JP2001272138A - Evaporator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cool air, which passes a core part 1a, equally enough even in the case where a super heat region is enlarged at use. SOLUTION: The above core part 11a is constituted by arranging first, second, and third core elements 33, 34, and 35, which have the halves of a plurality of rectilinear passages 13 and U-shaped passages 14 for letting a refrigerant flow in each inside, in series in the direction of air circulation utilizing air conditioning. The refrigerant sent in the first core element 33 positioned leeward via a refrigerant sending pipe 7 flows out through a refrigerant takeout pipe 8 from within the third core element 35 positioned windward after flowing in the first, second, and third core elements 33, 34, and 35 in order.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The evaporator according to the present invention is incorporated in an air conditioner for automobiles to cool air for air conditioning in a vehicle interior.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air conditioner for a vehicle incorporates an evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant inside and cooling air flowing outside. As such an evaporator to be incorporated in an air conditioner for a vehicle, one having a structure as described in, for example, JP-A-62-798 and JP-B-7-39895 has been known. FIG.
Fig. 1 schematically shows an example of a conventionally known evaporator. This evaporator 1 has 2
A plurality of heat transfer tube elements formed by combining a plurality of metal plates in the middle are stacked on top of each other, and inside each of these heat transfer tube elements, a U-shaped flat plate having an intermediate portion folded 180 degrees is formed. The upstream channel 2a (or the downstream channel 2)
b) is provided. Then, by exchanging the tank spaces provided at both ends of each of the flow paths 2a and 2b inside the heat transfer tube elements with a part except for a part, the adjacent heat transfer tube elements communicate with each other to form a plurality of tank portions 3. , 4, 5 and 6. A plurality of corrugated fins (not shown) are sandwiched between adjacent heat transfer tube elements. The refrigerant fed into the first tank portion 3 from the refrigerant feed pipe 7 through the refrigerant feed port 9 is transferred to one half (the right half in FIG. 8) of the core portion 11 in the width direction of the plurality of heat transfer tube elements. It flows through each upstream flow path 2a provided in the existing heat transfer tube element while exchanging heat with the air flowing through the core portion 11. The refrigerant flowing in each of the upstream flow paths 2a flows through the inside of the second tank section 4 through which the downstream end of each of the upstream flow paths 2a communicates. It flows into the third tank part 5 that has passed through the upstream end. Then, the refrigerant flows into each of the downstream flow paths 2b provided in the heat transfer tube element existing in the other half in the width direction of the core portion 11 (the left half in FIG. 8) among the plurality of heat transfer tube elements. To
After flowing while exchanging heat with the air, the air is sent into the fourth tank portion 6. The refrigerants thus sent into the fourth tank portion 6 are collected, taken out of the refrigerant take-out pipe 8 through the refrigerant take-out port 10, and sent to a compressor (not shown).

According to the evaporator 1 configured as described above, the air for air conditioning is circulated through the core section 11 in the thickness direction of the core section 11, that is, in the α direction in FIG. Air can be cooled. Further, in such an evaporator 1, the refrigerant flows in each half of the core portion 11 in the width direction while returning in each of the flow paths 2a and 2b at the intermediate portion in the thickness direction of the core portion 11. By increasing the length of the passages 2a and 2b, heat exchange performance can be secured to some extent. Further, in each half of the core portion 11 in the width direction, the refrigerant is diverted from the first tank portion 3 or the third tank portion 5 to the plurality of upstream flow paths 2a or the downstream flow paths 2b. Core part 1
The air passing through 1 can be cooled to a certain degree,
Since the pressure loss of the evaporator 1 can be reduced, the heat exchange performance of the evaporator 1 can be secured to some extent.

[0004]

If the refrigerant sent from the inside of the evaporator 1 to the compressor through the refrigerant take-out pipe 8 is not sufficiently vaporized, the refrigerant in a liquid or gas-liquid mixed state is sent to the compressor. This may cause a so-called liquid back, which may cause a failure of the compressor. For this reason, conventionally, in order to prevent the occurrence of such liquid back, a so-called superheat for sufficiently evaporating the refrigerant is provided in a portion of the evaporator 1 immediately before the refrigerant flows out from the refrigerant outlet pipe 8. An area is provided. For example, in the case of the above-described conventional structure, a superheat region is formed in a part of the other half of the core 11 in the width direction, which is indicated by oblique lines in FIG. Provided.

However, the size of such a superheat region fluctuates due to a change in the amount of air sent to the core portion 11 when the evaporator 1 is used or a decrease in the amount of refrigerant. . When the superheat region greatly expands and extends beyond the windward half of the other half in the width direction of the core portion 11 and extends to the leeward half portion, the superheat region passes through the core portion. Air cannot be cooled uniformly. That is, this superheat region is necessary to prevent the occurrence of the liquid back and to ensure the reliability of the automotive air conditioner incorporating the evaporator 1, but this superheat region becomes too large, When the two halves in the thickness direction of the core portion 11 overlap each other,
The degree of cooling the air passing through the overlapped portion becomes extremely small. For this reason, a large temperature difference occurs in the air passing through the core portion 11 for each portion of the core portion 11. If the air passing through the core portion 11 cannot be cooled uniformly as described above, the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle cabin will be uneven, making it difficult to achieve a comfortable cooling state for the occupant.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has been made to realize a structure capable of cooling the air passing through the core portion substantially uniformly even when the superheat region is expanded during use.

[0006]

The evaporator of the present invention comprises a plurality of heat transfer tube elements and fins each having a flat flow path for flowing a refrigerant therein, similarly to the above-described conventionally-known evaporators. And a refrigerant inlet for sending refrigerant into the core,
It has a refrigerant take-out port for taking out the refrigerant from the core part, and allows the refrigerant to flow inside each of the heat transfer tube elements, and air for air conditioning outside these heat transfer tube elements,
It is used in a state where it passes in the thickness direction of the core portion.

In particular, in the evaporator according to the first aspect, the core portion includes a plurality of core elements each having a plurality of flat flow paths for flowing a refrigerant therein, and the core elements are connected in series in the air flow direction. And three or more rows, and a plurality of flow paths provided in each of the core elements are communicated with adjacent core elements. Then, the refrigerant fed into the core element located at one end in the thickness direction of the core portion through the refrigerant inlet, flows sequentially through each core element, and then the other end in the thickness direction of the core portion. From the inside of the core element located at the position (1).

Further, in the evaporator according to the second aspect, in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect, at least a part of the core element is provided with a refrigerant fed into the core element. After flowing in a plurality of flow paths provided in a part of the core element in a predetermined direction with respect to the vertical direction, after reaching a tank part provided at an end part in the vertical direction of the core element, after flowing in the tank part in the horizontal direction The gas flows in a plurality of flow paths provided in at least a part of the remaining portion of the core element in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction with respect to the vertical direction.

Further, in the evaporator according to the third aspect, in addition to the configuration according to the second aspect, each of the heat transfer tube elements is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of one of the surfaces so as to be independent from each other. The first and second deep recesses, and the third, fourth and fifth deep recesses also provided independently of each other at the other end, and the first and
A first shallow recess for communicating the third deep recesses, and a middle shallow portion provided independently of the first shallow recesses, which is turned 180 degrees in the middle to communicate the fourth and fifth deep recesses. A pair of metal plates provided with a second shallow recess to be overlapped in the middle with the respective recesses facing each other and joined to each other, so that the first deep recesses abut each other. The first tank space, the second tank space in the portion where the second deep recesses abut, the third tank space in the portion where the third deep recesses abut, the fourth deep recesses The butted portion has a fourth tank space, the fifth deep recess has a butted portion in the fifth tank space, and the first shallow recess has a butted portion in the first and third tank spaces. The linear flow path for communicating the The four-in a portion concave to each other is matched, the U-shaped flow path for communicating the fifth tank space between,
Each is provided. Then, the core portion is formed by fining the heat transfer tube elements in a state in which the front and rear directions of a portion forming one end portion in the width direction of the core portion and a portion forming the other end portion are different from each other. The first, second, and third core elements are configured by overlapping each other through the intermediary. Further, the first core element among the first tank elements communicates with each other at the one end in the thickness direction of the core section, and communicates the inside thereof with the refrigerant inlet. An inlet tank portion, a first intermediate tank portion also connecting the fifth tank space and the third tank space to each other, and a plurality of linear flow paths each at one end in the thickness direction of the core portion. And a plurality of U-shaped flow paths on the upstream side. Further, the second core element includes:
A second intermediate tank portion formed by connecting the four tank spaces aligned with each other at the intermediate portion in the thickness direction of the core portion to each other, and a plurality of U's each existing at the intermediate portion in the thickness direction of the core portion; It comprises a downstream portion of the U-shaped flow channel and an upstream portion of another plurality of U-shaped flow channels. Further, the third core element includes a third intermediate tank portion formed by connecting the three tank spaces and the fifth tank spaces aligned with each other at the other end in the thickness direction of the core portion. Similarly, the first tank spaces communicate with each other and the inside thereof communicates with a coolant outlet, and a plurality of linear flow paths each of which is present at the other end in the thickness direction of the core portion. And a plurality of U-shaped flow paths on the downstream side.

In the evaporator according to the fourth aspect, in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect, the refrigerant fed into each core element is provided at an end in the width direction of each core element. Flows from the lower end to the upper end in all of the flow paths except the flow path.

[0011]

In the case of the evaporator of the present invention configured as described above, even when the superheat area is expanded during use,
This region can be prevented from extending over the entire thickness of the core portion. Therefore, the air passing through the core portion is cooled substantially uniformly, and a comfortable cooling state for the occupant can be realized.

Further, in the case of the evaporator according to the second aspect, since the length of the flow path of the refrigerant flowing inside the core portion can be increased, the flow rate between the refrigerant and the air passing outside the core portion can be increased. The heat exchange can be sufficiently performed, and the heat exchange performance of the evaporator can be sufficiently ensured.

Further, according to the evaporator according to the third aspect, the heat exchange performance of the evaporator can be further improved and the cost of the evaporator can be reduced.

According to the evaporator according to the fourth aspect, the liquid refrigerant easily stays for a relatively long time in almost all the flow paths constituting each core element. Heat can be efficiently exchanged with the air passing through the evaporator, and the performance of the evaporator can be improved.

[0015]

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to claims 1 to 3. FIG. still,
The evaporator 1a of the present example is a so-called laminated evaporator configured by laminating a plurality of metal plates 12 to each other, and has a plurality of fins 31 and 31 and a flattened plate for flowing a refrigerant into each of them. A core part 11a including a plurality of heat transfer tube elements 15 having a flow path, and a refrigerant inlet 9 for supplying a refrigerant into the core part 11a;
And a refrigerant outlet pipe 8 having an upstream end connected to a refrigerant outlet 10 for extracting refrigerant from the core portion 11a.

In particular, in the case of the evaporator 1a of the present invention, the core portion 11a includes a plurality of flat flow passages for flowing a refrigerant therein, the straight flow passage 13 and the U-shaped flow passage 14 respectively. The first, second, and third core elements 33, 34, and 35, which are respectively constituted by three halves, are arranged in three rows with respect to the flow direction α of the air for air conditioning in a state of being superimposed on each other. . And each of these core elements 33-3
The half of the plurality of linear flow paths 13 and the U-shaped flow path 14 provided in 5 are communicated between adjacent core elements 33 to 35.

For this reason, in the case of the present embodiment, the core 11a
As described in detail later, each of the heat transfer tube elements 15 and 15 is formed of a metal plate 12 having a concave portion formed on one surface and having a shape symmetrical to each other in the width direction.
One set of sheets, which are superimposed in the middle in a state where the concave portions are opposed to each other and are joined to each other in a gas-tight and liquid-tight manner, and have the above-mentioned straight flow path 13 and U-shaped flow path 14 inside. And

Each of the metal plates 12 is a so-called double-sided clad material in which a brazing material (an aluminum alloy containing a large amount of Si and having a relatively low melting point) is laminated on both sides of a core material (an aluminum alloy having a relatively high melting point). And Then, the respective metal plates 12, 12, the respective fins 31, 31, the refrigerant supply pipe 7, and the refrigerant take-out pipe 8 are combined, heated in a heating furnace, and the respective members are formed by the brazing material. The evaporator 1a is made by brazing 12, 31, 7, 8 to each other.

Each of the heat transfer tube elements 15 is formed by superposing two metal plates 12 as shown in detail in FIG. .
Each of the metal plates 12 is formed by pressing a base plate, which is a double-sided clad material of an aluminum alloy, and has first and second deep recesses 16 and 17 independent from each other at an upper end portion, and a second deep recessed portion 16 and 17 independent from each other at a lower end portion. Third to fifth deep recesses 18 to 20 are provided, respectively. In the middle part, the first and third deep concave portions 1 are provided.
A first shallow recess 21 for communicating between 6, 18 and the second shallow recess 22 for communicating between the fourth and fifth deep recesses 19 and 20 are provided independently of each other. The middle portion of the second shallow recess 22 is folded back at 180 degrees at the upper end of each metal plate 12 to form a U-shape. In the case of this example, the first deep recess 16 and the second deep recess 17
It is larger than the fifth deep recesses 18-20.

Each of the heat transfer tube elements 15 is a pair of two (two types) metal plates 12 each having a shape symmetrical with respect to the width direction as described above, and the respective concave portions are opposed to each other. That is, the first deep recesses 16, the second deep recesses 17, the third deep recesses 18, the fourth deep recesses 19, the fifth deep recesses 20, the first shallow recesses 21, the second The shallow recesses 22 are superposed in the middle while facing each other. Then, the first deep recess 16
The first tank space 23 is defined as the portion where the second deep recesses 17 are abutted, the second tank space 24 is defined as the portion where the second deep recesses 17 are abutted, and the third tank space is defined as the third tank 18 where the third deep recesses 18 are abutted. In the space 25, a fourth tank space 26 is formed at a portion where the fourth deep recesses 19 abut each other, and a fifth tank space 27 is formed at a portion where the fifth deep recesses 20 abut each other.

The portion where the first shallow recesses 21 abut each other is used as the straight flow path 13 to connect the first and third tank spaces 23 and 25 to each other. Further, a portion where the second shallow recesses 22 abut against each other is defined as the U-shaped flow path 14, and the fourth and fifth tank spaces 26, 2
7 are communicated with each other. The first and second shallow recesses 2
A number of projections 28 are formed in the first and second 22.
The tip surfaces of these projections 28, 28 are
When combining them in the middle, each of these metal plates 12
Along with the peripheral portion of the first and second shallow recesses 21 and 22 and brazed against each other.
In addition to ensuring the pressure resistance of each of the heat transfer tube elements 12, the heat transfer tube element 12 serves to disrupt the flow of the refrigerant flowing in the straight flow path 13 and the U-shaped flow path 14.

In the core portion 11a, a plurality of heat transfer tube elements 15, 15 each configured as described above are overlapped with fins 31, 31 provided between adjacent heat transfer tube elements 15, 15. It is composed by things. At this time, the respective halves in the width direction of the core portion 11a are opposed to each other in the front and back directions of the heat transfer tube elements 15 and 15 (FIG. 3).
(A), the front and back direction (the left and right direction in FIG. 5) are different. Then, one half portion in the width direction of the core portion 11a (FIG. 1,
(Right half of 2,5), windward (right side of Fig.1,2,5)
The straight flow paths 13, 13 of the heat transfer tube elements 15, 15
The U-shaped flow paths 14 of the heat transfer tube elements 15 are positioned on the leeward side (the left side of FIGS. 1, 2, and 5). On the other hand, in the other half in the width direction of the core 11a (the left half of FIGS. 1, 2, and 5), the U-shaped flow paths 14 and 14 of the heat transfer tube elements 15 and 15 are arranged on the windward side. On the leeward side, the straight flow paths 13, 13 of the heat transfer tube elements 15, 15 are arranged.
Are located respectively.

The heat transfer tube elements 15, 15
The second tank spaces 2 are aligned with each other at the upper end of the leeward end of the core portion 11a in a state where
4 and the first tank spaces 23 communicate with each other to form an inlet tank portion 29. For this reason, the core 1
Each of the heat transfer tube elements 15 is composed of the bottom of the second deep recess 17 formed in the metal plate 12 constituting each of the heat transfer tube elements 15 at one half in the width direction of 1a, and the other half of the core 11a. Except for one metal plate 12 located at the other end in the width direction of the core portion 11a (the left end in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5), a coolant is provided at the bottom of the first deep concave portion 16 formed in the metal plate 12. A through-hole 30 is formed for the passage. The downstream end of the refrigerant supply pipe 7 is connected to one end (the right end in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5) in the longitudinal direction of the inlet tank 29 configured as described above. Therefore, the refrigerant sent from the refrigerant supply pipe 7 through the refrigerant supply port 9 flows in the inlet tank 29 in the horizontal direction.

Further, the fifth tank space 27 and the third tank space 25, which are aligned with each other at the lower end of the leeward end of the core portion 11a, communicate with each other to form the core portion 11a. Each heat transfer tube element 15 existing in the other half in the width direction
And a U-shaped flow path 14 provided in each heat transfer tube element 15 which also exists in one half in the width direction.
And a first intermediate tank portion 32 that communicates with an upstream end of the first intermediate tank portion. For this reason, the bottom of the fifth deep recess 20 formed in the metal plate 12 constituting each of the heat transfer tube elements 15 in one half in the width direction of the core 11a and the other half in the width of the core 11a. The bottom of the third deep concave portion 18 formed in the metal plate 12 constituting each heat transfer tube element 15 is provided with the core portion 11a.
Except for the two metal plates 12, 12 located at both ends in the width direction, a through hole 30 for allowing a refrigerant to pass therethrough is formed.

The inlet tank portion 29 and the first intermediate tank portion 32, each of which is constructed as described above, and the plurality of linear flow paths 1 existing in the other half in the width direction of the core portion 11a.
The first core element 33 is constituted by 3 and the upstream half of the plurality of U-shaped flow paths 14 present in one half in the width direction of the core 11a. In addition, the inlet tank portion is aligned with the upper end of the leeward end portion in the other half in the width direction of the core portion 11a. It can also be provided only in the other half in the width direction of 11a. However, in that case, the downstream end of the refrigerant feed pipe 7 is connected to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the inlet tank.

The fourth tank spaces 26 aligned with each other at the lower end of the core 11a at the middle in the thickness direction.
Are connected to each other, and are provided at the downstream end of the U-shaped flow path 14 provided at each heat transfer tube element 15 existing at one half of the core portion 11a and at each heat transfer tube element 15 also provided at the other half. A second intermediate tank portion 36 is formed to communicate with the upstream end of the U-shaped flow path 14. Therefore, at the bottom of the fourth deep recess 19 formed in the metal plate 12 constituting each heat transfer tube element 15 of the core 11a, two metal plates 12 located at both ends in the width direction of the core 11a are provided. Except for 12, there is formed a through hole 30 through which the refrigerant passes.

The second intermediate tank 36 constructed as described above, and the downstream half of the plurality of U-shaped flow paths 14 existing in the widthwise half of the core 11a and in the thickness middle thereof. The second core element 34 is constituted by the upstream half of the plurality of U-shaped flow paths 14 existing at the middle in the thickness direction at the other half in the width direction of the core 11a.

The third tank space 25 and the fifth tank space 27, which are aligned with each other at the lower end of the windward end of the core portion 11a, communicate with each other to form the width of the core portion 11a. The downstream end of the U-shaped flow path 14 provided in each heat transfer tube element 15 existing in the other half in the direction and the upstream end of the linear flow path 13 provided in each heat transfer tube element 15 also existing in one half in the width direction. And a third intermediate tank portion 37 that communicates with the third intermediate tank portion 37. Therefore, one half of the core portion 11a in the width direction has a bottom portion of the third deep concave portion 18 formed in the metal plate 12 constituting each of the heat transfer tube elements 15, and the other half portion of the core portion 11a has a width in the width direction. Except for the two metal plates 12, 12 located at both ends in the width direction of the core 11 a, the refrigerant passes through the bottom of the fifth deep recess 20 formed in the metal plate 12 constituting each heat transfer tube element 15. A through hole 30 is formed.

Also, at one half in the width direction of the core portion 11a,
The first tank spaces 23 that are aligned with each other at the upper end of the windward end communicate with each other to form an outlet tank portion 38. For this reason, one half in the width direction of the core portion 11a is provided at the bottom of the first deep recess 16 formed in the metal plate 12 constituting each of the heat transfer tube elements 15 at the center in the width direction of the core portion 11a. Except for one metal plate 12 located, a through hole 30 for allowing a refrigerant to pass therethrough is formed. The through hole 30 is not formed at the bottom of the second deep concave portion 17 formed in the metal plate 12 constituting each heat transfer tube element 15 in the other half in the width direction of the core portion 11a. The upstream end of the refrigerant take-out pipe 8 is connected to one end of the outlet tank 38 in the length direction (the right end in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5) configured as described above. Therefore, the refrigerant that has reached the outlet tank section 38 passes through the refrigerant outlet 10 and the refrigerant outlet pipe 8.
To a compressor (not shown).

Then, the third intermediate tank portion 37 and the outlet tank portion 38, each of which is configured as described above, and a plurality of linear flow paths 1 existing in one half in the width direction of the core portion 11a.
The third core element 35 is constituted by 3 and the downstream half of the plurality of U-shaped flow paths 14 present in the other half in the width direction of the core 11a. In this example, the outlet tank portion 38 is constituted only by the first tank space 23 provided in each heat transfer tube element 15 constituting one half in the width direction of the core portion 11a. However, the first tank space 23 and the second tank space 24, which are aligned with each other at the upper end of the windward end of the core 11a, communicate with each other, so that the entire length of the core 11a in the width direction is established. An outlet tank section can be provided over a wide area. In this case, the upstream end of the refrigerant outlet pipe 8 is connected to the other longitudinal end of the outlet tank.

The evaporator 1a of the present invention configured as described above is used by being incorporated into an air conditioner for a vehicle.
When the evaporator 1a is used, a refrigerant in a liquid or gas-liquid mixed state discharged from a condenser (not shown) and also passed through an expansion valve (not shown) is supplied to the refrigerant feeding pipe 7.
Through the refrigerant inlet 9 and into the inlet tank 29. The refrigerant sent into the inlet tank portion 29 flows in the inlet tank portion 29 in the horizontal direction, as shown by the solid arrow A in FIGS. The refrigerant that has flowed in the horizontal direction in the inlet tank portion 29 in this manner is subsequently
As shown by solid arrows B and B in the same figure, the inside of each straight flow path 13 provided in the other half in the width direction of the core portion 11a is directed toward the first intermediate tank portion 32, and the outside of the core portion 11a. Flows while performing heat exchange with the air passing through.

The refrigerant that has flowed into the first intermediate tank 32 in this manner flows through the first intermediate tank 32.
After flowing in the horizontal direction as indicated by the solid line arrow c in the same figure, it is present in one half of the core 11a in the width direction, and its upstream end is connected to the downstream half of the first intermediate tank 32. As shown by dashed arrows d and d in the figure, each U-shaped flow path 14 flows while performing the above heat exchange, and reaches the second intermediate tank portion 36.

The refrigerant that has reached the inside of the second intermediate tank portion 36 flows in the second intermediate tank portion 36 in the horizontal direction as shown by a broken arrow E in FIG.
1a, the second intermediate tank 3
U-shaped flow path 1 having its upstream end connected to the downstream half of 6
4 flows while performing the above-mentioned heat exchange as indicated by broken arrows in FIG.

Then, the refrigerant having reached the third intermediate tank portion 37 flows in the third intermediate tank portion 37 in the horizontal direction as shown by a chain line arrow G in FIG.
1a, the third intermediate tank 3
Each linear flow path 1 having its upstream end connected to the downstream half of 7
3 flows while performing the above-mentioned heat exchange as shown by the dashed arrows in FIG. The refrigerant that has reached the inside of the outlet tank portion 38 in this manner flows in the horizontal direction as indicated by a chain line arrow in FIG. It is sent to the compressor inlet through the connected pipe.

The structure as described above, and the core portion 11 as described above
According to the evaporator 1a of the present invention, which exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside the core portion 11a and the air passing outside the core portion 11a and cools the air, the superheat region is used when the core portion 11a is used. It is possible to prevent the portion 11a from extending over the entire thickness direction. That is, in the superheat region, in the general use state of the evaporator 1a, the straight flow paths 13, 13 constituting the third core element 35 on the windward side are formed.
Is set in advance so that it exists only in a part of. When the superheat region is expanded when the evaporator 1a is used, the superheat region first expands in the plurality of straight flow paths 13 constituting the third core element 35, and then expands in the third heat path. Of the plurality of U-shaped flow paths 14, 14 constituting the core element 35. Then, after the superheat region has spread over almost the entire area of the plurality of flow paths 13 and 14 constituting the third core element 35, the plurality of flow paths 13 and 14 constituting the second core element 34. Range. Moreover, the superheat region extending to the second core element 34 in this way is the second core element 34
Unless it spreads over almost the entire area of the plurality of flow paths 13 and 14 provided in the first core element 33 on the leeward side, it does not reach the flow paths 13 and 14 provided. As described above, even when the superheat area is expanded, the third core element 35 provided on the windward side and the second core element 34 provided in the middle can sufficiently cope with the superheat area. Core part 11
a can be prevented over the entire thickness direction. Because of this,
The air passing through the core portion 11a is cooled substantially uniformly, and a cooling state that is comfortable for the occupant can be realized.

Further, in the case of the present invention, the third core element 35 on the relatively high temperature side is on the leeward side, and the first core element 33 on the relatively low temperature side is on the leeward side. The second core element 34 is located between the first and third core elements 33 and 35, respectively. Therefore, the temperature difference between the first to third core elements 33 to 35 and the air passing through the first to third core elements 33 to 35 is sufficiently secured from the windward side to the leeward side, The heat exchange between the core 11a and the air can be efficiently performed.

In addition, in the case of this example, each of the core elements 33
To 35 are sent to each of these core elements 33.
After flowing vertically through a plurality of flow paths 13 (or 14) provided in one half part (or the other half part in the width direction) of the core elements 33 to 35, the core elements 33 to 35 are provided at the lower ends thereof. Tank part 3
2, 36, 37, each of these tank portions 32, 36,
After flowing in the horizontal direction in the inside 37, each of the above core elements 33-3
5 vertically flows through a plurality of flow paths 14 (or 13) provided in the other half in the width direction (or one half in the width direction). As described above, in the case of the present example, the length of the flow path of the refrigerant flowing inside the core portion 11a can be increased.
Can sufficiently exchange heat with the air passing through the outside of the evaporator 1a, and can sufficiently secure the heat exchange performance of the evaporator 1a.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, each of the above core elements 33 to
35 and a plurality of linear flow paths 13 and a U-shaped flow path 1
4 is connected to the adjacent core elements 33 to 3 via a side tank or the like which does not contribute to cooling the air for air conditioning.
There is no need to communicate with each other. For this reason, the core 1
Heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside 1a and the air passing outside the core portion 11a can be efficiently performed.

Further, in the case of this example, the type of the heat transfer tube element 15 constituting the core portion 11a is one (the metal plate 12).
Are two types). As described above, the second deep recesses 17 of some of the metal plates 12 are made blind without forming the through holes 30. However, this is because only the step of punching the through holes 30 may be omitted. However, this does not lead to an increase in cost due to an increase in the types of the metal plates 12. Therefore, parts production, parts management, and assembling work are all easy, and the evaporator 1a
Cost can be reduced.

In the case of this embodiment, each of the heat transfer tube elements 15
At the upper end of the inlet tank portion 29 and the outlet tank portion 3
8, two first and second tank spaces 23,
24, three third to fifth tank spaces 25 to 27 for forming the intermediate tank portions 32, 36 and 37 are provided at the lower end of each heat transfer tube element 15. Provided. For this reason, in the case of this example, the diameter of the first and second tank spaces 23 and 24 is
5, 26, 27 can be larger than the diameter. Core part 11
The refrigerant flowing through the outlet tank 38 becomes gaseous in the outlet tank 38 and has a large volume.
It is preferable to increase the diameter of the evaporator 1a in order to reduce the pressure loss of the evaporator 1a. On the other hand, in this example, since the diameters of the first and second tank spaces 23 and 24 constituting the outlet tank portion 38 can be increased as described above, the pressure loss can be sufficiently reduced. If the diameter of the first tank space 23 forming the outlet tank portion 38 is made larger than the diameter of the first and second tank spaces 23 and 24 forming the inlet tank portion 29, the pressure loss is further reduced. Can be reduced.
However, in this case, there are two types of heat transfer tube elements constituting the core portion 11a.

Next, FIG. 6 corresponds to claim 1 only.
9 shows a second example of the embodiment of the present invention. The evaporator 1b of the present example is also a so-called laminated evaporator configured by laminating a plurality of metal plates (not shown) as in the case of the first example described above. However,
In the case of this example, unlike the case of the above-described first example, as a heat transfer tube element (not shown) for forming the core portion 11b,
The first to third tank spaces are formed at the upper end, and the fourth to sixth tank spaces are formed at the lower end.
The first and fourth tank spaces communicate with each other, the second and fifth tank spaces communicate with each other, and the third and sixth tank spaces communicate with each other at an intermediate portion of each of the heat transfer tube elements. The linear flow paths 13 and 13 to be formed are formed. Then, in a state where the heat transfer tube elements are overlapped via fins, the tank spaces facing each other are communicated with each other to form the inlet tank portion 29a.
, An outlet tank portion 38a, a plurality of intermediate tank portions 39,
39. These plural intermediate tank parts 3
End portions of some of the tank portions 39, 39 among the components 9, 39 communicate with each other via side tank portions 40, 40 provided at end portions in the width direction of the core portion 11b. The downstream end of the refrigerant supply pipe 7 is connected to the end of the inlet tank 29a located at the upper end of the core 11b on the leeward side, and the outlet tank 38 located at the lower end of the core 11b on the leeward side.
The upstream end of the refrigerant take-out pipe 8 is connected to the end of “a”.

The inlet tank 29a and the intermediate tank 3 are located on the leeward side of the core 11b.
9 and a plurality of linear flow paths 13, 13, constitute a first core element 33 a, and two upper and lower intermediate tank parts 3 respectively located at the middle part in the thickness direction of the core part 11 b.
An intermediate tank portion 39 and an outlet tank portion 38a, which constitute a second core element 34a by the components 9, 39 and the plurality of linear flow paths 13, 13 and are located on the windward side of the core portion 11b, respectively. , A plurality of straight flow paths 13, 13,
It constitutes the third core element 35a.

The evaporator 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above
In the use of b, the refrigerant sent into the first core element 33a exchanges heat with air passing outside the core portion 11b, while the second core element 34a
It flows sequentially through the third core element 35a. When the evaporator 1b is used, even if the superheat area expands, this area is prevented from extending over the entire thickness of the core 11b, and the air passing through the core 11a is sufficiently uniform. Can be cooled.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 and 4. Similarly to the case of the above-described second example, the evaporator 1c of the present example also includes first to third tank spaces at the upper end and a lower end as heat transfer tube elements (not shown) for forming the core 11c. And the fourth to sixth tank spaces are respectively formed. And, in the middle of each of these heat transfer tube elements,
A straight flow path 1 that allows the first tank space and the fourth tank space to communicate with each other, the second tank space and the fifth tank space with each other, and the third tank space and the sixth tank space with each other.
3 and 13 are formed. Then, in a state where the heat transfer tube elements are overlapped via fins, the respective tank spaces facing each other are communicated with each other, thereby forming an inlet tank portion 29b, an outlet tank portion 38b, and a plurality of intermediate tank portions. 39, 39. Also, a part of the plurality of intermediate tank portions 39, 39,
The end portions 39 communicate with each other via side tank portions 40, 40 provided at end portions in the width direction of the core portion 11c.

In particular, in the case of this example, an inlet-side flow path 41 communicating with the downstream end of the refrigerant feed pipe 7 is provided at the end of the inlet tank 29b located at the lower end of the leeward side of the core 11c.
An outlet-side flow path 42 communicating with the upstream end of the refrigerant take-out pipe 8 is connected to the end of the outlet tank 38b located at the upper end on the windward side of the core 11c. Then, a first core element 33b constituting the leeward end of the core portion 11c, a second core element 34b constituting the middle part in the thickness direction, and a third core constituting the leeward end also. And all the linear flow paths 1 constituting the core element 35b.
The refrigerant flows from the lower end toward the upper end inside 3, 3.

The evaporator 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above
In the case of c, since the refrigerant in a gas-liquid mixed state flows upward inside all the linear flow paths 13 constituting each of the core elements 33b, 34b, 35b, the liquid refrigerant is affected by gravity, It is easy to stay relatively long inside each of the straight flow paths 13. On the other hand, in the case of the above-described second example, all the linear flow paths 1 forming the core portion 11b are formed.
Since the refrigerant in the gas-liquid mixed state flows downward inside the inside of each of the linear flow paths 13 and 13 (FIG. 6),
It is hard to stay inside of 13. According to the evaporator 1c of this example, since the liquid refrigerant easily stays relatively long in all the straight flow paths 13 constituting the core portion 11c, the liquid refrigerant flowing inside the core portion 11c is used. The heat can be efficiently exchanged between the evaporator 1c and the air passing outside the core 11c, and the performance of the evaporator 1c can be further improved as compared with the case of the above-described second example. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described second example, and therefore, duplicate description will be omitted.

Each of the above-described examples has been described with respect to a so-called stacked evaporator in which a plurality of heat transfer tube elements are stacked to form a plurality of tank portions and flow paths. However,
The present invention is not limited to such a structure, and is applicable to a case where a plurality of tank portions and a flow path are configured by a plurality of tanks and tubes, which are members of different types, respectively. Can be. Further, in each of the above-described examples, the description has been given of the case where the refrigerant feed pipe and the refrigerant take-out pipe are connected to the width direction end of the core portion.
It can also be connected to the intermediate part in the width direction of the core part in a state of communicating with the inlet tank part or the outlet tank part.

[0048]

The evaporator according to the present invention is constructed and operates as described above. Therefore, even when the superheat area is expanded during use, the air passing through the core is cooled sufficiently and uniformly, so that the occupant can enjoy it. A comfortable cooling condition can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a flow state of a refrigerant in a first example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the flow state of the refrigerant in FIG. 1 in a slightly more specific manner.

3A and 3B show a heat transfer tube element constituting an evaporator, wherein FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view showing a state viewed from a side, and FIG.
(A) is a diagram viewed from the right side of (A).

4A and 4B show a metal plate constituting the heat transfer tube element shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4A shows the metal plate in the same direction as FIG. 3A; FIG. 4B shows the metal plate in the same direction as FIG. The figure which each saw.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective exploded perspective view for explaining a flow state of a refrigerant in the first example.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a flow state of a refrigerant in a second example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state of flow of a refrigerant in a third example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a flow state of a refrigerant in an example of a conventional structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Evaporator 2a Upstream flow path 2b Downstream flow path 3 First tank section 4 Second tank section 5 Third tank section 6 Fourth tank section 7 Refrigerant feed pipe 8 Refrigerant take-out pipe 9 Refrigerant feed port Reference Signs List 10 refrigerant outlet 11, 11a, 11b, 11c core 12 metal plate 13 linear flow path 14 U-shaped flow path 15 heat transfer tube element 16 first deep recess 17 second deep recess 18 third deep recess 19 fourth deep recess Reference Signs List 20 fifth deep recess 21 first shallow recess 22 second shallow recess 23 first tank space 24 second tank space 25 third tank space 26 fourth tank space 27 fifth tank space 28 protrusion 29, 29a, 29b inlet tank portion Reference Signs List 30 through-hole 31 fin 32 first intermediate tank portion 33, 33a, 33b first core element 34, 34a, 34b second core element 35, 35a, 35 b Third core element 36 Second intermediate tank section 37 Third intermediate tank section 38, 38a, 38b Outlet tank section 39 Intermediate tank section 40 Side tank section 41 Inlet side flow path 42 Outlet side flow path

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A core part comprising a plurality of heat transfer tube elements and fins having a flat flow path for flowing a refrigerant therein, a refrigerant feed port for feeding a refrigerant into the core part, A coolant outlet for taking out the coolant from the core portion, allowing the coolant to flow inside each of the heat transfer tube elements, and supplying air for air conditioning outside of each of the heat transfer tube elements to a thickness of the core portion. In the evaporator used in a state of passing in the vertical direction, the core portion includes a plurality of core elements each having a plurality of flat flow paths for flowing a refrigerant therein, and is arranged in three rows in series with respect to the flow direction of the air. Along with the above arrangement, a plurality of flow paths provided in each of these core elements are communicated with adjacent core elements, and the inside of the core element located at one end in the thickness direction of the core part through the refrigerant inlet. To The evaporator is characterized in that, after the introduced refrigerant flows through each core element in order, the refrigerant is taken out from the inside of the core element located at the other end in the thickness direction of the core through the refrigerant take-out port. . 2. After at least a part of the core element, the refrigerant sent into the core element flows through a plurality of flow paths provided in a part of the core element in a predetermined direction with respect to the vertical direction. After reaching a tank portion provided at the end in the vertical direction of the core element and flowing in the tank portion in the horizontal direction, it moves up and down in a plurality of flow paths provided in at least a part of the remaining portion of the core element. The evaporator according to claim 1, wherein the evaporator flows in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. 3. Each of the heat transfer tube elements is provided with first and second deep recesses provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of one side thereof independently of each other, and provided at the other end thereof independently of each other. The third, fourth and fifth deep recesses, the first shallow recess is also provided in the middle portion and communicates between the first and third deep recesses, and the first shallow recess is also in the middle portion. A pair of metal plates provided with an independent state and provided with a second shallow recess which is turned back 180 degrees in the middle and communicates the fourth and fifth deep recesses, with the respective recesses facing each other. By overlapping in the middle in the state and joining each other, the first tank space is formed in the portion where the first deep recesses are abutted, and the second tank space is formed in the portion where the second deep recesses are abutted. The third tank space is formed in a portion where the third deep recesses are abutted with each other. A fourth tank space at the portion where the fourth deep recesses are butted, a fifth tank space at the portion where the fifth deep recesses are butted, and a portion at which the first shallow recesses are butted. A linear flow path that connects the first and third tank spaces, and a U-shaped flow path that connects the fourth and fifth tank spaces to each other where the second shallow recesses abut each other. The core portion is a state in which the heat transfer tube elements are different from each other in the front and rear directions of a portion forming a portion closer to one end in the width direction of the core portion and a portion forming a portion closer to the other end. By overlapping each other via fins, the first, second, and third core elements are configured, and the first core element is provided at one end in the thickness direction of the core. Each of the above first The tank space, which communicates the tank spaces with each other, and the inside of which communicates with the refrigerant inlet, and the first intermediate tank unit, which similarly communicates the fifth tank space and the third tank space with each other, Are constituted by a plurality of straight flow paths and an upstream portion of the plurality of U-shaped flow paths present at one end in the thickness direction of the core part, and the second core element has a thickness of the core part. A second intermediate tank portion formed by mutually connecting the four tank spaces aligned with each other at the middle portion in the vertical direction, and a plurality of U-shaped flow passages each of which is located at the middle portion in the thickness direction of the core portion. And a plurality of other U-shaped flow paths, and the third core element is aligned with each other at the other end in the thickness direction of the core. Each of the above three tank spaces and each of the above fifth A third intermediate tank portion that connects the tank spaces to each other, a refrigerant outlet that also connects the first tank spaces to each other and communicates the interior of the first tank space to a refrigerant outlet, and each has a thickness of the core portion. 3. The evaporator according to claim 2, wherein the evaporator includes a plurality of straight flow paths present at the other end in the length direction and a downstream portion of the plurality of U-shaped flow paths. 4. 4. The refrigerant fed into each core element flows from the lower end to the upper end in all the flow paths except the flow path provided at the width direction end of each of the core elements. 2. The evaporator according to 1.