two or three flat tubes 53 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1, or may be determined by five or more flat tubes 53.

[0058] In other words, in the illustrated example, the base 61 of the support portion 42 straddles two flat tubes 531, 532 that are adjacent in the first direction D1, and the barbs 62e, 62e of the pair of protrusions 62 are engaged with two flat tubes 533, 534 located on either side of the two flat tubes 531, 532 straddled by the base 61. However, the number of flat tubes 53 straddled by the base 61 may be one, or may be three or more.

[0059] By locking the return 62e to the flat tube 53 in this way, the support part 42 is inserted into the predetermined position 41a of the heat exchange part 41, and when the heat exchange part 41 is supported at the predetermined position 41a relative to the housing 21, the posture of the support part 42 can be stabilized. This makes it possible to properly and smoothly fix the support part 42 supporting the heat exchange part 41 to the housing 21.

[0060] As described above, the heat exchange unit 41, which includes the headers 51 and 52, the flat tubes 53, and the fins 54, is positioned and fixed to the housing 21 (in the illustrated example, the side plate 21b, the back plate 21d, and the partition plate 21e) while being supported by the support parts 42. As shown in FIG. 3 , the support parts 42 are inserted into predetermined positions 41a of the heat exchange unit 41.

[0061] The support portion 42 inserted into the predetermined location 41 a has at least one of the protruding end 62 b of the protrusion 62 and the base 61 fixed to the housing 21. This allows the headers 51, 52, flat tubes 53, and fins 54, which are the heat exchanger 41, to be positioned and fixed to the housing 21 while being supported by the support portion 42.

[0062] The method for fixing the support portion 42 is not particularly limited, but FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example in which the support portion 42 is fixed to the housing 21 with screws 71. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the support portion 42 is fixed to the housing 21 by screwing the protruding ends 62b of a pair of protrusions 62 together. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the support portion 42 is fixed to the housing 21 by screwing the base 61 together at two locations. Note that the support portion 42 may also be fixed to the housing 21 by screwing the protruding ends 62b of the pair of protrusions 62 together at two locations on the base 61, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 .

[0063] For this screw fastening, threaded holes 72 are provided in the base 61 and the protrusion 62 of the support part 42, as shown in Fig. 4. This allows the support part 42 to be screwed to the housing 21 by threading the male thread groove of the screw 71 into the female thread groove of the screw hole 72, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. By screwing in this manner, the support part 42 can be removed as needed, and the heat exchange part 41 can be attached to the housing 21 in a detachable manner.

[0064] As described above, according to this embodiment, the heat exchanger 41 can be positioned and fixed relative to the housing 21 while being supported by the support portion 42. Then, with the heat exchanger 41 positioned and fixed in this manner, the heat exchanger 41 is positioned away from the housing 21. Therefore, the heat exchanger 41 can be positioned and fixed relative to the housing 21 without coming into contact with the housing 21. This makes it possible to prevent electrolytic corrosion that occurs when the heat exchanger 41, which is made of, for example, aluminum, comes into contact with the housing 21, which is made of sheet metal such as iron. As a result, it is possible to avoid damage to the heat exchanger 41 due to electrolytic corrosion, for example.

[0065] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 41 contacts the support 42, but the support 42 is made of an insulating material or a metal that is electrically less noble than the heat exchanger 41. Therefore, the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion due to contact between the heat exchanger 41 and the support 42 can be effectively avoided.

[0066] When positioning and fixing the heat exchanger 41 to the housing 21, the support 42 is inserted into the predetermined portion 41a of the heat exchanger 41 and then screwed to the housing 21. That is, by fixing the support 42, which has a simple structure, to the housing 21 with simple screws, the heat exchanger 41 can be positioned and fixed to the housing 21. As a result, the number of parts and labor required to fix the heat exchanger 41, or more specifically the outdoor heat exchanger 4, to the housing 21 can be reduced.

[0067] As described above, according to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 according to this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately and easily prevent electrolytic corrosion from occurring between the heat exchange portion 41 and the housing 21 .

[0068] The configuration of the support portion 42 supporting the heat exchange portion 41 is not limited to that of the first embodiment. For example, other configurations such as those shown in FIGS. 7 to 14 can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. These embodiments will be described below as second to ninth embodiments. The configuration of the refrigeration cycle apparatus in the second to ninth embodiments is the same as that of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 ( FIG. 1 ) according to the first embodiment, and the configuration of the outdoor heat exchanger is the same as that of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 ( FIG. 2 ) according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second to ninth embodiments, the configuration other than the support portion will be referred to as appropriate in the first embodiment ( FIGS. 1 to 6 ), and a description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the basic configuration of the support portion is the same as that of the support portion 42 according to the first embodiment, and the same or similar components will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and will not be described.

[0069] Second Embodiment FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a support portion 42b according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the support portion 42b according to the second embodiment, taken from the direction of the arrow, at a location equivalent to the location indicated by arrow A5 in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 7, the support portion 42b according to this embodiment has two protrusions 63 protruding from a base 61, similar to the support portion 42. These protrusions 63 have inclined surfaces 63a on the surfaces corresponding to the first horizontal surfaces 62c of the protrusions 62. The surfaces corresponding to the first horizontal surfaces 62c of the protrusions 63 are surfaces that contact the flat surfaces 53a and 53b of the flat tubes 53. The inclined surfaces 63a are surfaces that guide the drainage of condensation water generated in the flat tubes 53 (hereinafter referred to as guide surfaces).

[0070] Because the protrusions 63 have the guide surfaces 63a, even if condensation water is generated in the flat tubes 53, the condensation water flows down the guide surfaces 63a and is smoothly drained, so that the condensation water does not accumulate between the flat tubes 53 and the protrusions 63. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the condensation water from freezing and expanding, which would cause deformation of the flat tubes 53.

[0071] In the illustrated example, the guide surface 63a is inclined downward toward both sides of the second direction D2 when viewed from the third direction D3. The first guide surface 63b is inclined downward toward one side of the second direction D2, and the second guide surface 63c is inclined toward the other side of the second direction D2, i.e., toward the side opposite the first guide surface 63b. The first guide surface 63b and the second guide surface 63c are arranged so as to equally divide the dimension (width) of the protrusion 63 in the second direction D2. However, these guide surfaces 63b and 63c do not necessarily divide the width of the protrusion 63 equally. Furthermore, the guide surface 63a does not have to be an inclined surface that descends toward both sides of the second direction D2 when viewed from the third direction, but may be an inclined surface that descends toward either side (one side).

[0072] In addition, the guide surface 63a does not have to be an inclined surface as described above, in other words, in line contact with the flat tubes 53, as long as it has a form that can smoothly guide the drainage of condensation water generated in the flat tubes 53. For example, the guide surface may be a curved surface that descends toward one or both sides of the second direction D2 when viewed from the third direction D3, in other words, in surface contact with the flat tubes 53.

[0073] Third Embodiment FIG. 8 shows the configuration of a support portion 42c according to a third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the support portion 42c according to the third embodiment, taken along the arrow A5 in FIG. 5 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the support portion 42c according to this embodiment has two protrusions 64 protruding from the base 61, similar to the support portions 42 and 42b. These protrusions 64 have an uneven surface 64a on the surface corresponding to the first horizontal surface 62c of the protrusion 62. The surface corresponding to the first horizontal surface 62c of the protrusion 64 is the surface that contacts the flat surfaces 53a and 53b of the flat tube 53. The uneven surface 64a has concave and convex portions 64b and convex portions 64c that alternately continue in the second direction D2 when viewed from the third direction D3.

[0074] The uneven surface 64a stores condensed water in the recesses 64b when the condensed water generated in the flat tubes 53 freezes. Because the protrusions 64 have the uneven surface 64a, when condensed water is generated in the flat tubes 53 and the temperature of the flat tubes 53 drops to a level at which the condensed water freezes, the condensed water can be frozen in the recesses 64b. This prevents, for example, the condensed water from freezing and expanding, deforming the flat tubes 53.

[0075] In the illustrated example, when viewed from the third direction D3, the recessed portions 64b are valley-shaped and pointed at a predetermined angle, and the protruding portions 64c are mountain-shaped and pointed at a predetermined angle. The recessed portions 64b and the protruding portions 64c are arranged symmetrically in the first direction D1. However, these recessed portions 64b and the protruding portions 64c may be arranged asymmetrically in the first direction D1. Furthermore, the number of recessed portions 64b and the protruding portions 64c is not limited to the illustrated example and can be any number.

[0076] In addition, the uneven surface 64a does not have to have the uneven shape described above, in other words, a shape that makes line contact with the flat tubes 53, as long as it is capable of retaining the frozen condensation water when the condensation water generated in the flat tubes 53 freezes. For example, the uneven surface may have a valley shape or a mountain shape that is curved when viewed from the third direction D3, in other words, a shape that makes surface contact with the flat tubes 53.

[0077] (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 9 shows the configuration of a support portion 42d according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a state in which the support portion 42d supporting the heat exchange portion 41d is fixed to the housing 21. As shown in FIG. 9, in the heat exchange portion 41d according to this embodiment, the flat tubes 53 are arranged in two rows in the third direction D3. Furthermore, like the support portions 42, 42b, and 42c, the support portion 42d according to this embodiment has two protrusions 65 protruding from the base 61. The protrusion length of these protrusions 65 from the base 61 (the dimension indicated by L91 in FIG. 9) is greater than both the dimension (depth) of the two rows of flat tubes 53 in the third direction D3 and the dimension (width) of the fins 54 in the third direction D3. This protrusion length is the shortest distance from the protrusion base end 65a to the protrusion end 65b of the protrusion portion 65 in the third direction D3. However, unlike the illustrated example, the protruding length (L91) of the protrusion 65 from the base 61 may be equal to or less than the dimension (width) of two rows of fins 54 in the third direction D3.

[0078] Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, when the support portion 42d supporting the heat exchange portion 41d is fixed to the housing 21, both ends 65a, 65b of the protrusion portion 65 in the third direction D3 are positioned outside the third direction D3 beyond the ends 53c, 53d of two rows of flat tubes 53 and the edges 54a, 54b of the fins 54 when viewed from the second direction D2.

[0079] This allows the headers 51 and 52, the flat tubes 53, and the fins 54, which constitute the heat exchanger 41d, to be positioned and fixed away from the housing 21 while being supported by the support portion 42d.

[0080] Fifth Embodiment FIG. 10 shows the configuration of a support 42e according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a state in which the support 42e, which supports the heat exchanger 41, is fixed to the housing 21. As shown in FIG. 10 , the support 42e according to this embodiment has a base 66 from which two protrusions 62 protrude, similar to the support parts 42, 42b, 42c, and 42d. The base 66 has a shielding portion 66a that shields the flat tubes 53. The shielding portion 66a extends in the first direction D1 further than the positions of the protrusions 62, 62 arranged on both sides of the first direction D1. In the support 42e, the shielding portion 66a corresponds to an extension of the base 66 in the first direction D1.

[0081] The base 66 has the shielding portion 66a, which can shield the flat tubes 53 inside the housing 21. This allows, for example, a predetermined portion 41a of the heat exchanger 41 to be exposed, and can prevent the flat tubes 53 at the predetermined portion 41a from being exposed to wind (airflow).

[0082] In the illustrated example, the shielding portion 66a extends further on both sides of the first direction D1 than the positions of the protrusions 62, 62 arranged on both sides in the first direction D1. However, the shielding portion 66a may extend only on one side of the protrusions 62, 62 arranged on both sides in the first direction D1. Furthermore, the dimension (extension length) of the shielding portion 66a in the first direction D1 is not particularly limited and can be any length.

[0083] Sixth Embodiment Fig. 11 shows the configuration of a support part 42f according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the state in which the support part 42f is inserted into a predetermined location 41a of the heat exchange part 41. As shown in Fig. 11, the support part 42f has a base part 61 and two protrusions 67, similar to the support part 42. The protrusions 67 extend in the third direction D3 from a protrusion base end 67a to a protrusion end 67b, and similar to the protrusions 62 of the support part 42, have barbs 67e at the protrusion ends 67b.

[0084] In this embodiment, the base 61 straddles four adjacent flat tubes 53 (531-534) in the first direction D1, and these four flat tubes 531-534 define the distance between the first horizontal surfaces 67c, 67c of the two protrusions 67 (671, 672) (the dimension indicated by L111 in FIG. 11) and the distance between the second horizontal surfaces 67d, 67d (the dimension indicated by L112 in FIG. 11). However, the number of flat tubes 53 defining these distances L111, L112 is not limited to this. For example, these distances L111, L112 may be defined by two or three adjacent flat tubes 53 in the first direction D1, or may be defined by five or more flat tubes 53.

[0085] In other words, of the flat tubes 53 spanned by the base 61, the barbs 67e, 67e of the pair of protrusions 67 of the support portion 42f are engaged with the flat tubes 533, 534 located on both sides in the first direction D1. However, the number of flat tubes 53 spanned by the base 61 may be two or three, or may be five or more.

[0086] The barb 67e protrudes in the first direction D1 from the first horizontal surface 67c of the protrusion 67 and has a locking surface 67f and an inclined surface 67g. That is, the barb 67e protrudes from the first horizontal surface 67c so as to narrow the distance between the two protrusions 67 (the distance between the first horizontal surfaces 67c, 67c).

[0087] Like the locking surface 62f of the protrusion 62, the locking surface 67f is a plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane, i.e., a vertical surface parallel to the plane defined by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In other words, the locking surface 67f is a surface that contacts the second end 53d of the flat tube 53 when the first horizontal surface 67c is in contact with the flat tube 53. Like the inclined surface 62g of the protrusion 62, the inclined surface 67g is a surface that inclines from the protruding end 67b of the protrusion 67 toward the locking surface 67f. In other words, the inclined surface 67g serves as a guide when the protrusion 67 is inserted between adjacent flat tubes 53 in the first direction D1 at the predetermined location 41a of the heat exchanger 41. At this time, the inclined surface 67g contacts the first end 53c of the flat tube 53, elastically deforming the protrusion 67 so as to bend it. This allows the protrusion 67 to be smoothly inserted between the flat tubes 53 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1.

[0088] In the illustrated example, the barb 67e of one protrusion 671 is engaged with the flat tube 533 whose first flat surface 53a contacts the first horizontal surface 67c. In contrast, the barb 67e of the other protrusion 672 is engaged with the flat tube 534 whose second flat surface 53b contacts the first horizontal surface 67c.

[0089] By locking the return 67 e to the flat tube 53 in this way, the support portion 42 f that supports the heat exchange portion 41 can be fixed to the housing 21 appropriately and smoothly.

[0090] Seventh Embodiment Fig. 12 shows the configuration of a support portion 42g according to a seventh embodiment. Fig. 12 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the configuration of the support portion 42g. As shown in Fig. 12, the support portion 42g according to this embodiment has two protrusions 62 protruding from a base portion 61, similar to the support portion 42. In addition to these protrusions 62, 62, the support portion 42g has a third protrusion 68. That is, the support portion 42g has protrusions 62, 62 that are first protrusions and protrusion 68 that is a second protrusion. The protrusion 68 protrudes from the base portion 61 between the protrusions 62, 62 that are located at both ends in the first direction D1.

[0091] As an example, the protrusion length of the protrusion 68 from the base 61 (the dimension indicated by L121 in FIG. 12 ) is greater than both the dimension (depth) of the flat tube 53 in the third direction D3 and the dimension (width) of the fin 54 in the third direction D3. This protrusion length is the shortest distance from the protrusion base end 68a to the protrusion end 68b of the protrusion 68 in the third direction D3. The protrusion length of the protrusion 68 from the base 61 may be equal to or less than the protrusion length of the protrusion 62 from the base 61 (the dimension indicated by L31 in FIG. 3 ). In the illustrated example, the protrusion length of the protrusion 68 is approximately the same as the protrusion length of the protrusion 62.

[0092] In this case, when the support portion 42g that supports the heat exchange portion 41 is fixed to the housing 21, the ends 68a, 68b of the protrusion portion 68 in the third direction D3 are positioned so as to protrude outward in the third direction D3 from the ends 53c, 53d of the flat tubes 53 and the edges 54a, 54b of the fins 54 as viewed from the second direction D2. However, the protrusion lengths (L31, L121) of the protrusion portions 62 and 68 from the base portions 61 may be equal to or less than the dimension (width) of the fins 54 in the third direction D3.

[0093] As a result, while being supported by the support portion 42g, the heat exchanger 41, which includes the headers 51, 52, the flat tubes 53, and the fins 54, can be positioned and fixed away from the housing 21. At this time, the base 61 has the protrusions 62, 62 as well as the protrusion 68, which stabilizes the posture of the support portion 42g relative to the housing 21. Therefore, the heat exchanger 41 can be more stably supported by the support portion 42g relative to the housing 21.

[0094] In the illustrated example, one protrusion 68 protrudes from the base 61 between the protrusions 62, 62 located at both ends in the first direction D1, but the number of protrusions 68 may be multiple.

[0095] Eighth Embodiment FIG. 13 shows the configuration of a support portion 42h according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the configuration of the support portion 42h. As shown in FIG. 13, the support portion 42h according to this embodiment has two protrusions 69 protruding from the base portion 61, similar to the support portions 42, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, and 42g. These protrusions 69 have a plurality of through holes 69a. The through holes 69a penetrate the protrusions 69 in the first direction D1 from the first horizontal surface 62c to the second horizontal surface 62d of each protrusion 69. In the illustrated example, the through holes 69a are slits that penetrate the protrusions 69 in the first direction D1.

[0096] Because the protrusions 69 have the through holes 69a, even if condensation water is generated in the flat tubes 53, the condensation water flows down through the through holes 69a and is smoothly drained, preventing the condensation water from accumulating between the flat tubes 53 and the protrusions 69. This prevents, for example, the condensation water from freezing and expanding, which could cause deformation of the flat tubes 53. Furthermore, if condensation water is generated in the flat tubes 53 and the temperature of the flat tubes 53 drops to a level that would cause the condensation water to freeze, the condensation water can be frozen within the through holes 69a. This prevents, for example, the condensation water from freezing and expanding, which could cause deformation of the flat tubes 53.

[0097] In the illustrated example, the through holes 69a are linearly connected in the third direction D3 and are arranged at equal intervals in the second direction D2. However, the dimensions (depth) of the through holes 69a in the third direction and the dimensions (width) of the through holes 69a in the second direction are not particularly limited. In the illustrated example, the depth and width of each through hole 69a are the same, but they may be different. Furthermore, the number of through holes 69a in the protrusion 69 is not particularly limited and may be two or less, or may be four or more.

[0098] Ninth Embodiment FIG. 14 shows the configuration of a support portion 42i according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of the support portion 42i. As shown in FIG. 14, the support portion 42i of this embodiment has a third protrusion 70 in addition to the protrusions 69, 69 of the eighth embodiment. That is, the support portion 42i has protrusions 69, 69 that are first protrusions, and protrusion 70 that is a second protrusion. The protrusion 70 protrudes from the base portion 61 between the protrusions 69, 69 located at both ends in the first direction D1. The protrusion 70 has a plurality of through holes (slits) 69a, similar to the protrusion 69. The through holes 69a penetrate the protrusion 70 in the first direction D1.

[0099] The protrusion length of the protrusion 70 from the base 61 (the dimension indicated by L141 in FIG. 14 ) is greater than both the dimension (depth) of the flat tube 53 in the third direction D3 and the dimension (width) of the fin 54 in the third direction D3. This protrusion length is the shortest distance from the protrusion base end 70a to the protrusion end 70b of the protrusion 70 in the third direction D3. The protrusion length of the protrusion 70 from the base 61 may be less than the protrusion length of the protrusion 69 from the base 61 (equivalent to the dimension indicated by L31 in FIG. 3 ). In the illustrated example, the protrusion length of the protrusion 70 is approximately the same as the protrusion length of the protrusion 69. Note that the protrusion lengths (L31, L141) of the protrusions 62 and 70 from the base 61 may be less than the dimension (width) of the fin 54 in the third direction D3.

[0100] This allows the headers 51, 52, flat tubes 53, and fins 54, which are the heat exchange unit 41, to be positioned and fixed away from the housing 21 while being supported by the support portions 42i. At this time, the base 61 has the protrusion 70 in addition to the protrusions 69, 69, which stabilizes the posture of the support portions 42i relative to the housing 21. This allows the heat exchange unit 41 to be more stably supported by the support portions 42i relative to the housing 21.

[0101] Furthermore, since the protrusions 69, 70 have through holes 69a, even if condensation water is generated in the flat tube 53, the condensation water does not remain between the flat tube 53 and the protrusions 69, 70, as in the eighth embodiment (Figure 13).

[0102] In the illustrated example, one protrusion 70 protrudes from the base 61 between the protrusions 69, 69 located at both ends in the first direction D1, but the number of protrusions 70 may be multiple.

[0103] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0104] REFRIGERATION CYCLE DEVICE, 2... COMPRESSOR, 2a... COMPRESSOR BODY, 2b... ACCUMULATOR, 3... FOUR-WAY VALVE, 4... OUTDOOR HEAT EXCHANGER, 5... EXPANSION VALVE, 6... INDOOR HEAT EXCHANGER, 7... REFRIGERANTIC FLOWER, 8... OUTDOOR BLOWER, 8a... FAN, 8b... FAN MOTOR, 9... INDOOR BLOWER, 11... OUTDOOR UNIT, 12... INDOOR UNIT, 21... HOUSING, 21a... BOTTOM PLATE, 21b, 21c... SIDE PLATES, 21d... BACK PLATE, 21e... APPLIANCE Cut plate, 21f...mounting piece, 21g, 21h...opening, 210b, 210d, 210c, 211b...end portion, 41, 41d...heat exchange portion, 41a...predetermined portion, 42, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g, 42h, 42i...support portion, 51, 52...header, 53, 531, 532, 533, 534...flat tube, 53a...first flat surface, 53b...second flat surface, 53c ...first end, 53d...second end, 54, 541, 542...fin, 55...slit, 55a...opening, 55b...bottom, 61, 66...base, 61a...first vertical surface, 61b...second vertical surface, 62, 621, 622, 63, 64, 65, 67, 671, 672, 68, 69, 70...projection, 62a, 65a, 67a, 68a, 70a...projection base end, 62b, 65b, 6 7b, 68b, 70b...protruding end, 62c, 67c...first horizontal surface, 62d, 67d...second horizontal surface, 62e, 67e...barbs, 62f, 67f...vertical surface (locking surface), 62g, 67g...inclined surface, 63a, 63b, 63c...inclined surface (guide surface), 64a...uneven surface, 64b...recess, 64c...convex portion, 66a...shielding portion, 69a...through hole (slit), 71...screw, 72...screw hole.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising: a heat exchange unit including a plurality of flat tubes arranged at intervals in a first direction along a vertical line and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a plurality of fins arranged at intervals in the second direction and extending in the first direction; and a support unit supporting the heat exchange unit, the support unit having a base extending in the first direction and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the base in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, each of the plurality of protrusions being inserted between adjacent flat tubes in the first direction and contacting an upward or downward surface of the flat tube in the first direction, and at least one of the base and the protrusion end protruding from the base is fixed to the housing.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a barb at the protruding end that engages with the flat tube with which the protrusion comes into contact.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein at least the surface portion of said support portion that comes into contact with the surface of said heat exchange portion is made of an insulating material or is surface-treated to prevent corrosion.

4. A heat exchanger as described in claim 1, wherein the contact surface of the protrusion where the protrusion comes into contact with the surface of the flat tube has an inclined surface that is inclined toward one or both sides of the second direction when viewed from the third direction.

5. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact surface of the protrusion that comes into contact with the surface of the flat tube has an uneven surface that has an uneven shape when viewed from the third direction.

6. A heat exchanger as described in claim 1, wherein the base has a shielding portion that extends further in the first direction beyond the positions of the protrusions arranged on both sides in the first direction and shields the flat tubes.

7. A heat exchanger as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support portion has at least a pair of first protrusions, among a pair of first protrusions each protruding in the third direction from both ends of the base in the first direction, and a second protrusion protruding in the third direction between the pair of first protrusions in the first direction.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions has a through hole passing through the protrusion in the first direction.

Images