Easily assembled heat exchanger

A heat exchanger with a core part; an upper reinforcing plate which is disposed on the upper side of the core part in the height direction and in which a first fixing/matching section is formed; a pair of lateral reinforcing plates disposed on both sides of the core part in the longitudinal direction, the upper side of at least one of the two lateral reinforcing plates being coupled to the first fixing/matching section of the upper reinforcing plate, and a second fixing/matching section being formed on the lower side of each of the lateral reinforcing plates; and a lower reinforcing plate disposed on the lower side of the core part in the height direction, and both sides of which are coupled to the second fixing/matching sections of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates, wherein each of components can be correctly positioned, and thus productivity and assemblability are improved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2018/015679 filed Dec. 11, 2018, which claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0174051, filed Dec. 18, 2017, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly, to a water-cooling type intercooler capable of cooling air compressed by a supercharger at a high temperature and at a high pressure in a water-cooling manner to increase an output of an engine among heat exchangers.

BACKGROUND ART

Among heat exchangers, an intercooler is a device cooling air compressed by a supercharger at a high temperature and at a high pressure to increase an output of an engine.

The air compressed rapidly by the supercharger has a very high temperature, which causes an expansion in volume and a decrease in oxygen density, resulting in a deterioration in filling efficiency inside a cylinder. The intercooler cools the high-temperature air compressed by the supercharger to increase intake efficiency of the engine cylinder and improve combustion efficiency, thereby increasing fuel efficiency.

The intercooler playing this role can be classified into a water-cooling type intercooler or an air-cooling type intercooler depending on a cooling method. Between the two types of intercoolers, the water-cooling type intercooler10is similar in principle to the air-cooling type intercooler, but different in that the compressed air is cooled using a coolant of a vehicle or water, instead of external air, when cooling the intercooler through which hot air passes.

The water-cooling type intercooler10illustrated inFIG.1includes: a first header tank20and a second header tank30spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and formed in parallel with each other; a first inlet pipe40and a first outlet pipe50formed at the first header tank20and at the second header tank30, respectively, the first inlet pipe40allowing air to be introduced therethrough and the first outlet pipe50allowing the air to be discharged therethrough; a plurality of tubes60having both ends fixed to the first header tank20and the second header tank30to form an air passage; fins70interposed between the tubes60; a cover member80in which an assembly of the tubes60and the fins70is accommodated and of which one side on which one ends of the tubes60are located and the other side are open; and a second inlet pipe41and a second outlet pipe51formed at one side of the cover member80, the second inlet pipe41allowing a coolant to be introduced therethrough and the second outlet pipe51allowing the coolant to be discharged therethrough.

Alternately, the water-cooling type intercooler10may be configured in the reverse manner as follows: the coolant passes through the inside of the tubes; a heat exchanger core, which is an assembly where the header tanks, the tubes, and the fins are assembled, is disposed inside; a case is formed to surround the core; and air passes through the inside of the case to be cooled by the core.

However, in this water-cooling type intercooler, reinforcers for reinforcement of strength may be coupled onto outer sides of the core part including the header tanks, the tubes, and the fins to reinforce the strength of the core part. When the reinforcers are assembled with the core part, it is not easy to place each component at a correct position, and when each component is joined by brazing or the like in a state where the component is not assembled at the correct position, there is concern about a portion that is not joined, which causes a leakage of the air or the or coolant.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger in which since a core part and reinforcing plates coupled to the core part in order to reinforce the strength of the core part may be disposed at correct positions at the time of being assembled to each other, the core part and the reinforcing plates may be easily assembled to each other, and interference between edges of the core part and the reinforcing plates does not occur, such that brazeability is improved at the time of joining the core part and the reinforcing plates to each other by brazing after the core part and the reinforcing plates are assembled to each other.

Technical Solution

In one general aspect, a heat exchanger includes: a core part100including an inlet header tank110and an outlet header tank120formed in a height direction with a space for a coolant to be stored or flowing therein, a plurality of tubes130having both ends connected to the header tanks110and120to form a coolant flow path, and fins140interposed between the tubes130; an upper reinforcing plate500disposed on the core part100in the height direction and having a first fixing/matching section520therein; a pair of lateral reinforcing plates200disposed at both sides of the core part100in a length direction and having second fixing/matching sections220formed in respective lower sides thereof, an upper side of at least one of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200being coupled to the first fixing/matching section520of the upper reinforcing plate500; and a lower reinforcing plate400disposed beneath the core part100in the height direction and having both sides coupled to the second fixing/matching sections220of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200.

The core part100, the upper reinforcing plate500, the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200, and the lower reinforcing plate400may be each independently formed, and respective surfaces thereof contacting each other may be joined.

The first fixing/matching section520of the upper reinforcing plate500may be a through hole penetrating vertically through the upper reinforcing plate500, and a first fixing tab230may extend upwardly from an upper end of the lateral reinforcing plate200, such that the first fixing tab230is inserted and coupled into the first fixing/matching section520.

Each of the first fixing/matching section520and the first fixing tab230may be formed in a plural number.

The second fixing/matching sections220of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200may be cut grooves formed to be concave upwardly from respective lower ends of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200, and the lower reinforcing plate400may have second fixing tabs430extending outwardly from both ends thereof in the length direction respectively, such that the second fixing tabs430are inserted and coupled into the second fixing/matching sections220.

In another general aspect, a heat exchanger includes: a core part100including an inlet header tank110and an outlet header tank120formed in a height direction with a space for a coolant to be stored or flowing therein, a plurality of tubes130having both ends connected to the header tanks110and120to form a coolant flow path, and fins140interposed between the tubes130; an upper reinforcing plate500disposed on the core part100in the height direction and having a first fixing/matching section520therein; and an integral reinforcer800including a pair of lateral reinforcing plates200disposed at both sides of the core part100in a length direction, an upper side of at least one of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200being coupled to the first fixing/matching section520of the upper reinforcing plate500, and a lower reinforcing plate400disposed beneath the core part100in the height direction and integrally formed with the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200, with recesses410formed to be concave along a width direction at inner edges where the respective lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400meet.

The pair of lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400of the integral reinforcer800may be joined to the core part100on respective surfaces thereof contacting the core part100.

The first fixing/matching section520of the upper reinforcing plate500may be a through hole penetrating vertically through the upper reinforcing plate500, and a first fixing tab230may extend upwardly from an upper end of the lateral reinforcing plate200, such that the first fixing tab230is inserted and coupled into the first fixing/matching section520.

Each of the first fixing/matching section520and the first fixing tab230may be formed in a plural number.

The integral reinforcer800may be formed by bending a single plate, with U-shaped curved sections420formed to be convex downwardly at folded portions on both ends of the lower reinforcing plate400in the length direction such that concave inner sides of the curved sections420are formed as the recesses410, and the lateral reinforcing plates200may extend upwardly from ends of the curved sections420.

The integral reinforcer800may be formed by bending a single plate, while the recesses410are formed to be concave at folded portions in the form of V-shaped notches at inner edges where the lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400meet.

The lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400of the integral reinforcer800may have slot-type holes440connected to the recesses410in the form of notches and penetrating through both sides thereof.

Advantageous Effects

The heat exchanger of the present invention is advantageous in that the core part and the reinforcing plates coupled to reinforce the strength of the core part can be correctly positioned, thereby facilitating assembling and improving productivity.

In addition, the heat exchanger of the present invention is advantageous in that edges of the core part can closely adhere to the inner surfaces of the reinforcing plates, thereby improving brazeability when the core part and the reinforcing plates are joined by brazing.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, a heat exchanger of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG.2is an assembled perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.3is exploded perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.4is a front view illustrating a heat exchanger according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated, a heat exchanger1000according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a core part100including an inlet header tank110and an outlet header tank120formed in a height direction with a space for a coolant to be stored or flowing therein, a plurality of tubes130having both ends connected to the header tanks110and120to form a coolant flow path, and fins140interposed between the tubes130; an upper reinforcing plate500disposed on the core part100in the height direction and having a first fixing/matching section520therein; a pair of lateral reinforcing plates200disposed at both sides of the core part100in a length direction and having second fixing/matching sections220formed in respective lower sides thereof, an upper side of at least one of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200being coupled to the first fixing/matching section520of the upper reinforcing plate500; and a lower reinforcing plate400disposed beneath the core part100in the height direction and having both sides coupled to the second fixing/matching sections220of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200.

First, the heat exchanger1000according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention may largely include the core part100, the upper reinforcing plate500, the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200, and the lower reinforcing plate400.

The core part100may include the inlet header tank110, the outlet header tank120, the tubes130, and the fins140. The inlet header tank110is a component forming a space for storing a coolant introduced from the outside therein and allowing the coolant to flow along the inside thereof, and may be formed in the height direction. The outlet header tank120is a component forming a space for collecting and storing the coolant that is heat-exchanged with air passing through the core part100and allowing the coolant to flow along the inside thereof to be discharged to the outside, and may be formed in the height direction. The tube130is a component of which one end is connected to the inlet header tank110and the other end is connected to the outlet header tank120to form a flow path for the coolant to flow and to be heat-exchanged with air, and may be formed in a plural number in parallel to each other in the length direction while being arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the height direction. In this case, the header tanks110and120and the tubes130may be formed in various types, for example, in the form of a plate-shaped heat exchanger in which a plurality of plates are stacked in an integral type, and in the form of an extruded tube-type heat exchanger in which the plurality of tubes130in a pipe type are connected and fixed to the header tanks110and120in a pipe type. The fins140may be interposed between the tubes130to improve heat exchange efficiency, and for example, the fins140may be formed in a corrugated shape and coupled to the tubes130. Here, the header tanks110and120may be disposed at either side or both sides of the core part100in the length direction, but it is illustrated in the drawings that the header tanks110and120are formed on one side in the length direction, and the following description will be based on an exemplary embodiment in which header tanks110and120are formed on one side of the core part100in the length direction. In addition, as illustrated, the header tanks110and120and the tubes130will also be based on the plate-shaped heat exchanger in which the plurality of plates are stacked in the integral type. In this case, a coolant introduced into the inlet header tank110may flow along the tubes130in a U-turn manner to be discharged to the outside through the outlet header tank120. Thus, the coolant introduced from the outside may be distributed to the tubes130while flowing in the height direction along the inlet header tank110, flow in the length direction along the tubes130and make U-turns to be collected in the outlet header tank120, and then flow in the height direction to be discharged to the outside. In this case, air may flow from a front side to a rear side in a width direction of the core part100, and the air may pass between the tubes130for heat exchange so that the air is cooled.

The upper reinforcing plate500may be formed in a plate shape and disposed in contact with an upper surface of the core part100, and the upper reinforcing plate500may have a coupling hole510penetrating through upper and lower surfaces thereof so that the coupling hole510is connected to the inlet header tank110or the outlet header tank120. The first fixing/matching section520may be formed in the upper reinforcing plate500.

The pair of lateral reinforcing plates200may be formed in a plate shape and arranged in contact with the both sides of the core part100, respectively, in the length direction, and an upper side of at least one lateral reinforcing plate200of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200may be coupled and fixed to the first fixing/matching section520formed in the upper reinforcing plate500. In addition, the second fixing/matching sections220may be formed in respective lower sides of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200.

The lower reinforcing plate400may be formed in a plate shape and disposed in contact with a lower surface of the core part100, and the both sides of the lower reinforcing plate400in the length direction may be coupled and fixed to the second fixing/matching sections220formed in the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200respectively.

Here, as an example, the core part100, the upper reinforcing plate500, the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200, and the lower reinforcing plate400may form an assembly in which four surfaces of the core part are all surrounded by the reinforcing plates by placing the lower reinforcing plate400, coupling the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200to the lower reinforcing plate400, then inserting and assembling the core part100into an internal space surrounded by the lower reinforcing plate400and the lateral reinforcing plates200, and thereafter assembling and coupling the upper reinforcing plate500from above.

Accordingly, when assembling the core part and the reinforcing plates to form an assembly, the components can be assembled in a state where the components to be assembled are disposed at correct positions with respect to each other, thereby facilitating the assembling and improving productivity.

In addition, the core part100, the upper reinforcing plate500, the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200, and the lower reinforcing plate400may be each independently formed, and respective surfaces thereof contacting each other may be joined.

That is, as described above, after assembling the core part and the reinforcing plates to form an assembly, the independent components of the assembly may be firmly coupled to each other by joining the surfaces thereof contacting each other through brazing or the like. Accordingly, the reinforcing plates are firmly coupled and joined to surround four surfaces of the core part, so that the core part may be prevented from being deformed even when high-temperature and high-pressure air passes between the tubes, thereby improving durability of the core part.

In addition, the first fixing/matching section520of the upper reinforcing plate500is a through hole penetrating vertically through the upper reinforcing plate500, and a first fixing tab230extends upwardly from an upper end of the lateral reinforcing plate200, such that the first fixing tab230may be inserted and coupled into the first fixing/matching section520.

That is, as illustrated, the upper reinforcing plate500may have the first fixing/matching section520formed as a through hole penetrating through the upper and lower surfaces of the upper reinforcing plate500, and the lateral reinforcing plate200may have the first fixing tab230formed to protrude upwardly from the upper end thereof, such that the first fixing tab230is inserted and coupled into the first fixing/matching section520, thereby firmly fixing the lateral reinforcing plate200to the upper reinforcing plate500. Here, an inner edge where the upper reinforcing plate500and the lateral reinforcing plate200meet may be formed in an angular shape rather than a round shape, thereby preventing interference with an edge of the core part100when the core part100is assembled.

In this case, each of the first fixing/matching section520and the first fixing tab230may be formed in a plural number.

That is, as illustrated, the first fixing/matching section520formed in the upper reinforcing plate500may be formed in a plural number to be spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and the first fixing tab230formed on the lateral reinforcing plate200may also be formed in a plural number in the same manner at positions corresponding to the first fixing/matching sections520, thereby more firmly coupling the lateral reinforcing plate200to the upper reinforcing plate500and preventing a posture of the lateral reinforcing plate200from being warped.

In addition, the second fixing/matching sections220of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200are cut grooves formed to be concave upwardly from respective lower ends of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200, and the lower reinforcing plate400has second fixing tabs430extending outwardly from both ends thereof in the length direction respectively, such that the second fixing tabs430may be inserted and coupled into the second fixing/matching sections220.

That is, the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200have the second fixing/matching sections220formed as the cut grooves in a concave form upwardly from the lower ends of the lateral reinforcing plates200, and the lower reinforcing plate400is formed to have the second fixing tabs430protruding outwardly from the both ends thereof in the length direction, such that the second fixing tabs430may be inserted and coupled into the second fixing/matching sections220, thereby firmly fixing the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400to each other. Here, an inner edge where the lateral reinforcing plate200and the lower reinforcing plate400meet may be formed in an angular shape rather than a round shape, thereby preventing interference with an edge of the core part100when the core part100is assembled. Accordingly, the core part can be assembled with the reinforcing plates in a state where edges of the core part closely adhere to inner surfaces of the reinforcing plates, thereby improving brazeability when the core part and the reinforcing plates are joined by brazing.

In addition, the heat exchanger1000according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a blocking plate300extending from the lateral reinforcing plate200in the length direction, and the blocking plate300may be formed to partially cover a lateral surface of the core part100in the length direction. The blocking plate300may also be joined to the core part100by brazing.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG.5is an exploded perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.6is a front view illustrating a heat exchanger according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated, the heat exchanger according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a core part100including an inlet header tank110and an outlet header tank120formed in a height direction with a space for a coolant to be stored or flowing therein, a plurality of tubes130having both ends connected to the header tanks110and120to form a coolant flow path, and fins140interposed between the tubes130; an upper reinforcing plate500disposed on the core part100in the height direction and having a first fixing/matching section520therein; and an integral reinforcer800including a pair of lateral reinforcing plates200disposed at both sides of the core part100in a length direction, an upper side of at least one of the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200being coupled to the first fixing/matching section520of the upper reinforcing plate500, and a lower reinforcing plate400disposed beneath the core part100in the height direction and integrally formed with the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200, with recesses410formed to be concave along a width direction at inner edges where the respective lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400meet.

First, the heat exchanger1000according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention may largely include the core part100, the upper reinforcing plate500, and the integral reinforcer800in which the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400are integrally formed.

As in the first exemplary embodiment described above, the core part100may include the inlet header tank110, the outlet header tank120, the tubes130, and the fins140, and the coolant introduced from the outside may be distributed to the tubes130while flowing in the height direction along the inlet header tank110, flow in the length direction along the tubes130and make U-turns to be collected in the outlet header tank120, and then flow in the height direction to be discharged to the outside. In addition, air may flow from a front side to a rear side in the width direction of the core part100, and the air may pass between the tubes130for heat exchange so that the air is cooled.

The upper reinforcing plate500may be formed in a plate shape and disposed in contact with an upper surface of the core part100, and the upper reinforcing plate500may have a coupling hole510penetrating through upper and lower surfaces thereof so that the coupling hole510is connected to the inlet header tank110or the outlet header tank120. The first fixing/matching section520may be formed in the upper reinforcing plate500.

The integral reinforcer800may include the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400, and the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400may be integrally formed. In this case, the integral reinforcer800may be formed in such a manner that the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200extend upwardly from both ends of the lower reinforcing plate400in the length direction, so that the lateral reinforcing plates200of the integral reinforcer800are disposed in contact with lateral surfaces of the core part100in the length direction and the lower reinforcing plate400is disposed in contact with a lower surface of the core part100. In addition, the upper side of the lateral reinforcing plate200may be coupled and fixed into the first fixing/matching section520formed in the upper reinforcing plate500.

As an example, the core part100, the upper reinforcing plate500, and the integral reinforcer800may form an assembly in which four surfaces of the core part are all surrounded by the reinforcing plates by placing the integral reinforcer800, inserting and assembling the core part100into an internal space of the integral reinforcer800, and thereafter assembling and coupling the upper reinforcing plate500from above.

Here, the integral reinforcer800may have recesses410concavely formed at inner edges where the lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400meet, and the recesses410may be formed continuously along the width direction in a concave manner from one end to the other end in the width direction at the inner edges of the integral reinforcer800. Accordingly, the inner edges of the integral reinforcer800can be formed in a non-round shape. That is, the integral reinforcer800may be formed without a protrusion toward an internal space defined by extension lines forming inner wall surfaces of the lateral reinforcing plates200and an inner wall surface of the lower reinforcing plate400and edges formed by the extension lines.

Therefore, when assembling the core part, the upper reinforcing plate, and the integral reinforcer to form an assembly, an inner edge where the lower reinforcing plate400and the lateral reinforcing plate200meet may be formed in an angular shape rather than a round shape with the recess410formed to be concave, thereby preventing the integral reinforcer800from interfering with an edge of the core part100when the core part100is assembled into the integral reinforcer800.

In addition, the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400of the integral reinforcer800may be joined to the core part100on respective surfaces thereof contacting the core part100.

That is, as described above, after assembling the core part, the upper reinforcing plate, and the integral reinforcer to form an assembly, the independent components of the assembly may be firmly coupled to each other by joining the surfaces thereof contacting each other through brazing or the like. Accordingly, the reinforcing plates are firmly coupled and joined to surround four surfaces of the core part, so that the core part may be prevented from being deformed even when high-temperature and high-pressure air passes between the tubes, thereby improving durability of the core part.

In addition, the first fixing/matching section520of the upper reinforcing plate500is a through hole penetrating vertically through the upper reinforcing plate500, and a first fixing tab230extends upwardly from an upper end of the lateral reinforcing plate200, such that the first fixing tab230may be inserted and coupled into the first fixing/matching section520.

That is, as illustrated, the upper reinforcing plate500may have the first fixing/matching section520formed as a through hole penetrating through the upper and lower surfaces of the upper reinforcing plate500, and the lateral reinforcing plate200may have the first fixing tab230formed to protrude upwardly from the upper end thereof, such that the first fixing tab230is inserted and coupled into the first fixing/matching section520, thereby firmly fixing the lateral reinforcing plate200to the upper reinforcing plate500. Here, an inner edge where the upper reinforcing plate500and the lateral reinforcing plate200meet may be formed in an angular shape rather than a round shape, thereby preventing interference with an edge of the core part100when the core part100is assembled. Each of the first fixing/matching section520and the first fixing tab230may be formed in a plural number.

In addition, the integral reinforcer800may be formed by bending a single plate, with U-shaped curved sections420formed to be convex downwardly at folded portions on both ends of the lower reinforcing plate400in the length direction such that concave inner sides of the curved sections420are formed as the recesses410, and the lateral reinforcing plates200may extend upwardly from ends of the curved sections420.

That is, as illustrated, the integral reinforcer800may be formed by bending a single flat plate, such that the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400are integrally formed. In a bent state, both upright sides may be the lateral reinforcing plates200and a horizontal portion may be the lower reinforcing plate400. Here, the U-shaped curved section420may be formed to be convex downwardly at a position adjacent to a portion to be bent of the single flat plate, and the curved section420may be formed by pressing the plate in such a manner as to be convex downwardly while an upper surface thereof has the concave recess410. Further, the integral reinforcer800may be formed by bending the plate in a state where the curved section420is formed by pressing the plate. In this case, the curved section420makes it easy to bent the plate, and the integral reinforcer800may be formed without a protrusion toward an internal space defined by extension lines forming inner wall surfaces of the lateral reinforcing plates200and an inner wall surface of the lower reinforcing plate400and edges formed by the extension lines when the plate is bent.

In addition, the integral reinforcer800may be formed by bending a single plate, while the recesses410are formed to be concave at folded portions in the form of V-shaped notches at inner edges where the lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400meet.

That is, as inFIG.8, the integral reinforcer800may be formed by bending a single flat plate, such that the pair of lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400are integrally formed. In a bent state, both upright sides may be the lateral reinforcing plates200and a horizontal portion may be the lower reinforcing plate400. Here, the V-shaped notch may be concavely formed on an upper surface of the single flat plate at a portion to be bent, and the notch may be concavely formed on the upper surface of the plate by pressing the plate while a lower surface of the plate remains as a flat surface. In this state, the integral reinforcer800may be formed by bending the plate on the basis of a portion where the notch is formed. Accordingly, the plate can be easily bent when manufacturing the integral reinforcer800by bending the plate, and the integral reinforcer800may be formed without a protrusion toward an internal space defined by extension lines forming inner wall surfaces of the lateral reinforcing plates200and an inner wall surface of the lower reinforcing plate400and edges formed by the extension lines when the plate is bent.

In addition, the lateral reinforcing plates200and the lower reinforcing plate400of the integral reinforcer800may have slot-type holes440connected to the recesses410in the form of notches and penetrating through both sides thereof.

That is, as inFIGS.9to11, the V-shaped notch may be concavely formed on the upper surface of the single flat plate at the portion to be bent, and the slot-type hole may be formed to penetrate vertically through the single flat plate while being in contact with the V-shaped notch in a portion where the V-shaped notch is formed. In this case, the hole may be formed to be long along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the V-shaped notch is formed, and a plurality of holes may be formed to be spaced apart from each other along the direction in which the V-shaped notch is formed. Accordingly, the plate can be easily bent on the basis of the portion where the notch is formed when forming the integral reinforcer800by bending the plate, and the integral reinforcer800may be formed without a protrusion toward an internal space defined by extension lines forming inner wall surfaces of the lateral reinforcing plates200and an inner wall surface of the lower reinforcing plate400and edges formed by the extension lines at the bent portions.

In addition, the heat exchangers1000according to the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a blocking plate300extending from the lateral reinforcing plate200in the length direction, and the blocking plate300may be formed to partially cover a lateral surface of the core part100in the length direction. The blocking plate300may also be joined to the core part100by brazing.

In addition, as inFIG.12, the upper reinforcing plate500may be formed to be wider than the upper surface of the core part100, and fastening holes501penetrating vertically through the upper reinforcing plate500may be formed along the perimeter of the upper reinforcing plate500, such that after the core part100is inserted and assembled into a housing700that is formed to allow air to pass therethrough, the upper reinforcing plate500is coupled to the housing700using a fastening means.

In addition, the upper reinforcing plate500may include a first upper reinforcing plate500-1and a second upper reinforcing plate500-2. The first upper reinforcing plate500-1is disposed in contact with the upper surface of the core part100, and the second upper reinforcing plate500-2is disposed on an upper surface of the first upper reinforcing plate500-1, such that the core part100, the first upper reinforcing plate500-1, and the second upper reinforcing plate500-2may be joined to each other by brazing. Furthermore, the coupling holes510are formed in the upper reinforcing plate500, so that each of the coupling holes510may be connected to any one of the inlet header tank110, the outlet header tank120, an inlet pipe111, and an outlet pipe121.

In addition, a rib may be formed to be convex upwardly from an upper surface of the second upper reinforcing plate500-2in the form of a flat plate, and a space portion may be formed to be concave from a lower surface of the second upper reinforcing plate500-2opposite to the side on which the rib is formed to correspond to the protruding shape of the rib. Accordingly, the lower surface of the second upper reinforcing plate500-2, except an area where the space portion is formed, may be in contact with the upper surface of the first upper reinforcing plate500-1and joined thereto by brazing or the like, so that a joined section is formed, and the first upper reinforcing plate500-1and the second upper reinforcing plate500-2may be joined to each other to be integrally formed. Furthermore, the upper reinforcing plate500may have the fastening holes501formed therein to be coupled to the housing700by the fastening means such as bolts.

In addition, the heat exchanger1000according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a blocking plate extending from the lateral reinforcing plate200in the length direction as in the first exemplary embodiment, and the blocking plate may be formed to partially cover a lateral surface of the core part100in the length direction. The blocking plate may also be joined to the core part100by brazing.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and may be applied in a wide range. The present invention may be variously modified by any person having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS