Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
  • F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
  • F28D1/02—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid
  • F28D1/04—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits
  • F28D1/053—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being straight
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
  • F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
  • F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
  • F28F1/14—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally
  • F28F1/20—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally the means being attachable to the element
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
  • F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
  • F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
  • F28F1/24—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending transversely
  • F28F1/30—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending transversely the means being attachable to the element

Definitions

• This disclosure relates to a heat exchanger and air conditioning device equipped with flat tubes and fins.
• Patent Document 1 discloses a heat exchanger equipped with multiple flat tubes and corrugated fins with multiple louvers.
• a slit is formed in the center of the corrugated fin in the corrugated fin heat exchanger. In this way, the slit is formed in the position farthest from each of the upstream and downstream ends of the flat tube in the air flow direction. In this way, Patent Document 1 aims to suppress freezing by using the slit to release the freezing load, even if the surface temperature drops below freezing and there is a possibility of freezing.
• Patent Document 1 has slits, it does not take drainage into consideration. There is a need for a heat exchanger that can efficiently drain water that forms on the fins.
• This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a heat exchanger and air conditioner that efficiently discharges water.
• the heat exchanger disclosed herein comprises a plurality of flat tubes through which a refrigerant flows, and a plurality of fins disposed between the flat tubes to transfer heat from the refrigerant flowing through the flat tubes.
• the fins have a flat portion with an opening formed in a portion thereof, and louvers that form the opening in the flat portion. Slits are formed in the flat portion at the portion that comes into contact with the end of the flat tube to drain water that accumulates in the flat portion.
• slits are formed in the flat portions of the fins where they come into contact with the ends of the flat tubes, allowing water that accumulates on the flat portions to be discharged.
• condensation occurs on the fins, the water is discharged through the slits.
• the water that passes through the slits is guided to the ends of the flat tubes, allowing it to fall downward without remaining on the fins, etc. This allows water to be discharged efficiently.
• FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an air conditioning apparatus according to a first embodiment.
• FIG. 1 is a front view showing a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a top view showing the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment.
• 1 is a side view showing a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment.
• FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment.
• FIG. 10 is a top view showing a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment.
• FIG. 10 is a top view showing a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment.
• FIG. 10 is a top view showing a heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment.
• FIG. 10 is a top view showing a heat exchanger according to a fifth embodiment.
• FIG. 10 is a top view showing a heat exchanger according to a sixth embodiment.
• FIG. 13 is a top view showing a heat exchanger according to a seventh embodiment.
• Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an air conditioner 1 pertaining to embodiment 1.
• the air conditioner 1 is a device that conditions the air in an indoor space, and includes an outdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit 3 connected to the outdoor unit 2.
• the outdoor unit 2 is provided with a compressor 6, a flow path switching device 7, a heat exchanger 8, an outdoor blower 9, and an expansion section 10.
• the indoor unit 3 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 11 and an indoor blower 12.
• the compressor 6, flow path switching device 7, heat exchanger 8, expansion section 10, and indoor heat exchanger 11 are connected by refrigerant piping 5 to form the refrigerant circuit 4 through which the refrigerant, which is a working gas, flows.
• the compressor 6 draws in refrigerant in a low-temperature, low-pressure state, compresses it, and discharges it as high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant.
• the flow path switching device 7 switches the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit 4, and is, for example, a four-way valve.
• the heat exchanger 8 exchanges heat between, for example, outdoor air and the refrigerant.
• the heat exchanger 8 acts as a condenser during cooling operation and as an evaporator during heating operation.
• the outdoor blower 9 is a device that sends outdoor air to the heat exchanger 8.
• the expansion section 10 is a pressure reducing valve or expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to expand it.
• the expansion section 10 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve whose opening is adjustable.
• the indoor heat exchanger 11 is, for example, a device that exchanges heat between the indoor air and the refrigerant.
• the indoor heat exchanger 11 acts as an evaporator during cooling operation and as a condenser during heating operation.
• the indoor blower 12 is a device that sends indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 11.
• cooling operation refrigerant drawn into the compressor 6 is compressed by the compressor 6 and discharged in a high-temperature, high-pressure gas state.
• the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 passes through the flow switching device 7 and flows into the heat exchanger 8, which functions as a condenser.
• the heat exchanger 8 the refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air sent by the outdoor fan 9, condensing and liquefying.
• the condensed liquid refrigerant flows into the expansion section 10, where it expands and is decompressed to become a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant.
• the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then flows into the indoor heat exchanger 11, which functions as an evaporator.
• the indoor heat exchanger 11 the refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air sent by the indoor fan 12, evaporating and gasifying. At this time, the indoor air is cooled, and cooling is performed in the room.
• the evaporated refrigerant in a low-temperature, low-pressure gas state passes through the flow switching device 7 and is sucked into the compressor 6 .
• heating operation refrigerant is drawn into the compressor 6, compressed by the compressor 6, and discharged in a high-temperature, high-pressure gas state.
• the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 passes through the flow switching device 7 and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 11, which functions as a condenser.
• the indoor heat exchanger 11 the refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air sent by the indoor blower 12, condensing and liquefying. At this time, the indoor air is heated, and heating is performed in the room.
• the condensed liquid refrigerant flows into the expansion section 10, where it expands and decompresses to become a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant.
• the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then flows into the heat exchanger 8, which functions as an evaporator.
• the heat exchanger 8 the refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air sent by the outdoor blower 9, evaporating and gasifying.
• the evaporated low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the flow switching device 7 and is drawn into the compressor 6.
• the air conditioning device 1 does not have to have a flow path switching device 7. In this case, the air conditioning device 1 will be a dedicated cooling or heating device.
• FIG 2 is a front view showing the heat exchanger 8 according to the first embodiment.
• the heat exchanger 8 will be described in detail.
• the heat exchanger 8 is, for example, a parallel flow type heat exchanger 8.
• the heat exchanger 8 may also be a fin tube type heat exchanger 8.
• the heat exchanger 8 includes flat tubes 20, fins 30, and a header 40.
• the flat tubes 20 are tubes through which a refrigerant flows, and are arranged in multiple rows.
• the multiple flat tubes 20 are made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
• the multiple flat tubes 20 are spaced apart so that their longitudinal axes face each other, and fins 30 are provided between the flat tubes 20.
• the flat tubes 20 may also be made of a clad material with an aluminum core.
• the flat tubes 20 have, for example, multiple flow paths formed in a row through which the refrigerant flows.
• the flat tubes 20 extend with their height direction as the longitudinal direction.
• the fins 30 are components that transfer heat from the refrigerant flowing through the flat tubes 20, and are, for example, corrugated fins that are bent and arranged between the flat tubes 20.
• the width of the fins 30 is equal to the distance between adjacent flat tubes 20.
• the fins 30 have inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and are alternately folded back. In other words, the fins 30 can be described as strip-shaped members that are alternately folded back and arranged in multiple rows in the height direction. Between the fins 30 and the flat tubes 20, ventilation channels 31 are formed through which air flows.
• the fins 30 are made of, for example, aluminum.
• the fins 30 may also be plate fins.
• the header 40 through which the refrigerant flows and which divides the refrigerant into the connected flat tubes 20, is made of, for example, aluminum. As described above, the header 40 may be made of the same material as the fins 30 and the flat tubes 20, or a different material.
• the header 40 includes a header 40 that connects one end of the flat tubes 20 and a header 40 that connects the other end of the flat tubes 20.
• the interior of the header 40 may be configured such that the space through which the refrigerant flows is partitioned by one or more partitions.
• a refrigerant pipe 5 is connected to one of the headers 40, and the header 40 is connected to the flow path switching device 7 via the refrigerant pipe 5.
• a refrigerant pipe 5 is connected to the other header 40, and the header 40 is connected to the expansion section 10 via the refrigerant pipe 5.
• the header 40 may be made of the same material as the flat tubes 20.
• Fig. 3 is a top view showing the heat exchanger 8 according to the first embodiment.
• the fins 30 have a flat portion 32 and a plurality of louvers 33.
• the flat portion 32 is a plate-shaped member extending at an angle along the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes 20.
• the flat portion 32 has a rectangular opening 32a (see Fig. 4) extending along the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes 20 in a part of the center, excluding both end portions adjacent to the flat tubes 20.
• Fig. 4 is a side view showing the heat exchanger 8 according to the first embodiment.
• the louvers 33 form openings 32a in the flat surface portion 32.
• a plurality of louvers 33 are provided for each opening 32a.
• the louvers 33 are formed by cutting and raising a portion of the flat surface portion 32, and are inclined in a side view. In a side view, one end of the louvers 33 is higher than the flat surface portion 32, and the other end is lower than the flat surface portion 32.
• slits 35 for discharging water 50 accumulated in the flat portion 32 are formed in the portions of the flat portion 32 that contact the ends of the flat tubes 20.
• the ends of the flat tubes 20 refer to the ends of the flat tubes 20 in the longitudinal direction.
• the slits 35 are formed in the flat portion 32 so as to be continuous with the ends of the flat tubes 20.
• the slits 35 are also formed in the flat portion 32 of the fins 30 that face the vicinity of the center of the flat tubes 20 in the longitudinal direction.
• the slits 35 extend in the direction in which the flat tubes 20 face each other. That is, the slits 35 extend along the minor axis direction of the flat tubes 20.
• the slits 35 are rectangular, but are not limited to a rectangular shape.
• the slits 35 are formed on the upwind side, which is the upstream side in the air flow, of the flat surface 32 of the fin 30.
• the opening area of the multiple slits 35 is larger on the upwind side of the fin 30 than on the downwind side.
• the slits 35 are formed only on the upwind side, but the slits 35 may also be formed on the downwind side.
• the slits 35 are formed only on the upwind end side of the flat tube 20, but they may also be formed on the downwind end side of the flat tube 20.
• louvers 33 are provided, and the louvers 33 located on both ends of the slit 35 are inclined linearly symmetrically with respect to the slit 35.
• the louvers 33 located on one end of the slit 35 are inclined while gradually descending toward the slit 35, and the louvers 33 located on the other end of the slit 35 are also inclined while gradually descending toward the slit 35.
• the inclination directions of the louvers 33 located on both ends of the slit 35 are different.
• Figure 5 is a top view showing the heat exchanger 8 according to embodiment 1.
• the position of the slits 35 in the bent fins 30 that are adjacent in the vertical direction will be described.
• the fin 30 on the left is the upper fin 30, the fin 30 in the middle fin 30, and the fin 30 on the right is the lower fin 30.
• the upper side is the upwind side and the lower side is the downwind side.
• the slits 35 are offset in the vertical direction.
• Figure 5 illustrates an example in which the lengths of the slits 35 in the minor axis direction of the flat tubes 20 are the same, but they may be different.
• the offset of the slits 35 may be periodic or non-periodic. If the slits 35 are periodic, the manufacturing process is simplified. Furthermore, if no slits 35 are formed in any of the flat tubes 20, as in the fins 30 in the center and on the right side of Figure 5, the bond strength between the flat tubes 20 and the fins 30 is higher. By periodically offsetting the positions of the slits 35 in the height direction, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to achieve both high drainage performance and high bond strength.
• slits 35 are formed in the flat portions 32 of the fins 30 at the portions that come into contact with the ends of the flat tubes 20 to drain water that accumulates on the flat portions 32.
• the water is drained through the slits 35.
• the water that passes through the slits 35 is guided to the ends of the flat tubes 20, and falls downward without remaining on the fins 30, etc. This allows the water to be drained efficiently, thereby improving heating capacity.
• the slits 35 extend in the direction in which the flat tubes 20 face each other. This increases the bonding area between the flat tubes 20 and the fins 30. This increases the bonding area between the flat tubes 20 and the fins 30 while ensuring drainage.
• the slits 35 of the fins 30, which are aligned vertically, are offset from one another in the vertical direction. This allows droplets adhering to the fins 30 to fall through the upper slits 35, strike the lower flat surface 32, flow along the inclined flat surface 32, and then fall through the slits 35. This means that droplets are less likely to accumulate on the fins 30. This achieves a balance between bonding strength and low-temperature heating capacity.
• the slits 35 are formed on the upwind side of the fins 30.
• the opening area of the multiple slits 35 is larger on the upwind side of the fins 30 than on the downwind side. This allows for improved drainage on the upwind side, where there is a greater amount of frost formation and dehumidification. This in turn improves low-temperature heating capacity.
• the louvers 33 located on both ends of the slits 35 are inclined downwards, line-symmetrically with respect to the slits 35. Therefore, water generated on the louvers 33 is guided to the slits 35 through the inclined surfaces of the louvers 33 and discharged through the slits 35. This allows for improved drainage.
• Embodiment 2. 6 is a top view showing a heat exchanger 8 according to embodiment 2.
• Embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that a plurality of rows of flat tubes 20 are provided.
• parts common to embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences from embodiment 1.
• the flat tubes 20 are arranged in multiple rows in the longitudinal direction of the fins 30.
• two rows of flat tubes 20 are illustrated, but three or more rows may be provided.
• the spaces between the multiple rows of flat tubes 20 are referred to as inter-row portions 32b.
• the slits 35 are portions of the planar portion 32 that come into contact with the ends of the flat tubes 20, and are formed in the inter-row portions 32b.
• the inter-row portions 32b Compared to the other planar portions 32, the inter-row portions 32b have many areas that are not in contact with the flat tubes 20, and therefore do not have high heat exchange capacity. According to the second embodiment, slits 35 are formed in the inter-row portions 32b between multiple rows of flat tubes 20, thereby improving drainage without reducing heat exchange capacity.
• Embodiment 3. 7 is a top view showing a heat exchanger 8 according to embodiment 3.
• Embodiment 3 differs from embodiment 2 in the position where the slits 35 are formed.
• parts common to embodiments 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from embodiments 1 and 2.
• the slits 35 are formed in all of the inter-row portions 32b that come into contact with the ends of the flat tubes 20.
• the inter-row portions 32b have many areas that do not come into contact with the flat tubes 20 compared to the other planar portions 32, and therefore do not have high heat exchange capacity.
• the slits 35 are formed in all of the inter-row portions 32b that come into contact with the ends of the flat tubes 20, thereby further improving drainage without reducing heat exchange capacity.
• Embodiment 4. 8 is a top view showing a heat exchanger 8 according to embodiment 4.
• Embodiment 4 differs from embodiment 1 in that slits 35 are formed on the upwind side and downwind side of the fins 30.
• parts common to embodiments 1 to 3 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from embodiments 1 to 3.
• the slits 35 are formed on the windward and leeward sides of the fins 30. This allows water to be discharged using all of the ends of the flat tubes 20. Water that passes through the slits 35 is guided to the ends of the flat tubes 20, allowing it to fall downward without remaining on the fins 30, etc. This allows water to be discharged efficiently. Furthermore, because the water is guided along the ends of the flat tubes 20, rapid drainage is achieved. This further improves heating capacity.
• Embodiment 5. 9 is a top view showing a heat exchanger 8 according to embodiment 5.
• Embodiment 5 differs from embodiment 4 in that the slits 35 are formed only in the portions of the planar portion 32 that come into contact with the ends of the flat tubes 20.
• parts that are common to embodiments 1 to 4 are given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences from embodiments 1 to 4.
• the slits 35 are formed only in the parts of the flat surface 32 that come into contact with the ends of the flat tubes 20. In other words, the slits 35 are not formed in the flat surface 32 of the fins 30 that are joined to the flat tubes 20. This makes it possible to improve drainage without reducing heat exchange capacity as much as possible. Furthermore, because water is guided along the ends of the flat tubes 20, rapid drainage is achieved.
• Embodiment 6. 10 is a top view showing a heat exchanger 8 according to embodiment 6.
• the opening area of the slits 35 differs between the inter-row portion 32b and the portion other than the inter-row portion 32b.
• parts common to embodiments 1 to 5 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from embodiments 1 to 5.
• the opening area of the slits 35 is larger in the inter-row portions 32b than in other areas. This improves drainage without reducing heat exchange capacity as much as possible. Furthermore, because water is guided along the ends of the flat tubes 20, rapid drainage is achieved.
• Embodiment 7. 11 is a top view showing a heat exchanger 8 according to embodiment 7.
• Embodiment 7 differs from embodiments 1 to 6 in the opening area of the slits 35.
• parts common to embodiments 1 to 6 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences from embodiments 1 to 6.
• the flat surface 32 has slits 35 with a larger opening area on the upwind side of the fin 30 than on the downwind side. This improves drainage on the upwind side, where the amount of frost and dehumidification is greater. This improves low-temperature heating capacity.
• Air conditioning unit 2. Outdoor unit, 3. Indoor unit, 4. Refrigerant circuit, 5. Refrigerant piping, 6. Compressor, 7. Flow switching device, 8. Heat exchanger, 9. Outdoor blower, 10. Expansion section, 11. Indoor heat exchanger, 12. Indoor blower, 20. Flat tube, 30. Fin, 31. Ventilation duct, 32. Flat section, 32a. Opening, 32b. Inter-row section, 33. Louver, 35. Slit, 40. Header, 50. Water.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Geometry (AREA)
• Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)

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• 2024
  • 2024-03-21 JP JP2025500356A patent/JP7756833B1/ja active Active
  • 2024-03-21 WO PCT/JP2024/010901 patent/WO2025196995A1/ja active Pending

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