US20190353426A1

US20190353426A1 - Side member and heat exchanger having the same

Info

Publication number: US20190353426A1
Application number: US15/983,195
Authority: US
Inventors: Jonathan RADZICKI
Original assignee: Denso International America Inc
Current assignee: Denso International America Inc
Priority date: 2018-05-18
Filing date: 2018-05-18
Publication date: 2019-11-21

Abstract

A side member for a heat exchanger includes a core formed of tubes stacked with one another along a stacking direction. The heat exchanger performs heat exchange between a first fluid flowing through the tubes and a second fluid passing through the core. The side member includes a body portion. The body portion has an elongated shape extending along a longitudinal direction and is configured to be positioned on one side of the core in the stacking direction in parallel with the tubes. The body portion defines a channel therein extending along a longitudinal direction and is configured to allow the first fluid to flow through the channel while exchanging heat with the second fluid passing through the core.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a side member and a heat exchanger having the side member.

BACKGROUND

Heat exchangers, such as those mounted in vehicles, may include a core having tubes stacked with one another. Generally, such heat exchangers further include side plates that are stacked with the core. The side plates are disposed to reinforce the core mechanically.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides a side member for a heat exchanger. The side member includes a core formed of tubes stacked with one another along a stacking direction. The heat exchanger performs heat exchange between a first fluid flowing through the tubes and a second fluid passing through the core. The side member includes a body portion. The body portion has an elongated shape extending along a longitudinal direction and is configured to be positioned on one side of the core in the stacking direction in parallel with the tubes. The body portion defines a channel therein extending along a longitudinal direction and is configured to allow the first fluid to flow through the channel while exchanging heat with the second fluid passing through the core.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description referring to the drawings described herein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a side plate according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the side plate shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a core plate including slots according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view partially illustrating the side plate shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 inserted into the core plate shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a side plate according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the side plate shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view partially illustrating the side plate shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 inserted into the core plate shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a side plate according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the side plate shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a core plate including slots according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view partially illustrating the side plate shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 inserted into the core plate shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a side plate according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the side plate shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view partially illustrating the side plate shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 inserted into the core plate shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a side plate according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a side plate according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A plurality of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter referring to drawings. In the embodiments, a part that corresponds to a matter described in a preceding embodiment may be assigned with the same reference numeral, and redundant explanation for the part may be omitted. When only a part of a configuration is described in an embodiment, another preceding embodiment may be applied to the other parts of the configuration. The parts may be combined even if it is not explicitly described that the parts may be combined even if it is not explicitly described that the parts may be combined. The embodiments may be partially combined even if it is not explicitly described that the embodiments may be combined, provided there is no harm in the combination.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates a heat exchanger 10 including a core 12, two tanks 14, two core plates 16, and two side plates 22. The core 12, the two tanks 14, the two core plates 16, and the two side plates 22 are assembled integrally with each other to form the heat exchanger 10. For example, the two tanks 14, the two core plates 16, and the two side plates 22 may be fixed to one another into one component, e.g., through brazing, welding, or mechanical fasteners. As described later, the side plates 22 are not necessarily limited to being plate shaped, and thus may be referred to as side members as well.
The core 12 includes a plurality of tubes 18 and a plurality of fins 20. Within the core 12, the tubes 18 and the fins 20 are integrally fixed to each other, e.g., through brazing, welding, or mechanical fasteners. The tubes 18 extend along a longitudinal direction to be parallel with each other, and a heat exchange medium, such as the refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle or coolant (e.g., engine cooling water), is allowed to flow through the tubes 18. The longitudinal direction of the tubes 18 is parallel with a lateral direction of the heat exchanger 10 in the present embodiment, and thus may be referred to as the lateral direction. The fins 20 each are formed in a wave form (i.e., a corrugated form) and extend along the longitudinal direction to be parallel with each other. The tubes 18 and the fins 20 are stacked alternately along a stacking direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
Air passages are defined between each of the fins 20 and adjacent tubes 18, and air is allowed to flow through these air passages in an airflow direction. The airflow direction is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the stacking direction. The airflow direction is parallel with a width direction of the heat exchanger 10. The core 12 is configured to allow the air to flow through the air passages while exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the tubes. That is, the core 12 is configured to perform a heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air. The fins 20 enhance the heat exchanging performance of the core 12.
The two tanks 14 and the two core plates 16 are disposed on two opposing sides of the core 12, i.e., such that the core 12 is interposed between the tanks 14 and the core plates 16 in the longitudinal direction. As described later, the two tanks 14 are coupled with the two core plates 16 and define tank chambers 24 therein together with the two core plates 16. The two tanks 14 may be further connected to other components in a heat exchange system. For example, one tank 14 may be connected to a compressor via a pipe, and the other tank 14 may be connected to an expansion valve via a pipe.
Each side plate 22 is configured to be positioned on one side of the core 12 in the stacking direction. Specifically, the two side plates 22 are disposed on two opposing side of the core 12 in the stacking direction to mechanically reinforce the core 12. Therefore, each side plate 22 is proximal to one outermost tube 18 a of the tubes 18. Each side plate 22 is spaced away from the outermost tube 18 a in the stacking direction to define an airflow path 38 between the side plate 22 and the outermost tube 18 a. The air is allowed to pass through the airflow path 38 along the airflow direction. The airflow path 38 is not limited to being a path through which air is allowed to flow, and any fluids may be allowed to flow therethrough. Thus, the airflow path 38 may be referred to as a flow path as well. One fin 20 is configured to be positioned in the airflow path 38.
The two side plates 22 have the same structure, therefore the following explanation will be directed toward one of the two side plates 22, referred to as the side plate 22, and a configuration regarding the side plate 22 will be described hereafter.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate the side plate 22 in detail. The side plate 22 includes a body portion 26 that has an elongated shape and that defines a channel 28 therein, such that the refrigerant is allowed to flow through the channel 28. The fluid being allowed to flow through the channel 28 may not be limited to be the refrigerant, and thus may be referred to as the first fluid as well.
The side plate 22 includes a first protrusion 30 a and a second protrusion 30 b that protrude from the body portion 26 and that extend away from the channel 28. The first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b face each other in the width direction. The first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b may extend from the body portion 26 seamlessly, and thereby forming flat surfaces together with the body portion 26.
In a preferred embodiment, the four wall portions of the body portion 26 surrounding the channel 28 each have a thickness of between 0.5 millimeter and 1.5 millimeter. More preferably, the wall portions of the body portion 26 may have a thickness of 1 millimeter. In this disclosure, specific dimension values are provided as exemplary implementations, and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, these values are intended to capture variations caused by manufacturing tolerance, heat expansion/contraction, and other common minor variations which may arise during implementation. The first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b each may have the same thickness as the four wall portions of the body portions 26. The channel 28 preferably has a height of between 1 and 2 millimeters, and more preferably has a height of 1.4 millimeters in the stacking direction.
In a preferred embodiment, the total height of the side plate 22 in the stacking direction may be varied as required by changing the height of the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b. For example, the side plate 22 preferably has the total height between 7 and 10 millimeters. Preferably, the total height of the side plate 22 may be 9.6 millimeters, i.e., the height of each of the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b may be 7.2 millimeters. More preferably, the total height of the side plate 22 may be 7.2 millimeters, i.e., the height of each of the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b may be 4.8 millimeters. In this disclosure, specific dimension values are provided as exemplary implementations, and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, these values are intended to capture variations caused by manufacturing tolerance, heat expansion/contraction, and other common minor variations which may arise during implementation.
The total width of the side plate 22 in the width direction may be set in a range of 10 millimeters to 60 millimeters. For example, the total width may be set to one of 16 millimeters, 27 millimeters, or 36 millimeters. That is, the channel 28 may be 14 millimeter wide when the total width is 16 millimeters, 25 millimeter wide when the total width is 27 millimeters, and 34 millimeter wide when the total width is 36 millimeter wide.
The side plate 22 may be made of the same material as the tubes 18 such as aluminum alloy, however the material is not limited to be the same as a material forming the tubes 18. For example, the side plate 22 may be made of stainless for increased strength.
The first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b each are illustrated to have a rectangular shape in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in FIG. 2. However, the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b may instead of have a cross section with rounded corners, e.g., through chamfering. Similarly, although the body portion 26 is shown with a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, this cross section may have rounded corners instead, e.g., through chamfering. Alternatively, a die molding the side plate 22 may be designed to form the rounded corners of the first protrusion 30 a, the second protrusion 30 b, and the body portion 26 when the side plate 22 is manufactured by, e.g., extrusion molding.
The side plate 22 is configured to be inserted into the core plates 16 as described hereafter.
As shown in FIG. 4, the two core plates 16 each include a plurality of slots 32 passing therethrough in the longitudinal direction. Each of the tubes 18 is inserted into one of the slots 32 of both core plates 16. In each of the two core plates 16, the slots 32 include two outermost slots 32 a. The side plates 22 are similarly inserted into one of the outermost slots 32 a of both core plates 16. Accordingly, the plurality of tubes 18 and the pair of side plates 22 are arranged to extend between the two core plates 16, as shown in FIG. 1.
In the present embodiment, the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b of each side plate 22 are inserted into the outermost slot 32 a together with the body portion 26 of the each side plate 22. Accordingly, the outermost slot 32 a has a shape (shown in FIG. 4) corresponding to a shape of the side plate 22 (shown in FIG. 2) in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
As shown in FIG. 5, the tank 14 defines the tank chamber 24 therein together with the core plate 16. When the tubes 18 and the side plate 22 are inserted into the core plate 16, the hollow insides of the tubes 18 and the body portion 26 of the side plate 22 are in fluid communication with the tank chamber 24. Accordingly, the tank 14 together with the tubes 18 and the side plate 22 forms fluid passages, and a heat exchange medium such as a refrigerant is allowed to flow through these fluid passages.
The tubes 18 are configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough while exchanging heat with the air passing through the airflow paths 38 defined between the tubes 18. Similarly, the side plate 22 is configured to allow fluid to flow through the channel 28 while exchanging heat with the air passing through the airflow path 38 defined between the side plate 22 and the outermost tube 18 a.
Effects of the present embodiment will be described hereafter.
When manufacturing the heat exchanger 10, the tubes 18 are typically assembled to the core plates 16, e.g., through brazing, while being wrapped together in a single stack by wires or while being fastened together in a single stack by, for example, a jig such as a carbon braze jig. The wires or the jig retain the tubes 18 tightly to suppress a misalignment of the tubes 18 during the assembly. However, the tubes 18 are preferably made of metallic material such as aluminum alloy, and may insufficient strength to bear a stress (or a load) applied thereto from the wires or the jig. Accordingly, the wires or the jig may deform the outermost tube 18 a during the assembly.
Then, in the present embodiment, the side plate 22 is stacked on the outermost tube 18 a to protect the outermost tube 18 a from the stress. In other words, in the present embodiment, the tubes 18 and the side plates 22 are preferably wrapped together in a single stack by wires. Alternatively, the tubes 18 and the side plates 22 are preferably fastened together in a single stack by a jig in the present embodiment. In this case, the wires or the jig would be in contact with the side plates 22 rather than any of the tubes 18. The first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b, which protrude from the body portion 26 and extend away from the outermost tube 18 a, receive the stress and may serve as sacrificial portions that may be deformed by the wires or the jig.
The first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b also protect the body portion 26 from the stress. Accordingly, a cause of a deformation of the body portion 26 due to the stress can be suppressed, and therefore the channel 28 can be prevented from being crushed.
The side plate 22 includes the body portion 26 defining the channel 28 therein through which fluid flows. In other words, the body portion 26 may also form a fluid passage between the tanks 14, in addition to the tubes 18. Therefore, the side plate 22 with the body portion 26 increases a heat transfer area of the core 12 where a heat exchange medium and the air exchange heat with each other, and enhances the heat exchanging performance of the core 12.
In addition, the side plate 22 can be manufactured in a simple method such as extrusion molding. In other words, a thermal-strain relief structure can be provided in the side plate 22 easily with low cost. As well known, when a hot fluid passes through tubes, a side plate is heated by the heat, which transfers to the side plate from nearby tubes, and may be deformed due to the thermal strain. Therefore, it is considered to provide the thermal-strain relief structure in the side plate. For example, the side plate may be divided into two or more pieces to relieve the thermal strain and suppress a deformation of the side plate. However, a cost and the number of process for manufacturing a heat exchanger may increase for providing such thermal-strain relief structure.
Then, in the present embodiment, the side plate 22, which includes the body portion 26 defining the channel 28 therein, can be manufactured by the extrusion molding. Extrusion molding does not increase the cost and the number of process for manufacturing the heat exchanger 10.
In the present embodiment, the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b each may have a rounded cross section as described above. In other words, the portion of the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b which come into contact with wires during assembly may be rounded. Accordingly, a total contact area where the wires are in contact with the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b is increased. As a result, the stress applied to the side plate 22 from the wires in the brazing can be distributed effectively. Thus, the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b can suppress the cause of the deformation of the body portion 26 due to the stress more effectively.

Second Embodiment

In the present embodiment, the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b are configured to allow the air to pass through the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b in the width direction (or the airflow direction). As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b each include through-holes 36 passing therethrough in the width direction. Accordingly, an airflow path 40 is defined between the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b, and the air is allowed to flow through the airflow path 40 along the width direction.
As shown in FIG. 8, the side plate 22 is inserted into the outermost slot 32 a of the slots 32 of respective one of the core plates 16 such that the channel 28 is in fluid communication with the tank chambers 24. Therefore, the side plate 22 is configured to perform a heat exchange between a fluid flowing through the channel 28 and the air flowing through the airflow path 38 defined between the side plate 22 and the outermost tube 18 a. In addition, in the present embodiment, the side plate 22 is configured to perform a heat exchange between a fluid flowing through the channel 28 and the air flowing through the airflow path 40 defined between the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b.
Thus, in the present embodiment, the side plate 22, while reinforcing the core 12 mechanically, enhances the heat exchanging performance of the core 12 between a fluid and the air more effectively.
In addition, since the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b each include the through-holes 36, the through-holes 36 reduce an air pressure of the air flowing across the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b along the airflow direction. In other words, a load applied to the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b from the air flowing along the airflow direction is reduced. As a result, the core plate 16 can retain the side plate 22 tightly against the air pressure certainly.
The through-holes 36 may not be necessarily provided across each of the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b along the longitudinal direction. For example, the through-hole 36 may not be necessarily provided inside the tank chamber 24, and thus being only provided in portions of the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b located outside the tank chamber 24.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrate the side plate 22 in the present embodiment. The side plate 22 includes a first protrusion 34 a and a second protrusion 34 b that protrude from the body portion 26 and extend away from the outermost tube 18 a when assembled. The first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b face each other in the width direction. The side plate 22 further includes two extended ends 42 that protrude from the first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b along the longitudinal direction on opposing sides of the side plate 22 in the longitudinal direction.
As shown in FIG. 11, in each of the two core plates 16, the slots 32 include two outermost slots 32 b. Each of the two extended ends 42 of the side plate 22 is inserted into the outermost slot 32 b of respective one of the core plats 16. In the present embodiment, the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b are not inserted into the outermost slot 32 b together with the body portion 26. Accordingly, the outermost slot 32 a has a shape corresponding to a shape of the extended end 42 in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
As shown in FIG. 12, the first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b come into contact with the core plate 16 when each extended end 42 is inserted into the outermost slot 32 b.
Since the first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b are not located inside the tank chamber 24, the first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b do not interfere a flow of the refrigerant flowing through the tank chamber 24. As a result, the refrigerant can flow smoothly through the refrigerant passages defined by the tanks 14 together with the tubes 18 and the side plate 22.
Since the first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b come into contact with the core plate 16 when each extended end 42 is inserted into the outermost slot 32 b, a position of the side plate 22 with respect to the core plate 16 can be set only by inserting the extended end 42 into the outermost slot 32 b. In addition, the first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b can prevent the side plate 22 from being displaced. As a result, the assembling, in which the side plate 22 and the core plate 16 are assembled integrally with each other, can be performed stably and certainly.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 illustrate the side plate 22 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the side plate 22 includes the first protrusion 34 a, the second protrusion 34 b, and the extended ends 42 similar to the above-described third embodiment.
The first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b each include the through-holes 36 passing therethrough in the width direction similar to the above-described second embodiment. Accordingly, the airflow path 40 is defined between the first protrusion 30 a and the second protrusion 30 b, and the air is allowed to flow through the airflow path 40 along the width direction.
As shown in FIG. 15, the first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b come into contact with the core plate 16 outside the tank chamber 24 when each extended end 42 is inserted into the outermost slot 32 b.
According to the fourth embodiment, effects of the second embodiment and the third embodiment can be obtained at the same time.

Other Embodiment

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be through, and will convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a through understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processers, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
The technology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” and “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The method steps, processers, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used herein, the terms “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Example embodiments will be described hereinafter.
(1) In the above-described embodiments, the side plate 22 may be formed by extrusion molding. However, a side plate including a first protrusion and a second protrusion may be manufactured by bending a single plate. FIG. 16 shows an example of a side plate 22A formed by bending a single plate. An example of a method for manufacturing the side plate 22A, the single plate is bent to form a body portion 260A, a first protrusion 44 a, and a second protrusion 44 b. In this example, clearances C1 defined around a first edge and a second edge of the single plate may be filled with a brazing material to define two channels 280A. The refrigerant is allowed to flow through the channels 280A. More preferably, clearances C2, other than the channels 280A and the clearances C1, defined by bending the single plate may be filled, e.g., through brazing.
(2) The single plate may include at least a first layer and a second layer made of different materials. For example, the first layer may be a base layer and the second layer may be a sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer protects the base layer from damage such as corrosion or oxidative damage. Alternatively, the second layer may be a braze layer that enables brazing the first edge and the second edge or brazing the side plate 22A with the core plate 16 more easily. The single plate may include the base layer, the sacrificial layer, and the brazing layer together.
(3) The side plate 22 may be formed by two plates. FIG. 17 shows an example of a side plate 22B formed by coupling two plates. As an example of a method for manufacturing the side plate 22 with two plates, a first plate bent into a specified shape and a second plate bent into a specified shape may be coupled with each other to form a body portion 260B, a first protrusion 46 a, and a second protrusion 46 b.
For example, clearances C3 defined between the first plate and the second plate within the first protrusion 46 a and the second protrusion 46 b may be filled with a brazing material. Accordingly, two channels 280B are defined between the first plate and the second plate, and the refrigerant is allowed to flow through the channels 280B. In this example, a clearance C4, other than the channels 280B and the clearances C3, may be defined by bending the first plate or the second plate. Preferably, the clearance C4 may be filled as well, e.g., through brazing.
This method for manufacturing the side plate 22 with two plates can resolve various manufacturing/material limits on bends and on complexity of bends.
(4) In the above-described third and fourth embodiments, the first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b may be formed integrally with the body portion 26 by extrusion molding. However, the first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b may be formed separately from the body portion 26.
In this example, the body portion 26 including the extended ends 42 can be molded using the same die molding the tubes 18. Accordingly, the body portion 26 has the same shape as the tubes 18 in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The first protrusion 34 a and the second protrusion 34 b may be molded using a different die from the die molding the body portion 26 and the tubes 18, and then attached to the body portion 26.
According to this example, a manufacturing process for forming the outermost slot 32 b, which has a different shape from the shape of other slots 32, can be omitted.
In the above-described embodiments, the side plate 22 may be formed by extrusion molding or by bending. However, it should be understood that the method for molding the side plate 22 is not limited to extrusion molding or bending, i.e., the side plate 22 may be formed by another method such as stamping.
(5) In the above-described embodiments, the heat exchanger 10 may be used as a part of a refrigeration cycle (not shown) through which refrigerant (or a first fluid) circulates. The refrigeration cycle includes, for example, the heat exchanger 10, an expansion valve, a compressor, and an evaporator (not shown), which are connected with each other via pipes (not shown). However, the heat exchanger 10 may not be limited to be the part of the refrigeration cycle and may be mounted to a various devices.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A side member for a heat exchanger that includes a core formed of a plurality of tubes stacked with one another along a stacking direction, the heat exchanger performing heat exchange between a first fluid flowing through the plurality of tubes and a second fluid passing through the core, the side member comprising:

a body portion that has an elongated shape extending along a longitudinal direction and is configured to be positioned on one side of the core in the stacking direction in parallel with the plurality of tubes, wherein

the body portion defines a channel therein extending along a longitudinal direction and is configured to allow the first fluid to flow through the channel while exchanging heat with the second fluid passing through the core.

2. The side member according to claim 1, wherein

the body portion is stacked on an outermost tube of the plurality of tubes and is spaced away from the outermost tube in the stacking direction to define a flow path therebetween through which the second fluid passes.

3. The side member according to claim 2, further comprising

a first protrusion and a second protrusion that protrude from the body portion and extend away from the outermost tube, and

the first and second protrusions face each other in a width direction perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the longitudinal direction.

4. The side member according to claim 3, wherein

each of the first and second protrusions includes a through-hole passing therethrough in the width direction, and

the through-hole is configured to allow the second fluid to pass therethrough.

5. The side member according to claim 3, wherein

the body portion and the first and second protrusions are formed by extrusion molding.

6. The side member according to claim 3, wherein

the body portion and the first and second protrusions are formed by bending a single plate.

7. The side member according to claim 6, wherein the single plate includes a first layer and a second layer made of different materials.

8. A heat exchanger comprising:

a core formed of a plurality of tubes stacked with one another along a stacking direction, the core performing heat exchange between a first fluid flowing through the plurality of tubes and a second fluid passing through the core; and

a side member that has an elongated shape extending along a longitudinal direction and defines a channel therein through which the first fluid flows, wherein

the side member is configured to be positioned on one side of the core in the stacking direction in parallel with the plurality of tubes and is configured to allow the first fluid to flow through the channel while exchanging heat with the second fluid passing through the core.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein

the side member is stacked on an outermost tube of the plurality of tubes and is spaced away from the outermost tube in the stacking direction to define a flow path, through which the second fluid passes, between the side member and the outermost tube.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein

the side member includes

a body portion defining the channel therein and

a first protrusion and a second protrusion that protrude from the body portion, extend away from the outermost tube along the stacking direction, and face each other in a width direction perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the longitudinal direction.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, the heat exchanger further comprising

a core plate that is located on a lateral side of the core along the stacking direction; and

a tank that is coupled with the core plate and defines a tank chamber therein together with the core plate, wherein

the core plate includes a plurality of slots into which the plurality of tubes and the body portion are inserted,

the plurality of slots include an outermost slot located outermost in the stacking direction among the plurality of slots,

the body portion is inserted into the outermost slot, and

the channel of the body portion and the plurality of tubes are in fluid communication with the tank chamber when the plurality of tubes and the side member are inserted into the plurality of slots.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, further comprising

the first and second protrusions are inserted into the outermost slot together with the body portion.

13. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein

the body portion includes an extended end that protrudes from the first and second protrusion along the longitudinal direction, and

the first and second protrusions come into contact with the core plate when the extended end is inserted into the outermost slot.