JP2010112674A - Heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat exchanger enabling to instal an antibacterial member inexpensively without using a dedicated fixation member, preventing decline in heat exchange efficiency due to the installation of the antibacterial member, and maintaining high design flexibility. <P>SOLUTION: The heat exchanger includes a heat release member at least having a plurality of tubes which are arranged to form a planar shape and where a heat exchange medium is made to flow, a water absorbing sheet base material for holding an antibacterial component is partially attached to the heat release member, and the antibacterial component is diffused along the surface of the heat release member via moisture adsorbed in the water absorbing sheet base material. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and in particular, an antibacterial member can be installed at a low cost without using a dedicated fixing member, the heat exchange efficiency is not lowered by the installation of the antibacterial member, and the degree of freedom in design. It is related with the heat exchanger which can maintain high.

In heat exchangers, particularly heat exchangers such as evaporators provided in air passages in air conditioners, various methods for preventing the generation of bacteria and fungi have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, an antibacterial member impregnated with an antibacterial and antifungal agent is provided at the upper end of the heat exchanger, and the antibacterial component is dissolved by the condensed water generated on the surface of the antibacterial member. Has disclosed an antibacterial function by flowing down the surface of the heat exchanger.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-361031

  However, in the heat exchanger disclosed in Patent Document 1, the installation site of the antibacterial member is limited only to the upper end portion of the heat exchanger, and the installation of the antibacterial member allows a degree of freedom in designing the entire heat exchanger. There is concern that it will decline. In addition, in the embodiment disclosed in Patent Document 1, a dedicated locking claw and a heat conduction plate for fixing the antibacterial member are provided, which may cause an increase in parts cost and assembly cost. There was a problem that it was difficult to reduce the size and weight of the heat exchanger.

  Therefore, the problem of the present invention is that the antibacterial member can be installed at low cost without using a dedicated fixing member, and even if a decrease in heat exchange efficiency due to the installation of the antibacterial member occurs, it is minimized and designed. Is to provide a heat exchanger that can maintain a high degree of freedom at a level substantially the same as that of the prior art without an antibacterial member.

  In order to solve the above problems, a heat exchanger according to the present invention is a heat exchanger having a heat radiating member including at least a plurality of tubes arranged in a planar shape and through which a heat exchange medium flows, and holds an antibacterial component A water-absorbing sheet base material that is partially attached to the heat-dissipating member, and the antibacterial component can be diffused along the surface of the heat-dissipating member through the water absorbed by the water-absorbing sheet base material It consists of what is characterized by.

  According to such a heat exchanger, since the water-absorbent sheet base material capable of easily absorbing and releasing moisture is used as a member for holding the antimicrobial component, the antimicrobial component is temporarily absorbed into the moisture. After the elution, the moisture can be quickly released to the outside of the sheet, and the antibacterial component is quickly diffused over a wide area along the surface of the heat dissipation member. In addition, since the release of moisture is easy, the antibacterial component-containing moisture is sequentially released after the antibacterial component is eluted in the water absorbed in the water absorbent sheet substrate. It does not need to be configured as a large-area member having a large moisture retention function, and may be partially installed at a site that does not affect the heat exchange performance. Therefore, a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger itself is prevented, or even if the decrease in the heat exchange efficiency is minimized.

  Since the water-absorbent sheet base material according to the present invention can easily absorb and release moisture, the antibacterial component can be diffused in various forms. For example, when a film-like water layer is formed on the surface of the heat radiating member and a part of the water layer is in contact with the water absorbent sheet base material, the antibacterial component is eluted and diffused into the water layer, and the effect of the antibacterial component Is exerted on the entire water layer. In addition, when a water flow path is formed on the surface of the heat radiating member, by arranging the water absorbent sheet base material upstream, a flow path in which water from which the antibacterial component is eluted is formed on the surface of the heat radiating member is formed. The antibacterial component is diffused on the surface of the heat dissipation member. The water flow that passes through the flow path may be a continuous water flow or a discrete water flow (for example, a water droplet that drops intermittently on the surface of the heat dissipation member).

  Since the water-absorbent sheet base material according to the present invention can realize the diffusion of the antibacterial component in various forms as described above, it is possible to select an installation method according to the utilization form of the heat exchanger. In addition, since it is in the form of a sheet, the installation space can be small, and processing into a size and shape corresponding to the installation site is easy, and the degree of freedom in designing the heat exchanger is not installed with conventional antibacterial members As a result, it is possible to maintain the same high level as in the above, and an increase in manufacturing cost due to the installation of the water-absorbent sheet base material and influence on peripheral equipment of the heat exchanger are suppressed.

  In the water absorbent sheet substrate according to the present invention, the moisture for diffusing the antibacterial component is not particularly limited, but condensed water condensed on the surface of the heat radiating member can be used. By diffusing the antibacterial component using the flow path of the condensed water, it is not necessary to newly provide a channel for the diffusion of the antibacterial component, and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the heat exchanger is suppressed.

  The water absorbent sheet base material according to the present invention is not particularly limited with respect to the installation form. For example, when the water absorbent sheet substrate is partially attached to the tube arrangement surface that is a heat dissipation member, the water absorbent sheet substrate may be fixed on the tube arrangement surface by adhesion or fastening, A fixing member for fixing to the tube array surface may be used. However, from the viewpoint of ease of installation work and cost reduction of parts, it is preferable that the water-absorbent sheet base material is attached non-joined to the tube arrangement surface without adding a dedicated fixing member. . As such an installation form, for example, in a heat exchanger in which a heat insulating seal member is provided near the end portion of the tube arrangement surface, a water absorbent sheet base material is interposed between the heat insulating seal member and the tube. The form etc. are mentioned.

  Further, the heat dissipation member according to the present invention is not limited to the plurality of tubes. For example, an end plate provided at an end portion in the tube arrangement direction, a header to which end portions of the plurality of tubes are connected, and between the tubes. A provided fin or the like may be included. In such a heat radiating member other than the tube, it is preferable that the water-absorbent sheet base material is non-bonded to the heat radiating member without adding a dedicated fixing member as described above. As such an installation form, for example, in a heat exchanger in which an end plate is provided as a heat radiating member at an end portion in the tube arrangement direction, and a seal member is disposed on at least a part of the surface of the end plate, Examples include a form in which a water-absorbent sheet base material is interposed between the end plate and the end plate.

  The installation site | part of the water absorbing sheet base material which concerns on this invention is not specifically limited. For example, when the water-absorbent sheet base material is disposed at the lower end of the heat exchanger, as described above, it is possible to achieve the upward diffusion of the antibacterial component through the water layer formed on the surface of the tube. . In addition, a water-absorbing sheet base material is disposed at the upper end of the heat exchanger, and as described above, the moisture channel formed on the surface of the tube (for example, intermittently dripping water droplets) is a diffusion path for antibacterial components. It is also possible to use as.

  Although the raw material of the water-absorbent sheet base material according to the present invention is not particularly limited, it is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric or a mesh from the viewpoint of being excellent in moisture absorption and release.

  The water-absorbent sheet base material may have, for example, a configuration in which at least two water-absorbent sheet materials are laminated, and an antibacterial sheet holding an antibacterial component is interposed between the laminated water-absorbent sheet materials. it can. Since such a structure can be composed only of a water absorbent sheet material and an antibacterial sheet, the production is easy, and the production cost, processing cost, and part cost of the water absorbent sheet base material can be reduced.

  Although it does not specifically limit as an antimicrobial component which concerns on this invention, For example, an inorganic type antimicrobial component, an organic type antimicrobial component, a natural type antimicrobial component, etc. are mentioned.

  Although it does not specifically limit as said inorganic type antibacterial component, For example, the compound which consists of metal ions, such as Ag, Cu, Zn, Ti, or those metal ions, is mentioned. By using these inorganic antibacterial components, it is possible to realize a water-absorbent sheet base material that has little influence on the human body and is excellent in safety. Moreover, the above-mentioned metal ion has high solubility in water, and can quickly diffuse the antibacterial component to the surface of the tube.

  The organic antibacterial component is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include pyridione and thiabendazole. Since these organic antibacterial components can be chemically synthesized, they are inexpensive, and the production cost of the water-absorbent sheet base material can be reduced.

  Although it does not specifically limit as said natural type antibacterial component, For example, catechin, chitosan, allyl isothiocyanate, ozone etc. are mentioned. These natural antibacterial components have little influence on the human body and the environment, and in particular, it is possible to realize a water-absorbent sheet base material with a low environmental load. Examples of the method for holding ozone include a method in which ozone-dissolved water is absorbed by a water-absorbent sheet base material and held.

  The use of the heat exchanger according to the present invention is not particularly limited, but is suitable for application to an evaporator provided in a refrigeration circuit where condensed water is condensed on the surface of the tube during heat exchange. It is suitable as an evaporator provided in a refrigeration circuit for a vehicle air conditioner, which requires severe installation space restrictions and requires a high degree of design freedom.

  Thus, according to the heat exchanger according to the present invention, a heat exchanger capable of providing an antibacterial function while maintaining a degree of design freedom can be realized at low cost.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, in a heat exchanger in which a heat insulating seal member is provided in the vicinity of the end of the tube arrangement surface, It shows a structure in which a water-absorbent sheet base material is interposed non-joined between the tube. In FIG. 1 (A), a water absorbent sheet base material is provided at the lower end portion of the heat exchanger, and in FIG. 1 (B), at the upper end portion of the heat exchanger.

  In FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 1 includes a plurality of tubes 2 that are arranged in a plane and through which a heat exchange medium flows, and two headers 3 to which ends of the plurality of tubes are connected, One of the headers 3 is provided with a heat exchange medium introduction path 4 and a lead-out path 5. A heat insulating seal member 6 is provided on the vicinity of the end portion of the tube 2 arrangement surface and the outer peripheral surface of the header 3, and the water absorbent sheet base material 7 is non-joint between the heat insulating seal member 6 and the tube 2. Is intervened.

  FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a heat insulating seal member is provided in the vicinity of the end of the tube arrangement surface, and the end plate 11 is provided at the end of the tube 2 arrangement direction. Is provided, and an example of application to a heat exchanger in which a seal member 12 is disposed with respect to an end plate 11 is shown. In FIG. 2, a water absorbent sheet member 7 a is provided between the heat insulating seal member 6 a provided at the lower portion of the heat exchanger 1 and the lower end portion of the tube 2, and the heat insulating seal member 6 b provided at the upper portion of the heat exchanger 1. A water absorbent sheet member 7b is interposed between the upper ends of the tubes 2, and a water absorbent sheet member 7c is interposed between the seal member 12 and the end plate 11 in a non-joint manner. Since other structures are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the water absorbent sheet base material 7 may be partially attached to each of the plurality of heat radiating members so that the antibacterial function can be exerted on the plurality of heat radiating members. As described above, the water-absorbent sheet base material 7 can be easily processed into a size and shape corresponding to the installation site, and is space-saving, so that the design flexibility of the heat exchanger 1 is maintained at a high level. It is possible to install the water absorbent sheet base material 7 at a plurality of locations, and the increase in manufacturing cost and the influence on the peripheral equipment of the heat exchanger 1 due to the installation of the water absorbent sheet base material 7 are suppressed to the minimum.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic longitudinal section in the vicinity of the lower end of the tube of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 1 (A), and particularly shows the operation of the heat exchanger provided as an evaporator in the refrigeration circuit. Yes. In the heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 3, a heat insulating seal member 6 is provided near the lower end of the tube 2, and a water absorbent sheet base material 7 is interposed between the tube 2 and the heat insulating seal member 6. When the heat exchanger 1 as an evaporator is operated, the tube 2 is cooled by the evaporation heat of the refrigerant (heat exchange medium) flowing through the tube 2 and heat exchange with the air passing through the tube 2 (air cooling). And the condensed water 8 may be condensed on the surface of the tube 2. Since the condensed water 8 is cooled and does not easily evaporate, when the amount of condensation increases, a film-like water layer 9 made of the condensed water 8 is formed on the surface of the tube 2. When the water layer 9 develops and its area widens, and the lower end of the water layer 9 comes into contact with the water absorbent sheet base material 7, the antibacterial component 10 held on the water absorbent sheet base material 7 is eluted into the water layer 9. And diffused to the surface of the tube 2. When the antibacterial component 10 is non-volatile, when the heat exchanger 1 stops and the condensed water 8 and the water layer 9 evaporate, the diffused antibacterial component 10 remains on the surface of the tube 2, and the heat exchanger 1 When the water layer 9 composed of the condensed water 8 is formed by operating again, it is diffused again to the surface of the tube 2. Therefore, by using a non-volatile and chemically stable component as the antibacterial component 10, the antibacterial component 10 is maintained on the surface of the tube 2, and a continuous antibacterial function can be exhibited over the entire surface of the tube 2.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic longitudinal section in the vicinity of the upper end of the tube of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 1 (B), and particularly shows the operation of the heat exchanger provided as an evaporator in the refrigeration circuit. Yes. In the heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 4, a heat insulating seal member 6 is provided in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the tube 2, and a water absorbent sheet base material 7 is interposed between the tube 2 and the heat insulating seal member 6. When the heat exchanger 1 as an evaporator is operated, the tube 2 is cooled by the evaporation heat of the refrigerant flowing through the tube 2, and the condensed water 8 may be condensed on the surface of the tube 2. When the condensed water 8 condensed in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the tube 2 comes into contact with the water absorbent sheet base material 7, the antibacterial component held by the water absorbent sheet base material 7 is eluted into the condensed water 8. Since the water absorbent sheet base material 7 is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the tube 2 and can easily release moisture, the condensed water 8a containing the antibacterial component 10 is separated from the water absorbent sheet base material 7 by gravity. The antibacterial component 10 is quickly released and dropped on the surface of the tube 2 downward, and the antimicrobial component 10 is diffused over the entire surface of the tube 2. As in the case of FIG. 2 described above, when the antibacterial component 10 is non-volatile, the diffused antibacterial component 10 remains on the surface of the tube 2 by evaporation of the condensed water 8a. Therefore, by using a non-volatile and chemically stable component as the antibacterial component 10, the antibacterial component 10 is maintained on the surface of the tube 2, and a continuous antibacterial function can be exhibited over the entire surface of the tube 2.

  The present invention can be applied to all kinds of heat exchangers, and is particularly suitable for use as an evaporator provided in a refrigeration circuit.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 (A) shows a heat exchanger in which a water absorbent sheet base material is provided at the lower end, and FIG. 1 (B) shows water absorbency. The heat exchanger in which the sheet | seat base material was provided in the upper end part is each shown. 1 shows a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger shown to FIG. 1 (A). It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG.1 (B).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat exchanger 2 Tube 3 Header 4 Introductory path 5 Outlet path 6 Heat insulation seal member 7 Water absorbing sheet base material 8 Condensed water 8a Condensed water containing antimicrobial component 9 Water layer 10 Antimicrobial component 11 End plate 12 Seal member

Claims (11)

  In a heat exchanger comprising a heat dissipating member including a plurality of tubes arranged in at least a plane and through which a heat exchanging medium circulates, a water-absorbing sheet base material holding an antibacterial component is partially attached to the heat dissipating member, A heat exchanger configured to be able to diffuse the antibacterial component along the surface of the heat radiating member through moisture absorbed by the water absorbent sheet base material.   The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the antibacterial component is diffused on the surface of the heat radiating member by mediating condensed water condensed on the surface of the heat radiating member.   The heat-insulating seal member is provided at least in the vicinity of the end of the tube arrangement surface, and the water-absorbent sheet base material is interposed between the heat-insulating seal member and the tube. Heat exchanger.   The heat dissipating member includes an end plate provided at an end portion in the tube arrangement direction, a seal member is disposed on at least a part of the surface of the end plate, and the water absorbing property is provided between the seal member and the end plate. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a sheet base material is interposed.   The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water absorbent sheet base material is provided at least at a lower end portion of the heat exchanger.   The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the water absorbent sheet base material is provided at least at an upper end portion of the heat exchanger.   The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the water absorbent sheet substrate is made of a nonwoven fabric or a mesh.   The water-absorbent sheet base material has a laminated structure of at least two water-absorbent sheet materials, and an antibacterial sheet that holds the antibacterial component is interposed between the water-absorbent sheet materials. The heat exchanger in any one.   The antibacterial component contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cu, Zn, Ti, pyridione, thiabendazole, catechin, chitosan, allyl isothiocyanate, and ozone. The heat exchanger in any one.   The heat exchanger in any one of Claims 1-9 which consists of an evaporator provided in a refrigerating circuit. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, comprising an evaporator provided in a refrigeration circuit for a vehicle air conditioner.

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