JPH0735494A - Heat exchanger and manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To manufacture a heat exchanger with high productivity and an advantageous cost by respectively integrally connecting a first bracket member to a header, a second bracket member to a pipe non-parallel part and the first member to the second member. CONSTITUTION:A refrigerant inlet pipe 9 has a pipe connecting part 9a provided at an end of an aluminum pipe, is extended down along a header 6 from a connecting position of its base end to an upper end side of a left side header 6 of a heat exchanger body 1 in a state that the base end is connected to the upper end side of the header 6, and so formed in a shape in which the lower end is bent forward straightly to the header 6. A first bracket member 12 is brazed to the header 6, and entirely made of an aluminum extruded material having an L-shaped section. It is integrally extrusion molded to that having a header enclosing part 14 at its one side and an engaging part 15 at the other and having pipe holders 16, 17 for holding outer peripheries of the pipes 9, 10 at an intermediate part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat exchanger made of metal such as aluminum used as a condenser for car coolers and the like, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as a condenser for a car cooler,
Recently, aluminum heat exchangers called multi-flow type have been widely used. In this heat exchanger, hollow headers are arranged in communication with both ends of a plurality of flat tubes arranged in parallel, corrugated fins are arranged between the tubes, and a pipe for a refrigerant inlet is provided in the header. The pipe for the outlet and the pipe for the outlet are connected so as to communicate with each other, and the entire structure is integrally joined by brazing.

In this heat exchanger, the pipe is
In order to extend from the connection position with the header to the predetermined external pipe connection position in relation to the external pipe connected to this,
In some cases, it is necessary to make the pipe relatively long, and in such a case, a bracket having a clamp and screw structure has been conventionally used to hold the middle portion of the pipe.

However, the bracket having the clamp / screw structure is attached to the heat exchanger after the whole including the pipe is joined and integrated by brazing so as to hold the pipe. For this reason, not only must such a bracket be retrofitted, but the jig must be attached by a jig before brazing so that the pipe can maintain a proper posture during brazing. You have to do some work,
Further, after the brazing, the jig must be removed, which increases the number of manufacturing steps and reduces the productivity of the heat exchanger.

[0005]

Therefore, as the bracket for holding the pipe, a bracket made of a press-formed product having a function of a jig for brazing the pipe is also used. It is conceivable that the heat exchanger assembly is assembled to the header and the pipe is temporarily held in an appropriate posture, and then the heat exchanger assembly is collectively brazed. This allows
The work related to the temporary holding of the pipe for brazing and the bracket holding of the pipe after brazing can be simplified, the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced, and the productivity of the heat exchanger can be improved.

However, the pipe has a non-parallel pipe portion which is oriented in a direction non-parallel to the header, for example, an orthogonal direction,
When it is necessary to hold this non-parallel pipe part on the bracket, generally, the bracket is often a complicated three-dimensional structure. Therefore, such a bracket is integrally formed by press molding. It becomes very difficult to do so, the cost of the bracket increases, and the cost of the heat exchanger increases.

In view of the conventional problems as described above, the present invention has a structure in which a pipe has a non-parallel pipe portion which is oriented in a non-parallel direction with a header, and the non-parallel pipe portion is held by a bracket. It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat exchanger having a structure capable of manufacturing such a heat exchanger with high productivity and at a cost advantage, and a manufacturing method.

[0008]

For the above-mentioned purpose, the first
In the invention, the end portions of the plurality of tubes are connected to the hollow header in a communicating state, the heat exchange medium circulation pipe is extended from the header, and the pipe is oriented in a direction not parallel to the header. In a heat exchanger having a non-parallel pipe part, a bracket protruding from the header and holding the non-parallel pipe part of the pipe is made of an extruded material having a header surrounding part surrounding the outer peripheral part of the header in the circumferential direction. A first bracket member and a second bracket member that is connected to the first bracket member and holds the non-parallel pipe portion of the pipe, the first bracket member and the header, the second bracket member and the pipe non-parallel pipe portion, and A heat exchanger characterized in that a first bracket member and a second bracket member are joined and integrated by brazing, respectively.

A second aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger having a heat exchanger body in which a plurality of tubes are connected to the hollow header in a communicating state, the method extending from the hollow header. A heat exchange medium distribution pipe having a non-parallel pipe portion that faces in a non-parallel direction with the header in a state, and a first bracket member made of an extruded material having a header surrounding portion that surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the header in the circumferential direction, A small bracket unit product of a pipe bracket in a temporarily assembled state consisting of a second bracket member connected to the first bracket member and holding a non-parallel pipe portion of the pipe is used, and the small bracket unit product is subjected to heat exchange before brazing. The pipe is attached to the container main body assembly so as to be in communication with the header, and the header surrounding portion of the first bracket member surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the header. By collectively brazing the exchanger assembly, the first bracket member and the header, the second bracket member and the pipe non-parallel pipe portion, and the first bracket member and the second bracket member are joined and integrated by brazing. The gist is a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger, which is characterized in that

[0010]

In the first aspect of the present invention, since the bracket is joined and integrated to the header by brazing and the pipe is joined and integrated to the bracket by brazing, in the manufacturing of the heat exchanger, In the temporary assembling process of the heat exchanger main body including the tube, the header, etc., the pipe and the bracket can be assembled together, and the heat exchanger assembly can be collectively brazed.
As a result, the bracket fulfills the jig function of holding the pipe in this brazing and holds the pipe in an appropriate posture, and also fulfills the original bracket function after brazing. Therefore, the man-hours associated with holding the pipe before and after brazing are reduced, and the productivity of the heat exchanger is improved.

Moreover, since the bracket for holding the non-parallel pipe portion of the pipe is divided into the first bracket member and the second bracket member, a bracket having a complicated three-dimensional structure is technically easily manufactured. To be done. In addition, since the first bracket member having the header surrounding portion surrounding the outer peripheral portion of the header in the circumferential direction is made of the extruded material, the manufacturing of the first bracket member is further facilitated. As a result, the bracket can be manufactured more easily, and the bracket can be manufactured in a cost-effective manner, and the heat exchanger cost can be reduced.

Further, in the second invention, the pipe and the first and second bracket members are prepared as a small set unit product,
By assembling this to the heat exchanger body assembly before brazing, the pipe and bracket can be assembled together into the heat exchanger body assembly at the same time, simplifying the heat exchanger assembly work in the heat exchanger manufacturing line. And the productivity of the heat exchanger is improved.

[0013]

EXAMPLES Next, examples in which the heat exchanger of the present invention is applied to a car cooler condenser will be described. Needless to say, the heat exchanger of the present invention can be widely applied to heat exchangers for various other purposes.

In the heat exchangers shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, (1) is a heat exchanger main body, and (2) is a pipe bracket small unit product.

The heat exchanger body (1) comprises a plurality of flat tubes (5) arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals,
The flat tubes (5) ... Are provided with hollow headers (6) (6) connected to both ends of the flat tubes (5) ... And corrugated fins (7) arranged between the tubes (5). Further, partition members (8) are provided for partitioning the inside of the headers (6) (6) into a plurality of chambers at a predetermined height position. The partition members (8) ...
The group is distributed in a meandering manner. The flat tube (5) is a harmonica tube made of aluminum extruded material. Further, the header (6) is a header pipe (6a) in which an aluminum brazing sheet is bent into a cylindrical pipe shape so that both side edges are abutted against each other.
And an aluminum lid (6b) (6b) that closes both ends of the pipe (6a). Tube insertion holes (6c) ..., Pipe insertion holes (6d) (6d), etc. are provided on the peripheral side wall of the header pipe (6a). The corrugated fins (7) ... Are manufactured by bending an aluminum brazing sheet in a meandering shape. The partition members (8) ... Are also aluminum products.

On the other hand, in the small unit product (2) of the pipe bracket, (9) is the pipe for the refrigerant inlet, (1)
0) is a pipe for the outlet, and (11) is a bracket.

The refrigerant inlet pipe (9) has a pipe portion (9a) for external pipe connection provided at the tip of an aluminum pipe portion. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and the like, with the base end portion thereof being connected to the upper end side surface of the left header (6) of the heat exchanger body (1), the header ( 6) It extends downward along 6) and is formed in a bent shape which is directed to the front orthogonal to the header (6) at the lower end. This forward-facing pipe portion becomes a non-parallel pipe portion (9b) that is non-parallel to the header (6).

The outlet pipe (10) is also made of aluminum and has a pipe connecting portion (10a) for connecting an external pipe at the end thereof.
Having a base end connected to the lower end side surface of the left header (6) of the heat exchanger body (1) and extending upward from the connection position along the header (6), Further, it is formed in a curved shape that faces outward and further faces forward, which is orthogonal to the header (6). The tube portion that faces forward is the non-parallel tube portion (10b). This non-parallel tube section (10b)
Is arranged in parallel with the non-parallel pipe portion (9b) of the inlet pipe (9) in the assembled state.

The bracket (11) is composed of a first bracket member (12) and a second bracket member (13) as shown in FIG.

The first bracket member (12) is brazed to the header (6) and is made of an aluminum extruded material having a V-shaped cross section as a whole. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a fitting portion having a header surrounding portion (14) on one side thereof and a second bracket member (13) fitted and assembled on the other side thereof. It is integrally extruded into a pipe having (15) and pipe holding portions (16) and (17) for holding the outer peripheral portions of the pipes (9) and (10) in the middle.

As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the header surrounding portion (14) surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the header (6) in a conforming state over more than half the circumference. To the tube (5) side. Of the first bracket member (12) around the header (6) by contacting the side edge of the tube (5) with the protrusion (14a). Is being done.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 3, the fitting portion (15) has a shallow bottom recess (15a) for receiving the second bracket member (13) in a conforming state, and the recess. (15
A cross section with a retaining projection (15b) protruding slightly inward at one side edge of the outlet of a), and also slightly protruding inward at the other side edge facing this. It has a triangular anchoring protrusion (15c).

The pipe holding portions (16) and (17) hold the pipe parallel pipe portions (9c) and (10c) parallel to the header (6), and as shown in FIG. It has a C-shape, and surrounds the outer peripheral portions of the pipes (9) and (10) over more than half the circumference and holds them. The C-shaped holding portions (16) and (17) have a pipe-arrangement space (19) of an arc shape that widens inward on the inner side through the intermediate constricted portion (18) and also via the constricted portion (18). On the outer side, one end of the wall (20a) (20b) of the holding portion is opened outward to form a lip-like pipe introduction portion (21).
Have. Thereby, for example, when the pipe (9) is fitted inward through the pipe introduction portion (21), both walls (20a) (20b) are elastically deformed while passing through the intermediate constricted portion (18). Then, when the pipe (9) is deeply fitted and the pipe (9) is deeply fitted over the intermediate constricted portion (18) and is placed in the pipe arranging space (19) which is wide inward, both walls (20a)
(20b) is elastically returned to the inside, placing space (19)
The pipe (9) is tentatively held therein in a surface contact state where it is difficult to separate.

The second bracket member (13) is a press-molded product made of an aluminum brazing sheet, and
As shown in Fig. 2, the non-parallel pipe portion (9) of the inlet pipe (9) is formed on one side in the longitudinal direction as a whole.
b) has an inlet pipe holding part (23) and also has an outlet pipe holding part (24) holding the non-parallel pipe part (10b) of the outlet pipe (10) on the other side in the longitudinal direction,
In addition, a fitting portion (2) for fitting the second bracket member (13) to the first bracket member (12) at an intermediate portion thereof.
Have 5).

Each of the pipe holding portions (23) and (24) adopts the same pipe holding mechanism as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (b).
As shown in FIG. 5, it has an outer rising portion (26a) and an inner rising portion (26b). The outer rising portion (26a) is formed by bending up the side edge portion of the second bracket member (13). The bend (2
7) is formed into an arc along the outer peripheral shape of the pipes (9) and (10). Further, the inner rising portion (26b) forms a U-shaped cut at a position more inward than the outer rising portion (26a), and a portion surrounded by the cut is formed in the same direction as the outer rising portion (26a). It is bent and raised so as to be arranged in parallel with the outer rising portion (26a) at a predetermined interval.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, between the inner and outer rising parts (26a) and (26b), the inner part of the inner part is spread out through the intermediate constricted part (28). A space for arrangement (29) and constriction (28)
The upper side of the outer rising portion (26a) is opened outward to form a lip shape on the outer side of the pipe introduction portion (30). As a result, for example, when the pipe (9) is fitted inward through the pipe introduction portion (30), the inner and outer rising portions (26a) (26b) are elasticized while passing through the intermediate constricted portion (28). It is deformed and opened to the outside, and the pipe (9) is deeply fitted to cross the intermediate constricted part (28) and the space for pipe arrangement (29) is expanded inward.
When placed inside, both inside and outside rising parts (26a) (26b)
Is elastically returned to the inside, and the pipes (9) and (10) are temporarily held in the arrangement space (29) in a surface contact state where it is difficult to separate.

In addition to the pipe holding mechanism for preventing the pipes (9) and (10) from being separated by regulating the pipe separation passage, the pipe (9) is elastically restored by the rising portions (26a) and (26b). A pipe holding mechanism for elastically sandwiching (10) may be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the fitting portion (25) is provided on both side edges of the longitudinal middle portion of the second bracket (13) at the height of the first bracket member (12). Corresponding length notches (32) (32) are provided and this notch (32)
By the (32), the width of the fitting portion (25) corresponds to the width of the fitting recess (15a) of the fitting portion (15) in the first bracket (12). And the notch (3
2) Both ends of the length direction are positioning step (32a) (32a
) Is used as.

In the above-mentioned subassembly unit product (2), the first bracket member (12) and the second bracket member (13) are combined in a connected state by fitting the fitting portions (15) and (25) together, and , The predetermined parallel pipe portions (9c) (10c) of both pipes (9) (10) are pushed into the C-shaped pipe holding portions (16) (17) of the first bracket member (12), respectively, and Non-parallel pipe parts (9b) (10b) of the pipes (9) (10)
The pipe holding portions (23) (2) of the second bracket member (13)
It is assembled into a small set by pressing and fitting into 4).

In the assembly of this unit product (2), the fitting portion (15) of the first bracket member (12) and the fitting portion (25) of the second bracket member (13) are fitted with each other as shown in FIG. First, one side edge of the second bracket member fitting portion (25) is inserted below the retaining projection (15b) in the first bracket member fitting recess (15), as shown in FIG. After that, the second bracket member fitting portion (25) is rotated toward the first bracket member fitting recess (15) side, and in the process, the other side edge of the second bracket member fitting portion (25). Is a convex portion for anchor locking (15c) in the first bracket member fitting concave portion (15).
The second bracket member fitting part (2
The whole 5) is fitted into the first bracket member fitting recess (15), and so on. In this fitted state, the notch step portion (32) of the second bracket member fitting portion (25).
A) (32a) also sandwiches the first bracket member fitting part (15) from the up and down direction, so that both bracket members (12)
(13) is assembled in a surely combined state without disassembly or displacement.

In the assembly of the unit product (2), the first bracket member (12) and the second bracket member (13) can be connected to each other by such a simple operation, and the bracket member (12) is also connected. (13) and pipes (9) (10)
The units can be assembled with each other by a very simple operation such as push-fitting. Therefore, the assembly work of the unit product (2) can be efficiently performed without trouble.

In the manufacture of the heat exchanger, first, the heat exchanger constituent members are assembled in a temporary assembled state with each other to produce a heat exchanger assembly. That is, flat tubes (5) arranged in parallel
Skeletons consisting of tubes (5) and headers (6) and (6) in combination by inserting headers (6) and (6) at both ends of the tube and inserting tube ends into tube insertion holes (6c). , And arrange the corrugated fins (7) between the tubes (5).

Then, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
The pipe bracket small set unit product (2) is assembled to the heat exchanger body assembly (1). That is, the base end portions of the pipes (9) and (10) in the small set unit product (2) are inserted and fitted into the pipe insertion holes (6d) and (6d) of the header (6), and the first bracket member (12) is attached. The outer peripheral portion of the header (6) is held in the header surrounding portion (14). With this alone, the pipes (9) (10)
In 1), the heat exchanger assembly is temporarily held by the heat exchanger body (1). Since the header surrounding portion (14) surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the header (6) over a half circumference or more, this surrounding action and the pipe (9)
The base end of (10) is the pipe insertion hole (6d) of the header (6).
Due to its interaction with being inserted in (6d), the small unit product (2) is firmly held by itself in the heat exchanger body assembly (1).

Next, this heat exchanger assembly is collectively brazed to join and integrate the whole. In this collective brazing, the pipe (9) (10) and the second bracket member (1
3) The mutual contact area with the second bracket member (13)
Since the base end bent portion of the outer rising portion (26a) of the pipe holding portion (23) (24) is bent into an arc along the outer peripheral shape of the pipe (9) (10), A sufficiently wide area is secured mainly by the contact between the two in this portion, so that the pipes (9) (10) and the second bracket member (13) are firmly brazed and joined by this collective brazing. Also, the first bracket member (12)
With the header (6), the inner surface of the header surrounding portion (14) is widely contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the header (6), so that a sufficient brazing area can be secured and the brazing can be performed firmly. In addition, the first bracket member (12) and the second bracket member (13) are also configured such that the fitting portions (15) and (25) are fitted and connected to each other with a wide contact area. , Firmly brazed and joined. As a result, the pipes (9) and (10) are attached to the heat exchanger body (1) by the bracket (11) in a strong holding and fixing state comparable to that of the conventional clamp / screw type bracket.

As described above, in the above heat exchanger,
The bracket (11) is a pipe (9) in the heat exchanger.
In addition to fulfilling the original bracket function of holding (10),
Before brazing the heat exchanger, it can also function as a jig for holding the pipes (9) and (10) in the temporarily assembled state. Therefore, before brazing, the pipes (9) and (10) are attached to the bracket (11). The pipe (9) (100 can be brazed by holding it in a proper posture only by holding it, and after brazing, this can be used as it is as an original bracket. (10) It is possible to reduce the number of manufacturing steps of the heat exchanger related to the mounting of (10) and improve the productivity of the heat exchanger.

Moreover, the heat exchanger body assembly (unit) (2) in which the pipes (9) and (10) and the first and second bracket members (12) and (13) are assembled beforehand in small units is used. As described above, the unit product (2) is easy to assemble, and the pipes (9) (10) and the first and second bracket members (12) are easy to assemble.
Since the assembly of (13) to the heat exchanger body assembly (1) can be easily performed, the heat exchanger manufacturing work can be simplified, and the productivity of the heat exchanger can be finally improved. it can.

Moreover, the bracket (11) is divided into a first bracket member (12) and a second bracket member (13), and the first bracket member (12) attached to the header (6) is an extruded material. Therefore, the first bracket member (12) can be easily manufactured, and the non-parallel pipe portions (9b) (10) of the pipes (9) (10) can be manufactured.
The second bracket member (13) for holding b) can be easily manufactured by press molding, so that the bracket (11) can be manufactured cost-effectively and the manufacturing cost of the heat exchanger can be reduced. Can contribute to.

The inner and outer rising portions (26a) (26b) for holding the pipe in the second bracket member (13).
Since one of the two is formed by bending and bending the edge of the bracket member (13), the one outer rising portion (26a) can be technologically and easily formed. At the same time, the bent portion (27) can be easily formed as a pipe brazing surface for brazing.

[0039]

According to the above, the heat exchanger of the first invention is
Since the bracket is joined and integrated to the header by brazing and the pipe is joined and integrated to the bracket by brazing, in the production of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger main body including the tube, the header, etc. In the temporary assembling process, the pipe and the bracket can be assembled together, and the heat exchanger assembly can be brazed at one time. As a result, the bracket holds the pipe in this brazing process. It fulfills its function and keeps the pipe in a proper posture, and after brazing it fulfills its original bracket function. Therefore, in the past, before brazing, jig attachment work was performed to hold the pipe in the jig, and after brazing, jig removal work and bracket attachment work to hold and fix the pipe with brackets had to be performed. Compared with the case where it was not necessary, the manufacturing man-hours can be significantly reduced, and the productivity of the heat exchanger can be improved.

Moreover, the bracket for holding the non-parallel pipe portion of the pipe is divided into the first bracket member and the portion 2 bracket member, and further has the header surrounding portion surrounding the outer peripheral portion of the header in the circumferential direction. Since the first bracket member is made of extruded material, it is possible to manufacture such a bracket having a complicated three-dimensional structure in a technically easy and cost-effective manner, which in turn reduces the cost of the heat exchanger. Can be realized.

Further, in the heat exchanger manufacturing method of the second invention, the pipe and the first and second bracket members are prepared as a small set unit product and assembled to the heat exchanger body assembly before brazing. Therefore, in the heat exchanger manufacturing line, the pipe and the first and second bracket members can be integrally assembled together, the heat exchanger assembling work can be simplified, and the heat exchanger productivity can be improved. It can be manufactured well and cost effectively.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a pipe holding bracket of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment, FIG. 1 (a) is an exploded perspective view, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a combination.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a first bracket member, and FIG. 2B is a side view of a second bracket member.

3A to 3C are cross-sectional views showing a process of fitting a first bracket member and a second bracket, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a small assembly unit product of a pipe bracket and a heat exchanger body assembly in a separated state.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a small assembly unit product of a pipe bracket and a heat exchanger body assembly in a combined state.

6A and 6B show the entire configuration of a heat exchanger, wherein FIG. 6A is a front view and FIG. 6B is a plan view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Heat exchanger main body 2 ... Pipe / bracket subassembly unit 5 ... Tube 6 ... Header 9 and 10 ... Refrigerant inlet pipe 9a, 10a ... Non-parallel pipe part 11 ... Bracket 12 ... First bracket member 13 ... Second bracket Member 14 ... Header surrounding part 23, 23 ... Pipe holding part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. The end portions of a plurality of tubes are connected to a hollow header so as to communicate with each other, a heat exchange medium flow pipe is extended from the header, and the pipe is oriented in a direction not parallel to the header. In the heat exchanger having the non-parallel pipe portion, the bracket protruding from the header and holding the non-parallel pipe portion of the pipe is made of an extruded material having a header surrounding portion surrounding the outer peripheral portion of the header in the circumferential direction. A first bracket member and a second bracket member that is connected to the first bracket member and holds the non-parallel pipe portion of the pipe, the first bracket member and the header, the second bracket member and the pipe non-parallel pipe portion, A heat exchanger, wherein the first bracket member and the second bracket member are joined and integrated by brazing, respectively. 2. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger comprising a heat exchanger main body, wherein a plurality of tubes are connected to a hollow header so as to communicate with the hollow header, wherein the tube is extended from the hollow header and is not connected to the hollow header. A heat exchange medium distribution pipe having a non-parallel pipe portion facing in a parallel direction, a first bracket member made of an extruded material having a header surrounding portion surrounding the outer peripheral portion of the header in a circumferential direction, and connected to the first bracket member And a second bracket member holding the non-parallel pipe portion of the pipe, and a small set unit product of the pipe bracket in a temporarily assembled state consisting of the small set unit product and the heat exchanger body assembly before brazing, Assemble the pipe to the header in a communicating state,
Assembling the header enclosing portion of the first bracket member with the outer peripheral portion of the first bracket member being enclosed, and then brazing the heat exchanger assembly in that state, whereby the first bracket member, the header, and A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger, characterized in that the two bracket members and the pipe non-parallel pipe portion, and the first bracket member and the second bracket member are joined and integrated by brazing.