JP2015059732A - Heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat exchanger capable of preventing positional misalignment of a protection member for protecting a tube from solid objects coming flying toward the tube with respect to the tube.SOLUTION: A cover member 22 covers an upstream side edge 121a that is a part, upstream in an air flow direction, of an outer circumferential surface 121 of a tube 12 and is fixedly attached to the upstream side edge 121a, so that it is possible to prevent the positional misalignment of the cover member 22 with respect to the tube 12 and to protect the tube 12 from solid objects by means of the cover member 22 on an upstream side in the air flow direction, that is, a vehicle front side on which solid objects particularly come flying toward the tube 12. Namely, the tube 12 can be protected from chipping.

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat exchanger having a heat exchange tube.

  Conventionally, a heat exchanger having a tube for heat exchange is known. For example, this is the heat exchanger disclosed in Patent Document 1. The heat exchanger disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of tubes. And the fin which promotes heat exchange is also provided. In the heat exchanger, a liquid adhesive is filled between the tube and the fin. That is, the fin is fixed to the tube with the adhesive.

JP 2009-36428 A

  In a heat exchanger having a tube for heat exchange, such as the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1, it mixes with the air flowing around the tube of the heat exchanger, and fine solids fly toward the tube. There was a problem that an object might hit the tube. For example, when a heat exchanger is mounted in the engine room of a vehicle, solid tubes such as pebbles that are sprung up by traveling of the vehicle collide with the tube of the heat exchanger, and the tube is damaged. There was a problem of chipping.

  In order to solve this problem, the inventors have considered to provide a protective member for protecting the tube on the upstream side of the air flow, which is the side on which the solid matter comes to the tube. However, the protective member needs to protect the tube while preventing the air flow flowing around the tube as much as possible. Therefore, the protection member needs to be provided so as not to be displaced with respect to the tube.

  An object of this invention is to provide the heat exchanger which can prevent that the protection member which protects a tube from the solid substance which flies toward the tube from a position shifts with respect to a tube in view of the said point.

In order to achieve the above object, in the heat exchanger according to the first aspect of the present invention, the heat medium that exchanges heat with the surrounding air flows inside, and has an upstream side end (121a) on the upstream side of the air flow. A tube (12);
A protective member (22) is provided for covering the upstream side end, being fixed to the upstream side end, and protecting the tube from the incoming solid matter.

  According to the above-described invention, the protective member for protecting the tube from the flying solid matter covers the upstream side end of the tube and is fixed to the upstream side end. Position protection is prevented, and the tube is protected from the flying solid by the protective member on the upstream side of the air flow, which is the side where the solid is flying, that is, the side where the upstream side end is located. Can do.

  In addition, each code | symbol in the parenthesis described in this column and the claim respond | corresponds to each code | symbol described in embodiment mentioned later.

It is a whole block diagram of the heat exchanger 10 in 1st Embodiment. It is II-II sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a process of fixing a cover member 22 to an upstream side end 121a of a tube 12 in the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger 10 of FIG. It is the perspective view which expanded IV part in FIG. It is II-II sectional drawing of FIG. 1, Comprising: It is the figure showing the characteristic of the heat exchanger 10 of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing a first modification of the cross section of the tube 12. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing a second modification of the cross section of the tube 12. FIG. 2 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing a first modified example of a position where a cover member 22 is formed in the heat exchanger 10. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing a second modified example of a position where a cover member 22 is formed in the heat exchanger 10.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a heat exchanger 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. A heat exchanger 10 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted outside a passenger compartment, specifically, in an engine room in a vehicle. The heat exchanger 10 releases the heat of the engine cooling water to the outside air by exchanging heat between the engine cooling water for cooling the engine and the outside air. That is, the heat exchanger 10 is a vehicle heat exchanger, and engine cooling water is used as a heat medium. The cooling water in the heat exchanger 10 is circulated by, for example, an electric water pump (not shown).

  In FIG. 1, an arrow DR1 represents the vertical direction of the vehicle on which the heat exchanger 10 is mounted, that is, the vehicle vertical direction DR1, and the upper side in FIG. An arrow DR2 represents the left-right direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle width direction DR2. An arrow DR3 in FIG. 2 represents the front-rear direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle front-rear direction DR3, and the left side in FIG. 2 is the front side of the vehicle. The vehicle vertical direction DR1, the vehicle width direction DR2, and the vehicle longitudinal direction DR3 are orthogonal to each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat exchanger 10 includes a core portion 16 including a plurality of tubes 12 and fins 14, a first header tank 18 that is assembled and arranged at both ends of the core portion 16, and a pair of first header tanks 18. And a second header tank 20.

  Each of the plurality of tubes 12 has an outer peripheral surface 121 that forms the outer peripheral surface of the tube 12, and air, that is, outside air flows around the outer peripheral surface 121. In the tube 12, engine coolant, which is a fluid for exchanging heat with the outside air, flows through the tube 12. The tube 12 is a tube made of an aluminum alloy extending linearly in the vehicle width direction DR2, engine cooling water flows in the tube 12 in the vehicle width direction DR2, and outside air flows from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle along the vehicle longitudinal direction DR3. It flows to.

  Further, the cross section of the tube 12 orthogonal to the flow direction of the engine coolant, that is, the vehicle width direction DR2, has a flat shape extending in the vehicle front-rear direction DR3, which is the air flow direction, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of tubes 12 are stacked in the vehicle vertical direction DR1 orthogonal to the air flow direction, and are arranged in parallel to each other.

  The fin 14 is made of an aluminum alloy thin plate and is shaped so as to have a wave shape when viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction DR3. The fins 14 are joined to the flat surfaces on both sides of the tube 12 by, for example, brazing, and the heat of the engine cooling water flowing through the tube 12 and the air that is the external fluid is increased by increasing the heat transfer area with the air. Plays a role in facilitating exchanges. Further, in the vehicle longitudinal direction DR3, the width of the fin 14 shown in FIG. 2 is the same as or slightly larger than the width of the tube 12.

  One end of all the tubes 12 is connected to the first header tank 18 shown in FIG. 1, and the first header tank 18 has a shape extending in the stacking direction of the tubes 12, that is, the vehicle vertical direction DR1. Yes. Further, an internal space is formed in the first header tank 18, and the internal space communicates with all the tubes 12. The first header tank 18 includes an inlet 181 into which engine coolant flows.

  The second header tank 20 is configured symmetrically with respect to the first header tank 18 with the core portion 16 interposed therebetween. Specifically, the other ends of all the tubes 12 are connected to the second header tank 20, respectively, and the second header tank 20 has a shape extending in the vehicle vertical direction DR1. Further, an internal space is formed in the second header tank 20, and the internal space communicates with all the tubes 12. Further, the second header tank 20 includes an outlet portion 201 through which engine cooling water flows out.

  By configuring the heat exchanger 10 as described above, the engine coolant that has flowed into the first header tank 18 from the inlet 181 is distributed to the tubes 12 in the first header tank 18. The distributed engine coolant flows from the first header tank 18 side to the second header tank 20 side in each tube 12 and gathers in the second header tank 20. And it flows out of the heat exchanger 10 from the exit part 201. FIG.

  Moreover, the heat exchanger 10 is provided with the some cover member 22 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The cover member 22 is a protection member provided to protect the tube 12 from solid objects such as pebbles that are flipped up by traveling of the vehicle. Specifically, the cover member 22 is a protective member having a thickness capable of protecting the tube 12 from the solid matter. Since such solids fly exclusively to the heat exchanger 10 from the upstream side of the air flow, that is, from the front of the vehicle, the cover member 22 is the upstream portion 121a of the outer peripheral surface 121 of the tube 12 on the upstream side of the air flow. It is formed so as to cover the side end 121a. In short, the cover member 22 is disposed in front of the vehicle with respect to the tube 12. The cover member 22 is fixed to the upstream side end 121a of the tube 12 by, for example, adhesion.

  Further, in the stacking direction of the tubes 12, that is, the vehicle up-down direction DR1, the width of the cover member 22 is a short width that is the width of the tube 12 having a flat shape so as not to prevent the introduction of outside air between the tubes 12 as much as possible. It is the same as or slightly smaller than the diameter. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the front end portion 22 a on the upstream side of the air flow in the cover member 22 is rounded.

  The cover member 22 is made of a resin such as an acrylic resin, a silicon resin, a solvent volatile resin, a thermosetting resin, or a UV curable resin, that is, a polymer material. For example, as shown in FIGS. Formed. FIG. 3 is a view of the heat exchanger 10 viewed from the same direction as FIG. 1, and is a view for explaining a process of fixing the cover member 22 to the upstream side end 121 a (see FIG. 2) of the tube 12. is there. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion IV in FIG.

  First, in order to form the cover member 22, in the first step, a resin material 221 of the cover member 22 made of, for example, a highly viscous liquid resin is prepared. This resin material 221 is, for example, an adhesive. In the subsequent second step, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the resin material 221 of the cover member 22, that is, the fluid material 221 having fluidity, is upstream of each tube 12 of the core portion 16 over the entire length of the tube 12. It is applied on the side end 121a (see FIG. 2). At this time, for example, the dispenser nozzle 26 is used, and the dispenser nozzle 26 is fed in the longitudinal direction of the tube 12 as indicated by an arrow ARs in FIG. The material outflow amount that causes the resin material 221 to flow out from the dispenser nozzle 26 and the feed speed of the dispenser nozzle 26 are previously determined so that the cover member 22 formed on the upstream side end 121a protects the tube 12 from chipping. The thickness is adjusted to an appropriate thickness determined experimentally. In the present embodiment, cover members 22 are formed for all the tubes 12.

  In the subsequent third step, the resin material 221 applied on the upstream end 121a of the tube 12 is solidified. Thereby, the cover member 22 is completed. In the third step, the resin material 221 is heated as necessary in order to promote the solidification of the resin material 221.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cover member 22 covers the upstream side end 121a that is a portion of the outer peripheral surface 121 of the tube 12 on the upstream side of the air flow, and is fixed to the upstream side end 121a. Therefore, the cover member 22 is unlikely to be displaced with respect to the tube 12, and the tube 12 is covered from the solid material on the upstream side of the air flow, that is, the front side of the vehicle, which is the side on which the solid material comes exclusively from the tube 12. 22 can be protected. In short, the tube 12 can be protected from chipping.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, in the cross section of the cover member 22 as viewed from the flow direction of the engine cooling water, the distal end portion 22a of the cover member 22 is formed in a round shape. The outside air is easily guided to the gap, that is, the gap in which the fins 14 are provided.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the width of the cover member 22 is equal to or less than the width of the tube 12 in the stacking direction of the tubes 12, the tubes can be seen without narrowing the gap between the tubes 12 viewed from the front of the vehicle. It is difficult to prevent the introduction of outside air into the gap between the twelve.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the cover member 22 is obtained by applying the resin material 221 having fluidity on the upstream side end 121a of the tube 12 and solidifying it. Is configured as a separate member. Therefore, when the cover member 22 is damaged such as a crack, there is an advantage that the damage is not easily transmitted to the tube 12. Moreover, it is not necessary to change the structure of the tube 12 and the fin 14 compared with the structure without the cover member 22.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1 described above, and shows the characteristics of the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment. That is, FIG. 5 is a diagram of this embodiment corresponding to FIG. 2 of the first embodiment. The external appearance of the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment as viewed from the front of the vehicle is the same as that of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.

  As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 5 and 2, in this embodiment, the shape of the fin 14, specifically, the dimension of the fin 14 with respect to the tube 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction DR <b> 3 is the fin 14 of the first embodiment. Is different.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the vehicle longitudinal direction DR3, that is, in the air flow direction, the width dimension of the fin 14 is larger than the width dimension of the flat tube 12, that is, the major axis dimension. The end position of the fin 14 on the downstream side of the air flow in the air flow direction is the same as or substantially the same as the end position of the tube 12.

  On the other hand, the end position of the fin 14 on the upstream side of the air flow protrudes toward the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the end position of the tube 12 on the upstream side of the air flow. Furthermore, the protrusion amount Dwf of the fin 14 toward the air flow upstream side with respect to the tube 12 is larger than the thickness Tcv of the cover member 22 in the air flow direction. In short, the fin 14 protrudes to the upstream side of the air flow from the cover member 22 fixed to the upstream side end 121a of the tube 12 adjacent to the fin 14.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the fin 14 protrudes to the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the cover member 22 fixed to the upstream side end 121a of the tube 12 adjacent to the fin 14. In the step of applying the liquid resin material 221 (see FIG. 4) of the cover member 22 onto the upstream side end 121 a of the tube 12, the applied resin material 221 is applied to the upstream side end 121 a of the tube 12 by the fins 14. There is a merit that it is easy to be held on.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the cover member 22 is made of resin. However, the material of the cover member 22 is not limited, and other polymer materials such as rubber may be used. For example, when the cover member 22 is made of a soft material such as rubber or a soft resin, that is, when the hardness of the cover member 22 is lower than that of the tube 12, the cover member 22 has There is an advantage that the impact is not easily transmitted to the tube 12 when the solid object collides.

  The cover member 22 may be made of a low melting point metal such as solder. If comprised with such a metal, the cover member 22 is formed by solidifying the melted metal which is the material of the cover member 22 at the upstream side end 121a of the tube 12.

  (2) In the above-described embodiments, in the cross section of the tube 12 orthogonal to the flow direction of the engine cooling water, the upstream side end 121a of the tube 12 has a shape that swells toward the upstream side of the air flow. However, other shapes may be used. For example, the tube 12 may have a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG.

  6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, that is, a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1, and showing a first modification of the cross section of the tube 12. In the first modification, as shown in FIG. 6, the upstream side end 121a of the tube 12 has a planar shape perpendicular to the air flow direction. In other words, the upstream side end 121a of the tube 12 has a planar shape facing the upstream side of the air flow.

  7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, that is, a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and showing a second modification of the cross section of the tube 12. FIG. In the second modification, as shown in FIG. 7, the upstream side end 121a of the tube 12 has a shape recessed inward of the tube 12 in the air flow direction. In other words, in the cross section of the tube 12 as viewed from the flow direction of the engine cooling water, the upstream side end 121a of the tube 12 has a concave shape recessed inside the tube 12.

  In the step of applying the liquid resin material 221 (see FIG. 4) of the cover member 22 onto the upstream end 121a of the tube 12 by forming the cross-sectional shape of the tube 12 as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. There is an advantage that the resin material 221 can be easily held on the upstream side end 121a.

  (3) In each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover member 22 is provided over the entire length of the tube 12 in all the tubes 12 of the core portion 16. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9. In addition, a portion of the core portion 16 may be provided for the tube 12.

  FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, and is a view showing a first modification of a position where the cover member 22 is formed in the heat exchanger 10. In FIG. 8, the cover member 22 is provided over the entire length of the tube 12, but unlike FIG. 1, it is not provided in all the tubes 12, and is provided only for a part of the tubes 12 below the vehicle. ing.

  FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, and is a view showing a second modification of the position where the cover member 22 is formed in the heat exchanger 10. In FIG. 9, unlike FIG. 1, the cover member 22 is provided in a part of the entire length of some of the tubes 12 constituting the core portion 16. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cover member 22 may be provided at a necessary place in the heat exchanger 10.

  (4) In each of the embodiments described above, the flow of engine cooling water in the heat exchanger 10 is a cross flow in which the engine cooling water flows in the vehicle width direction DR2, but is not limited thereto. There may be a downflow that flows from top to bottom in the direction DR1.

  (5) In the second embodiment described above, the fin 14 protrudes more upstream than the cover member 22 fixed to the upstream end 121a of the tube 12, but protrudes more than the cover member 22. Instead, it may only protrude beyond the tube 12 toward the upstream side of the air flow. Even in such a case, in the step of applying the liquid resin material 221 (see FIG. 4) onto the upstream side end 121 a of the tube 12, the applied resin material 221 is upstream of the tube 12 by the fins 14. This is because a merit that it is easily held on the end 121a can be obtained to some extent.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, In the range described in the claim, it can change suitably. In each of the above-described embodiments, it is needless to say that elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential unless explicitly stated as essential and clearly considered essential in principle. Yes. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc. of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, it is clearly limited to a specific number when clearly indicated as essential and in principle. The number is not limited to the specific number except for the case. In each of the above embodiments, when referring to the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. of the constituent elements, etc., unless otherwise specified, or in principle limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, etc. The material, shape, positional relationship, etc. are not limited.

10 heat exchanger 12 tube 121 outer peripheral surface 121a upstream side end 22 cover member (protective member)

Claims (13)

A tube (12) having an upstream end (121a) on the upstream side of the air flow, and a heat medium that exchanges heat with the air flowing around,
A heat exchanger comprising: a protection member (22) that covers the upstream side end, is fixed to the upstream side end, and protects the tube from incoming solids. The protective member has a tip (22a) on the upstream side of the air flow,
2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein in the cross section of the protection member as viewed from the flow direction of the heat medium, the tip portion is formed to be round.   3. The heat exchange according to claim 1, wherein when viewed from the air flow direction, the width of the protection member is equal to or less than the width of the tube in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the heat medium. vessel.   The heat exchange according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upstream side end has a planar shape facing the upstream side of the air flow or a concave shape recessed inside the tube. vessel. Fins that facilitate heat exchange between the heat medium and air when viewed from the air flow direction are provided on both sides of the tube,
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fin protrudes upstream of the tube from the air flow. Fins that facilitate heat exchange between the heat medium and air when viewed from the air flow direction are provided on both sides of the tube,
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fin protrudes upstream of the protective member in the air flow direction.   7. The protective member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the protective member is made of a fluidized material (221) having fluidity and applied to the upstream side end. The described heat exchanger. A plurality of the tubes are provided,
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protective member is fixed to the upstream side end of some of the plurality of tubes. .   The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the protective member is fixed to the upstream side end in a part of the entire length of the tube.   The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the protective member is made of a polymer material.   10. The protective member according to claim 1, wherein the protective member is made of any one of an acrylic resin, a silicon resin, a solvent volatile resin, a thermosetting resin, and a UV curable resin. The heat exchanger as described in.   The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the protective member is made of metal. A heat exchanger disposed outside a passenger compartment in a vehicle,
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the protection member is disposed on the vehicle front side with respect to the tube.

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