JP7455290B1 - Heat exchangers and air conditioners - Google Patents

Abstract

The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchanger tubes and a pipe that passes through the plurality of heat exchanger tubes and through which a refrigerant flows, and each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes has a pipe formed inside of both ends. A plurality of first through-holes and a pair of second through-holes are formed to communicate the internal space of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes with the outside, and the plurality of heat exchanger tubes are connected to each other. Among them, a plurality of header parts are formed by connecting a plurality of first through holes of adjacent heat exchanger tubes, and are formed smaller than the width of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes, and are formed by connecting the plurality of first through holes of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes. A device that communicates refrigerant with the internal space and includes a plurality of header portions that serve as inlets and outlets for the refrigerant of a heat exchanger tube group composed of a plurality of heat exchanger tubes, and the piping is inserted into a pair of second through holes. It is.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner equipped with the heat exchanger.

Conventionally, a fin tube type heat exchanger in which heat exchanger tubes are passed through fins has been used as a heat exchanger. Fin tube type heat exchangers have been improved in heat exchange efficiency and downsized by reducing the diameter of the heat transfer tubes, but there are limitations due to structural difficulties. On the other hand, in the plate-fin stacked heat exchanger, the cross-sectional area of the heat transfer channel can be made smaller than that of the fin-tube type heat exchanger tube, and the heat exchange efficiency can be improved and the heat exchanger can be made smaller. In addition, as conventional heat exchangers, heat exchangers have been proposed in which the heat exchanger itself has functions such as an internal heat exchanger (HIC: Heat Inter Changer) or gas-liquid separation in order to increase heat exchange efficiency. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-107775

The heat exchanger of Patent Document 1 implements an internal heat exchanger by processing the header part, but since the header part is processed, the header part becomes larger, and the header part is not processed. There is a risk that the heat exchanger will be larger than one without.

The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a heat exchanger and an air conditioner that are miniaturized while improving heat exchange efficiency.

The heat exchanger according to the present disclosure is arranged in a first direction, each extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, both ends in the second direction are sealed, and the inside is arranged in a second direction. a plurality of heat exchanger tubes through which a refrigerant flows, and a pipe that penetrates the plurality of heat exchanger tubes in a first direction and through which a refrigerant flows, each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes has a a plurality of first through holes that are formed on the inside and communicate the internal space of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes with the outside; a pair of second through holes that are formed so as to face each other in the first direction; is formed, and the plurality of heat exchanger tubes have a first inlet/outlet for communicating the refrigerant with the internal space of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes, and serves as an inlet/outlet for the refrigerant of the heat exchanger tube group constituted by the plurality of heat exchanger tubes. A header portion and a second header portion are formed by connecting a plurality of first through holes of adjacent heat exchanger tubes among the plurality of heat exchanger tubes , and each of the first header portion and the second header portion is formed by connecting a plurality of first through holes of adjacent heat exchanger tubes. In a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the width is smaller than the width of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes , and the pipe is inserted into the pair of second through holes to connect the first header part and the second header part. The refrigerant passes through the internal spaces of the plurality of heat transfer tubes through which the refrigerant flows .

In addition, an air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes a compressor and the above-mentioned heat exchanger, and includes an outdoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between outdoor air and a refrigerant flowing inside; It is equipped with an expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the flowing refrigerant, and an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between indoor air and the refrigerant flowing inside.

In the heat exchanger and air conditioner according to the present disclosure, the heat exchanger tube includes a plurality of header parts formed by connecting the first through holes, and the piping arranged in the second through hole of the heat exchanger tube allows the internal A configuration having a function as a heat exchanger can be provided within the configuration range of the heat exchanger tube group. In other words, the heat exchanger does not need to have a structure that functions as an internal heat exchanger on the outside of the heat exchanger tube, and by incorporating the function as an internal heat exchanger, the heat exchanger does not have the function. There is no need to provide a header section larger than the header section. Therefore, a heat exchanger is a heat exchanger that uses heat exchanger tubes and piping equipped with a header part to perform the function as an internal heat exchanger and improve heat exchange efficiency, while also providing the function outside the heat exchanger tube group. It can be made smaller compared to

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram of heat exchanger tubes of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1, viewed in a first direction. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a cross section taken along line AA of the heat exchanger tubes in FIG. 3, viewed in the direction of arrows, in the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a modification of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a heat exchanger tube of a modification example viewed in the first direction in the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram during cooling operation of the air conditioner equipped with the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram during defrost operation of the air conditioner equipped with the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is another refrigerant circuit diagram during defrost operation of the air conditioner equipped with the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram during heating operation of the air conditioner equipped with the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a modification of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 7 is a refrigerant circuit diagram during heating operation of an air conditioner equipped with a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment.

Hereinafter, a heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 and an air conditioner equipped with this heat exchanger will be described with reference to the drawings and the like. Note that in the following drawings including FIG. 1, the relative dimensional relationships, shapes, etc. of each component may differ from the actual ones. In addition, in the following drawings, parts with the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and this is common throughout the entire specification. In addition, to facilitate understanding, we use terms that indicate directions (for example, "top", "bottom", "right", "left", "front", "back", etc.), but these notations are as follows: This is only described for convenience of explanation, and does not limit the arrangement or orientation of the device or parts. In the specification, the positional relationship between each component, the stretching direction of each component, and the arrangement direction of each component are, in principle, those when the heat exchanger is installed in a usable state.

Embodiment 1.
[Configuration of heat exchanger 100]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a heat exchanger 100 according to the first embodiment. In addition, the white arrow shown in FIG. 1 has shown an example of the direction in which a refrigerant|coolant flows. The configuration of the heat exchanger 100 will be explained using FIG. 1. Note that the direction of the refrigerant indicated by the white arrow below is an example, and depending on the case where the heat exchanger 100 functions as an evaporator or a condenser, the direction in which the refrigerant flows may be opposite to that shown in the drawing.

The heat exchanger 100 is a device that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant flowing inside the heat exchanger 100 and a fluid flowing outside the heat exchanger 100. In the case of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger 100 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside the heat exchanger 100 and the air flowing outside the heat exchanger 100. The heat exchanger 100 is connected to other heat exchangers, a compressor, and the like through refrigerant piping, and constitutes a part of various devices that constitute a refrigerant circuit.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heat exchanger 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram of heat exchanger tubes 10 of heat exchanger 100 according to Embodiment 1, viewed in first direction D1. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a cross section of the heat exchanger tube 10 of FIG. 3 taken along line AA in the heat exchanger 100 according to the first embodiment, as viewed in the arrow direction. Note that the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the heat exchanger 100 in a plane along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Moreover, FIG. 2 shows a part of the heat exchanger 100. Moreover, in FIGS. 2 and 3, illustration of a part of the second direction D2 is omitted. The structure of the heat exchanger 100 will be described in detail below using FIGS. 1 to 4. In FIGS. 1 and 2, solid white arrows indicate the flow direction of the refrigerant when the heat exchanger 100 is used as an outdoor heat exchanger to be described later.

The heat exchangers 100 are arranged in a first direction D1, each extending in a second direction D2 that intersects the first direction D1, and both ends of the heat exchanger 100 in the second direction D2 are sealed and the inside is opened in the second direction D2. A plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 through which a refrigerant flows are provided. The heat exchanger 100 also includes a pipe 70 that penetrates the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 in the first direction D1, and through which a refrigerant flows.

(Heat transfer tube 10)
As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 100 includes a plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 arranged in a first direction D1 and connected to each other. The heat exchanger tube 10 is, for example, a flat tube, extends in the direction in which the tube axis Ax extends (hereinafter also referred to as the tube axis direction), and has a flat shape that is long in one direction in a cross section perpendicular to the tube axis Ax. In addition, although the heat exchanger tube 10 is preferably a flat tube, it is not limited to a flat tube.

In the following description, a first direction D1 in which a plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 are arranged is referred to as an array direction, a tube axis direction of the heat exchanger tubes 10 is referred to as a second direction D2 or a longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger tubes 10, and a cross section of the heat exchanger tubes 10 is referred to as a second direction D2 or a longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger tubes 10. The longitudinal direction may be referred to as the third direction D3 or the lateral direction of the heat exchanger tube 10. The third direction D3 is a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

Moreover, in the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 100 is defined as being installed so that the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the heat exchanger tubes 10 is the left-right direction. The tube axis Ax of each heat exchanger tube 10 is in the vertical direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (first direction D1), and the transverse direction (third direction D3) is perpendicular to the tube axis direction and the arrangement direction. It is defined as being arranged in the front-back direction.

The arrangement of the heat exchanger 100 or the angle between the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the heat exchanger tubes 10 in the heat exchanger 100 and the tube axis direction (second direction D2) of each heat exchanger tube 10 is as described above. Not limited to cases. For example, the heat exchanger 100 may be arranged in an inclined manner so that the tube axis direction of each heat exchanger tube 10 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Alternatively, in a case where the heat exchanger 100 is installed so that the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the heat exchanger tubes 10 is the left-right direction, the tube axis direction of each heat exchanger tube 10 is a direction inclined with respect to the up-down direction. The heat exchanger 100 may be configured as follows.

A gap, which is an air flow path P2, is formed between the tube walls 11 of adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10 in the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the heat exchanger tubes 10, and in each gap in the heat exchanger 100, Air flows along the lateral direction (third direction D3) of the heat exchanger tube 10. The fluid flowing within the heat exchanger tubes 10 is a refrigerant. A heat transfer channel P1a through which a refrigerant flows is provided inside the heat transfer tube 10. Note that the fluid flowing inside the heat transfer tube 10 may be water or other fluid such as brine instead of the refrigerant.

Both ends of the heat exchanger tube 10 in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) are sealed. Specifically, the heat exchanger 100 includes a tube sealing portion 20 that closes each open end 10e on both sides of the heat exchanger tube 10 in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2). In the example of FIG. 2, the tube sealing portions 20 are provided for each heat exchanger tube 10 at two locations, on the upper side and the lower side of the flat tube. The tube sealing portion 20 is, for example, joined to the open end 10e of the heat exchanger tube 10 by a joining means such as brazing or adhesive.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 has a tube wall 11 provided with a heat transfer channel P1a through which fluid flows in the internal space. The heat exchanger tube 10 has a tube structure in which an internal space through which the refrigerant flows is maintained over its longitudinal direction (second direction D2), that is, from the upper end to the lower end of the tube wall 11.

The tube wall 11 of the heat exchanger tube 10 has a substantially flat tube side wall portion 10a and a tube side wall portion 10b that face each other in the first direction D1. Further, the tube wall 11 of the heat exchanger tube 10 is a curved connection wall portion that connects the tube side wall portion 10a and the tube side wall portion 10b at each end on both sides of the third direction D3 of the tube side wall portion 10a and the tube side wall portion 10b. 10c and a connecting wall portion 10d. In addition, in the following description, the tube side wall part 10a and the tube side wall part 10b may be described as the tube side wall part 10a, etc.

The tube side wall portion 10a and the tube side wall portion 10b each have a rectangular shape with a long side extending in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger tube 10 (second direction D2) and a short side extending in the lateral direction of the heat exchanger tube 10 (third direction D3). has a condition. Although the tube side wall portion 10a and the tube side wall portion 10b each have a flat plate shape, “flat plate shape” as used in this application does not necessarily have to be a completely flat surface, and may have a structure that appears to spread out in a plane as a whole. Good. For example, the tube side wall portion 10a and the tube side wall portion 10b may have a depression, a protrusion, or a waveform formed in a part of a planarly expanding area. In FIG. 2, the left side wall of the tube wall 11 is the tube side wall 10a, and the right side wall of the tube wall 11 is the tube side wall 10b. Note that when the heat exchanger tube 10 is a circular tube, the tube wall 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 is formed inside of both ends in the second direction D2, and the inner space of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 and the outside are separated. A plurality of first through holes 30 are formed to communicate with each other. Moreover, a pair of second through holes 40 are formed in each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 so as to face each other in the first direction D1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a first through hole 30 is formed in the tube side wall portion 10a and the tube side wall portion 10b. A first through hole 30a and a first through hole 30c penetrating in the first direction D1 are formed in the left tube side wall 10a, and a first through hole 30c penetrating in the first direction D1 is formed in the right tube side wall 10b. A hole 30b and a first through hole 30d are formed.

The first through hole 30a and the first through hole 30b are through holes that constitute a first header section 51, which will be described later. The first through hole 30a and the first through hole 30b are formed at positions facing each other in the first direction D1. The first through hole 30c and the first through hole 30d are through holes that constitute a second header section 52, which will be described later. The first through hole 30c and the first through hole 30d are formed at positions facing each other in the first direction D1. Note that the first through hole 30 is a general term for the first through hole 30a, the first through hole 30b, the first through hole 30c, and the first through hole 30d. The first through hole 30, the first through hole 30a, the first through hole 30b, the first through hole 30c, and the first through hole 30d are through holes that constitute a header section 50, which will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a second through hole 40 penetrating in the first direction D1 is formed in the tube side wall portion 10a and the tube side wall portion 10b. A pipe 70 is inserted into the second through hole 40 .

As shown in FIG. 2, adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10 have connecting portions 12 for connecting the tube walls 11 of each other. Adjacent heat transfer tubes 10 have connecting portions 12 that connect tube walls 11 to each other and allow heat transfer channels P1a inside the tube walls 11 to communicate with each other. Each heat exchanger tube 10 has a tube wall 11, and a connecting protrusion 12a and a connecting protrusion 12b that extend outward from the tube wall 11 in the first direction D1 and constitute the connecting portion 12. Moreover, each heat exchanger tube 10 has a tube wall 11 and a connecting protrusion 12c and a connecting protrusion 12d that extend outward from the tube wall 11 in the first direction D1 and constitute the connecting portion 12.

The connecting portions 12 of adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10 have a cylindrical shape in which a hollow portion Sg penetrating in the first direction D1 is formed. The connecting portion 12 is formed by combining a connecting protrusion 12a and a connecting protrusion 12b. Further, the connecting portion 12 is formed by combining a connecting protrusion 12c and a connecting protrusion 12d. In the example of FIG. 2, the connecting portion 12 is formed by inserting a connecting protrusion 12b into a connecting protrusion 12a. The connecting protrusion 12a and the connecting protrusion 12b constituting the connecting portion 12 are configured to fit into each other, for example.

Further, the connecting portion 12 is formed by inserting a connecting protrusion 12d into a connecting protrusion 12c. The connecting protrusion 12c and the connecting protrusion 12d forming the connecting part 12 are configured to fit into each other, for example. In addition, in the following description, the connection protrusion part 12a, the connection protrusion part 12b, the connection protrusion part 12c, and the connection protrusion part 12d may be described as the connection protrusion part 12a etc. The connecting portion 12 includes a connecting protrusion 12a, etc., which is formed on at least one of the opposing tube side wall portions 10a, etc. of the adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10, and protrudes from the peripheral edge of the first through hole 30 in the first direction D1. ing.

Note that the connecting portion 12 does not need to have a configuration in which the connecting protrusion 12a and the connecting protrusion 12b fit into each other. For example, the connecting portion 12 may have a configuration in which the connecting protrusion 12a and the connecting protrusion 12b are joined by a joining means such as brazing or adhesive. The connecting protrusion 12c and the connecting protrusion 12d may also be joined by the above-mentioned joining means.

The connecting portion 12 is a connecting protrusion 12a or a connecting protrusion 12b provided on at least one of the opposing tube side wall portions 10a and 10b of the adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10. Consists of. The connecting protrusion 12a extends from the peripheral edge of the first through hole 30a toward the opposing tube side wall 10b. The connecting protrusion 12b extends from the peripheral edge of the first through hole 30b toward the opposing tube side wall 10a.

The connecting portion 12 is a connecting protrusion 12c or a connecting protrusion 12d provided on at least one of the tube side wall portions 10a and 10b of the opposing tube side wall portions 10a and 10b of the adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10. Consists of. The connecting protrusion 12c extends from the peripheral edge of the first through hole 30c toward the opposing tube side wall 10b. The connecting protrusion 12d extends from the peripheral edge of the first through hole 30d toward the opposing tube side wall 10a.

In FIG. 2, the connecting portion 12 is composed of a cylindrical connecting protrusion 12a and a connecting protrusion 12b formed on both the opposing tube side walls 10a and 10b of the adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10. has been done. Further, the connecting portion 12 is composed of a cylindrical connecting protrusion 12c and a connecting protrusion 12d formed on both the opposing tube side walls 10a and 10b of the adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10. There is.

The first through hole 30a, the first through hole 30b, the connecting protrusion 12a, and the connecting protrusion 12b are formed by, for example, making a hole in a flat plate part of the heat exchanger tube 10, and raising the flat plate part on the periphery into a cylindrical shape. It can be formed by a burring process that deforms as follows. The first through hole 30c, the first through hole 30d, the connecting protrusion 12c, and the connecting protrusion 12d can be similarly formed by burring or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting portion 12 connects the first through hole 30a and the first through hole 30b provided in the tube side wall portion 10a and the tube side wall portion 10b by a hollow portion Sg, thereby connecting adjacent tube walls. 11 internal spaces are communicated with each other. Similarly, the connecting portion 12 connects the first through hole 30c and the first through hole 30d provided in the tube side wall portion 10a and the tube side wall portion 10b by the hollow portion Sg, thereby forming the inner space of the adjacent tube wall 11. communicate with each other. Further, the connecting portion 12 has a function of separating the hollow portion Sg inside the connecting portion 12 from the air flow path P2, which is a space outside the connecting portion 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first through hole 30 and the connecting portion 12 are formed inside the opening ends 10e on both sides in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the heat exchanger tube 10. Specifically, in the heat exchanger 100 arranged as shown in FIG. and above the lower open end 10e of the heat exchanger tube 10.

Such a heat exchanger tube 10 can be produced, for example, by forming the first through hole 30, the connecting protrusions 12a, and the connecting protrusions 12b in advance in a member that is the source of the heat exchanger tube 10, and then forming the member by roll forming. It can be manufactured by Further, the connecting protrusions 12a and the connecting protrusions 12b may be formed by raising the peripheral edge of the hole when forming the first through hole 30 in the member that is the source of the heat exchanger tube 10. For example, a metal material having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum, copper, or brass is used for the heat exchanger tube 10.

The refrigerant flow path in the heat exchanger 100 has a heat transfer path P1a that is provided in the tube wall 11 of each heat transfer tube 10 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the heat transfer tube 10 (second direction D2). The refrigerant flow path in the heat exchanger 100 also includes a header flow path P1b that extends in the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and connects the heat transfer flow paths P1a of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. . The refrigerant flow path in the heat exchanger 100 also includes a header flow path P1c that extends in the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 and connects the heat transfer flow paths P1a of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. .

The heat transfer channel P1a communicates with the header channel P1b at one end of the heat transfer channel P1a in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the heat transfer tube 10, and communicates with the header channel P1b at the other end of the heat transfer channel P1a. It communicates with the header flow path P1c on the side. The header flow path P1b and the header flow path P1c each communicate with a plurality of heat transfer flow paths P1a. The refrigerant flow path of the heat exchanger 100 includes a plurality of heat transfer paths P1a, a header flow path P1b provided at the top of the heat exchanger 100, and a header flow path P1c provided at the bottom of the heat exchanger 100. , is composed of.

The first through hole 30a, the first through hole 30b, the hollow portion Sg of the connecting portion 12, etc. described above constitute the header flow path P1b, and the refrigerant flows through the hollow portion Sg. The first through hole 30c, the first through hole 30d, the hollow portion Sg of the connecting portion 12, and the like constitute a header flow path P1c, and a refrigerant flows through the hollow portion Sg.

In the heat exchanger 100, the connecting portion 12 is formed of a part of the heat transfer tube 10, and the portion of the header flow path P1b and the header flow path P1c that is arranged between the tube walls 11 of the heat transfer tube 10 is the hollow portion Sg inside the connecting portion 12. Therefore, in the heat exchanger 100, the header flow path P1b and the header flow path P1c are formed in the heat transfer tube 10, which is a heat exchange member, so that there is no need to provide a header portion on the outside of the multiple heat transfer tubes 10.

The plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 have a plurality of header parts 50 formed by connecting the plurality of first through holes 30 of adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10 among the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10. The header portion 50 is formed, for example, to extend in the horizontal direction. The header portion 50 is formed to be smaller in width than the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 in a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. As shown in FIG. 1, the header section 50 communicates the refrigerant with the internal space of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10, and the refrigerant inlet/outlet 51a and the inlet/outlet of the heat exchanger tube group 15 constituted by the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10. It becomes 52a. Note that the opposite end of the header section 50 to the entrance/exit 51a and the entrance/exit 52a is closed by the tube wall 11 or the like.

The header section 50 functions as a distribution mechanism that distributes the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger tube group 15 to the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10. Further, the header section 50 functions as a merging mechanism when the refrigerant flowing out from the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 joins together when the refrigerant flows out from the heat exchanger tube group 15 .

The header section 50 includes at least a first header section 51 and a second header section 52. The header section 50 is a general term for the first header section 51 and the second header section 52. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of header sections 50 include a first header section 51 provided at one end of the heat exchanger tube 10 and a first header section 51 provided at the other end of the heat exchanger tube 10 in the second direction D2. It has a second header part 52 provided on the side. Note that the header portion 50 is provided inside the end of the heat exchanger tube 10 in the second direction D2.

As described above, the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 have a plurality of connecting portions 12 that directly connect the plurality of first through holes 30 of adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10 among the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10, and Each of the header sections 50 is made up of a plurality of connecting sections 12. In the heat exchanger 100, the first through holes 30 are directly connected to each other by the connecting portion 12 provided in the first through holes 30.

The internal heat exchanger (HIC) portion of the heat exchanger 100 may be part or all of the heat exchanger tube group 15. When the internal heat exchanger (HIC) part of the heat exchanger 100 is part of the heat exchanger tube group 15, for example, in the heat exchanger 100, a part of the connecting part 12 is a partition plate (not shown). omitted) etc.

(Piping 70)
As described above, the piping 70 penetrates the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 in the first direction D1, and the refrigerant flows inside. The flow of the refrigerant flowing through the pipe 70 may be a counter flow or a parallel flow with respect to the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the header section 50. A refrigerant of a different system from the refrigerant flowing through the header section 50 flows through the pipe 70 .

The piping 70 is inserted into a pair of second through holes 40 in each heat exchanger tube 10 . That is, the piping 70 is inserted into the plurality of second through holes 40 in the heat exchanger tube group 15.

The piping 70 is arranged closer to either the first header section 51 or the second header section 52 . For example, the pipe 70 is disposed closer to one of the header parts 50 than the center of the first header part 51 and the second header part 52 in the second direction D2. The pipe 70 is preferably arranged near the header section 50 on the side into which the refrigerant flows when the air conditioner 200 described later is in cooling operation. The pipe 70 is arranged, for example, between the first header section 51 and the second header section 52 in the second direction D2.

The pipe diameter of the pipe 70 is smaller than the inner diameter of the heat exchanger tube 10 in the third direction D3. The pipe diameter of the pipe 70 is smaller than the pipe diameter of the header section 50. The pipe 70 is a circular pipe with a cylindrical cross-sectional shape. Note that the pipe 70 is not limited to a circular pipe, and may be a pipe having a cross-sectional shape different from a cylinder.

The heat exchanger 100 has one pipe 70 for either the first header section 51 or the second header section 52 . Note that the number of pipes 70 is not limited to one, and a plurality of pipes may be used.

In the first embodiment, the refrigerant flowing through the pipe 70 is different from the refrigerant flowing into the header section 50 . In the first embodiment, the piping 70 does not have a through hole that communicates with the internal space of each heat exchanger tube 10 . Therefore, the piping 70 does not communicate with each internal space of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10. In the heat exchanger 100, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing inside the piping 70 and the refrigerant flowing inside the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10. A refrigerant flows into and out of the pipe 70 from a circuit outside the heat exchanger 100, and exchanges heat with the refrigerant inside the heat exchanger tube 10.

[Modified example of heat exchanger 100]
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modification of the heat exchanger 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram of heat exchanger tubes 10 of a modified example in heat exchanger 100 according to Embodiment 1, viewed in first direction D1. Note that in FIGS. 5 and 6, illustration of a part of the second direction D2 is omitted. Moreover, FIG. 5 shows a part of the heat exchanger 100. A modified example of the heat exchanger 100 will be described using FIGS. 5 and 6.

The heat exchanger 100 may have a header pipe 80 without using the connecting part 12 in the configuration of the header part 50. That is, the heat exchanger 100 may use the header pipe 80 instead of the connecting portion 12 to connect the first through holes 30 to each other. The heat exchanger 100 may connect the first through holes 30 to each other using a header pipe 80 using a member separate from the heat exchanger tubes 10.

The plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 are inserted into the plurality of first through holes 30 and have a plurality of header tubes 80 that connect the plurality of first through holes 30 of adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10 among the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10. . Each of the plurality of header parts 50 is configured by a header pipe 80 inserted into the first through hole 30. The header tube 80 is formed with a plurality of holes 82 that communicate with the internal spaces of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 .

Each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 has a tube wall 11 provided with a heat transfer channel P1a through which a fluid flows in the internal space. The tube wall 11 has tube side wall portions 10a and the like that face each other in the first direction D1, and a first through hole 30 into which the header tube 80 is inserted is formed in the tube side wall portions 10a and the like. In the heat exchanger 100, the first through holes 30 are indirectly connected to each other by the header pipe 80.

As described above, the header tube 80 penetrates the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 in the first direction D1, and the refrigerant flows inside. The pipe diameter of the header pipe 80 is larger than the pipe diameter of the pipe 70. The header tube 80 is, for example, a circular tube having a cylindrical cross-sectional shape. Note that the header tube 80 is not limited to a circular tube, and may be a tube having a cross-sectional shape different from a cylinder.

Inside the header pipe 80 or the connecting portion 12, a header flow path P1b or a header flow path P1c is formed. For example, the header pipe 80 or the connecting part 12 that constitutes the first header part 51 constitutes the header passage P1b, and the header pipe 80 or the connecting part 12 that constitutes the second header part 52 constitutes the header passage P1c. do.

Next, an example of the operation of the heat exchanger 100 will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown by the white arrow in FIG. 1, a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger 100 from the refrigerant inlet/outlet 51a of the first header portion 51. As shown in FIG. 2, in the heat exchanger 100, the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant first flows into the header flow path P1b of the first header section 51 that passes through the upper portions of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 in the left-right direction. It flows through the header flow path P1b. In the process, the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is distributed and flows into the heat transfer channels P1a provided in the tube walls 11 of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10.

The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant that has flowed into each heat transfer channel P1a flows downward through the internal space of the tube wall 11. At this time, the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat with the air flowing through the gap between the tube walls 11 of the heat transfer tubes 10 (i.e., the air flow path P2) via the tube walls 11, thereby radiating heat to the air. It condenses and becomes a high-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The high-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows from the plurality of heat transfer channels P1a into the header channel P1c of the second header section 52 that passes through the lower portions of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10, and merges in the header channel P1c. The high-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has merged in the header flow path P1c flows through the header flow path P1c and flows out of the heat exchanger 100 from the refrigerant inlet/outlet 52a (see FIG. 1) of the second header section 52. .

Note that the heat exchanger 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is an example of the heat exchanger 100 of the present disclosure, and includes the heat exchanger tubes 10, the piping 70, the heat transfer passages P1a, the header passages P1b, and the header passages P1c. The number, shape, arrangement, etc. can be changed as appropriate.

[Air conditioner 200]
FIG. 7 is a refrigerant circuit diagram during cooling operation of the air conditioner 200 equipped with the heat exchanger 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a refrigerant circuit diagram during defrost operation of the air conditioner 200 equipped with the heat exchanger 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is another refrigerant circuit diagram during defrost operation of the air conditioner 200 equipped with the heat exchanger 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a refrigerant circuit diagram during heating operation of the air conditioner 200 equipped with the heat exchanger 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the heat exchanger 100 forms part of a refrigerant circuit 250 in which refrigerant circulates in the air conditioner 200.

The air conditioner 200 is composed of a compressor 201, a flow path switching device 202 that switches a refrigerant flow path, and a heat exchanger 100, and is a chamber that exchanges heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant flowing inside. It has an outer heat exchanger 203. The air conditioner 200 also includes an expansion valve 204 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing inside, and an indoor heat exchanger 205 that exchanges heat between indoor air and the refrigerant flowing inside. Note that the air conditioner 200 does not need to include the flow path switching device 202. In this case, in the refrigerant circuit 250 of the air conditioner 200, the refrigerant circuit 250 is configured in the flow path switching device 202 portion like the circuit configuration of the flow path switching device 202 shown in each figure.

7 to 10, the air conditioner 200 includes a compressor 201, a flow path switching device 202, an outdoor heat exchanger 203, and an expansion valve 204 in an outdoor unit 231, and an indoor heat exchanger 205 in an indoor unit. It is provided in the machine unit 232. A header section 50 (see FIG. 2) that serves as an inlet and outlet for the refrigerant of the heat exchanger 100 is connected to the flow path switching device 202 and the expansion valve 204 of the refrigerant circuit 250.

In the air conditioner 200, a compressor 201, a flow path switching device 202, an outdoor heat exchanger 203, an expansion valve 204, and an indoor heat exchanger 205 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 255, and constitute a refrigerant circuit 250 in which refrigerant circulates. are doing. The air conditioner 200 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 can perform both cooling operation and heating operation by switching the flow path switching device 202.

The compressor 201 sucks in low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, compresses the sucked refrigerant, and discharges high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The flow path switching device 202 is, for example, a four-way valve, and switches between cooling operation and heating operation by switching the direction in which the refrigerant flows. The flow path switching device 202 connects the discharge side of the compressor 201 and the indoor heat exchanger 205 during heating operation, and connects the discharge side of the compressor 201 and the outdoor heat exchanger 203 during cooling operation.

The outdoor heat exchanger 203 is composed of the heat exchanger 100. The outdoor heat exchanger 203 performs heat exchange between outdoor air and the refrigerant flowing inside the outdoor heat exchanger 203 . As shown in FIG. 7, the outdoor heat exchanger 203 functions as a condenser 221 that radiates heat from the refrigerant to outdoor air to condense the refrigerant during cooling operation. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 203 functions as an evaporator 222 that evaporates the refrigerant during heating operation and cools the outdoor air with the heat of vaporization at that time. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 203.

The expansion valve 204 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve that can adjust the opening degree of the throttle, and by adjusting the opening degree, the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 203 or the indoor heat exchanger 205 can be adjusted. Control. In addition, in the embodiment, the expansion valve 204 is provided in the outdoor unit 231, but it may be provided in the indoor unit 232, and the installation location is not limited.

The indoor heat exchanger 205 performs heat exchange between the indoor air and the refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger 205. As shown in FIG. 7, the indoor heat exchanger 205 functions as an evaporator 222 that evaporates the refrigerant during cooling operation and cools the outdoor air with the heat of vaporization at that time. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the indoor heat exchanger 205 functions as a condenser 221 that radiates heat of the refrigerant to outdoor air to condense the refrigerant during heating operation.

Note that the air conditioner 200 may include an outdoor fan 203a and an indoor fan 205a for blowing air to the outdoor heat exchanger 203 and the indoor heat exchanger 205. The outdoor fan 203a and the indoor fan 205a form a flow of air that flows through the flow path P2 (see FIG. 2) between adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10.

As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the refrigerant circuit 250 includes a main circuit 251 and a branch circuit 252. The main circuit 251 is a circuit in which the compressor 201, flow switching device 202, outdoor heat exchanger 203, expansion valve 204, and indoor heat exchanger 205 are connected via refrigerant piping 255, and refrigerant circulates. The branch circuit 252 is connected to piping 70 of the outdoor heat exchanger 203, and is a circuit constituted by refrigerant piping 255 through which refrigerant flows that branches off from the main circuit 251 and merges with the main circuit 251 via piping 70.

A branch circuit 252 of the air conditioner 200 shown in FIG. 7 is connected at one end to the main circuit 251 between the expansion valve 204 and the outdoor heat exchanger 203, and via piping 70 to the It is connected to the main circuit 251 on the suction side of the machine 201. The main circuit 251 on the suction side of the compressor 201 is the main circuit 251 between the compressor 201 and the flow path switching device 202 during cooling operation, and in other words, the main circuit 251 on the suction side of the compressor 201 during cooling operation. This is the main circuit 251 between the indoor heat exchanger 205 and the main circuit 251 .

The branch circuit 252 is provided with a check valve 206, a fixed fluid resistance 207, and a pipe 70. The check valve 206, the fixed fluid resistance 207, and the piping 70 are provided in this order in the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the branch circuit 252 during cooling operation. The check valve 206 and the fixed fluid resistance 207 are provided on the upstream side of the pipe 70 in the direction in which the refrigerant flows through the branch circuit 252 during cooling operation. In the heat exchanger 100, during cooling operation, a part of the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is extracted through the fixed fluid resistance 207 through the branch circuit 252, and a reduced pressure gas-liquid two-phase low-pressure refrigerant flows through the branch circuit 252.

The branch circuit 252 of the air conditioner 200 shown in FIG. It is connected to circuit 251. The main circuit 251 on the discharge side of the compressor 201 is the main circuit 251 between the compressor 201 and the flow path switching device 202 during defrost operation, and in other words, the main circuit 251 on the discharge side of the compressor 201 during defrost operation. This is the main circuit 251 between the outdoor heat exchanger 203 and the main circuit 251 . The main circuit 251 on the suction side of the compressor 201 is the main circuit 251 between the flow path switching device 202 and the compressor 201 during the defrost operation, in other words, the indoor heat exchange during the defrost operation. This is the main circuit 251 between the compressor 205 and the compressor 201.

The branch circuit 252 is provided with a bypass valve 208 and a pipe 70. The bypass valve 208 and the pipe 70 are provided in this order in the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the branch circuit 252 during the defrost operation. The bypass valve 208 is provided on the upstream side of the pipe 70 in the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the branch circuit 252 during the defrost operation. In the heat exchanger 100, during the heating operation shown in FIG. 8, hot gas, which is a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 201, is taken out by the bypass valve 208 and flows through the branch circuit 252, and the hot gas is removed from the condenser 221 during the defrosting operation. Flows near the exit.

The branch circuit 252 of the air conditioner 200 shown in FIG. 9 has one end connected to the main circuit 251 between the flow path switching device 202 and the outdoor heat exchanger 203, and the other end is connected to the main circuit 251 between the expansion valve 204 and the outdoor heat exchanger 203. In other words, one end of the branch circuit 252 of the air conditioner 200 is connected to the main circuit 251 between the compressor 201 and the outdoor heat exchanger 203, and the other end is connected to the main circuit 251 between the compressor 201 and the outdoor heat exchanger 203. It is connected to the main circuit 251 between the valve 204 and the outdoor heat exchanger 203.

The branch circuit 252 is provided with a bypass valve 209 and a pipe 70. The bypass valve 209 and the pipe 70 are provided in this order in the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the branch circuit 252 during the defrost operation. The bypass valve 209 is provided on the upstream side of the pipe 70 in the direction in which the refrigerant flows through the branch circuit 252 during the defrost operation. During the defrost operation shown in FIG. 9, the heat exchanger 100 extracts a portion of the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant flowing out from the upstream of the condenser 221 through the bypass valve 209, flows through the branch circuit 252, and transfers it to the condenser 221 during the defrost operation. to promote frost melting.

The branch circuit 252 of the air conditioner 200 shown in FIG. 10 has one end connected to the main circuit 251 between the indoor heat exchanger 205 and the expansion valve 204, and the other end connected to the indoor It is connected to the main circuit 251 between the outer heat exchanger 203 and the flow path switching device 202. In other words, one end of the branch circuit 252 of the air conditioner 200 is connected to the main circuit 251 between the indoor heat exchanger 205 and the expansion valve 204, and the other end is connected to the indoor side via the piping 70. It is connected to the main circuit 251 between the outer heat exchanger 203 and the suction side of the compressor 201.

The branch circuit 252 is provided with a bypass valve 209, a pipe 70, and a fixed fluid resistance 210. The bypass valve 209, the piping 70, and the fixed fluid resistance 210 are provided in this order in the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the branch circuit 252 during heating operation. The bypass valve 209 is provided on the upstream side of the pipe 70 in the direction in which the refrigerant flows through the branch circuit 252 during heating operation. The fixed fluid resistance 210 is provided on the downstream side of the pipe 70 in the direction in which the refrigerant flows through the branch circuit 252 during heating operation. In the heat exchanger 100, during the heating operation shown in FIG. 10, a portion of the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant flowing out from the condenser 221 flows through the branch circuit 252.

The air conditioner 200 can exhibit the following effects when the heat exchanger 100 works as the evaporator 222 as shown in FIG. The air conditioner 200 extracts high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit 250 between the outlet of the condenser 221 and the expansion valve 204, and causes it to flow into a pipe 70 provided near the outlet of the evaporator 222. Then, the air conditioner 200 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing out from the pipe 70 through the fixed fluid resistance 210, and makes it equal to the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 201. The air conditioner 200 connects a branch circuit 252 having a pipe 70 to a pipe of a main circuit 251 through which refrigerant sucked into the compressor 201 flows. The air conditioner 200 exchanges heat with the two-phase refrigerant near the outlet of the heat exchanger 100 and gasifies it, thereby increasing the proportion of the two-phase refrigerant in the heat exchanger 100 to reduce pressure loss and improve performance. can be improved.

In the air conditioner 200, when the compressor 201 operates, a refrigeration cycle is performed in which the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 201, the outdoor heat exchanger 203, the expansion valve 204, and the indoor heat exchanger 205 while changing its phase. .

During cooling operation of the air conditioner 200 shown in FIG. 7, refrigerant compressed by the compressor 201 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 203. In the outdoor heat exchanger 203, the refrigerant emits heat to the outdoor air and is condensed. Thereafter, the refrigerant is sent to the expansion valve 204 , where the pressure is reduced, and then sent to the indoor heat exchanger 205 . Thereafter, the refrigerant takes in heat from the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 205 and evaporates, and then returns to the compressor 201. Therefore, during cooling operation of the air conditioner 200, the outdoor heat exchanger 203 functions as a condenser 221, and the indoor heat exchanger 205 functions as an evaporator 222. Note that when the refrigerant flows through the main circuit 251 in the defrost operation shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the refrigerant flows as explained in FIG. 7.

Note that during heating operation of the air conditioner 200, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 201 is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 205. In the indoor heat exchanger 205, the refrigerant emits heat to the indoor air and is condensed. Thereafter, the refrigerant is sent to the expansion valve 204 , and after being depressurized by the expansion valve 204 , it is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 203 . Thereafter, the refrigerant takes in heat from the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 203 and evaporates, and then returns to the compressor 201. Therefore, during heating operation of the air conditioner 200, the outdoor heat exchanger 203 functions as the evaporator 222, and the indoor heat exchanger 205 functions as the condenser 221.

Note that in the air conditioner 200 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the heat exchanger 100 is used for the outdoor heat exchanger 203, but the heat exchanger 100 is used for the indoor heat exchanger 205. You can. Furthermore, in the air conditioner 200 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, a configuration in which the piping 70 is installed near the outlet of the heat exchanger 100 has been described; It is also possible to install it in a double pipe structure.

[Effects of heat exchanger 100]
The heat exchangers 100 are arranged in a first direction D1, each extending in a second direction D2 that intersects the first direction D1, and both ends of the heat exchanger 100 in the second direction D2 are sealed and the inside is opened in the second direction D2. A plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 through which a refrigerant flows are provided. The heat exchanger 100 also includes a pipe 70 that penetrates the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 in the first direction D1, and through which a refrigerant flows. Each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 has a plurality of first through holes 30 that are formed inside both ends in the second direction D2 and communicate the internal space of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 with the outside. It is formed. Moreover, a pair of second through holes 40 are formed in each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 so as to face each other in the first direction D1. The plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 include a plurality of header parts 50 formed by connecting the plurality of first through holes 30 of adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10 among the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10. The plurality of header sections 50 are formed to have a width smaller than the width of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 in the third direction D3 orthogonal to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The plurality of header sections 50 communicate the refrigerant with the respective internal spaces of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10, and serve as entrances and exits for the refrigerant of the heat exchanger tube group 15 constituted by the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10. Then, the piping 70 is inserted into the pair of second through holes 40.

The heat exchanger 100 uses a heat exchanger tube 10 having a plurality of header sections 50 formed by connecting first through holes 30 and piping 70 disposed in a second through hole 40 of the heat exchanger tube 10 to remove internal heat. A configuration having a function as an exchanger can be provided within the configuration range of the heat exchanger tube group 15. That is, the heat exchanger 100 does not need to have a structure that functions as an internal heat exchanger on the outside of the heat exchanger tubes 10, and by incorporating the function as an internal heat exchanger, the heat exchanger 100 can have the function. There is no need to provide a larger header section than the header section that is not included. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 uses the heat exchanger tubes 10 and the piping 70 provided with the header section 50 to perform the function as an internal heat exchanger and improve heat exchange efficiency, while also providing the function to the outside of the heat exchanger tube group 15. It can be made smaller compared to a built-in heat exchanger. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 can be installed in a smaller space than a heat exchanger that has this function outside the heat exchanger tube group 15.

Moreover, by using the piping 70, the heat exchanger 100 has a simple structure, and heat exchange is performed between the external refrigerant brought into the heat exchanger 100 from the piping 70 and the refrigerant flowing inside the heat transfer tubes 10. It can be performed.

In a heat exchanger, when a header section is provided with a function as an internal heat exchanger, the manufacturing process of the header section becomes complicated and there is a possibility that the cost will increase. Compared to the case where the function as an internal heat exchanger is provided in the header part, the heat exchanger 100 only needs to provide the piping 70, so the header part is processed to realize the function as an internal heat exchanger. It is easier to manufacture and can reduce costs. By having the above configuration, the heat exchanger 100 can provide a heat exchanger that is small in size, has good performance, and has high cost performance.

Further, in the second direction D2, the plurality of header parts 50 include a first header part 51 provided at one end of the heat exchanger tube 10 and a second header part 51 provided at the other end of the heat exchanger tube 10. It has a header part 52. The piping 70 is arranged closer to either the first header section 51 or the second header section 52 . When the heat exchanger 100 is the condenser 221, heat exchange is performed between the two-phase refrigerant inside the condenser 221 and the refrigerant inside the pipe 70. When the piping 70 is placed near the header section 50 on the side into which the gas refrigerant flows during cooling operation, the refrigerant inside the heat transfer tubes 10 undergoes heat exchange through the piping 70 first on the side closer to the gas state than the liquid state. This facilitates a two-phase state with high heat exchange efficiency. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 easily exchanges heat between the refrigerant inside the heat exchanger tubes 10 and the air outside the heat exchanger tubes 10.

The plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 have a plurality of connecting portions 12 that directly connect the plurality of first through holes 30 of adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10 among the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 . Each of the plurality of header sections 50 is constituted by a plurality of connecting sections 12. By having the configuration, the heat exchanger 100 can be downsized compared to a heat exchanger in which a header section is provided outside the heat exchanger tubes 10. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 can be installed in a smaller space than a heat exchanger having a header section outside the heat exchanger tube group 15.

Further, adjacent heat transfer tubes 10 have connection portions 12 that connect tube walls 11 to each other and allow heat transfer channels P1a inside the tube walls 11 to communicate with each other. The connecting portion 12 includes a connecting protrusion 12a and a connecting protrusion that are formed on at least one of the opposing tube side walls 10a of adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10 and protrude from the peripheral edge of the first through hole 30 in the first direction D1. 12b. Further, the connecting portion 12 includes a connecting protrusion 12c and a connecting protrusion 12d, which have the same structure as the connecting protrusion 12a.

The heat exchanger 100 can change the width of the air flow path P2 (that is, the gap between the tube walls 11) in the first direction D1 by changing the length of the connecting portion 12. The width of the air flow path P2 in the first direction D1 can be increased without narrowing the width in the direction D1. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the air flow path P2 in the headerless heat exchanger 100 can be increased.

The connecting portions 12 include a connecting protrusion 12a and a connecting protrusion 12b, or a connecting protrusion 12c and a connecting protrusion, which are formed on both the opposing tube side wall portions 10a and 10b of adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10. 12d. Further, the connecting protrusion 12a and the connecting protrusion 12b at least partially overlap in the first direction D1. Further, the connecting protrusion 12c and the connecting protrusion 12d at least partially overlap in the first direction D1. Thereby, a portion of the connecting portion 12 can be formed into a double wall structure, and the strength of the connecting portion 12 can be increased.

Moreover, the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 are inserted into the plurality of first through holes 30, and the plurality of header tubes 80 connect the plurality of first through holes 30 of adjacent heat exchanger tubes 10 among the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10. has. Each of the plurality of header parts 50 is configured with a header pipe 80 inserted into the first through hole 30, and the header pipe 80 has a plurality of holes 82 communicating with the internal spaces of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10. is formed. By having the configuration, the heat exchanger 100 can be downsized compared to a heat exchanger in which a header section is provided outside the heat exchanger tubes 10. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 can be installed in a smaller space than a heat exchanger having a header section outside the heat exchanger tube group 15.

Each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 has a tube wall 11 provided with a heat transfer channel P1a through which a fluid flows in the internal space, and the tube wall 11 includes tube side walls 10a facing each other in the first direction D1. A first through hole 30 into which a header tube 80 is inserted is formed in the tube side wall portion 10a and the like. Since the header section 50 of the heat exchanger 100 can be configured by inserting the header tube 80 into the first through hole 30, the manufacturing process is easier compared to a configuration in which the header section is provided outside the heat exchanger tube group 15. It is easy and can reduce costs.

Further, the piping 70 is not in communication with the internal space of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10, and heat exchange is not possible between the refrigerant flowing inside the piping 70 and the refrigerant flowing inside the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10. It will be done. By having the piping 70, the heat exchanger 100 eliminates the need to provide a configuration having a function as an internal heat exchanger outside the heat exchanger tube 10, and by incorporating the function as an internal heat exchanger, There is no need to provide a larger header section than a header section that does not have this function. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 is smaller in size than a heat exchanger in which the piping 70 functions as an internal heat exchanger to improve heat exchange efficiency, and the function is provided outside the heat transfer tube group 15. can be made into Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 can be installed in a smaller space than a heat exchanger that has this function outside the heat exchanger tube group 15.

The air conditioner 200 also includes a compressor 201, a heat exchanger 100, an outdoor heat exchanger 203, an expansion valve 204 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing inside, and a space between indoor air and the refrigerant flowing inside. and an indoor heat exchanger 205 that performs heat exchange. Since the air conditioner 200 includes the heat exchanger 100, it can exhibit the effects of the heat exchanger 100 described above.

The air conditioner 200 also includes a compressor 201 , an outdoor heat exchanger 203 made up of the heat exchanger 100 , an expansion valve 204 , and an indoor heat exchanger 205 . The air conditioner 200 configures a refrigerant circuit 250 including a main circuit 251 and a branch circuit 252. The main circuit 251 is a circuit in which the compressor 201, the outdoor heat exchanger 203, the expansion valve 204, and the indoor heat exchanger 205 are connected via a refrigerant pipe 255, and the refrigerant circulates. The branch circuit 252 is connected to the pipe 70 of the outdoor heat exchanger 203, and is a circuit configured by a refrigerant pipe 255 that branches from the main circuit 251 and flows through the refrigerant that joins the main circuit 251 via the pipe 70. It is.

By having the above configuration, the air conditioner 200 can exhibit the following effects when the heat exchanger 100 works as the condenser 221 as shown in FIG. 7. The air conditioner 200 bypasses a portion of the refrigerant flowing out from the outlet of the condenser 221 through a branch circuit 252 to bring it into a low temperature and low pressure state, and exchanges heat with the high pressure refrigerant flowing near the header section 50 at the outlet of the condenser 221. In such a case, the air conditioner 200 can easily increase the degree of subcooling at the outlet of the condenser 221, increase the gas-liquid two-phase region within the condenser 221, and improve heat exchanger performance. .

In addition, the air conditioner 200 bypasses a part of the refrigerant flowing out from the outlet of the condenser 221 through the branch circuit 252 to exchange heat near the header section 50 at the outlet of the condenser 221, and then flows into the compressor 201. When the main circuit 251 is connected to the main circuit 251, the following effects can be achieved. With this configuration, the air conditioner 200 reduces the amount of refrigerant that flows into the evaporator 222 after flowing out of the outlet of the condenser 221 and flowing into the evaporator 222 through the expansion valve 204, thereby improving performance due to increased pressure loss in the evaporator 222. The decline can be suppressed.

Further, the air conditioner 200 can exhibit the following effects when the heat exchanger 100 functions as a condenser 221 during defrost operation as shown in FIG. When the air conditioner 200 operates under low outside air conditions, when the heat exchanger 100 becomes frosted and switches to defrost operation, a portion of the refrigerant, which is hot gas, discharged from the compressor 201 is routed to a branch circuit. 252 into the heat exchanger 100, it is possible to promote melting of frost in frosted parts and improve low temperature performance.

Further, by having the above configuration, the air conditioner 200 can exhibit the following effects when the heat exchanger 100 works as the condenser 221 during the defrost operation as shown in FIG. When the air conditioner 200 is operated under low outside air conditions and the heat exchanger 100 is frosted, a portion of the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is transferred to the heat exchanger 100 from before the inlet of the condenser 221 via the branch circuit 252. By flushing, it is possible to promote the melting of frost in frosted areas and improve low-temperature performance.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a heat exchanger 100 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modification of the heat exchanger 100 according to the second embodiment. Note that FIGS. 11 and 12 show a part of the heat exchanger 100. Moreover, in FIGS. 11 and 12, illustration of a part of the second direction D2 is omitted. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the flow direction of the refrigerant is indicated by a solid white arrow. Heat exchanger 100 of Embodiment 2 is obtained by changing the configuration of piping 70 in heat exchanger 100 of Embodiment 1. Note that components having the same functions and actions as those in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations are omitted.

The piping 70 of the heat exchanger 100 according to the second embodiment is formed with at least one communication hole 72 that communicates with the internal spaces of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 . In the heat exchanger 100 , a portion of the refrigerant flowing inside the plurality of heat transfer tubes 10 flows into the inside of the piping 70 through the communication hole 72 . The communication hole 72 is provided at a lower portion of the piping 70 in the direction of gravity. The opening diameter of the communication hole 72 is smaller than the inner diameter of the heat exchanger tube 10 in the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. That is, the communication hole 72 is formed in the internal space of the heat exchanger tube 10.

The pipe 70 serves as a gas-liquid separator that extracts only gas (gas phase) from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing inside the heat transfer tube 10 . Inside the pipe 70, a gas (gas phase) refrigerant extracted from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing inside the heat transfer tube 10 flows. The heat exchanger 100 has a gas-liquid separation function that removes gas components through the piping 70 and flows the remaining liquid to the heat transfer tubes 10, and achieves higher efficiency compared to a case without the piping 70. be able to.

The gas-liquid separator portion of the heat exchanger 100 may be part or all of the heat exchanger tube group 15. When the gas-liquid separator part of the heat exchanger 100 is part of the heat exchanger tube group 15, for example, the heat exchanger 100 has a part in the piping 70 that does not have the communication hole 72, and the part is It penetrates the inside of the heat exchanger tube 10. A portion of the piping 70 that does not have the communication hole 72 does not communicate with the internal space of the heat exchanger tube 10 .

FIG. 13 is a refrigerant circuit diagram during heating operation of the air conditioner 200 equipped with the heat exchanger 100 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the heat exchanger 100 forms part of a refrigerant circuit 250 in which refrigerant circulates in the air conditioner 200. The configuration of the main circuit 251 in the refrigerant circuit 250 of the air conditioner 200 of the second embodiment is similar to the configuration of the main circuit 251 of the air conditioner 200 of the first embodiment.

The air conditioner 200 is composed of a compressor 201, a flow path switching device 202 that switches a refrigerant flow path, and a heat exchanger 100, and is an evaporator that exchanges heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant flowing inside. It has a container 222. The air conditioner 200 also includes an expansion valve 204 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing inside, and a condenser 221 that exchanges heat between indoor air and the refrigerant flowing inside.

Refrigerant circuit 250 includes a main circuit 251 and a merging circuit 254. The main circuit 251 is a circuit in which the compressor 201, evaporator 222, expansion valve 204, and condenser 221 are connected via a refrigerant pipe 255, and refrigerant circulates. The merging circuit 254 is connected to the pipe 70 of the evaporator 222 and is a circuit configured by a refrigerant pipe 255 that causes refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant pipe 255 of the main circuit 251 at a position downstream from the refrigerant outlet of the evaporator 222. It is.

The merging circuit 254 of the air conditioner 200 has one end connected to the pipe 70 of the evaporator 222 and the other end connected to the main circuit 251 on the suction side of the compressor 201. The main circuit 251 on the suction side of the compressor 201 is the main circuit 251 between the evaporator 222 and the flow path switching device 202 during heating operation. This is the main circuit 251 between the compressor 201 and the compressor 201.

The merging circuit 254 is provided with a fixed fluid resistance 210 and a pipe 70. The fixed fluid resistance 210 and the piping 70 are provided in the order of the piping 70 and the fixed fluid resistance 207 in the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the merging circuit 254 during heating operation. The fixed fluid resistance 210 is provided on the downstream side of the pipe 70 in the direction in which the refrigerant flows through the merging circuit 254 during heating operation. During heating operation, the heat exchanger 100 extracts a part of the gas component from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in the heat exchanger 100, and the gas (gas phase) refrigerant flows through the confluence circuit 254, and the fixed fluid resistance 210 The pressure of the refrigerant is reduced to be equal to that of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 201.

When the heat exchanger 100 works as the evaporator 222 , the air conditioner 200 extracts a part of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger tubes 10 from the communication hole 72 , and directs the extracted refrigerant to the outlet of the heat exchanger 100 . The refrigerant pipes 255 are merged at an arbitrary position on the downstream refrigerant pipe 255.

[Effects of heat exchanger 100]
The piping 70 of the second embodiment is formed with at least one communication hole 72 that communicates with the internal space of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10, and the inside of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 is communicated with the inner space of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 10 through the communication hole 72. A portion of the flowing refrigerant flows into the interior of the pipe 70. By having the piping 70, the heat exchanger 100 can extract gas (gas phase) from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing inside the heat exchanger tube 10, and can function as a gas-liquid separator. . The heat exchanger 100 uses the piping 70 to extract only gas (gas phase) from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing inside the heat exchanger tubes 10, thereby achieving higher heat exchange efficiency than gas refrigerant in the heat exchanger 100. Heat exchanger performance improves because more heat can be exchanged with the liquid-phase refrigerant, which has a high temperature. The heat exchanger 100 uses the piping 70 having the communication holes 72 to extract the gas refrigerant with a large pressure loss, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the heat exchanger 100 and improving the heat exchanger performance.

The heat exchanger 100 can be provided within the range of the heat exchanger tube group 15 with a function as a gas-liquid separator by means of the piping 70 having the communication holes 72 . That is, the heat exchanger 100 does not require a structure having a function as a gas-liquid separator outside the heat exchanger tubes 10, and by incorporating the function as a gas-liquid separator, the heat exchanger 100 can have the function. There is no need to provide a larger header section than the header section that is not included. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 functions as a gas-liquid separator by using the piping 70 provided with the communication holes 72 to improve heat exchange efficiency, while also providing the function outside the heat exchanger tube group 15. It can be made smaller compared to the container. Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 can be installed in a smaller space than a heat exchanger that has this function outside the heat exchanger tube group 15.

Further, the communication hole 72 is provided in a lower portion of the pipe 70 in the direction of gravity. With this configuration, the heat exchanger 100 allows gas refrigerant to flow into the piping 70 more easily than liquid refrigerant through the communication holes 72, and can improve its function as a gas-liquid separator.

The air conditioner 200 also includes a compressor 201, a heat exchanger 100, an outdoor heat exchanger 203, an expansion valve 204 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing inside, and a space between indoor air and the refrigerant flowing inside. and an indoor heat exchanger 205 that performs heat exchange. Since the air conditioner 200 includes the heat exchanger 100 of the second embodiment, it can exhibit the effects of the heat exchanger 100 described above.

The air conditioner 200 also includes a compressor 201, an evaporator 222 made up of the heat exchanger 100, an expansion valve 204, and a condenser 221. The air conditioner 200 configures a refrigerant circuit 250 including a main circuit 251 and a merging circuit 254. The main circuit 251 is a circuit in which the compressor 201, evaporator 222, expansion valve 204, and condenser 221 are connected via a refrigerant pipe 255, and refrigerant circulates. The merging circuit 254 is connected to the pipe 70 of the evaporator 222 and is a circuit configured by a refrigerant pipe 255 that causes refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant pipe 255 of the main circuit 251 at a position downstream from the refrigerant outlet of the evaporator 222. It is.

The heat exchanger 100 improves transmission by extracting only gas (gas phase) from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant through the piping 70 and letting it flow into the refrigerant piping 255 of the main circuit 251 downstream from the outlet of the heat exchanger 100. The composition of the liquid phase refrigerant inside the heat tube 10 can be increased. The heat exchanger 100 can exchange more heat with the liquid phase refrigerant, which has higher heat exchange efficiency than the gas refrigerant, in the heat exchanger 100 compared to the case where the piping 70 is not used, so the heat exchanger performance is improved. can be improved.

Although the embodiments have been described, the present disclosure is not limited only to the embodiments described above. For example, each embodiment may be combined.

Reference Signs List 10 heat exchanger tube, 10a tube side wall, 10b tube side wall, 10c connection wall, 10d connection wall, 10e open end, 11 tube wall, 12 connection, 12a connection protrusion, 12b connection protrusion, 12c connection protrusion , 12d connecting protrusion, 15 heat exchanger tube group, 20 tube sealing part, 30 first through hole, 30a first through hole, 30b first through hole, 30c first through hole, 30d first through hole, 40 second Through hole, 50 Header section, 51 First header section, 51a Entrance/exit, 52 Second header section, 52a Entrance/exit, 70 Piping, 72 Communication hole, 80 Header pipe, 82 Hole, 100 Heat exchanger, 200 Air conditioner, 201 Compressor, 202 Flow path switching device, 203 Outdoor heat exchanger, 203a Outdoor fan, 204 Expansion valve, 205 Indoor heat exchanger, 205a Indoor fan, 206 Check valve, 207 Fixed fluid resistance, 208 Bypass valve, 209 Bypass valve, 210 Fixed fluid resistance, 221 Condenser, 222 Evaporator, 231 Outdoor unit, 232 Indoor unit, 250 Refrigerant circuit, 251 Main circuit, 252 Branch circuit, 254 Merging circuit, 255 Refrigerant piping, Ax pipe shaft, D1 first direction, D2 second direction, D3 third direction, P1 flow path, P1a heat transfer flow path, P1b header flow path, P1c header flow path, P2 flow path, Sg hollow section.

Claims (12)

A plurality of heat transfer tubes arranged in a first direction, each extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, both ends of which are sealed in the second direction, and a refrigerant flows inside the tubes in the second direction. and,
Piping that penetrates the plurality of heat transfer tubes in the first direction and through which a refrigerant flows;
Equipped with
Each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes includes:
a plurality of first through holes that are formed inside the both end portions in the second direction and communicate the internal space of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes with the outside;
a pair of second through holes formed to face each other in the first direction;
is formed,
The plurality of heat exchanger tubes include :
A first header portion and a second header portion that communicate a refrigerant with the internal space of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes and serve as an inlet/outlet for the refrigerant of a heat exchanger tube group constituted by the plurality of heat exchanger tubes; formed by connecting the plurality of first through holes of adjacent heat exchanger tubes among the plurality of heat exchanger tubes ,
The first header section and the second header section each include:
In a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the width is smaller than the width of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes ,
The piping is
A heat exchanger that is inserted into the pair of second through holes and penetrates the internal spaces of the plurality of heat transfer tubes through which refrigerant flows in a portion between the first header section and the second header section . In the second direction, the first header section is provided on one end side of the heat exchanger tube, and the second header section is provided on the other end side of the heat exchanger tube. ,
The piping is
The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is arranged closer to one of the first header section and the second header section. The plurality of heat exchanger tubes are
having a plurality of connecting portions that directly connect the plurality of first through holes of the adjacent heat exchanger tubes among the plurality of heat exchanger tubes,
Each of the first header section and the second header section is
The heat exchanger according to claim 1 , comprising the plurality of connecting parts. Each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes is
having a tube wall provided with a heat transfer channel through which fluid flows in the internal space,
The tube wall has tube side wall portions facing each other in the first direction, and the first through hole is formed in the tube side wall portion,
The adjacent heat transfer tubes have the connection portion that connects the tube walls and communicates the heat transfer channels inside the tube walls,
The connecting portion is configured by a connecting protrusion that is formed on at least one of the opposing tube side wall portions of the adjacent heat exchanger tubes and that protrudes from the peripheral edge of the first through hole in the first direction. The heat exchanger according to item 3. The plurality of heat exchanger tubes are
having a plurality of header tubes inserted into the plurality of first through holes and connecting the plurality of first through holes of the adjacent heat exchanger tubes among the plurality of heat exchanger tubes,
Each of the first header section and the second header section is
configured by the header pipe inserted into the plurality of first through holes,
The heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the header tube has a plurality of holes that communicate with the internal spaces of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes. Each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes is
having a tube wall provided with a heat transfer channel through which fluid flows in the internal space,
The heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein the tube wall has tube side wall portions facing each other in the first direction, and the first through hole into which the header tube is inserted is formed in the tube side wall portion. . The piping is
does not communicate with the internal space of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes,
The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing inside the pipe and the refrigerant flowing inside the plurality of heat transfer tubes. The piping includes
At least one or more communication holes are formed that communicate with the internal spaces of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes, and a portion of the refrigerant flowing inside the plurality of heat exchanger tubes flows through the communication holes into the interior of the piping. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which flows into the heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The communication hole is
The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the heat exchanger is provided at a lower portion of the piping in the direction of gravity. a compressor;
An outdoor heat exchanger configured from the heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , which exchanges heat between outdoor air and a refrigerant flowing inside;
an expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing inside;
an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between indoor air and refrigerant flowing inside;
Air conditioner with. a compressor;
An outdoor heat exchanger configured from the heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , which exchanges heat between outdoor air and a refrigerant flowing inside;
an expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing inside;
an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between indoor air and refrigerant flowing inside;
Equipped with
a main circuit in which the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger are connected via refrigerant piping, and in which the refrigerant circulates;
A branch circuit connected to the piping of the outdoor heat exchanger and configured by the refrigerant piping that branches from the main circuit and flows through the refrigerant that joins the main circuit via the piping;
An air conditioner configured with a refrigerant circuit that includes. a compressor;
An evaporator comprising the heat exchanger according to claim 8 and performing heat exchange between outdoor air and a refrigerant flowing inside;
an expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing inside;
A condenser that exchanges heat between indoor air and the refrigerant flowing inside;
Equipped with
a main circuit in which the compressor, the evaporator, the expansion valve, and the condenser are connected via refrigerant piping, and the refrigerant circulates;
a merging circuit configured by the refrigerant piping connected to the piping of the evaporator and causing refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant piping of the main circuit at a position downstream from the refrigerant outlet of the evaporator;
An air conditioner configured with a refrigerant circuit that includes.

Images