U.S. patent application number 13/580342 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for corrugated fin and heat exchanger including the same.
Invention is credited to Naoki Shikazono, Mitsuo Yabe.
Application Number | 20120318485 13/580342 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44506775 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120318485 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yabe; Mitsuo ; et
al. |
December 20, 2012 |
CORRUGATED FIN AND HEAT EXCHANGER INCLUDING THE SAME
Abstract
A corrugated fin has flat plate sections each having a pair of
lateral sides facing each other and a pair of end sides facing each
other, and joining sections connecting with lateral sides of the
flat plate sections. The flat plate sections and joining sections
are alternately formed into a corrugated shape by bending. The
joining section has an even surface joined to a tube through which
a heat exchange medium flows, while the flat plate section includes
a recess or protrusions in arbitrary sections taken along two
directions including a direction in which the lateral sides are
arranged and a direction in which the end sides are arranged,
respectively.
Inventors: |
Yabe; Mitsuo;
(Hiratsuka-shi, JP) ; Shikazono; Naoki;
(Bunkyo-ku, JP) |
Family ID: |
44506775 |
Appl. No.: |
13/580342 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
February 22, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/053840 |
371 Date: |
August 21, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/152 ;
165/185 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 2215/10 20130101;
F28D 2021/0094 20130101; F28D 1/05383 20130101; F28F 2275/04
20130101; F28F 1/126 20130101; F28F 3/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/152 ;
165/185 |
International
Class: |
F28D 1/053 20060101
F28D001/053; F28F 1/12 20060101 F28F001/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 25, 2010 |
JP |
2010-040282 |
Claims
1. A corrugated fin for a heat exchanger, comprising: a flat plate
section and a joining section which are alternately formed into a
corrugated shape by bending, said flat plate section having a pair
of lateral sides facing each other and a pair of end sides facing
each other, said joining section connecting with a lateral side of
the pair of lateral sides of the flat plate section, wherein said
joining section has an even surface joined to a tube through which
a heat exchange medium is circulated, and wherein said flat plate
section has at least one recess or protrusion in an arbitrary
section taken in two directions, one of the two directions being a
direction in which the pair of lateral sides are arranged, and the
other of the two directions being a direction in which the pair of
end sides are arranged.
2. The corrugated fin of claim 1, wherein the even surface of the
joining section is formed into a plane surface.
3. The corrugated fin of claim 1, wherein the even surface of the
joining section is formed into a curved surface.
4. The corrugated fin of claim 1, wherein two or more recesses or
protrusions are provided.
5. A heat exchanger including the corrugated fin of claim 1.
6. The corrugated fin of claim 2, wherein two or more recesses or
protrusions are provided.
7. The corrugated fin of claim 3, wherein two or more recesses or
protrusions are provided.
8. A heat exchanger including the corrugated fin of claim 2.
9. A heat exchanger including the corrugated fin of claim 3.
10. A heat exchanger including the corrugated fin of claim 4.
11. A heat exchanger including the corrugated fin of claim 6.
12. A heat exchanger including the corrugated fin of claim. 7.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a corrugated fin for
dissipating heat of a heat exchange medium in a heat exchanger such
as a radiator, an oil cooler or an after-cooler. The invention also
relates to the heat exchanger including the corrugated fin.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In an engine room of a work vehicle such as a hydraulic
excavator or a bulldozer, an engine, a radiator, a cooling fan and
others are placed in a predetermined pattern of locations. When
driven, the cooling fan causes a flow of cooling air which passes
through the radiator, thereby cooling engine cooling water
circulating between the engine and the radiator.
[0003] The radiator is constructed mainly of a top tank, a bottom
tank, a plurality of tubes and fins.
[0004] The top tank and the bottom tank are coupled through the
plurality of tubes arranged at predetermined intervals. Thus, the
engine cooling water coining from the engine is once stored in the
top tank, then passes through the plurality of tubes to be stored
in the bottom tank, and is then returned to the engine.
[0005] The fins are each disposed between the adjacent tubes and
joined to the tubes by joining means such as brazing.
[0006] As an example of the above-described fin, there is a
corrugated fin having flat plate sections and joining sections that
are alternately formed into a corrugated shape by bending (refer
to, for example, patent documents 1, 2 and 3). The flat plate
sections of such a corrugated fin each has a pair of lateral sides
facing each other and a pair of end sides facing each other, while
the joining sections each connect with the lateral sides of the
flat plate sections.
RELATED ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication
No. 2007-232246
[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication
No. 2002-228379
[0009] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication
No. H09-155487
[0010] The corrugated fin is manufactured, for example, by
undergoing a grooving process and a corrugating process.
[0011] The grooving process is a process of forming a plurality of
grooves on a surface of a bandlike sheet by passing the bandlike
sheet uncoiled from a sheet coil between a pair of grooving rollers
or by press working using a press machine.
[0012] In the corrugating process, the bandlike sheet which has
undergone the grooving process is passed through a pair of
corrugating rollers for bending, whereby the flat plate sections
and the joining sections form a corrugated shape in an alternating
sequence.
[0013] Examples of the grooves formed in the bandlike sheet in the
grooving process include grooves extending in a direction in which
the pair of lateral sides of the flat plate section are arranged
and grooves extending in a direction in which the pair of end sides
of the flat plate section are arranged.
[0014] Providing the flat plate section with the grooves extending
in the direction in which the pair of lateral sides are arranged
can increase a section modulus of a section taken along the
direction in which the pair of end sides are arranged. Accordingly
the flat plate section can have increased rigidity with respect to
such a bending action as to bring the pair of lateral sides close
to each other. However, in this case, a section taken along the
direction in which the pair of lateral sides are arranged cannot
have an increased section modulus, so that the flat plate section
cannot have increased rigidity with respect to such a bending
action as to bring the pair of end sides close to each other.
[0015] Providing the flat plate section with the grooves extending
in the direction in which the pair of end sides are arranged can
increase a section modulus of a section taken along the direction
in which the pair of lateral sides are arranged. Accordingly the
flat plate section can have increased rigidity with respect to such
the bending action as to bring the pair of end sides close to each
other. However, in this case, a section taken along the direction
in which the pair of end sides are arranged cannot have an
increased section modulus, so that the flat plate section cannot
have increased rigidity with respect to such the bending action as
to bring the pair of lateral sides close to each other.
[0016] Therefore, during the production of the conventional
corrugated fins or, more specifically, in the corrugating process,
bending can possibly occur at an unexpected place, thereby
problematically increasing a dimensional error.
[0017] For this reason, the dimensional errors of the corrugated
fins accumulate when a radiator core is assembled by alternately
stacking the corrugated fins and the tubes, which in turn may warp
the radiator core, leaving a problem that product accuracy is
difficult to improve. Correcting the dimensional error of the
corrugated fin requires extra time and effort, while assembling
such that the dimensional errors of the corrugated fins offset one
another requires a high skill In any case, the production
problematically becomes difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0018] In view of the problems mentioned above, the present
invention aims to provide a corrugated fin capable of reliably
preventing bending at an unexpected place during production,
thereby improving product accuracy and facilitating the production.
The invention also aims to provide a heat exchanger including this
corrugated fin.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0019] To achieve the above object, a corrugated fin for a heat
exchanger according to a first aspect of the present invention
comprises a flat plate section and a joining section which are
alternately formed into a corrugated shape by bending, said flat
plate section having a pair of lateral sides facing each other and
a pair of end sides facing each other, said joining section
connecting with a lateral side of the pair of lateral sides of the
flat plate section,
[0020] wherein said joining section has an even surface joined to a
tube through which a heat exchange medium is circulated and
[0021] wherein said flat plate section has at least one recess or
protrusion in an arbitrary section taken in two directions, the two
directions being a direction in which the pair of lateral sides are
arranged and a direction in which the pair of end sides are
arranged.
[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention that is based
on the first aspect, it is preferable that the even surface of the
joining section is formed into a plane surface.
[0023] According to a third aspect of the invention that is based
on the first aspect, it is preferable that the even surface of the
joining section is formed into a curved surface.
[0024] According to a fourth aspect of the invention that is based
on the first., second or third aspect, it is preferable that two or
more recesses or protrusions are provided.
[0025] A heat exchanger according to a fifth aspect of the
invention includes the corrugated fin of the first, second, third
or fourth aspect.
Advantages of the Invention
[0026] In the corrugated fin of the first aspect of the invention,
the flat plate section is provided with at least one recess or
protrusion in the arbitrary section taken in the two directions,
that is, the direction in which the pair of lateral sides are
arranged and the direction in which the pair of end sides are
arranged. Accordingly, the section taken along the direction in
which the pair of end sides are arranged and the section taken
along the direction in which the pair of lateral sides are arranged
can have increased section moduli, respectively. For this reason,
the flat plate section can have increased rigidity with respect to
such a bending action as to bring the pair of lateral sides close
to each other as well as with respect to such a bending action as
to bring the pair of end sides close to each other.
[0027] The joining section is not provided with any recess or
protrusion such as provided in the flat plate section. This allows
a large difference in rigidity between the flat plate section and
the joining section, thus enabling easy and reliable bending at a
boundary between the flat plate section and the joining
section.
[0028] In the corrugated fin of the first aspect of the invention,
bending at an unexpected place can be prevented without fail during
production of the corrugated fin, whereby the corrugated fin can
have a reduced dimensional error.
[0029] Adopting the structure of the second aspect of the invention
can increase an area joined to the tube and a thermal contact area,
thus allowing stronger joining between the corrugated fin and the
tube and enhancing a heat dissipation effect of the corrugated
fin.
[0030] Adopting the structure of the third aspect of the invention
can avoid stress concentration on a bent part.
[0031] Adopting the structure of the fourth aspect of the invention
can further increase the rigidity of the flat plate section without
fail and allows easier and more reliable bending at the boundary
between the flat plate section and the joining section.
[0032] The heat exchanger of the fifth aspect of the invention has
increased product accuracy and is thus easy to produce.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a radiator in
accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of part. X in FIG.
1.
[0035] FIG. 3(a) illustrates the structure of a flat plate section
viewed from the direction of arrow Y in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 3(b),
3(c) and 3(d) are sectional views taken along respective lines A-A,
B-B, B'-B' in FIG. 3(a).
[0036] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an essential part viewed from
the direction of arrow Z in FIG. 2.
[0037] FIG. 5(a) illustrates a method of manufacturing a corrugated
fin, FIG. 5(b) is a state view before corrugation, FIG. 5(c) is a
state view after the corrugation, and FIGS. 5(d) and 5(e)
illustrate respective shapes of an even surface, with FIG. 5(d)
illustrating a plane surface and FIG. 5(e) illustrating a curved
surface.
[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates variations of the corrugated fin in
accordance with the first embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 7(a) illustrates the structure of a flat plate section
of a corrugated fin in accordance with a second exemplary
embodiment, and FIGS. 7(b), 7(c) and 7(d) are sectional views taken
along respective lines C-C, D-D, D'-D' in FIG. 7(a).
[0040] FIG. 8(a) illustrates the structure of a flat plate section
of a corrugated fin in accordance with a third exemplary
embodiment, and FIGS. 8(b), 8(c) and 8(d) are sectional views taken
along respective lines E-E, F-F, F'-F' in FIG. 8(a).
[0041] FIG. 9(a) illustrates the structure of a flat plate section
of a corrugated fin in accordance with a fourth exemplary
embodiment, and FIGS. 9(b) and 9(c) are sectional views taken along
respective lines G-G, H-H in FIG. 9(a).
[0042] FIG. 10(a) illustrates the structure of a flat plate section
of a corrugated fin in accordance with a fifth exemplary
embodiment, and FIGS. 10(b) and 10(c) are sectional views taken
along respective lines H, J-J in FIG. 10(a).
[0043] FIG. 11(a) illustrates the structure of a flat plate section
of a corrugated fin in accordance with a sixth exemplary
embodiment, and FIGS. 11(b) and 11(c) are sectional views taken
along respective lines K-K, L-L in FIG. 11(a).
[0044] FIG. 12(a) illustrates the structure of a flat plate section
of a corrugated fin in accordance with a seventh exemplary
embodiment, and FIGS. 12(b), 12(c), 12(d) and 12(e) are sectional
views taken along respective lines M-M, M'-M', N-N, N'-N' in FIG.
12(a).
[0045] FIG. 13(a) illustrates the structure of a flat plate section
of a corrugated fin in accordance with an eighth exemplary
embodiment, and FIGS. 13(b) and 13(c) are sectional views taken
along respective lines Q-Q, R-R in FIG. 13(a).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] Concrete exemplary embodiments of a corrugated fin and a
heat exchanger including the corrugated fin according to the
present invention are demonstrated hereinafter with reference to
the accompanying drawings. The following description is provided of
an example in which the invention is applied to a radiator
installed in an engine room of a work vehicle such as a hydraulic
excavator or a bulldozer. However, it goes without saying that the
invention is applicable to heat exchangers having the same basic
structure as the radiator, such as an oil cooler and an
after-cooler.
First Exemplary Embodiment
[0047] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a radiator including
a corrugated fin in accordance with the first, exemplary
embodiment, of the invention.
[0048] (Description of a Schematic Structure of the Radiator)
[0049] Radiator 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device for dissipating heat
that engine cooling water (a heat exchange medium) circulating
between radiator 1 and an engine (not shown) obtains from the
engine.
[0050] This radiator 1 is constructed mainly of top tank 2, bottom
tank 3, tubes 4 and corrugated fins 5.
[0051] Top tank 2 and bottom tank 3 are coupled through the
plurality of tubes 4, thus allowing the engine cooling water coming
from the engine to be once stored in top tank 2, then pass through
the plurality of tubes 4 to be stored in bottom tank 3 and be
returned to the engine thereafter.
[0052] Tubes 4 and corrugated fins 5 are alternately stacked to
form radiator core 6.
[0053] (Description of the Tubes)
[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, tubes 4 are each formed of a flattened
tube member having internal passage 4a for the engine cooling
water.
[0055] The plurality of tubes 4 are arranged at predetermined pitch
Pa along width direction RW of radiator 1 and at predetermined
spacing S along depth direction RD of radiator 1.
[0056] (Brief Description of the Corrugated Fin)
[0057] Corrugated fin 5 is disposed between tubes 4 which are
adjacent in width direction RW of radiator 1. Corrugated fin 5 has
flat plate sections 5a and joining sections 5b that are alternately
formed into a corrugated shape by bending.
[0058] (Brief Description of the Flat Plate Section)
[0059] Each flat plate section 5a is a rectangular plate section
having a pair of lateral sides 11, 11' facing each other in width
direction RW of radiator 1 and a pair of end sides 12, 12' facing
each other in depth direction RD of radiator 1.
[0060] (Description of Groove-Shaped Recesses of the Flat Plate
Section)
[0061] As shown in FIG. 3(a), flat plate section 5a is provided
with, on its surface, the plurality of groove-shaped recesses 13
regularly spaced at predetermined pitch Pb along direction FD in
which the pair of end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0062] Groove-shaped recesses 13 extend linearly in a direction
from end side 12 toward end side 12' while slanting in a direction
from lateral side 11 toward lateral side 11'.
[0063] Pitch Pb for arranging groove-shaped recesses 13, an angle
of inclination, length and width of each groove-shaped recess 13
and others are determined so that adjacent groove-shaped recesses
13 partly overlap each other when viewed in direction FW in which
the pair of lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged. Providing the
plurality of groove-shaped recesses 13 on the surface of flat plate
section 5a causes a part between adjacent groove-shaped recesses 13
to become relatively stripe-shaped protrusion 14. In addition,
providing groove-shaped recesses 13 on the surface of flat plate
section 5a results in formation of corresponding stripe-shaped
protrusions 15 (see FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c)) on a back surface of flat
plate section 5a.
[0064] (Description of Recesses and Protrusions of the Flat Plate
Section in Arbitrary Sections)
[0065] As shown in FIG. 3(b), flat plate section 5a has the
plurality of recesses 16 defined by the respective plurality of
groove-shaped recesses 13 in the arbitrary section taken along
direction FD in which the pair of end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
In other words, flat plate section 5a has the plurality of
protrusions 17, 18 defined by the respective plurality of
stripe-shaped protrusions 14, 15 in the arbitrary section taken
along direction FD in which end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0066] As shown in FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d), flat plate section 5a has
recesses 16 defined by respective groove-shaped recesses 13 in the
arbitrary sections taken along direction FW in which the pair of
lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged. In other words, flat plate
section 5a has protrusions 17, 18 defined by respective
stripe-shaped protrusions 14, 15 in the arbitrary sections taken
along direction FW in which lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged. It
is to be noted that there exists, as shown in FIG. 3(c), one recess
16 defined by groove-shaped recess 13 or one protrusion 18 defined
by stripe-shaped protrusion 15 in the section of flat plate section
5a that is taken along line B-B, while there exists, as shown in
FIG. 3(d), two recesses 16 defined by respective groove-shaped
recesses 13 or two protrusions 18 defined by respective
stripe-shaped protrusions 15 in the section taken along line
B'-B'.
[0067] (Brief Description of the Joining Section)
[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, joining section 5b is a rectangular
plate section which makes a right angle with flat plate section 5a,
is narrower than flat plate section 5a and has even surface 20
joined to tube 4. Even surface 20 is a plane surface parallel to
surface 21 of tube 4.
[0069] Conceptually, this even surface 20 has two implications, one
of which is that surface 20 is a completely even surface free of
undulation and the other of which is that surface 20 is a
substantially even surface having, compared with groove-shaped
recesses 13, extremely negligible shallow grooves (grooved
remnants) which are formed inevitably when a grooving process is
carried out to form groove-shaped recesses 13 in flat plate section
5a.
[0070] (Description of Joining between the Corrugated Fin and the
Tube)
[0071] Corrugated fin 5 and tube 4 are joined together by brazing
using brazing filler metal 22 interposed between even surface 20 of
joining section 5b and surface 21 of tube 4.
[0072] Because of being plane, even surface 20 of joining section
5b can have a larger area joined to tube 4 and a larger thermal
contact area compared to cases where even surface 20 is a curved
surface or an angular surface.
[0073] Obtaining the larger joining area between even surface 20 of
joining section 5b and surface 21 of tube 4 enables stronger
joining between corrugated fin 5 and tube 4.
[0074] Obtaining the larger thermal contact area between even
surface 20 of joining section 5b and surface 21 of tube 4 enables
efficient conduction of the heat of the engine cooling water, which
flows through tube 4, from tube 4 to corrugated fin 5, thereby
enhancing a heat dissipation effect of corrugated fin 5.
[0075] (Description of a Method of Manufacturing the Corrugated
Fin)
[0076] A description is provided next of the method of
manufacturing corrugated fin 5 with reference to FIG. 5(a).
[0077] The manufacturing method of corrugated fin 5 includes the
grooving process and a corrugating process.
[0078] (Description of the Grooving Process)
[0079] The grooving process is a process of forming the plurality
of groove-shaped recesses 13 on a surface of bandlike sheet 30a, a
corrugated fin material, by passing bandlike sheet 30a uncoiled
from sheet coil 30 between a pair of first rollers 31, 31'.
[0080] The pair of first rollers 31, 31' have a plurality of
recesses and protrusions (not shown) on their outer peripheral
surfaces to correspond to the plurality of groove-shaped recesses
13 to he formed in bandlike sheet 30a. As first rollers 31, 31' are
rotated in respective directions of arrows in the drawing, bandlike
sheet 30a is sandwiched between these rollers 31, 31' and then sent
downstream. Here, the plurality of groove-shaped recesses 13 are
formed on the surface of bandlike sheet 30a as a result of bandlike
sheet 30a being sandwiched between the recesses of first roller 31
on one side and the protrusions of first roller 31' on the other
side.
[0081] It is to be noted that similar groove-shaped recesses 13 can
be formed on the surface of bandlike sheet 30a by press working
using a press machine.
[0082] (Description of the Corrugating Process)
[0083] The corrugating process is a bending process in which
bandlike sheet 30a coming out from between the pair of first
rollers 31, 31' is passed through a pair of second rollers 32, 32'
disposed downstream of first rollers 31, 31', whereby flat plate
sections 5a and joining sections 5b form the corrugated shape in an
alternating sequence.
[0084] The pair of second rollers 32, 32' have a plurality of teeth
(not shown) on their outer peripheral surfaces for bending bandlike
sheet 30a, which has groove-shaped recesses 13 formed on its
surface, into the corrugated shape. The teeth of roller 32 and the
teeth of roller 32' are formed to mesh together. As second rollers
32, 32' are rotated in respective directions of arrows in the
drawing, bandlike sheet 30a is sandwiched between these rollers 32,
32' and then sent downstream. Here, bandlike sheet 30a is bent into
the corrugated shape as a result of being sandwiched between a
space between the teeth of second roller 32 and the tooth of second
roller 32'.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 5(b), bandlike sheet 30a which will undergo
the corrugation has sections (indicated by arrows T in the drawing)
free of groove-shaped recesses 13 and stripe-shaped protrusions 14
resulting from groove-shaped recesses 13. The corrugation is
carried out so that these sections become joining sections 5b each
having even surface 20 (see FIG. 5(c)).
[0086] In this embodiment, even surface 20 is plane as shown in
FIG. 5(d). However, even surface 20 is not limited to this and may
also be curved as shown in FIG. 5(e). Forming even surface 20 into
the curved surface can avoid stress concentration on a bent
part.
[0087] Corrugated fin 5 which has undergone the corrugating process
is thus sandwiched between adjacent tubes 4 and joined to those
tubes 4 by brazing.
Description of Effects of the First Embodiment
[0088] In corrugated fin 5 of the first embodiment, flat plate
section 5a is provided with, as shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c),
recesses 16 defined by groove-shaped recesses 13 or protrusions 17,
18 defined by stripe-shaped protrusions 14, 15 in the arbitrary
sections taken along the respective two directions, that is,
direction FW in which the pair of lateral sides 11, 11' are
arranged and direction FD in which the pair of end sides 12, 12'
are arranged. This can increase a section modulus of the section
taken along direction FD in which end sides 12, 12' are arranged as
well as a section modulus of the section taken along direction FW
in which lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged. For this reason, flat
plate section 5a can have increased rigidity with respect to such a
bending action as to bring lateral sides 11, 11' close to each
other as well as with respect to such a bending action as to bring
end sides 12, 12' close to each other.
[0089] Joining section 5b is not provided with recess 16 defined by
groove-shaped recess 13 or protrusions 17, 18 defined by respective
stripe-shaped protrusions 14, 15 such as provided at flat plate
section 5a. This allows a large difference in rigidity between flat
plate section 5a and joining section 5b, thus enabling easy and
reliable bending at a boundary between flat plate section 5a and
joining section 5b.
[0090] Consequently, bending at an unexpected place can be
prevented without fail during the production of corrugated fin 5
or, more specifically, in the corrugating process, thus reducing a
dimensional error of corrugated fin 5.
[0091] Radiator core 6 of radiator 1 of the first embodiment is
assembled by alternately stacking tubes 4 and corrugated fins 5.
Because the dimensional error of each corrugated fin 5 can be
reduced, radiator core 6 does not warp, thereby increasing product
accuracy. Moreover, no correction of the dimensional error of
corrugated fin 5 and no high skill for offsetting the dimensional
errors against one another are required, thus facilitating the
production.
Description of Variations of the First Embodiment
[0092] FIGS. 6(a) to 6(f) are plan views of respective flat plate
sections 5a, illustrating the variations of corrugated fin 5 of the
first embodiment.
[0093] Corrugated fin 5 of the first embodiment has, at its flat
plate section 5a, at least one recess 16 defined by groove-shaped
recess 13 in the arbitrary section taken along each of the two
directions, that is, direction FW in which the pair of lateral
sides 11, 11' are arranged and direction FD in which the pair of
end sides 12, 12 are arranged. Appropriate variations can be made
on this structure without: departing from the spirit of this
structure.
[0094] For example, groove-shaped recess 13 can be replaced by
groove-shaped recess 13A having a greater groove width than recess
13 as shown in FIG. 6(a).
[0095] As shown in FIG. 6(b), pitch Pb at which groove-shaped
recesses 13 are arranged can be changed to smaller pitch Pc.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 6(c), groove-shaped recesses 13 can be
arranged at least two different pitches Pd, Pe.
[0097] As shown in FIG. 6(d), groove-shaped recesses 13, 13A of
different groove widths can be alternately arranged.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 6(e), a plurality of groove-shaped recesses
13B shorter in length than groove-shaped recesses 13 are arranged
alternately as equivalents of recesses 13.
[0099] While groove-shaped recesses 13 extend linearly in the
direction from end side 12 of flat plate section 5a toward end side
12', slanting in the direction from lateral side 11 toward lateral
side 11', groove-shaped recesses 13C shown in FIG. 6(f) can be
adopted instead. These recesses 13C extend linearly in the
direction from end side 12 of flat plate section 5a toward end side
12' while slanting in an opposite direction, that is, from lateral
side 11' toward lateral side 11.
Second Through Eighth Exemplary Embodiments
[0100] Hereinafter, descriptions of corrugated fins 5A to 5G in
accordance with the respective second through eighth exemplary
embodiments of the present invention are provided one by one. In
the following embodiments, elements similar to those in the first
embodiment have the same reference marks in drawings, the detailed
descriptions of those elements are omitted, and emphasis is placed
on different features not seen in the first embodiment.
Description of Groove-Shaped Recesses of a Flat Plate Section Shown
in FIG. 7(a) in Accordance with the Second Embodiment
[0101] As shown in FIG. 7(a), corrugated fin 5.A of the second
embodiment has, on a surface of its flat plate section 5a, the
plurality of groove-shaped recesses 40 regularly spaced at
predetermined pitch Pf along direction FD in which a pair of end
sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0102] Each groove-shaped recess 40 is formed of first
groove-shaped recess 40a and second groove-shaped recess 40b, and
in the plan view with end side 12' of flat plate section 5a being
above the other end side 12, first and second groove-shaped
recesses 40a, 40b connect in a V shape.
[0103] Starting from a middle point of direction FW in which a pair
of lateral sides 11, 11' of flat plate section 5a are arranged,
first groove-shaped recess 40a extends linearly in a direction from
end side 12 toward end side 12' while slanting in a direction from
lateral side 11 toward lateral side 11'.
[0104] Starting from the middle point of direction FW in which
lateral sides 11, 11' of flat plate section 5a are arranged, second
groove-shaped recess 40b extends linearly in the direction from end
side 12 toward end side 12' while slanting in a direction from
lateral side 11' toward lateral side 11.
Description of Recesses and Protrusions of the Flat Plate Section
in Arbitrary Sections Shown in FIGS. 7(b), 7(c) and 7(d) in
Accordance With the Second Embodiment
[0105] As shown in FIG. 7(b), flat plate section 5a has the
plurality of recesses 41 defined by the respective plurality of
groove-shaped recesses 40 in the arbitrary section taken along
direction FD in which the pair of end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
In other words, flat plate section 5a has the plurality of
protrusions 44, 45 defined by a respective plurality of
stripe-shaped protrusions 42, 43 in the arbitrary section taken
along direction FD in which end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0106] As shown in FIGS. 7(c) and 7(d), flat plate section 5a has
recesses 41 defined by groove-shaped recesses 40 in the arbitrary
sections taken along direction FW in which the pair of lateral
sides 11, 11' are arranged. In other words, flat plate section 5a
has protrusions 44, 45 defined by stripe-shaped protrusions 42, 43
in the arbitrary sections taken along direction FW in which lateral
sides 11, 11' are arranged. It is to be noted that there exists, as
shown in FIG. 7(c), one recess 41 defined by groove-shaped recess
40 or one protrusion 45 defined by stripe-shaped protrusion 43 in
the section of flat plate section 5a that is taken along line D-D,
while there exists, as shown in FIG. 7(d), two recesses 41 defined
by groove-shaped recess 40 or two protrusions 45 defined by
stripe-shaped protrusion 43 in the section taken along line
D'-D'.
Description of Groove-Shaped Recesses of a Flat Plate Section Shown
in FIG. 8(a) in Accordance With the Third Embodiment
[0107] As shown in FIG. 8(a), corrugated fin 5B of the third
embodiment has, on a surface of its flat plate section 5a, the
plurality of groove-shaped recesses 46 regularly spaced at
predetermined pitch Pg along direction FD in which a pair of end
sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0108] Groove-shaped recesses 46 are recesses each bent into an arc
shape, bulging toward end side 12 between lateral sides 11,
11'.
Description of Recesses and Protrusions of the Flat Plate Section
in Arbitrary Sections Shown in FIGS. 8(b), 8(c) and 8(d) in
Accordance With the Third Embodiment
[0109] As shown in FIG. 8(b), flat plate section 5a has the
plurality of recesses 47 defined by the respective plurality of
groove-shaped recesses 46 in the arbitrary section taken along
direction FD in which the pair of end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
In other words, flat plate section 5a has the plurality of
protrusions 50, 51 defined by a respective plurality of
stripe-shaped protrusions 48, 49 in the arbitrary section taken
along direction FD in which end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0110] As shown in FIGS. 8(c) and 8(d), flat plate section 5a has
recesses 47 defined by groove-shaped recesses 46 in the arbitrary
sections taken along direction FW in which the pair of lateral
sides 11, 11' are arranged. In other words, flat plate section 5a
has protrusions 50, 51 defined by stripe-shaped protrusions 48, 49
in the arbitrary sections taken along direction FW in which lateral
sides 11, 11' are arranged. It is to be noted that there exists, as
shown in FIG. 8(c), one recess 47 defined by groove-shaped recess
46 or one protrusion 51 defined by stripe-shaped protrusion 49 in
the section of flat plate section 5a that is taken along line F-F,
while there exists, as shown in FIG. 8(d), two recesses 47 defined
by groove-shaped recess 46 or two protrusions 51 defined by
stripe-shaped protrusion 49 in the section taken along line
F'-F'.
Description of Groove-Shaped Recesses of a Flat Plate Section Shown
in FIG. 9(a) in Accordance With the Fourth Embodiment
[0111] As shown in FIG. 9(a), corrugated fin 5C of the fourth
embodiment has, on a surface of its flat plate section 5a, the
plurality of groove-shaped recesses 52 regularly spaced at
predetermined pitch Ph along direction FD in which a pair of end
sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0112] Each groove-shaped recess 52 is formed of first
groove-shaped recess 52a, second groove-shaped recess 52b, third
groove-shaped recess 52c and fourth groove-shaped recess 52d, and
in the plan view with end side 12' of flat plate section 5a being
above the other end side 12, those first through fourth
groove-shaped recesses 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d connect in a W shape.
[0113] Starting from a point located in the middle between lateral
side 11' and a middle point of direction FW in which lateral sides
11, 11' of flat plate section 5a are arranged, first groove-shaped
recess 52a extends linearly in a direction from end side 12 toward
end side 12' while slanting in a direction from lateral side 11
toward lateral side 11'.
[0114] Starting from the point located in the middle between
lateral side 11' and the middle point of direction FW in which
lateral sides 11, of flat plate section 5a are arranged, second
groove-shaped recess 52b extends linearly in the direction from end
side 12 toward end side 12' while slanting in a direction from
lateral side 11' toward lateral side 11.
[0115] Starting from a point located in the middle between lateral
side 11 and the middle point of direction FW in which lateral sides
11, 11' of flat plate section 5a are arranged, third groove-shaped
recess 52c extends linearly in the direction from end side 12
toward end side 12' while slanting in the direction from lateral
side 11 toward lateral side 11'.
[0116] Starting from the point located in the middle between
lateral side 11 and the middle point of direction FW in which
lateral sides 11, 11' of flat plate section 5a are arranged, fourth
groove-shaped recess 52d extends linearly in the direction from end
side 12 toward end side 12' while slanting in the direction from
lateral side 11' toward lateral side 11.
Description of Recesses and Protrusions of the Flat Plate Section
in Arbitrary Sections Shown in FIGS. 9(b) and 9(c) in Accordance
With the Fourth Embodiment
[0117] As shown in FIG. 9(b), flat plate section 5a has the
plurality of recesses 53 defined by the respective plurality of
groove-shaped recesses 52 in the arbitrary section taken along
direction FD in which the pair of end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
In other words, flat plate section 5a has the plurality of
protrusions 56, 57 defined by a respective plurality of
stripe-shaped protrusions 54, 55 in the arbitrary section taken
along direction FD in which end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0118] As shown in FIG. 9(c), flat plate section 5a has at least
two recesses 53 defined by groove-shaped recess 52 in the arbitrary
section taken along direction FW in which the pair of lateral sides
11, 11' are arranged. In other words, flat plate section 5a has at
least two protrusions 56, 57 defined by stripe-shaped protrusion
54, 55 in the arbitrary section taken along direction FW in which
lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged.
Description of Groove-Shaped Recesses of a Flat Plate Section Shown
in FIG. 10(a) in Accordance With the Fifth Embodiment
[0119] As shown in FIG. 10(a), corrugated fin 5D of the fifth
embodiment has, on a surface of its flat plate section 5a, the
plurality of groove-shaped recesses 58 regularly spaced at
predetermined pitch Pi along direction FW in which a pair of
lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged.
[0120] Each groove-shaped recess 58 is formed of first
groove-shaped recess 58a, second groove-shaped recess 58b, third
groove-shaped recess 58c and fourth groove-shaped recess 58d, and
in the plan view with lateral side 11' of flat plate section 5a
being above the other lateral side 11, those first through fourth
groove-shaped recesses 58a, 58b, 58c, 58d connect in an M
shape.
[0121] Starting from a point located in the middle between end side
12 and a middle point of direction FD in which a pair of end sides
12, 12' of flat plate section 5a are arranged, first groove-shaped
recess 58a extends linearly in a direction from end side 12' toward
end side 12 while slanting in a direction from lateral side 11'
toward lateral side 11.
[0122] Starting from the point located in the middle between end
side 12 and the middle point of direction FD in which end sides 12,
12' of flat plate section 5a are arranged, second groove-shaped
recess 58b extends linearly in a direction from end side 12 toward
end side 12' while slanting in the direction from lateral side 11'
toward lateral side 11.
[0123] Starting from a point located in the middle between end side
12' and the middle point of direction FD in which lateral sides 12,
12' of flat plate section 5a are arranged, third groove-shaped
recess 58c extends linearly in the direction from end side 12'
toward end side 12 while slanting in the direction from lateral
side 11' toward lateral side 11.
[0124] Starting from the point located in the middle between end
side 12' and the middle point of direction FD in which lateral
sides 12, 12' of flat plate section 5a are arranged, fourth
groove-shaped recess 58d extends linearly in the direction from end
side 12 toward end side 12' while slanting in the direction from
lateral side 11' toward lateral side 11.
Description of Recesses and Protrusions of the Flat Plate Section
in Arbitrary Sections Shown in FIGS. 10(b) and 10(c) in Accordance
With the Fifth Embodiment
[0125] As shown in FIG. 10(b), flat plate section 5a has at least
two recesses 59 defined by groove-shaped recesses 58 in the
arbitrary section taken along direction FD in which the pair of end
sides 12, 12' are arranged. In other words, flat plate section 5a
has at least two protrusions 62, 63 defined by stripe-shaped
protrusions 60, 61 in the arbitrary section taken along direction
FD in which end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0126] As shown in FIG. 10(c), flat plate section 5a has the
plurality of recesses 59 defined by the respective plurality of
groove-shaped recesses 58 in the arbitrary section taken along
direction FW in which the pair of lateral sides 11, 11' are
arranged. In other words, flat plate section 5a has the plurality
of protrusions 62, 63 defined by the respective plurality of
stripe-shaped protrusions 60, 61 in the arbitrary section taken
along direction FW in which lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged.
Description of Groove-Shaped Recesses of a Flat Plate Section Shown
in FIG. 11(a) in Accordance With the Sixth Embodiment
[0127] As shown in FIG. 11(a), corrugated fin 5E of the sixth
embodiment has, on a surface of its flat plate section 5a, the
plurality of first groove-shaped recesses 64 and the plurality of
second groove-shaped recesses 65 that are regularly spaced at
predetermined pitch Pj along direction FD in which a pair of end
sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0128] Each first groove-shaped recess 64 extends linearly in a
direction from end side 12 toward end side 12' while slanting in a
direction from lateral side 11 toward lateral side 11'.
[0129] Each second groove-shaped recess 65 extends linearly in the
direction from end side 12 toward end side 12' while slanting in a
direction from lateral side 11' toward lateral side 11.
[0130] First groove-shaped recesses 64 cross second groove-shaped
recesses 65, thus forming a mesh-like pattern as a whole.
Description of Recesses and Protrusions of the Flat Plate Section
in Arbitrary Sections Shown in FIGS. 11(b) and 11(c) in Accordance
With the Sixth Embodiment
[0131] As shown in FIG. 11(b), flat plate section 5a has the
plurality of recesses 66 defined by the plurality of groove-shaped
recesses 64, 65 in the arbitrary section taken along direction FD
in which the pair of end sides 12, 12' are arranged. In other
words, flat plate section 5a has the plurality of protrusions 69,
70 defined by a plurality of stripe-shaped protrusions 67, 68 in
the arbitrary section taken along direction FD in which end sides
12, 12' are arranged.
[0132] As shown in FIG. 11(c), flat plate section 5a has the
plurality of recesses 66 defined by the plurality of groove-shaped
recesses 64, 65 in the arbitrary section taken along direction FW
in which the pair of lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged. In other
words, flat plate section 5a has the plurality of protrusions 69,
70 defined by the plurality of striped-shaped protrusions 67, 68 in
the arbitrary section taken along direction FW in which lateral
sides 11, 11' are arranged.
Description of Groove-Shaped Recesses of a Flat Plate Section Shown
in FIG. 12(a) in Accordance With the Seventh Embodiment
[0133] As shown in FIG. 12(a), corrugated fin 5F of the seventh
embodiment has first groove-shaped recess 71 and second
groove-shaped recess 72 on a surface of its flat plate section
5a.
[0134] First groove-shaped recess 71 extends linearly between a
corner where lateral side 11 and end side 12 meet and a corner
where lateral side 11' and end side 12' meet.
[0135] Second groove-shaped recess 72 extends linearly between a
corner where lateral side 11' and end side 12 meet and a corner
where lateral side 11 and end side 12' meet.
[0136] First groove-shaped recess 71 and second groove-shaped
recess 72 cross each other, thus forming an X shape.
Description of Recesses and Protrusions of the Flat Plate Section
in Arbitrary Sections Shown in FIGS. 12(b), 12(c), 12(d) and 12(e)
in Accordance With the Seventh Embodiment
[0137] As shown in FIGS. 12(b) and 12(c), flat plate section 5a has
recesses 73, 74 defined by groove-shaped recesses 71, 72 in the
arbitrary sections taken along direction FD in which the pair of
end sides 12, 12' are arranged. In other words, flat plate section
5a has protrusions 77, 78 defined by stripe-shaped protrusions 75,
76 in the arbitrary sections taken along direction FD in which end
sides 12, 12' are arranged. It is to be noted that there exists, as
shown in FIG. 12(b), one recess 73 (74) defined by groove-shaped
recess 71 (72) or one protrusion 77 (78) defined by stripe-shaped
protrusion 75 (76) in the section of flat plate section 5a that is
taken along line M-M, while there exists, as shown in FIG. 12(c),
two recesses 73 (74) defined by respective groove-shaped recesses
71 (72) or two protrusions 77 (78) defined by respective
stripe-shaped protrusions 75 (76) in the section taken along line
M'-M'.
[0138] As shown in FIGS. 12(d) and 12(e), flat plate section 5a has
recesses defined by groove-shaped recesses 71, 72 in the arbitrary
sections taken along direction FW in which the pair of lateral
sides 11, 11' are arranged. In other words, flat plate section has
protrusions 77, 78 defined by stripe-shaped protrusions 75, 76 in
the arbitrary sections taken along direction FW in which lateral
sides 11, 11' are arranged. It is to be noted that there exists, as
shown in FIG. 12(d), one recess 73 (74) defined by groove-shaped
recess 71 (72) or one protrusion 77 (78) defined by stripe-shaped
protrusion 75 (76) in the section of flat plate section 5a that is
taken along line N-N, while there exists, as shown in FIG. 12(e),
two recesses 73 (74) defined by respective groove-shaped recesses
71 (72) or two protrusions 77 (78) defined by respective
stripe-shaped protrusions 75 (76) in the section taken along line
N'-N'.
Description of Groove-Shaped Recesses of a Flat Plate Section Shown
in FIG. 13(a) in Accordance With the Eighth Embodiment
[0139] As shown in FIG. 13(a), corrugated fin 5G of the eighth
embodiment has, on a surface of its flat plate section 5a, the
plurality of hemispheric recesses 79 in a staggered arrangement in
direction FW in which a pair of lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged
as well as in direction FD in which a pair of end sides 12, 12' are
arranged.
[0140] Pitch Pk for arranging hemispheric recesses 79, a diameter
of each hemispheric recess 79 and others are determined so that
hemispheric recesses 79 adjacent in direction FD in which end sides
12, 12' are arranged partly overlap each other when viewed in
direction FW in which lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged.
[0141] Pitch Pm for arranging hemispheric recesses 79, the diameter
of each hemispheric recess 79 and others are determined so that
hemispheric recesses 79 adjacent in direction FW in which lateral
sides 11, 11' are arranged partly overlap each other when viewed in
direction FD in which end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
Description of Recesses and Protrusions of the Flat Plate Section
in Arbitrary Sections Shown in FIGS. 13(b) and 13(c) in Accordance
With the Eighth Embodiment
[0142] As shown in FIG. 13(b), flat plate section 5a has the
plurality of recesses 80 defined by the respective plurality of
hemispheric recesses 79 in the arbitrary section taken along
direction FD in which the pair of end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
In other words, flat plate section 5a has the plurality of
protrusions 82 defined by a respective plurality of hemispheric
protrusions 81 in the arbitrary section taken along direction FD in
which end sides 12, 12' are arranged.
[0143] As shown in FIG. 13(c), flat plate section 5a has the
plurality of recesses 80 defined by the respective plurality of
hemispheric recesses 79 in the arbitrary section taken along
direction FW in which the pair of lateral sides 11, 11' are
arranged. In other words, flat plate section 5a has the plurality
of protrusions 82 defined by the respective plurality of
hemispheric protrusions 81 in the arbitrary section taken along
direction FW in which lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged.
Description of Effects of the Second through Eighth Embodiments
[0144] Even in each of corrugated fins 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G
of the second through eighth embodiments, flat plate section 5a is
provided with at least one recess 41, 47, 53, 59, 66, 73 or 74
defined by groove-shaped recess 40, 46, 52, 58, 64, 65, 71 or 72 or
at least one protrusion 44, 45, 50, 51, 56, 57, 62, 63, 69, 70, 77
or 78 defined by stripe-shaped protrusion 42, 43, 48, 49, 54, 55,
60, 61, 67, 68, 75 or 76, or at least one recess 80 defined by
hemispheric recess 79 or at least one protrusion 82 defined by
hemispheric protrusion 81 in the arbitrary section taken along each
of the two directions, that is, direction FW in which the pair of
lateral sides 11, 11' are arranged and direction FD in which the
pair of end sides 12, 12' are arranged. This can increase a section
modulus of the section taken along direction FD in which end sides
12, 12' are arranged as well as a section modulus of the section
taken along direction FW in which lateral sides 11, 11' are
arranged. Therefore, corrugated fins 5A to 5G of the second through
eighth embodiments can provide the same effects as corrugated fin 5
of the first embodiment. Similarly to radiator 1 of the first
embodiment, radiators including such respective corrugated fins 5A
to 5G have increased product accuracy, thus facilitating their
production.
[0145] The embodiments and variations of the corrugated fin and the
heat exchanger including the corrugated fin according to the
present invention have been described above. However, the present
invention is not limited to the structures described in the above
embodiments and variations and allows appropriate variations on
each of the structures without departing from the spirit of the
invention, such as, appropriately combining the structures of the
above-described embodiments and variations.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0146] A corrugated fin and a heat exchanger including the
corrugated fin according to the present invention have the
characteristic of being capable of reliably preventing bending at
an unexpected place during production, thereby improving product
accuracy and facilitating the production, and therefore, are
suitable for use in and as a radiator, an oil cooler, an
after-cooler or the like.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0147] 1 radiator (heat exchanger)
[0148] 4 tube
[0149] 5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G corrugated fins
[0150] 5a flat plate section
[0151] 5b joining section
[0152] 11, 11' lateral sides
[0153] 12, 12' end sides groove-shaped recess (first
embodiment)
[0154] 13A groove-shaped recess (variation of first embodiment)
[0155] 13B groove-shaped recess (variation of first embodiment)
groove-shaped protrusion (first embodiment)
[0156] 16 recess (first embodiment)
[0157] 17, 18 protrusions (first embodiment)
[0158] 20 even surface
[0159] 40 groove-shaped recess (second embodiment)
[0160] 41 recess (second embodiment)
[0161] 42, 43 stripe-shaped protrusions (second embodiment)
[0162] 44, 45 protrusions (second embodiment)
[0163] 46 groove-shaped recess (third embodiment)
[0164] 47 recess (third embodiment)
[0165] 49, 48 stripe-shaped protrusions (third embodiment)
[0166] 50, 51 protrusions (third embodiment)
[0167] 52 groove-shaped recess (fourth embodiment)
[0168] 53 recess (fourth embodiment)
[0169] 54, 55 stripe-shaped protrusions (fourth embodiment)
[0170] 56, 57 protrusions (fourth embodiment)
[0171] 58 groove-shaped recess (fifth embodiment)
[0172] 59 recess (fifth embodiment)
[0173] 60, 61 stripe-shaped protrusions (fifth embodiment)
[0174] 62, 63 protrusions (fifth embodiment)
[0175] 64, 65 groove-shaped recesses (sixth embodiment)
[0176] 66 recess (sixth embodiment)
[0177] 67, 68 stripe-shaped protrusions (sixth embodiment)
[0178] 69, 70 protrusions (sixth embodiment)
[0179] 71, 72 stripe-shaped recesses (seventh embodiment)
[0180] 73, 74 recesses (seventh embodiment)
[0181] 75, 76 stripe-shaped protrusions (seventh embodiment)
[0182] 77, 78 protrusions (seventh embodiment)
[0183] 79 hemispheric recess (eighth embodiment)
[0184] 80 recess (eighth embodiment)
[0185] 81 hemispheric protrusion (eighth embodiment)
[0186] 82 protrusion (eighth embodiment)
* * * * *