U.S. patent application number 16/494547 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-09 for heat exchanger including heat-transfer-tube unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.. Invention is credited to Tooru Andou, Hideyuki Kusaka, Hiroyuki Nakano, Shun Yoshioka.
Application Number | 20200011607 16/494547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63716562 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-09 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200011607 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kusaka; Hideyuki ; et
al. |
January 9, 2020 |
HEAT EXCHANGER INCLUDING HEAT-TRANSFER-TUBE UNIT
Abstract
A heat exchanger includes a heat-transfer-tube unit and a
header. The heat-transfer-tube unit includes a fin and heat
transfer tubes. The header is connected to the heat-transfer-tube
unit. The fin and the heat transfer tubes are disposed,
alternately, side by side, where the heat transfer tubes extend in
a heat-transfer-tube-extending direction. The fin has sides that
extend in the heat-transfer-tube-extending direction and that are
joined to the heat transfer tubes. An end of the fin is disposed
closer to a center of the heat-transfer-tube unit in the
heat-transfer-tube-extending direction than ends of the heat
transfer tubes, and the ends of the heat transfer tubes are
inserted into holes disposed on the header.
Inventors: |
Kusaka; Hideyuki; (Osaka,
JP) ; Nakano; Hiroyuki; (Osaka, JP) ; Andou;
Tooru; (Osaka, JP) ; Yoshioka; Shun; (Osaka,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD. |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
63716562 |
Appl. No.: |
16/494547 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
March 12, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2018/009485 |
371 Date: |
September 16, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 2021/0068 20130101;
F28F 1/32 20130101; F28F 1/22 20130101; F28F 2009/0285 20130101;
F28D 1/0477 20130101; F28F 9/02 20130101; F28F 2009/029 20130101;
F28D 7/16 20130101; F28D 1/05333 20130101; F24D 2220/06
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28D 7/16 20060101
F28D007/16; F28F 1/32 20060101 F28F001/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 16, 2017 |
JP |
2017-051290 |
Dec 28, 2017 |
JP |
2017-253830 |
Claims
1.-12. (canceled)
13. A heat exchanger comprising: a heat-transfer-tube unit
comprising a fin and heat transfer tubes; and a header connected to
the heat-transfer-tube unit, wherein the fin and the heat transfer
tubes are disposed, alternately, side by side, wherein the heat
transfer tubes extend in a heat-transfer-tube-extending direction,
wherein the fin has sides that extend in the
heat-transfer-tube-extending direction and that are joined to the
heat transfer tubes, wherein an end of the fin is disposed closer
to a center of the heat-transfer-tube unit in the
heat-transfer-tube-extending direction than ends of the heat
transfer tubes, and wherein the ends of the heat transfer tubes are
inserted into holes disposed on the header.
14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the header
comprises a first header and a second header, and the
heat-transfer-tube unit is held between the first header and the
second header.
15. The heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein the second
header is disposed below the first header, and the second header
comprises a heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface inclined
with respect to a heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction.
16. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the header is
a circular pipe.
17. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the end of
the fin conforms with a shape of the header and contacts the header
when the ends of the heat transfer tubes are inserted in the
holes.
18. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the end of
the fin is spaced apart from the header.
19. The heat exchanger according to claim 18, wherein the
heat-transfer-tube unit further comprises: stoppers disposed on the
heat transfer tubes and between the ends of the heat transfer tubes
and the end of the fin, and the stoppers are shaped so that the
stoppers cannot pass through the holes in the header.
20. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the
heat-transfer-tube unit is a single member.
21. A heat exchanger manufacturing method, comprising: forming a
heat-transfer-tube unit comprising a fin and heat transfer tubes;
forming a cutout by removing a portion of the fin, wherein an end
of the fin is disposed closer to a center of the heat-transfer-tube
unit in a heat-transfer-tube-extending direction than ends of the
heat transfer tubes; forming holes in a header; inserting the ends
of each of the heat transfer tubes into respective ones of the
holes; and brazing the heat-transfer-tube unit and the header to
one another other.
22. The heat exchanger manufacturing method according to claim 21,
wherein the forming of the heat-transfer-tube unit comprises
integrally forming the fin and the heat transfer tubes from a metal
material by extrusion molding.
23. The heat exchanger manufacturing method according to claim 21,
wherein portions of the fin are punched off in the forming of the
cutout.
24. The heat exchanger manufacturing method according to claim 21,
wherein the holes are formed by drilling.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger including
a heat-transfer-tube unit.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Some of heat exchangers intended for air conditioners and
the like include heat-transfer-tube units each formed as a single
member including heat transfer tubes for refrigerant to flow
therein and fins for heat exchange. A heat exchanger disclosed by
PTL 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2013-139965) includes a plurality of such heat-transfer-tube units.
The plurality of heat-transfer-tube units are connected to a shared
header.
[0003] The connection is simplified by dividing the header into
many layers. The heat exchanger is manufactured by alternately
stacking the divided header layers and the heat-transfer-tube
units. Then, the stack of the divided header layers and the
heat-transfer-tube units is brazed in a furnace so that leakage of
refrigerant from joints between the divided header layers is
prevented.
[0004] [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication
No. 2013-139965
[0005] The heat exchanger configured as above with many divided
header layers has an increased number of components. Therefore, the
process of manufacturing the heat exchanger is complicated.
SUMMARY
[0006] One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a
heat exchanger that is easy to manufacture.
[0007] A heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention includes a heat-transfer-tube unit and a header.
The heat-transfer-tube unit includes at least one fin and a
plurality of heat transfer tubes. The heat-transfer-tube unit is
connected to the header. The fin and the heat transfer tubes are
arranged alternately side by side. The plurality of heat transfer
tubes each extend in a heat-transfer-tube-extending direction. The
fin has sides extending in the heat-transfer-tube-extending
direction and that are joined to the heat transfer tubes. An end of
the fin is positioned nearer (closer) to a center of the
heat-transfer-tube unit in the heat-transfer-tube-extending
direction than ends of the heat transfer tubes. The header has
holes for insertion of the ends of the heat transfer tubes.
[0008] In such a configuration, the ends of the heat transfer tubes
project from the end of the fin. Therefore, the heat exchanger can
be manufactured easily by inserting the projecting portions of the
heat transfer tubes into the holes in the header.
[0009] In a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the header includes a first header and a
second header between which the heat-transfer-tube unit is
held.
[0010] In such a configuration, the two ends of the
heat-transfer-tube unit are fixed to the respective headers.
Therefore, the heat exchanger exhibits improved durability against
external forces and impacts.
[0011] In a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the second header is positioned below the
first header. The second header has a
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface inclined with respect to
a heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction.
[0012] In such a configuration, the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface of the second header is
inclined. Accordingly, dew condensation water running down the
heat-transfer-tube unit and reaching the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface further runs down the
second header because of the inclination. Therefore, the heat
exchanger exhibits improved drainability.
[0013] In a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the header is a circular pipe.
[0014] In such a configuration, since the header is a circular
pipe, the header is easy to manufacture. Therefore, the heat
exchanger can be manufactured more easily.
[0015] In a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the end of the fin is shaped in conformity
with a shape of the header in such a manner as to be in contact
with the header with the ends of the heat transfer tubes being in
the holes.
[0016] In such a configuration, the end of the fin is in contact
with the header. Therefore, the heat-transfer-tube unit and the
header are connected to each other with improved strength.
[0017] In a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the end of the fin is spaced apart from the
header.
[0018] In such a configuration, the occurrence of a phenomenon in
which brazing metal moves into a space between the fins by
capillarity can be suppressed.
[0019] In a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the heat-transfer-tube unit includes
stoppers. The stoppers are provided on the heat transfer tubes and
between the ends of the heat transfer tubes and the end of the fin.
The stoppers are each shaped in such a manner as not to be allowed
to pass through the holes in the header.
[0020] In such a configuration, the occurrence of the phenomenon in
which the brazing metal moves into the space between the fins by
capillarity can be suppressed further.
[0021] In a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the heat-transfer-tube unit is a single
member.
[0022] In such a configuration, the heat-transfer-tube unit is a
single member. Therefore, the heat-transfer-tube unit is easy to
handle. Accordingly, the heat exchanger is easy to assemble.
[0023] A heat exchanger manufacturing method according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention includes forming a
heat-transfer-tube unit including a fin and heat transfer tubes;
providing a cutout by removing a portion of the fin such that an
end of the fin is positioned nearer to a center of the
heat-transfer-tube unit in a heat-transfer-tube-extending direction
than ends of the heat transfer tubes; providing holes in a header,
the holes being provided for insertion of the ends of the heat
transfer tubes; inserting the ends of the heat transfer tubes into
the respective holes; and brazing the heat-transfer-tube unit and
the header to each other.
[0024] In such a method, since the cutout is provided by removing a
portion of the fin, the ends of the heat transfer tubes project
from the end of the fin. Therefore, the heat exchanger can be
manufactured easily by inserting the projecting portions of the
heat transfer tubes into the holes in the header.
[0025] In a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the forming the heat-transfer-tube unit
includes integrally forming the fin and the heat transfer tubes
from a metal material by extrusion molding.
[0026] In such a method, the heat-transfer-tube unit is formed as a
single member from a metal material by extrusion molding.
Therefore, the heat-transfer-tube unit is easy to handle.
Accordingly, the heat exchanger is easy to assemble.
[0027] In a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, a plurality of portions of the fin are
punched off in the providing the cutout.
[0028] In such a method, the plurality of portions are removed by
punching. Therefore, the heat exchanger is manufactured
efficiently.
[0029] In a heat exchanger according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the holes are provided by drilling in the
providing the holes.
[0030] In such a method, the holes in the header are provided
simply by using a drill. Therefore, the heat exchanger is
manufactured more easily.
[0031] One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a
heat exchanger that can be manufactured easily.
[0032] One or more embodiments of the present invention provides a
heat exchanger that exhibits improved durability against external
forces and impacts.
[0033] One or more embodiments of the present invention provides a
heat exchanger that exhibits improved drainability.
[0034] One or more embodiments of the present invention provides a
heat exchanger in which the heat-transfer-tube unit and the header
are connected to each other with improved strength.
[0035] One or more embodiments of the present invention each
provide a heat exchanger in which the occurrence of a phenomenon in
which brazing metal moves into a space between the fins by
capillarity can be suppressed.
[0036] One or more embodiments of the present invention each
provide a heat-exchanger-manufacturing method by which a heat
exchanger can be manufactured easily.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a heat
exchanger 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a
heat-transfer-tube unit 30 according to one or more
embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the heat-transfer-tube unit 30
according to one or more embodiments.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of part of the heat exchanger 10
according to one or more embodiments.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of part of a heat exchanger 10'
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of part of a heat exchanger 10''
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of part of a heat exchanger 10A
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of part of a heat exchanger 10B
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of part of a heat exchanger 10C
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a heat
exchanger 10D according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0047] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a
heat-transfer-tube unit 30 according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(1) Overall Configuration
[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates a heat exchanger 10 according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention. The heat exchanger 10 is
provided for heat exchange between refrigerant and air and is to be
included in, for example, an air conditioner. The heat exchanger 10
includes a first pipe 41, a second pipe 42, a first header 21, a
second header 22, and a heat-transfer-tube-unit group 39. The
heat-transfer-tube-unit group 39 includes a plurality of
heat-transfer-tube units 30.
(2) Configurations of Relevant Elements
(2-1) Headers and Pipes
[0049] The first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 are provided for
refrigerant to flow therethrough. The first pipe 41 and the second
pipe 42 each serve as an inlet and an outlet for the refrigerant,
which can be in any of different forms such as gas, liquid, and a
gas-liquid two-phase form. The first pipe 41 is connected to the
first header 21 so as to supply and receive the refrigerant to and
from the first header 21. The second pipe 42 is connected to the
second header 22 so as to supply and receive the refrigerant to and
from the second header 22. The first header 21 and the second
header 22 are each a hollow member and have respective
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surfaces 23. The first header 21
and the second header 22 are arranged such that the respective
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surfaces 23 face each other or
substantially face each other. In one or more embodiments, the
second header 22 is positioned below the first header 21.
(2-2) Heat-Transfer-Tube Unit
[0050] The plurality of heat-transfer-tube units 30 included in the
heat-transfer-tube-unit group 39 are arranged side by side at
intervals in a heat-transfer-tube-unit-arranging direction x. Each
of the heat-transfer-tube units 30 is connected to the first header
21 and to the second header at the respective
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surfaces 23.
[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates one of the heat-transfer-tube units 30.
The heat-transfer-tube unit 30 includes a plurality of heat
transfer tubes 31 and a plurality of fins 32. The number of heat
transfer tubes 31 included in the heat-transfer-tube unit 30 is,
for example, six or greater but is not limited thereto.
[0052] The heat transfer tubes 31 are provided for moving the
refrigerant between the first header 21 and the second header 22.
Two ends of each of the heat transfer tubes 31 are connected to the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surfaces 23 of the first header
21 and the second header 22, respectively. The heat transfer tube
31 includes at least a portion extending in a
heat-transfer-tube-extending direction z and may have a linear
shape. The plurality of heat transfer tubes 31 are arranged side by
side in a heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y.
[0053] The fins 32 are provided for heat exchange between the
refrigerant flowing in adjacent ones of the heat transfer tubes 31
and ambient air. The fins 32 are each provided between adjacent two
of the heat transfer tubes 31. Additional fins 32 may be provided
on the outer side of outermost ones, respectively, of the heat
transfer tubes 31 included in the heat-transfer-tube unit 30. The
fins 32 each have sides extending in the
heat-transfer-tube-extending direction z, and the sides are joined
to corresponding ones of the heat transfer tubes 31. The fins 32
and the heat transfer tubes 31 are arranged alternately side by
side in the heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y. A fan or the
like, not illustrated, causes air to flow in a direction parallel
to a y-z plane. The direction of the airflow may be the
heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y.
[0054] The heat-transfer-tube-unit-arranging direction x, the
heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y, and the
heat-transfer-tube-extending direction z intersect one another. The
heat-transfer-tube-unit-arranging direction x, the
heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y, and the
heat-transfer-tube-extending direction z may be perpendicular to
one another. The heat-transfer-tube-unit-arranging direction x and
the heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y may each be a horizontal
direction, and the heat-transfer-tube-extending direction z may be
a vertical direction. FIG. 3 illustrates a section of the
heat-transfer-tube unit 30. The heat transfer tubes 31 each have an
inside diameter D of, for example, 1.5 mm or smaller, or 0.8 mm or
smaller. The fins 32 each have a thickness T of, for example, 0.3
mm or smaller, 0.2 mm or smaller, or 0.1 mm or smaller.
(3) Connection Between Heat-Transfer-Tube Unit and Header
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heat-transfer-tube unit 30 has
cutouts 33 at ends thereof in the fins 32. The presence of the
cutouts 33 makes ends 32e of the fins 32 be positioned nearer to
the center of the heat-transfer-tube unit 30 in the
heat-transfer-tube-extending direction z than ends 31e of the heat
transfer tubes 31.
[0056] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the heat exchanger 10. The
second header 22 has holes 24 for insertion of the ends 31e of the
heat transfer tubes 31. The ends 32e of the fins 32 are shaped in
conformity with the shape of the second header 22 in such a manner
as to be in contact with at least the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface 23 of the second header
22 with the ends 31e of the heat transfer tubes 31 being in the
holes 24. The points of contact are fixed by brazing or the like,
whereby the path for the refrigerant is sealed.
[0057] While FIG. 4 illustrates the second header 22 and the
periphery thereof, the first header 21 and the periphery thereof
are also configured as above.
(4) Method of Manufacturing Heat Exchanger 10
[0058] The heat-transfer-tube unit 30 is manufactured from a metal
material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Firstly, fins 32
and heat transfer tubes 31 are integrally formed from the metal
material by extrusion molding with a mold corresponding to the
shape of the section illustrated in FIG. 3. Subsequently, portions
of the fins 32 are removed to provide cutouts 33. Thus, the ends
32e of the fins 32 are positioned nearer to the center of the
heat-transfer-tube unit 30 in the heat-transfer-tube-extending
direction z than the ends 31e of the heat transfer tubes 31. The
cutouts 33 are desirably provided by removing a plurality of
portions of the fins 32 by punching.
[0059] The first header 21 and the second header 22 are each
manufactured by processing a metal material into a tubular shape.
The holes 24 for insertion of the ends 31e of the heat transfer
tubes 31 are formed in the first header 21 and the second header
22. The holes 24 are circular holes provided by, for example,
drilling.
[0060] The heat exchanger 10 is assembled by inserting the ends 31e
of the heat transfer tubes 31 of the heat-transfer-tube unit 30
into the respective holes 24 in the first header 21 and the second
header 22. Thus, the ends 32e of the fins 32 come into contact with
the heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface 23 of the second
header 22. The heat-transfer-tube unit 30 and the first header 21
or the second header 22 are brazed to each other at the points of
contact. Specifically, brazing metal is applied in advance to the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surfaces 23 of the first header
21 and the second header 22. After the ends 31e of the heat
transfer tubes 31 of the heat-transfer-tube unit 30 are inserted
into the respective holes 24 in the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surfaces 23, the heat exchanger
10 is put into a furnace. Thus, the brazing metal is melted and
fills the gaps between the edges of the holes 24 and the respective
heat transfer tubes 31.
(5) Features
[0061] (5-1)
[0062] Since the cutouts 33 are provided by removing portions of
the fins 32, the ends 31e of the heat transfer tubes 31 project
from the ends 32e of the fins 32. Therefore, the heat exchanger 10
can be manufactured easily by inserting the projecting portions of
the heat transfer tubes 31 into the holes 24 in the first header 21
and the second header 22.
(5-2)
[0063] The two ends of the heat-transfer-tube unit 30 are fixed to
the first header 21 and the second header 22, respectively.
Therefore, the heat exchanger exhibits improved durability against
external forces and impacts.
(5-3)
[0064] The ends 32e of the fins 32 are in contact with the first
header 21 and the second header 22. Therefore, the
heat-transfer-tube unit 30 and each of the first header 21 and the
second header 22 are connected to each other with improved
strength.
(5-4)
[0065] The heat-transfer-tube unit 30 is formed as a single member
from a metal material by extrusion molding. Therefore, the
heat-transfer-tube unit 30 is easy to handle. Accordingly, the heat
exchanger 10 is easy to assemble.
(5-5)
[0066] The plurality of cutouts 33 are provided at a time by
punching. Therefore, the heat exchanger 10 is manufactured
efficiently.
(5-6)
[0067] The holes in the first header 21 and the second header 22
may be provided simply by using a drill. In that case, the heat
exchanger 10 is manufactured more easily.
(6) Modifications
[0068] Modifications of one or more embodiments will now be
described.
(6-1) First Modification
[0069] FIG. 5 illustrates a heat exchanger 10' according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention. The heat exchanger 10'
is different from the heat exchanger 10 according to one or more
embodiments in that the ends 32e of the fins 32 are spaced apart
from the heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surfaces 23 of the
first header 21 and the second header 22. Such a configuration is
realized with stoppers 35 provided on the heat transfer tubes 31.
The stoppers 35 are provided between the ends 31e of the heat
transfer tubes 31 and the ends 32e of the fins 32. The stoppers 35
are shaped in such a manner as not to be allowed to pass through
the holes 24 in the first header 21 and the second header 22. A gap
36 is provided between each of the stoppers 35 and a corresponding
one of the fins 32, whereby the stoppers 35 are spaced apart from
the ends 32e of the fins 32. In the first modification, the
stoppers 35 are provided to all of the heat transfer tubes 31 of
the heat-transfer-tube unit 30, respectively.
[0070] The stoppers 35 are formed as fins 32 at the beginning of
the manufacturing process. Then, in a step of punching off portions
of the fins 32 for providing cutouts 33, stoppers 35 are obtained
as portions that are not punched off, and remain on the heat
transfer tubes 31.
[0071] Such a configuration in which the stoppers 35 are spaced
apart from the ends 32e of the fins 32 suppresses the occurrence of
a phenomenon in which the brazing metal melted in the furnace moves
into spaces between the fins 32 by capillarity. Therefore,
concentration of the brazing metal is suppressed, and the
occurrence of erosion of the brazing metal or the fins 32 is
reduced.
(6-2) Second Modification
[0072] FIG. 6 illustrates a heat exchanger 10'' according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention. The heat exchanger 10''
is different from the heat exchanger 10' in that the stoppers 35
are provided on only some of the heat transfer tubes 31 of the
heat-transfer-tube unit 30.
[0073] Such a configuration further suppresses the occurrence of
the phenomenon in which the brazing metal moves into spaces between
the fins 32 by capillarity.
(1) Configuration
[0074] FIG. 7 illustrates a heat exchanger 10A according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention. The heat exchanger 10A
is configured such that at least the second header 22 has a
trapezoidal sectional shape. Therefore, the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface 23 of the second header
22 is inclined with respect to the heat-transfer-tube-spacing
direction y. The ends 32e of the fins 32 are shaped in conformity
with the shape of the second header 22 in such a manner as to be in
contact with at least the heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting
surface 23 of the second header 22 with the ends 31e of the heat
transfer tubes 31 being in the holes 24.
[0075] Such a configuration causes dew condensation water running
down the heat-transfer-tube unit 30 and reaching the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface 23 to further run down
the second header 22 because of the inclination. Therefore, the
heat exchanger 10A exhibits improved drainability.
(2) Modifications
[0076] The modifications of one or more above embodiments may be
applied to one or more following embodiments.
(1) Configuration
[0077] FIG. 8 illustrates a heat exchanger 10B according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention. The heat exchanger 10B
is configured such that at least the second header 22 has a
sectional shape pointed upward. Therefore, the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface 23 of the second header
22 includes two inclined surfaces inclining with respect to the
heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y. The ends 32e of the fins 32
are shaped in conformity with the shape of the second header 22 in
such a manner as to be in contact with at least the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface 23 of the second header
22 with the ends 31e of the heat transfer tubes 31 being in the
holes 24.
[0078] Such a configuration also causes dew condensation water
running down the heat-transfer-tube unit 30 and reaching the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface 23 to further run down
the second header 22 because of the inclination. Therefore, the
heat exchanger 10B exhibits improved drainability.
(2) Modifications
[0079] The modifications of one or more above embodiments may be
applied to one or more following embodiments.
(1) Configuration
[0080] FIG. 9 illustrates a heat exchanger 10C according to one or
more embodiments of the present invention. The heat exchanger 10C
is configured such that at least the second header 22 is a circular
pipe. Therefore, most part of the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface 23 of the second header
22 is inclined with respect to the heat-transfer-tube-spacing
direction y. The ends 32e of the fins 32 are shaped in conformity
with the shape of the second header 22 in such a manner as to be in
contact with at least the heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting
surface 23 of the second header 22 with the ends 31e of the heat
transfer tubes 31 being in the holes 24.
[0081] In such a configuration, since at least the second header 22
is a circular pipe, the second header 22 is easy to manufacture.
Therefore, the heat exchanger 10 can be manufactured more
easily.
[0082] In addition, since the heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting
surface 23 of the second header 22 is inclined, dew condensation
water running down the heat-transfer-tube unit 30 and reaching the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface 23 further runs down the
second header 22. Therefore, the heat exchanger 10C exhibits
improved drainability.
(2) Modifications
[0083] The modifications of one or more above embodiments may be
applied to one or more following embodiments.
(1) Configuration
[0084] FIG. 10 illustrates a heat exchanger 10D according to one or
more above embodiments of the present invention. The heat exchanger
10D is configured such that the first header 21 and the second
header 22 are provided on the same side of the
heat-transfer-tube-unit group 39. The first header 21 and the
second header 22 are connected to the first pipe 41 and the second
pipe 42, respectively.
[0085] FIG. 11 illustrates one of a plurality of heat-transfer-tube
units 30 included in the heat-transfer-tube-unit group 39 of the
heat exchanger 10D. The heat-transfer-tube unit 30 includes a
plurality of heat transfer tubes 31 and at least one fin 32. The
heat transfer tubes 31 each include at least a portion extending in
the heat-transfer-tube-extending direction z and each may have a
linear shape. The plurality of heat transfer tubes 31 are arranged
side by side in the heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y.
Furthermore, adjacent ones of the heat transfer tubes 31 are
coupled to each other with a curved coupling pipe 31c. That is, the
heat-transfer-tube unit 30 has a single refrigerant path formed of
the heat transfer tubes 31 and the coupling pipes 31c. The
refrigerant path allows the refrigerant to move between the first
header 21 and the second header 22. The ends 31e of the heat
transfer tubes 31 are connected to the
heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surfaces 23 of both the first
header 21 and the second header 22.
[0086] The heat-transfer-tube unit 30 includes the fin 32 that is
present between adjacent ones of the heat transfer tubes 31.
Additional fins 32 may be provided on the outer side of outermost
ones, respectively, of the heat transfer tubes 31 of the
heat-transfer-tube unit 30. Such a plurality of fins 32 may be
connected to one another at the upper end or the lower end of the
heat-transfer-tube unit 30. The fins 32 each have sides extending
in the heat-transfer-tube-extending direction z, and the sides are
joined to corresponding ones of the heat transfer tubes 31. The
fins 32 and the heat transfer tubes 31 are arranged alternately
side by side in the heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y. A fan
or the like, not illustrated, causes air to flow in a direction
parallel to the y-z plane. The direction of the airflow may be the
heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y. The heat-transfer-tube unit
30 may be manufactured by a method other than extrusion molding of
a metal material.
[0087] The heat-transfer-tube unit 30 has cutouts 33 at ends
thereof in the fins 32. The presence of the cutouts 33 makes ends
32e of the fins 32 be positioned nearer to the center of the
heat-transfer-tube unit 30 in the heat-transfer-tube-extending
direction z than ends 31e of the heat transfer tubes 31. The ends
32e of the fins 32 are shaped in conformity with the shapes of the
first header 21 and the second header 22 in such a manner as to be
in contact with the heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surfaces 23
with the ends 31e of the heat transfer tubes 31 being in the holes
24 in the first header 21 and the second header 22. The points of
contact are fixed by brazing or the like, whereby the refrigerant
path is sealed.
[0088] Such a configuration allows three of the four sides of the
heat-transfer-tube unit 30 to be open to a peripheral space.
Therefore, dew condensation water is drained more easily.
(2) Modifications
[0089] The modifications of one or more above embodiments may be
applied to one or more following embodiments.
[0090] One or more embodiments described above concern an exemplary
arrangement in which the heat-transfer-tube-unit-arranging
direction x and the heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y are each
a horizontal direction, and the heat-transfer-tube-extending
direction z is a vertical direction. Alternatively, the heat
exchanger 10 may be oriented in another way. For example, the
heat-transfer-tube-spacing direction y and the
heat-transfer-tube-extending direction z may each be a horizontal
direction, and the heat-transfer-tube-unit-arranging direction x
may be a vertical direction.
[0091] Although the disclosure has been described with respect to
only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art,
having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that various
other embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope
of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention
should be limited only by the attached claims.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0092] 10 heat exchanger [0093] 21 first header [0094] 22 second
header [0095] 23 heat-transfer-tube-unit-connecting surface [0096]
24 hole [0097] 30 heat-transfer-tube unit [0098] 31 heat transfer
tube [0099] 31e end of heat transfer tube [0100] 32 fin [0101] 32e
end of fin [0102] 33 cutout [0103] 35 stopper [0104] 36 gap [0105]
41 first pipe [0106] 42 second pipe
* * * * *