Heat exchanger

Abstract

This heat exchanger comprises: a plurality of tubes (20); a side plate (6); and a seal plate (7). The plurality of tubes form a first fluid passage (2). The side plate is disposed at both stacking-direction ends of a heat exchange core part (1). The seal plate is disposed at both core-width-direction ends of the heat exchanger core part and is joined to the side plate and a first fluid tank (4). A second fluid passage (3) is constituted by the first fluid tank, the side plate, the seal plate, and a space formed between adjacent tubes. A second fluid inflow part (81) is connected to the seal plate. The second fluid passage has a plurality of inter-tube passages (30). A distribution space formation part (76), through which a second fluid flowing in from the second fluid inflow part passes and which forms a distribution space (75) communicating with the plurality of inter-tube passages, is provided on a passage-longitudinal-direction end side of the seal plate.

Description

Heat exchanger Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-56142 filed on March 28, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger.

[0003] Conventionally, Patent Document 1 discloses a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid. In the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1, a plurality of tubes through which the first fluid flows are stacked to form a heat exchange core portion, and a pair of wall portions are arranged to cover both sides of the heat exchange core portion, thereby forming a second fluid flow path around the tubes.

[0004] Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2014-524005

[0005] In the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1, a second fluid inlet portion for introducing the second fluid into the heat exchange core portion is connected to one wall portion of the pair of wall portions. Therefore, the second fluid that has flowed in from the second fluid inlet portion intensively flows to one wall side in the second fluid flow path, and is less likely to flow to the other wall side. As a result, the distribution performance of the second fluid into the second fluid flow path is deteriorated.

[0006] In view of the above points, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a heat exchanger capable of improving fluid distribution performance in a heat exchange core portion.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, a heat exchanger according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a heat exchange core formed by alternately stacking a plurality of first fluid passages through which a first fluid flows and a plurality of second fluid passages through which a second fluid flows in a predetermined stacking direction, and which exchanges heat between a first fluid and a second fluid; and a first fluid tank that performs at least one of the following: distribution of the first fluid to the first fluid passages and collection of the first fluid that has flowed out of the first fluid passages, wherein when the longitudinal direction of the first fluid passages is defined as the passage longitudinal direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the passage longitudinal direction is defined as the core width direction, the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of tubes that form the first fluid passages and are stacked in the stacking direction with space between them; side plates arranged at both ends of the heat exchange core in the stacking direction; and seal plates arranged at both ends of the heat exchange core in the core width direction and joined to the side plates and the first fluid tank, wherein a second fluid passage is formed by the space formed between the first fluid tank, the side plates, the seal plates and adjacent tubes. The seal plate is connected to a second fluid inlet that allows the second fluid to flow into the second fluid passage. The second fluid passage has multiple inter-tube passages formed between adjacent tubes. At the end of the seal plate in the longitudinal direction of the passage, there is a distribution space forming section through which the second fluid flowing in from the second fluid inlet flows and which communicates with the multiple inter-tube passages.

[0008] According to this, by providing a distribution space forming section in the seal plate, the second fluid flowing in from the second fluid inlet is distributed to multiple inter-tube passages via the distribution space. Therefore, the distribution efficiency of the second fluid to the multiple inter-tube passages can be improved. Consequently, the fluid distribution efficiency within the heat exchange core can be improved.

[0009] This is an exploded perspective view showing a heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. This is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. This is an explanatory diagram for illustrating the distribution space of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. This is a front view showing a seal plate in the second embodiment.

[0010] The following describes several embodiments for implementing this disclosure with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to matters described in a preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted. If only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, other embodiments described in a preceding embodiment may be applied to the remaining parts of the configuration.

[0011] It is possible to combine parts that are explicitly shown as being combinable in each embodiment. Furthermore, if there are no particular problems with the combination, it is also possible to partially combine embodiments even if it is not explicitly shown as being combinable.

[0012] At least one of the components or parts described with a reference numeral is provided, unless otherwise specified, such as "one".

[0013] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger according to this disclosure is applied to a water-refrigerant heat exchanger that cools the cooling water absorbed from the object to be cooled by performing heat exchange between a refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle of an air conditioning system mounted on a vehicle and cooling water that cools the object to be cooled. As the object to be cooled, for example, a secondary battery of an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle can be used.

[0014] As an example, in this embodiment, carbon dioxide (e.g., R744) is used as the refrigerant, and water or antifreeze is used as the cooling water. In this embodiment, the refrigerant corresponds to an example of the first fluid, and the cooling water corresponds to an example of the second fluid.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heat exchanger 100 comprises a heat exchange core 1, a refrigerant tank 4, and a water tank 5. In this embodiment, as an example, brazing is used as the method for joining the various components that make up the heat exchanger 100.

[0016] The heat exchange core section 1 is a heat exchange section that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and cooling water. The heat exchange core section 1 is formed by stacking multiple refrigerant passages 2 through which the refrigerant flows and multiple water passages 3 through which the cooling water flows alternately in a predetermined stacking direction.

[0017] The refrigerant tank 4 distributes refrigerant to the refrigerant passage 2 and collects the refrigerant that flows out of the refrigerant passage 2. The water tank 5 distributes cooling water to the water passage 3 and collects the cooling water that flows out of the water passage 3. Details of the refrigerant tank 4 and the water tank 5 will be described later.

[0018] In this embodiment, the refrigerant passage 2 corresponds to an example of a first fluid passage, and the water passage 3 corresponds to an example of a second fluid passage. Also, the refrigerant tank 4 corresponds to an example of a first fluid tank.

[0019] The heat exchanger 100 has a plurality of tubes 20 through which a refrigerant flows. The tubes 20 are refrigerant passage forming members that form refrigerant passages 2.

[0020] Here, the longitudinal direction of the tube 20 is defined as the tube longitudinal direction. The direction perpendicular to both the tube longitudinal direction and the tube stacking direction is defined as the core width direction. In this embodiment, the tube longitudinal direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the refrigerant passage 2. Therefore, the tube longitudinal direction in this embodiment corresponds to an example of the passage longitudinal direction.

[0021] The arrangement and shape of the tubes 20 are not particularly limited. For example, in the heat exchange core 1 of this embodiment, the tubes 20 are formed so that their longitudinal direction is parallel to the flow direction of the refrigerant. In addition, the tubes 20 are tubes with a flattened, multi-hole cross-sectional shape formed by extrusion. In the heat exchange core 1, the tubes 20 are stacked at predetermined intervals so that their flat outer surfaces are parallel to and facing each other.

[0022] In the heat exchanger 100 of this embodiment, one refrigerant tank 4 is provided on each side of the heat exchange core 1 in the longitudinal direction of the tube. The refrigerant tank 4 is composed of a core plate 41 and a tank body (not shown). The core plate 41 is a plate-shaped member into which the tube 20 is inserted and joined. The tank body, together with the core plate 41, constitutes the refrigerant tank space. The tank body is joined to the core plate 41. The core plate 41 and the tank body are refrigerant tank forming members that form the refrigerant tank 4.

[0023] The core plate 41 has tube insertion holes 411 and side plate insertion holes 412. The longitudinal ends of each tube 20 are inserted into the tube insertion holes 411 and joined together. The longitudinal ends of the side plates 6, which will be described later, are inserted into the side plate insertion holes 412 and joined together. The internal passages of each tube 20 communicate with the internal space of the refrigerant tank 4 (i.e., the refrigerant tank space).

[0024] As an example, in this embodiment, the core plate 41 has a bathtub-shaped (in other words, U-shaped or U-shaped) cross-section perpendicular to the stacking direction. The tank body is formed in a box shape with one side open. The edge of the opening in the tank body is joined to the core plate 41.

[0025] Side plates 6 are provided at both ends of the heat exchange core 1 in the direction of tube stacking. The side plates 6 are formed in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the stacking direction. Both ends of the side plates 6 in the longitudinal direction of the tubes are inserted into and joined to the refrigerant tank 4. In this embodiment, as an example, the side plates 6 are inserted into and joined to the core plate 41.

[0026] Plate-shaped seal plates 7 are provided at both ends of the heat exchange core 1 in the core width direction. In other words, the heat exchanger 100 is equipped with a pair of seal plates 7. The seal plates 7 are provided so as to overlap the entire surface of the heat exchange core 1 when viewed from the core width direction.

[0027] The seal plate 7 is joined to the refrigerant tank 4 and the side plate 6. Furthermore, the seal plate 7 and the tube 20 are in contact in at least a portion of the longitudinal direction of the tube. In this embodiment, for example, the tube 20 is in contact with the seal plate 7 over its entire longitudinal length. Details of the seal plate 7 will be described later.

[0028] The space formed between the refrigerant tank 4, the side plate 6, the seal plate 7, and the adjacent tubes 20 forms a water passage 3 through which cooling water flows. Therefore, in the heat exchange core section 1, heat exchange can be performed between the refrigerant flowing through the tubes 20 and the cooling water flowing around the tubes 20.

[0029] Here, among the water passages 3, the passages formed between adjacent tubes 20 are called inter-tube passages 30. The water passage 3 has multiple inter-tube passages 30. Cooling water flows through the inter-tube passages 30 in the longitudinal direction of the tubes.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, fins 9 are arranged in the intertube passage 30 to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the cooling water. The shape of the fins 9 is not particularly limited. As an example, in this embodiment, offset fins are used as fins 9, which are made by partially forming multiple cut-out sections on a thin metal sheet. Alternatively, corrugated fins may be used as fins 9, which are made by bending a thin metal sheet into a wavy shape.

[0031] The dot hatching in Figure 3 indicates the area where the fins 9 are positioned in the inter-tube passage 30 on the front side of the drawing. The arrows in Figure 3 indicate the flow of cooling water.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the seal plate 7 has a seal flat portion 71 and a seal bent portion 72. The seal flat portion 71 is formed in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the core width direction. The seal bent portion 72 is formed by bending both ends of the seal flat portion 71 in the longitudinal direction of the tube toward the opposite side from the heat exchange core portion 1 (i.e., toward the outside in the core width direction).

[0033] The seal bend portion 72 has a seal contact surface 720 that is joined to the refrigerant tank 4 in a surface contact state. The seal contact surface 720 is provided on the end side (i.e., the outer surface) of the seal bend portion 72 in the longitudinal direction of the tube. In this embodiment, as an example, the seal contact surface 720 is joined to the core plate 41.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the seal plate 7 has claw portions 73 that are joined to the side plate 6 in a locked state. The claw portions 73 are provided at both ends of the seal plate 7 in the stacking direction. The shape, number, and arrangement of the claw portions 73 are not particularly limited. As an example, in this embodiment, three claw portions 73 are provided at each end of the seal plate 7 in the stacking direction. More specifically, the claw portions 73 are provided at both ends of the seal plate 7 in the stacking direction, and at both ends and the center in the longitudinal direction of the tube.

[0035] The seal plate 7 has a bulging portion 74 that extends outward from the heat exchange core portion 1. In this embodiment, the bulging portion 74 is formed by making a part of the seal flat portion 71 bulge outward from the heat exchange core portion 1.

[0036] The water tank space for the water tank 5 is formed on the inside of the bulging portion 74, that is, on the side facing the heat exchange core portion 1. Therefore, the bulging portion 74 in this embodiment is a water tank forming member that forms the water tank 5.

[0037] The shape and arrangement of the bulging portions 74 are not particularly limited. As an example, in this embodiment, two bulging portions 74 are provided on one of the pair of seal plates 7. The two bulging portions 74 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the tube on one of the seal plates 7. Of the two bulging portions 74, a water inlet pipe 81 is connected to one bulging portion 74, and a water outlet pipe 82 is connected to the other bulging portion 74. The water inlet pipe 81 is a cooling water inlet that allows cooling water to flow into the heat exchanger 100. The water outlet pipe 82 is a cooling water outlet that allows cooling water to flow out of the heat exchanger 100.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, in the heat exchange core 1, the length of the fins 9 in the longitudinal direction of the tube is shorter than the length of the tube 20 in the longitudinal direction of the tube. As a result, an end gap 31 is formed at the end of the inter-tube passage 30 in the longitudinal direction of the tube where no fins 9 are placed. In other words, the heat exchange core 1 has an end gap forming section 32 that forms an end gap 31 at the end of the inter-tube passage 30 in the longitudinal direction of the tube where no fins 9 are placed.

[0039] The end gap 31 extends from one end to the other in the core width direction in the inter-tube passage 30. In this embodiment, as an example, the end gap 31 is formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the tube in the inter-tube passage 30. The end gap 31 is provided in each of the multiple inter-tube passages 30.

[0040] A distribution space forming portion 76 is provided on the end side in the longitudinal direction of the tube of the sealing surface portion 71 of the seal plate 7, which forms a distribution space 75. Cooling water flowing in from the water inlet pipe 81 flows through the distribution space 75 and is in communication with a plurality of end gaps 31. The distribution space 75 distributes the cooling water flowing in from the water inlet pipe 81 to the plurality of end gaps 31.

[0041] Here, the end gap 31 is in communication with the inter-tube passage 30. Therefore, the distribution space 75 is through which the cooling water flowing in from the water inlet pipe 81 flows, and is in communication with the multiple inter-tube passages 30 via the multiple end gaps 31. The distribution space 75 distributes the cooling water flowing in from the water inlet pipe 81 to the multiple inter-tube passages 30 via the multiple end gaps 31.

[0042] As an example, in this embodiment, the distribution space forming portion 76 is formed by causing the end side of the sealing plane portion 71 in the longitudinal direction of the tube to bulge outwards from the heat exchange core portion 1. In other words, the distribution space forming portion 76 has a distribution-side bulge portion in which the end side of the sealing plane portion 71 in the longitudinal direction of the tube bulges outwards from the heat exchange core portion 1. The distribution space forming portion 76 is connected to the bulge portion 74. The inner surface of the distribution space forming portion 76 in the core width direction is not joined to the outer surface of the tube 20.

[0043] As an example, in the present embodiment, the distribution space forming portions 76 are formed on both end sides of the seal flat portion 71 in the longitudinal direction of the tubes. As described above, the distribution space 75 formed by the distribution space forming portion 76 on one end side of the seal flat portion 71 in the longitudinal direction of the tubes distributes the cooling water flowing in from the water inlet pipe 81 to the plurality of inter-tube passages 30. The distribution space 75 formed by the distribution space forming portion 76 on the other end side of the seal flat portion 71 in the longitudinal direction of the tubes collects the cooling water flowing out from the plurality of inter-tube passages 30 and causes the cooling water to flow out toward the water outlet pipe 82. Note that the distribution space forming portion 76 may be formed on one end side of the seal flat portion 71 in the longitudinal direction of the tubes.

[0044] As described above, in the heat exchanger 100 of the present embodiment, the seal plate 7 is provided with the distribution space forming portion 76 that forms the distribution space 75. According to this configuration, the cooling water flowing in from the water inlet pipe 81 is distributed to the plurality of inter-tube passages 30 via the distribution space 75. Therefore, the distribution performance of cooling water to the plurality of inter-tube passages 30 can be improved. Accordingly, the distribution performance of fluid in the heat exchange core portion 1 can be improved.

[0045] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the seal plate 7. Only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 4, in the heat exchanger 100 of the present embodiment, the seal plate 7 is provided with a projecting portion 77 that projects toward the outside of the exchange core portion 1. That is, the seal plate 7 is provided with the projecting portion 77 that projects outward in the core width direction. The projecting portion 77 extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tubes.

[0047] As an example, in the present embodiment, a plurality of (three in this example) protruding portions 77 are provided on the seal flat portion 71 of the seal plate 7. Each of the protruding portions 77 is formed linearly. Each of the protruding portions 77 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube. The protruding portion 77 may be provided on one of the pair of seal plates 7, or may be provided on both of the pair of seal plates 7.

[0048] The configuration of other heat exchangers 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the heat exchanger 100 of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the seal plate 7 can be reinforced by providing the protruding portion 77 on the seal plate 7. As a result, it is possible to improve the strength of the heat exchanger 100. Furthermore, the strength of the seal plate 7 can be further improved by forming the protruding portion 77 to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tube.

[0050] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified as follows without departing from the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0051] For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the tubes 20 are provided in one row in the core width direction in the heat exchange core portion 1 has been described, but the arrangement of the tubes 20 is not limited to this aspect. For example, in the heat exchange core portion 1, a plurality of rows in which the tubes 20 are stacked may be provided in the core width direction.

[0052] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example in which two bulging portions 74 are provided on one seal plate 7 among the pair of seal plates 7 has been described, but the arrangement of the bulging portions 74 is not limited to this aspect. For example, one bulging portion 74 may be provided on one seal plate 7 of the pair of seal plates 7, and one bulging portion 74 may be provided on the other seal plate 7. In this case, the water inlet pipe 81 may be connected to the bulging portion 74 provided on one seal plate 7, and the water outlet pipe 82 may be connected to the bulging portion 74 provided on the other seal plate 7.

[0053] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, an example was described in which three linear protrusions 77 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube were formed on the seal plate 7, but the shape of the protrusions 77 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, one protrusion 77 may be provided, or two or four or more may be provided. Also, the protrusions 77 may be formed to extend in any direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tube. In addition, the protrusions 77 may have a shape other than a linear shape.

[0054] The technical features of the heat exchanger disclosed herein are as follows: (Item 1) A heat exchanger comprising: a heat exchange core (1) formed by alternately stacking a plurality of first fluid passages (2) through which a first fluid flows and a plurality of second fluid passages (3) through which a second fluid flows in a predetermined stacking direction, and which exchanges heat between the first fluid and the second fluid; and a first fluid tank (4) which performs at least one of the following: distribution of the first fluid to the first fluid passages and collection of the first fluid that has flowed out of the first fluid passages, wherein when the longitudinal direction of the first fluid passages is defined as the passage longitudinal direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the passage longitudinal direction is defined as the core width direction, the heat exchanger comprises: a plurality of tubes (20) that form the first fluid passages and are stacked in the stacking direction with space between them; side plates (6) arranged at both ends of the heat exchange core in the stacking direction; and seal plates (7) arranged at both ends of the core width direction in the heat exchange core and joined to the side plates and the first fluid tank, A heat exchanger comprising: a first fluid tank, a side plate, a seal plate, and a space formed between adjacent tubes to form a second fluid passage; a second fluid inlet (81) for allowing the second fluid to flow into the second fluid passage being connected to the seal plate; the second fluid passage having a plurality of inter-tube passages (30) formed between adjacent tubes; and a distribution space forming portion (76) provided at the longitudinal end of the seal plate through which the second fluid flowing in from the second fluid inlet flows and which forms a distribution space (75) communicating with the plurality of inter-tube passages. (Item 2) The heat exchanger according to Item 1, wherein fins (9) are arranged in the inter-tube passage to promote heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid; the heat exchange core has an end gap forming portion (32) at the longitudinal end of the inter-tube passage that forms an end gap (31) where the fins are not arranged; and the distribution space is in communication with the end gap.(Item 3) The heat exchanger according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the distribution space forming portion is formed by causing the end of the seal plate in the longitudinal direction of the passage to bulge outwards toward the outside of the heat exchange core portion. (Item 4) The heat exchanger according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the seal plate has a protruding portion (77) that extends outwards toward the outside of the heat exchange core portion. (Item 5) The heat exchanger according to Item 4, wherein the protruding portion extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the passage.

[0055] This disclosure is described in accordance with the embodiments, but it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments or structures. This disclosure also includes various modifications and variations within the equivalence. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms that include only one, more, or fewer of those elements, fall within the scope and concept of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising: a heat exchange core (1) formed by alternately stacking a plurality of first fluid passages (2) through which a first fluid flows and a plurality of second fluid passages (3) through which a second fluid flows in a predetermined stacking direction, thereby exchanging heat between the first fluid and the second fluid; and a first fluid tank (4) that performs at least one of the following: distribution of the first fluid to the first fluid passages and collection of the first fluid that has flowed out of the first fluid passages, wherein when the longitudinal direction of the first fluid passages is defined as the passage longitudinal direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the passage longitudinal direction is defined as the core width direction, the heat exchanger comprises: a plurality of tubes (20) that form the first fluid passages and are stacked in the stacking direction with spacing between them; side plates (6) arranged at both ends of the heat exchange core in the stacking direction; and seal plates (7) arranged at both ends of the heat exchange core in the core width direction and joined to the side plates and the first fluid tank, A heat exchanger comprising a first fluid tank, a side plate, a seal plate, and a space formed between adjacent tubes, wherein a second fluid passage is formed by the first fluid tank, the side plate, the seal plate, and the space formed between adjacent tubes, the seal plate is connected to a second fluid inlet (81) for allowing the second fluid to flow into the second fluid passage, the second fluid passage has a plurality of inter-tube passages (30) formed between adjacent tubes, and a distribution space forming part (76) is provided at the end of the seal plate in the longitudinal direction of the passage, through which the second fluid flowing in from the second fluid inlet flows and which forms a distribution space (75) communicating with the plurality of inter-tube passages.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein fins (9) are arranged in the intertube passage to promote heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid, the heat exchange core has an end gap forming portion (32) that forms an end gap (31) where the fins are not arranged at the end of the intertube passage in the longitudinal direction of the passage, and the distribution space is in communication with the end gap.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distribution space forming portion is formed by causing the end portion of the seal plate in the longitudinal direction of the passage to bulge outwards toward the outside of the heat exchange core portion.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the seal plate has an overhang (77) that extends outward toward the outside of the heat exchange core.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein the protruding portion extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the passage.

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