Heat exchanger
The heat exchanger improves efficiency by alternating refrigerant passages and using fixing parts to maintain uniform refrigerant temperatures, addressing non-uniform heat exchange issues and reducing manufacturing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PANASONIC PROJECTOR & DISPLAY CORPORATION
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-02
AI Technical Summary
The heat exchange performance of heat exchangers deteriorates due to the increasing temperature of the heat exchange medium on the downstream side, leading to non-uniform heat exchange efficiency.
A heat exchanger design with alternating refrigerant passages in each layer, where the refrigerant passages intersect and are supported by fixing parts, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and improved heat exchange performance.
The design enhances heat exchange efficiency by maintaining uniform refrigerant temperatures across the exchanger, reducing flow resistance, and minimizing manufacturing costs through common mold usage.
Smart Images
Figure JP2025044747_02072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Heat exchanger
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger.
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a heat exchanger configured by laminating a plurality of flat heat exchange tubes. The heat exchanger exchanges heat between a heat exchange medium flowing in the heat exchange tube and a heat exchange medium to be heated flowing between adjacent heat exchange tubes. In addition, in the heat exchanger, the heat exchange tubes are laminated such that the flow path of the heat exchange tube faces a portion between the flow paths of other heat exchange tubes.
[0003] Japanese Patent No. 6560313
[0004] However, in the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to the fact that the heat exchange performance of the heat exchange tube in which the flow path is arranged on the downstream side of the flow of the heat exchange medium to be heated deteriorates due to the temperature of the heat exchange medium to be heated increasing on the downstream side of the flow of the heat exchange medium to be heated.
[0005] The present disclosure has been devised in view of the above-described conventional situation, and an object thereof is to enable improvement of heat exchange performance.
[0006] In a heat exchanger in which a plurality of plate units provided with refrigerant passages are laminated with a gap therebetween, and heat exchange is performed between a heat exchange medium passing through the gap and a refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage, an inflow-side header passage and an outflow-side header passage of the refrigerant arranged so as to penetrate the plurality of plate units, a first plate unit provided with a first refrigerant passage extending from the inflow-side header passage to the outflow-side header passage, a second plate unit provided with a second refrigerant passage extending from the inflow-side header passage to the outflow-side header passage and laminated with a gap from the first plate unit, are provided, the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage extend in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the heat exchange medium passes through the gap, and at least a part of the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersects such that the second refrigerant passage is located on one side and the other side in the first direction with respect to the first refrigerant passage extending in the second direction when viewed from the lamination direction, a heat exchanger is provided.
[0007] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, as well as any conversion of the expressions of this disclosure between methods, apparatus, systems, storage media, computer programs, etc., are also valid as aspects of this disclosure.
[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to improve heat exchange performance.
[0009] External perspective view of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 Schematic diagram (XZ plan view) of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 Plan view of the first plate unit of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 Plan view of the second plate unit of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 Transparent plan view of the stacked first plate unit and second plate unit according to Embodiment 1 Schematic diagram for explaining the plate according to Embodiment 1 Plan view of the first plate unit of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2 Plan view of the second plate unit of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2 Transparent plan view of the stacked first plate unit and second plate unit according to Embodiment 2
[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.
[0011] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the heat exchanger 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram (XZ plan view) of the heat exchanger 1 according to Embodiment 1. The heat exchanger 1 is a device for heating or cooling a refrigerant such as water, antifreeze, or hydrofluorocarbon with a fluid such as air as an example of a heat exchange medium. The heat exchanger 1 is used, for example, as a cooling device for equipment that operates with heat generation, such as a projector. In the heat exchanger, a plurality of plate units (layers) provided with refrigerant passages are stacked with gaps between them, and heat exchange takes place between the heat exchange medium passing through the gaps and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passages.
[0012] For the sake of explanation, the axis extending in the direction in which each layer (e.g., plate unit 4, plate unit 5) of the heat exchanger 1 is stacked is defined as the Z-axis. Each plate unit is stacked with a predetermined gap through which a fluid such as air can pass. The axis extending in the longitudinal direction of each plate unit is defined as the X-axis, and the axis extending in the short direction of each layer is defined as the Y-axis. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are all orthogonal to each other. For the sake of explanation, the positive direction of the Z-axis may be referred to as "up," the negative direction of the Z-axis as "down," the positive direction of the Y-axis as "back," the negative direction of the Y-axis as "front," the positive direction of the X-axis as "right," and the negative direction of the X-axis as "left." These directional expressions are used for the sake of explanation and are not intended to limit the orientation of the heat exchanger 1 during actual use.
[0013] The heat exchanger 1 comprises a plate unit which is a flat layer containing a first refrigerant passage and a plate unit which is a flat layer containing a second refrigerant passage. Hereinafter, the layer containing the first refrigerant passage may be referred to as the first plate unit. Similarly, hereafter, the layer containing the second refrigerant passage may be referred to as the second plate unit. In this specification, the terms "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish them from other elements and are not intended to be interpreted restrictively.
[0014] In Figure 1, for illustrative purposes, a portion of the heat exchanger 1 is shown with the refrigerant passages included in the plate units exposed. In Figure 1, refrigerant passages 6, 7, 8, and 9 are shown exposed. In this embodiment, refrigerant passages 6 and 8 are the first refrigerant passages, and refrigerant passages 7 and 9 are the second refrigerant passages. In this way, the first plate units and the second plate units are stacked alternately so that the first and second refrigerant passages alternate in the stacking direction.
[0015] Furthermore, Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a portion of the heat exchanger 1 for illustrative purposes. As will be explained later with reference to Figures 3A and 3B, the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage have an inverted structure. This allows a fluid such as air passing through the gaps between each plate unit in the first direction parallel to the Y-axis to alternately exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant passage and with the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage. Hereinafter, the fluid such as air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant may be referred to as the heat exchange medium.
[0016] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 1 includes an inlet 2 through which refrigerant flows into the first and second refrigerant passages. The heat exchanger 1 also includes an outlet 3 through which refrigerant flows out from the first and second refrigerant passages. As shown in Figure 2, the inlet 2 and outlet 3 are connected to each plate unit (each refrigerant passage) of the heat exchanger 1. The refrigerant that flows into the refrigerant passage from the inlet 2 flows through the refrigerant passage and flows out to the outlet 3. The inlet 2 and outlet 3 are inlet-side header flow paths and outlet-side header flow paths arranged to penetrate multiple plate units.
[0017] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the heat exchanger 1 includes fixing parts 20 that fix the first refrigerant passage (for example, refrigerant passage 10) and the second refrigerant passage (for example, refrigerant passage 11). The positions where the fixing parts 20 are provided will be described later with reference to Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C. The fixing parts 20 form a gap D between the first plate unit and the second plate unit through which the heat exchange medium can pass. The shape of the fixing parts 20 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the shape is such that the flow resistance of the heat exchange medium's flow path (gap D) can be reduced. For example, the fixing parts 20 are preferably cylindrical.
[0018] Next, with reference to Figure 3A, the first plate unit provided in the heat exchanger 1 will be described. Figure 3A is a plan view of the first plate unit provided in the heat exchanger 1 according to Embodiment 1. The plate unit 30A, which is the first plate unit provided in the heat exchanger 1, includes the first refrigerant passages, refrigerant passages 31A and 32A. The plate unit 30A includes an inlet connection part 40A that connects to the inlet 2. The inlet connection part 40A is further connected to the refrigerant passages 31A and 32A. The plate unit 30A also includes an outlet connection part 41A that connects to the outlet 3. The outlet connection part 41A is further connected to the refrigerant passages 31A and 32A. The refrigerant that flows from the inlet 2 to the inlet connection part 40A branches at the inlet connection part 40A and flows through the refrigerant passages 31A and 32A, respectively. The refrigerants flowing through refrigerant passages 31A and 32A merge at the outlet connection section 41A and flow out to the outlet section 3.
[0019] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inlet connection section 40A and the outlet connection section 41A are arranged side by side in the short direction (Y direction) on the central axis C1 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the plate unit 30A. Also, the plate unit 30A has a symmetrical structure with respect to the central axis C1.
[0020] In this embodiment, the first refrigerant passage has a first bend and a first U-turn. In the example shown in Figure 3A, each of the refrigerant passages 31A and 32A has a first bend, which is a bend 33A, and a first U-turn, which is a U-turn, which is a U-turn. At the bend 33A, each refrigerant passage bends at a predetermined angle, and at the U-turn 34A, each refrigerant passage makes a U-turn. The angle at which each refrigerant passage bends at the bend 33A will be described later with reference to Figure 3C. The distance L1 in the Y-axis direction between the refrigerant passages 31A (refrigerant passages 32A) before and after the U-turn is greater than or equal to the width W1 in the Y-axis direction of each refrigerant passage. Further details will be described later with reference to Figure 3C.
[0021] The white arrows shown in Figure 3A indicate the direction of refrigerant flow. The refrigerant flowing from the inlet 2 to the inlet connection 40A branches to the left and right at the inlet connection 40A, initially flowing to the left through refrigerant path 31A and initially flowing to the right through refrigerant path 32A. The refrigerant flows through multiple bends 33A and multiple U-turns 34A in each refrigerant path and reaches the outlet connection 41A. Because the first refrigerant path includes bends or U-turns, the direction of refrigerant flow in the first refrigerant path includes a component in the Y-axis direction. However, the refrigerant mainly flows in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction (the direction indicated by the white arrows). Hereafter, the fact that the refrigerant mainly flows in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction (left or right), even though it partially flows in a direction parallel to the Y-axis direction (towards or away), may simply be described as the refrigerant flowing in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction. In the first plate unit, the direction in which the refrigerant flows is primarily parallel to the X-axis direction, and the heat exchange medium passes through a direction parallel to the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the direction in which the refrigerant flows and the direction in which the heat exchange medium passes intersect. The X-axis direction, which is the direction in which the refrigerant flows, is designated as the second direction, and the Y-axis direction, which is the direction in which the heat exchange medium passes, is designated as the first direction.
[0022] The heat exchanger 1 is provided with fixing parts 20 at the positions of the curved portion 33A and the U-turn portion 34A when viewed in the stacking direction.
[0023] Next, with reference to Figure 3B, the second plate unit provided in the heat exchanger 1 will be described. Figure 3B is a plan view of the second plate unit provided in the heat exchanger 1 according to Embodiment 1. The first plate unit and the second plate unit provided in the heat exchanger 1 have a structure that is inverted vertically from each other. The plate unit 30B, which is the second plate unit provided in the heat exchanger 1, includes the second refrigerant passages, refrigerant passages 31B and 32B. The plate unit 30B includes an inlet connection part 40B that connects to the inlet 2. The inlet connection part 40B further connects to the refrigerant passages 31B and 32B. The plate unit 30B also includes an outlet connection part 41B that connects to the outlet 3. The outlet connection part 41B further connects to the refrigerant passages 31B and 32B. The refrigerant that flows from the inlet 2 to the inlet connection 40B branches off at the inlet connection 40B and flows through the refrigerant path 31B and the refrigerant path 32B, respectively. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 31B and the refrigerant path 32B then merge at the outlet connection 41B and flow out to the outlet 3.
[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inlet connection section 40B and the outlet connection section 41B are arranged side by side in the short direction (Y direction) on the central axis C2 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the plate unit 30B. Also, the plate unit 30B has a symmetrical structure with respect to the central axis C2.
[0025] In this embodiment, the second refrigerant passage has a second bend and a second U-turn. In the example shown in Figure 3B, each of the refrigerant passages 31B and 32B has a second bend, which is a bend 33B, and a second U-turn, which is a U-turn, which is a U-turn. At the bend 33B, each refrigerant passage bends at a predetermined angle, and at the U-turn 34B, each refrigerant passage makes a U-turn. The angle at which each refrigerant passage bends at the bend 33B will be described later with reference to Figure 3C. The distance L1 in the Y-axis direction between the refrigerant passages 31B (refrigerant passages 32B) before and after the U-turn is greater than or equal to the width W1 in the Y-axis direction of each refrigerant passage. Further details will be described later with reference to Figure 3C.
[0026] The white arrows shown in Figure 3B indicate the direction of refrigerant flow. The refrigerant flowing from the inlet 2 to the inlet connection 40B branches to the left and right at the inlet connection 40B, initially flowing to the left in the refrigerant path 31B and initially flowing to the right in the refrigerant path 32B. The refrigerant flows through multiple bends 33B and multiple U-turns 34B in each refrigerant path and reaches the outlet connection 41A. Because the second refrigerant path includes bends or U-turns, the direction of refrigerant flow in the second refrigerant path includes a component in the Y-axis direction. However, the refrigerant mainly flows in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction (the direction indicated by the white arrows). In the second layer, the direction of refrigerant flow is parallel to the X-axis direction, and the heat exchange medium passes in a direction parallel to the Y-axis direction, so the direction of refrigerant flow (second direction) and the direction in which the heat exchange medium passes (first direction) intersect.
[0027] The heat exchanger 1 is provided with fixing parts 20 at the positions of the curved portion 33B and the U-turn portion 34B when viewed in the stacking direction.
[0028] In the heat exchanger 1, the second plate unit is stacked with respect to the first plate unit with a predetermined gap between them. The stacked state of the first plate unit and the second plate unit will be explained with reference to Figure 3C. Figure 3C is a transparent plan view of the stacked first plate unit and second plate unit according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3C shows the state in which the first plate unit, plate unit 30A, shown in Figure 3A, and the second plate unit, plate unit 30B, shown in Figure 3B, are stacked. Note that the plate unit 30A and the plate unit 30B are stacked with a gap D between them.
[0029] Plate unit 30A and plate unit 30B are stacked such that their inlet connection sections 40A and 40B overlap, and their outlet connection sections 41A and 41B overlap. When plate unit 30A and plate unit 30B are stacked, the central axis C1 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of plate unit 30A and the central axis C2 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of plate unit 30B coincide.
[0030] The first passing position F1 shown in Figure 3C is one of the passing positions in the direction in which the heat exchange medium flows, that is, the direction in which the heat exchange medium flows, and it passes through the gap D and intersects with the second direction in which the refrigerant flows in the first and second refrigerant passages. In the stacking direction view, at least in part, the second refrigerant passage 32B is positioned after the first refrigerant passage 32A in the stacking direction view. Also, in the stacking direction view, at least in part, the refrigerant passage 32A is positioned after the refrigerant passage 32B in the first passing position F1. Thus, in the stacking direction view, the refrigerant passages 32A and 32B are arranged alternately in the first passing position F1. As a result, the heat exchange medium passing through the gap D alternately exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant passage 32A and with the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant passage 32B in the first passing position F1.
[0031] The second passing position F2 shown in Figure 3C is a passing position in one of the first directions in which the heat exchange medium flows, that is, a direction in which the heat exchange medium flows, passing through the gap D and intersecting the second direction in which the refrigerant flows in the first and second refrigerant passages. Furthermore, the second passing position F2 is a different position from the first passing position F1, for example, a position adjacent to the first passing position F1 and the second passing position F2. The first passing position F1 and the second passing position F2 may be positioned so that they are flanking one fixed part 20 when viewed in the direction of passage of the heat exchange medium. There may also be a case where there is only one fixed part 20 between the first passing position F1 and the second passing position F2 when viewed in the direction of passage of the heat exchange medium. As will be described later, at least some of the multiple fixed parts 20 may be aligned in the direction in which the heat exchange medium flows (Y-axis direction). In the example shown in Figure 3C, when viewed in the direction of passage of the heat exchange medium, it appears that there is only one fixed portion 20 between the first passage position F1 and the second passage position F2.
[0032] For example, the third passing position F3 is adjacent to the second passing position F2, but not adjacent to the first passing position F1. In a view of the heat exchange medium passing in the direction of passage, the third passing position F3 and the first passing position F1 are separated by two fixed parts 20. In a view of the heat exchange medium passing in the direction of passage, there are two fixed parts 20 between the third passing position F3 and the first passing position F1. Also, for example, the fourth passing position F4 is adjacent to the first passing position F1, but not adjacent to the second passing position F2. In a view of the heat exchange medium passing in the direction of passage, there are no fixed parts 20 between the fourth passing position F4 and the first passing position F1. In a view of the heat exchange medium passing in the direction of passage, there are no fixed parts 20 between the fourth passing position F4 and the first passing position F1.
[0033] In the stacking direction view, at the second passing position F2 adjacent to the first passing position F1, the refrigerant path 32B is adjacent to the refrigerant path 32A at the first passing position F1, and the refrigerant path 32A is adjacent to the refrigerant path 32B at the first passing position F1. In other words, in the stacking direction view, the arrangement order of the first and second refrigerant paths at some passing positions in the direction in which the heat exchange medium flows is reversed from the arrangement order of the first and second refrigerant paths at passing positions adjacent to those passing positions. This is because, when the first plate unit and the second plate unit are stacked, in the stacking direction view, the first and second refrigerant paths intersect at the bends in each layer. Also, as explained with reference to Figures 3A and 3B, the spacing L1 in the Y-axis direction of the refrigerant paths 31A (and similarly for refrigerant paths 32A, 31B, and 32B) before and after the U-turn is greater than or equal to the Y-axis width W1 of each refrigerant path. As a result, when viewed in the stacking direction, the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage are arranged alternately in the direction in which the heat exchange medium flows.
[0034] Therefore, at some of the passage positions in the direction in which the heat exchange medium flows (for example, the first passage position F1 or the third passage position F3), the sequence of heat exchange of the heat exchange medium passing from front to back is an alternating sequence of heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 32A and heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 32B. Furthermore, at the passage position adjacent to the aforementioned passage position (for example, the second passage position F2), the sequence of heat exchange of the heat exchange medium is an alternating sequence of heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 32B and heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 32A.
[0035] The heat exchange medium passing through the gap D between the first plate unit and the second plate unit gets hotter the further downstream it flows, that is, the further it flows into the passage. Therefore, when comparing a refrigerant flowing through a certain refrigerant passage with a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant passage located further downstream, the refrigerant flowing through the further downstream passage has lower heat exchange performance (in other words, lower efficiency) with the heat exchange medium. For example, if the arrangement order of the first and second refrigerant passages at the first passage position F1 is the same as the arrangement order of the first and second refrigerant passages at the second passage position F2, the heat exchange performance of the refrigerant passage located downstream (further back) will be lower than that of the refrigerant passage located upstream (closer). Specifically, at the first passage position F1, the refrigerant passage 32B is located at the furthest downstream. If, as in the case of the first passage position F1, the refrigerant passage 32B is also located at the furthest downstream at the second passage position F2, the heat exchange performance of the refrigerant passage 32B will be lower than that of the refrigerant passage 32A. In other words, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through refrigerant passage 32B is higher than the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through refrigerant passage 32A. In this case, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant passage and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage become non-uniform in the heat exchanger 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the arrangement order of the first and second refrigerant passages at some passing positions in the direction in which the heat exchange medium flows is reversed, and the arrangement order of the first and second refrigerant passages at passing positions adjacent to those passing positions is reversed. Also, the order of heat exchange with the first and second refrigerant passages at each passing position is alternating. As a result, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant passage and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage become uniform in the heat exchanger 1, improving the heat exchange performance.
[0036] Note that the first passing position F1, second passing position F2, third passing position F3, and fourth passing position F4 shown in Figure 3C are merely examples of the first direction (the direction in which the heat exchange medium flows) that passes through the gap D and intersects with the second direction in which the refrigerant flows in the first and second refrigerant passages, and are not intended to limit the passing positions. For example, the second passing position F2 shown in Figure 3C may be read as the first passing position, and the third passing position F3 as the second passing position.
[0037] When the first plate unit and the second plate unit are stacked, in a view in the stacking direction, the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersect at the positions of the bends and U-turns in each layer. As explained with reference to Figure 3A, the heat exchanger 1 is provided with fixing parts 20 at the positions of the bends 33A and U-turns 34A in a view in the stacking direction. Also, as explained with reference to Figure 3B, the heat exchanger 1 is provided with fixing parts 20 at the positions of the bends 33B and U-turns 34B in a view in the stacking direction. In other words, when the first plate unit and the second plate unit are stacked, in a view in the stacking direction, the fixing parts 20 fix the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage at the positions where they intersect. For example, as shown in Figure 3C, the heat exchanger 1 is provided with a fixing part 20 for fixing the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage at a position (for example, intersection position K1) where the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersect in a stacked view between the first passage position F1 and the second passage position F2. The heat exchanger 1 is also provided with a fixing part 20 for fixing the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage at a position (for example, intersection position K2) where the first U-turn section and the second U-turn section intersect.
[0038] The fixing portion 20 supports the internal pressure applied to the first refrigerant passage with which it is in contact. The fixing portion 20 also supports the internal pressure applied to the second refrigerant passage with which it is in contact. In the case where the fixing portion 20 fixes the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage at the position where they intersect, as in the heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, the fixing portion 20 can support both the internal pressure applied to the first refrigerant passage and the internal pressure applied to the second refrigerant passage at that position. As a result, the heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment is composed of fewer fixing portions 20 compared to, for example, the case where the fixing portion 20 fixes only one of the first or second refrigerant passages. This makes it possible, for example, to reduce the flow resistance of the flow path of the heat exchange medium.
[0039] Furthermore, at least some of the multiple fixed parts 20 are aligned in the direction of heat exchange medium flow (Y-axis direction). For example, four fixed parts 20 are aligned on an axis E1 parallel to the direction of heat exchange medium flow. By aligning the fixed parts 20, in other words, the positions where the first refrigerant path and the second refrigerant path intersect, in the direction of heat exchange medium flow, it is possible to reduce the flow resistance of the heat exchange medium's flow path.
[0040] Next, the bending angles at the bends 33A of each refrigerant passage included in plate unit 30A, and the bending angles at the bends 33B of each refrigerant passage included in plate unit 30B will be explained. Figure 3C shows an enlarged excerpt of the position where the first refrigerant passage, refrigerant passage 31A, and the second refrigerant passage, refrigerant passage 32B, intersect.
[0041] Let θ1 be the angle between the refrigerant passage 31A and the direction parallel to the direction of refrigerant flow (X-axis direction). Let φ1 be the angle between the refrigerant passage 31B and the direction parallel to the direction of refrigerant flow. Let θ2 be the angle between the refrigerant passage 31A and the direction in which the heat exchange medium flows (Y-axis direction). Let φ2 be the angle between the refrigerant passage 31B and the direction in which the heat exchange medium flows. The bends in each refrigerant passage are provided such that the angle of the bend in each refrigerant passage is within the following range. That is, the bends in each refrigerant passage are provided such that θ1 or φ1 is within the range of 30 to 60 degrees. Also, at this time, θ2 or φ2 is within the range of 30 to 60 degrees. In other words, at the point where the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersect, the angle between the first refrigerant passage or the second refrigerant passage and the direction parallel to the direction of refrigerant flow is within the range of 30 to 60 degrees. Furthermore, at the point where the first and second refrigerant paths intersect, the angle between the direction of flow of the heat exchange medium and the first or second refrigerant path is within the range of 30 to 60 degrees. In the region where the refrigerant paths of adjacent layers, i.e., the first and second refrigerant paths, overlap in the stacking direction, the gap through which the heat exchange medium flows becomes narrower, resulting in increased flow resistance. Therefore, it is preferable that this region be small. To minimize this region, it is preferable that θ1 or φ1 be configured within the range of 30 to 60 degrees. It is also preferable that θ2 or φ2 be configured within the range of 30 to 60 degrees. Moreover, by setting θ1 and φ1 to 45 degrees each, this region is minimized, which is most effective in reducing flow resistance. In this case, θ2 and φ2 are also 45 degrees each.
[0042] Next, with reference to Figure 4, the plates constituting the first plate unit and the second plate unit will be described. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the plate according to Embodiment 1.
[0043] The first and second plate units of the heat exchanger 1 are composed of plates formed by a common mold. Furthermore, the plates are marked by the same mold.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, marks M1, M2, M3, and M4 are provided at the four corners of the plate P1. In the example of FIG. 4, mark M1 is the number "1", mark M2 is the number "2", mark M3 is the number "3", and mark M4 is the number "4". As shown, for example, in plates P1 and P4 of FIG. 4, the marks (e.g., the number "4", etc.) provided on the plate may look different when viewed from one side of the plate and when viewed from the other side. Conversely, for example, the number "1" looks like the number "1" when viewed from any side of the plate. A convex portion T1 is formed on the plate by a mold. The convex portion T1 formed on the plate is joined face-to-face with the convex portion T1 of a plate different from the said plate to form a refrigerant passage (the first refrigerant passage or the second refrigerant passage), an inflow connection portion, and an outflow connection portion. Also, the convex portion T1 formed on the plate may be able to form the fixing portion 20 by being joined face-to-face with the convex portion T1 of a plate different from the said plate. In FIG. 4, each mark and the convex portion T1 are convex upward in plates P1 and P3, but are convex downward in plates P2 and P4.
[0045] Furthermore, Figure 4 shows how multiple plates are stacked on top of plate P1. Plates P1, P2, P3, and P4 shown in Figure 4 are all plates formed by a common mold. Plate P2 is the same as plate P1 rotated 180 degrees around the X-axis. Plate P3 is the same as plate P1 rotated 180 degrees around the Z-axis. Plate P4 is the same as plate P1 rotated 180 degrees around the Y-axis. These rotations are performed so that when each plate is stacked, some of the marks on the four corners of each plate are aligned in a predetermined order. In the example in Figure 4, when plates P1, P2, P3, and P4 are stacked, the mark M1, i.e. "1", on plate P1, the mark M2, i.e. "2", on plate P2, the mark M3, i.e. "3", on plate P3, and the mark M4, i.e. "4", on plate P4 are aligned in order from bottom to top. In this way, the first plate unit and the second plate unit are formed by stacking the plates so that the marks applied to the plates are aligned in a predetermined order. In the example in Figure 4, the first refrigerant passage is formed by joining plates P2 and P3 facing each other, and the first plate unit (plate unit 50) including the first refrigerant passage is formed. Although not shown in the figure, for example, plate P4 is joined facing each other to the plate stacked one level above plate P1. This forms a second refrigerant passage and a second plate unit including the second refrigerant passage. When each plate is stacked, a predetermined gap D is formed between the first plate unit and the second plate unit by the fixing part 20. For example, plate P1 is stacked with a gap D between it and plate P2. Also, plate P3 is stacked with a gap D between it and plate P4.
[0046] Hereafter, the two plates forming the first plate unit may be referred to as the first plate and the second plate. Also, hereafter, the two plates forming the second plate unit may be referred to as the third plate and the fourth plate.
[0047] Thus, the first plate unit is composed of a first plate and a second plate that can form a first refrigerant passage by being joined face to face. Further, the second plate unit is composed of a third plate and a fourth plate that can form a second refrigerant passage by being joined face to face. Furthermore, the first plate, the second plate, the third plate, and the fourth plate can all be formed by a common mold. Additionally, on each of the first plate, the second plate, the third plate, and the fourth plate, when the first plate unit and the second plate unit are configured, a predetermined mark is provided at a position that overlaps when viewed from the stacking direction. By applying marks to the plates in this way, it is possible to reduce mistakes in the stacking order, or rather, the assembly order, of each plate during the manufacture of the heat exchanger 1. Also, since each plate can be formed by a common mold, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed compared to the case where a plurality of molds are required.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 3A, it was described that the plate unit 3 A has a bilaterally symmetric structure about the central axis C1. Also, referring to FIG. 3B, it was described that the plate unit 3 B has a bilaterally symmetric structure about the central axis C2. These descriptions do not need to be applied to the marks provided on the plates. Also, in the example of FIG. 4, the marks provided on the plates were the numbers 1 to 4, but it is not limited to this. For example, symbols may be provided on the plates.
[0049] (Embodiment 2) The heat exchanger 1 according to Embodiment 1 has been described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the heat exchanger 1 according to Embodiment 1, the inlet connection portion and outlet connection portion of each plate unit are arranged side by side in the short direction (Y direction) on the central axis in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of each layer. This is because the inlet portion 2 and outlet portion 3 are arranged side by side in the short direction on the central axis in the longitudinal direction of each plate unit. In addition, in the heat exchanger 1 according to Embodiment 1, each plate unit has two refrigerant paths (for example, refrigerant path 31A and refrigerant path 32A) from the inlet portion 2 to the outlet portion 3 (in other words, from the inlet connection portion to the outlet connection portion), and these refrigerant paths have a U-turn portion. However, the arrangement of the inlet portion 2 and outlet portion 3 in the heat exchanger 1 and the configuration of the refrigerant paths in each plate unit are not limited to the example shown in Embodiment 1. Embodiment 2 shows an example in which the arrangement of the inlet portion 2 and outlet portion 3 in the heat exchanger 1 and the configuration of the refrigerant paths in each plate unit are different from Embodiment 1. In the description of Embodiment 2, any parts that overlap with the description of Embodiment 1 may be omitted or simplified. Embodiment 2 will mainly focus on the differences from Embodiment 1.
[0050] Figure 5A is a plan view of the first plate unit of the heat exchanger 1 according to Embodiment 2. Although not shown in the figure, in Embodiment 2, the inlet 2 and outlet 3 of the heat exchanger 1 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) on the central axis (for example, central axis C3) in the short direction (Y-axis direction) of each plate unit of the heat exchanger 1. Therefore, in the plate unit 60A, which is the first plate unit shown in Figure 5A, the inlet connection part 70A and the outlet connection part 71A are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction on the central axis C3 in the short direction of the plate unit 60A. Furthermore, the plate unit 60A has a symmetrical structure with respect to the central axis C4 in the longitudinal direction.
[0051] The plate unit 60A includes refrigerant passages 61A, 62A, 63A, and 64A, which constitute the first refrigerant passage. In Embodiment 2, the first refrigerant passage included in the first plate unit has a first bend but no first U-turn. The white arrows shown in Figure 5A indicate the direction in which the refrigerant flows. Because the first refrigerant passage does not have a U-turn, the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant passage flows in one direction, from the inlet connection 70A to the outlet connection 71A.
[0052] Figure 5B is a plan view of the second plate unit provided in the heat exchanger 1 according to Embodiment 2. In the plate unit 60B, which is the second plate unit shown in Figure 5B, the inlet connection part 70B and the outlet connection part 71B are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction on the central axis C5 in the short direction of the plate unit 60B. The plate unit 60A has a symmetrical structure with respect to the central axis C6 in the longitudinal direction.
[0053] The plate unit 60B includes a second refrigerant passage consisting of refrigerant passages 61B, 62B, 63B, and 64B. In Embodiment 2, the second refrigerant passage included in the second plate unit has a second bend but no second U-turn. The white arrows shown in Figure 5B indicate the direction in which the refrigerant flows. Because the second refrigerant passage does not have a U-turn, the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage flows in one direction, from the inlet connection 70B to the outlet connection 71B.
[0054] Figure 5C is a transparent plan view of the stacked first plate unit and second plate unit according to Embodiment 2. Figure 5C shows the state in which the first plate unit, plate unit 60A, shown in Figure 5A, and the second plate unit, plate unit 60B, shown in Figure 5B, are stacked. Note that plate unit 60A and plate unit 60B are stacked with a gap D between them.
[0055] Plate unit 60A and plate unit 60B are stacked such that the inlet connection portion 70A and the inlet connection portion 70B overlap, and the outlet connection portion 71A and the outlet connection portion 71B overlap. Although not shown in the figures, the longitudinal central axis C4 of plate unit 60A and the longitudinal central axis C6 of plate unit 60B overlap, and the short-side central axis C3 of plate unit 60A and the longitudinal central axis C5 of plate unit 60B overlap.
[0056] As a result of stacking the first plate unit, plate unit 60A, and the second plate unit, plate unit 60B, the arrangement order of the first and second refrigerant passages at the first passing position F5 is reversed in the stacking direction view, compared to the arrangement order of the first and second refrigerant passages at the second passing position F6 adjacent to the first passing position F5. This makes the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant passage and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage equal, similar to Embodiment 1.
[0057] As described in Embodiments 1 and 2, the inlet 2 and outlet 3 of the heat exchanger 1 may be arranged in the longitudinal direction along the central axis in the short direction of each layer of the heat exchanger 1, or they may be arranged in the short direction along the central axis in the longitudinal direction of each layer. In addition, the inlet connection and outlet connection in each layer of the heat exchanger 1 may also be arranged in the longitudinal direction along the central axis in the short direction of each layer, in accordance with the arrangement of the inlet 2 and outlet 3, or they may be arranged in the short direction along the central axis in the longitudinal direction of each layer.
[0058] Furthermore, the first plate unit of the heat exchanger 1 may have one or more first refrigerant passages extending from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3. The second plate unit of the heat exchanger 1 may have one or more second refrigerant passages extending from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3. The number of refrigerant passages in each plate unit may be determined based on, for example, the size of the heat exchanger 1, the size of each layer, the width of the refrigerant passages, etc. Also, depending on whether or not the refrigerant passage has a U-turn, the refrigerant may flow in one direction (see Figures 5A and 5B) or in two directions (see Figures 3A and 3B). The configuration of the refrigerant passages, that is, the number of bends in the refrigerant passages, the angle of the bends, and the number of U-turns may also be determined based on, for example, the size of the heat exchanger 1, the size of each plate unit, the width of the refrigerant passages, etc.
[0059] (Summary of Embodiments) The following technologies are disclosed based on the above description of embodiments. The components etc. in the above embodiments are examples, but are not limited to these.
[0060] (Technology 1) A heat exchanger (for example, heat exchanger 1) comprises a flat first layer (for example, plate unit 30A) including a first refrigerant passage (for example, refrigerant passage 31A), a flat second layer (for example, plate unit 30B) including a second refrigerant passage (for example, refrigerant passage 31B) stacked with respect to the first layer with a predetermined gap (for example, gap D), an inlet-side header flow path (for example, inlet section 2) through which refrigerant flows into the first and second refrigerant passages, and an outlet-side header flow path (for example, outlet section 3) through which refrigerant flows out from the first and second refrigerant passages. The device is equipped with a gap through which the refrigerant passes and intersects with the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the first and second refrigerant passages. In a predetermined direction (first direction) that intersects with the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the first and second refrigerant passages, at a first passing position (for example, first passing position F1), the second refrigerant passage is located after the first refrigerant passage in at least a portion of the predetermined direction (first direction). In a second passing position (for example, second passing position F2) adjacent to the first passing position, the second refrigerant passage is adjacent to the first refrigerant passage at the first passing position, and the first refrigerant passage is adjacent to the second refrigerant passage at the first passing position. Furthermore, the heat exchanger is a heat exchanger in which a plurality of plate units, each provided with a refrigerant passage, are stacked with gaps between them, and heat exchange is performed between a heat exchange medium passing through the gaps and a refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passages. The heat exchanger comprises a refrigerant inlet-side header passage and an outlet-side header passage arranged to penetrate the plurality of plate units, a first plate unit provided with a first refrigerant passage leading from the inlet-side header passage to the outlet-side header passage, and a second plate unit provided with a second refrigerant passage leading from the inlet-side header passage to the outlet-side header passage, and stacked with a gap between it and the first plate unit. The first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage extend in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the heat exchange medium passes through the gaps, and at least a portion of the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersect with respect to the first refrigerant passage extending in the second direction, when viewed from the stacking direction, such that the second refrigerant passage is located on one side and the other side in the first direction relative to the first refrigerant passage extending in the second direction.
[0061] This equalizes the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant passage and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage in the heat exchanger. As a result, the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger is improved.
[0062] (Technology 2) In the heat exchanger described in Technology 1, when viewed from the stacking direction, the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage are provided with a plurality of bends such that the second refrigerant passage is alternately located on one side and the other side in the first direction with respect to the first refrigerant passage which extends in the second direction.
[0063] As a result, the heat exchange medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant can alternately exchange heat with the first refrigerant passage and with the second refrigerant passage. This equalizes the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant passage and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage in the heat exchanger. This improves the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger.
[0064] (Technology 3) The heat exchanger described in Technology 2 further includes a fixing part (for example, a fixing part 20) that fixes the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage at a position (for example, an intersection position K1) where the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersect in a view in the stacking direction.
[0065] This allows the fixed parts to contact both the first and second refrigerant passages. As a result, the heat exchanger can support the internal pressure in both the first and second refrigerant passages with fewer fixed parts.
[0066] (Technical 4) In the heat exchanger described in Technical 3, there are multiple positions where at least a portion of the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersect, and at least a portion of the multiple fixed parts are aligned in a predetermined direction.
[0067] This reduces the flow resistance of the channel through which the heat exchange medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant flows.
[0068] (Technical 5) At the point where the first refrigerant path and the second refrigerant path intersect in the heat exchanger described in Technical 3 or 4, the angle (e.g., θ2, φ2) between the first direction and the first refrigerant path or the second refrigerant path is in the range of 30 to 60 degrees.
[0069] This reduces the flow resistance of the channel through which the heat exchange medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant flows.
[0070] (Technology 6) In the heat exchanger described in any one of Technologies 1 to 5, the first plate unit is composed of a first plate (e.g., plate P2) and a second plate (e.g., plate P3) that can form a first refrigerant passage by joining them opposite each other, and the second plate unit is composed of a third plate (e.g., plate P1) and a fourth plate (e.g., rotated plate P1) that can form a second refrigerant passage by joining them opposite each other, and the first plate, second plate, third plate and fourth plate can all be formed by a common mold, and each of the first plate, second plate and third plate and fourth plate is given a predetermined mark (e.g., mark M1, mark M2, mark M3, mark M4) at a position where they overlap when viewed from the stacking direction when the first plate unit and the second plate unit are configured.
[0071] This reduces errors in the stacking order of each plate, or in other words, the assembly order, during the manufacturing of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, since each plate can be formed using a common mold, manufacturing costs can be reduced compared to systems requiring multiple molds.
[0072] (Technology 7) In the heat exchanger described in any one of Technology 3 to 5, the first refrigerant passage has a first U-turn section (for example, U-turn section 34A), the second refrigerant passage has a second U-turn section (for example, U-turn section 34B), and the heat exchanger further includes a fixing section at the position where the first U-turn section and the second U-turn section intersect (for example, the intersection position K2).
[0073] This allows the refrigerant path to make a U-turn. Furthermore, the heat exchanger can achieve the same effect as in Technology 2.
[0074] (Technology 8) In the heat exchanger described in any one of Techniques 1 to 5, the first plate unit has a plurality of first refrigerant passages from the inlet to the outlet, and the second plate unit has a plurality of second refrigerant passages from the inlet to the outlet, and the refrigerant flows in one direction in the plurality of first refrigerant passages and the plurality of second refrigerant passages.
[0075] This allows, for example, a heat exchanger to be constructed with layers that include multiple refrigerant passages that do not make U-turns.
[0076] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, this disclosure is not limited to such examples. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will also be understood to fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the various embodiments described above can be combined arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0077] The technology disclosed herein is useful as a heat exchanger.
[0078] 1 Heat exchanger 2 Inlet (inlet side header flow path) 3 Outlet (outlet side header flow path) 20 Fixed part 30A, 30B Plate unit 31A, 32A, 31B, 32B Refrigerant path 33A, 33B Bend part 34A, 34B U-turn part D Gap F1 First passing position F2 Second passing position K1, K2 Intersection position M1, M2, M3, M4 Mark P1, P2, P3, P4 Plate
Claims
1. A heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of plate units, each provided with a refrigerant passage, stacked with gaps between them, and performing heat exchange between a heat exchange medium passing through the gaps and a refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passages, wherein: an inlet-side header passage and an outlet-side header passage for the refrigerant, arranged to penetrate the plurality of plate units; a first plate unit provided with a first refrigerant passage extending from the inlet-side header passage to the outlet-side header passage; and a second plate unit provided with a second refrigerant passage extending from the inlet-side header passage to the outlet-side header passage, and stacked with a gap between it and the first plate unit, wherein the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage extend in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the heat exchange medium passes through the gaps, and at least a portion of the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersect, such that, when viewed from the stacking direction, the second refrigerant passage is located on one side and the other side in the first direction relative to the first refrigerant passage extending in the second direction.
2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the stacking direction, the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage are provided with a plurality of bends such that the second refrigerant passage is alternately located on one side and the other side in the first direction with respect to the first refrigerant passage extending in the second direction.
3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, further comprising a fixing portion for fixing the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage at a position where at least a portion of the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersect when viewed from the stacking direction.
4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein there are multiple positions where at least a portion of the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersect, and at least a portion of the multiple fixed parts are aligned in the first direction.
5. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein at the point where the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage intersect, the angle between the first direction and the first refrigerant passage or the second refrigerant passage is in the range of 30 to 60 degrees.
6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first plate unit is composed of a first plate and a second plate that can form the first refrigerant passage by joining them opposite each other, the second plate unit is composed of a third plate and a fourth plate that can form the second refrigerant passage by joining them opposite each other, the first plate, the second plate, the third plate and the fourth plate can all be formed by a common mold, and each of the first plate, the second plate, the third plate and the fourth plate is marked with a predetermined mark at a position where they overlap when viewed from the stacking direction when the first plate unit and the second plate unit are assembled.
7. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the first refrigerant passage has a first U-turn section, the second refrigerant passage has a second U-turn section, and the fixing section is further provided at the position where the first U-turn section and the second U-turn section intersect.