JP7472564B2 - LAMINATE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING LAMINATE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a laminate and a method for manufacturing a laminate.

Heat exchangers are used as one element of the refrigeration cycle and are an essential part for maintaining the temperature of the working fluid in the refrigeration cycle at a target value. There are many different types of heat exchangers. Among them, the outstanding performance of microchannel heat exchangers is being recognized, and development is underway for practical use.

One such microchannel heat exchanger is the stacked microchannel heat exchanger. This stacked microchannel heat exchanger is formed by stacking metal plates with fine high-temperature fluid flow paths on the surface and metal plates with fine low-temperature fluid flow paths on the surface alternately, and then stacking pressure-resistant metal plates on the top and bottom of the stack. By applying pressure and heat in a vacuum state, the heat transfer plates and metal plates are diffusion-bonded to each other and integrated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

A coupling body is used to allow high-temperature and low-temperature fluids to flow in and out of this stacked microchannel heat exchanger. This coupling body is made of metal with holes for inserting connecting pipes, for example. For example, an opening is formed by cutting the side of a stack in which multiple heat transfer plates and metal plates are diffusion-bonded, and the coupling body is inserted into the opening and then joined by brazing. This type of post-processing is cumbersome, and when cutting to form an opening in the stack, cutting powder (cutting chips) may enter the metal stack from the opening, damaging the flow path or flowing into the refrigerant circuit to which the heat exchanger is connected, causing problems such as clogging.

In response to this, for example, there is a method in which notches are created by etching the sides of multiple heat transfer plates or metal plates, and these notches are then stacked to form openings. With this method, cutting is not required to form the openings, so there is no risk of cutting powder getting into the stack through the openings.

Japanese Patent No. 6056928

However, when openings are formed by stacking cutouts, the thickness of each of the multiple heat transfer plates or metal plates varies, which causes the height of the openings to vary, and the opening of one laminate may be too loose for the joint body, while the opening of another laminate may be too tight for the joint body. As a result, a gap large enough to be unable to be sealed with brazing may be formed between the opening of the laminate and the joint body, or the joint body may not be able to be inserted into the opening of the laminate.

This made it difficult to insert the coupling body into the opening of the stack and join it by brazing. To avoid this, it became necessary to manufacture a coupling body that was compatible with the opening of each stack for each stack, making it difficult to manufacture a stack-type microchannel heat exchanger.

In view of the above circumstances, the object of the present invention is to provide a laminate that can avoid the difficulty of inserting and joining a joint body into an opening of the laminate when manufacturing a laminate-type microchannel heat exchanger, and a method for manufacturing the laminate.

In order to achieve the above object, a laminate according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a laminate block main body and a joint body.
In the laminated block body, a plurality of heat transfer plates and a plurality of metal plates are laminated, and the plurality of heat transfer plates and the plurality of metal plates are respectively bonded by diffusion bonding.
In the joint body, a plurality of metal plates are stacked, and each of the plurality of metal plates is joined by diffusion bonding.
The laminated block body has a side surface formed along a first direction in which the plurality of heat transfer plates are laminated, and an opening is provided in the side surface.
The coupling body may be inserted into the opening.

This type of laminate avoids the difficulty of inserting and joining a joint body into an opening in the laminate block body when manufacturing a laminated microchannel heat exchanger.

The joint body has a protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the second direction in which the multiple metal plates are stacked, and the protrusion can be inserted into the opening.

This type of laminate more reliably avoids the difficulty of inserting and joining the coupling body into the opening of the laminate block body when manufacturing a laminated microchannel heat exchanger.

In the laminate, the heat transfer plates and the metal plates may be made of the same material.

This type of laminate more reliably avoids the difficulty of inserting and joining the coupling body into the opening of the laminate block body when manufacturing a laminated microchannel heat exchanger.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in a method for manufacturing a laminate according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of third metal plates having a first region in which a flow path is formed and a second region outside the first region are sandwiched and stacked between at least one first metal plate and at least one second metal plate.
At least one of the first metal plates, at least one of the second metal plates, and the plurality of third metal plates are bonded together by diffusion bonding to form a laminated block body.
The laminated block body is divided into a first block body (laminated block main body) including the first region, and a second block body (frame body) including the second region.
At least a portion of the second block body is utilized as a joint body that is connected to the first block body.

This manufacturing method for the laminate avoids the difficulty of inserting and joining a joint body into an opening in the laminate block body when manufacturing a laminated microchannel heat exchanger.

In the manufacturing method of the laminated body, before the laminated block body is divided into the first block body and the second block body, an opening may be formed on the side of the first block body along the stacking direction of the laminated block body, and the part of the second block body facing the opening may be used as part of the joint body.

This type of laminate more reliably avoids the difficulty of inserting and joining a joint into the opening of the metal laminate when manufacturing a laminate-type microchannel heat exchanger.

In the manufacturing method of the laminate, a part of the second block body may be used as the protrusion of the joint body to be inserted into the opening of the first block body, and the surface of the uppermost or lowermost metal plate included in the protrusion may be etched, or the uppermost or lowermost metal plate included in the protrusion may be removed by etching.

This type of laminate more reliably avoids the difficulty of inserting and joining a joint into the opening of the metal laminate when manufacturing a laminate-type microchannel heat exchanger.

As described above, the present invention provides a laminate and a method for manufacturing the laminate that can avoid the difficulty of inserting and joining a coupling body into an opening in a laminate block body when manufacturing a laminated type microchannel heat exchanger.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a laminate according to the present embodiment. Fig. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a joint body before it is joined to a side surface of a laminated block body, and Fig. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a joint body after it has been joined to a side surface of the laminated block body. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a method for producing a laminate. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a method for producing a laminate. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a method for producing a laminate. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a method for producing a laminate. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the present embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. XYZ axis coordinates may be introduced in each drawing. In addition, the same reference numerals may be used to refer to the same components or components having the same functions, and after describing the components, the description may be omitted as appropriate.

(Laminate structure)

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a laminate according to this embodiment.

The laminated body 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a laminated block body 1 and joint bodies 51-54. The laminated block body 1 has, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In FIG. 1, for the convenience of explaining the structure of the laminated body 10, each of the joint bodies 51-54 is drawn apart from the laminated block body 1. Each of the joint bodies 51-54 is connected to the side surface 1w of the laminated block body 1.

The laminate 10 is applied, for example, to a laminated type microchannel heat exchanger. For example, when a high-temperature medium flows in through the joint body 51 of the laminate 10, the medium flows through the laminated block main body 1 and flows out through the joint body 52. On the other hand, when a low-temperature medium flows in through the joint body 53, the medium flows through the laminated block main body 1 and flows out through the joint body 54. For example, a connecting pipe or the like is connected to each of the holes 5h of the joint bodies 51 to 54.

The laminated block body 1 has a main surface 1u (upper surface), a main surface 1d (lower surface) opposite to the main surface 1u, the main surface 1u, the main surface 1d, and a side surface 1w. In the laminated block body 1, the direction perpendicular to the main surfaces 1u and 1d is defined as a first direction. In this embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the Z-axis direction.

The laminated block body 1 has a plurality of metal plates 2Aa, which are heat transfer plates, a plurality of metal plates 2Ba, which are heat transfer plates, a plurality of metal plates 3Aa, which are lower shell plates, and a plurality of metal plates 3Ba, which are upper shell plates. A plurality of metal plates 3Aa are stacked in the z direction on the main surface 1u side, and a plurality of metal plates 3Ba are stacked on the main surface 1d side. A plurality of metal plates 2Aa and a plurality of metal plates 2Ba are stacked alternately in the Z axis direction between the plurality of metal plates 3Aa and the plurality of metal plates 3Ba. Each of the metal plates 3Aa and the metal plates 3Ba is not limited to a plurality of metal plates, and may be a single metal plate. Note that in FIG. 1, solid lines are drawn at the boundaries of each of the plurality of metal plates stacked in the z direction, but the solid lines may disappear after diffusion bonding.

The multiple metal plates 3Aa, 2Aa, 2Ba, and 3Ba are each bonded by diffusion bonding while stacked in this manner. Examples of diffusion bonding include solid-state bonding, hot pressure welding, and cold pressure welding. The multiple metal plates 2Aa and 2Ba between the multiple metal plates 3Aa and the multiple metal plates 3Ba are collectively referred to as the laminate 2.

A flow path is formed in each of the multiple metal plates 2Aa and each of the multiple metal plates 2Ba (described later). An opening 2h is provided on the side surface 1w of the laminated block body 1. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, one opening 2h is provided on each of the four side surfaces 1w. The number of openings 2h per side surface 1w is not limited to one, and multiple openings 2h can be provided.

The joint bodies 51, 52 and the joint bodies 53, 54 are inserted into the side surface 1w of the laminated block body 1 and joined to the side surface 1w, for example, by brazing. For example, the joint bodies 51, 52 are inserted into the side surface 1w of the laminated block body 1 in the Y-axis direction, and the joint bodies 53, 54 are inserted into the side surface 1w of the laminated block body 1 in the X-axis direction. In other words, the direction from the joint body 51 to the joint body 52 and the direction from the joint body 53 to the joint body 54 intersect.

Figure 2(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view before the joint body is joined to the side of the laminated block body. Figure 2(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view after the joint body is joined to the side of the laminated block body. Figures 2(a) and (b) show, as an example, a cross-section along line A1-A1 including the joint body 52 illustrated in Figure 1. The cross-sectional views of Figures 2(a) and (b) are also applicable to the other joint bodies 51, 53, and 54 and the laminated block body 1 near the joint bodies 51, 53, and 54.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the side surface 1w of the laminated block main body 1 has an opening 2h into which a part of the joint body 52, for example, the protruding portion 5t of the joint body 52, is inserted and fitted. The shape of the opening 2h when viewed toward the side surface 1w is, for example, rectangular. When the protruding portion 5t of the joint body 52 is inserted and fitted into the opening 2h, the joint body 52 is joined to the side surface 1w of the laminated block main body 1 by, for example, the brazing material 501 (FIG. 2(b)).

The joint body 52 has a plurality of metal plates 2Ab, a plurality of metal plates 2Bb, a plurality of metal plates 3Ab that are lower outer shell plates, and a plurality of metal plates 3Bb that are upper outer shell plates. Between the plurality of metal plates 3Ab and the plurality of metal plates 3Bb, the plurality of metal plates 2Ab and the plurality of metal plates 2Bb are alternately stacked in the Z-axis direction. Each of the plurality of metal plates 3Ab and the plurality of metal plates 3Bb may be a single metal plate. Each of the plurality of metal plates 3Ab, 2Ab, 2Bb, and 3Bb is joined by diffusion bonding in this stacked state.

The joint body 52 has a protruding portion 5t. The protruding portion 5t protrudes in a direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the direction in which the multiple metal plates 2Ab, 2Bb are stacked (the second direction). For example, the protruding portion 5t is formed by a portion of the multiple metal plates 2Ab, 2Bb arranged between the multiple metal plates 3Ab and the multiple metal plates 3Bb protruding from between the multiple metal plates 3Ab and the multiple metal plates 3Bb.

In addition, in the laminate 10, there is an area on the side 1w of the laminate block main body 1 where the height of the multiple metal plates included in the protrusion 5t lined up in the stacking direction (second direction) matches the height of the multiple metal plates 2Aa, 2Ba lined up in the stacking direction (first direction). For example, if the protrusion 5t is formed of multiple metal plates 2Ab, 2Bb between multiple metal plates 3Ab and multiple metal plates 3Bb, the height of the multiple metal plates 2Ab, 2Bb in the stacking direction (second direction) will match the height of the multiple metal plates 2Aa, 2Ba in the stacking direction (first direction) in any part of the side 1w of the laminate block main body 1.

For example, in the example of FIG. 2(a) and (b), the height of the multiple metal plates 2Ab, 2Bb forming the protrusion 5t arranged in the stacking direction (second direction) is equal to the height of the multiple metal plates 2Aa, 2Ba forming the laminate 2 arranged in the stacking direction (first direction). If the multiple protrusion 5t is made of 10 sets of metal plates 2Ab, 2Bb (a total of 20 metal plates stacked alternately), the height of the 10 sets of metal plates 2Ab, 2Bb in the stacking direction is equal to the height of any of the 10 sets of metal plates 2Aa, 2Ba (a total of 20 metal plates stacked alternately) that are continuous in the stacking direction on the side surface 1w. In this case, the opening 2h is formed at the position of the 10 sets of multiple metal plates 2Aa, 2Ba. The height here refers to the height when each metal plate is stacked and integrated by diffusion bonding.

Metal plates 2Aa, 2Ba, metal plates 3Aa, 3Ba, 2Ab, 2Bb, 3Ab, and 3Bb have high thermal conductivity and are, for example, the same type of metal plate. These metal plates include, for example, at least one of aluminum, stainless steel plate, copper, aluminum alloy, titanium, magnesium alloy, etc. Each combination of metal plates 2Aa and 2Ab, metal plates 2Ba and 2Bb, metal plates 3Aa and 3Ab, and metal plates 3Ba and 3Bb are formed from the same raw material plate. Therefore, the plate thickness of the metal plates in each combination is the same, including the dimensional error of the raw material plate.

The joint body 52 has a hole 5h to which a joint pipe for connecting to an external refrigerant pipe or the like is connected. When the joint body 52 is connected to the side surface 1w, the hole 5h communicates with the opening 2h. The hole 5h is formed, for example, by a processing tool such as an end mill or a drill after the joint body 52 is diffusion-bonded. Note that the embodiment is not limited to the example in which the protrusion 5t of the joint body 52 is fitted into the opening provided in the laminated block main body 1, but also includes, for example, a form in which the protrusions 5t of the joint bodies 51 to 54 shown in FIG. 1 are eliminated, openings 2h are formed so that the outer shapes of the joint bodies 51 to 54 fit into each other, and the outer shapes of the joint bodies 51 to 54 are inserted into and fitted into the openings 2h, and the joint bodies 51 to 54 are joined to the laminated block main body 1.

(Laminate manufacturing method)

Figures 3(a) to 6(b) are schematic perspective views showing a method for manufacturing a laminate.

For example, the metal plates used to form the laminated block body 1 and the joints 51 to 54 are metal plate 2A shown in FIG. 3(a), metal plate 2B shown in FIG. 3(b), metal plate 3A shown in FIG. 4(a), and metal plate 3B shown in FIG. 4(b).

The metal plate 2A shown in FIG. 3(a) has a metal plate 2Aa, a metal plate 2AB surrounding the metal plate 2Aa, and a rib portion 2Ar connecting the metal plate 2Aa and the metal plate 2AB. Between the metal plate 2Aa and the metal plate 2AB, a through groove is formed in the portion other than the rib portion 2Ar.

The metal plate 2A has a main surface 2u, a main surface 2d opposite to the main surface 2u, and a side surface 2w that is continuous with the main surface 2u and the main surface 2d. The metal plate 2Aa, the metal plate 2AB, and the rib portion 2Ar are integral and made of the same material.

The metal plate 2Aa has openings 212, 222, 232, and 242 on each of its four sides. Furthermore, grooves 25A, 30A, and 31A that form a flow path for the high-temperature fluid are provided on the main surface 2u of the metal plate 2Aa. The grooves 25A, 30A, and 31A are formed on one surface of the metal plate 2A by, for example, half-etching technology.

The depth of grooves 25A, 30A, and 31A may be uniform at all points. Multiple grooves 25A are formed along the X-axis direction. Grooves 30A and 31A are formed along the Y-axis direction. One end of groove 30A communicates with opening 212. One end of groove 31A communicates with opening 222.

That is, between the opening 212 and the opening 222 provided at both ends in the Y-axis direction, a plurality of grooves 25A, 30A, 31A are formed that communicate between the opening 212 and the opening 222. The number of grooves 25A is not limited to the three shown in the figure. In addition, the shape of the groove 25A is not limited to the linear shape shown in the figure, and may be any shape.

Metal plate 2AB surrounding metal plate 2Aa has metal plates 2Ab in four regions, which will become part of joint bodies 51-54 after metal plate 2AB is processed. In addition, metal plate 2AB has pin holes 251 formed in its four corners for positioning during diffusion bonding.

The metal plate 2B shown in FIG. 3(b) has a metal plate 2Ba, a metal plate 2BB surrounding the metal plate 2Ba, and a rib portion 2Br connecting the metal plate 2Ba and the metal plate 2BB. A groove is formed between the metal plate 2Ba and the metal plate 2BB in the portion other than the rib portion 2Br. The metal plate 2B has a main surface 2u, a main surface 2d, and a side surface 2w. The metal plate 2Ba, the metal plate 2BB, and the rib portion 2Br are integral and made of the same material. For example, the material of the metal plate 2B is the same as the material of the metal plate 2A.

The metal plate 2Ba has openings 212, 222, 232, and 242 on each of its four sides. Furthermore, a groove 25B that forms a flow path for the low-temperature fluid is provided on the main surface 2u of the metal plate 2Ba. The groove 25B is formed on one surface of the metal plate 2B by, for example, half-etching technology. The multiple grooves 25B are formed along the X-axis direction. One end of the groove 25B communicates with the opening 232, and the other end communicates with the opening 242.

That is, between the openings 232 and 242 provided at both ends in the X-axis direction, a plurality of grooves 25B are formed that communicate between the openings 232 and 242. The number of grooves 25B is not limited to the three shown in the figure. In addition, the shape of the grooves 25B is not limited to the linear shape shown in the figure, and may be any shape.

Metal plate 2BB, which surrounds metal plate 2Ba, has metal plates 2Bb in four regions, which will become part of joint bodies 51-54 after metal plate 2BB is processed. In addition, metal plate 2BB has pin holes 251 formed in its four corners for positioning during diffusion bonding.

The process for forming the grooves and openings is carried out by etching, laser processing, precision press processing, cutting processing, etc. Also, additive manufacturing technology such as 3D printers can be used for this process.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the metal plates 2A and 2B, the metal plates 2Aa and 2Ba in which the flow paths are formed are defined as the first region of the metal plates 2A and 2B, and the metal plates 2Ab and 2Bb surrounding the first region are defined as the second region of the metal plates 2A and 2B (the portion forming the frame body 5 described below). In addition, the metal plates 2A and 2B are defined as the third metal plates.

The metal plate 3A (first metal plate) shown in FIG. 4(a) has a metal plate 3Aa, a metal plate 3AB surrounding the metal plate 3Aa, and a rib portion 3Ar connecting the metal plate 3Aa and the metal plate 3AB. A groove is formed between the metal plate 3Aa and the metal plate 3AB in the area other than the rib portion 3Ar. The metal plate 3Aa, the metal plate 3AB, and the rib portion 3Ar are integral and made of the same material.

Metal plate 3AB surrounding metal plate 3Aa is provided with metal plates 3Ab in four regions, which will become part of joint bodies 51-54 after metal plate 3AB is processed. Metal plate 3AB also has pin holes 251 formed in its four corners for positioning during diffusion bonding.

The metal plate 3B (second metal plate) shown in FIG. 4(b) has a metal plate 3Ba, a metal plate 3BB surrounding the metal plate 3Ba, and a rib portion 3Br connecting the metal plate 3Ba and the metal plate 3BB. Between the metal plate 3Ba and the metal plate 3BB, a through groove is formed in the portion other than the rib portion 3Br. The metal plate 3Ba, the metal plate 3BB, and the rib portion 3Br are integral and made of the same material.

Metal plate 3BB, which surrounds metal plate 3Ba, is provided with metal plates 3Bb in four regions, which will become part of joint bodies 51-54 after metal plate 3BB is processed. Metal plate 3BB also has pin holes 251 formed in its four corners for positioning during diffusion bonding.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5(a), metal plates 2A and 2B are alternately arranged between multiple metal plates 3A and multiple metal plates 3B that are stacked on top of each other.

For example, when each of the metal plates 3A and 3B is formed from multiple metal plates, the metal plates 2A and 2B are stacked such that multiple metal plates 2A and multiple metal plates 2B are alternately sandwiched between at least one metal plate 3A and at least one metal plate 3B.

At this time, positioning pins (not shown) are inserted into pin holes 251 formed in the four corners of each metal plate. Each of the metal plates 3Aa, 2Aa, 2Ba, and 3Ba is stacked so as not to be misaligned in the stacking direction.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5(b), at least one metal plate 3A, at least one metal plate 3B, and multiple metal plates 2A and 2B are pressurized and heated in the stacking direction in a vacuum state, so that the metal plates are bonded by diffusion bonding to form a stacked block body 4.

The laminated block body 4 has a laminated block body 1 (first block body) and a frame body 5 (second block body) surrounding the laminated block body 1. The laminated block body 1 is formed by joining metal plates 3Aa, 2Aa, 2Ba, and 3Ba in the stacking direction. The frame body 5 is formed by joining metal plates 3AB, 2AB, 2BB, and 3BB in the stacking direction. In the laminated block body 4, the rib portions 2Ar, 2Br, 3Ar, and 3Br are joined in the stacking direction to form a rib 6. The laminated block body 1 and the frame body 5 are connected by the rib 6.

In the laminated block body 1, the openings 212 of the metal plates 2Aa and 2Ba, the openings 222 of the metal plates 2Aa and 2Ba, the openings 232 of the metal plates 2Aa and 2Ba, and the openings 242 of the metal plates 2Aa and 2Ba overlap in the stacking direction to form the four openings 2h shown in FIG. 1.

Furthermore, in the frame body 5, joint bodies 51A, 52A, 53A, and 54A are formed by joining the metal plates 3Ab, 2Ab, 2Bb, and 3Bb in the stacking direction. At this stage, the joint bodies 51A to 54A do not have holes 5h formed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the rib 6, which is a part of the laminated block body 4, is cut away, so that the laminated block body 4 is divided into the laminated block main body 1 including the metal plates 2Aa and 2Ba, and the frame body 5 including the metal plates 2Ab and 2Bb. The rib 6 is cut away, for example, by electric discharge machining.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the frame body 5 is machined, and at least a part of the frame body 5 is used as the joint bodies 51-54 to be connected to the opening 2h of the laminated block body 1. For example, before being divided into the laminated block body 1 and the frame body 5, that is, in the state of the laminated block body 4, the part of the frame body 5 facing the opening 2h formed in the side surface 1w of the laminated block body 1 is used as a part of the joint bodies 51-54 to be connected to the opening 2h. The part of the joint bodies 51-54 is, for example, the convex portion 5t of the joint bodies 51-54. After this, the hole portion 5h is formed in each of the joint bodies 51-54 by machining. Although not shown in FIG. 6(a) and (b), the trace of the cutting of the rib 6 may remain on the side surface of the laminated block body 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the frame body 5 after the cutting and division of the rib 6, for example, as a convex mark.

An example of the effect of this embodiment is described below.

Each of the multiple metal plates 2Aa and multiple metal plates 2Ba included in the laminated block body 1 is formed from a thin metal plate, for example, having a thickness of 1 mm or less (e.g., 0.3 mm).

However, the thickness of each of the multiple metal plates 2Aa and the multiple metal plates 2Ba is not necessarily completely uniform. The thickness of each of the multiple metal plates 2Aa and the multiple metal plates 2Ba may have a certain error.

For example, if the true thickness of the metal plate (ideal thickness) is d and the thickness error is α, then if the thickness of each of the multiple metal plates 2Aa and the multiple metal plates 2Ba is d+α, then the value obtained by multiplying α by the number of layers will be added to the thickness of the laminated block body 1. On the other hand, if the thickness of each of the multiple metal plates 2Aa and the multiple metal plates 2Ba is d-α, then the thickness of the laminated block body 1 will be thinner by the thickness obtained by multiplying α by the number of layers.

Therefore, the laminated block body 1 formed by diffusion bonding becomes thicker or thinner depending on the respective thicknesses of the multiple metal plates 2Aa and multiple metal plates 2Ba. In particular, the number of metal plates 2Aa, 2B used in the laminated block body 1 may reach several hundred, and the variation in the thickness of the laminated block body 1 cannot be ignored. And, depending on the variation in the thickness of the laminated block body 1, the length in the stacking direction of the opening 2h formed in its side surface 1w (hereinafter referred to as the height of the opening 2h) also varies.

As a result, it is necessary to manufacture fittings for each laminated block body 1 that connects to the openings 2h at different heights. This is an obstacle to reducing the cost of heat exchangers.

In contrast, in this embodiment, after the laminated block body 4 is formed, the laminated block body 1 and the frame body 5 are formed from the same laminated block body 4. Here, the thickness of the laminated block body 1 and the thickness of the frame body 5 are almost the same because they are divided from the same laminated block body 4. In addition, because a part of the frame body 5 is used as a joint body that connects to the opening 2h, the height of the opening 2h and the height of the protrusions 5t of each of the joint bodies 51 to 54 in the stacking direction are almost the same. In particular, by using the part of the frame body 5 that faces the opening 2h as the protrusion 5t of the joint body in the laminated block body 4, the height of the opening 2h and the height of the protrusions 5t in the stacking direction become almost the same regardless of the thickness error of the metal plates 2Aa and 2Ba.

As a result, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to manufacture a fitting joint for each stacked block body 1 having openings 2h of different heights. In other words, in this embodiment, fitting joints 51-54 can be easily formed for each stacked block body 1 having openings 2h of different heights. As a result, the difficulty in manufacturing a stacked type microchannel heat exchanger is eliminated, and the cost of the heat exchanger can be reduced.

(Variations)

Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of this embodiment. Figure 7 shows the state before the joint body is inserted into the side of the laminated block body.

As shown in FIG. 7, the surface of the top or bottom metal plate included in the protrusion 5t (in the figure, the top layer is metal plate 2Bb and the bottom layer is metal plate 2Ab) may be etched 5e to reduce the thickness of the top or bottom metal plate. Alternatively, the top or bottom metal plate may be removed by etching. In this way, the height of the protrusion 5t can be adjusted within the range of the thickness of one metal plate (e.g., 0.3 mm).

In this way, the height of the protrusion 5t in the stacking direction may be adjusted so that the height of the protrusion 5t in the stacking direction is more closely matched to the height of the opening 2h.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made. Each embodiment is not necessarily an independent form, and can be combined as far as technically possible.

1...Laminated block body 1w, 2w...Side surface 1d, 1u, 2d, 2u...Main surface 2...Laminated body 2Aa...Metal plate (heat transfer plate)
2Ba: Metal plate (heat transfer plate)
2Ab...metal plate 2Bb...metal plate 2h...opening 2Ar, 2Br, 3Ar, 3Br...rib portion 212, 222, 232, 242...opening 25A, 25B, 30A, 31A...groove 3Aa...metal plate (outer shell plate)
3Ba…metal plate (outer shell plate)
3Ab, 3AB...metal plate 3Bb, 3BB...metal plate 4...laminated block body 5...frame body 5h...hole portion 5t...projection portion 6...rib 10...laminated body 51, 52, 53, 54, 51A, 52A, 53A, 54A...joint body 501...brazing material

Claims (6)

A laminate applied to a laminate-type microchannel heat exchanger,
a laminated block body in which a plurality of heat transfer plates and a plurality of metal plates are laminated and the plurality of heat transfer plates and the plurality of metal plates are bonded to each other by diffusion bonding;
a joint body in which a plurality of metal plates are laminated and each of the plurality of metal plates is joined by diffusion bonding;
Each of the plurality of heat transfer plates has a flow path through which a fluid flows,
The laminated block body has a side surface formed along a first direction in which the plurality of heat transfer plates are laminated, and an opening is provided in the side surface,
the coupling body is insertable into the opening,
When the joint body is inserted into the opening, the stacking direction of the heat transfer plates and the metal plates that form the laminated block main body coincides with the stacking direction of the metal plates that form the joint body, and the thickness of the laminated block main body in the stacking direction is the same as the thickness of the joint body in the stacking direction . The laminate according to claim 1,
The joint body has a protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting a second direction in which the plurality of metal plates are stacked, and the protrusion can be inserted into the opening. The laminate according to claim 1 or 2,
The plurality of heat transfer plates and the plurality of metal plates are formed of the same material. A method for producing a laminate to be used in a laminate-type microchannel heat exchanger, comprising the steps of:
a plurality of third metal plates are sandwiched between at least one first metal plate and at least one second metal plate, the third metal plates having a first region in which a flow path through which a fluid flows and a second region outside the first region;
The at least one first metal plate, the at least one second metal plate, and the plurality of third metal plates are bonded together by diffusion bonding to form a laminated block body;
Dividing the laminated block body into a first block body including the first region and a second block body including the second region;
At least a part of the second block body is utilized as a joint body to be connected to the first block body ,
The coupling body is inserted into an opening formed in a side surface of the first block body,
After the joint body is connected to the side surface of the first block body, a stacking direction of the first metal plate, the second metal plate, and the plurality of third metal plates forming the first block body coincides with a stacking direction of the first metal plate, the second metal plate, and the plurality of third metal plates forming the joint body.
A method for manufacturing a laminate. A method for producing the laminate according to claim 4, comprising the steps of:
Before the laminated block body is divided into the first block body and the second block body,
the opening is formed on the side surface of the first block body along the stacking direction of the stacked block body,
a portion of the second block body facing the opening is utilized as a part of the joint body. A method for producing the laminate according to claim 4 or 5,
a part of the second block body is used as a protrusion of the coupling body to be inserted into the opening of the first block body,
a surface of the uppermost or lowermost metal plate included in the protrusion is etched, or the uppermost or lowermost metal plate included in the protrusion is removed by etching.

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