Vehicle heat exchanger

Abstract

This vehicle heat exchanger has: a first tank separated by a first partition portion; and a second tank separated by a second partition portion. Inside the first tank, a first inflow adjustment portion is provided that, while maintaining flow of a first heat medium in and out of a tube adjacent to the first partition, reduces the flow of the first heat medium in and out of the tube compared to other tubes from among tubes communicating with a space on one longitudinal side of the first tank.

Description

Vehicle heat exchanger

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle heat exchanger mounted on, for example, an automobile or the like.

[0002] Generally, a vehicle heat exchanger such as a radiator includes a core portion composed of a plurality of tubes through which cooling water circulates and a plurality of corrugated fins for heat dissipation, and a first tank and a second tank disposed at both ends of the core portion, respectively. One end of each tube is connected to the first tank, while the other end of each tube is connected to the second header tank. Then, the cooling water flowing into the first tank from the outside circulates through each tube of the core portion to the other end side, flows into the second tank, and then flows out to the outside. The temperature of the cooling water decreases by exchanging heat with the outside air while flowing through each tube.

[0003] The tanks of the heat exchangers disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are composed of a metal core plate formed with insertion holes into which the ends of the tubes are inserted and a resin box-shaped tank constituent member. A flange portion is formed in the tank constituent member, and this flange portion is caulked and fixed by claws provided on the peripheral portion of the core plate.

[0004] Japanese Patent No. 6992581, Japanese Patent No. 6508297, Japanese Patent No. 7037404

[0005] By providing a partition portion in the middle of the longitudinal direction of both tanks, the inside of the tank is partitioned into one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction, and by flowing a first heat medium on one side and a second heat medium on the other side, an integrated heat exchanger having circuits through which the first heat medium and the second heat medium flow can be obtained.

[0006] However, when such an integrated heat exchanger having two circuits is used, due to the temperature difference between the first heat medium and the second heat medium, a difference occurs in the thermal expansion of the brazed portion between the tubes in the vicinity of the partition portion of the core plate. When a difference occurs in the thermal expansion of the brazed portion, stress is concentrated at that location, which can cause cracks.

[0007] To address this, one possible solution is to provide a dummy tube through which no heat transfer fluid flows, between the tube through which the first heat transfer fluid flows and the tube through which the second heat transfer fluid flows, thereby mitigating stress.

[0008] However, even with dummy tubes, if the temperature difference between the first and second heat transfer fluids is large, stress concentration at the brazed joint will increase. If multiple dummy tubes are used instead of one, stress can be relieved even if the temperature difference between the first and second heat transfer fluids is large, but in that case, the effective heat dissipation area of ​​the heat exchanger will be reduced. In other words, in the case of vehicle heat exchangers, the vertical, horizontal, and front-to-back dimensions are predetermined due to the limitations of the space available for installation in the vehicle. Given these limitations, increasing the number of dummy tubes, which do not contribute to heat dissipation, reduces the effective heat dissipation area of ​​the heat exchanger, resulting in a decrease in the heat dissipation performance of the heat exchanger.

[0009] This disclosure is made in view of the above, and its purpose is to reduce thermal strain caused by the temperature difference that occurs at the boundary between the first heat medium and the second heat medium in a heat exchanger through which a first heat medium and a second heat medium having different temperatures flow, while suppressing a decrease in heat dissipation performance.

[0010] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of this disclosure may be based on a vehicle heat exchanger mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes arranged in a predetermined direction, a first tank and a second tank connected to one end and the other end of the tubes, respectively, a first partition provided in the longitudinal middle of the first tank and dividing the interior of the first tank into a space on one longitudinal side and a space on the other, a second partition provided in the longitudinal middle of the second tank and dividing the interior of the second tank into a space on one longitudinal side and a space on the other, and one of the spaces on the longitudinal side of the first tank and the space on the longitudinal side of the second tank The system includes a first inlet pipe for introducing a first heat transfer medium, a first outlet pipe for discharging the first heat transfer medium from the other of the space on one longitudinal side of the first tank and the space on one longitudinal side of the second tank, a second inlet pipe for introducing a second heat transfer medium at a different temperature from the first heat transfer medium into the space on the other longitudinal side of the first tank and the space on the other longitudinal side of the second tank, and a second outlet pipe for discharging the second heat transfer medium from the other of the space on the other longitudinal side of the first tank and the space on the other longitudinal side of the second tank.

[0011] Inside the first tank, there is a first inflow rate adjustment unit that maintains the inflow and outflow of the first heat transfer medium to the tube adjacent to the first partition, while reducing the amount of the first heat transfer medium inflow and out compared to other tubes, among the tubes that communicate with the space on one side in the longitudinal direction of the first tank.

[0012] In this configuration, the first heat transfer medium flows through a tube connected to the first tank and the space on one longitudinal side of the first tank, and the second heat transfer medium flows through a tube connected to the first tank and the space on the other longitudinal side of the first tank. As a result, the cooling of the first heat transfer medium and the cooling of the second heat transfer medium are performed by a single vehicle heat exchanger.

[0013] Multiple tubes are connected in the space on one longitudinal side of the first tank, and the inflow and outflow rate of the first heat transfer medium to the tube adjacent to the first partition is reduced by the first inflow rate adjustment unit. As a result, thermal strain near the first and second partitions caused by the temperature difference between the first and second heat transfer mediums is reduced without increasing the number of dummy tubes. Furthermore, since the first inflow rate adjustment unit maintains the inflow and outflow of the first heat transfer medium to the tube adjacent to the first partition, that tube functions as a tube that contributes to heat exchange.

[0014] The first tank may comprise a first header plate having a first insertion hole into which one end of the tube is inserted, and a box-shaped first tank component having an open portion that is closed by the first header plate. In this case, the first inflow adjustment section may be in the shape of a bridge extending from one of a pair of side walls extending in the longitudinal direction of the first tank component to the other side wall.

[0015] This configuration allows the first inflow adjustment unit to connect one side wall of the first tank component to the other side wall. This increases the rigidity of the first tank component.

[0016] The first tank component may be made of resin. In this case, the first inflow rate adjustment unit can be integrally molded with the pair of side walls. Integrating the first inflow rate adjustment unit with the pair of side walls not only reduces the number of parts but also enhances the reinforcing effect of the first tank component by the first inflow rate adjustment unit.

[0017] The first inflow rate adjustment unit may be made of a separate component from the pair of side wall sections, or it may be integrated with the pair of side wall sections when assembled. In this case, the first inflow rate adjustment unit and the side wall sections can be made of different materials, making it easier to select materials that meet the performance requirements for the first inflow rate adjustment unit.

[0018] The first partition may be configured to divide the tube into a first tube communicating with the space on one longitudinal side of the first tank and a second tube communicating with the space on the other longitudinal side of the first tank, and to provide a dummy tube between the first tube and the second tube that prevents the flow of the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium.

[0019] In this configuration, only one dummy tube is provided between the first tube through which the first heat transfer medium flows and the second tube through which the second heat transfer medium flows. This further reduces the thermal strain caused by the temperature difference between the first and second heat transfer mediums. Since there is only one dummy tube, the reduction in the effective heat dissipation area of ​​the heat exchanger is kept to a minimum.

[0020] The first partition may have a partition wall that separates the space facing one end of the dummy tube inside the first tank from the space on one longitudinal side of the first tank and the space on the other longitudinal side. This ensures that the inflow of the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium into the dummy tube is reliably prevented, thus reducing the likelihood of thermal distortion.

[0021] The partition wall and the first inflow adjustment unit may be integrally molded. This reduces the number of parts and improves workability during assembly.

[0022] The second tank may be provided with a second inflow rate adjustment unit that reduces the amount of the second heat transfer medium flowing into the tube adjacent to the second partition, while maintaining the inflow of the second heat transfer medium into the tube that communicates with the space on one side of the longitudinal direction of the second tank.

[0023] As explained above, by maintaining the flow of the heat transfer medium to the tube adjacent to the partition while reducing the flow rate, it is possible to reduce thermal distortion and suppress the deterioration of heat dissipation performance.

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the left side of the vehicle heat exchanger. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the left tank. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the left tank, showing a partial cross-section. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Figure 2. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 5. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 5. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Figure 5. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of an inflow rate adjustment unit and tank component according to a modified embodiment. Figure 11 is a perspective view of a tank component having an inflow rate adjustment unit according to a modified embodiment.

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The following description of preferred embodiments is essentially illustrative and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle heat exchanger 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This vehicle heat exchanger 1 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown), such as an automobile. In this embodiment, the case in which the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is mounted on an automobile will be described. For the sake of clarity in this description, the left-right direction of the vehicle heat exchanger 1 will be defined. The left side of the vehicle heat exchanger 1 corresponds to the left side of the automobile, and the right side of the vehicle heat exchanger 1 corresponds to the right side of the automobile. Therefore, the left-right direction of the vehicle heat exchanger 1 coincides with the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) of the automobile. The direction of external airflow to the vehicle heat exchanger 1 is indicated by a white arrow in Figure 1, and this airflow direction is also called the depth direction of the vehicle heat exchanger 1. The direction of external airflow corresponds to the front-rear direction of the automobile. Note that this definition of direction does not limit the present invention, and the mounting direction of the vehicle heat exchanger 1 on the automobile may be any direction. For example, the vehicle heat exchanger 1 may be mounted with the airflow direction set to vertical, or it may be mounted with the airflow direction set to an incline.

[0027] The vehicle heat exchanger 1 comprises a core section 10, a left-side tank (first tank) 20, and a right-side tank (second tank) 30. The core section 10 has a plurality of tubes 11, corrugated fins 12 (shown only in Figure 2), an upper end plate 13, and a lower end plate 14. The tubes 11, corrugated fins 12, upper end plate 13, and lower end plate 14 are made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The number of tubes 11 and the number of corrugated fins 12 can be set arbitrarily.

[0028] The tubes 11 extend in the left-right direction and are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (a predetermined direction). In Figures 3 to 7, the tubes 11 are shown as tube 11A, tube 11B, and tube 11C. This is to distinguish between tubes that carry different heat transfer fluids and tubes that do not carry heat transfer fluid, as will be explained later.

[0029] The cross-section of tube 11 in the direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction is a flattened shape that is long in the ventilation direction, and therefore tube 11 is a flattened tube. The ventilation direction of tube 11 is defined as the width direction of tube 11, and the vertical direction of tube 11 is defined as the thickness direction of tube 11.

[0030] Corrugated fins 12 are arranged between tubes 11 that are aligned vertically, and the corrugated fins 12 and tubes 11 are brazed together. In addition, corrugated fins 12 are also arranged on the upper and lower parts of the core part 10. The upper end plate 13 extends horizontally and is brazed to the upper surface of the corrugated fins 12 arranged on the upper part of the core part 10. The lower end plate 14 extends horizontally and is brazed to the lower surface of the corrugated fins 12 arranged on the lower part of the core part 10.

[0031] The left tank 20 is located to the left of the core 10, extends vertically, and is connected to the left end of the tube 11. The right tank 30 is located to the right of the core 10, extends vertically, and is connected to the right end of the tube 11. The longitudinal direction of the left tank 20 and the right tank 30 is vertical. The left tank 20 and the right tank 30 are approximately parallel to each other.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the left-side tank 20 includes a left-side header plate (first header plate) 21, a left-side tank component (first tank component) 22, and a left-side sealing member (first sealing member) 23. The left-side header plate 21 is made by molding an aluminum alloy plate and has a long shape in the vertical direction. As also shown in Figures 5 to 7, the left-side header plate 21 has multiple left-side insertion holes (first insertion holes) 21a into which the left end of each tube 11 is inserted, corresponding to the number of tubes 11. The left-side insertion holes 21a are slit-shaped and long in the ventilation direction to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the tube 11. The peripheral edge of the left-side insertion hole 21a in the left-side header plate 21 is formed to extend toward the inside of the left-side tank 20. This makes it possible to increase the depth dimension of the left-side insertion hole 21a, thereby increasing the contact area between the inner surface of the left-side insertion hole 21a and the outer surface of the tube 11. The left end of the tube 11, which is inserted into the left insertion hole 21a, has its outer surface brazed all the way around to the inner surface of the left insertion hole 21a.

[0033] Multiple crimping pieces 21b are provided circumferentially at intervals from each other on the periphery of the left header plate 21 for crimping and fixing the left tank component 22. Figures 3 and 4 show the crimping pieces 21b before crimping and fixing, while Figures 8 and 9 show the crimping pieces 21b after crimping and fixing. The crimping pieces 21b before crimping and fixing are formed to protrude to the left, allowing the right portion of the left tank component 22 to be placed in the area surrounded by the multiple crimping pieces 21b.

[0034] Between the left-side insertion hole 21a and the crimping piece 21b of the left-side header plate 21, a left-side groove 21c is formed, which accommodates the left-side sealing member 23. The left-side groove 21c forms a continuous annular shape in the circumferential direction of the left-side header plate 21.

[0035] The left-side sealing member 23 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The left-side sealing member 23 has an annular portion 23a that is housed in the left-side groove 21c, and a first connecting portion 23b and a second connecting portion 23c that extend in the depth direction and connect one side of the annular portion 23a to the other side in the depth direction. The annular portion 23a and the first connecting portion 23b and the second connecting portion 23c are integrally molded.

[0036] The left tank component 22 is made of molded resin material and is composed of resin parts. Because the left tank component 22 is composed of resin parts, it is not possible to braze it to the left header plate 21, and therefore it is fixed to the left header plate 21 by crimping. By crimping the left tank component 22 to the left header plate 21, the left sealing member 23 is pressed against the inner surface of the left groove portion 21c and the flange-shaped portion 22b, causing it to elastically deform. This ensures a seal between the left tank component 22 and the left header plate 21.

[0037] In other words, the left tank component 22 is a box shape that is long in the vertical direction, and as shown in Figure 3, the right side of the left tank component 22 is an open portion 22a that opens to the right. Around the open portion 22a of the left tank component 22, a flange-like portion 22b is formed that protrudes outward from the left tank component 22 and extends in the circumferential direction. The flange-like portion 22b is the part that is crimped and fixed by the crimping piece 21b of the left header plate 21, and can also be called the crimped portion.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the left tank component 22 is box-shaped and has an outer wall 25, a pair of side walls 26 and 27, an upper end wall 28, and a lower end wall 29. The outer wall 25, the pair of side walls 26 and 27, the upper end wall 28, and the lower end wall 29 are integrally molded. The outer wall 25 is a wall that constitutes the left portion of the left tank component 22 and has a vertically elongated shape. The pair of side walls 26 and 27 include an upstream side wall 26 located on the upstream side in the ventilation direction and a downstream side wall 27 located on the downstream side in the ventilation direction. The upstream side wall 26 extends to the right from the upstream end of the outer wall 25 in the ventilation direction and also extends vertically. The downstream side wall 27 extends to the right from the downstream end of the outer wall 25 in the ventilation direction and also extends vertically. The upstream side wall portion 26 and the downstream side wall portion 27 are positioned opposite each other. The upper end wall portion 28 is a wall portion that constitutes the upper end of the left tank component 22. The lower end wall portion 29 is a wall portion that constitutes the lower end of the left tank component 22. The flange-like portion 22b is integrally molded to the right ends of the pair of side wall portions 26, 27, the upper end wall portion 28, and the lower end wall portion 29.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the right-side tank 30 is configured similarly to the left-side tank 20, and includes a right-side header plate (second header plate) 31 made of aluminum alloy, a right-side tank component (second tank component) 32 made of resin, and a right-side sealing member (second sealing member), although not shown. Although not shown, the right-side header plate 31 has multiple right-side insertion holes (second insertion holes) corresponding to the number of tubes 11 into which the right end of each tube 11 is inserted. The right end of the tube 11 inserted into the right-side insertion hole has its outer surface brazed to the inner circumferential surface of the right-side insertion hole over its entire circumference. Multiple crimping pieces 31b for crimping and fixing the right-side tank component 32 are provided on the peripheral edge of the right-side header plate 31 at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0040] Although not shown in the figures, a right-side groove is formed between the right-side insertion hole and the crimping piece 31b of the right-side header plate 31, in which the right-side sealing member is housed. The right-side groove forms a continuous annular shape in the circumferential direction of the right-side header plate 31.

[0041] The left side of the right tank component 32 forms an open portion (not shown) that opens to the left. Around the open portion of the right tank component 32, a flange-shaped portion 32b that protrudes outward from the right tank component 32 and extends in the circumferential direction is formed. The flange-shaped portion 32b is a portion that is caulked and fixed by the caulking piece 31b of the right header plate 31, and can also be called a caulked portion.

[0042] The right tank component 32 also has an outer wall portion 35, an upstream side wall portion 36, a downstream side wall portion 37, an upper end wall portion 38, and a lower end wall portion 39.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, in the vertical middle portion of the left tank 20, a left partition portion (first partition portion) 24 that partitions the inside of the left tank 20 into an upper space (a space on one side in the longitudinal direction) R1 and a lower space (a space on the other side in the longitudinal direction) R2 is provided. Above the left tank component 22, a first inflow pipe portion P1 for allowing the first heat medium to flow into the upper space R1 is provided. Below the left tank component 22, a second inflow pipe portion P2 for allowing the second heat medium to flow into the lower space R2 is provided.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, in the vertical middle portion of the right tank 30, a right partition portion (second partition portion) 34 that partitions the inside of the right tank 30 into an upper space (a space on one side in the longitudinal direction) R3 and a lower space (a space on the other side in the longitudinal direction) R4 is provided. Above the right tank component 32, a second outflow pipe portion P3 for allowing the first heat medium to flow out of the upper space R3 is provided. Below the right tank component 32, a second outflow pipe portion P4 for allowing the second heat medium to flow out of the lower space R4 is provided.

[0045] Furthermore, the first inlet pipe section P1 may be located above the right-side tank component 32, in which case the second outlet pipe section P3 may be located above the left-side tank component 22. Also, the second inlet pipe section P2 may be located below the right-side tank component 32, in which case the fourth outlet pipe section P4 may be located below the left-side tank component 22. In other words, either the left-side tank 20 or the right-side tank 30 can be the inlet side, and the side opposite the inlet side can be the outlet side.

[0046] The first and second heat transfer fluids are, for example, coolant, but may also be other coolants, oils, etc. Although not shown in the diagram, automobiles may be equipped with, for example, a traction motor, a battery that supplies power to the traction motor, an inverter that controls the traction motor, an engine, etc. The traction motor, battery, inverter, engine, etc. are heat sources, and cooling circuits for cooling these heat sources are also installed in automobiles. Cooling circuits include circuits for cooling the traction motor, circuits for cooling the battery, circuits for cooling the inverter, circuits for cooling the engine, etc., and a heat transfer fluid circulates in each cooling circuit. For example, if the heat transfer fluid circulating in the circuit for cooling the traction motor is designated as the first heat transfer fluid and the heat transfer fluid circulating in the circuit for cooling the engine is designated as the second heat transfer fluid, the temperatures of the first and second heat transfer fluids will be different. The combination of the first and second heat transfer fluids may be other combinations than those for cooling the traction motor and engine as described above. Furthermore, the heat transfer fluid may be a heat transfer fluid for cooling heat sources other than those described above, such as gearbox oil.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium can be cooled by a single vehicle heat exchanger 1. To achieve this structure, a left partition 24 is provided in the left tank 20, and a right partition 34 is provided in the right tank 30. The left partition 24 and the right partition 34 are configured similarly.

[0048] The left partition portion 24 includes a portion formed by recessing the middle portion in the vertical direction of the left tank component 22 to the right. As shown in FIG. 6, the left partition portion 24 divides a plurality of tubes 11 into a first tube (upper tube) 11A communicating with the upper space R1 of the left tank 20 and a second tube (lower tube) 11B communicating with the lower space R2, and is configured to provide one dummy tube (intermediate tube) 11C through which neither the first heat medium nor the second heat medium flows between the first tube 11A and the second tube 11B. The dummy tube 11C has the same appearance, structure, dimensions, etc. as the first tube 11A and the second tube 11B, but is a tube through which no heat medium flows. The first tube 11A forms a first tube group composed of a plurality of tubes 11. The second tube 11B also forms a second tube group composed of a plurality of tubes 11.

[0049] That is, the left partition portion 24 has an upper partition wall portion 24a and a lower partition wall portion 24b for partitioning a space S in the left tank 20 where the left end portion of the dummy tube 11C faces from the upper space R1 and the lower space R2 of the left tank 20. More specifically, in the portion of the left partition portion 24 facing the inside of the left tank 20, there are an upper partition wall portion 24a that protrudes toward the left header plate 21 and extends in the ventilation direction, and a lower partition wall portion 24b that protrudes toward the left header plate 21 from a portion separated downward from the upper partition wall portion 24a and extends in the ventilation direction, which are integrally formed. The upper partition wall portion 24a and the lower partition wall portion 24b are substantially parallel.

[0050] The upper partition wall portion 24a is disposed between the first tube 11A (the first tube 11A located at the lowest position among the first tube 11A group) and the dummy tube 11C. Also, the first connecting portion 23b of the left seal member 23 is disposed between the first tube 11A and the dummy tube 11C. The tip of the upper partition wall portion 24a partitions the upper space R1 of the left tank 20 and the space S where the left end portion of the dummy tube 11C faces by pressing the first connecting portion 23b of the left seal member 23 against the inner surface of the left header plate 21.

[0051] The lower compartment wall portion 24b is positioned between the second tube 11B (the uppermost second tube 11B in the group of second tubes 11B) and the dummy tube 11C. The second connecting portion 23c of the left sealing member 23 is also positioned between the second tube 11B and the dummy tube 11C. The tip of the lower compartment wall portion 24b presses the second connecting portion 23c of the left sealing member 23 against the inner surface of the left header plate 21, thereby separating the lower space R2 of the left tank 20 from the space S that the left end of the dummy tube 11C faces.

[0052] The dummy tube 11C is provided between the first tube 11A, through which the first heat transfer medium flows, and the second tube 11B, through which the second heat transfer medium flows, and is a tube through which neither the first nor the second heat transfer medium flows. By interposing this dummy tube 11C between the first tube 11A and the second tube 11B, even if the temperatures of the first and second heat transfer mediums differ, the stress in the portion of the left header plate 21 between the brazed portion of the first tube 11A and the brazed portion of the second tube 11B is relieved, thereby reducing thermal strain.

[0053] However, even if a dummy tube 11C is provided, if the temperature difference between the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium is large, stress concentration may increase in the area between the brazed portion of the left header plate 21 where the first tube 11A is brazed and the brazed portion where the second tube 11B is brazed. To address this, in this embodiment, an upper first inflow adjustment section 24c is provided inside the left tank 20, which maintains the inflow and outflow of the first heat transfer medium to the tube 11A adjacent to the upper side of the left partition 24, while reducing the inflow and outflow amount of the first heat transfer medium compared to other tubes 11A.

[0054] The upper first inflow adjustment section 24c is formed to cover both ends in the width direction of the opening of the lowest first tube 11A among the group of first tubes 11A, while not covering the middle part in the width direction of the opening of the first tube 11A. By covering both ends in the width direction of the opening of the lowest first tube 11A with the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c, the inflow rate of the first heat transfer medium is reduced compared to the other first tubes 11A. However, since the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c does not cover the middle part in the width direction of the opening of the lowest first tube 11A, the inflow of the first heat transfer medium can be maintained. As a result, the heat dissipation effect of the lowest first tube 11A can be obtained. When the first heat transfer medium is discharged from the first tube 11A into the upper space R1 of the left tank 20, the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c can maintain the discharge of the first heat transfer medium while reducing the amount of discharge of the first heat transfer medium compared to the other first tubes 11A.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a lower first inflow adjustment section 24d is provided inside the left tank 20, which maintains the inflow of the second heat transfer medium to the tube 11B adjacent to the left partition section 24 on the lower side, while reducing the inflow amount of the second heat transfer medium compared to the other tubes 11B.

[0056] The lower first inflow adjustment section 24d is formed to cover both ends in the width direction of the opening of the uppermost second tube 11B among the second tube 11B group, while not covering the middle part in the width direction of the opening of the second tube 11B. By covering both ends in the width direction of the opening of the uppermost second tube 11B with the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d, the inflow rate of the second heat transfer medium is reduced compared to the other second tubes 11B. However, since the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d does not cover the middle part in the width direction of the opening of the uppermost second tube 11B, the inflow rate of the second heat transfer medium can be maintained. As a result, the heat dissipation effect of the uppermost second tube 11B can be obtained. When the second heat transfer medium is discharged from the second tube 11B into the lower space R2 of the left tank 20, the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d can maintain the discharge rate of the second heat transfer medium while reducing the discharge rate of the second heat transfer medium compared to the other second tubes 11B.

[0057] The upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d are provided spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. The upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d form a bridge shape that extends from the upstream side wall section 26 to the downstream side wall section 27 of the pair of side wall sections 26 and 27 of the left tank component 22. As a result, the open portions 22a sides of the upstream side wall section 26 and the downstream side wall section 27 are connected by the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d, thereby increasing the rigidity of the left tank component 22.

[0058] The upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d are integrally molded with the upstream side wall section 26 and the downstream side wall section 27 of the left tank component 22. This reduces the number of parts in the left tank component 22 and facilitates the assembly of the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d into their predetermined positions. Furthermore, the upper compartment wall section 24a and the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c are integrally molded, and the lower compartment wall section 24b and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d are integrally molded. The left tank component 22 can be, for example, an injection-molded product.

[0059] An inflow rate adjustment section (not shown) can also be provided inside the right-side tank 30, similar to the left-side tank 20. Specifically, the right-side tank 30 is provided with a second inflow rate adjustment section that maintains the inflow and outflow of the first heat transfer medium to the tube 11A adjacent to the right-side partition section 34 (the lowest first tube 11A in the first tube 11A group) among the tubes 11A that communicate with the upper space R3 of the right-side tank 30, while reducing the inflow and outflow rate of the first heat transfer medium compared to the other tubes 11A. The second inflow rate adjustment section may be a part that maintains the inflow of the first heat transfer medium to the first tube 11A while reducing the inflow rate to the first tube 11A, or it may be a part that maintains the outflow of the first heat transfer medium from the first tube 11A while reducing the outflow rate from the first tube 11A.

[0060] Furthermore, the right-side tank 30 may be provided with a second inflow rate adjustment section that maintains the inflow and outflow of the second heat transfer medium to the tube 11B adjacent to the right-side partition section 34 (the uppermost second tube 11B in the second tube 11B group) among the tubes 11B that communicate with the lower space R4 of the right-side tank 30, while reducing the inflow and outflow rate of the second heat transfer medium compared to the other tubes 11B. The second inflow rate adjustment section may be provided as needed. The second inflow rate adjustment section may be a part that maintains the inflow of the second heat transfer medium to the second tube 11B while reducing the inflow rate to the second tube 11B, or a part that maintains the outflow of the second heat transfer medium from the second tube 11B while reducing the outflow rate from the second tube 11B.

[0061] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. Furthermore, any modifications or changes within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention. Only one of the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d may be provided. Alternatively, only one of the upper second inflow adjustment section and the lower second inflow adjustment section may be provided.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, for example, the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d may be composed of separate components from the pair of side wall sections 26 and 27, or they may be integrated when assembled to the pair of side wall sections 26 and 27. In other words, the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d are separate from the left tank component 22. The resin material constituting the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d may be the same as the resin material constituting the left tank component 22, or they may be different. By using a resin material with higher strength for the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d than the resin material constituting the left tank component 22, the reinforcing effect of the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d can be further enhanced.

[0063] The side walls 26 and 27 are formed with an upper fitting groove 22c into which the end of the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c fits, and a lower fitting groove 22d into which the end of the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d fits. As a result, when assembling the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d to the side walls 26 and 27, as shown in Figure 10, they can be fitted into the upper fitting groove 22c and the lower fitting groove 22d from the open section 22a side of the left tank component 22, resulting in improved assembly workability. Alternatively, one of the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d may be integrally molded with the left tank component 22, while the other is a separate component from the left tank component 22.

[0064] Furthermore, the shapes of the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d are not limited to the shapes shown, and may be shaped to cover the middle portion of the opening of the tube in the width direction. Also, the upper first inflow adjustment section 24c and the lower first inflow adjustment section 24d may be shaped to be discontinuous in the width direction of the tube.

[0065] As explained above, the vehicle heat exchanger relating to this disclosure can be used, for example, to cool various heat sources mounted in automobiles.

[0066] 1 Vehicle heat exchanger 11 Tube 20 Left tank (first tank) 21 Left header plate (first header plate) 22 Left tank component (first tank component) 24 Left partition (first partition) 24a Upper partition wall 24b Lower partition wall 24c Upper first inflow adjustment section 24d Lower first inflow adjustment section 30 Right tank (second tank) R1 Upper space (space on one side in the longitudinal direction) R2 Lower space (space on the other side in the longitudinal direction)

Claims

1. A vehicle heat exchanger mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of tubes arranged in a predetermined direction; a first tank and a second tank connected to one end and the other end of the tubes, respectively; a first partition provided in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the first tank, dividing the interior of the first tank into a space on one longitudinal side and a space on the other side; a second partition provided in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the second tank, dividing the interior of the second tank into a space on one longitudinal side and a space on the other side; a first inlet pipe section for introducing a first heat transfer medium into one of the spaces on one longitudinal side of the first tank and the space on one longitudinal side of the second tank; and a first outlet pipe section for discharging the first heat transfer medium from the other of the spaces on one longitudinal side of the first tank and the space on one longitudinal side of the second tank. A vehicle heat exchanger comprising: a second inlet pipe section for introducing a second heat medium at a different temperature from the first heat medium into one of the spaces on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the first tank and the spaces on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the second tank; and a second outlet pipe section for introducing the second heat medium from the other of the spaces on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the first tank and the spaces on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the second tank, wherein the first tank is provided with an inflow rate adjustment section that reduces the amount of the first heat medium entering and leaving the tube adjacent to the first partition while maintaining the amount of the first heat medium entering and leaving the tube that communicates with the space on one side in the longitudinal direction of the first tank.

2. A vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first tank comprises a first header plate having a first insertion hole into which one end of the tube is inserted, and a box-shaped first tank component having an open portion closed by the first header plate, and the first inflow adjustment section is in the shape of a bridge extending from one of a pair of side walls extending in the longitudinal direction of the first tank component to the other side wall.

3. A vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the first tank component is made of resin, and the first inflow rate adjustment section is integrally molded with the pair of side wall sections.

4. A vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the first inflow rate adjustment unit is made of a separate component from the pair of side wall sections and is integrated with the pair of side wall sections when assembled.

5. A vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first partition divides the tube into a first tube communicating with the space on one longitudinal side of the first tank and a second tube communicating with the space on the other longitudinal side of the first tank, and provides one dummy tube between the first tube and the second tube that does not allow the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium to flow into it.

6. A vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein the first partition has a partition wall that divides the space in the interior of the first tank that one end of the dummy tube faces from the space on one longitudinal side of the first tank and the space on the other longitudinal side.

7. A vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein the partition wall and the first inflow adjustment unit are integrally molded.

8. A vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein a second inflow rate adjustment unit is provided inside the second tank, which maintains the inflow and outflow of the second heat transfer medium to the tube adjacent to the second partition, while reducing the inflow and outflow rate of the second heat transfer medium to the other tubes, among the tubes communicating with the space on one side in the longitudinal direction of the second tank.

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