U.S. patent application number 15/543802 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-28 for air-conditioning apparatus and method of manufacturing air-conditioning apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Wahei SHINGU, Kiyoshi YAMADA, Takaaki YASUDA.
Application Number | 20170370659 15/543802 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55360890 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170370659 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHINGU; Wahei ; et
al. |
December 28, 2017 |
AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING
AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS
Abstract
An air-conditioning apparatus includes: a compressor, a first
heat exchanger, an expansion unit and a second heat exchanger that
are connected, by a pipe, in a refrigerant circuit through which
refrigerant flows, wherein the first heat exchanger includes: a
radiator fin, multiple tubes extending through the radiator fin and
through which the refrigerant flows, and a side plate provided at
end portions of the multiple tubes, and having multiple holes
formed thereon, through which the multiple tubes are extended,
wherein, on the side plate, between the holes corresponding to the
multiple tubes to be connected, a marking corresponding to a type
of a connection member that connects the multiple tubes is
provided.
Inventors: |
SHINGU; Wahei; (Tokyo,
JP) ; YASUDA; Takaaki; (Tokyo, JP) ; YAMADA;
Kiyoshi; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION |
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC
CORPORATION
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
55360890 |
Appl. No.: |
15/543802 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
March 23, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2016/059083 |
371 Date: |
July 14, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 9/0265 20130101;
F28F 1/32 20130101; F28D 1/0477 20130101; F28D 2021/0068 20130101;
F28D 1/05325 20130101; F24F 13/00 20130101; F24F 13/30 20130101;
F28F 9/26 20130101; F28F 9/262 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/26 20060101
F28F009/26; F28F 9/02 20060101 F28F009/02; F24F 13/00 20060101
F24F013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 27, 2015 |
JP |
2015-090360 |
Claims
1. An air-conditioning apparatus comprising: a compressor, a first
heat exchanger, an expansion unit and a second heat exchanger
connected, by a pipe, in a refrigerant circuit through which
refrigerant flows, the first heat exchanger including a radiator
fin, a plurality of tubes extending through the radiator fin and
through which the refrigerant flows, and a side plate provided at
end portions of the plurality of tubes, and having a plurality of
holes formed thereon, through which the plurality of tubes are
extended, on the side plate, between the holes corresponding to the
plurality of tubes to be connected, a marking corresponding to a
type of a connection member connecting the plurality of tubes being
provided.
2. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality
of tubes include a hairpin tube, and the plurality of tubes and the
connection member are integrally formed.
3. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, as the
connection member, a U-bent tube having a U shape is employed.
4. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, as the
connection member, a three-way bent tube having a T shape is
employed.
5. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, as the
connection member, a bulge three-way tube having a non-T shape is
employed, and a marking indicating an attachment direction of the
connection member is provided on the side plate.
6. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, on the side
plate, the marking is provided by a marking jig.
7. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, on the side
plate, the marking is provided by a writing material.
8. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, on the side
plate, the marking is provided by a sticker.
9. (canceled)
10. A method of manufacturing an air-conditioning apparatus
including a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion unit
and a second heat exchanger connected, by a pipe, in a refrigerant
circuit through which refrigerant flows, the first heat exchanger
including a radiator fin, a plurality of tubes extending through
the radiator fin and through which the refrigerant flows, and a
side plate provided at end portions of the plurality of tubes, the
method comprising: forming a plurality of holes, through which the
plurality of tubes are inserted, on the side plate; and providing,
on the side plate, between the holes corresponding to the plurality
of tubes to be connected, a marking corresponding to a type of a
connection member connecting the plurality of tubes.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning
apparatus including a heat exchanger provided with side plates and
a method of manufacturing the air-conditioning apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A heat exchanger employed in an air-conditioning apparatus
is configured with, for example, a radiator fin, a tube and a side
plate. There are provided multiple radiator fins and tubes, and the
multiple tubes are inserted into the multiple radiator fins. The
side plate is provided at end portions of the tubes, and the side
plate has multiple holes formed thereon through which the multiple
tubes are inserted. In the heat exchanger, connection members that
connect the multiple tubes are provided on the side plate. As the
connection member, for example, a U-bent tube, a three-way bent
tube, a bulge three-way tube and other tubes can be provided.
Moreover, when the tube is a hairpin tube, the tube and the
connection member are integrally formed.
[0003] The connection member provided to such a heat exchanger has
various kinds of connection patterns (path patterns) that are
complex. Therefore, a drawing on which a path pattern is provided
is separately prepared. Then, a worker who manufactures the heat
exchanger attaches parts to assemble the heat exchanger while
alternately comparing the heat exchanger and the drawing providing
the path pattern. When the number of parts related to the path
pattern is large, it exceeds 100 per a single heat exchanger.
Moreover, the parts include several types in some cases.
Consequently, there is a possibility that the working hours are
increased and a failure caused by an attachment mistake occurs.
[0004] Moreover, as described above, the parts related to the path
pattern are mainly four types: the hairpin tube; the U-bent tube;
the three-way bent tube; and the bulge three-way tube. In these
connection members, there is no limitation to functions, an outer
shape, attachment number and place, and so forth. Therefore, there
is a possibility of increase in working hours due to inadequate
confirmation of attachment places and inadequate confirmation of
the connection member itself, and occurrence of failure caused by
attachment mistake due to inadequate confirmation of attachment
places and inadequate confirmation of the connection member
itself.
[0005] Note that, when these connection members are attached by
brazing, it is difficult to detach the members that have been
attached once. Therefore, when an attachment mistake occurs, the
whole heat exchanger including the radiator fins and the side
plates has to be discarded.
[0006] Here, in Patent Literature 1, there is disclosed a method of
manufacturing a heat exchanger including multiple bent tubes. In
Patent Literature 1, a heat exchanger is manufactured by attaching
multiple bent tubes in advance to a support material having holes
for inserting the bent tubes formed thereon, and fitting the
support material to a tube inserted into a plate fin. In this
manner, Patent Literature 1 employs the support material to
eliminate the confirmation of attachment places of the bent tubes,
thereby, intends to improve workability in assembly of the heat
exchanger.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2009-68805
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0008] However, since the heat exchanger disclosed in Patent
Literature 1 requires the support material, manufacturing costs are
increased. Moreover, in Patent Literature 1, attachment of bent
tubes only is disclosed, and attachment workability when there are
multiple connection members is not at all considered.
[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances, and provides an air-conditioning apparatus and a
method of manufacturing the air-conditioning apparatus that reduce
manufacturing costs and improve attachment workability even when
there are multiple connection members.
Solution to Problem
[0010] An air-conditioning apparatus of an embodiment of the
present invention includes: a compressor, a first heat exchanger,
an expansion unit and a second heat exchanger that are connected,
by a pipe, in a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant
flows, wherein the first heat exchanger includes: a radiator fin, a
plurality of tubes extending through the radiator fin and through
which the refrigerant flows, and a side plate provided at end
portions of the tubes, and having a plurality of holes formed
thereon through which the tubes are extended, wherein, on the side
plate, between the holes corresponding to the tubes to be
connected, a marking corresponding to a type of a connection member
that connects the tubes is provided.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0011] According to the present invention, on the side plate,
between the holes corresponding to the multiple tubes to be
connected, markings corresponding to the types of the connection
members that connect the multiple tubes is provided. Therefore,
positioning is performed with ease without any support material.
Consequently, the manufacturing costs is reduced. Moreover, the
markings are different by respective types of the connection
members, and thereby the connection member to be attached is
recognized with ease. Therefore, the attachment workability is
improved even when there are multiple connection members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an air-conditioning
apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2A is a side view showing a first heat exchanger 4 in
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2B is a front view showing the first heat exchanger 4
in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a side plate 13 of the first
heat exchanger 4 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing types of markings 15 in
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing the
air-conditioning apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the side plate 13 of the
first heat exchanger 4 in Embodiment 1 of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air-conditioning apparatus
1 and a method of manufacturing the air-conditioning apparatus 1
according to the present invention will be described with reference
to drawings. Note that the embodiment to be described below does
not limit the present invention. Moreover, including FIG. 1,
relations between sizes of respective components in the following
drawings are different from those in actuality in some cases.
Embodiment 1
[0020] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an air-conditioning
apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The
air-conditioning apparatus 1 will be described based on FIG. 1. As
shown in FIG. 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 includes a
refrigerant circuit 2. In the refrigerant circuit 2, a compressor
3, a first heat exchanger 4, an expansion unit 5 and a second heat
exchanger 6 are connected by a pipe 7 to allow a flow of
refrigerant.
[0021] The compressor 3 compresses the refrigerant. The first heat
exchanger 4 is provided, for example, outdoor, and exchanges heat
between outdoor air and the refrigerant. The first heat exchanger 4
is provided with an inflow header 4a on an inflow side of the
refrigerant, and the inflow header 4a distributes the refrigerant
discharged from the compressor 3 to each of tubes 12 of the first
heat exchanger 4. Moreover, the first heat exchanger 4 is provided
with a first outflow header 4b on an outflow side of the
refrigerant, and the first outflow header 4b collects the
refrigerant flowing out of each tube 12 to allow the refrigerant to
flow out to the expansion unit 5.
[0022] The expansion unit 5 expands the refrigerant and reduces the
pressure of the refrigerant. The second heat exchanger 6 is
provided, for example, indoor, and exchanges heat between indoor
air and the refrigerant. The second heat exchanger 6 is provided
with a distributor 6a on an inflow side of the refrigerant, and the
distributor 6a distributes the refrigerant flowing out of the
expansion unit 5 to each of tubes 12 of the second heat exchanger
6. Moreover, the second heat exchanger 6 is provided with a second
outflow header 6b on an outflow side of the refrigerant, and the
second outflow header 6b collects the refrigerant flowing out of
each tube 12 to allow the refrigerant to flow out to the compressor
3.
[0023] FIG. 2A is a side view showing the first heat exchanger 4 in
Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a front view
showing the first heat exchanger 4 in Embodiment 1 of the present
invention. Next, the first heat exchanger 4 will be described. As
shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the first heat exchanger 4 includes a
radiator fin 11, multiple tubes 12 and side plates 13. For example,
multiple radiator fins 11 are provided and the multiple radiator
fins 11 are disposed at intervals mutually. The outdoor air flows
through the multiple radiator fins 11.
[0024] The multiple tubes 12 are inserted through the radiator fins
11 and allows the refrigerant to flow therethrough.
[0025] The side plate 13 is provided at end portions of the tubes
12, and has multiple holes 13a formed thereon through which the
multiple tubes 12 are inserted. The side plates 13 are provided,
for example, at both end portions of the tubes 12 to sandwich the
radiator fins 11. An upper end portion and a lower end portion of
the side plate 13 are bent 90 degrees in the direction opposite to
the radiator fins 11.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the side plate 13 of the
first heat exchanger 4 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
Next, the side plate 13 of the first heat exchanger 4 will be
described. As shown in FIG. 3, on the side plate 13, between the
holes 13a corresponding to the multiple tubes 12 to be connected,
markings 15 corresponding to the types of the connection members 14
that connect the multiple tubes 12 are provided.
[0027] As the connection member 14, for example, a U-bent tube 14A
in a U shape, a three-way bent tube 14b in a T shape, a bulge
three-way tube 14c in a non-T shape, and other tubes can be
provided. Moreover, in Embodiment 1, the tube 12 is a hairpin tube,
and the tube 12 and the connection member 14 are integrally
formed.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing types of the markings 15 in
Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, in the
case of the hairpin tube, the marking 15 is a single straight line.
In the case of the U-bent tube 14A, the marking 15 is two parallel
straight lines. In the case of the three-way bent tube 14b, the
marking 15 is two straight lines that are orthogonally crossed. In
the case of the bulge three-way tube 14c, the marking 15 is two
straight lines that are crossed non-orthogonally, and an attachment
direction is also indicated. Note that the sizes of the markings 15
are appropriately determined.
[0029] In Embodiment 1, the markings 15 are provided by a marking
jig, and the marking jig is made of metal. On the marking jig, a
shape corresponding to the type of the marking 15 is formed. Note
that the marking 15 may be provided by a writing material, or may
be provided by a sticker. Further, the marking 15 may be provided
to cover the multiple holes 13a.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing the
air-conditioning apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the
present invention. Next, the method of manufacturing the
air-conditioning apparatus 1 will be described. First, on the side
plate 13, the multiple holes 13a, through which the multiple tubes
12 are inserted, are formed. Specifically, on a metal plate in a
flat-plate shape to serve as the side plate 13 of the first heat
exchanger 4, the multiple holes 13a are formed by, for example,
burring processing (step ST1).
[0031] Next, on the side plate 13, the markings 15 corresponding to
the type of the connection member 14 that connects the multiple
tubes 12 are provided between the holes 13a corresponding to the
multiple tubes 12 to be connected. Specifically, between the
multiple holes 13a, the markings 15 are inscribed by a marking jig
(step ST2). Then, the upper end portion and the lower end portion
of the metal plate are bent 90 degrees. Accordingly, the side plate
13 of the first heat exchanger 4 is manufactured (step ST3).
Thereafter, the first heat exchanger 4 is manufactured by employing
the side plates 13, and the air-conditioning apparatus 1 is
manufactured by incorporating the first heat exchanger 4
thereinto.
[0032] Next, an operation state of the air-conditioning apparatus 1
according to Embodiment 1 will be described. The compressor 3 sucks
the refrigerant and compresses the refrigerant to discharge the
refrigerant in a gas state of high temperature and high pressure.
The discharged refrigerant flows into the first heat exchanger 4,
and the first heat exchanger 4 condenses the refrigerant by heat
exchange with the outdoor air. The condensed refrigerant flows into
the expansion unit 5, and the expansion unit 5 expands the
condensed refrigerant and reduces the pressure thereof. Then, the
refrigerant reduced in pressure flows into the second heat
exchanger 6, and the second heat exchanger 6 evaporates the
refrigerant by heat exchange with the indoor air. At this time, the
indoor air is cooled, and thereby cooling of the indoor space is
performed. Then, the refrigerant evaporated and brought into a gas
state of high temperature and low pressure is sucked by the
compressor 3.
[0033] The air-conditioning apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1
is used in performing the cooling operation in this manner;
however, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 may be configured to make
it possible to perform, not only the cooling operation, but also
the heating operation by providing a flow switching unit in the
refrigerant circuit 2.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the side plate 13 of the
first heat exchanger 4 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
Next, action of the air-conditioning apparatus 1 according to
Embodiment 1 will be described. In FIG. 6, solid-line arrows
indicate attachment positions of the connection members 14 that are
attached to the side plate 13 on one end portion of the first heat
exchanger 4 and flow directions of the refrigerant. Further, in
FIG. 6, broken lines indicate attachment positions of the
connection members 14 that are attached to the side plate 13 on the
other end portion of the first heat exchanger 4. In this manner, in
the first heat exchanger 4, since the connection members 14
attached to the side plates 13 on both end portions are different,
different markings 15 are provided to the side plate 13 on each of
the both end portions.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, each connection member 14 is attached in
accordance with the types of the markings 15. For example, at the
portion where the marking 15 of two parallel straight lines is
provided, the U-bent tube 14A is attached. Meanwhile, at the
portion where the marking 15 of two straight lines that are
orthogonally crossed is provided, the three-way bent tube 14b is
attached. Further, on the broken line, although the marking 15 is
not shown, the hairpin tube (the tube 12) is attached. Then, the
refrigerant flowing in from the inflow header 4a flows through the
hairpin tube (the tube 12), the U-bent tube 14A, the hairpin tube
(the tube 12), and the three-way bent tube 14b in this order.
[0036] One of the refrigerant branched at the three-way bent tube
14b flows through the hairpin tube (the tube 12), the U-bent tube
14A, the hairpin tube (the tube 12), the U-bent tube 14A and the
hairpin tube (the tube 12) in this order, and flows out to the
first outflow header 4b. Meanwhile, the other one of the
refrigerant branched at the three-way bent tube 14b flows through
the hairpin tube (the tube 12), the U-bent tube 14A, the hairpin
tube (the tube 12), the U-bent tube 14A and the hairpin tube (the
tube 12) in this order, and flows out to the first outflow header
4b.
[0037] As described above, on the side plate 13, between the holes
13a corresponding to the multiple tubes 12 to be connected,
markings 15 corresponding to the types of the connection members 14
that connect the multiple tubes 12 are provided. Therefore,
positioning is performed with ease without any support material.
Consequently, the manufacturing costs are reduced. Further, the
markings 15 are different by respective types of the connection
members 14, and thereby the connection members 14 to be attached
are recognized with ease. Therefore, the attachment workability is
improved even when there are multiple connection members 14.
[0038] Moreover, this configuration reduces time for attaching the
connection members 14 to the first heat exchanger 4. Moreover,
since the attachment workability is improved, quality of the first
heat exchanger 4 is improved. Further, even when the connection
member 14 is attached by brazing, since occurrence of attachment
mistake is suppressed, the risk of discarding the whole first heat
exchanger 4 including the radiator fins 11 and the side plates 13
is reduced. This contributes to energy saving.
[0039] Note that, in Embodiment 1, the markings 15 are provided on
the side plates 13 of the first heat exchanger 4, however, the
markings 15 may be provided on the side plates 13 of the second
heat exchanger 6. In this case, the refrigerant flowing in from the
expansion unit 5 flows through the hairpin tube, the U-bent tube
14A, the three-way bent tube 14b and others, to flow out to the
second outflow header 6b. Further, in Embodiment 1, the markings 15
are provided on the side plates 13 of the first heat exchanger 4,
however, the markings 15 may be provided on the side plates 13 of
the second heat exchanger 6.
[0040] Further, the tube 12 is a hairpin tube, and the tube 12 and
the connection member 14 are integrally formed. This configuration
improves attachment workability of the hairpin tube.
[0041] Even further, as the connection member 14, the U-bent tube
14A in the U shape is used. This configuration improves attachment
workability of the U-bent tube 14A.
[0042] Still further, as the connection member 14, the three-way
bent tube 14b in the T shape is used. This configuration improves
attachment workability of the three-way bent tube 14b.
[0043] Then, as the connection member 14, the bulge three-way tube
14c in a non-T shape is used, and the marking 15 indicating the
attachment direction of the connection member 14 is provided on the
side plate 13. This configuration improves attachment workability
of the bulge three-way tube 14c, and the attachment direction
thereof is recognized with ease.
[0044] Further, on the side plate 13, the markings 15 are provided
by the marking jigs. This improves workability in providing the
markings 15.
[0045] Even further, on the side plate 13, the markings 15 are
provided by the writing material. This improves workability in
providing the markings 15.
[0046] Still further, on the side plate 13, the markings 15 are
provided by the stickers. This improves workability in providing
the markings 15.
[0047] Then, on the side plate 13, the marking 15 is provided to
cover the multiple holes 13a. This improves workability in
providing the marking 15.
[0048] Moreover, in a method of manufacturing an air-conditioning
apparatus 1 having a refrigerant circuit 2 through which
refrigerant flows, the refrigerant circuit 2 including a compressor
3, a first heat exchanger 4, an expansion unit 5 and a second heat
exchanger 6 that are connected by a pipe 7, the first heat
exchanger 4 including a radiator fin 11, multiple tubes 12 that are
inserted through the radiator fin 11 and allows the refrigerant to
flow therethrough, and a side plate 13 that is provided at end
portions of the multiple tubes 12, the method includes: a step of
forming multiple holes 13a, through which the multiple tubes 12 are
inserted, on the side plate 13; and a step of providing, on the
side plate 13, between the holes 13a corresponding to the multiple
tubes 12 to be connected, a marking 15 corresponding to a type of a
connection member 14 connecting the multiple tubes 12. Therefore,
positioning is performed with ease without any support material.
Consequently, manufacturing costs are reduced. Moreover, the
markings 15 are different by respective types of the connection
members 14, and thereby the connection members 14 to be attached
are recognized with ease. Therefore, the attachment workability is
improved even when there are multiple connection members 14.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0049] 1 air-conditioning apparatus [0050] 2 refrigerant circuit
[0051] 3 compressor [0052] 4 first heat exchanger [0053] 4a inflow
header [0054] 4b first outflow header 5 expansion unit [0055] 6
second heat exchanger [0056] 6a distributor [0057] 6b second
outflow header [0058] 7 pipe [0059] 11 radiator fin [0060] 12 tube
[0061] 13 side plate [0062] 13a hole [0063] 14 connection member
[0064] 14a U-bent tube [0065] 14b three-way bent tube [0066] 14c
bulge three-way tube [0067] 15 marking
* * * * *