HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed which comprises first (10) and second (11) cores which are parallely aligned to each other. The first (10) and second (11) cores each include a plurality of flat tubes (101) parallely disposed with a space between, respectively. A plurality of corrugated fins (12) are located within and extend through the spaces. First and second headers (13, 14) are connected with both ends of the flat tubes of the first core (10) to communicate therebetween. Third and fourth headers (15, 16) are connected with both ends of second flat tubes (111) of the second core (11) to communicate therebetween. First and second plates are disposed on both upper and lower end of said first (10) and second cores (11) to securely fix them together. Therefore, since the first (10) and second cores (11) used as condenser and radiator can be manufactured by the same production process, the cost of manufacturing the heat exchanger decrease. Further, since the heat exchanger is working as a condenser and a radiator, it can be easily attached in an automobile engine room by one step.

Description: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger as outlined in the preamble of claim 1. Such a heat exchanger is known from DE-A-24 33 440. The number of automotive air conditioning systems provided in an automobile is increasing in these years and consequently its importance in the production process. In such systems, the condenser of the air conditioning system is disposed forward of the radiator since the temperature of the fluid in the condenser may become higher than that of the fluid in the radiator. However, since the configuration of the condenser is different from that of the radiator, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the condenser and the radiator are manufactured by different production processes, respectively, and thereby production costs are increased. In addition, attaching the condenser and the radiator to the automobile is also made independently, and it takes much time to attach them thereto. From the above mentioned DE-A-24 33 440 it is known to arrange the cooling unit of a secondary cooling system, e.g. of a low temperature circuit, upstream with respect to air flow, the individual heat exchangers being arranged adjacent to each other, and the cooling fins extending through both heat exchangers. Since cooling fins have to be made of a material having a high heat conductivity, the heat generated by the downstream high temperature circuit will adversely affect the upstream low temperature circuit. It is a primary object of this invention to avoid this disadvantage. A heat exchanger according to the present invention is indicated in claim 1. The invention will be understood more fully from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a radiator. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a condenser. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger in accordance with one embodiment of this invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger taken along line A-A as shown in Figure 3. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a construction of a heat exchanger. Heat exchanger 1 includes first core 10 and second core 11 located forward of first core 10. First and second cores 10 and 11 have a plurality of flat tubes 101 and 111 which include a plurality of holes 101a and 111a, and a plurality of corrugated fins 12 for radiating heat. Flat tubes 101 and 111 are aligned along reference surfaces X and Y, respectively with a space so that they are parallel to each other. Corrugated fins 12 are disposed within and extend through the spaces and are attached on the outer surfaces thereof by brazing. A plurality of slits 121 are formed through the corrugated fins 12 between the first and second cores 10 and 11 to reduce direct heat transfer between first and second cores 10 and 11 through corrugated fins 12. Headers 13 and 14 are connected with both ends of flat tubes 101, and headers 15 and 16 are likewise connected with both ends of flat tubes 111. Reinforcing members 16 are attached on the upper and lower end surfaces of first and second cores 10 and 11 to secure the engagement between first and second cores 10 and 11. Brackets 17 are attached to respective reinforcing members 16 to attach the heat exchanger 1 within an automobile engine room. Heat exchanger 1 is provided at the front of an engine room. First core 10 is used as a radiator for cooling the engine and second core 11 is used as a condenser for the automotive air conditioning system. Heat exchange is made between the air and corrugated fins 12 by driving the automobile. The width of the flat tubes 101 is not necessarily the same as the width at the flat tubes 111. Each width depends on the effective coefficient of heat exchange.

Claims: A heat exchanger comprising first and second cores (10, 11) parallely aligned to each other, each including a plurality of tubes (101, 111) parallely disposed with a space between, respectively, and a plurality of corrugated fins (12) located within and extending through said spaces, first and second headers (13, 14) connected with both ends of said tubes (101) of said first core (10) to communicate therebetween, third and fourth headers (15, 17) connected with both ends of said second flat tubes (111) of said second core (11) to communicate therebetween, characterized in that said corrugated fins (12) include a plurality of slits (121) located between said first and second cores (10, 11). The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein first and second plates (16) are disposed on both upper and lower ends of said first and second cores (10, 11) to securely fix said cores together.

Inventors: SHINMURA, TOSHIHARU
Applicants: SANDEN CORPORATION
Application year: 1989
Main classification: F28D1
IPC codes: F28D1, F28F1