Heat exchanger

Abstract

This heat exchanger is advantageous in increasing the degree of freedom in material selection without upsizing clips (26) and in achieving cost reduction while ensuring the vibration resistance of a tube element. A plurality of clip rows (2602) are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the clip rows (2602), and clips (26) adjacent to each other in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the clip rows (2602) are coupled, thereby forming a clip assembly (2604). The heat exchanger (10) is provided with support members (30) that support end clips (26X) positioned at the two ends, in the longitudinal direction, of the outermost clip rows (2602) from among the plurality of clip rows (2602), such that each of the end clips (26X) is attached to a site other than a tube element (24) and incapable of moving in the longitudinal direction of the clip rows (2602) or in the direction in which the plurality of clip rows (2602) are arranged.

Description

heat exchanger

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger in which the tube elements can be replaced.

[0002] In large-scale work machines such as mining machines and construction machines, heat exchangers are provided that allow only the damaged tube element to be replaced when a flat tube is damaged by flying debris or other objects at the work site. Such a heat exchanger comprises upper and lower tank sections, a pair of frames connecting the ends of the upper and lower tank sections, a core positioned in the space enclosed by the frames and tank sections, and a pair of support brackets stretched across the pair of frames on both the front and rear sides of the core. The core contains multiple tube elements. Each tube element consists of a flat tube and a pair of corrugated fins joined to the opposing planes of the flat tube. The longitudinal ends of the tube elements are detachably attached to the tank sections.

[0003] The tube elements are arranged in a straight line to form an element row. Multiple such element rows are provided, arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube elements and the longitudinal direction of the element row. A synthetic resin clip is attached to the middle of each tube element in the longitudinal direction. In the element row, clips attached to adjacent tube elements are joined together to form a linearly extending clip row. Furthermore, by arranging multiple element rows perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube elements and the longitudinal direction of the element row, the clips corresponding to each element row are joined to the clips of adjacent clip rows, forming a clip assembly that connects the entire tube element. Support rubber is provided on a pair of support brackets. The support rubber is joined to the clips attached to the tube elements that make up the two outermost element rows of the multiple element rows, and the clip assembly is held in place by the support rubber.

[0004] Prior art documents related to the technical field of the present invention include WO2020 / 149155 and WO2021 / 261604.

[0005] In the above-described conventional heat exchanger, since the clip assembly is supported by sandwiching the two outermost element rows with a pair of support rubbers, the vibration resistance of each tube element is somewhat inferior. Therefore, conventionally, the rigidity of the clip itself is increased to ensure the vibration resistance of the tube elements located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the outermost element row.

[0006] Therefore, in the conventional heat exchanger, the thickness of the clip increases, resulting in a larger size, and the freedom of material selection for the clip is narrowed, which is disadvantageous in reducing the cost of the heat exchanger. The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a heat exchanger that is advantageous in reducing costs while ensuring the vibration resistance of tube elements, increasing the freedom of material selection, and without increasing the size of the clip.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, one embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention is as follows: Clips 26 attached to the middle of the longitudinal direction of the tube element 24 are arranged linearly with the tube element 24, and adjacent clips 26 are joined together to form a clip row 2602. Multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602, and adjacent clips 26 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 are joined together to form a clip assembly 2604. In the heat exchanger 10 provided with the clip assembly 2604, a support member 30 is provided which is attached to a location other than the tube element 24 and immovably supports at least one clip 26 constituting the clip assembly 2604 in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention, the support member 30 includes a dummy tube 32 that has no fluid passage and closes off a portion that is detachably connected to a pair of tank portions 12, and a single clip 26 that is immovably supported by the dummy tube 32 in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged, and constitutes a clip assembly 2604. In yet another embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention, the tube element 24 is composed of a flattened tube 20 and a pair of corrugated fins 22 joined to mutually opposing planes of the flattened tube 20, a flattened tube single portion 2006 is provided in the middle of the flattened tube 20 in the longitudinal direction, where the pair of corrugated fins 22 are removed and a clip 26 is attached, and a mounting portion 3202 is provided in the middle of the dummy tube 32 in the longitudinal direction, where the clip 26 is attached and has the same external shape as the flattened tube single portion 2006.Furthermore, in yet another embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention, the clips 26 supported by the support member 30 are end clips 26X or 26Y located at the longitudinal ends of the clip row 2602, and the support member 30 comprises a dummy tube 32 that does not have a fluid passage and is detachably connected to a pair of tank sections 12 and closes the connected portion, and a reinforcing clip 27 that is immovably supported by the dummy tube 32 in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged and is connected to the end clip 26X or 26Y. Furthermore, in yet another embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention, the clip 26 supported by the support member 30 is an end clip 26X or 26Y located at the longitudinal end of the clip row 2602, and the support member 30 comprises a reinforcing clip support member 40 attached to the frame 14, and a reinforcing clip 27 that is immovably supported by the reinforcing clip support member 40 in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged, and is coupled to the end clip 26X or 26Y. Yet another embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention is characterized in that the clip 26 and the reinforcing clip 27 have the same shape.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention, at least one clip 26 constituting the clip assembly 2604 is supported by a support member 30 so as to be immovable in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. As a result, the clips 26 are coupled to adjacent clips 26 to form a clip assembly 2604, and the restraining structure of the clip assembly 2604 is strengthened. Therefore, as in conventional heat exchangers, there is no need to increase the wall thickness to increase the rigidity of the clips 26, and problems such as the degree of freedom in selecting the material used for the clips 26 to increase rigidity are eliminated. Thus, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger 10 that is advantageous in terms of cost reduction, as it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in selecting the material used for the clips 26 without increasing the size of the clips 26, and at the same time ensure the vibration resistance of the tube element 24 while reducing costs. In this case, if a dummy tube 32 that is liquid-tight and airtightly attached to a pair of tank sections 12 and does not have a fluid passage is used as the support member 30, it is advantageous for easily and reliably supporting the clip 26 supported by the dummy tube 32 so that it cannot move in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. Furthermore, if a mounting section 3202 is provided in the middle of the longitudinal part of the dummy tube 32, to which the clip 26 is attached, having the same external shape as the flat tube single section 2006, it is even more advantageous for easily and reliably supporting the clip 26 supported by the dummy tube 32 so that it cannot move in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. Furthermore, if the clip 26 supported by the support member 30 is an end clip 26X or 26Y located at the longitudinal end of the clip row 2602, configuring the support member 30 with a dummy tube 32 and a reinforcing clip 27 is advantageous in easily and reliably supporting the end clip 26X or 26Y in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged, by simply connecting the reinforcing clip 27 to the end clip 26X or 26Y.Furthermore, if the clip 26 supported by the support member 30 is an end clip 26X or 26Y located at the longitudinal end of the clip row 2602, then if the support member 30 is composed of a reinforcing clip support member 40 attached to the frame 14 and a reinforcing clip 27, then the simple structure of connecting the reinforcing clip 27 to the end clip 26X or 26Y is advantageous in easily and reliably supporting the end clip 26X or 26Y so that it cannot move in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. In addition, if the clip 26 and the reinforcing clip 27 have the same shape, the number of parts can be reduced, which is advantageous in reducing the cost of the heat exchanger 10.

[0009] This is a front view of the heat exchanger of the first embodiment. This is a view from above of the cylindrical part at the upper end of the flattened tube and the clip, with the tank section and corrugated fins of the tube element removed, and a plan view showing the clip row and the element row. This is a cross-sectional plan view of the heat exchanger cut at the clip section. This is a front view showing the connection relationship between the tube element located at the longitudinal end of the element row and the support member. This is an explanatory diagram of the clip, where (A) is a perspective view from above and (B) is a cross-sectional plan view cut at the middle in the height direction. This is an explanatory diagram of the clip, where (A) is a front view and (B) is a plan view with the pair of arm sections open. This is an explanatory diagram of the dummy tube, where (A) is a plan view and (B) is a front view. This is a cross-sectional plan view of the heat exchanger of the second embodiment cut at the clip section. This is a front view showing the connection relationship between the tube element located at the longitudinal end of the element row and the support member. In the diagram illustrating the reinforcing clip support member, (A) is a front view, (B) is a top view, and (C) is a side view.

[0010] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In both the first embodiment and the second embodiment described later, the end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost clip rows 2602 of the plurality of clip rows 2602 will be supported by a support member 30 so as not to move in the longitudinal direction of the clip rows 2602 and in a direction perpendicular to this longitudinal direction. As shown in Figure 1, the heat exchanger 10 comprises upper and lower tank sections 12, a pair of frames 14 connecting both ends of the upper and lower tank sections 12, a support bracket 16 stretched across the pair of frames 14, and a core 18 arranged in the space enclosed by them. The core 18 is constructed by arranging tube elements 24 in a staggered pattern as shown in Figures 2 and 3, each consisting of a flattened tube 20 made up of a pair of opposing flat surfaces and end surfaces connecting the pair of flat surfaces, and a pair of corrugated fins 22 joined to the opposing flat surfaces of the flattened tube 20. In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, three element rows 2402 are provided, in which tube elements 24 are arranged in a straight line. As shown in Figure 4, both ends of the flattened tube 20 in the longitudinal direction are formed as cylindrical portions 2002 and are detachably attached to the tank portion 12 via mounting cushions 2004. Fluid flows from one tank portion 12 to the other tank portion 12 through the flattened tube 20, and heat exchange takes place with the outside air passing through the corrugated fins 22.

[0011] As shown in Figure 4, a flat tube section 2006 is provided in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the flat tube 20, with the corrugated fins 22 removed, and a clip 26 is detachably attached to the flat tube section 2006. The position of the clip 26 in the longitudinal direction of the flat tube section 2006 is restricted by contact with the corrugated fins 22 located on both sides of the clip 26 along the longitudinal direction of the flat tube section 2006. The clip 26 is coupled to clips 26 attached to adjacent tube elements 24, and as shown in Figure 2, a row of clips 2602 is provided that extends linearly, similar to the row of elements 2402. Alternatively, the length of the flat tube unit 2006 in the longitudinal direction may be made slightly larger than the height of the clip 26, and a pair of protrusions (4006 in Figure 9) may be provided on a pair of opposing flat surfaces of the flat tube unit 2006 at intervals corresponding to the height of the arm unit 2610 described later, so that the clip 26 can be attached to and detached, thereby restricting the movement of the clip 26 along the longitudinal direction of the flat tube unit 2006.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, similar to the element row 2402, three clip rows 2602 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602, and adjacent clips 26 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 are joined together to form a clip assembly 2604 that connects the entire tube element 24. The clips 26 are made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Figure 6(B), have a pair of openable and closable arm portions 2610 that support the flat tube single portion 2006 while contacting the entire circumference of the flat tube single portion 2006, and a clip joining portion 2630 provided on the outside of the pair of arm portions 2610.

[0013] As shown in Figure 5(B), the pair of arm portions 2610 are detachably attached to the flat tube single portion 2006 by the detachable connection of the protruding and recessed connecting portions 2612 and 2614 at their tips, thereby immovably supporting the flat tube single portion 2006. That is, the detachable connection of the protruding and recessed connecting portions 2612 and 2614 at the tips of the pair of arm portions 2610 creates a flat through-hole 2616 inside the arm portions 2610 for immovably supporting the flat tube single portion 2006 in the thickness direction (longitudinal direction of the clip row 26) and width direction (longitudinal direction in which the multiple clip rows 26 are arranged) of the flat tube 20. The flat tube single portion 2006 passing through the flat through-hole 2616 is held by the arm portions 2610. As shown in Figures 5(A) and 6(A), the pair of arm portions 2610 have a height that extends along the longitudinal direction of the flat tube single portion 2006. At the location of the pair of arm portions 2610, which are situated in the longitudinal center of the flattened through-hole 2616, reinforcing ribs 2618 are provided that extend along the entire length of the arm portions 2610 in the height direction.

[0014] The clip coupling portion 2630 is provided at the midpoint of the height of the pair of arm portions 2610. As shown in Figure 5(B), the clip coupling portion 2630 comprises a coupling base portion 2632, a first coupling projection 2642, a first coupling recess 2644, a second coupling projection 2646, and a second coupling recess 2648. The coupling base portion 2632 is formed to bulge outwards from the pair of arm portions 2610, away from the flat through hole 2616. When viewed from above, as shown in Figure 5(B), the coupling base portion 2632 has a front surface 2632A consisting of a flat surface perpendicular to the extending direction of the flat through hole 2616 at a location away from the flat through hole 2616, and a rear surface 2632B parallel to the front surface 2632A.

[0015] In the first embodiment, the front surface 2632A includes the tip surfaces of a pair of arm portions 2610. Furthermore, when viewed from above, the coupling base 2632 has a pair of flat surfaces 2632C that are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the flat through hole 2616 at a location separate from the flat through hole 2616 and perpendicular to the front surface 2632A and the rear surface 2632B. Therefore, when viewed from above, the clip coupling portion 2630 has a rectangular contour consisting of the front surface 2632A, the rear surface 2632B, and the pair of side surfaces 2632C, and four spaces 2634 are formed inside the corners of this rectangular contour, penetrating along the height direction of the arm portions 2610.

[0016] The first connecting projection 2642 is projected from the front surface 2632A, which is displaced from the tip of the pair of arm portions 2610, and is provided so as to become wider towards the tip when viewed from above. The first connecting recess 2644 is formed on the rear surface 2632B such that its center is located on the center line passing through the center in the width direction of the flat through hole 2616, and is provided so as to become wider towards the bottom when viewed from above. The first connecting projection 2642 and the first connecting recess 2644 are detachably connected to the first connecting recess 2644 and the first connecting projection 2642 of adjacent clips 26, and hold the front surface 2632A and the rear surface 2632B of adjacent clips 26 in contact with each other.

[0017] The second connecting projection 2646 protrudes from the center in the width direction of one of the pair of side surfaces 2632C, is provided to widen towards the tip, and is formed including a reinforcing rib 2618. The second connecting recess 2648 is formed in the center in the width direction of the other side surface 2632C of the pair of side surfaces 2632C, is provided to widen towards the bottom surface of the second connecting recess 2648, and the bottom surface is configured to include the tip surface of the reinforcing rib 2618. The second connecting projection 2646 and the second connecting recess 2648 are detachably connected to the second connecting recess 2648 and the second connecting projection 2646 of adjacent clips 26, holding the side surfaces 2632C of adjacent clips 26 in contact with each other. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, the first connecting projection 2642 and the first connecting recess 2644 are detachably connected to the first connecting recess 2644 and the first connecting projection 2642 of adjacent clips 26. Also, the second connecting projection 2646 and the second connecting recess 2648 are detachably connected to the second connecting recess 2648 and the second connecting projection 2646 of adjacent clips 26. As a result, the clips 26 are supported so as not to move in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, three element rows 2402 are provided, in which tube elements 24 are arranged in a straight line. At the same time, three clip rows 2602 are provided, corresponding to the element rows 2402, in which clips 26 attached to each tube element 24 are provided. In this case, as shown in Figure 3, in one of the two outermost element rows 2402, the convex portion 2802 of the support rubber 28 provided on the support bracket 16 is coupled to the first coupling recess 2644, and in the other element row 2402, the first coupling convex portion 2642 is coupled to the recess 2804 of the support rubber 28.

[0019] Here, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the clips 26 at the ends of the two outermost clip rows 2602 located in the longitudinal direction are designated as end clips 26X. The clips 26 at the ends of the inner clip row 2602 located in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost clip rows 2602 are designated as end clips 26Y. In the first embodiment, the end clips 26X located at the ends of the two outermost clip rows 2602 located in the longitudinal direction are each attached to locations other than the clips 26 and tube elements 24, and support members 30 are provided to support the clip rows 2602 so that they cannot move in the longitudinal direction and in directions perpendicular to this longitudinal direction. Four support members 30 are provided, and in the first embodiment, the support members 30 are composed of reinforcing clips 27 and dummy tubes 32. Since the reinforcing clip 27 has the same shape as the clip 26 that constitutes the clip assembly 2604 shown in Figures 5 and 6, its description will be omitted. The reinforcing clip 27, like the clip 26, includes an arm portion 2610, a clip connecting portion 2630, concave and concave connecting portions 2612 and 2614, a flat through hole 2616, a connecting base portion 2632, and a first connecting protrusion 2642, a first connecting recess 2644, a second connecting protrusion 2646, a second connecting recess 2648, etc.

[0020] As shown in Figure 7, the dummy tube 32 does not have a fluid passage and has a mounting portion 3202 to which a reinforcing clip 27 is detachably attached, a pair of pipes 3210 provided at both ends of the mounting portion 3202, and a cylindrical portion 3220 connected to the pair of pipes 3210. As shown in Figure 3, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 3220 is the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical portions 2002 at both ends of the flattened tube 20. The cylindrical portion 3220 is detachably attached to the tank portion 12 via a mounting cushion 2004, similar to the cylindrical portions 2002 of the flattened tube 20. Unlike the cylindrical portions 2002 at both ends of the flattened tube 20, the cylindrical portion 3220 is solid. Therefore, both ends of the dummy tube 32 are detachably connected to the tank portion 12 via the mounting cushion 2004, and the connected area is sealed to be liquid-tight and airtight, so that no fluid leakage occurs from the tank portion 12. In this way, the dummy tube 32 is attached to the tank section 12, which is a location other than the tube element 24.

[0021] The longitudinal ends of a plate material 3204, which has the same external shape as the flattened tube section 2006, are inserted into slits 3212 in the pipe 3210 and fixed to the pipe 3210 by welding. The mounting section 3202 is formed by the portion of the plate material 3204 located between the opposing end faces of the two pipes 3210. The mounting section 3202 is supported by the flattened through-hole 2616 of the reinforcing clip 27, thereby supporting the plate material 3204 so that it cannot move in the thickness and width directions. The opposing end faces of the two pipes 3210 restrict the movement of the plate material 3204 along its longitudinal direction. In addition, slits 3216 are formed at the mutually separated ends of the two pipes 3210. Rods 3222 are press-fitted into the ends of the pipes 3210 where these slits 3216 are formed, and the portion of the rods 3222 protruding from the pipes 3210 constitutes the cylindrical section 3220.

[0022] The mounting portion 3202, pipe 3210, and cylindrical portion 3220 that constitute the dummy tube 32 may be made of metal, and in this embodiment they are made of steel. The dummy tube 32 has higher rigidity than the tube element 24. As shown in Figure 4, the cylindrical portions 3220 at both ends of each pipe 3210 are detachably attached to the tank portion 12 via the mounting cushion 2004. As shown in Figure 3, the reinforcing clip 27, which is detachably attached to the mounting portion 3202, is coupled to the clip 26 attached to the adjacent tube element 24. Alternatively, the first coupling projection 2642 of the reinforcing clip 27 is coupled to the recess 2804 of the support rubber 28. Or, the first coupling recess 2644 of the reinforcing clip 27 is coupled to the projection 2802 of the support rubber 28. Since the reinforcing clip 27 is firmly supported by the dummy tube 32, the first connecting protrusion 2642 and first connecting recess 2644 that connect to the recess 2804 and protrusion 2802 of the support rubber 28 may be omitted.

[0023] According to the first embodiment, the reinforcing clips 27 attached to the mounting portion 3202 of the dummy tube 32 are connected to the end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of clips 2602 in a plan view. The dummy tube 32 has higher rigidity than the tube element 24. Both ends in the longitudinal direction of the dummy tube 32 are detachably connected to the tank portion 12. The reinforcing clips 27 attached to the middle of the longitudinal direction of the dummy tube 32 are immovably supported by the dummy tube 32 in the longitudinal direction of the clip rows 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. Therefore, the end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of elements 2402 in a plan view are connected to the reinforcing clips 27 supported by the dummy tube 32. As a result, the clip row 2602 is immovably supported in the longitudinal direction and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged via the dummy tube 32 and reinforcing clip 27. Consequently, vibration resistance is ensured for the tube elements 24 located at both ends of the two outermost rows of elements 2402 in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, at the end clips 26Y located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the element row 2402, which is positioned inside the two outermost rows of element rows 2402, the first connecting projection 2642 of the end clip 26Y connects with the first connecting recess 2644 of the end clip 26X, which is immovably supported by the reinforcing clip 27, and the first connecting recess 2644 of the end clip 26Y connects with the first connecting projection 2642 of the reinforcing clip 27. As a result, the end clip 26Y is immovably supported in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. Consequently, vibration resistance of the tube elements 24 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner element row 2402 is also ensured. That is, since the clips 26 are connected to adjacent clips 26 to form a clip assembly 2604, the four end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost clip rows 2602 are supported by the support member 30. This strengthens the restraining structure of the clip assembly 2604, ensuring vibration resistance for all tube elements 24. Therefore, there is no longer a need to increase the wall thickness to increase the rigidity of the clip 26, as in the conventional method. Furthermore, problems such as the limited freedom in selecting the material used for the clip 26 to increase rigidity are eliminated. In other words, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger that is advantageous in terms of cost reduction by ensuring vibration resistance of the tube elements while reducing the cost of the heat exchanger, without increasing the size of the clip 26 and simultaneously increasing the freedom in selecting the material for the clip 26.

[0025] Furthermore, the first embodiment can also be applied to existing heat exchangers 10. When applying the first embodiment to an existing heat exchanger 10, the tube elements 24 supported by existing end clips located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of clips 2602 are removed, and instead, a dummy tube 32 and a reinforcing clip 27 supported by the dummy tube 32 are arranged, and the reinforcing clip 27 is connected to an adjacent existing clip. In this case, if the shapes of the existing clips and the reinforcing clip 27 are different, the mounting portion 3202 of the dummy tube 32 is formed to be the same shape as the location of the tube element 24 to which the existing clips are attached, and the clip connecting portion 2630 of the reinforcing clip 27 is provided with protrusions and recesses that connect to the existing clips and existing support rubber.

[0026] In each clip row 2602, the end clips 26X and 26Y located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 are connected only to one inner clip 26 in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602, even though the other clips 26 are connected to two adjacent clips 26 on either side. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outer rows of element rows 2402 are supported by the support member 30 so as not to move in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. This strengthens the restraint structure of the clip assembly 2604, increases the freedom of material selection for the clips 26 without increasing the size of the clips 26, and ensures the vibration resistance of the tube element 24 while reducing costs. A similar effect can be achieved by supporting the end clips 26Y located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner row of element rows 2402 with a support member 30 consisting of a reinforcing clip 27 and a dummy tube 32. However, the location where the support member 30 of the present invention is provided is not limited to the end clips 26X and 26Y located at the longitudinal ends of the clip row 2602. That is, since the clips 26 are connected to adjacent clips 26 to form a clip assembly 2604, if at least one clip 26 constituting the clip assembly 2604 is supported by the dummy tube 32, the restraining structure of the clip assembly 2604 is strengthened, and the vibration resistance of the tube element 24 is ensured. In this case, the mounting portion 3202 of the dummy tube 32 is formed to have the same shape as the location of the tube element 24 to which the clip 26 is attached, and the tube element 24 to which any one of the clips 26 is attached is removed, and this clip 26 is supported by the mounting portion 3202 of the dummy tube 32 so as not to move in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. As a result, the reinforcing clip 27 is not required. Similarly, as a modification of the first embodiment, the tube element 24 to which the end clip 26X is attached may be removed without using the reinforcing clip 27, and the end clip 26X may be supported by the dummy tube 32.However, configuring as in the first embodiment allows for a sufficient number of tube elements 24, which is advantageous in ensuring heat exchange efficiency. Needless to say, the more support members 30 are increased, the stronger the restraint structure of the clip assembly 2604 becomes, and the more vibration-resistant the tube elements 24 become. When a clip 26 located in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the element row 2402, which is positioned inside the two outermost rows of element rows 2402, is supported by a dummy tube 32, the clip 26 attached to the dummy tube 32 will be connected to a total of four clips 26: two clips 26 located on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the element row 2402, and two clips 26 located on both sides in the direction in which the element rows 2402 are arranged. However, the reinforcing clip 27 located at the longitudinal end of the uppermost element row 2402 depicted in Figure 3 and attached to the dummy tube 32 is connected to one end clip 26X, thereby ensuring the vibration resistance of the uppermost element row 2402. In other words, the clip 26 attached to the dummy tube 32 only needs to be connected to at least one other clip 26 located in an adjacent position.

[0027] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Parts and components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be simplified or omitted, while the differences from the first embodiment will be explained in detail. In the second embodiment, the end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of element rows 2402 in a plan view are supported immovably in the longitudinal direction of the clip rows 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged, by support members 30 attached to locations where there are no tube elements 24, similar to the first embodiment. The support member 30 is composed of a reinforcing clip 27 and a reinforcing clip support member 40. The reinforcing clip 27 has the same shape as the clip 26 shown in Figures 5 and 6, similar to the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the reinforcing clip support member 40 is attached to the frame 14.

[0028] As shown in Figure 10, the reinforcing clip support member 40 comprises a pair of legs 4002 attached to the frame 14, and a plate material 4004 supported at the tips of the pair of legs 4002 and having the same external shape as the flat tube single portion 2006. As shown in Figure 8, the pair of legs 4002 extend along the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602. The reinforcing clip support member 40, consisting of the pair of legs 4002 and the plate material 4004, may be made of metal. In the second embodiment, the reinforcing clip support member 40 is made of steel. The reinforcing clip support member 40 has higher rigidity than the tube element 24. On the tip surface of the plate material 4004, a pair of protrusions 4006 extending from the center in the width direction of the plate material 4004 are provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the plate material 4004. The portion of the plate material 4004 between the pair of protrusions 4006 shown in Figures 10(A) and (B) is the mounting portion 4010 to which the reinforcing clip 27 is attached.

[0029] With the reinforcing clip 27 detachably attached to the mounting portion 4010, the reinforcing clip 27 is supported so as not to move in the thickness direction and width direction of the plate material 4004, and its position in the length direction of the plate material 4004 is restricted by a pair of protrusions 4006. Note that, as in the first embodiment, the reinforcing clip 27 is firmly supported by the reinforcing clip support member 40, so the first connecting protrusion 2642 and first connecting recess 2644 of the support rubber 28, which connect to the recess 2804 and protrusion 2802, may be omitted.

[0030] In the second embodiment, the support member 30 is constructed by attaching the reinforcing clip 27 to the reinforcing clip support member 40. The reinforcing clip 27 is connected to the end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of clips 2602. The pair of legs 4002 of the reinforcing clip support member 40 is attached to the frame 14. Figure 8 shows the connection state between the end clip 26X at one end in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of clips 2602 and the support member 30. The other end in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602 is in a similar connection state. Note that, as shown in Figure 8, the end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of clips 2602 are at different positions from the frame 14, so the height of the pair of legs 4002 may be different for each row of clips 2602, as in the second embodiment. Alternatively, multiple legs 4002 of the same dimensions may be manufactured and attached to the frame 14 with a spacer in between, aligning them with the end clips 26X located at the longitudinal ends of the clip row 2602.

[0031] According to the second embodiment, in the two outermost rows of clips 2602 in a plan view, reinforcing clips 27 are connected to the end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the clip rows 2602 from the outside in the longitudinal direction of the clip rows 2602, so that the end clips 26X are immovably supported in the longitudinal direction of the clip rows 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. The reinforcing clip support member 40 that supports the reinforcing clips 27 is attached to the frame 14, and the reinforcing clip support member 40 has higher rigidity than the tube element 24. Therefore, the end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of clips 2602 in a plan view are immovably supported by the reinforcing clip support member 40 via the reinforcing clips 27 in the longitudinal direction of the clip rows 2602 and in the direction in which the multiple clip rows 2602 are arranged. As a result, the vibration resistance of the tube elements 24 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of elements 2402 is ensured.

[0032] Furthermore, the end clips 26Y located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the clip row 2602, which is positioned inside the two outermost rows of clip rows 2602, are also connected to the reinforcing clip 27 and the end clips 26X connected to the reinforcing clip 27. As a result, the clip row 2602 is supported so as to be immovable in the longitudinal direction and in directions perpendicular to this longitudinal direction. Consequently, the vibration resistance of the tube elements 24 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the element row 2402, which is positioned on the inside, is ensured. That is, since the clips 26 are connected to adjacent clips 26 to form a clip assembly 2604, the restraining structure of the clip assembly 2604 is strengthened by supporting the four end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of clip rows 2602 with the support member 30, thereby ensuring the vibration resistance of all tube elements 24. Therefore, as with the first embodiment, according to the second embodiment, there is no need to increase the wall thickness to increase the rigidity of the clips 26, as in the conventional method. Furthermore, the problem of having limited freedom in selecting the material used for the clip 26 to increase rigidity is eliminated. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger that is advantageous in terms of cost reduction by increasing the freedom in selecting the material of the clip 26 without increasing the size of the clip 26, and ensuring the vibration resistance of the tube elements while reducing the cost of the heat exchanger. Note that a similar effect can be obtained by supporting the end clips 26Y located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner element row 2402 with a support member 30 consisting of a reinforcing clip 27 and a reinforcing clip support member 40.

[0033] Furthermore, the second embodiment, like the first embodiment, can also be applied to an existing heat exchanger 10. When the second embodiment is applied to an existing heat exchanger 10, if the shape of the existing clips and the reinforcing clips 27 are different, the clip coupling portion 2630 of the reinforcing clip 27 shown in Figure 9 is provided with protrusions that connect to the existing end clips and existing support rubber protrusions located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of clips 2602, and the reinforcing clip 27 is then coupled to the existing end clips and existing support rubber. In addition, in the first and second embodiments, where the end clips 26X located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the two outermost rows of clips 2602 are supported by the support member 30, the reinforcing clip 27 is the same shape as the clip 26. However, since the reinforcing clip 27 is firmly supported by the dummy tube 32 and the reinforcing clip support member 40, the first connecting protrusion 2642 and first connecting recess 2644 that connect to the recess 2804 and protrusion 2802 of the support rubber 28 can be omitted, and the reinforcing clip 27 does not need to have the same shape as the clip 26, as long as it has a clip connecting portion 2630 that can be connected to the end clip 26X attached to the tube element 24 at the longitudinal end of the element row 2402. However, as in the first and second embodiments, using a reinforcing clip 27 that has the same shape as the clip 26 is advantageous in reducing the number of parts and lowering costs.

[0034] 10 Heat exchanger 12 Tank section 14 Frame 16 Support bracket 18 Core 20 Flat tube 2002 Cylindrical section 2004 Mount cushion 2006 Flat tube single section 2008 Protrusion 22 Corrugated fin 24 Tube element 2402 Element row 26 Clip 26X, 26Y End clip 2602 Clip row 2604 Clip assembly 2610 Arm section 2612, 2614 Concave-concave joint section 2616 Flat through hole 2618 Reinforcement rib 2630 Clip joint section 2632 Joining base section 2632A Front view 2632B Rear view 2632C Side view 2634 Space section 2642 First joint protrusion 2644 First joint recess 2646 Second connecting protrusion 2648 Second connecting recess 27 Reinforcement clip 28 Support rubber 2802 Protrusion 2804 Recess 30 Support member 32 Dummy tube 3202 Mounted part 3204 Plate material 3210 Pipe 3212, 3216 Slit 3220 Cylindrical part 3222 Rod 40 Reinforcement clip support member 4002 Leg part 4004 Plate material 4006 Protrusion 4010 Mounted part 4012 Base

Claims

1. A heat exchanger (10) wherein a plurality of clips (26) attached to the middle of the longitudinal direction of a tube element (24) are arranged linearly with the tube element (24), and a plurality of clip rows (2602) are provided in which adjacent clips (26) are joined together, and the plurality of clip rows (2602) are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clip rows (2602), and adjacent clips (26) in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clip rows (2602) are joined together to form a clip assembly (2604), wherein a support member (30) is provided attached to a location other than the tube element (24) and supports at least one of the clips (26) constituting the clip assembly (2604) so ​​as not to move in the longitudinal direction of the clip row (2602) and in the direction in which the plurality of clip rows (2602) are arranged.

2. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support member (30) has no fluid passage and comprises a dummy tube (32) that is detachably connected to a pair of tank sections (12) and closes the connection point, and one of the clips (26) that is immovably supported by the dummy tube (32) in the longitudinal direction of the clip row (2602) and in the direction in which the plurality of clip rows (2602) are arranged and constitutes the clip assembly (2604).

3. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the tube element (24) comprises a flattened tube (20) and a pair of corrugated fins (22) joined to mutually opposing planes of the flattened tube (20), a flattened tube single portion (2006) to which the clip (26) is attached is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of the flattened tube (20) that does not include the pair of corrugated fins (22), and a mounting portion (3202) to which the clip (26) is attached is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of the dummy tube (32) having the same external shape as the flattened tube single portion (2006).

4. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clip (26) supported by the support member (30) is an end clip (26X, 26Y) located at the longitudinal end of the clip row (2602), and the support member (30) comprises a dummy tube (32) that does not have a fluid passage and is detachably connected to a pair of tank sections (12) and closes the connection point, and a reinforcing clip (27) that is immovably supported by the dummy tube (32) in the longitudinal direction of the clip row (2602) and in the direction in which the plurality of clip rows (2602) are arranged and connected to the end clip (26X, 26Y).

5. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clip (26) supported by the support member (30) is an end clip (26X, 26Y) located at the longitudinal end of the clip row (2602), and the support member (30) comprises a reinforcing clip support member (40) attached to the frame (14), and a reinforcing clip (27) that is immovably supported by the reinforcing clip support member (40) in the longitudinal direction of the clip row (2602) and in the direction in which the plurality of clip rows (2602) are arranged, and is coupled to the end clip (26X, 26Y).

6. The heat exchanger (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the clip (26) and the reinforcing clip (27) are of the same shape.

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