WO2020188989A1

WO2020188989A1 - Method for manufacturing heat exchanger

Info

Publication number: WO2020188989A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/001845
Authority: WO
Inventors: 亮輔是澤; 崇史畠田; 亜由美小野寺
Original assignee: 東芝キヤリア株式会社
Priority date: 2019-03-19
Filing date: 2020-01-21
Publication date: 2020-09-24
Also published as: JPWO2020188989A1; CN113597349A; CN113597349B; JP7171889B2; KR102508877B1; KR20210129121A

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to an embodiment comprises first to third steps. The heat exchanger is provided with a plurality of flat pipes which are arrayed in a first direction and are longer in a second direction, and a plurality of plate fins which are arrayed in the second direction and are longer in the first direction. Each of the plate fins has a plurality of first slits that are open on one side along the first direction, and the flat pipes are passed through the first slits of the plate fins. In the first step, the plurality of flat pipes are arrayed in the first direction. In the second step, the plate fins are attracted by means of a suction member. In the third step, the plate fins attracted by means of the suction member and the flat pipes are relatively moved in a third direction, and the flat pipes are positioned in the first slits of the plate fins.

Description

How to make a heat exchanger

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger.

Conventionally, a plurality of flat tubes having a flow path of a refrigerant inside and a plurality of plate fins having slits having a shape corresponding to the plurality of flat tubes are provided, and each flat tube is passed through the slits of each plate fin. Heat exchangers are known.

For example, in manufacturing such a heat exchanger, a plurality of plate fins are first arranged at a predetermined pitch, and flat tubes are sequentially inserted into the slits of each plate fin. Further, headers are attached to both ends of each flat tube, and each flat tube and each plate fin are joined to each other through brazing in the furnace. In the case of such a manufacturing method, when a flat tube is inserted into the slits of a plurality of plate fins, a problem such as the plate fins falling down may occur due to the frictional force between the flat tube and each plate fin.

On the other hand, after arranging a plurality of flat tubes, it is possible to consider a method of grasping the plate fins and attaching them to the flat tubes one by one. However, in this case, the pitch of the plate fins is restricted because it is necessary to prevent the member gripping the plate fins from interfering with the plate fins already attached to the flat tube.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-48162

As mentioned above, there is room for improvement in the manufacture of heat exchangers. Therefore, an object to be solved by the present invention is to increase the degree of freedom in designing the heat exchanger and to provide a manufacturing method capable of efficiently manufacturing the heat exchanger.

The method for manufacturing the heat exchanger according to the embodiment includes a first step, a second step, and a third step. The heat exchangers include a plurality of flat tubes arranged in the first direction and elongated in the second direction intersecting the first direction, and arranged in the second direction and elongated in the first direction. A plurality of plate fins, each of the plurality of plate fins having a plurality of first slits opened on one side along the first direction, and each of the plurality of flat tubes having the plurality of plate fins. It is passed through the first slit of each of the above. In the first step, the plurality of flat tubes are arranged in the first direction. In the second step, the plate fins are attracted by the suction member. In the third step, the plate fins and the plurality of flat tubes attracted by the suction member are relatively moved in the first direction and the third direction intersecting the second direction, and the plate is moved. The flat tube is positioned in each of the plurality of first slits of the fin.

The figure which shows the schematic structure of the refrigeration cycle apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. A schematic plan view of the heat exchanger according to the embodiment. Schematic cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger along lines III-III in FIG. The schematic perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. The schematic perspective view of the suction member and the plate fin provided in the said manufacturing apparatus. Schematic cross-sectional view of the suction member and the plate fin. The perspective view which shows the state in the process of lowering the suction member toward a plurality of flat pipes. The perspective view which shows the state which the said suction member was lowered to the maximum. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a manufacturing apparatus or the like along the IX-IX line in FIG. The perspective view which shows the state which a plurality of plate fins are attached to each flat tube.

One embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a refrigeration cycle device 1 according to the present embodiment. This refrigeration cycle device 1 is, for example, an air conditioner capable of cooling operation and heating operation, and includes a compressor 2, a four-way valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an expansion valve 5, and an indoor heat exchanger 6. , A refrigerant flow path 7 for connecting these elements is provided.

The compressor 2 includes a compressor main body 2a and an accumulator 2b. The accumulator 2b gas-liquid separates the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant flow path 7, and supplies the gas refrigerant to the compressor main body 2a. The compressor body 2a compresses the gas refrigerant supplied from the accumulator 2b to generate a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant.

In such a refrigeration cycle device 1, the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the like can be switched by changing the flow of the refrigerant by the four-way valve 3. In the example of FIG. 1, the solid line arrow indicates the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling operation, and the broken line arrow indicates the flow of the refrigerant in the heating operation.

For example, in the cooling operation, the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the expansion valve 5, and the indoor heat exchanger 6. At this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator, so that the room is cooled.

On the other hand, in the heating operation, the flow path of the four-way valve 3 is switched as shown by the broken line, and the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, the indoor heat exchanger 6, the expansion valve 5, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4. At this time, the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as an evaporator, so that the room is heated.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the heat exchanger 100 according to the present embodiment. The heat exchanger 100 can be used for the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 6 shown in FIG. Further, the heat exchanger 100 can also be used in other types of refrigeration cycle devices and devices other than refrigeration cycle devices.

In the following description, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are defined as shown in FIG. These directions D1 to D3 are, for example, directions orthogonal to each other. However, these directions D1 to D3 may intersect at an angle other than 90 degrees.

The heat exchanger 100 includes a first header 10 and a second header 20. Each of the

headers

10 and 20 is a long pipe in the first direction D1 and is arranged at intervals in the second direction D2.

Both ends of the first header 10 in the first direction D1 are closed by

end caps

11 and 12. Further, the first header 10 has a first joint 13 for connecting to the refrigerant flow path 7.

Similarly, both ends of the second header 20 in the first direction D1 are closed by

end caps

21 and 22. Further, the second header 20 has a second joint 23 for connecting to the refrigerant flow path 7.

The heat exchanger 100 further includes a plurality of flat tubes 30 and a plurality of plate fins 40. The plurality of flat tubes 30 have a long shape in the second direction D2 and are arranged at intervals in the first direction D1. The plurality of plate fins 40 have an elongated shape in the first direction D1 and are arranged at intervals in the second direction D2. In the example of FIG. 2, the arrangement pitch of the plate fins 40 is larger than the arrangement pitch of the flat tube 30. As an example, the distance (arrangement pitch) between adjacent plate fins 40 is about 1.5 mm.

One end of each flat tube 30 in the second direction D2 is connected to the first header 10. Further, the other end of each flat tube 30 in the second direction D2 is connected to the second header 20. For example, when a refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchanger 100 through the first joint 13, the refrigerant is divided from the first header 10 into each flat pipe 30, merges at the second header 20, and passes through the second joint 23. It is discharged from the heat exchanger 100. Further, when the refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchanger 100 through the second joint 23, the refrigerant is diverted from the second header 20 to each flat pipe 30, merges at the first header 10, and passes through the first joint 13. It is discharged from the heat exchanger 100.

The heat exchanger 100 is arranged so that, for example, the first direction D1 is along the direction of gravity. The above-mentioned outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the like may be configured by a plurality of heat exchangers 100 having flow paths connected to each other. In this case, either one of the first joint 13 and the second joint 23 may be used for connecting the flow paths of the heat exchangers 100 to each other.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger 100 along the lines III-III in FIG. The plate fin 40 has a first side 41, a second side 42 on the opposite side of the first side 41, a first surface 43, and a second surface 44 on the opposite side of the first surface 43. Both the first side 41 and the second side 42 are parallel to the first direction D1. The first surface 43 is the front surface of the plate fin 40 shown in FIG. 3, and the second surface F2 is the back surface of the plate fin 40.

The plate fin 40 has a plurality of first slits 50. All of these first slits 50 extend in the third direction D3 and are lined up in the first direction D1. Each first slit 50 is open on the first side 41.

In the example of FIG. 3, each first slit 50 has a first portion 51, a second portion 52, and a tapered portion 53 between the first portion 51 and the second portion 52. The second portion 52 is open to the first side 41 and has a larger width in the first direction D1 than the first portion 51. In the tapered portion 53, both sides of the first slit 50 are inclined with respect to each of the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 so that the width gradually narrows from the second portion 52 to the first portion 51. There is.

Each flat tube 30 is inserted into the first portion 51 of the first slit 50, and is joined to the plate fin 40 by, for example, brazing. In the example of FIG. 3, the end portion of each flat tube 30 in the third direction D3 is located at the tapered portion 53. As another example, the end of each flat tube 30 may be located at the first portion 51 or at the second portion 52. Each flat tube 30 has a plurality of flow paths 31 arranged in the third direction D3 inside. These flow paths 31 communicate with the flow path in the first header 10 and the flow path in the second header 20 shown in FIG.

An expansion portion 45 protruding downward in the drawing with respect to the flat tube 30 is formed between the adjacent first slits 50. The expansion portion 45 increases the contact area between the plate fins 40 and air, and improves the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 100.

In the example of FIG. 3, the plate fin 40 has an inclined portion 46 extending along the second side 42, a stepped portion 47 located between the inclined portion 46 and the second side 42, and an adjacent first slit 50. It also has a cut-up 48 provided between the two.

In the inclined portion 46, the plate fin 40 is bent so as to project toward the second surface 44 side (see FIG. 6 described later). Therefore, the first surface 43 of the step portion 47 is recessed with respect to the region where the first slit 50 is provided. By providing the inclined portion 46, the bending of the thin plate fin 40 can be suppressed.

For example, the cut-up 48 is formed by forming a pair of cuts along the first direction D1 with respect to the plate fins 40, and projecting a portion between these cuts toward the first surface 43 side by press working. In the cut-up 48, the space on the first surface 43 side and the space on the second surface 44 side communicate with each other. By such cutting and raising 48, the contact area between the plate fin 40 and the air around it increases, and the air can flow from the first surface 43 side to the second surface 44 side, or vice versa. ..

The plate fin 40 does not have to have the expansion portion 45 or the cut-up portion 48. Further, the first slit 50 does not have to have at least one of the second portion 52 and the tapered portion 53.

Subsequently, a method of manufacturing the heat exchanger 100 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus 200 of the heat exchanger 100. The manufacturing apparatus 200 is responsible for assembling a plurality of flat tubes 30 and a plurality of plate fins 40 in the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger 100.

The manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a table 201, a holder 202, a suction device 210, and a transfer device 220. In FIG. 4, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 regarding the heat exchanger 100 to be assembled are also shown in the manufacturing apparatus 200.

The holder 202 is arranged at one end of the table 201 in the second direction D2. Although omitted in FIG. 4, the holder 202 is also arranged at the other end of the table 201 in the second direction D2. These holders 202 hold both ends of the plurality of flat tubes 30. The configuration of these holders 202 is not particularly limited, but for example, the flat tube 30 may be held by inserting the end portions of the flat tube 30 into the slits provided in the holder 202.

In the example of FIG. 4, a support member 203 for supporting the lower end of the flat tube 30 is arranged on the table 201. The support member 203 may be arranged at a plurality of places between the pair of holders 202. Details of the support member 203 will be described later in the description of FIG.

The suction device 210 includes a suction member 211 and a plurality of tubes 212. The suction member 211 faces the plurality of flat tubes 30 in the third direction D3 and holds the plate fins 40 by sucking them. One end of the plurality of tubes 212 is connected to the suction member 211, and the other end is connected to a suction source such as a pump.

The transport device 220 includes a pair of

rails

221A and 221B and a pair of

columns

222A and 222B. The

rails

221A and 221B are arranged on the table 201 and extend in the second direction D2. The plurality of flat tubes 30 are held by the holder 202 between the

rails

221A and 221B.

The

columns

222A and 222B extend in the third direction D3. The lower end of the support column 222A and the rail 221A are connected so that the support column 222A can slide along the rail 221A as shown by the arrow AR1. Similarly, the lower end of the column 222B and the rail 221B are connected so that the column 222B can slide along the rail 221B as shown by the arrow AR1. The direction indicated by the arrow AR1 is parallel to the second direction D2.

One end of the suction member 211 and the support column 222A are connected so that the suction member 211 can slide along the support column 222A as shown by the arrow AR2. Similarly, one end of the suction member 211 and the support column 222B are connected so that the suction member 211 can slide along the support column 222B as shown by the arrow AR2. The direction indicated by the arrow AR2 is parallel to the third direction D3.

The horizontal drive mechanism for operating the

columns

222A and 222B along the

rails

221A and 221B includes, for example, a power supply source such as a motor and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power from the power supply source to the

columns

222A and 222B. Various configurations can be applied. Similarly, as the vertical drive mechanism for operating the suction member 211 along the

columns

222A and 222B, for example, a power supply source such as a motor and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting power from the power supply source to the suction member 211 are used. Various configurations are applicable.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the suction member 211 and the plate fin 40. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the suction member 211 and the plate fin 40, showing a state in which the suction member 211 is attracted to the plate fin 40.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the suction member 211 has a suction surface 213 that sucks the plate fins 40, a first end portion 214 in the third direction D3, and a second end opposite to the first end portion 214. It has a portion 215 and a protruding portion 216 located between the suction surface 213 and the second end portion 215. The first end portion 214 is an end portion facing the plurality of flat tubes 30 shown in FIG. The protruding portion 216 protrudes from the suction surface 213 and extends along the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the suction member 211 further has a plurality of second slits 217. The plurality of second slits 217 extend in the third direction D3 and are arranged in the first direction D1 at the same pitch as each of the first slits 50 of the plate fins 40. Each second slit 217 is open to the first end 214.

In the example of FIG. 5, the suction surface 213 has an inclined portion 218 extending in the first direction D1 between each second slit 217 and the protruding portion 216, and a stepped portion 219 located between the inclined portion 218 and the protruding portion 216. And have more. As shown in FIG. 6, the shapes of the inclined portion 218 and the stepped portion 219 are shapes corresponding to the inclined portion 46 and the stepped portion 47 of the plate fin 40. That is, the step portion 47 (first step portion) protrudes in the second direction D2, and the step portion 219 (second step portion) is recessed in the second direction D2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the suction member 211 has a plurality of exhaust holes 230, a plurality of first intake holes 231 and a plurality of second intake holes 232. The plurality of exhaust holes 230 are provided on the upper surface (the surface of the second end portion 215) of the suction member 211 and are arranged in the first direction D1. A plurality of first intake holes 231 are provided on the suction surface 213 and are arranged in the first direction D1. Similarly, the plurality of second intake holes 232 are provided on the suction surface 213 and are arranged in the first direction D1.

In the example of FIG. 5, one first intake hole 231 and one second intake hole 232 are provided between the adjacent second slits 217. The first intake hole 231 and the second intake hole 232 are arranged in the third direction D3.

As shown in FIG. 6, the suction member 211 has a flow path 233 between the adjacent second slits 217. The flow path 233 communicates with one exhaust hole 230, one first intake hole 231 and one second intake hole 232. That is, the suction member 211 has a plurality of flow paths 233 as many as the exhaust holes 230 inside. As another example, the suction member 211 may internally have a flow path communicating with the plurality of exhaust holes 230, the plurality of first intake holes 231 and the plurality of second intake holes 232.

As shown in FIG. 5, a tube 212 is connected to each exhaust hole 230. In FIG. 5, the tube 212 corresponding to a part of the exhaust holes 230 is shown, and the remaining tube 212 is omitted. In the state where the suction surface 213 is not covered with the plate fins 40, air is sucked into the flow path 233 from the first intake hole 231 and the second intake hole 232, and this air is sucked into the flow path 233 through the exhaust hole 230 and the tube 212. It is discharged. When the suction surface 213 is covered with the plate fins 40, the first intake hole 231 and the second intake hole 232 are closed, and the inside of the flow path 233 is depressurized. As a result, the plate fins 40 are attracted to the suction surface 213.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the plate fin 40 is adsorbed on the suction surface 213, the second surface 44 of the plate fin 40 comes into contact with the suction surface 213. At this time, the inclined portion 46 and the stepped portion 47 of the plate fin 40 come into contact with the inclined portion 218 and the stepped portion 219 of the suction surface 213, respectively.

In the state where the plate fins 40 are attracted to the suction surface 213, the plurality of first slits 50 and the plurality of second slits 217 overlap.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus 200, showing a state in which the suction member 211 is being lowered toward the plurality of flat tubes 30. In this figure, the suction member 211 is positioned at the start position P where the first plate fin 40 should be placed. When the suction member 211 is lowered, the flat tube 30 is inserted into the first slit 50 and the second slit 217 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the suction member 211 is lowered to the maximum. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the manufacturing apparatus 200 and the like along the IX-IX line in FIG. When the suction member 211 is lowered to the maximum, the flat tube 30 is inserted to the upper end of each first slit 50. After that, for example, the suction through the tube 212 is temporarily stopped to release the holding of the plate fin 40 by the suction member 211.

As shown in FIG. 9, the support member 203 of the manufacturing apparatus 200 is provided for each of the plurality of flat tubes 30. The lower end of each flat tube 30 is supported in the third direction D3 by the upper surface 203a of the support member 203. As shown, the upper surface 203a of the support member 203 may be recessed so as to easily receive the flat tube 30. When the suction member 211 is lowered, a part of the support member 203 is inserted into the second portion 52 of the first slit 50.

On the left side of FIG. 9, a part of the plate fin 40 is broken to show the suction surface 213 located behind the plate fin 40. As shown in the broken portion, the second slit 217 has a width larger than that of the support member 203 in the first direction D1. When the suction member 211 is lowered, a part of the support member 203 is inserted into the second slit 217.

When each flat tube 30 is inserted into each first slit 50, the frictional force between the edge of each first slit 50 and each flat tube 30 becomes resistance. However, in the present embodiment, since the protruding portion 216 of the suction member 211 can push the plate fin 40, the plate fin 40 is unlikely to be displaced from the suction surface 213 even if the resistance is received.

Further, not only both ends of each flat pipe 30 are supported by the holder 202 described above, but also the intermediate portion is supported by the support member 203. Therefore, even if each flat tube 30 is pushed downward by the plate fin 40, each flat tube 30 is unlikely to bend.

Subsequently, a series of manufacturing processes of the heat exchanger 100 using the manufacturing apparatus 200 as described above will be described.
[First step]
First, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, by attaching a plurality of flat tubes 30 to the holder 202, these flat tubes 30 are arranged in the first direction D1.

[Second step]
After the first step, as shown in FIG. 4, the plate fins 40 are sucked on the suction surface 213 of the suction member 211.

The plate fin 40 is supplied to the suction surface 213 by, for example, a supply device separate from the manufacturing device 200. The configuration of this feeding device is not particularly limited, but for example, a plurality of plate fins 40 individually cut and prepared in advance may be sequentially supplied to the suction surface 213. As another example, the supply device includes a press machine that forms elements of the plate fin 40 such as the first slit 50 by press working on a continuous plate material, and a plate fin 40 by cutting a region after the press working from the plate material. A cutting device for cutting out may be provided, and the cut out plate fins 40 may be sequentially supplied to the suction surface 213.

[Third step]
After the second step, the transfer device 220 moves the suction member 211 along the second direction D2 to the start position P shown in FIG.

At the start position P shown in FIG. 7, the suction member 211 is lowered along the third direction D3 by the transport device 220, so that the flat tube 30 is inserted into the plurality of first slits 50 of the plate fin 40, respectively. After insertion, for example, suction is temporarily stopped to move the suction member 211 away from the plate fins 40. After separating the plate fin 40 and the suction member 211, the suction member 211 is raised to the position shown in FIG. In the case of plate fins having no inclined portion 46 or stepped portion 47, it is not necessary to move the suction member 211 in the direction away from the plate fins.

After that, the plate fins 40 are sequentially attached to each flat tube 30 by continuously performing the second step and the third step. At this time, the suction member 211 that has attracted the second and subsequent plate fins 40 is moved by the transport device 220 along the second direction D2 by a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance corresponds to the arrangement pitch of the plate fins 40 in the manufactured heat exchanger 100. That is, the suction member 211 moves the sucked plate fin 40 to a position having a predetermined distance in the second direction D2 with respect to the plate fin 40 into which the flat tube 30 has already been inserted, and attaches the suction member 211 to each flat tube.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus 200, showing a state in which a part of the plurality of plate fins 40 included in the heat exchanger 100 is attached to each flat tube 30. In the step of moving the suction member 211 along the second direction D2, the suction member 211 moves in the direction in which the suction surface 213 is separated from the attached plate fin 40. Therefore, the suction member 211 does not interfere with the attached plate fin 40. As shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of plate fins 40 attached to the flat tubes 30 are supported by the flat tubes 30 without being in contact with each other, for example.

In the step of moving the suction member 211 along the second direction D2, the moving distance may be changed according to the position in the second direction D2. In this case, a place where the arrangement pitch of the plate fins 40 is dense or a place where the arrangement pitch is sparse can be arbitrarily provided.

When the attachment of all the plate fins 40 is completed, other elements of the heat exchanger 100 such as the first header 10 and the second header 20 are attached to each flat tube 30. For example, each flat tube 30 is coated with a brazing material in advance, and each flat tube 30 and each plate fin 40 are fixed by brazing the assembled heat exchanger 100 in a furnace. In this way, the heat exchanger 100 is completed.

Here, as a comparative example with the present embodiment, a heat exchanger using a circular tube having a diameter of about 7 mm instead of a flat tube is assumed. Conventionally, in such a heat exchanger, a circular slit for inserting a circular tube is provided in the plate fin, and a fin collar for projecting the periphery of the slit to define the distance between adjacent plate fins. Is formed. Then, after laminating a plurality of plate fins at a predetermined arrangement pitch using this fin collar, a circular tube is inserted into the slit of each plate fin.

For example, when the plate fins are arranged at intervals of 1.5 mm, the protruding height of the fin collar is set to 1.5 mm. Since the diameter of the slit is as large as about 7 mm as in the circular tube, it is possible to easily form a fin collar having such a protruding height. On the other hand, in a heat exchanger using a flat tube as in the present embodiment, assuming that the thickness of the flat tube is, for example, 2 mm or less, a fin collar of about 1.5 mm is provided around the slit of the plate fin. Is difficult to form.

In addition, as a method of adjusting the spacing between a plurality of plate fins, a structure in which a cutting edge for adjusting the spacing is provided on the plate fins and the cutting edges are brought into contact with adjacent plate fins can be considered. However, the presence of such cuts over adjacent plate fins can be a factor that hinders the drainage of condensed water generated when the heat exchanger acts as an evaporator. In addition, when the outside air temperature is low, frost is formed on the cut-up, which can be a factor that hinders heat transfer.

On the other hand, in the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, one plate fin 40 is attached after arranging a plurality of flat tubes 30. Therefore, a plurality of plate fins 40 can be arranged at appropriate intervals without providing fin collars or cut-ups for adjusting the intervals.

Further, if a plurality of plate fins 40 are arranged first and the flat tube 30 is inserted into the first slit 50 of these plate fins 40, the frictional force between the large number of plate fins 40 and the flat tube 30 causes. , The plate fin 40 may fall down or be deformed. On the other hand, in the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, since the plate fins 40 are inserted one by one, the frictional force when inserting the plate fins 40 is small, and the above-mentioned problems can be suppressed.

Further, at the time of insertion, the plate fin 40 is held by the suction force of the suction member 211. If the plate fin 40 is gripped by some member and attached to the flat tube 30, the member may interfere with the attached plate fin 40. Therefore, it is necessary to properly maintain the distance between the adjacent plate fins 40, and the arrangement pitch of the plate fins 40 is restricted. On the other hand, when the plate fin 40 is sucked by the suction member 211, the plate fin 40 can be held on one side as shown in FIG. 4 and the like. As a result, interference between the suction member 211 and the attached plate fins 40 can be suppressed, so that the adjustment range of the arrangement pitch of the plate fins 40 is widened.

Further, in the suction member 211 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of first intake holes 231 or a plurality of second intake holes 232 are arranged in the first direction D1 (longitudinal direction of the plate fin 40). I'm out. Further, the first intake hole 231 and the second intake hole 232 are arranged in the third direction D3 (the lateral direction of the plate fin 40). As a result, each position of the plate fin 40 is sucked in a dispersed manner, so that the plate fin 40 is stably sucked with respect to the suction surface 213.

For example, it is possible to partially adjust the suction force with respect to the plate fin 40 by changing the size of a part of the plurality of first intake holes 231 and the plurality of second intake holes 232. By appropriately making such adjustments, the insertability of the plate fins 40 into the plurality of flat tubes 30 can be improved.

Further, the suction member 211 of the present embodiment has a second slit 217 at a position corresponding to the first slit 50 of the plate fin 40. Then, when the suction member 211 that has attracted the plate fins 40 is lowered, the flat tube 30 is inserted into both the first slit 50 and the second slit 217. With such a configuration, the plate fin 40 can be satisfactorily held by the suction member 211 until the position where the flat tube 30 is completely inserted into the first slit 50.

Further, the suction member 211 of the present embodiment has a protruding portion 216 that protrudes from the suction surface 213. When the suction member 211 that has attracted the plate fin 40 is lowered, the plate fin 40 is pushed by the protruding portion 216, so that both are suitably attached against the frictional force between the plate fin 40 and the flat tube 30. be able to.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a manufacturing method capable of efficiently manufacturing the heat exchanger 100 while increasing the degree of freedom in design regarding the arrangement pitch and the like of the plurality of plate fins 40. ..

The manufacturing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 4 and the like is only an example of an apparatus that can be used to realize the manufacturing method of the heat exchanger 100. The manufacturing apparatus 200 can be transformed into various modes.

For example, in the present embodiment, a plurality of flat tubes 30 are fixed on the table 201, and a configuration in which the suction member 211 and the plate fins 40 are lowered with respect to these flat tubes 30 in the third step is illustrated. However, in the third step, the plurality of flat tubes 30 may be moved toward the suction member 211 and the plate fins 40. That is, the manufacturing apparatus 200 may have a structure capable of relatively moving the plate fins 40 sucked by the suction member 211 and the plurality of flat tubes 30 in the third direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration in which the suction member 211 is moved in the second direction D2 in the third step is illustrated. However, in the second step or the third step, the plurality of flat tubes 30 may be moved along the second direction D2. That is, the manufacturing apparatus 200 may have a structure capable of relatively moving the suction member 211 and the plurality of flat tubes 30 in the second direction D2.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

100 ... heat exchanger, 10 ... first header, 20 ... second header, 30 ... flat tube, 40 ... plate fin, 50 ... first slit, 200 ... manufacturing equipment, 201 ... table, 202 ... holder, 203 ... support Member, 210 ... Suction device, 211 ... Suction member, 212 ... Tube, 213 ... Suction surface, 214 ... First end, 215 ... Second end, 216 ... Protruding part, 217 ... Second slit, 220 ... Conveyor , 221A, 221B ... rails, 222A, 222B ... columns, 230 ... exhaust holes, 231 ... first intake holes, 232 ... second intake holes.

Claims

A plurality of flat tubes arranged in the first direction and elongated in the second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of plate fins arranged in the second direction and elongated in the first direction. Each of the plurality of plate fins has a plurality of first slits opened on one side along the first direction, and each of the plurality of flat tubes is the first of the plurality of plate fins. It is a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger that has been passed through a slit.
The first step of arranging the plurality of flat tubes in the first direction, and
The second step of sucking the plate fin with the suction member and
The plate fin and the plurality of flat tubes attracted by the suction member are relatively moved in the first direction and the third direction intersecting the second direction, and the plurality of first plates of the plate fin are moved. The third step of locating each of the flat tubes in the slit, and
Manufacturing method including.
The suction member has a plurality of suction ports arranged in the first direction, and the plate fins are sucked by these suction ports.
The manufacturing method according to claim 1.
The suction member has a plurality of suction ports arranged in the third direction, and the plate fins are sucked by these suction ports.
The manufacturing method according to claim 1.
In the second step or the third step, the plate fins attracted to the suction member have a predetermined distance from the plate fins in which the flat tube is already arranged in the first slit. The suction member and the plurality of flat tubes are relatively moved in the second direction.
The second step and the third step are continuously carried out.
The manufacturing method according to claim 1.
The suction member includes a suction surface for sucking the plate fins, a first end portion facing the plurality of flat tubes, a second end portion on the opposite side of the first end portion, and the plurality of first slits. It has a plurality of second slits that are lined up at a pitch corresponding to the above and open at the first end portion.
In the third step, when the plate fin and the plurality of flat tubes sucked by the suction member are relatively moved in the third direction, the flat tubes are inserted into the plurality of second slits, respectively. Be done,
The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The suction member further has a protruding portion protruding from the suction surface between the suction surface and the second end portion.
The manufacturing method according to claim 5.
The plate fin further has a first step portion protruding in the second direction.
The suction surface further has a second step portion recessed in the second direction.
In a state where the plate fins are attracted by the suction surface, the first step portion and the second step portion come into contact with each other.
The manufacturing method according to claim 6.
In the third step, after the flat tube is positioned in each of the plurality of first slits of the plate fin, suction by the suction member is stopped, and the suction member and the plate fin are separated from each other. Move relative to
The manufacturing method according to claim 7.
In the first step to the third step, one end of the flat tube in the third direction is supported by a support member.
In the third step, a part of the support member is inserted into the second slit.
The manufacturing method according to claim 5.
The first slit includes a first portion and a second portion that opens on one side along the first direction and has a width larger than that of the first portion.
In the third step, a part of the support member is inserted into the second part.
The manufacturing method according to claim 9.