JP6986431B2 - Oil cooler - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a so-called multi-plate laminated oil cooler used for cooling, for example, lubricating oil for an internal combustion engine or hydraulic oil for an automatic transmission.

In recent years, in automobiles, in addition to the heat exchanger of oil for engines, the heat exchanger of oil for transmissions, and the heat exchanger of oil for cooling motors in hybrid vehicles, etc., are used in one vehicle to cool various oils. Many heat exchangers may be used.

Further, from the viewpoint of effective use of heat, various heat exchangers are often installed, such as having a multi-system circuit even in one medium.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes two types of cooled media and one type of refrigerant in a plate laminate as a heat exchange section for the purpose of improving mountability such as simplification of oil piping and effective use of space. A heat exchanger that exchanges heat between them is disclosed.

In the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1, a first fluid passage through which the refrigerant flows and a second fluid passage and a third fluid passage through which the cooled medium flows independently of each other are formed in the plate stack. The second fluid passage is formed on the upper layer side of the plate laminate. The third fluid passage is formed on the lower layer side of the plate laminate.

The refrigerant introduced into the plate laminate flows along the stacking direction of the plate laminate (the direction in which the plates are stacked), then changes the flow direction in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the plate laminate, and then changes the flow direction. Flows along the stacking direction of the plate and is discharged from the plate laminate. That is, the first fluid passage has a plurality of upper layer side passage portions that branch within the plate stack and exchange heat with the second fluid passage on the upper layer side, and a plurality of lower layers that exchange heat with the third fluid passage on the lower layer side. The side passage portion and the side passage portion are connected in parallel.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-20299

However, in a heat exchanger as disclosed in Patent Document 1 that forms a fluid passage between the plates of the plate laminate, one system of cooling medium flow paths and two systems of cooled media are provided in the plate laminate. It is necessary to form the flow path independently of each other, and there is a possibility that the flow path configuration formed in the plate laminate is restricted.

Further, in the conventional heat exchanger disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the amount of heat exchanged is increased, the number of plates to be laminated is increased. However, as the number of stacked plates increases, the pressure loss decreases and the flow velocity of the fluid flowing between the plates decreases. Therefore, even if the number of stacked plates is increased, the effect of increasing the exchange heat amount corresponding to the number is expected. You can't.

As described above, in the conventional heat exchanger, there is room for further improvement in improving the degree of freedom in setting the flow path configuration inside the heat exchanger and improving the heat exchange efficiency.

The present invention relates to an oil cooler having a heat exchange unit in which a large number of core plates are laminated and an inter-plate oil flow path through which oil flows and an inter-plate fluid flow path through which a fluid flows are alternately configured. It penetrates the exchange section in the core plate stacking direction and is sandwiched between the fluid passage through which the oil or refrigerant introduced into the heat exchange section flows and the core plate at an intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction of the heat exchange section. It has an intermediate plate that divides the fluid passage into a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, and the oil path in the heat exchange section through which the oil flows cores a flow along a direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction. By changing the direction of the flow along the plate stacking direction or changing the direction of the flow along the core plate stacking direction to the flow along the direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction, the above oil becomes the inter-plate oil. with flow in the direction orthogonal to the flow path to the core plate laminating direction, are formed so as to be flow in the core plate laminating direction while a U-turn to a different plate between the oil passages, the heat exchanger, the first fluid passage It is characterized in that different fluids flow through the second fluid passage.

According to the present invention, by forming an oil path and a refrigerant path using a fluid passage, the oil introduction portion and the oil discharge portion are integrated at one end in the core plate stacking direction or divided into both sides. This can be easily carried out without being restricted by the refrigerant path.

Further, the oil path and the refrigerant path are formed so as to flow in the core plate stacking direction as a whole while changing the flow direction in the heat exchange portion in the direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction and making a U-turn. A large amount of heat exchange between the oil and the refrigerant can be secured with a small number of core plates while suppressing the decrease.

That is, it is possible to further improve the degree of freedom in setting the flow path configuration in the heat exchange unit and the heat exchange efficiency.

An exploded perspective view of the oil cooler according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The plan view of the oil cooler in 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. A perspective view showing a part of the fin plate in an enlarged manner. An exploded perspective view of an oil cooler according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The plan view of the oil cooler in the 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, terms such as "top", "bottom", "top", and "bottom" are used with reference to the posture of FIG. 1, but the present invention is limited thereto. is not it.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the oil cooler 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the oil cooler 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

The oil cooler 1, which is a heat exchanger, cools two independent oil flows with one refrigerant flow, for example, the engine oil of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle and the vehicle. It cools the transmission oil of the mounted transmission.

The oil cooler 1 has a heat exchange unit 2 that exchanges heat between the first oil and the second oil and cooling water as a refrigerant, and a relatively thick plate-like shape attached to the upper surface of the heat exchange unit 2. It is roughly composed of a top plate 3 and a plate-shaped bottom plate 4 which is relatively thick and has sufficient rigidity and is attached to the lower surface of the heat exchange portion 2.

In the heat exchange unit 2, a large number of first core plates 6 having a common basic shape and a large number of second core plates 7 are alternately laminated, and between the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7. , The inter-plate oil flow path 9 and the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 (inter-plate refrigerant flow path) are alternately configured. The inter-plate oil flow path 9 has a predetermined height in the flow path along the core plate stacking direction (vertical direction), and is a flow path along the core plate stacking direction of the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10. It is set to be higher than the height. In other words, in the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7, the heights of the flow paths of the inter-plate oil flow path 9 and the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 along the core plate stacking direction are predetermined heights, respectively. Is set to.

In the oil cooler 1, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, nine inter-plate oil flow paths 9 and eight inter-plate cooling water flow paths 10 are formed in the heat exchange unit 2.

In the illustrated example, an interplate oil flow path 9 is formed between the lower surface of the first core plate 6 and the upper surface of the second core plate 7, and the upper surface of the first core plate 6 and the lower surface of the second core plate 7 are formed. An inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 is configured between the plates. A substantially square fin plate 8 is arranged in each plate-to-plate oil flow path 9.

Further, in this embodiment, of the nine inter-plate oil flow paths 9, one inter-plate oil flow path 9a located at an intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction is replaced with a fin plate 8 and is in the middle of a thin plate shape. The plate 5 is arranged. In other words, the intermediate plate 5 is sandwiched between the first core plate 6a and the second core plate 7a at an intermediate position in the plate stacking direction of the heat exchange portion 2.

A large number of first and second core plates 6 and 7, a top plate 3, a bottom plate 4, a large number of fin plates 8 and an intermediate plate 5 are joined together by brazing and integrated. Specifically, each of these parts is formed by using a so-called clad material in which a brazing material layer is coated on the surface of an aluminum alloy base material, and each part is temporarily assembled in a predetermined position and heated in a furnace. By doing so, it is brazed integrally.

The first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7 located at the uppermost portion and the lowermost portion of the heat exchange portion 2 are located at the intermediate portion of the heat exchange portion 2 due to the relationship with the top plate 3 and the bottom plate 4. It has a slightly different configuration from the general first core plate 6 and second core plate 7.

The fin plate 8 in FIG. 1 is schematically drawn, and is formed as, for example, an offset type corrugated fin as shown in FIG.

That is, the fin plate 8 is a corrugated fin formed by bending one base material into a rectangular or U-shape at regular pitch intervals, and is particularly from an offset type corrugated fin in which the corrugated positions are displaced by half a pitch for each width. It has become.

The oil cooler 1 has a first oil introduction portion 17 as a first oil introduction port for introducing the first oil and a first oil for discharging the first oil at the upper end which is one end in the core plate stacking direction. It has a first oil discharge unit 18 as a discharge port.

Further, the oil cooler 1 has a cooling water introduction unit 19 as a refrigerant introduction port for introducing cooling water and a cooling water discharge port as a refrigerant discharge port for discharging cooling water at the upper end which is one end in the core plate stacking direction. It has a part 20.

The first oil introduction unit 17, the first oil discharge unit 18, the cooling water introduction unit 19, and the cooling water discharge unit 20 are formed at four corners of a substantially square top plate 3.

More specifically, the first oil introduction portion 17 and the first oil discharge portion 18 are located on the outer edge of the top plate and are formed on the diagonal line of the top plate which is symmetrical with respect to the center of the top plate. Further, the cooling water introduction portion 19 and the cooling water discharge portion 20 are located on the outer edge of the top plate and are formed on the diagonal line of the top plate which is symmetrical with the center of the top plate in between. The cooling water introduction unit 19 and the cooling water discharge unit 20 are formed on a diagonal top plate different from the first oil introduction unit 17 and the first oil discharge unit 18.

Further, the top plate 3 is formed with a passage portion 3a recessed so as to be convex toward the outside (upper side) along the diagonal line where the first oil introduction portion 17 and the first oil discharge portion 18 are located. Has been done. The passage portion 3a provides a space for oil flow between the first core plate 6 located at the uppermost portion of the heat exchange portion 2 and the upper end of the fluid return passage 24 described later and the first oil discharge portion 18. It is what forms.

Then, the oil cooler 1 discharges the second oil introduction portion 21 as the second oil introduction port for introducing the second oil and the second oil to the lower end which is the end portion on one side in the core plate stacking direction. It has a second oil discharge unit 22 as an oil discharge port.

The second oil introduction portion 21 is formed in one of the four corners of the bottom plate 4. The second oil discharge portion 22 is formed in the center of the bottom plate 4.

The bottom plate 4 is attached to a cylinder block or the like (not shown) via a gasket or the like (not shown) that can seal the periphery of the second oil introduction portion 21 and the second oil discharge portion 22.

41 in FIG. 1 is a cooling water introduction pipe connected to the cooling water introduction unit 19, and 42 in FIG. 1 is a cooling water discharge pipe connected to the cooling water discharge unit 20.

Further, 43 in FIG. 1 is a first oil introduction pipe connected to the first oil introduction unit 17, and 44 in FIG. 1 is a first oil discharge pipe connected to the first oil discharge unit 18. be.

The first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7 are press-molded from a thin base metal of an aluminum alloy, and form a substantially square shape as a whole, and have three oil passage holes 15 and two cooling water passage holes 16. have.

The oil passage hole 15 is composed of a first oil passage hole 25 located in the center of the core plate and a pair of second oil passage holes 26 located on the diagonal line of the core plate symmetrical with respect to the first oil passage hole 25. It has become.

The first oil passage hole 25 constitutes a fluid return passage 24 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) as a fluid passage that penetrates the heat exchange portion 2 in the core plate stacking direction and communicates with the first oil discharge portion 18. It is a thing. That is, the fluid return passage 24 is configured by utilizing the first oil passage hole 25 which is a through hole formed in the center of the core plates 6 and 7.

The second oil passage hole 26 is located on the outer edge of the core plate.

Further, in the second core plate 7 adjacent above the first core plate 6a at the intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction, one of the pair of second oil passage holes 26 is closed to form an oil blocking portion 27. There is.

28 in FIGS. 1 and 3 is an oil blocking portion in which one of a pair of second oil passage holes 26 of the second core plate 7 located above the second core plate 7 having the oil blocking portion 27 is closed.

29 in FIGS. 1 and 3 is an oil blocking portion in which one of a pair of second oil passage holes 26 of the second core plate 7 located below the second core plate 7 having the oil blocking portion 27 is closed.

In the oil cooler 1 of the first embodiment, the oil closing portions 27 and 29 are located directly below the first oil discharging portion 18.

In the oil cooler 1 of the first embodiment, the oil closing portion 28 is located directly below the first oil introducing portion 17.

The cooling water passage hole 16 is located on the outer edge of the core plate and is formed from the first cooling water passage hole 31 and the second cooling water passage hole 32 formed on the diagonal line of the core plate which are symmetrical with respect to the center of the core plate. It has become. The cooling water passage hole 16 is formed on a diagonal line of the core plate, which is different from the oil passage hole 15.

In the heat exchange section 2, the first cooling water passage hole 31 is located directly below the cooling water introduction section 19. In the heat exchange unit 2, the second cooling water passage hole 32 is located directly below the cooling water discharge unit 20.

Further, the intermediate plate 5 is adjacent to the first core plate 6a at the intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction.

The intermediate plate 5 does not have a through hole communicating with the first oil passage hole 25 of the core plates 6 and 7.

Therefore, in the heat exchange section 2, the fluid return passage 24 is divided into the upper first fluid return passage 24a and the lower second fluid return passage 24b by the intermediate plate 5. The first fluid return passage 24a corresponds to the first fluid passage, and the second fluid return passage 24b corresponds to the second fluid passage.

The intermediate plate 5 has a substantially square shape as a whole, and has an overhanging portion 47 which is recessed so as to overhang in the core plate stacking direction, and a pair (two) of intermediate cooling water passage holes 48.

The overhanging portion 47 is an elliptical continuous recess formed on the diagonal line of the intermediate plate, and is continuous from the outer edge of the intermediate plate 5 to the center of the intermediate plate 5.

More specifically, in the heat exchange portion 2, the overhanging portion 47 covers a part of the first oil passage hole 25 of the lower second core plate 7a to which one end is adjacent, and the other end is adjacent to the lower portion. Covers one of the pair of second oil passage holes 26 of the second core plate 7a.

Then, the intermediate plate 5 causes the oil (first oil) that has flowed into the inter-plate oil flow path 9a from the side of the first core plate 6a adjacent to the upper side to flow into the first fluid return passage 24a. That is, the oil flowing into the inter-plate oil flow path 9a is introduced into the first fluid return passage 24a through the first communication portion 49, which is a space formed between the intermediate plate 5 and the first core plate 6a. Ru. That is, the first communication portion 49 substantially corresponds to the inter-plate oil flow path 9a.

Further, the intermediate plate 5 prevents oil from the lower adjacent second core plate 7a side from flowing into the inter-plate oil flow path 9a. The oil from the second core plate 7a side (second oil) passes through the second communication portion 50, which is a space formed between the overhanging portion 47 of the intermediate plate 5 and the second core plate 7a. 2 Introduced into the fluid return passage 24b.

The second communication portion 50 is separated from the inter-plate oil flow path 9a by an intermediate plate 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-plate oil flow path 9 in the heat exchange section 2 is located at an intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction by the oil blocking portions 27, 28, 29 and the intermediate plate 5 in the inter-plate oil flow path 9a. Two upper oil flow paths 12a and 12b located above, two plate-to-plate oil flow paths 9a, and two lower oil flow paths 12c and 12d located below the plate-to-plate oil flow paths 9a. And, it is divided into.

Further, in the heat exchange unit 2, the intermediate plate 5 forms a first oil path 11a through which the first oil flows and a second oil path 11b through which the second oil flows.

The arrows in FIG. 3 indicate the flow of oil, the solid line indicates the first oil path 11a, and the broken line indicates the second oil path 11b.
The inter-plate oil flow path 9a and the lower oil flow path group 12c are separated from each other by the intermediate plate 5. That is, the first oil path 11a and the second oil path 11b are independent oil paths in the heat exchange unit 2.

The first oil path 11a is a path through which the first oil flows from the first oil introduction section 17 to the first oil discharge section 18.

The second oil path 11b is a path through which the second oil flows from the second oil introduction section 21 to the second oil discharge section 22.

The first oil path 11a is mainly composed of upper oil flow path groups 12a and 12b, a first communication portion 49, a first fluid return passage 24a, and a passage portion 3a.

In the first oil path 11a, the oil blocking portion 28 and the intermediate plate 5 make a U-turn as a whole while the first oil changes the direction of flow in the heat exchange portion 2 in the direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction. It flows in the core plate stacking direction. That is, the first oil flowing from the first oil introduction portion 17 flows through the upper oil flow path group 12a from the left to the right in FIG. 3, and then flows through the upper oil flow path group 12b from the right to the left in FIG. Flowing.

The second oil passage 11b is mainly composed of lower oil flow passage groups 12c and 12d, a second communication portion 50, and a second fluid return passage 24b.

In the second oil path 11b, the oil closing portion 29 and the intermediate plate 5 make a U-turn while the second oil changes the flow direction in the heat exchange portion 2 in the direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction as a whole. It flows in the core plate stacking direction. That is, the second oil flowing from the second oil introduction portion 21 flows through the lower oil flow path group 12d from the right to the left in FIG. 3, and then flows through the lower oil flow path group 12c from the left to the right in FIG. Flowing.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the heat exchange unit 2, one cooling water flow path group 13 (refrigerant flow path group) is configured by eight inter-plate cooling water flow paths 10.

The inter-plate cooling water flow paths 10 in the cooling water flow path group 13 are connected to each other in parallel. That is, in the heat exchange unit 2, the seven inter-plate cooling water flow paths 10 are connected in parallel with each other. The cooling water flow path group 13 discharges the cooling water introduced from the cooling water introduction unit 19 from the cooling water discharge unit 20. That is, the path through which the cooling water flows from the cooling water introduction section 19 to the cooling water discharge section 20 via the cooling water flow path group 13 corresponds to the cooling water path 14 (refrigerant path).

The cooling water introduced from the cooling water introduction unit 19 changes the direction of flow in the heat exchange unit 2 in a direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction, and is discharged from the cooling water discharge unit 20 on the opposite side.

In the first core plate 6, the periphery of each second oil passage hole 26 is formed as a boss portion 35 so as to project one step higher toward the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side, and the first and second cooling water passage holes are formed. The periphery of 31 and 32 is formed as a boss portion 38 one step higher so as to project toward the oil flow path 9 between the plates. Further, in the first core plate 6, the periphery of the first oil passage hole 25 is formed as a boss portion 36 one step higher so as to project to both the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side and the inter-plate oil flow path 9 side. There is.

In the second core plate 7, the periphery of the first and second cooling water passage holes 31 and 32 is formed as a boss portion 38 so as to protrude toward the inter-plate oil flow path 9 side, and each second oil is formed. The periphery of the passage hole 26 is formed as a boss portion 35 one step higher so as to project toward the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side. Further, in the second core plate 7, the periphery of the first oil passage hole 25 is formed as a boss portion 36 one step higher so as to project to both the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side and the inter-plate oil flow path 9 side. There is.

Therefore, by alternately combining the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7, an inter-plate oil flow path 9 and an inter-plate cooling water flow path are provided between the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7. A constant interval of 10 is maintained.

The boss portion 35 around the second oil passage hole 26 in the first core plate 6 is joined to the boss portion 35 around the second oil passage hole 26 in one of the adjacent second core plates 7. As a result, the upper and lower plate-to-plate oil flow paths 9 communicate with each other and are isolated from the plate-to-plate cooling water flow paths 10 between the two. Therefore, in a state where a large number of first core plates 6 and second core plates 7 are joined, basically, the oil flow paths 9 between the plates communicate with each other through a large number of second oil passage holes 26. At the same time, oil can be circulated in the heat exchange section 2 in the core plate stacking direction as a whole.

The boss portions 38 around the first and second cooling water passage holes 31 and 32 in the second core plate 7 are the bosses around the first and second cooling water passage holes 31 and 32 of one of the adjacent first core plates 6. Each is joined to the portion 38. As a result, the upper and lower plate-to-plate cooling water flow paths 10 communicate with each other and are isolated from the plate-to-plate oil flow paths 9 between the two. Therefore, in a state where a large number of first core plates 6 and a second core plate 7 are joined, the cooling water flow paths 10 between the plates are connected to each other through a large number of first and second cooling water passage holes 31 and 32. In addition to communicating with each other, cooling water can flow through the heat exchange unit 2 in the core plate stacking direction as a whole.

The boss portion 36 around the first oil passage hole 25 in the first core plate 6 is joined to the boss portion 36 around the first oil passage hole 25 in the adjacent upper and lower second core plates 7.

The boss portion 36 around the first oil passage hole 25 in the second core plate 7 is joined to the boss portion 36 around the first oil passage hole 25 in the adjacent upper and lower first core plates 6.

Therefore, in a state where a large number of first core plates 6 and second core plates 7 are joined, a fluid that penetrates the heat exchange portion 2 in the core plate stacking direction by each first oil passage hole 25 and each boss portion 36. The return passage 24 is configured. The fluid return passage 24 does not directly communicate with the interplate oil flow path 9 between the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7.

The boss portion 36 around the first oil passage hole 25 in the first core plate 6a and the second core plate 7a is formed one step higher so as to project only toward the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side.

Further, the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7 are formed with a large number of protrusions 45 protruding toward the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10.

The fin plate 8 sandwiched between the plate-to-plate oil flow paths 9 is formed with openings 46 corresponding to the three oil passage holes 15 and the two cooling water passage holes 16 at five locations. Each opening 46 is formed larger than the respective passage holes 15, 16 so as to have some margin for the corresponding boss portions 35, 36, 38.

In such an oil cooler 1, the fluid return passage 24 penetrating the heat exchange portion 2 in the core plate stacking direction is divided into a first fluid return passage 24a and a second fluid return passage 24b by the intermediate plate 5. Then, the first oil introduced from the first oil introduction section 17 flows into the first fluid return passage 24a, and the second oil introduced from the second oil introduction section 21 flows into the second fluid return passage 24b. Oil is flowing.

That is, the oil cooler 1 can be configured so that different types of fluids flow on the upper side and the lower side in the fluid return passage 24 that penetrates the heat exchange portion 2 in the core plate stacking direction.

Therefore, it is a limitation of the second oil path 11b and the cooling water path 14 that the first oil introduction section 17 and the first oil discharge section 18 are integrated at one end in the core plate stacking direction or divided into both sides. It can be easily implemented without receiving.

Further, the first oil path 11a and the second oil path 11b change the flow direction in the heat exchange portion 2 in a direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction and make a U-turn so that the flow flows in the core plate stacking direction as a whole. Since it is formed, it is possible to secure a large amount of heat exchange between the first oil and the cooling water with a small number of core plates 6 and 7 while suppressing a decrease in the flow velocity.

That is, in the oil cooler 1, the degree of freedom in setting the flow path configuration in the heat exchange unit 2 and the heat exchange efficiency can be further improved.

If the fluid return passage 24 is set at an unbalanced position of the heat exchange portion 2, the second communication portion 50 (overhanging portion 47) may become long and the passage resistance may increase.

However, since the fluid return passage 24 of the first embodiment is located in the center of the heat exchange unit 2, the flow path of the second communication unit 50 is secured with a degree of freedom in setting the flow path configuration in the heat exchange unit 2. The length can be shortened.

Hereinafter, other examples of the present invention will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The oil cooler (heat exchanger) 60 of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the oil cooler 60 of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the oil cooler 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG.

The oil cooler 60, which is a heat exchanger, cools the flow of oil in one system by the flow of refrigerant in one system, and for example, cools the engine oil of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle.

The oil cooler 60 includes a heat exchange unit 2 that exchanges heat between oil and cooling water as a refrigerant, a relatively thick plate-shaped top plate 3 attached to the upper surface of the heat exchange unit 2, and a heat exchange unit. It is roughly composed of a plate-shaped bottom plate 4 which is relatively thick and has sufficient rigidity and is attached to the lower surface of 2.

In the heat exchange unit 2, a large number of first core plates 6 having a common basic shape and a large number of second core plates 7 are alternately laminated, and between the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7. , The inter-plate oil flow path 9 and the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 (inter-plate refrigerant flow path) are alternately configured.

The inter-plate oil flow path 9 has a predetermined height in the flow path along the core plate stacking direction (vertical direction), and is a flow path along the core plate stacking direction of the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10. It is set to be higher than the height. In other words, in the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7, the heights of the flow paths of the inter-plate oil flow path 9 and the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 along the core plate stacking direction are predetermined heights, respectively. Is set to.

In the oil cooler 60, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, eight inter-plate oil flow paths 9 and seven inter-plate cooling water flow paths 10 are formed in the heat exchange unit 2.

In the illustrated example, an interplate oil flow path 9 is formed between the lower surface of the first core plate 6 and the upper surface of the second core plate 7, and the upper surface of the first core plate 6 and the lower surface of the second core plate 7 are formed. An inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 is configured between the plates. A substantially square fin plate 8 is arranged in each plate-to-plate oil flow path 9.

Further, in this embodiment, among the seven inter-plate cooling water flow paths 10, the thin plate-shaped intermediate plate 61 is arranged in one inter-plate cooling water flow path 10a located at an intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction. .. In other words, the intermediate plate 61 is sandwiched between the first core plate 6a and the second core plate 7a at an intermediate position in the plate stacking direction of the heat exchange unit 2.

A large number of first and second core plates 6 and 7, a top plate 3, a bottom plate 4, a large number of fin plates 8 and an intermediate plate 61 are joined together by brazing and integrated.

The first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7 located at the uppermost portion and the lowermost portion of the heat exchange portion 2 are located at the intermediate portion of the heat exchange portion 2 due to the relationship with the top plate 3 and the bottom plate 4. It has a slightly different configuration from the general first core plate 6 and second core plate 7.

The oil cooler 1 has a cooling water introduction unit 62 as a single refrigerant introduction port for introducing cooling water and a single refrigerant discharge port for discharging cooling water at the upper end, which is one end in the core plate stacking direction. It has a cooling water discharge unit 63 of the above. The cooling water introduction portion 62 is formed in one of the four corners of the substantially square top plate 3. The cooling water discharge portion 63 is formed in the center of the top plate 3.

The oil cooler 1 has an oil introduction portion 64 as a single oil introduction port for introducing oil and a single oil discharge port for discharging oil at the lower end which is one end in the core plate stacking direction. It has an oil discharge unit 65. The oil introduction portion 64 is formed in one of the four corners of the bottom plate 4. The oil discharge portion 65 is formed in the center of the bottom plate 4.

The bottom plate 4 is attached to a cylinder block or the like (not shown) via a gasket or the like (not shown) that can seal the periphery of the oil introduction portion 64 and the oil discharge portion 65.

Note that 66 in FIG. 6 is a cooling water introduction pipe connected to the cooling water introduction unit 62, and 67 in FIG. 6 is a cooling water discharge pipe connected to the cooling water discharge unit 63.

The first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7 are press-molded from a thin base material of an aluminum alloy and form a substantially square shape as a whole, and have one fluid passage hole 68 and two oil passage holes 15. It has two cooling water passage holes 16.

The fluid passage hole 68 is located in the center of the core plate.

The fluid passage hole 68 penetrates the heat exchange portion 2 in the core plate stacking direction to form a fluid return passage 24 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) as a fluid passage. That is, the fluid return passage 24 is configured by utilizing the fluid passage hole 68, which is a through hole formed in the center of the core plates 6 and 7.

The pair of oil passage holes 15 are located on the diagonal lines of the core plate that are symmetrical with respect to the fluid passage holes 68.

The oil passage hole 15 is located on the outer edge of the core plate.

Further, in the first core plate 6a located at the intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction of the heat exchange portion 2, one of the pair of oil passage holes 15 is not formed, and the first core plate 6a is located directly above the oil introduction portion 64. Not formed.

The cooling water passage hole 16 is located on the outer edge of the core plate and is formed from the first cooling water passage hole 31 and the second cooling water passage hole 32 formed on the diagonal line of the core plate which are symmetrical with respect to the center of the core plate. It has become. The cooling water passage hole 16 is formed on a diagonal line of the core plate, which is different from the oil passage hole 15.

In the heat exchange section 2, the second cooling water passage hole 32 is located directly below the cooling water introduction section 62.

Further, the second core plate 7a located at an intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction of the heat exchange portion 2 is a cooling water closing portion 71 in which one of the pair of cooling water passing holes 16 is closed.

Further, in the first core plate 6 adjacent to the upper side of the second core plate 7a, one of the pair of cooling water passage holes 16 is closed to form a cooling water closing portion 72.

In the oil cooler 60 of the second embodiment, the cooling water closing portions 71 and 72 are located directly below the cooling water introduction portion 62.

Further, the intermediate plate 61 is adjacent to the first core plate 6a at the intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction.

The intermediate plate 61 does not have a through hole communicating with the fluid passage holes 68 of the core plates 6 and 7.

Therefore, in the heat exchange section 2, the fluid return passage 24 is divided into the upper first fluid return passage 24a and the lower second fluid return passage 24b by the intermediate plate 61.

The intermediate plate 61 has a substantially square shape as a whole, and has an elongated overhanging portion 77 that is recessed so as to project in the core plate stacking direction, a pair (two) intermediate cooling water passage holes 78, and an intermediate oil passage hole 79. And have.

The overhanging portion 77 is an oval-shaped elongated continuous recess formed on the diagonal line of the intermediate plate, and is continuous from the outer edge of the intermediate plate 61 to the center of the intermediate plate 61. The bottom wall 77a of the overhanging portion 77 is formed with an oval-shaped elongated hole 77b as a hole penetrating the bottom wall 77a.

More specifically, in the heat exchange portion 2, the overhanging portion 77 covers a part of the fluid passage hole 68 of the lower first core plate 6a to which one end is adjacent, and the other end is adjacent to the upper first core plate 6. It covers one of the pair of oil passage holes 15 of the two-core plate 7a. In other words, the end (the other end) of the overhanging portion 77 on the outer peripheral edge side of the intermediate plate overlaps with one of the pair of oil passage holes 15 of the adjacent upper second core plate 7a.

In the elongated hole 77b, one end on the center side of the intermediate plate does not overlap with the fluid passage holes 68 of the adjacent upper and lower core plates 6a and 7a, and the other end on the outer peripheral edge side of the intermediate plate is adjacent to the upper side. It is formed so as to overlap with one of the pair of oil passage holes 15 of the second core plate 7a.

Then, the intermediate plate 61 causes the cooling water that has flowed into the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10a to flow into the first fluid return passage 24a. That is, the cooling water flowing into the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10a is introduced into the first fluid return passage 24a through the first communication portion 81, which is a space formed between the intermediate plate 61 and the second core plate 7a. Will be done.

Further, the intermediate plate 61 prevents oil from the upper adjacent second core plate 7a side from flowing into the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10a. The oil flowing in from the second core plate 7a side passes through the elongated hole 77b of the intermediate plate 61, and passes through the second communication portion 82 which is a space formed between the overhanging portion 77 and the first core plate 6a. It is introduced into the second fluid return passage 24b.

The second communication portion 82 is separated from the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10a by an overhanging portion 77.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the heat exchange unit 2, eight inter-plate oil flow paths 9 are formed by an intermediate plate 61 with an upper oil flow path group 84a including four upper plate-to-plate oil flow paths 9. , It is divided into a lower oil flow path group 84b including four lower plate-to-plate oil flow paths 9.

That is, the oil path 85 from the oil introduction section 64 to the oil discharge section 65 mainly includes the lower oil flow path group 84b, the upper side oil flow path group 84a, and the second communication section 82 in order from the upstream side. It is composed of a second fluid return passage 24b.

In the oil path 85, the inter-plate oil flow path 9a makes a U-turn while the first oil changes the direction of flow in the heat exchange portion 2 in a direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction, and the core plate stacking direction as a whole. It is designed to flow to. That is, the oil flowing in from the oil introduction portion 64 flows through the lower oil flow path group 84b from right to left in FIG. 8 and then the upper oil flow path group 84a in FIG. 8 as shown by an arrow in FIG. It flows from left to right in.

As shown in FIG. 9, the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 in the heat exchange unit 2 is provided from the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10a located at an intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction by the cooling water blocking portions 71 and 72 and the intermediate plate 61. The upper cooling water flow path group 86a consisting of three inter-plate cooling water flow paths 10 located above, the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10a, and the three inter-plate cooling water flows located below the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10a. It is divided into a lower cooling water flow path group 86b including a path 10.

That is, the cooling water path 87 (refrigerant path) from the cooling water introduction section 62 to the cooling water discharge section 63 mainly includes the upper cooling water flow path group 86a and the lower cooling water flow path group 86b in order from the upstream side. It is composed of a second communication portion 82 and a first fluid return passage 24a.

In the cooling water path 87, the cooling water blocking portions 71 and 72 change the flow direction of the cooling water in the heat exchange portion 2 in the direction orthogonal to the core plate laminating direction and make a U-turn, and the core plate laminating direction as a whole. It is designed to flow to. That is, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 9, the cooling water flowing from the cooling water introduction unit 62 flows through the upper cooling water flow path group 86a from right to left in FIG. 9, and then flows through the lower cooling water flow path group 86b. It flows from left to right in FIG.

In the first core plate 6, the periphery of each oil passage hole 15 is formed as a boss portion 35 so as to project one step higher toward the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side, and the first and second cooling water passage holes 31, The periphery of the 32 is formed as a boss portion 38 one step higher so as to project toward the oil flow path 9 between the plates. Further, in the first core plate 6, the periphery of the fluid passage hole 68 is formed as a boss portion 36 one step higher so as to project to both the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side and the inter-plate oil flow path 9 side.

In the second core plate 7, the periphery of the first and second cooling water passage holes 31 and 32 is formed as a boss portion 38 so as to protrude toward the oil flow path 9 side between the plates, and each oil passage hole is formed. The periphery of 15 is formed as a boss portion 35 one step higher so as to project toward the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side. Further, in the second core plate 7, the periphery of the fluid passage hole 68 is formed as a boss portion 36 one step higher so as to project to both the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side and the inter-plate oil flow path 9 side.

Therefore, by alternately combining the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7, an inter-plate oil flow path 9 and an inter-plate cooling water flow path are provided between the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7. A constant interval of 10 is maintained.

The boss portion 35 around the oil passage hole 15 in the first core plate 6 is joined to the boss portion 35 around the oil passage hole 15 in one of the adjacent second core plates 7. As a result, the upper and lower plate-to-plate oil flow paths 9 communicate with each other and are isolated from the plate-to-plate cooling water flow paths 10 between the two. Therefore, in a state where a large number of first core plates 6 and second core plates 7 are joined, basically, the oil flow paths 9 between the plates communicate with each other through a large number of oil passage holes 15. As a whole, oil can flow in the heat exchange section 2 in the core plate stacking direction.

The boss portions 38 around the first and second cooling water passage holes 31 and 32 in the second core plate 7 are the bosses around the first and second cooling water passage holes 31 and 32 of one of the adjacent first core plates 6. Each is joined to the portion 38. As a result, the upper and lower plate-to-plate cooling water flow paths 10 communicate with each other and are isolated from the plate-to-plate oil flow paths 9 between the two. Therefore, in a state where a large number of first core plates 6 and a second core plate 7 are joined, the cooling water flow paths 10 between the plates are connected to each other through a large number of first and second cooling water passage holes 31 and 32. In addition to communicating with each other, cooling water can flow through the heat exchange unit 2 in the core plate stacking direction as a whole.

The boss portion 36 around the fluid passage hole 68 in the first core plate 6 is joined to the boss portion 36 around the fluid passage hole 68 in the adjacent upper and lower second core plates 7, respectively.

The boss portion 36 around the fluid passage hole 68 in the second core plate 7 is joined to the boss portion 36 around the fluid passage hole 68 in the adjacent upper and lower first core plates 6.

Therefore, in a state where a large number of first core plates 6 and second core plates 7 are joined, a fluid return passage that penetrates the heat exchange portion 2 in the core plate stacking direction by each fluid passage hole 68 and each boss portion 36. 24 is configured. Therefore, the fluid return passage 24 basically does not directly communicate with the inter-plate oil flow path 9 between the first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7.

The boss portion 36 around the fluid passage hole 68 in the first core plate 6a and the second core plate 7a is formed one step higher so as to project only toward the inter-plate oil flow path 9 side.

Further, the boss portion 38 around the first cooling water passage hole 31 in the first core plate 6a is formed one step higher so as to project to both the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side and the inter-plate oil flow path 9 side, respectively. There is. Further, the boss portion 38 around the first cooling water passage hole 31 in the second core plate 7a is formed one step higher so as to project to both the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10 side and the inter-plate oil flow path 9 side, respectively. There is.

Therefore, the cooling water flows into the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10a formed between the first core plate 6a and the second core plate 7a only from the second cooling water passage hole 32 of the first core plate 6a.

The first core plate 6 and the second core plate 7 are formed with a large number of protrusions 45 protruding toward the inter-plate cooling water flow path 10.

The fin plate 8 sandwiched between the plate-to-plate oil flow paths 9 is formed with openings 46 corresponding to the three oil passage holes 15 and the two cooling water passage holes 16 at five locations. Each opening 46 is formed larger than the respective passage holes 15, 16 so as to have some margin for the corresponding boss portions 35, 36, 38.

In such an oil cooler 60, the fluid return passage 24 penetrating the heat exchange portion 2 in the core plate stacking direction is divided into a first fluid return passage 24a and a second fluid return passage 24b by the intermediate plate 61. The cooling water introduced from the cooling water introduction section 62 flows through the first fluid return passage 24a, and the oil introduced from the oil introduction section 64 flows through the second fluid return passage 24b.

That is, the oil cooler 60 can be configured so that different types of fluids flow on the upper side and the lower side in the fluid return passage 24 that penetrates the heat exchange portion 2 in the core plate stacking direction.

Therefore, it is possible to easily consolidate the oil introduction section 64 and the oil discharge section 65 at one end in the core plate stacking direction or divide them into both sides without being restricted by the cooling water path 87. ..

Further, the oil path 85 and the cooling water path 87 are formed so as to flow in the core plate stacking direction as a whole while changing the flow direction in the heat exchange portion 2 in a direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction and making a U-turn. Therefore, it is possible to secure a large amount of heat exchange between the oil and the cooling water with a small number of core plates 6 and 7 while suppressing a decrease in the flow velocity.

That is, in the oil cooler 60, the degree of freedom in setting the flow path configuration in the heat exchange unit 2 and the heat exchange efficiency can be further improved.

If the fluid return passage 24 is set at an unbalanced position of the heat exchange portion 2, the second communication portion 82 (overhanging portion 77) becomes long, and the passage resistance may increase.

However, since the fluid return passage 24 of the second embodiment is located at the center of the heat exchange unit 2, the flow path of the second communication unit 82 is secured with a degree of freedom in setting the flow path configuration in the heat exchange unit 2. The length can be shortened.

1 ... Oil cooler 2 ... Heat exchange part 3 ... Top plate 3a ... Passage part 4 ... Bottom plate 5 ... Intermediate plate 6 ... First core plate 7 ... Second core plate 8 ... Fin plate 9 ... Inter-plate oil flow path 10 ... Inter-plate cooling water flow path 11a ... First oil path 11b ... Second oil path 12a ... Upper side oil flow path group 12b ... Intermediate oil flow path group 12c ... Lower side oil flow path group 13 ... Cooling water flow path group 14 ... Cooling water Path 15 ... Oil passage hole 16 ... Cooling water passage hole 17 ... First oil introduction part 18 ... First oil discharge part 19 ... Cooling water introduction part 20 ... Cooling water discharge part 21 ... Second oil introduction part 22 ... Second oil Discharge section 24 ... Fluid return passage 24a ... First fluid return passage 24b ... Second fluid return passage 25 ... First oil passage hole 26 ... Second oil passage hole 31 ... First cooling water passage hole 32 ... Second cooling water passage Hole 47 ... Overhanging part 49 ... First communication part 50 ... Second communication part

Claims (6)

In an oil cooler having a heat exchange section in which a large number of core plates are laminated and an oil flow path between plates through which oil flows and a refrigerant flow path between plates through which refrigerant flows are alternately configured.
A fluid passage that penetrates the heat exchange section in the core plate stacking direction and allows oil or refrigerant introduced into the heat exchange section to flow.
It has an intermediate plate that is sandwiched between the core plates at an intermediate position in the core plate stacking direction of the heat exchange portion and divides the fluid passage into a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage.
The oil path in the heat exchange section through which the oil flows diverts the flow along the direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction to the flow along the core plate stacking direction, or changes the direction of the flow along the core plate stacking direction to the core. By changing the direction of the flow along the direction orthogonal to the plate stacking direction, the oil flows in the inter-plate oil flow path in the direction orthogonal to the core plate laminating direction and to different inter-plate oil flow paths. is formed so that flows in the core plate laminating direction while a U-turn and,
The heat exchange unit is an oil cooler characterized in that different fluids flow through the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage. The oil cooler according to claim 1, wherein the fluid passage utilizes a through hole formed in the center of the core plate. The first oil inlet where the first oil is introduced and
The first oil discharge port from which the first oil is discharged and
The second oil inlet where the second oil is introduced and
The second oil discharge port from which the second oil is discharged and
It has a refrigerant introduction port into which a refrigerant is introduced and a refrigerant discharge port in which the above-mentioned refrigerant is discharged.
The oil flow path between the plates and the fluid passage form a first oil path from the first oil introduction port to the first oil discharge port.
The inter-plate oil flow path and the fluid passage form a second oil path independent of the first oil path and from the second oil introduction port to the second oil discharge port.
The inter-plate refrigerant flow path forms a refrigerant path from the refrigerant introduction port to the refrigerant discharge port.
In the first oil path and the second oil path, the flow along the direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction is changed to the flow along the core plate stacking direction, and the flow along the core plate stacking direction is the core plate. by changing the direction to the flow along the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, with flow in the direction in which the first oil and the second oil perpendicular to the plates between the oil passage in the core plate laminating direction , is formed so as to be flow in the core plate laminating direction while a U-turn to a different inter-plate oil flow path,
The oil according to claim 2, wherein the heat exchange unit is configured such that the first oil flows through the first fluid passage and the second oil flows through the second fluid passage. Cooler. A single oil inlet where oil is introduced, and
With a single oil outlet, where oil is drained,
It has a single refrigerant introduction port into which a refrigerant is introduced and a single refrigerant discharge port into which the above-mentioned refrigerant is discharged.
The oil passage between the plates and the fluid passage form an oil path from the oil inlet to the oil discharge port.
The inter-plate refrigerant flow path and the fluid passage form a refrigerant path from the refrigerant introduction port to the refrigerant discharge port.
The above-mentioned refrigerant path changes the direction of the flow along the direction orthogonal to the core plate laminating direction to the flow along the core plate laminating direction, or changes the direction of the flow along the core plate laminating direction to the direction orthogonal to the core plate laminating direction. By changing the direction of the flow along the line, the refrigerant flows in the inter-plate refrigerant flow path in a direction orthogonal to the core plate stacking direction, and the core plate is laminated while making a U-turn to a different inter-plate refrigerant flow path. is formed so that flows in the direction,
The oil cooler according to claim 2, wherein the heat exchange unit is configured such that the refrigerant flows through the first fluid passage and the oil flows through the second fluid passage. The intermediate plate is arranged in the oil flow path between the plates.
The intermediate plate has an overhanging portion recessed so as to overhang in the core plate laminating direction.
In the heat exchange section, the first oil is introduced into the first fluid passage through the first communication section formed between the intermediate plate and one core plate adjacent to the intermediate plate, and the heat exchange section is described. 3. A third aspect of the present invention, wherein the second oil is introduced into the second fluid passage through a second communication portion formed between the overhanging portion and the other core plate adjacent to the intermediate plate. The oil cooler described in. The intermediate plate is arranged in the inter-plate refrigerant flow path, and is arranged in the inter-plate refrigerant flow path.
The intermediate plate has an overhanging portion recessed so as to overhang in the core plate stacking direction, and a hole penetrating the bottom wall of the overhanging portion.
In the heat exchange section, the refrigerant is introduced into the first fluid passage via the first communication section formed between the intermediate plate and one core plate adjacent to the intermediate plate, and the heat exchange section is combined with the overhanging section. 4. Claim 4 characterized in that the oil is introduced into the second fluid passage through a second communication portion formed of a space formed between the other core plate adjacent to the intermediate plate and the hole. The oil cooler described in.

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