Heat exchanger

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a heat exchanger capable of suppressing communication between flow paths inside a side tank and allowing easy detection thereof even if the communication occurs. [Solution] A heat exchanger 1 comprises: a core portion 10 in which tubes 100 extending in a first direction are disposed in an aggregated manner in a second direction; a side plate 13 disposed at an end of the core portion 10 in the second direction; and a side tank 60 disposed on the opposite side from the core portion 10 with the side plate 13 interposed therebetween in the second direction. The side tank 60 is configured by butting together two split members 601, 602, each having a first surface Sf1, Sf3 and a second surface Sf2, Sf4, so that the second surfaces Sf2, Sf4 face each other. The side tank 60 includes an inflow path 64A and an outflow path 64B disposed side by side, and a path separation portion 65 between the inflow path 64A and the outflow path 64B. In the path separation portion 65, the two members 601, 602 are provided with hole portions 6011, 6022 respectively. Through the hole portion 6021 in one member 602 of the two members 601, 602, a part of the other member 601 is exposed, and a first surface Sf1 of the other member 601 faces a part of the one member 602.

Description

Heat exchanger

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger.

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in a heat exchanger (evaporator) for a vehicle, when the opening of the tank and the heat medium inlet and outlet are at different positions where they cannot be directly connected, a configuration is known in which a flow path connecting the two is provided on the side of the heat exchanger (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which side plates are provided on both side surfaces of the core portion, and a refrigerant flow path tank (side tank) that connects the opening of the tank and the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant flow path is arranged at the side portion of the side plate. One end of this refrigerant flow path tank is connected to the inlet and outlet (opening) of the tank, extends downward in parallel with the tube, bends forward from the middle position of the core portion, and a piping member through which refrigerant flows is connected to the end portion at the tip. By doing so, it is possible to respond to the layout of the inlet and outlet of the piping member for each vehicle while suppressing an increase in space.

[0004] In this case, as described in Patent Document 2, the side tank is generally formed by overlapping two metal plate members provided with semi-cylindrical tank halves and joining the portions other than the tank halves by brazing to form a flow path.

[0005] Japanese Patent No. 4797998 Japanese Patent No. 5741470

[0006] However, in the configuration in which two members are overlapped and fixed as described in Patent Document 2, when joining the regions other than the bulged portion (tank half) as the flow path by brazing, bubbles (voids) may occur in the overlapped portion, resulting in poor brazing.

[0007] In particular, in the straight portions that are long in one direction in the inflow-side flow path and the outflow-side flow path, the distance between the two is close in the arrangement direction. That is, if voids occur between the inflow-side flow path and the outflow-side flow path, there is a problem that the two flow paths will communicate (bypass).

[0008] To avoid the occurrence of such voids or brazing defects, for example, a hole may be provided in a part of the area where the two members are superimposed, passing through both members.

[0009] The explanation will be given with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8(A) is a plan view showing the side tank 800 portion, and Figure 8(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 8(A).

[0010] The side tank 800 is composed of a first tank member 801 and a second tank member 802. The first tank member 801 and the second tank member 802 are half-shaped plate members, each including a bulging portion, and are arranged opposite each other so as to cover each other's open surfaces. As a result, the bulging portion becomes a flow path 804 (inflow flow path 804A, outflow flow path 804B). The area between the inflow flow path 804A and the outflow flow path 804B (the area sandwiched between them) becomes a flow path separation section 805, which separates and partitions the inflow flow path 804A and the outflow flow path 804B by joining the flat plate portions of the first tank member 801 and the second tank member 802, for example, with brazing material. Brazing material is applied to the abutting surfaces of the first tank member 801 and the second tank member 802, and the flow path separation section 805 is a two-layer joining region 850 where the brazing material-coated surfaces of the first tank member 801 and the second tank member 802 overlap and are joined. In the brazing process, the brazing material is melted and the components are bonded together. However, if voids are generated within the brazing material at this time, it can lead to brazing defects or communication between the inflow channel 804A and the outflow channel 804B due to the voids. To avoid this, holes 8011 and 8021 are provided in both components 801 and 802 of the channel separation section 805, respectively, which penetrate both components. In other words, the positions of the holes 8011 and 8012 are approximately the same.

[0011] By providing holes 8011 and 8021, the brazing range (distance) is limited, but the two-layer bonding area 850 cannot be completely eliminated, and the two members 801 and 802 must be sufficiently fixed. Conventional measures were insufficient in this regard.

[0012] Furthermore, in the conventional configuration, even if communication due to voids occurred in the two-layer joint region 850 of the flow path separation section 805, communication occurring inside the side tank 800 could not be detected from the outside by leak tests in air or water, etc. As a result, there was a risk of unintentionally releasing products into the market in which the flow path 804 inside the side tank 800 had become connected, which was also a major problem.

[0013] In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a heat exchanger that suppresses communication of flow paths inside the side tank and, even if communication occurs, can be easily detected.

[0014] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising: a core portion in which tubes extending in a first direction are arranged in a second direction; a side plate disposed at the end of the core portion in the second direction; and a side tank disposed on the opposite side of the core portion from the side plate in the second direction, wherein the side tank is constructed by butting together two halves having a first surface and a second surface, respectively, with the second surfaces facing each other; the side tank includes an inflow channel and an outflow channel arranged side by side, and a channel separation section between the inflow channel and the outflow channel; in the channel separation section, holes are provided in each of the two members, a part of the other member is exposed through the hole in one of the two members, and the first surface of the other member abuts against a part of the first member.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising: a core portion in which tubes extending in a first direction are arranged in a second direction; a side plate disposed at the end of the core portion in the second direction; and a side tank disposed on the opposite side of the core portion from the side plate in the second direction, wherein the side tank is constructed by butting together two halves having a first surface and a second surface, respectively, with the second surfaces facing each other; the side tank includes an inflow channel and an outflow channel arranged side by side, and a channel separation section between the inflow channel and the outflow channel, wherein the channel separation section includes an inflow channel peripheral region adjacent to the inflow channel and adjacent to the outflow channel The present invention relates to a heat exchanger having a region surrounding an inlet channel that is in contact with the outlet channel, and a boundary region located between the region surrounding the inlet channel and the region surrounding the outlet channel, wherein a part of the boundary region consists of at least two combinations of a first single-layer region consisting of only one of the two members, a second single-layer region consisting of only the other member, a penetrating region where neither of the two members is arranged, and a first multi-layer region formed by overlapping the first surfaces of the two members, and the region surrounding the inlet channel and the region surrounding the outlet channel are second multi-layer regions formed by overlapping the second surfaces of the two members, or the first surface and the second surface.

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger that suppresses communication of flow paths inside the side tank, and even if communication occurs, can be easily detected.

[0017] This is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a side view showing a part of the configuration of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a perspective view showing a side tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is an exploded view showing a side tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a plan view showing a side tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view of a side tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a side tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing a conventional side tank, where (A) is a plan view and (B) is a cross-sectional view.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 7 are examples of embodiments of the present invention, and in the figures, parts denoted by the same reference numerals indicate parts with the same function, and redundant explanations in each figure will be omitted as appropriate.

[0019] <Heat Exchanger> Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a heat exchanger 1 according to this embodiment. The heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment includes a core portion 10 consisting of a plurality of tubes 100, a side plate 13, a first header tank 11, a second header tank 12, a side tank 60, and the like. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, directions are defined as follows: the direction in which a tube 100 that is long in one direction extends is the first direction, the direction in which the plurality of tubes 100 are accumulated is the second direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions is the third direction. Furthermore, the first direction is the Y-axis direction as shown in Figure 1, the second direction is the X-axis direction as shown in Figure 1, and the third direction is the Z-axis direction as shown in Figure 1, and these will be used to define directions in the heat exchanger 1 in subsequent drawings as well.

[0020] More specifically, the core portion 10 consists of multiple tubes 100 extending in the Y-axis direction (first direction) arranged at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction (second direction), with fins (not shown) provided between them. Side plates 13 (13A, 13B) are arranged parallel to the tubes 100 at both ends of the core portion 10 in the X-axis direction. The multiple tubes 100 constitute a first tube group 100a arranged on the front side in the Z-axis direction and a second tube group 100b arranged on the back side in the Z-axis direction. The first tube group 100a and the second tube group 100b are arranged parallel to each other in the Z-axis direction.

[0021] The first header tank 11 is long in the X-axis direction (its axis direction is aligned with the X-axis direction) and connects to the upper ends of the multiple tubes 100 in the Y-axis direction. The first header tank 11 is a cylindrical member with openings 111 and 112 at both ends in the longitudinal direction (extension direction). The second header tank 12 is long in the X-axis direction (its axis direction is aligned with the X-axis direction) and connects to the lower ends of the multiple tubes 100 in the Y-axis direction. The second header tank 12 is also a cylindrical member with openings 121 and 122 at both ends in the longitudinal direction (extension direction).

[0022] The two side plates 13 (13A, 13B) are positioned opposite each other, with the core portion 10 in between. The side tank 60 is located on one of the two side plates 13A, on the side of side plate 13A. More specifically, in the X-axis direction, it is positioned on the side opposite the core portion 10, with side plate 13A in between.

[0023] The side tank 60 is a blocking means that closes one opening 111 of the first header tank 11, and is also a flow path 64 (inflow flow path 64A, outflow flow path 64B) that connects the inflow pipe 99A and outflow pipe 99B (see Figure 2) of the heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) to the first header tank 11.

[0024] In this example of heat exchanger 1, the heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows from the inlet pipe 99A (see Figure 2) into the inlet passage 64A of the side tank 60 and into the first header tank 11. Within the first header tank 11, the heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows in the X-axis direction in the figure and is divided into the first tube group 100a of the core section 10, and the first tube group 100a flows downward in the Y-axis direction in the figure. After that, the heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) merges in the second header tank 12 and flows in the X-axis direction in the figure, and the second tube group 100b of the core section 10 flows upward in the Y-axis direction in the figure and returns to the first header tank 11.

[0025] The heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) in the first header tank 11 flows into the outlet passage 64B of the side tank 60 and out into the outlet pipe 99B (see Figure 2). In other words, the heat exchanger 1 in this example has a so-called two-pass structure. In the core section 10, heat exchange takes place between the heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flowing in the Y-axis direction in the tube 100 and a fluid (for example, air) moving between the multiple tubes 100 along the Z-axis direction in the figure.

[0026] The first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12 function as distribution points to the multiple tubes 100 when the heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows from inside the first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12 into the multiple tubes 100, and function as junction points to the multiple tubes 100 when the heat transfer medium flows from the multiple tubes 100 into the first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12.

[0027] One opening 111 of the first header tank 11 is closed by the side tank 60, while the other opening 112 is closed by the cap 70A. In addition, the openings 121 and 122 at both ends of the second header tank 12 are closed by the caps 70B and 70C, respectively.

[0028] In the following description, the first header tank 11 (simply referred to as header tank 11) will be described as the main component of this embodiment, and the description of the second header tank 12 will be omitted.

[0029] A partition plate 80 is provided inside the header tank 11. The partition plate 80 is provided along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the header tank 11 so as to divide the inside of the header tank 11 into two regions in its short direction (Z-axis direction). The heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) that accumulates in the two regions partitioned by the partition plate 80 is prevented from entering the other. One region is connected to the inflow passage 64A of the side tank 60 and becomes the inflow side region, and the other region is connected to the outflow passage 64B of the side tank 60 and becomes the outflow side region.

[0030] <Side Tank> The side tank 60 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7. Figure 2 is a side view of the heat exchanger 1 as seen from the X-axis direction, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the side tank 60 as seen from the core 10 side. Figure 4 is an exploded plan view of the side tank 60, and Figures 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the side tank 60.

[0031] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the upper end of the side tank 60 in the Y-axis direction, on the side facing the first header tank 11, is provided with a heat exchanger side inlet / outlet 61 (heat exchanger side inlet 61A, heat exchanger side outlet 61B). These are connected to the opening 111 of the first header tank 11 (inlet opening 111A, outlet opening 111B). Also referring to Figure 2, the lower end of the side tank 60 in the Y-axis direction is provided with a piping side inlet / outlet 62 (piping side inlet 62A, piping side outlet 62B). These are connected to a piping connection section 63 (inlet piping connection section 63A, outlet piping connection section 63B).

[0032] The side tank 60 has an inlet passage 64A and an outlet passage 64B. The inlet passage 64A and the outlet passage 64B are each configured in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the X-axis direction, and are arranged in a nested manner so as to be aligned along the Z-axis direction (within the YZ plane).

[0033] The inflow channel 64A has a straight section (first channel) 641 through which a heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows in the Y-axis direction (extending in the Y-axis direction), and a bent section (second channel) 642 that is continuous with the straight section 641 and through which the heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows in a different direction (Z-axis direction) (changing the flow direction). In this embodiment, the length of the straight section 641 is longer than the length of the bent section 642 (from the bent section 642 to the pipe inlet 62A).

[0034] The outlet channel 64B has a straight section (first channel) 644 through which a heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows in the Y-axis direction (extending in the Y-axis direction), and a bent section (second channel) 645 that is continuous with the straight section 644 and through which the heat transfer medium (refrigerant, cooling water, etc.) flows in a different direction (Z-axis direction) (changing the flow direction). In this embodiment, the length of the straight section 644 is longer than the length of the bent section 645 (from the bent section 645 to the pipe-side outlet 62B).

[0035] One end of the inflow channel 64A in the Y-axis direction (heat exchanger side inlet 61A) communicates with the inflow opening 111A of the first header tank 11, and the other end in the Y-axis direction (pipe side inlet 62A) communicates with the inflow pipe connection 63A. The inflow pipe 99A, shown by the dashed line, is connected to the inflow pipe connection 63A.

[0036] One end of the outflow channel 64B in the Y-axis direction (heat exchanger side outlet 61B) communicates with the outflow opening 111B of the first header tank 11, and the other end in the Y-axis direction (pipe side outlet 62B) communicates with the outflow pipe connection 63B. The outflow pipe 99B, shown by the dashed line, is connected to the outflow pipe connection 63B.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the side tank 60 is composed of a first tank member 601 and a second tank member 602, which are divided into two parts by a plane parallel to the YZ plane. The first tank member 601 has a first surface Sf1 and a second surface Sf2, and is formed in half by a member (e.g., a clad member) on which an adhesive means (e.g., brazing material) is applied only to the second surface Sf2. The second tank member 602 has a first surface Sf3 and a second surface Sf4, and is formed in half by a member (e.g., a clad member) on which an adhesive means (e.g., brazing material) is applied only to the second surface Sf4. The second surface Sf2 of the first tank member 601 and the second surface Sf4 of the second tank member 602 are open surfaces of the half-shaped members, and the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 are configured by butting (facing) them together so that their second surfaces Sf2 and Sf4 face each other.

[0038] The first surface Sf1 of the first tank member 601 is the surface facing the side plate 13A. Above the first tank member 601 in the Y-axis direction, there is a heat exchanger side inlet / outlet 61 (heat exchanger side inlet 61A and heat exchanger side outlet 61B) that communicates with the opening 111 of the header tank 11. The upper part of the second tank member 602 in the Y-axis direction (the surface facing the heat exchanger side inlet 61A and heat exchanger side outlet 61B) functions as a cap that closes the opening 111 of the header tank 11 and the heat exchanger side inlet / outlet 61 that communicates with it. Since the side tank 60 also serves as a closing means (cap) for closing the opening 111 of the first header tank 11, a separate cap for closing the opening 111 is not required, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0039] In this embodiment, the surface on which the opening 111 of the header tank 11 (the heat exchanger-side inlet 61A and heat exchanger-side outlet 61B of the side tank 60 communicating with it) is located and the surface on which at least one of the piping-side inlet 62A and piping-side outlet 62B of the side tank 60 is located intersects. Here, as an example, the surface on which the opening 111 is located and the surface on which the piping-side inlet 62A and piping-side outlet 62B are located intersect.

[0040] In detail, the side tank 60 has its heat exchanger-side inlet 61A and heat exchanger-side outlet 61B arranged side-by-side along the Z-axis (in the YZ plane), while its piping-side inlet 62A and piping-side outlet 62B are arranged vertically along the Y-axis (in the XY plane). On the other hand, the piping-side inlet 62A and piping-side outlet 62B do not exist in the axial direction of the opening 111 (heat exchanger-side inlet / outlet 61) of the header tank 11, and are located below them in the Y-axis direction.

[0041] In the heat exchanger 1, it is necessary to accommodate the layout of the inlet and outlet piping 99 (inlet piping 99A and outlet piping 99B) on the vehicle side (HVAC system), and it may not be possible to position the piping-side inlet and outlet 62 along the axial direction of the opening 111 of the header tank 11 (directly on the opening 111). In such cases, it is necessary to provide a flow path along the side plate 13A that connects the heat exchanger 1 and the inlet and outlet piping 99 in a limited space and without interfering with the HVAC unit case. In this embodiment, the flow path to the inlet and outlet piping 99 is routed while being compactly housed in the HVAC unit case by the side tank 60.

[0042] The first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 are positioned opposite each other so as to cover each other's open surfaces (second surfaces Sf2, Sf4). Furthermore, both the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 have a portion that bulges out, thereby forming a flow path 64 (inflow flow path 64A, outflow flow path 64B). The first tank member 601 engages (crimps) its claw portion 601A, located on its periphery, with the second tank member 602. The second tank member 602 engages (crimps) its claw portion 602A, located on its upper periphery in the Y-axis direction, with the first tank member 601 in between, with the header tank 11. For example, brazing material is applied to the second surface Sf2 of the first tank member 601 and the second surface Sf4 of the second tank member 602, and areas other than the flow path 64 where the second surfaces Sf2 and Sf4 are close to or in contact are brazed.

[0043] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a first tank member 601 and a second tank member 602 that constitute the side tank 60, and is a developed plan view of the side tank 60 in a state viewed from the side of the heat exchanger 1 shown in FIG. 2. The left figure shows the second surface Sf2 side of the first tank member 601, and the right figure shows the first surface Sf3 side of the second tank member 602. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the side tank 60 for explaining the flow path separation portion 65. FIG. 6 is a view showing a cross section of the side tank 60, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the side tank 60 portion shown in FIG. 5, and the right side in the drawing is the header tank 11 side.

[0044] The inflow passage 64A and the outflow passage 64B are arranged in an nested manner so as to be arranged side by side along the Z-axis direction (within the YZ plane). The region between the inflow passage 64A and the outflow passage 64B (the region sandwiched between them and indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 4) becomes a flow path separation portion 65 that separates and partitions the inflow passage 64A and the outflow passage 64B by the flat first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 being in close contact and joined by a brazing material. In addition, the flat regions of the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 other than the flow path separation portion 65 (for example, above in the Y-axis direction of the flow path 64, the side opposite to the flow path separation portion 65, etc.) are also in close contact and joined in the same manner as the flow path separation portion 65.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the flow path separation portion 65 is partitioned into an inflow passage peripheral region 65A (indicated by hatching) adjacent to the inflow passage 64A, an outflow passage peripheral region 65B (indicated by hatching) adjacent to the outflow passage 64B, and a boundary region 65C located between the inflow passage peripheral region 65A and the outflow passage peripheral region 65B. The inflow passage peripheral region 65A and the outflow passage peripheral region 65B are regions where the joining of the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 is essential for partitioning the flow path 64, and are double-layer joining regions 656. On the other hand, although the boundary region 65C is the flow path separation portion 65, since the flow path 64 is partitioned in the inflow passage peripheral region 65A and the outflow passage peripheral region 65B, there may be a region that does not include the double-layer joining region 656 at least partially.

[0046] Specifically, in the flow path separation section 65, the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 are joined together. However, the entire section is not composed of an area where the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 overlap. Rather, a part of the boundary region 65C includes an area composed only of the first tank member 601, an area composed only of the second tank member 602, and an area where neither the first tank member 601 nor the second tank member 602 is located, i.e., an area where a hole is formed that penetrates the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602.

[0047] Furthermore, in the flow path separation section 65, even in the region where the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 are superimposed, a portion of the boundary region 65C includes a region where the superimposition method differs. Specifically, when the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 are superimposed, the superimposition patterns are one of the following: a first pattern where the first surfaces Sf1 and Sf3 of both are abutting surfaces (contact surfaces, opposing surfaces); a second pattern where the second surfaces Sf2 and Sf4 of both are abutting surfaces (contact surfaces, opposing surfaces); and a third pattern where the first surface Sf1 (or first surface Sf3) of one and the second surface Sf4 (or second surface Sf2) of the other are abutting surfaces (contact surfaces, opposing surfaces). To reiterate, in this embodiment, the second surfaces Sf2 and Sf4 are brazing material coated surfaces, and of the above superimposition patterns, only the second and third patterns are joinable. In this embodiment, the region (first multilayer region) formed by overlapping the first pattern (a pattern in which the first surfaces Sf1 and Sf3 of the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 are facing each other) is referred to as the "two-layer non-joined region 655," and the region (second multilayer region) formed by overlapping the second or third pattern (a pattern in which the second surfaces Sf2 and Sf4 of the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 are facing each other, or a pattern in which the first surface Sf1 (or first surface Sf3) and the second surface Sf4 (or second surface Sf2) are facing each other) is referred to as the "two-layer joined region 656." The two-layer joined region 850 shown in Figure 8 is a two-layer joined region overlapped with the second pattern.

[0048] A more specific description will be given with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6. In the flow path separation section 65, the first tank member 601 is provided with a hole 6011 penetrating in the plate thickness direction (X-axis direction). In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality (for example, five) of holes 6011 (6011A to 6011E) are provided along the flow path 64. The holes 6011A, 6011B, and 6011C are, for example, rectangular (strip-shaped) or oval in shape that are long in the Y-axis direction and are provided along the Y-axis direction. The end of the partition plate 80 is inserted into the hole 6011A. The hole 6011D is substantially fan-shaped and is provided between the inflow path bent portion 642 and the outflow path bent portion 645, and the hole 6011E is substantially rectangular and is provided near the piping-side inflow / outflow port 62.

[0049] In the flow path separation section 65, the second tank member 602 is provided with a hole 6021 penetrating in the plate thickness direction (X-axis direction). In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality (for example, six) of holes 6021 (6021A to 6021F) are provided along the flow path 64. The holes 6021A, 6021B, and 6021C are, for example, rectangular (strip-shaped) or oval in shape that are long in the Y-axis direction and are provided along the Y-axis direction. The end of the partition plate 80 is inserted into the hole 6021A. The hole 6021D is substantially L-shaped and is provided between the inflow path bent portion 642 and the outflow path bent portion 645, and the holes 6021E and 6021F are substantially rectangular and are provided near the piping-side inflow / outflow port 62.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the holes 6011 of the first tank member 601 and the holes 6021 of the second tank member 602 are provided at positions shifted in a direction along the flow path 64. Specifically, for example, the holes 6011A and 6021A have the same width (length in the Z-axis direction), and the positions at the upper end in the Y-axis direction are substantially the same (aligned), but the lower end in the Y-axis direction is shorter in the hole 6021A. The lower end in the Y-axis direction of the hole 6011B is aligned with the upper end of the hole 6021C, and the lower end in the Y-axis direction of the hole 6021C is longer than the hole 6011C, and the two partially overlap, but the hole 6011C is displaced downward in the Y-axis direction. The substantially L-shaped hole 6021D partially overlaps the substantially fan-shaped hole 6011D, and the substantially rectangular holes 6011E and 6021F substantially overlap.

[0051] Referring to Figure 6, the region where the second surface Sf2 of the first tank member 601 and the second surface Sf4 of the second tank member 602 are facing each other and overlapping in two layers is the double-layer joint region 656. On the other hand, as described above, when the hole 6011 of the first tank member 601 and the hole 6021 of the second tank member 602 are offset from each other, a part of the second tank member 602 is exposed from the hole 6011 of the first tank member 601, and a part of the first tank member 601 is exposed from the hole 6021 of the second tank member 602. The region where a part of the first tank member 601 is exposed is the first single-layer region 651 consisting only of the first tank member 601, and the region where the second tank member 602 is exposed is the second single-layer region 652 consisting only of the second tank member 602. Furthermore, the area where the hole 6011 of the first tank member 601 and the hole 6021 of the second tank member 602 overlap becomes a through-area 653 where neither the first tank member 601 nor the second tank member 602 is located.

[0052] In this embodiment, a portion of the flow path separation section 65, particularly the boundary region 65C, is provided with a region that combines at least two of the following: the first single-layer region 651, the second single-layer region 652, the through-region 653, and the two-layer non-jointed region 655.

[0053] The flow path separation section 65 is roughly L-shaped along the flow path 64, but the area between the straight inflow flow path section 641 and the straight outflow flow path section 644 is the narrowest in width (distance in the Z-axis direction) within the flow path separation section 65 (where the inflow flow path 64 and outflow flow path 64B are closest), and this area will be referred to as the "proximity separation section 66" below. In particular, in this proximity separation section 66, if voids occur during brazing, there is a problem that the inflow flow path 64A and outflow flow path 64B will communicate (bypass) through the voids, even though it is a flow path separation section 65. Voids can also occur in areas other than the proximity separation section 66, but for example, near the inflow outlet 62 on the piping side, even if voids occur, the width of the flow path separation section 65 is sufficiently wider than the size of the voids, and the possibility of the inflow flow path 64A and outflow flow path 64B communicating is less than in the proximity separation section 66.

[0054] Here, the proximity separation section 66, which is part of the flow path separation section 65, is also divided into an inflow flow path surrounding area 65A, an outflow flow path surrounding area 65B, and a boundary area 65C. In this embodiment, the boundary area 65C of the proximity separation section 66 (which can also be called the proximity separation section 66 portion within the boundary area 65C), where communication is highly likely to occur, is designated as a "specific proximity separation section 66s" without a two-layer joining area 656 (shown by a large dashed line in Figure 5). Specifically, the specific proximity separation section 66s is provided with a region that combines at least two of the following: a first single-layer region 651, a second single-layer region 652, a through-region 653, and a two-layer non-joining region 655.

[0055] In the example shown in Figure 6, the specific proximity separation section 66s has a through-region 653, a second single-layer region 652, and a first single-layer region 651 arranged continuously and alternately along the flow path 64. Since these regions are not two-layer joint regions 656, brazing, which causes void formation, does not occur. As a result, communication between the inflow flow path 64A and the outflow flow path 64B does not occur in the specific proximity separation section 66s.

[0056] Specifically, in this example, from the header tank 11 side, there is a through-region 653 where the hole 6011A of the first tank member 601 and the hole 6021A of the second tank member 602 overlap, a second single-layer region 652 where the second tank member 602 is exposed from the hole 6011A, a first single-layer region 651 where the first tank member 601 is exposed from the hole 6021B, a through-region 653 where the hole 6011B of the first tank member 601 and the hole 6021B of the second tank member 602 overlap, and hole 6 The following are provided in this order: a second single-layer region 652 where the second tank member 602 is exposed from 011B, a first single-layer region 651 where the first tank member 601 is exposed from the hole 6021C, a through-region 653 where the hole 6011C of the first tank member 601 and the hole 6021C of the second tank member 602 overlap, a second single-layer region 652 where the second tank member 602 is exposed from the hole 6011C, and a first single-layer region 651 where the first tank member 601 is exposed from the hole 6021D.

[0057] Thus, in at least the specific proximity separation section 66s, the through-region 653, the second single-layer region 652, and the first single-layer region 651 are arranged in this order in a continuous alternating pattern, and the two-layer bonding region 656 does not exist. In other words, the generation of voids can be avoided in at least the specific proximity separation section 66s.

[0058] Referring to Figure 4, in the boundary region 65C other than the specific proximity separation section 66s, the holes 6011D and 6021D partially overlap, and a first single-layer region 651 and a through-region 653 are provided along the flow path 64, with the first tank member 601 exposed from the hole 6021D. Furthermore, a first single-layer region 651 is provided with the first tank member 601 exposed from the hole 6021E, and a through-region 653 is provided where the holes 6011E and 6021F partially overlap. On the other hand, for example, the region between the holes 6021D and 6021E, and the region between the holes 6021E and 6021F become a double-layer joint region 656. However, as described above, the width of the flow path separation section 65 is wide in these regions, so even if voids occur, the impact is small.

[0059] In this embodiment, the specific proximity separation section 66s is provided with at least two combinations of regions other than the two-layer bonding region 656: the through region 653, the second single-layer region 652, the first single-layer region 651, and the two-layer non-bonding region 655. On the other hand, the boundary region 65C other than the specific proximity separation section 66s can be arbitrarily configured with the through region 653, the second single-layer region 652, the first single-layer region 651, the two-layer non-bonding region 655, and the two-layer bonding region 656.

[0060] Furthermore, the inflow channel surrounding region 65A and the outflow channel surrounding region 65B adjacent to the boundary region 65C are two-layer joint regions 656, and there remains a possibility of void formation in these areas. However, in this embodiment, even if voids occur in the inflow channel surrounding region 65A and / or the outflow channel surrounding region 65B in the proximity separation section 66, since one of the first single-layer region 651, the second single-layer region 652, and the through-region 653 is arranged in the adjacent specific proximity separation section 66s, communication is limited to these. In other words, the possibility of direct communication with the other channel 64 can be reduced.

[0061] Furthermore, if a void occurs in the proximity separation section 66 and communicates with the first single-layer region 651, the second single-layer region 652, and the penetration region 653, the communication can be detected from the outside by conducting leak tests in the air or underwater. As a result, the risk of releasing products into the market in which the flow path 64 has unintentionally communicated inside the side tank 60 can be reduced.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, in the specific proximity separation section 66s, in this example, a part of the first tank member 601 is exposed through the hole 6021 of the second tank member 602, and the first surface Sf1 of a part of the first tank member 601 is in close proximity to, facing, or in contact with, a part of the second tank member 602. By doing so, a structure is realized that reduces the two-layer bonding region 656 which causes void generation, and misalignment between the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 can be suppressed.

[0063] In detail, the first tank member 601 has a rising portion 610 that is bent toward the second tank member 602 (shown upward in Figure 6). The rising portion 610 is provided corresponding to the position of the hole 6021 of the second tank member 602 and is inserted through the hole 6021. As a result, the first surface Sf1 of the rising portion 610 is on the inner circumference of one side of the hole 6021 in the Y-axis direction (for example, the upper side in the Y-axis direction, the right side in Figure 6), and is in close proximity to and facing the surface of the hole 6021 (second tank member 602) that is aligned with the thickness direction. Alternatively, it is more preferable that the first surface Sf1 of the rising portion 610 abuts against the surface of the hole 6021 that is aligned with the thickness direction.

[0064] In this way, a structure is realized that reduces the two-layer bonding region 656, which is the cause of void generation, and the position of the first tank member 601 relative to the second tank member 602 (position along the Y-axis) can be aligned and fixed. Therefore, misalignment of the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 in the Y-axis direction can be prevented during the assembly process of the side tank 60.

[0065] Even if the rising portion 610 is positioned in close proximity to or in contact with the second tank member 602, the first surface Sf1 of the rising portion 610 is positioned in close proximity to or in contact with the surface of the hole portion 6021 that is aligned with the plate thickness direction, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a two-layer bonding region 656.

[0066] Figure 7 is a diagram showing another example of this embodiment and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 6. The rising portion 610 may be bent at the tip in the rising direction to provide a bent tip portion 611. The bent tip portion 611 is bent so that its first surface Sf1 is close to and facing the first surface Sf3 of the second tank member 602 around the hole portion 6021. Alternatively, it is more preferable that the first surface Sf1 of the bent tip portion 611 abuts against the first surface Sf3 of the second tank member 602. The portion where the first surface Sf1 of the bent tip portion 611 of the first tank member 601 and the first surface Sf3 of the second tank member 602 face each other is a two-layer non-joined region 655. In other words, in the example of Figure 7, the specific proximity separation portion 66s is arranged alternately in the following order: through region 653, second single-layer region 652, two-layer non-joined region 655, and first single-layer region 651, excluding the two-layer joined region 656. The rest of the configuration is the same as the example shown in Figure 6, so we will omit the explanation.

[0067] The rising portion 610 is inserted through the hole 6021, its first surface Sf1 is positioned close to and facing the surface of the hole 6021 that is aligned with the plate thickness direction, and the first surface Sf1 of the bent tip portion 611 is positioned close to and facing the first surface Sf3 of the second tank member 602 surrounding the hole 6021. This reduces the double-layer bonding region 656 that causes voids, and prevents misalignment of the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction during the assembly process of the side tank 60. Furthermore, since movement in the direction that separates the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 can be prevented, misalignment after assembly and floating of the central part of the side tank 60 can be prevented.

[0068] In this embodiment, the flow path separation section 65 is configured to minimize the double-layer joint region 656 where the second surface Sf2 of the first tank member 601 and the second surface Sf4 of the second tank member 602 overlap. While the double-layer joint region 656 needs to be brazed, there is a possibility of voids forming inside the molten brazing material. Therefore, by arranging many first single-layer regions 651, second single-layer regions 652, through-regions 653, or double-layer non-joined regions 655 that do not have a cause for void formation, the generation of voids during brazing is suppressed.

[0069] As a result, the maximum number of overlaps between the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 in the flow path separation section 65 is 2 or less. Specifically, in the example in Figure 6, the maximum number of overlaps is "2" (two-layer joint region 656), and in the specific proximity separation section 66s, the maximum number of overlaps is "1" (first single-layer region 651 or second single-layer region 652).

[0070] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 7, by positioning the first surface Sf1 of the bent tip portion 611 close to and facing the first surface Sf3 of the second tank member 602 around the hole portion 6021, the maximum number of overlaps becomes "2" (the two-layer joining region 656, or the bent tip portion 611). Even if the bent tip portion 611 of the first tank member 601 is locked to the second tank member 602, the maximum number of overlaps at the locking portion can be kept to "2".

[0071] For comparison, in the conventional method (see Figure 8), one member (for example, the first tank member 801) is crimped and fixed to the other member (for example, the second tank member 802) in the two-layer joint region 850, and the maximum number of overlaps in the flow path separation section 805 is "3" at the crimped and fixed section.

[0072] In this embodiment, by bringing the rising portion 610, or the first surface Sf1 of the rising portion 610 and the bent tip portion 611, close to and facing the first surface Sf3 of the second tank member 602, misalignment of the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 can be prevented and the two can be fixed together. Furthermore, by bringing the rising portion 610, or the first surface Sf1 of the rising portion 610 and the bent tip portion 611, into contact with the second tank member 602, misalignment of the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 can be prevented and the fixing strength of the two can be increased, even in a configuration that reduces the two-layer bonding area 656. Note that the bent tip portion 611 may not only contact the second tank member 602 but may also be fixed (crimped) so as to press against the second tank member 602.

[0073] Furthermore, although the above embodiment illustrates a case where the first tank member 601 is provided with a rising portion 610 (bent tip portion 611), it is also possible to provide the rising portion 610 (bent tip portion 611) on the second tank member 602.

[0074] Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide a rising portion 610 on either the first tank member 601 or the second tank member 602.

[0075] Returning to Figure 3, the first tank member 601 has a protruding portion 68. The protruding portion 68 is, for example, a bulge in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in the direction of the side plate 13A, which is part of the first tank member 601 that constitutes a straight channel section with a long flow path length (in this example, the inflow channel straight section 641 and the outflow channel straight section 644). More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the protruding portion (bulge) 68 in this example is independent on the inflow channel 64A side and the outflow channel 64B side, with the first bulge 68A provided on part of the inflow channel straight section 641 and the second bulge 68B provided on part of the outflow channel straight section 644. More preferably, as shown in Figure 3, the first bulge 68A is provided on the header tank 11 side from the center in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the inflow channel straight section 641, and the second bulge 68B is provided on the header tank 11 side from the center in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the outflow channel straight section 644. The bulge amounts (height to the side plate 13A) of the first bulge 68A and the second bulge 68B are, for example, equivalent.

[0076] According to this embodiment, the protruding portion (bulge) 68 can suppress the X-axis displacement of the pipe-side inlet / outlet 62 of the side tank 60. When assembling (brazing) the heat exchanger 1, the side tank 60, side plates 13 (13A, 13B), and core portion 10 are fixed by wrapping a jig such as wire around them, with the direction of accumulation of the multiple tubes 100 of the core portion 10 (X-axis direction) being perpendicular to the height direction inside the furnace, and then brazing is performed.

[0077] Here, both ends of the multiple tubes 100 in the direction of extension are inserted into and fixed to the first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12. Similarly, both ends of the side plates 13 (13A, 13B) in the direction of extension are also inserted into and fixed to the first header tank 11 and the second header tank 12 (see Figure 1).

[0078] In other words, with respect to the clamping force of the jig for the side plate 13 and the core portion 10, the rigidity against the clamping force is high near the header tank 11, while the rigidity against the clamping force is weaker near the center of the extension direction of the tube 100 of the side plate 13 and the core portion 10. In other words, the side plate 13A and the tube 100 are more prone to warping toward the center in the accumulation direction as they move away from the header tank 11.

[0079] In this embodiment, the side plate 13A and the bulge 68 of the side tank 60 come into contact in a region near the header tank 11, which has relatively high rigidity with respect to the clamping force of the jig. The "near the header tank 11" where the bulge 68 is provided refers, for example, to the side of the side tank 60 that is closer to the header tank 11 than the center of the straight inflow channel 641 of the channel 64 (in this case, the inflow channel 64A), which has a long flow path length. More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, if the length in the longitudinal direction (extension direction) of the straight inflow channel 641 is L1, the first bulge 68A (its center) is positioned closer to the header tank 11 than a position P1 that is half the length of L1.

[0080] With this configuration, even if the tightening force of the jig is applied to the core portion 10 via the side tank 60 and side plate 13A during assembly (brazing), deformation of the side tank 60 and side plate 13A (bending toward the center in the direction of tube accumulation) can be avoided in the vicinity of the bulge portion 68. Furthermore, even if bending toward the center in the direction of tube accumulation occurs in a part of the side plate 13A (an area away from the header tank 11), the side tank 60 is not in contact with the side plate 13A in areas other than the bulge portion 68, so it is less affected by the deformation of the side plate 13A. Accordingly, X-axis displacement of the pipe-side inlet and outlet 62 of the side tank 60 (pipe-side inlet 62A and pipe-side outlet 62B), and furthermore, the pipe connection portion 63 connected thereto (inlet pipe connection portion 63A and outlet pipe connection portion 63B), can be suppressed. Furthermore, since it is possible to suppress the large load caused by warping that is applied to the connection between the opening 111 of the header tank 11 and the side tank 60, it is also possible to prevent the side tank 60 from detaching.

[0081] In this embodiment, the side tank 60 can be supported and fixed to the core portion 10 not only at the joint portion with the header tank 11 (around the opening 111) but also at the bulging portion 68. Therefore, the side tank 60 can be sufficiently supported while minimizing the effect of deformation of the side plate 13A.

[0082] Furthermore, in the configuration shown in Figure 7, the bent tip portion 611 can be locked to the second tank member 602. Therefore, even when the side tank 60 is subjected to the tightening force of the jig (pressing force in the direction of the core portion 10), displacement in the direction of the core portion 10 can be prevented. In addition, since movement in the direction of separation between the first tank member 601 and the second tank member 602 can be prevented, the side plate 13A is less susceptible to deformation.

[0083] It should be noted that the heat exchanger 1 of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0084] 1 Heat exchanger 10 Core section 11 Header tanks 13, 13A, 13B Side plates 60 Side tanks 61 Heat exchanger side inlet / outlet 62 Piping side inlet / outlet 64 Flow path 64A Inlet flow path 64B Outlet flow path 65 Flow path separation section 65A Area around the inlet flow path 65B Area around the outlet flow path 65C Boundary area 66 Proximity separation section 68 Bulging section 68A First bulging section 68B Second bulging section 100 Tube 601 First tank component 602 Second tank component 610 Riser section 611 Tip bend section 641 Inlet flow path straight section 642 Inlet flow path bend section 644 Outlet flow path straight section 645 Outlet flow path bend section 650 Two-layer area 651 First single-layer area 652 Second single-layer area 653 Through-field region 655 Two-layer non-jointed region (first multi-layered region) 656 Two-layer jointed region (second multi-layered region) 6011, 6021 Hole Sf1, Sf3 First surface Sf2, Sf4 Second surface

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising: a core portion in which tubes extending in a first direction are arranged in a second direction; a side plate disposed at the end of the core portion in the second direction; and a side tank disposed on the opposite side of the core portion from the side plate in the second direction, wherein the side tank is constructed by butting together two halves having a first surface and a second surface, respectively, with the second surfaces facing each other; the side tank includes an inlet passage and an outlet passage arranged side by side, and a passage separation section between the inlet passage and the outlet passage; in the passage separation section, holes are provided in each of the two members, a part of the other member is exposed from the hole in one of the two members, and the first surface of the other member faces the part of the first member.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the other member has a raised portion bent toward the one member, the raised portion is inserted through the hole, and the first surface of the raised portion is brought into contact with the surface of the one member that is in line with the plate thickness direction.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that the rising portion has a bent tip portion, and the first surface of the bent tip portion faces the first surface of the one member.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the flow path separation section, a first single-layer region composed of only one of the members and a second single-layer region composed of only the other of the members are alternately arranged along the first direction.

5. A heat exchanger comprising: a core portion in which tubes extending in a first direction are arranged in a second direction; a side plate disposed at the end of the core portion in the second direction; and a side tank disposed on the opposite side of the core portion from the side plate in the second direction, wherein the side tank is constructed by butting together two halves having a first surface and a second surface, respectively, with the second surfaces facing each other; the side tank includes an inflow channel and an outflow channel arranged side by side, and a channel separation section between the inflow channel and the outflow channel; the channel separation section has an inflow channel peripheral region adjacent to the inflow channel; an outflow channel peripheral region adjacent to the outflow channel; and a boundary region located between the inflow channel peripheral region and the outflow channel peripheral region; a part of the boundary region consists of at least two combinations of a first single-layer region consisting of only one of the two members, a second single-layer region consisting of only the other member, a penetrating region where neither of the two members is disposed, and a first multi-layer region formed by facing the first surfaces of the two members. A heat exchanger characterized in that the region surrounding the inflow channel and the region surrounding the outflow channel are a second multilayer region formed by the second surfaces of the two members facing each other, or by the first surface facing the second surface.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that a portion of the boundary region is a combination of at least two of the through region, the first single-layer region, the second single-layer region, and the first multi-layer region, which are arranged continuously along the first direction.

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