Patent Description:
A heat exchanger used for exchanging thermal energy between fluids having different thermal energies is used in many devices. In particular, a layered plate fin heat exchanger is widely used in, for example, air conditioners, computers, and various electric devices for home use and vehicles.

The layered plate fin heat exchanger is of a type that performs heat exchange between a fluid (refrigerant) flowing through a flow path formed in the plate-shaped plate fin and a fluid (air) flowing between the layered plate fins.

In the field of the layered plate fin heat exchanger as described above, various configurations have been proposed for the purpose of weight reduction, size reduction, and efficiency of heat exchange (for example, refer to PTL <NUM> and PTL <NUM>).

PTL <NUM> describes a cooling heat exchanger that has first and second heat transfer plates joined to each other. Each of the first and second heat transfer plates has protrusions protruding from a base portion thereof for defining internal fluid passages, a fin portion projecting from the base portion in the same direction as the protrusions and defining a fin inner space, and an aperture on the base portion at a position corresponding to the fin portion. The fin portion includes an offset wall that is offset from the base portion and connected to the base portion at two positions. The aperture of the first heat transfer plate is displaced from the aperture of the second heat transfer plate with respect to a longitudinal direction of the protrusions so that a communication channel that allows communication between the fin inner spaces of the first and second heat transfer plates is provided for draining condensation.

PTL <NUM> discloses a heat exchanger according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

In the field of a layered plate fin heat exchanger, for the purpose of weight reduction, size reduction, and efficiency of heat exchange, it has been studied that a plate fin is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity and has a small thickness, and a fluid (refrigerant) having a pressure higher than a fluid of a heat exchanger in the related art flows through a flow path provided in the plate fin.

In the layered plate fin heat exchanger, in the configuration in which the high-pressure refrigerant flows through the flow path provided in the plate fin, the flow path is deformed to cause variations in the flow rate and flow velocity of the refrigerant, and thus the performance as the heat exchanger may be deteriorated. In such a heat exchanger configured by layering a plurality of plate fins, a metal member having high rigidity and a large thickness is provided as an end plate on both end sides in a layering direction in order to prevent deformation and distortion in the layering direction due to the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path (refer to PTL <NUM>).

However, also in the layered plate fin heat exchanger configured as described above, it is an important issue to improve the efficiency of heat exchange as well as to achieve the weight reduction and the size reduction.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a highly reliable heat exchanger capable of achieving weight reduction, size reduction, and efficiency of heat exchange and allowing a high-pressure refrigerant to flow through a flow path.

A heat exchanger according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a plate fin layered body in which plate fins having a flow path through which first fluid flows are layered; and a supply and discharge pipe that supplies or discharges the first fluid that flows through the flow path of the plate fin of each layer in the plate fin layered body, in which the heat exchanger causes a second fluid to flow through a gap between the layers of the plate fin layered body and carries out heat exchange between the first fluid flowing through the flow path and the second fluid, the plate fin includes, in a case where the supply and discharge pipe functions as a supply pipe, a header opening to which the first fluid from the supply pipe is supplied, a header flow path formed around the header opening, and a plate fin flow path through which the first fluid from the header flow path flows, and which carries out heat exchange with the second fluid, and the flow path in the header flow path and the plate fin flow path has a path moving in a layering direction.

The plate fin may have a flow path formed by joining a first fin member and a second fin member, the first fin member may have a recess for forming the header flow path and the plate fin flow path, and the second fin member may have a recess for forming a transfer flow path that causes the flow paths in the header flow path and the plate fin flow path of the first fin member to communicate with each other.

The first fin member may have a plurality of recesses for forming the plate fin flow path, and the recess of the transfer flow path of the second fin member in the plate fin may communicate with the plurality of recesses formed in the first fin member, and the plate fin flow path is a path moving in the layering direction.

The first fin member may have a flat transfer region between the recess for forming the header flow path and the recess for forming the plate fin flow path, the recess of the transfer flow path in the second fin member may have a region facing the transfer region of the first fin member, and in the plate fin, the recess for forming the header flow path and the recess for forming the plate fin flow path may be continuous with each other.

The heat exchanger may further include end plates that are provided to sandwich both ends of the plate fin layered body in the layering direction, and in the plate fin layered body, the first fin member or the second fin member that constitutes the plate fin may be provided at a position in contact with the end plate.

The plate fin may be formed by joining the first fin member and a flat surface of the second fin member, and a flat joint surface in the first fin member and the second fin member may be in contact with the end plate.

The first fin member may have a plurality of recesses for forming the plate fin flow path, the plurality of recesses being provided on a meandering line, and the recess for forming the transfer flow path in the second fin member and the recess of the plate fin flow path in the first fin member may communicate with each other to obtain a meandering configuration.

Hereinafter, a layered plate fin heat exchanger will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings as a heat exchanger according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The heat exchanger of the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the layered plate fin heat exchanger described in the following exemplary embodiments, but includes a heat exchanger having a configuration equivalent to the technical idea described in the following exemplary embodiments. Exemplary embodiments described below illustrate an example of the present invention, and configurations, functions, operations, and the like illustrated in the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the present disclosure. The components introduced in the following exemplary embodiments that are not recited in the independent claim(s) representing the most superordinate concept are illustrated herein as optional components.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a layered plate fin heat exchanger (hereinafter, simply referred to as a heat exchanger) <NUM> according to a first exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, heat exchanger <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment includes supply pipe <NUM> to which a refrigerant that is first fluid A is supplied, plate fin layered body <NUM> configured by layering a plurality of plate fins 2a each having a rectangular plate shape, and discharge pipe <NUM> that discharges the refrigerant flowing through the flow paths formed in plate fins 2a.

In heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment, supply pipe <NUM> and discharge pipe <NUM> have substantially the same configuration, and functions corresponding to the operations at that time are used as names. In the present disclosure, supply pipe <NUM> and discharge pipe <NUM> are collectively referred to as a supply and discharge pipe (<NUM>, <NUM>).

End plates <NUM> (3a, 3b) are disposed at both ends of plate fin layered body <NUM> in the layering direction, and end plates <NUM> (3a, 3b) have substantially the same shape as rectangular plate fins 2a in plan view. Supply pipe <NUM> or discharge pipe <NUM> is joined to both end sides of one end plate <NUM> (3a) in the longitudinal direction. In the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment, a configuration in which supply pipe <NUM> or discharge pipe <NUM> is joined to both end sides of one end plate <NUM> (3a) will be described, but supply pipe <NUM> may be joined to one end plate <NUM> (3a) and discharge pipe <NUM> may be joined to other end plate <NUM> (3b) according to the specification of the apparatus in which heat exchanger <NUM> is used.

In the following exemplary embodiment, the layering direction of plate fin layered body <NUM> in heat exchanger <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is defined as an up-down direction, a position of one end plate <NUM> (3a) provided in plate fin layered body <NUM> is defined as an upper side, and a position of other end plate <NUM> (3b) is defined as a lower side. However, in a state where heat exchanger <NUM> is provided in the apparatus (for example, an air conditioner), the layering direction is not specified to the up-down direction (vertical direction).

End plates <NUM> (3a, 3b) disposed at both ends of plate fin layered body <NUM> in the layering direction are fixed to each other with a predetermined interval by positioning means (for example, positioning bolts or the like), and sandwich plate fin layered body <NUM>. The positioning mean that maintains and fixes end plates <NUM> (3a, 3b) at both ends at a predetermined interval has a function of positioning with respect to each of layered plate fins 2a. End plate <NUM> is made of, for example, a plate material formed of a metal material such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or stainless steel.

Heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment is configured such that the refrigerant that is first fluid A flows through the flow path (plate fin flow path <NUM>) formed in each plate fin 2a of plate fin layered body <NUM>. On the other hand, air that is second fluid B passes through a gap formed between layered plate fins 2a in plate fin layered body <NUM>. Heat exchanger <NUM> configured as described above carries out heat exchange between first fluid A and second fluid B in plate fin layered body <NUM>.

Each of the plurality of plate fins 2a constituting plate fin layered body <NUM> in heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment has a configuration in which first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM>, which are two plate materials, are bonded and joined (brazed) to be opposite to each other to form a flow path. Plate fins 2a configured as described above are joined (brazed) by being pressurized and heated in a state where a plurality of plate fins 2a are layered to form plate fin layered body <NUM>.

<FIG> are plan views respectively illustrating first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> which constitute plate fin 2a. <FIG> is a plan view of first fin member <NUM>, and <FIG> is a plan view of second fin member <NUM>. First fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> are made of, for example, a metal plate material such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or stainless steel, and have at least a brazing material layer on a core material of the metal plate material. In addition, first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> are processed into a predetermined shape using, for example, a thin plate material having a thickness of <NUM>. First fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> processed into a predetermined shape are pressurized and heated to be in close contact with each other at a predetermined position, and thereby the facing flat predetermined regions are reliably joined (brazed) to each other.

In first fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, a recess for annular header flow path <NUM> to which the refrigerant from supply pipe <NUM> is supplied or which discharges the refrigerant to discharge pipe <NUM> is formed on both end sides in the longitudinal direction. Header flow path <NUM> in first fin member <NUM> is formed by an annular recess protruding toward the front side of the paper surface in <FIG>. Header communication flow path <NUM> leading out by a predetermined distance is formed from a part of the outer peripheral portion of header flow path <NUM>. An end portion of plate fin flow path <NUM> formed in heat exchange region C (refer to <FIG> described later) in plate fin 2a is disposed on an extension line in a lead-out direction of header communication flow path <NUM>.

In first fin member <NUM>, plate fin flow path <NUM> formed on the extension line in the lead-out direction of header communication flow path <NUM> is formed by a recess similarly to header communication flow path <NUM>. Plate fin flow path <NUM> is formed to meander over entire heat exchange region C of plate fin 2a. Plate fin flow path <NUM> includes first plate fin flow path 13a formed by a linear recess, and second plate fin flow path 13b formed by an arc-shaped recess. In the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment, a plurality of (for example, three) linear first plate fin flow paths 13a are provided in parallel to extend in the longitudinal direction in heat exchange region C of plate fin 2a, and arc-shaped second plate fin flow paths 13b connect the end portions of the first plate fin flow paths 13a to form meandering flow paths. Heat exchange region C in plate fin 2a indicates a region other than the header region where header flow path <NUM> is formed.

As described above, header flow path <NUM> communicating with supply pipe <NUM> or discharge pipe <NUM> is formed on both end sides of first fin member <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. In first fin member <NUM>, each flow path of header flow path <NUM>, header communication flow path <NUM>, and plate fin flow path <NUM> is disposed to be point-symmetric with a center point of first fin member <NUM> in plan view as a center of symmetry.

In first fin member <NUM>, heat transfer blocking slit <NUM>, which is a missing portion (gap), is formed between meandering plate fin flow paths <NUM>. Heat transfer blocking slit <NUM> that is a missing portion (gap) is formed in this manner to suppress the heat transfer action between adjacent plate fin flow paths <NUM>. Further, in first fin member <NUM>, positioning pin opening <NUM> for the insertion of a positioning pin (not illustrated) is formed at a plurality of locations (three locations) to surround header flow path <NUM>. Similarly to the respective flow paths (header flow path <NUM> and plate fin flow path <NUM>), heat transfer blocking slit <NUM> and positioning pin opening <NUM> are formed in point symmetry with the center point of first fin member <NUM> in plan view as the center of symmetry.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in first fin member <NUM>, header communication flow path <NUM> led out from header flow path <NUM> is not directly connected to plate fin flow path <NUM> formed on the extension line in the lead-out direction, and flat flow path transfer region <NUM> is formed between header communication flow path <NUM> and plate fin flow path <NUM>. That is, in first fin member <NUM>, the recess of header communication flow path <NUM> and the recess of first plate fin flow path 13a are not connected.

On the other hand, in second fin member <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, transfer flow path <NUM> is formed at a position facing flow path transfer region <NUM> of first fin member <NUM>. In <FIG>, transfer flow path <NUM> is formed by a recess recessed to protrude to the back side of the paper surface. Accordingly, in plate fin 2a in which first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> are joined, header communication flow path <NUM> and plate fin flow path <NUM> communicate with each other via transfer flow path <NUM>. As a result, the refrigerant supplied from supply pipe <NUM> flows through header flow path <NUM>, header communication flow path <NUM>, transfer flow path <NUM>, plate fin flow path <NUM>, transfer flow path <NUM>, header communication flow path <NUM>, and header flow path <NUM>, and is discharged from discharge pipe <NUM>.

In second fin member <NUM>, plate fin protrusion region <NUM> is formed in a region facing linear first plate fin flow path 13a of first fin member <NUM> (refer to the sectional view of <FIG> to be described later). Plate fin protrusion region <NUM> is combined and joined with first plate fin flow path 13a to secure a flow path shape of a linear portion of plate fin flow path <NUM> and to suppress the deformation of a sectional shape orthogonal to a flow direction of the refrigerant.

In second fin member <NUM>, similar heat transfer blocking slit <NUM> is formed at a position that corresponds to heat transfer blocking slit <NUM> formed in first fin member <NUM> and is between plate fin protrusion regions <NUM>. Heat transfer blocking slit <NUM> is formed in this manner to suppress the heat transfer action between adjacent plate fin flow paths <NUM> and to enhance the efficiency of heat exchange.

In the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment, a plurality of interval defining protrusions <NUM> for defining the interval between layered plate fins 2a at a constant interval are provided on second fin member <NUM>. Since interval defining protrusions <NUM> maintain a constant interval between plate fins 2a adjacent in the layering direction, it is sufficient that interval defining protrusions <NUM> are provided on the outer surface side (surface of plate fin 2a opposite to the surface where first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> are brazed) of any one of first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> or on the outer surface sides of both first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM>, and the arrangement position of interval defining protrusion <NUM> is appropriately set according to the position of the flow path to be formed.

Also in second fin member <NUM> configured as described above, similarly to first fin member <NUM>, each element (heat transfer blocking slit <NUM>, interval defining protrusion <NUM>, positioning pin opening <NUM>) is disposed to be point-symmetric with the center point of second fin member <NUM> in plan view as the center of symmetry.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which two sets of plate fins 2a (first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM>) are layered, and illustrates a portion around header flow path <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in first fin member <NUM>, header flow path port <NUM> which is a notch is formed on an inner peripheral side of an annular recess that forms header flow path <NUM>. A plurality of header flow path ports <NUM> are formed on the inner peripheral side of annular header flow path <NUM>. In the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment, for example, header flow path ports <NUM> (8a, 8b) are formed at positions facing each other on the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM>. Header flow path ports <NUM> (8a, 8b) in the first exemplary embodiment are formed at facing positions in header flow path <NUM>, on a center line extending in the longitudinal direction of plate fin 2a passing through the center of annular header flow path <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

Note that it is preferable that formation positions of the plurality of header flow path ports <NUM> in header flow path <NUM> include up-down positions in the vertical direction in a state where an apparatus (for example, an air conditioner) including heat exchanger <NUM> is installed.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a part of plate fin layered body <NUM> in the first exemplary embodiment. In <FIG>, plate fin layered body <NUM> in which the plurality of plate fins 2a are layered is illustrated, but the number of plate fins 2a to be layered is appropriately set according to the specification of heat exchanger <NUM>. In plate fin layered body <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, a state is illustrated in which end plate <NUM> (3a, 3b) is removed and no positioning pin is inserted into positioning pin opening <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a portion around header flow path <NUM> in plate fin layered body <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a section of plate fin layered body <NUM> of <FIG> cut along line VI-VI in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, header opening 11a penetrating in the layering direction is formed on the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM> in plate fin layered body <NUM>. The refrigerant from supply pipe <NUM> to header flow path <NUM> or the refrigerant from header flow path <NUM> to discharge pipe <NUM> flows through header opening 11a.

In plate fin layered body <NUM>, the inner peripheral sides of header flow paths <NUM> constituting the inner surface side of header opening 11a penetrating in the layering direction are joined to be continuous in the layering direction by brazing. The outer peripheral sides of header flow paths <NUM> are also joined to be continuous in the layering direction. As a result, the inner peripheral sides and the outer peripheral sides of header flow paths <NUM> in plate fin layered body <NUM> are securely joined in the layering direction, and the rigidity in header flow paths <NUM> is enhanced.

The refrigerant supplied from supply pipe <NUM> flows through header opening 11a, and flows into header flow path <NUM> through header flow path port <NUM> (8a, 8b) formed on the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM>. In <FIG>, first header flow path port 8a that is one of two header flow path ports <NUM> facing each other on the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM> is illustrated. First header flow path port 8a and second header flow path port 8b are disposed at positions facing each other on a center line extending in the longitudinal direction passing through the center of header opening 11a, that is, on the center line extending in the longitudinal direction in plate fin 2a.

<FIG> is a sectional view illustrating a portion around header opening 11a of plate fin layered body <NUM> sandwiched between end plates <NUM> (3a, 3b). The sectional view of <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view cut along line VI-VI illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a section in a longitudinal direction orthogonal to the section of the longitudinal sectional view illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a portion around header opening 11a in plate fin layered body <NUM>, and is a sectional view including first header flow path port 8a and second header flow path port 8b.

As illustrated in <FIG>, plate fin layered body <NUM> is configured by layering a plurality of plate fins 2a that is formed by bonding first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM>. In first fin member <NUM>, a recess for forming header flow path <NUM> is formed on the outer periphery of header opening 11a. Header flow path <NUM> (recess) in first fin member <NUM> is formed by header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a constituting a wall surface on the outer peripheral side of header opening 11a, header flow path top portion 10b, and header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10c. That is, in first fin member <NUM>, the recess for forming header flow path <NUM> includes header flow path top portion 10b that has an annular top portion and a flat surface; header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a that serves as an inner peripheral wall supporting header flow path top portion 10b in the layering direction on the inner peripheral side; and header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10c that serves as an outer peripheral wall supporting header flow path top portion 10b in the layering direction on the outer peripheral side.

On the other hand, in second fin member <NUM>, inner peripheral support portion 20a that serves an outer edge portion of the outer periphery of header opening 11a is formed, and flat portion 20b is formed to be continuous from inner peripheral support portion 20a. Flat portion 20b and inner peripheral support portion 20a are bent to be continuous. Inner peripheral support portion 20a of second fin member <NUM> constitutes the wall surface on the outer peripheral side of header opening 11a. Flat portion 20b of second fin member <NUM> is a portion that closes the recess formed by header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a, header flow path top portion 10b, and header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10c of first fin member <NUM>, and constitutes annular header flow path <NUM> on the outer periphery of header opening 11a.

As described above, in first fin member <NUM> of plate fin layered body <NUM> in the first exemplary embodiment, the recess for forming header flow path <NUM> includes header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a, header flow path top portion 10b, and header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10c. Header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a and header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10c are joined to the flat surface of second fin member <NUM> to form the header flow path, and header flow path port <NUM> is formed in a portion of header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a.

Second fin member <NUM> has flat portion 20b that has a flat surface, and inner peripheral support portion 20a that is bent to be continuous with the flat surface of flat portion 20b and serves as the outer edge portion of header opening 11a on the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM>. Inner peripheral support portion 20a of second fin member <NUM> is joined to first fin member <NUM> of another plate fin 2a adjacent in the layering direction to configure a double wall surface in which the inner peripheral sides of header flow paths <NUM> in plate fin layered body <NUM> in the layering direction.

Further, as illustrated in the longitudinal sectional view in the longitudinal direction of <FIG>, in facing regions on the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM>, in order to form header flow path port <NUM> (8a, 8b), header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a of first fin member <NUM> is formed to have a short protrusion length from header flow path top portion 10b. Similarly, inner peripheral support portion 20a of second fin member <NUM> is formed to have a short protrusion length. Thus, in header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a and inner peripheral support portion 20a, regions facing each other in the longitudinal direction are notched, and header flow path port <NUM> (8a, 8b) is formed on the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM>.

<FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating first fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and illustrates first fin member <NUM> around header opening 11a. <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating second fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and illustrates a portion to be joined to first fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating first fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and illustrates header flow path port <NUM> (8a, 8b) formed on the outer periphery of header opening 11a. Similarly, <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating second fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and illustrates a portion to be joined to first fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

First fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and second fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are bonded and joined, and header flow path <NUM> is formed on the outer periphery of header opening 11a in one plate fin 2a. In a case where header flow path <NUM> is formed in this way, header flow path port <NUM> (8a, 8b) in header flow path <NUM> is formed in header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a of first fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and inner peripheral support portion 20a of second fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and header opening 11a communicates with the inside of header flow path <NUM> via header flow path port <NUM> (8a, 8b).

As illustrated in <FIG>, in first fin member <NUM>, the inner peripheral-side end portion of header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a protrudes toward the inner peripheral side, and protrusion end portion 10d on the inner peripheral side is formed. The inner peripheral-side end portion of inner peripheral support portion 20a of second fin member <NUM> in plate fin 2a adjacent in the layering direction is in contact with protrusion end portion 10d on the inner peripheral side. Therefore, in plate fin layered body <NUM>, protrusion end portion 10d on the inner peripheral side of first fin member <NUM> and the inner peripheral-side end portion of inner peripheral support portion 20a of second fin member <NUM> are joined (refer to <FIG>).

As described above, in each plate fin 2a in plate fin layered body <NUM>, header communication flow path <NUM> connected to header flow path <NUM> is connected to first plate fin flow path 13a via transfer flow path <NUM> formed in second fin member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a longitudinal section of plate fin layered body <NUM> cut along the longitudinal direction of plate fin layered body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a section in which header communication flow path <NUM> and first plate fin flow path 13a communicate with each other via transfer flow path <NUM> in each plate fin 2a. <FIG> is an end view of plate fin layered body <NUM> cut along the longitudinal direction, and illustrates a portion around transfer flow path <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in each plate fin 2a, header communication flow path <NUM> formed in first fin member <NUM> communicates with plate fin flow path <NUM> formed in first fin member <NUM> via transfer flow path <NUM> formed in second fin member <NUM>. Therefore, in plate fin layered body <NUM>, for example, the refrigerant supplied from supply pipe <NUM> flows through header opening 11a, header flow path <NUM>, header communication flow path <NUM>, transfer flow path <NUM>, and plate fin flow path <NUM>. At this time, in the configuration illustrated in <FIG>, the refrigerant flows downward from header communication flow path <NUM> to transfer flow path <NUM>, and the refrigerant flows upward from transfer flow path <NUM> to plate fin flow path <NUM>. That is, the refrigerant is moved while undulating in the up-down direction (layering direction) before and after transfer flow path <NUM>, and the path of the refrigerant becomes longer than the planar flow path.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a longitudinal section of plate fin layered body <NUM> in the first exemplary embodiment cut along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of plate fin layered body <NUM>. <FIG> is an end view of plate fin layered body <NUM> illustrating the longitudinal section of <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in plate fin layered body <NUM> layered between end plates <NUM> (3a, 3b) at both ends, second fin member <NUM> that is one of plate fin 2a is disposed at an upper end of plate fin layered body <NUM>, and first fin member <NUM> that is the other one of plate fin 2a is disposed at a lower end of plate fin layered body <NUM>.

In the heat exchanger of the first exemplary embodiment, a lower surface of upper-side first end plate 3a of end plates <NUM> at both ends and a joint surface of second fin member <NUM> that is disposed immediately below first end plate 3a are in full contact with each other. Here, the joint surface refers to a surface of plate fin 2a where first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> are joined.

On the other hand, first fin member <NUM> that is the other one of plate fin 2a is disposed at the lower end of plate fin layered body <NUM>, and an upper surface of lower-side second end plate 3b and a joint surface of first fin member <NUM> are in full contact with each other. This is because by causing the joint surface of second fin member <NUM> joined to first fin member <NUM> to face upper-side first end plate 3a, the flat surface is widened and the contact area is increased. Similarly, by causing the joint surface of first fin member <NUM> joined to second fin member <NUM> to face lower-side second end plate 3b, the flat surface is widened and the contact area is increased.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating first fin member <NUM> that is in contact with lower-side second end plate 3b, and plate fin 2a that is formed by second fin member <NUM> and first fin member <NUM> that are layered on first fin member <NUM> that is in contact with second end plate 3b. <FIG> is a perspective view seen from below in the layering direction. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating second fin member <NUM> that is in contact with upper-side first end plate 3a, and plate fin 2a that is formed by first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> that are layered below second fin member <NUM> that is in contact with first end plate 3a. <FIG> is a perspective view seen from above in the layering direction.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, regions where fin members (<NUM>, <NUM>) are in contact with and joined to each other are indicated by hatched portions. Note that a region where first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> constituting plate fin 2a are in contact with each other is a brazed region. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, since the region where the end plate <NUM> (3a, 3b) and first fin member <NUM> or second fin member <NUM> are in contact with each other is wide and entire, end plate <NUM> is substantially uniformly joined to first fin member <NUM> or second fin member <NUM> without being subjected to special processing, and plate fin layered body <NUM> can be reliably held.

Since first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> disposed at both ends of the plate fin layered body <NUM> in the layering direction are in contact with the end plate <NUM> as described above, the refrigerant from supply pipe <NUM> flows to the header openings 11a of first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM>. However, in first fin member <NUM> in contact with second end plate 3b, the end from header communication flow path <NUM> is closed to form a flat flow path transfer region <NUM>. Therefore, the refrigerant does not flow to plate fin flow path <NUM> in first fin member <NUM> in contact with second end plate 3b. On the other hand, in second fin member <NUM> in contact with first end plate 3a, since only transfer flow path <NUM> is formed as the flow path and header flow path <NUM> is not formed, there is no flow path to which the refrigerant from header opening 11a flows.

As described above, in the configuration of heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment, since one of the members constituting plate fin 2a is disposed at both ends of plate fin layered body <NUM> in the layering direction, end plate <NUM> is not subjected to special processing, and plate fin layered body <NUM> can be reliably held. In plate fin layered body <NUM> held by end plate <NUM>, a region between the header regions where header flow paths <NUM> provided on both sides of plate fin 2a in the longitudinal direction are formed is heat exchange region C, and plate fin flow paths <NUM> having a desired shape are formed in heat exchange region C. A predetermined gap is formed between heat exchange regions C of layered plate fins 2a to make air that is second fluid B efficiently come into contact with and flow through plate fin flow paths <NUM> formed in heat exchange regions C. As described above, the gap between plate fins 2a adjacent in the layering direction is secured by the plurality of interval defining protrusions <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) provided on first end plate 3a and/or second end plate 3b.

In heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment configured as described above, header flow path <NUM> is formed by the recess formed by header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a, header flow path top portion 10b, and header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10c of first fin member <NUM>, and flat portion 20b formed by the substantially flat surface of second fin member <NUM>, and the refrigerant from supply pipe <NUM> is supplied via header flow path port <NUM> formed in header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a.

In plate fin layered body <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment, header flow path <NUM> formed on the outer periphery of header opening 11a in each plate fin 2a is joined on the inner peripheral side of header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a and the outer peripheral side of header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10c of first fin member <NUM>. In layered plate fins 2a, header flow paths adjacent to each other in the layering direction are joined. Therefore, header flow path <NUM> in first exemplary embodiment has a configuration with high rigidity, and even in a case where the high-pressure refrigerant from supply pipe <NUM> is supplied from header opening 11a to header flow path <NUM> through header flow path port <NUM>, deformation such as expansion of header flow path <NUM> is suppressed, and a flow path having a desired shape is reliably maintained. Therefore, in heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment, highly efficient heat exchange can be carried out with high reliability.

As described above, in heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment, due to the layered structure of first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM>, the strength of the header flow path in each plate fin 2a can be increased, and weight reduction, size reduction, and efficiency of heat exchange in plate fin layered body <NUM> can be achieved. According to the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment, it is possible to provide a highly reliable heat exchanger capable of allowing a high-pressure refrigerant to flow through a flow path.

In the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment described above, the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM> of plate fin 2a is configured by a wall surface having a double structure of header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10a of first fin member <NUM> and inner peripheral support portion 20a of second fin member <NUM>. As a result, in heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment, the strength of the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM> to which the refrigerant is supplied from supply pipe <NUM> is increased, and the high-pressure refrigerant can flow to header flow path <NUM>.

In the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment, the joint surface of first fin member <NUM> or second fin member <NUM> constituting plate fin 2a is brought into contact with end plate <NUM> provided at both ends of heat exchanger <NUM>. Therefore, plate fin layered body <NUM> can be reliably sandwiched without special processing subjected to end plate <NUM>, and first fin member <NUM> or second fin member <NUM> in contact with end plate <NUM> can prevent the flow of the refrigerant without performing special processing to prevent the refrigerant from leaking in end plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating a modification in the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a portion around header flow paths <NUM> in first fin member 10A and second fin member 20A. As illustrated in <FIG>, a recess for forming header flow path <NUM> in first fin member 10A includes header flow path top portion 10Ab that is formed in an annular shape and has a flat surface, and header flow path support portion (header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10Aa and header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10Ac) formed to support header flow path top portion 10Ab in the layering direction on both the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side. Header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10Ac that supports header flow path top portion 10Ab on the outer peripheral side is continuous, via a bent portion, to heat exchange region C where plate fin flow path <NUM> is formed. As illustrated in the longitudinal sectional view of <FIG>, the recess for forming header flow path <NUM> is obtained by a portion between header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10Aa, header flow path top portion 10Ab, and header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10Ac being bent to be continuous in a U-shape, and is a flow path of which the section orthogonal to the flow path direction has a substantially square shape.

On the other hand, in order to form header flow path <NUM> in each plate fin 2Aa, second fin member 20A joined to first fin member 10A has flat portion 20Ab that is a flat surface for covering the recess formed by header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10Aa, header flow path top portion 10Ab, and header flow path outer peripheral support portion 10Ac, as illustrated in <FIG>. Unlike inner peripheral support portion 20a of second fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> described above, second fin member 20A in the modification illustrated in <FIG> does not have a shape in which the inner peripheral-side end portion of second fin member 20A hangs down.

Therefore, in plate fin layered body 2A of the modification, the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM> is formed by header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10Aa of first fin member 10A, and the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM> of plate fin 2Aa has a single structure. In <FIG>, the lead-out end that is the lower end of header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10Aa is joined to a tip end portion on the inner peripheral side of second fin member 20A. Header flow path top portion 10Ab connected to the upper end of header flow path inner peripheral support portion 10Aa is joined to flat portion 20Ab of second fin member 20A of plate fin 2Aa adjacent in the layering direction. That is, the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of header flow path <NUM> of the modification illustrated in <FIG> are formed by header flow path support portions which are wall surfaces joined and connected vertically in the layering direction.

As a result, in plate fin layered body 2A of the modification, even in a case where the inner peripheral side has the single structure, header flow path <NUM> has the configuration with high rigidity. The inner peripheral sides of header flow paths <NUM> in plate fins 2Aa to be layered have the single structure, but since the respective layers are continuously joined, a refrigerant passage with high rigidity is formed. Header flow path port <NUM> is formed in the refrigerant passage for each layer, and a high-pressure refrigerant can be supplied to header flow path <NUM> of plate fin 2Aa of each layer.

Other configurations (for example, header communication flow path <NUM>, plate fin flow path <NUM>, transfer flow path <NUM>, and the like) in the modification illustrated in <FIG> are the same as the configurations described in the first exemplary embodiment.

Next, a layered plate fin heat exchanger (hereinafter, simply referred to as a heat exchanger) according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating plate fin layered body <NUM> of the heat exchanger in the second exemplary embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view of a region where header flow path <NUM> is formed in plate fin layered body <NUM> in the second exemplary embodiment.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations as those of the first exemplary embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Since the basic operation of the heat exchanger of the second exemplary embodiment is the same as the operation of heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment, the second exemplary embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first exemplary embodiment. The heat exchanger of the second exemplary embodiment is largely different from heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment in the shape of the header flow path.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, similarly to the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment, first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> are joined (brazed) to form one plate fin 100a. First fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> in the second exemplary embodiment have annular recesses at facing positions where header flow paths <NUM> are to be formed. First fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> are joined to form header flow path <NUM>. Accordingly, header flow path <NUM> in the second exemplary embodiment has a larger section, which is orthogonal to a flow direction of the flow path, than the section of header flow path <NUM> in the first exemplary embodiment (for example, in the case of the similar plate fin, the area of the section orthogonal to the flow path direction is substantially doubled).

On the surface side of first fin member <NUM> in the second exemplary embodiment, a plurality of interval defining protrusions <NUM> are formed entirely in order to secure a distance from plate fin 100a adjacent in the layering direction. Similarly to second fin member <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) in the first exemplary embodiment, interval defining protrusions <NUM> are dispersed and arranged to obtain an uniform distance from plate fin 100a adjacent in the layering direction. In first fin member <NUM>, positioning pin openings <NUM> are formed on both sides of header flow path <NUM> side by side in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of plate fin layered body <NUM>. That is, header flow path <NUM> and positioning pin openings <NUM> are disposed in a line in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of plate fin layered body <NUM>, and are disposed in parallel with the flow direction of air that is second fluid B.

In second fin member <NUM> in the second exemplary embodiment, similarly to first fin member <NUM> in the first exemplary embodiment, header communication flow path <NUM> and plate fin flow path <NUM> are formed (refer to <FIG>). Therefore, in order to cause header communication flow path <NUM> of second fin member <NUM> and plate fin flow path <NUM> to communicate with each other, transfer flow path <NUM> is formed in first fin member <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

In the heat exchanger in the second exemplary embodiment, similar to heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment, header flow path port <NUM> is formed on the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM> in order to supply the high-pressure refrigerant from supply pipe <NUM> to header flow path <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). Header flow path port <NUM> in the second exemplary embodiment is formed by cutting out a part of an inner peripheral-side end portion of first fin member <NUM> forming header flow path <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> constituting one plate fin 100a, the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of header flow path <NUM> are regions to be joined (brazed). Therefore, header flow path <NUM> has a configuration in which the deformation of the header flow path is prevented in the configuration in which the high-pressure refrigerant is sucked from header flow path port <NUM>, and has a highly reliable header flow path.

In the configuration of the second exemplary embodiment, header flow path ports <NUM> are formed at positions facing each other on the inner peripheral side of header flow path <NUM>, and are formed at positions on a center line extending in the longitudinal direction of plate fin 100a passing through the center of annular header flow path <NUM>. In this way, since header flow path ports <NUM> are formed at positions facing each other in the longitudinal direction of header flow path <NUM>, in a state where the heat exchanger is provided in an apparatus (for example, an air conditioner), plate fin layered body <NUM> is provided to be inclined at a predetermined angle from the vertical line with respect to the longitudinal direction, for example, inclined by <NUM> degrees, and thus, header flow path ports <NUM> facing each other are located at up-down positions in the vertical direction. Therefore, in a case where the refrigerant in supply pipe <NUM> flows separately in the liquid phase and the gas phase, the refrigerant in the liquid phase and the refrigerant in the gas phase are supplied to header flow path ports <NUM> at the up-down positions. As a result, similar refrigerant with a balance between the liquid phase and the gas phase is supplied to plate fin flow path <NUM> of each layer layered in the heat exchange region, and a configuration is obtained in which highly balanced and efficient heat exchange can be carried out entirely in plate fin layered body <NUM>.

Next, a layered plate fin heat exchanger (hereinafter, simply referred to as a heat exchanger) according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a portion of plate fin layered body <NUM> of the heat exchanger in the third exemplary embodiment. <FIG> are plan views respectively illustrating first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> in plate fin 200a constituting plate fin layered body <NUM> in the third exemplary embodiment. <FIG> illustrates first fin member <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates second fin member <NUM>.

In the third exemplary embodiment, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations as those of the first exemplary embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Since the basic operation of the heat exchanger of the third exemplary embodiment is the same as the operation of heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment, the third exemplary embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first exemplary embodiment. The heat exchanger of the third exemplary embodiment is largely different from heat exchanger <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment in the shape of a plate fin flow path in heat exchange region C. In the configuration of the third exemplary embodiment, the header flow path has the configuration described in the first and second exemplary embodiments.

In plate fin 200a formed by joining first fin member <NUM> and second fin member <NUM> of the third exemplary embodiment, plate fin flow path <NUM> in heat exchange region C is formed to move in the layering direction and undulate vertically. As illustrated in <FIG>, the recess constituting plate fin flow path <NUM> formed in first fin member <NUM> includes linear first plate fin flow path 230a and arc-shaped second plate fin flow path 230b. In first fin member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of first plate fin flow paths 230a are arranged on a straight line, and first plate fin flow paths 230a on a straight line are arranged in three rows. Arc-shaped second plate fin flow paths 230b are disposed to connect two rows on both end sides of first plate fin flow paths 230a arranged in three rows, so that plate fin flow path <NUM> in first fin member <NUM> is disposed to meander.

As illustrated in <FIG>, flat flow path transfer regions <NUM> are formed between the plurality of first plate fin flow paths 230a arranged on a straight line in first fin member <NUM>. Therefore, the recess constituting plate fin flow path <NUM> in first fin member <NUM> is in a divided state on a straight line.

On the other hand, as illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of transfer flow paths <NUM> are formed in second fin member <NUM>. Transfer flow paths <NUM> are recesses facing flow path transfer regions <NUM> between first plate fin flow paths 230a arranged on a straight line in first fin member <NUM> to be joined. Therefore, plate fin flow path <NUM> on a straight line of plate fin 200a is formed by first plate fin flow paths 230a of first fin member <NUM> and transfer flow paths <NUM> of second fin member <NUM> to have a configuration in which the refrigerant flows to move in the layering direction and undulate vertically.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a longitudinal section of plate fin layered body <NUM> of the third exemplary embodiment cut along the longitudinal direction of plate fin layered body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a section in which first plate fin flow paths 230a arranged on a straight line via transfer flow paths <NUM> in each plate fin 200a communicate with each other while undulating vertically in the layering direction. <FIG> is an end view of plate fin layered body <NUM> cut along the longitudinal direction, and illustrates a portion around transfer flow path <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, flow path transfer regions <NUM> are formed between the plurality of first plate fin flow paths 230a arranged on a straight line, and transfer flow paths <NUM> of second fin member <NUM> are formed and layered to face flow path transfer regions <NUM> in the layering direction. Therefore, in each plate fin 200a in plate fin layered body <NUM> of the third exemplary embodiment, first plate fin flow paths 230a arranged on a straight line communicate with each other via transfer flow paths <NUM> while undulating in the layering direction.

As described above, plate fin flow path <NUM> in the third exemplary embodiment meanders on a plane in heat exchange region C, and moves and undulates in the layering direction. As a result, in the heat exchanger of the third exemplary embodiment, even in the plate fin layered body with the same shape (dimension), the flow path is substantially longer than the flow path configuration in which the plate fin flow path only meanders in a planar manner, and the efficiency of heat exchange can be enhanced.

In the configurations of the first to third exemplary embodiments, the header flow path has been described as having an annular shape, but the present disclosure is not limited to the shape, and includes various shapes such as a flow path shape that is not annularly connected, for example, a C shape and an arc shape, in addition to a simple annular shape.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger in which weight reduction, size reduction, and efficiency improvement are achieved, and which is highly reliable even in a configuration in which a high-pressure refrigerant flows.

As described in the first to third exemplary embodiments, the heat exchanger of the present disclosure has a configuration in which the refrigerant is supplied from the inner peripheral side of the header flow path as the header flow path, and has a configuration in which the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the header flow path of each layer in the plate fin layered body are joined to have high rigidity. In the heat exchanger configured as described above, a refrigerant having a desired high pressure can be supplied to the plate fin layered body, and a highly efficient heat exchange function is obtained.

In the plate fin layered body of the heat exchanger of the present disclosure, since the header flow path is formed by the multilayer support portions (header flow path inner peripheral support portion, header flow path outer peripheral support portion) continuous in the layering direction, the pressure resistance vulnerability in the header flow path is considerably reduced, and the rigidity of the header flow path is enhanced. As a result, in the heat exchanger of the present disclosure, a stable operation can be maintained even in a case where the refrigerant having a high pressure equal to or higher than a certain value flows.

In the plate fin layered body of the heat exchanger of the present disclosure, the header flow path port is formed in the support portion on the inner peripheral side of the header flow path, and the header flow path port is the first flow port with respect to the flow path of each plate fin. Since the header flow path port of the header flow path has a configuration in which the opening shape and the formation position of the header flow path port can be appropriately set, in the heat exchanger of the present disclosure, the configuration can be optimized to an ideal refrigerant state (liquid phase-gas layer balance state), and performance can be further improved.

Further, in the plate fin layered body of the heat exchanger of the present disclosure, as described in the heat exchanger of the third exemplary embodiment, since the plate fin flow path formed in the heat exchange region has a planar meandering shape, and has a flow path configuration moving and undulating in the layering direction, the flow path can be configured to be substantially long, and the efficiency of heat exchange can be enhanced.

As described above, in the configuration of the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure, weight reduction, size reduction, and high efficiency of heat exchange can be achieved, and it is possible to provide a heat exchanger in which the high-pressure refrigerant can reliably flow through the plate fin of each layer in the plate fin layered body, and which is highly reliable and has high efficiency of heat exchange.

Although the present disclosure has been described in each exemplary embodiment with a certain degree of detail, these configurations are examples, and the disclosure content of these exemplary embodiments should change in the details of the configuration. In the present disclosure, replacement, combination, and order change of elements in each exemplary embodiment can be implemented.

Claim 1:
A heat exchanger (<NUM>) comprising:
a plate fin layered body (<NUM>; 2A, <NUM>; <NUM>) including plate fins (2a; 2Aa; 100a; 200a) layered, the plate fins (2a; 2Aa; 100a; 200a) each having a flow path through which a first fluid (A) flows; and
a supply and discharge pipe (<NUM>, <NUM>) that supplies or discharges the first fluid (A) that flows through the flow path of each of the plate fins (2a; 2Aa; 100a; 200a) of the plate fin layered body (<NUM>; 2A, <NUM>; <NUM>),
wherein the heat exchanger (<NUM>) causes a second fluid (B) to flow through a gap between the plate fins (2a; 2Aa; 100a; 200a) of the plate fin layered body (<NUM>; 2A, <NUM>; <NUM>) and carries out heat exchange between the first fluid (A) flowing through the flow path and the second fluid (B), and
each of the plate fins (2a; 2Aa; 100a; 200a) includes
in a case where the supply and discharge pipe (<NUM>, <NUM>) functions as a supply pipe, a header opening (11a) to which the first fluid (A) from the supply pipe is supplied,
a header flow path (<NUM>; <NUM>) formed around the header opening (11a), and
a plate fin flow path (<NUM>; <NUM>) through which the first fluid (A) from the header flow path (<NUM>; <NUM>) flows, and which carries out heat exchange with the second fluid (B),
characterized in that
the flow path in the header flow path (<NUM>; <NUM>) and the plate fin flow path (<NUM>; <NUM>) has a path moving in a layering direction.