Fins, heat exchanger, and method for manufacturing heat exchanger

Abstract

Fins (40) are formed in a wavy shape in the width direction (X) of a flow path (10B) and are provided with a plurality of wavy parts (41) provided in the flow direction (Y') of a fluid flowing through the flow path (10B). The plurality of wavy parts (41) are provided at intervals in the width direction (X), the wavy parts (41) having a plurality of flat surface wall parts (42) erected in the height direction of the flow path (10B) and folded parts (43) that are provided alternately with the flat surface wall parts (42) in the width direction (X) and connect the adjacent flat surface wall parts (42) to each other. Some of the flat surface wall parts (42) in the wavy parts (41) adjacent to each other in the flow direction (Y') are provided so as to be offset from each other in the width direction (X). The flat surface wall parts (42) that are adjacent to each other in the flow direction (Y') but are not offset in the width direction (X) are connected to each other. A cutting part (48) that is cut along the width direction (X) is provided between top parts (47) of each of the folded parts (43) connected to the flat surface wall parts (42).

Description

Fins, heat exchanger, and method for manufacturing heat exchanger

[0001] The present invention relates to fins that facilitate heat exchange, a heat exchanger, and a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger.

[0002] JP10-148493A discloses an offset fin (fin) in which a plurality of wave portions formed by bending in a rectangular wave shape are provided in the longitudinal direction, and adjacent wave portions in the longitudinal direction are offset in the width direction.

[0003] However, in the offset fin described in JP10-148493A, the offset cut-out positions of the rising surfaces (flat wall portions) and the falling surfaces (flat wall portions) are different in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the crests of the waves are formed continuously in the longitudinal direction, increasing the rigidity of the waves. Therefore, when this offset fin is assembled into a heat exchanger, it may be compressed in the thickness direction, causing deformation of the rising and falling surfaces.

[0004] The present invention aims to suppress deformation of the planar wall portion of the fin.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a fin that is provided in a flow path of at least one of two fluids in a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between two fluids and promotes heat exchange is formed in a wave shape in the width direction of the flow path and has a plurality of wavy portions that are provided in the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the flow path, and the wave portions are provided at intervals in the width direction and have a plurality of flat wall portions that stand in the height direction of the flow path, and folded portions that are provided alternately with the flat wall portions in the width direction and connect adjacent flat wall portions, some of the flat wall portions in the wave portions that are adjacent in the flow direction are offset in the width direction, and the flat wall portions that are adjacent in the flow direction and are not offset in the width direction are connected to each other, and a cut portion that is cut along the width direction is provided between each apex of the folded portions that are connected to the flat wall portions.

[0006] In the above aspect, adjacent planar wall portions in the fluid flow direction that are not offset in the width direction of the flow path are connected to each other, and a cut portion cut along the width direction is provided between the apexes of the folded portions connected to the planar wall portions. Therefore, the rigidity of the planar wall portions connected in the flow direction is high, and the rigidity of the folded portions where the cut portion is provided is low. Therefore, when assembling the fins to the heat exchanger, the folded portions with low rigidity deform, thereby suppressing deformation of the planar wall portions with high rigidity. Therefore, deformation of the planar wall portions of the fins can be suppressed.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a front view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the heat exchanger. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of fins. FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along VI-VI in FIG. 5. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating the first step in a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating the step following FIG. 7A in the method for manufacturing a heat exchanger. FIG. 8 is a plan view of fins according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view of fins according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Hereinafter, an inner fin 40 as a fin according to an embodiment of the present invention and a heat exchanger 1 including the inner fin 40 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] First, the overall configuration of a heat exchanger 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a front view of the heat exchanger 1, and Figure 2 is a plan view of the heat exchanger 1.

[0010] Hereinafter, the flow path width direction of the first flow path 10A and the second flow path 10B is referred to as the "width direction" and indicated by X, the direction in which the first fluid (coolant) flows in the first flow path 10A is referred to as the "flow direction" and indicated by Y, and the direction in which the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are stacked (the height direction of the first flow path 10A and the second flow path 10B) is referred to as the "stacking direction" or "height direction" and indicated by Z. Similarly, the direction in which the second fluid (gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant) flows in the second flow path 10B is also referred to as the "flow direction" and indicated by Y'. The direction in which the second fluid (gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant) flows in the second flow path 10B is opposite to the flow direction Y of the first fluid. In other words, the flow direction Y and the flow direction Y' are opposite directions.

[0011] The heat exchanger 1 is provided in a refrigeration cycle mounted on a vehicle or the like, and performs heat exchange between a coolant serving as a first fluid and a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant serving as a second fluid. That is, the heat exchanger 1 performs heat exchange between the two fluids.

[0012] The heat exchanger 1 includes a core 10 , a support plate 20 (see FIG. 2 ), and a bottom plate 30 .

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1 , the core unit 10 is configured by alternately stacking a plurality of first plates 11 and a plurality of second plates 12 arranged in parallel. These first plates 11 and second plates 12 correspond to stacked plates. The upper surface of the core unit 10 is provided with a first fluid inlet 15 (see Fig. 2 ) through which cooling water flows into the core unit 10, a first fluid outlet 16 through which cooling water flows out of the core unit 10, a second fluid inlet 25 through which gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the core unit 10, and a second fluid outlet 26 through which the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out of the core unit 10. The structure of the core unit 10 will be described in detail later with reference to Fig. 3 .

[0014] 2 , the support plate 20 is attached to one end surface (here, the top surface) of the core unit 10. The support plate 20 is made of a member that is thicker than the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 that constitute the core unit 10. The support plate 20 supports the core unit 10 from the top surface. The support plate 20 fixes the first fluid inlet 15, the first fluid outlet 16, the second fluid inlet 25, and the second fluid outlet 26.

[0015] The bottom plate 30 is attached to the other end surface (here, the lower surface) of the core unit 10. The bottom plate 30 is made of a member that is thicker than the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 that constitute the core unit 10. The bottom plate 30 supports the core unit 10 from the lower surface. The bottom plate 30 has a plurality of flanges 31 for fixing the heat exchanger 1 to another member.

[0016] The first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are flat plates (plates) made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, and are formed to have the same rectangular shape (rectangular) on their outer peripheries. As shown in Fig. 2, the corners of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are slightly rounded to guide the flow of the coolant and the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

[0017] A pipe (not shown) through which cooling water flows is connected to the first fluid inlet 15 and the first fluid outlet 16. A pipe (not shown) through which a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows is connected to the second fluid inlet 25 and the second fluid outlet 26. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant has a higher pressure than cooling water because its volume changes between the gas phase and the liquid phase. For this reason, the second fluid inlet 25 and the second fluid outlet 26 are provided with bolt holes for fixing with pipe bolts or the like.

[0018] Next, the structure of the core portion 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 in addition to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger 1, and corresponds to the cross section taken along line III-III in Fig. 2.

[0019] 3, the core 10 is configured by alternately arranging a plurality of first plates 11 and a plurality of second plates 12. In the core 10, a first flow path 10A through which coolant flows and a second flow path 10B through which a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows are alternately formed by the first plate 11 and a pair of second plates 12 adjacent to the first plate 11. Inner fins 40 are provided in the second flow path 10B.

[0020] The cooling water that flows in from the first fluid inlet 15 and changes its flow direction inside the support plate 20 branches off and flows into each of the multiple first flow paths 10A. The cooling water that has passed through the multiple first flow paths 10A joins together and flows out of the heat exchanger 1 from the first fluid outlet 16.

[0021] 3, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that flows in from the second fluid inlet 25 and changes its flow direction inside the support plate 20 branches off and flows into each of the multiple second flow paths 10B. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has passed through the multiple second flow paths 10B joins together and flows out of the heat exchanger 1 from the second fluid outlet 26. In the first flow path 10A, the ends of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are joined to each other so that the second fluid inlet 25 and the second fluid outlet 26 are closed. Similarly, in the second flow path 10B, the ends of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are joined to each other so that the first fluid inlet 15 and the first fluid outlet 16 are closed.

[0022] The inner fins 40 are provided in the second flow path 10B and abut against the first plate 11 and the second plate 12. The inner fins 40 are offset fins that increase the heat transfer area of ​​the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 and promote heat exchange of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 10B. The inner fins 40 also serve to support the second flow path 10B in the stacking direction Z to prevent the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 from deforming due to the pressure of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

[0023] Next, the detailed configuration of the inner fin 40 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the inner fin 40. Figure 5 is a plan view of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of Figure 5. In Figure 6, only two wavy portions 41 are shown to facilitate understanding of the structure of the inner fin 40.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the inner fin 40 includes a wave-like portion 41 formed in a wave shape in the width direction X of the second flow path 10B.

[0025] A plurality of wavy portions 41 are provided in the flow direction Y' of the gas-liquid two-layer refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 10B. The wavy portions 41 are arranged in sequence in the flow direction Y' while being offset in the width direction X, with the first and second wavy portions 41 forming a pair in the flow direction Y'.

[0026] Each of the wave-like portions 41 has a plurality of flat wall portions 42 and a plurality of folded portions 43 .

[0027] The planar wall portions 42 are provided at intervals in the width direction X. The planar wall portions 42 are erected in the height direction Z of the second flow path 10B.

[0028] Some of the planar wall portions 42 in the corrugated portion 41 that are adjacent in the flow direction Y' are provided offset in the width direction X. On the other hand, the planar wall portions 42 that are adjacent in the flow direction Y' and that are not offset in the width direction X are connected to each other, and a cut portion 48 that is cut along the width direction X is provided between each apex 47 of the folded-back portions 43 that are connected to the planar wall portions 42. Therefore, the rigidity of the planar wall portions 42 that are connected in the flow direction Y' is high, and the rigidity of the folded-back portions 43 where the cut portion 48 is provided is low.

[0029] The cut portions 48 are formed between adjacent folded portions 43 in the flow direction Y'. The cut portions 48 cut only between the folded portions 43, and do not cut to the planar wall portions 42 connected in the flow direction Y'.

[0030] The folded portions 43 are provided alternately with the planar wall portions 42 in the width direction X. The folded portions 43 connect adjacent planar wall portions 42. Each folded portion 43 has a wide ridge portion 44, a narrow ridge portion 45, and a valley portion 46.

[0031] The wide ridge portions 44 are formed large in the width direction X and protrude to one side in the height direction Z. The narrow ridge portions 45 are formed smaller in the width direction X than the wide ridge portions 44 and protrude to one side in the height direction Z. The wide ridge portions 44 and the narrow ridge portions 45 are arranged alternately in the width direction X, with valley portions 46 sandwiched between them. Between adjacent wavy portions 41 in the flow direction Y', the wide ridge portions 44 and the narrow ridge portions 45 are arranged alternately.

[0032] The valley portions 46 are provided between the wide ridge portions 44 and the narrow ridge portions 45 that are adjacent to each other in the width direction X. The valley portions 46 are provided so that the size of the valley portions 46 in the width direction X is approximately the same as that of the narrow ridge portions 45. The valley portions 46 protrude to the other side in the height direction Z. In other words, the valley portions 46 protrude in the opposite direction to the wide ridge portions 44 and the narrow ridge portions 45.

[0033] Some of the valleys 46 are connected to each other at adjacent wavy portions 41 in the flow direction Y'. That is, the inner fin 40 includes folded portions 43 that are connected to each other at adjacent wavy portions 41 in the flow direction Y'. The valleys 46 that are connected in the flow direction Y' are connected to only one end (here, the bottom) of the flat wall portion 42.

[0034] 5 and 6, in the first (bottom in FIG. 5) wavy portion 41, a narrow peak 45 is provided so as to continue from a flat wall portion 42 (the right end in FIG. 5) that is adjacent to the machine direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X, and a valley portion 46, a wide peak 44, and a valley 46 are provided successively from there, sandwiching the flat wall portion 42. On the other hand, in the second (second from the bottom in FIG. 5) wavy portion 41, a wide peak 44 is provided so as to continue from a flat wall portion 42 (the right end in FIG. 5) that is adjacent to the machine direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X, and a valley portion 46, a narrow peak 45, and a valley 46 are provided successively from there, sandwiching the flat wall portion 42.

[0035] Here, the valleys 46 are provided so that their size in the width direction X is approximately the same as that of the narrow peaks 45, and therefore the valleys 46 next to the wide peaks 44 in the first wavy portion 41 and the valleys 46 next to the narrow peaks 45 in the second wavy portion 41 are provided at the same position in the width direction X. These valleys 46 provided at the same position in the width direction X are connected to each other, thereby forming a flow path for the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that is continuous in the flow direction Y' within the second flow path 10B.

[0036] 6, the folded portion 43 is provided in an arc shape with a peak 47 protruding in the height direction Z. This makes it easier to compress the inner fin 40 in the process of manufacturing the heat exchanger 1, which will be described later.

[0037] Next, a method for manufacturing the heat exchanger 1 will be described with reference to Figures 7A and 7B. Figure 7A is a diagram illustrating the first step in the method for manufacturing the heat exchanger 1. Figure 7B is a diagram illustrating the step following Figure 7A in the method for manufacturing the heat exchanger 1.

[0038] First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the inner fin 40 is stacked so as to be disposed between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12.

[0039] Next, as shown in Figure 7B, the inner fin 40 is compressed in the stacking direction Z via the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, and the inner fin 40 is held between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 while deforming the arc-shaped folded portion 43 so that it becomes flat.

[0040] In this case, the planar wall portions 42 that are adjacent in the flow direction Y' of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and that are not offset in the width direction X of the second flow path 10B are connected to each other, and the apex 47 of each of the folded portions 43 connected to the planar wall portions 42 is provided with a cut portion 48 that is cut along the width direction X. As a result, the planar wall portions 42 connected in the flow direction Y' have high rigidity, and the folded portions 43 where the cut portion 48 is provided have low rigidity. Therefore, when assembling the inner fins 40 to the heat exchanger 1, the folded portions 43, which have low rigidity, deform, thereby suppressing deformation of the planar wall portions 42, which have high rigidity. Therefore, deformation of the planar wall portions 42 of the inner fins 40 can be suppressed.

[0041] Next, with the inner fins 40 compressed in the stacking direction Z via the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, the brazing material 50 held on the surfaces of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 is melted to perform brazing. Through the above steps, the heat exchanger 1 can be manufactured.

[0042] According to the above embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0043] In a heat exchanger (1) that performs heat exchange between cooling water and a two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant, an inner fin (40) that is provided in at least a second flow path (10B) of the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant and promotes heat exchange is provided. The inner fin (40) is formed in a wave shape in a width direction (X) of the second flow path (10B), and includes a plurality of wave portions (41) that are provided in a flow direction (Y') of the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flowing through the second flow path (10B). The wave portions (41) are provided in a plurality of intervals in the width direction (X), and are provided with a plurality of flat wall portions (42) that are erected in a height direction (Z) of the second flow path (10B), and a plurality of flat wall portions (42) that are erected in a height direction (Z) of the second flow path (10B). and folded portions 43 that are arranged alternately to connect adjacent planar wall portions 42, and some of the planar wall portions 42 in the wavy portion 41 that are adjacent in the flow direction Y' are arranged offset in the width direction X, and the planar wall portions 42 that are adjacent in the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X are connected to each other, and a cut portion 48 that is cut along the width direction X is provided between each apex 47 of the folded portions 43 that are connected to the planar wall portions 42.

[0044] In this configuration, the planar wall portions 42 that are adjacent in the flow direction Y' of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and that are not offset in the width direction X of the second flow path 10B are connected to each other, and the apex 47 of each folded portion 43 connected to the planar wall portions 42 is provided with a cut portion 48 that is cut along the width direction X. This increases the rigidity of the planar wall portions 42 connected in the flow direction Y', while decreases the rigidity of the folded portion 43 where the cut portion 48 is provided. Therefore, when the inner fin 40 is assembled to the heat exchanger 1, the folded portion 43, which has low rigidity, deforms, thereby suppressing deformation of the planar wall portions 42, which has high rigidity. This suppresses deformation of the planar wall portions 42 of the inner fin 40.

[0045] The folded portion 43 is formed in an arc shape with a top portion 47 protruding in the height direction Z. This makes it easier to compress the inner fins 40 in the process of manufacturing the heat exchanger 1, which will be described later.

[0046] First and second modified examples of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is a plan view of an inner fin 40 according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a plan view of an inner fin 40 according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. In each of the modified examples shown below, differences from the above embodiment will be mainly described, and components having similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 8 , in the first modified example, in the first (bottommost in Fig. 8 ) wavy portion 41, a narrow peak 45 is provided so as to continue from a flat wall portion 42 (the rightmost in Fig. 8 ) that is adjacent to the machine direction Y′ and not offset in the width direction X, and a valley portion 46, a wide peak 44, and a valley 46 are provided successively from there, sandwiching the flat wall portion 42. On the other hand, in the second (second from the bottom in Fig. 8 ) wavy portion 41, a wide peak 44 is provided so as to continue from a flat wall portion 42 (the rightmost in Fig. 8 ) that is adjacent to the machine direction Y′ and not offset in the width direction X, and a valley portion 46, a narrow peak 45, and a valley 46 are provided successively from there, sandwiching the flat wall portion 42.

[0048] In the above embodiment, following the second wavy portion 41, a wavy portion 41 identical to the first one and a wavy portion 41 identical to the second one are provided in this order, offset in the width direction X from the second wavy portion 41. In contrast, in the first modified example, following the second wavy portion 41, a wavy portion 41 identical to the first one and a wavy portion 41 identical to the second one are provided in this order without being offset in the width direction X from the second wavy portion 41.

[0049] Here, the valleys 46 are provided so that their size in the width direction X is approximately the same as that of the narrow peaks 45, and therefore the valleys 46 next to the wide peaks 44 in the first wavy portion 41 and the valleys 46 next to the narrow peaks 45 in the second wavy portion 41 are provided at the same position in the width direction X. These valleys 46 provided at the same position in the width direction X are connected to each other, thereby forming a flow path for the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that is continuous in the flow direction Y' within the second flow path 10B.

[0050] Following the second wavy portion 41, a wavy portion 41 identical to the first and a wavy portion 41 identical to the second are provided in this order without being offset in the width direction X from the second wavy portion 41. Therefore, the valley 46 next to the wide peak 44 in the third wavy portion 41 and the valley 46 next to the narrow peak 45 in the fourth wavy portion 41 are also provided at the same position in the width direction X as the valley 46 next to the wide peak 44 in the first wavy portion 41 and the valley 46 next to the narrow peak 45 in the second wavy portion 41.

[0051] As a result, the valleys 46 are connected to each other throughout the entire flow direction Y' in the inner fin 40, thereby forming a continuous flow path for the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant throughout the entire flow direction Y' in the second flow path 10B.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 9, in the second modified example, the folded portion 43 has a wide peak portion 44, a narrow peak portion 45, a wide valley portion 46A, and a narrow valley portion 46B.

[0053] The wide valley portion 46A is provided in the second (second from the bottom in FIG. 9 ) wave-like portion 41. The wide valley portion 46A is provided between each pair of narrow peak portions 45 adjacent to each other in the width direction X. The wide valley portion 46A is provided so that its size in the width direction X is approximately the same as that of the wide peak portion 44.

[0054] The narrow valley portions 46B are provided in the first (bottommost in FIG. 9 ) and second wavy portions 41. In the first wavy portion 41, the narrow valley portions 46B are provided between the wide peak portions 44 and the narrow peak portions 45 adjacent to each other in the width direction X. In the second wavy portion 41, the narrow valley portions 46B are provided between the pair of narrow peak portions 45 adjacent to each other in the width direction X. The narrow valley portions 46B are provided so that the size in the width direction X is approximately the same as that of the narrow peak portions 45.

[0055] In the first wavy portion 41, a wide peak 44 is provided so as to continue from a flat wall portion 42 (the left end in FIG. 9 ) that is adjacent to the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X, and a narrow valley portion 46B, a narrow peak 45, and a narrow valley portion 46B are provided successively from there, sandwiching the flat wall portion 42 in that order. On the other hand, in the second wavy portion 41, a narrow peak 45 is provided so as to continue from a flat wall portion 42 (the left end in FIG. 9 ) that is adjacent to the flow direction Y' and not offset in the width direction X, and a narrow valley portion 46B, a narrow peak 45, and a wide valley portion 46A are provided successively from there, sandwiching the flat wall portion 42 in that order.

[0056] In the above embodiment, following the second wavy portion 41, a wavy portion 41 identical to the first wavy portion 41 and a wavy portion 41 identical to the second wavy portion 41 are provided in this order, offset in the width direction X from the second wavy portion 41. In contrast, in the second modified example, similar to the first modified example, following the second wavy portion 41, a wavy portion 41 identical to the first wavy portion 41 and a wavy portion 41 identical to the second wavy portion 41 are provided in this order without being offset in the width direction X from the second wavy portion 41.

[0057] Here, the wide valley portions 46A are provided so that their size in the width direction X is approximately the same as that of the wide peak portions 44, and the narrow valley portions 46B are provided so that their size in the width direction X is approximately the same as that of the narrow peak portions 45. Therefore, the narrow valley portion 46B next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the first wavy portion 41 and the wide valley portion 46A next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the second wavy portion 41 are provided so that they are continuous in the flow direction Y'. These narrow valley portions 46B and wide valley portions 46A that are provided continuously in the flow direction Y' are connected to each other, thereby forming a flow path for the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that is continuous in the flow direction Y' within the second flow path 10B.

[0058] Following the second wavy portion 41, a wavy portion 41 identical to the first and a wavy portion 41 identical to the second are provided in this order without being offset in the width direction X from the second wavy portion 41. Therefore, the narrow valley portion 46B next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the third wavy portion 41 and the wide valley portion 46A next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the fourth wavy portion 41 are also provided so as to be continuous in the flow direction Y' with the narrow valley portion 46B next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the first wavy portion 41 and the wide valley portion 46A next to the narrow peak portion 45 in the second wavy portion 41.

[0059] As a result, the narrow valley portion 46B and the wide valley portion 46A are connected to each other throughout the entire flow direction Y' in the inner fin 40, thereby forming a continuous flow path for the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant throughout the entire flow direction Y' within the second flow path 10B.

[0060] The first and second modifications described above also provide the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely illustrate some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the first fluid is cooling water and the second fluid is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. However, the first fluid and the second fluid are not limited to these. The heat exchanger 1 can be applied to any fluid as long as it performs heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid having different temperatures.

[0063] In addition, in the above embodiment, the inner fins 40 are provided in the second flow path 10B, but they may be provided in the first flow path 10A, or may be provided in both the first flow path 10A and the second flow path 10B. That is, the inner fins 40 are provided in the flow paths of at least one of the two fluids.

[0064] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-211627, filed with the Japan Patent Office on December 15, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A fin which is provided in a flow path of at least one of two fluids in a heat exchanger which exchanges heat between two fluids and promotes heat exchange, the fin comprising a wave-like shape formed in the width direction of the flow path and a plurality of wavy portions provided in the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the flow path, the wave-like portions comprising: a plurality of planar wall portions provided at intervals in the width direction and erected in the height direction of the flow path; and folded portions which are alternately provided with the planar wall portions in the width direction and connect adjacent planar wall portions, the planar wall portions being offset from each other in the width direction in some of the planar wall portions in the wave-like portions which are adjacent in the flow direction, the planar wall portions which are adjacent in the flow direction and which are not offset in the width direction are connected to each other, and a cut portion which is cut along the width direction is provided between each apex of the folded portion which is connected to the planar wall portion.

2. A fin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the folded portion is provided in an arc shape with the top portion protruding in the height direction.

3. A fin according to claim 2, comprising folded portions connected to each other at adjacent wavy portions in the flow direction.

4. A fin according to claim 3, wherein the folded portion connected in the flow direction is connected to only one end of the flat wall portion.

5. A heat exchanger comprising fins according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to claim 5, comprising the steps of: arranging the fins between stacked plates; compressing the fins in the stacking direction via the stacked plates, and holding the fins between the stacked plates while deforming the arc-shaped folded-back portions so that they become flat; and melting the brazing material held by the stacked plates to perform brazing.

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