Heat exchanger having several exchanging portions

• US 5,992,514 A
• Filed: 02/17/1998
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Yamanaka, Yasutoshi, Suzuki, Shinobu, Yamaguchi, Hiroo, Uchikawa, Akira, Sakane, Takaaki, Sugimoto, Tatsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): LEO, LEONARD R
• Application Number:
  US09/024,097
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 165/140, 165/135, 165/153, 165/149, 165/146
• US Class Current: 165/135
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/0435 Combination of units extending one behind the other F28D1/0452 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0084 Condensers
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0094 for recooling the engine coolant
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 1/128 Fins with openings, e.g. louvered fins
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2009/004 Common frame elements for multiple cores
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2009/029 with increasing or decreasing cross-section, e.g. having conical shape
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2215/02 Arrangements of fins common to different heat exchange sections, the fins being in contact with different heat exchange media
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/001 Casings in the form of plate-like arrangements; Frames enclosing a heat exchange core

Abstract

A first cooling fin and a second cooing fin are separated to have a predetermine clearance, and a plurality of connecting portions for partly connecting the first and second cooling fins are formed. When the first and second cooling fins are unfolded, the length E of each the connecting portion in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the first and second cooling fins is equal to 5% or less of the length F between the adjacent connecting portions. Further, the first cooling fin is projected from the condenser tube toward the radiator tube side with a projection length Lc being in a range of 1.7 to 7.0 mm.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of first tubes in which a first refrigerant flows;

a corrugated first cooling fin in which a plurality of folded portions is formed continuously, said corrugated first cooling fin being disposed between adjacent first tubes;

a plurality of second tubes in which a second refrigerant flows, said second tubes being disposed in parallel with said first tubes;

a corrugated second cooling fin in which a plurality of folded portions is formed continuously, said corrugated second cooling fin being disposed between adjacent second tubes;

a plurality of connecting portions for connecting a side end portion facing the adjacent second cooling fin of said first cooling fin and a side end portion facing the adjacent first cooling fin of said second cooling fin;

a plurality of clearances disposed between said corrugated first cooling fin and said corrugated second cooling fin, said plurality of clearances being formed by said plurality of connecting portions;

wherein at least two of said folded portions of said first and second cooling fins are formed between adjacent connecting portions.

2. A heat exchanger according to claim 1,

wherein each of said first and second cooling fins includes a flat portion formed between adjacent folded portions, and

said connecting portions are formed between each pair of said flat portion of said first cooling fin and said flat portion of said second cooling fin.

3. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein said connecting portion has a portion in parallel with a longitudinal direction of said first and second cooling fins, a length of said portion being less than 5% of a length between adjacent connecting portions when said first and second cooling fins are unfolded.

4. A heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein

said first cooling fin is projected from said first tubes toward said second tubes with a projection length being in a range of 1.7 to 7.0 mm.

5. A heat exchanger according to claim 3,

wherein said second cooling fin is projected from said second tubes toward said first tubes with a projection length being equal to 5.0 mm or less.

6. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein said connecting portion has a portion in parallel with a longitudinal direction of said first and second cooling fins, a length of said portion being less than 10% of a length between adjacent connecting portions when said first and second cooling fins are unfolded.

7. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein,

said first tubes are used for condenser tubes of a condenser core portion for condensing a refrigerant of a condenser for forming a refrigeration cycle,

said second tubes are used for radiator tubes of a radiator core portion of a radiator for cooling an automotive engine, and

wherein said condenser core portion is disposed at an upstream air side of said radiator core portion.

8. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein said corrugated first cooling fin includes a first projection portion projected from said first tubes toward said second tubes,

said corrugated second cooling fin includes a second projection portion projected from said second tubes toward said first tubes,

a first plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated first cooling fin in a range from said adjacent first tubes to said first projection portion continuously, and

a second plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated second cooling fin in a range from said adjacent second tubes to said second projection portion continuously.

9. A heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein

a turning louver is provided among one of said first and second plurality of louvers for turning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes, and

a number of said louvers is different between both sides of said turning louver.

10. A heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein a central axis of said turning louver is off set to a central axis of a respective one of said adjacent first and second tubes in its cross sectional longitudinal direction.

11. A heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein a turning louver is provided in said projection portion for turning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes.

12. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of connecting portions have a slit for reducing an amount of heat transfer between said corrugated first cooling fin and said corrugated second cooling fin.

14. A heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein said cooling fin includes a flat portion formed between adjacent folded portions, and a connecting portion formed between each pair of adjacent recess portions in a longitudinal direction thereof.

15. A heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein,

said flat portion is divided into two portions by said recess portion, one of which is disposed between each pair of the adjacent first tubes, the other of which is disposed between each pair of the adjacent second tubes, and

said connecting portion connects each pair of two portions of said flat portion.

25. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein said connecting portions has a portion in parallel with a longitudinal direction of said first and second cooling fins, a length of said portion being less than 5% of a length between each pair of the adjacent said connecting portions when said first and second cooling fins are unfolded.

26. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein said connecting portions has a portion in parallel with a longitudinal direction of said first and second cooling fins, a length of said portion being less than 10% of a length between each pair of the adjacent said connecting portions when said first and second cooling fins are unfolded.

13. A heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of first tubes in which a first refrigerant flows;

a plurality of second tubes in which a second refrigerant flows, said second tubes being disposed in parallel with said first tubes; and

a cooling fin in which a plurality of folded portions is formed continuously in a corrugated shape, said cooling fin being disposed between adjacent first tubes and adjacent second tubes,

wherein said cooling fin includes a plurality of slit-shaped recess portions formed between said first tubes and said second tubes, a longitudinal direction of said recess portions crossing a ridge direction of said folded portions with a predetermined angle, and said recess portions being formed so as to cross over a plurality of said folded portions.

16. A heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein said cooling fin includes a first projection portion projected from an end side of said adjacent first tubes facing said adjacent second tubes toward said slit-shaped recess portion and a second projection portion projected from an end side of said adjacent second tubes facing said adjacent first tubes toward said slit-shaped recess portion,

a first plurality of louvers are formed on said cooling fin in a range from said adjacent first tubes to said first projection portion and a second plurality of louvers are formed in a range from said adjacent second tubes to said second projection portion continuously.

17. A heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein

a turning louver is provided among one of said first and second plurality of louvers for turning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes, and

a number of said louvers is different between both sides of said turning louver.

18. A heat exchanger according to claim 17, wherein a central axis of said turning louver is off set to a central axis of a respective one of said adjacent first and second tubes in its cross sectional longitudinal direction.

19. A heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein a turning louver is provided in said projection portion for turning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes.

20. A heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein

said first tubes are used for condenser tubes of a condenser core portion for condensing a refrigerant of a condenser for forming a refrigerant cycle,

said second tubes are used for radiator tubes of a radiator core portion of a radiator for cooling an automotive engine, and

said condenser core portion is disposed at an upstream air side of said radiator core portion.

21. An automotive heat exchanger for cooling an engine water for cooling an engine and a refrigerant of an air conditioning apparatus employing a refrigeration cycle, said automotive heat exchanger disposed at a front side of the vehicle and comprising:

a plurality of first tubes in which said refrigerant flows;

a first core portion including a corrugated first cooling fin disposed between adjacent first tubes;

a plurality of second tubes in which said engine water flows, said second tubes being disposed at a downstream air side of said first core portion in parallel with said first tubes so as to form a predetermined clearance therewith;

a second core portion including a corrugated second cooling fin disposed between adjacent second tubes;

a plurality of connecting portions for partially connecting said first cooling fin;

a plurality of clearances disposed between said corrugated first cooling fin and said corrugated second cooling fin, said plurality of clearances being formed by said plurality of connecting portions;

a partition member disposed at end portions of said first core portion and second core portion, for preventing the air bypassing said first core portion from flowing through said clearance between said first cooling fin and said second cool fin;

wherein at least two of said folded portions of said first and second cooling fins are formed between adjacent connecting portions.

22. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein said partition member is formed by a side plate which is a reinforcing member of said first core portion and said second core portion.

23. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein an end portion of said first cooling fin placed at said second tube side is deviated along a right direction from said first tube to said second tube in a range of -1.5 to 7.0 mm from a standard position where an end portion of said first tube is placed at said second tube side.

24. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein,

said second cooling fin is projected from said second tube toward said first tube side with a projection length being equal to 8.0 mm or less.

27. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein

said corrugated first cooling fin includes a first projection portion projected from said adjacent first tubes toward said adjacent second tubes,

said corrugated second cooling fin includes a second projection portion projected from said adjacent second tubes toward said adjacent first tubes,

a first plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated first cooling fin in a range from said adjacent first tubes to said first projection portion continuously, and

a second plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated second cooling fin in a range from said adjacent second tubes to said second projection portion continuously.

28. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 27, wherein

a turning louver is provided among one of said first and second plurality of louvers for turning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes, and

a number of said louvers is different between both sides of said turning louver.

29. A heat exchanger according to claim 28, wherein a central axis of said turning louver is off set to a central axis of a respective one of said adjacent first and second tubes in its cross sectional longitudinal direction.

30. A heat exchanger according to claim 27, wherein a turning louver is provided in said projection portion for turning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes.

31. A heat exchanger according to claim 27, wherein

said first tubes are used for condenser tubes of a condenser core portion for condensing a refrigerant of a condenser for forming a refrigerant cycle,

said second tubes are used for radiator tubes of a radiator core portion of a radiator for cooling an automotive engine, and

said condenser core portion is disposed at an upstream air side of said radiator core portion.

32. A heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein said plurality of connecting portions have a slit for reducing an amount of heat transfer between said corrugated first cooling fin and said corrugated second cooling fin.

33. An automotive heat exchanger for cooling an engine water for cooling an engine and a refrigerant of an air conditioning apparatus employing a refrigeration cycle, said automotive heat exchanger disposed at a front side of the vehicle and comprising:

a plurality of first tubes in which said refrigerant flows;

a first core portion including a corrugated first cooling fin disposed between adjacent first tubes;

a plurality of second tubes in which said engine water flows, said second tubes being disposed at a downstream air side of said first core portion in parallel with said first tubes so as to form a predetermined clearance therewith;

a second core portion including a corrugated second cooling fin disposed between adjacent second tubes; and

a plurality of connecting portions for partially connecting said first cooling fin and said second cooling fin;

a plurality of clearances disposed between said corrugated first cooling fin and said corrugated second cooling fin, said plurality of clearances being formed by said plurality of connecting portions;

wherein at least two of said folded portions of said first and second cooling fins are formed between adjacent connecting portions;

wherein said clearance between said first cooling fin and said second cooling fin has a distance (Ls) being equal to 5.0 mm or less.

34. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 33, wherein an end portion of said first cooling fin placed at said second tube side is deviated along a right direction from said first tube to said second tube in a range of -1.5 to 7.0 mm from a standard position where an end portion of said first tube is placed at said second tube side.

35. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 33, wherein

said corrugated first cooling fin includes a first projection portion projected from said adjacent first tubes toward said adjacent second tubes,

said corrugated second cooling fin includes a second projection portion projected from said adjacent second tubes toward said adjacent first tubes,

a first plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated first cooling fin in a range from said adjacent first tubes to said first projection portion continuously, and

a second plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated second cooling fin in a range from said adjacent second tubes to said second projection portion continuously.

36. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 35, wherein

a turning louver is provided among one of said first and second plurality of louvers for turning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes, and

a number of said louvers is different between both sides of said turning louver.

37. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 36, wherein a central axis of said turning louver is off set to a central axis of a respective one of said adjacent first and second tubes in its cross sectional longitudinal direction.

38. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 35, wherein a turning louver is provided in said projection portion for turning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes.

39. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 35, wherein

said first tubes are used for condenser tubes of a condenser core portion for condensing a refrigerant of a condenser for forming a refrigerant cycle,

said second tubes are used for radiator tubes of a radiator core portion of a radiator for cooling an automotive engine, and

said condenser core portion is disposed at an upstream air side of said radiator core portion.

40. An automotive heat exchanger according to claim 33, wherein said plurality of connecting portions have a slit for reducing an amount of heat transfer between said corrugated first cooling fin and said corrugated second cooling fin.

41. A heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of first tubes in which a first refrigerant flows;

a corrugated first cooling fin in which a plurality of folded portions is formed continuously, said corrugated first cooling fin being disposed between adjacent first tubes;

a plurality of second tubes in which a second refrigerant flows, said second tubes being disposed in parallel with said first tubes;

a corrugated second cooling fin in which a plurality of folded portions is formed continuously, said corrugated second cooling fin being disposed between adjacent second tubes; and

a plurality of connecting portions for connecting a side end portion facing the adjacent second cooling fin of said first cooling fin and a side end portion facing the adjacent first cooling fin of said second cooling fin so as to have a predetermined clearance therebetween,

wherein at least two of said folded portions of said first and second cooling fins are formed, between adjacent connecting portions;

said corrugated first cooling fin includes a first projection portion projected form said first tubes toward said second tubes;

said corrugated second cooling fin includes a second projection portion projected from said second tubes toward said first tubes,

a first plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated first cooling fin in a range from said adjacent first tubes to said first projection portion continuously,

a second plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated second cooling fin in a range from said adjacent second tubes to said second projection portion continuously;

a turning louver is provided among one of said first and second plurality of louvers for turning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes,

a number of said louvers is different between both sides of said turning louver;

wherein a central axis of said turning louver is off set to a central axis of a respective one of said adjacent first and second tubes in its cross sectional longitudinal direction.

42. An automotive heat exchanger for cooling an engine water for cooling an engine and a refrigerant of an air conditioning apparatus employing a refrigeration cycle, said automotive heat exchanger disposed at a front side of the vehicle and comprising:

a plurality of first tubes in which said refrigerant flows;

a first core portion including a corrugated first cooling fin disposed between adjacent first tubes;

a plurality of second tubes in which said engine water flows, said second tubes being disposed at a downstream air side of said first core portion in parallel with said first tubes so as to form a predetermined clearance therewith;

a second core portion including a corrugated second cooling fin disposed between adjacent second tubes;

a plurality of connecting portions for partially connecting said first cooling fin so as to have a predetermined clearance therebetween;

a partition member disposed at end portions of said first core portion and second core portion for preventing the air bypassing said first core portion from flowing through said clearance between said first cooling fin and said second cooling fin;

wherein,

said corrugated first cooling fin includes a first projection portion projected from said first tubes toward said second tubes,

said corrugated second cooling fin includes a second projection portion projected from said second tubes toward said first tubes,

a first plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated first cooling fin in a range from said adjacent first tubes to said first projection portion continuously,

a second plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated second cooling fin in a range from said adjacent second tubes to said projection portion continuously,

a turning louver is provided among one of said first and second plurality of louvers for turning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes,

a number of said louvers is different between both sides of said turning louver;

wherein a central axis of said turning louver is off set to a central axis of a respective one of said adjacent first and second tubes in its cross sectional longitudinal direction.

43. An automotive heat exchanger for cooling an engine water for cooling an engine and a refrigerant of an air conditioning apparatus employing a refrigeration cycle, said automotive heat exchanger disposed at a front side of the vehicle and comprising:

a plurality of first tubes in which said refrigerant flows;

a first core portion including a corrugated first cooling fin disposed between adjacent first tubes;

a plurality of second tubes in which said engine water flows, said second tubes being disposed at a downstream air side of said first core portion in parallel with said first tubes so as to form a predetermined clearance therewith;

a second core portion including a corrugated second cooling fin disposed between adjacent second tubes;

a plurality of connecting portions for partially connecting said first cooling fin and said second cooling fin so as to have a predetermined clearance therebetween;

wherein said clearance between said first cooling fin and said second cooling fin has a distance (Ls) being equal to 5.0 mm or less;

wherein,

said corrugated first cooling fin includes a first projection portion projected from said first tubes toward said second tubes;

said corrugated second cooling fin includes a second projection portion projected from said second tubes toward said first tubes;

a first plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated first cooling fin in a range from said adjacent first tubes to said first projection portion continuously;

a second plurality of louvers are formed on said corrugated second cooling fin in a range from said adjacent second tubes to said second projection portion continuously;

a turning louver is provided among one of said first and second plurality of louvers for tuning a fluid flowing outside of said tubes;

a number of said louvers is different between both sides of said turning louver;

wherein a central axis of said turning louver is off set to a central axis of a respective one of said adjacent first and second tubes in its cross sectional longitudinal direction.

44. A heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of first tubes in which a first refrigerant flows;

a plurality of second tubes in which a second refrigerant flows, said second tubes being disposed in parallel with said first tubes; and

a cooling fin in which a plurality of folded portions is formed continuously in a corrugated shape, said cooling fin being disposed between adjacent first tubes and adjacent second tubes,

wherein said cooling fin includes a plurality of slit-shaped recess portions formed between said first tubes and said second tubes, a longitudinal direction of said recess portions crossing a ridge direction of said folded portions with a predetermined angle, and said recess portions being formed so as to cross over a plurality of said folded portions; and

a plurality of connecting portions being formed between said plurality of slit-shaped recess portions.

45. A heat exchanger according to claim 44,

wherein each of said first and second cooling fins includes a flat portion formed between adjacent folded portions, and

said connecting portions are formed between each pair of said flat portion of said first cooling fin and said flat portion of said second cooling fin.

46. A heat exchanger according to claim 44, wherein said connecting portion has a portion in parallel with a longitudinal direction of said first and second cooling fins, a length of said portion being less than 5% of a length between adjacent connecting portions when said first and second cooling fins are unfolded.

47. A heat exchanger according to claim 46, wherein

said first cooling fin is projected from said first tubes toward said second tubes with a projection length being in a range of 1.7 to 7.0 mm.

48. A heat exchanger according to claim 46, wherein said second cooling fin is projected from said second tubes toward said first tubes with a projection length being equal to 5.0 mm or less.

49. A heat exchanger according to claim 44, wherein said connecting portion has a portion in parallel with a longitudinal direction of said first and second cooling fins, a length of said portion being less than 10% of a length between adjacent connecting portions when said first and second cooling fins are unfolded.

50. A heat exchanger according to claim 44, wherein,

said first tubes are used for condenser tubes of a condenser core portion for condensing a refrigerant of a condenser for forming a refrigeration cycle,

said second tubes are used for radiator tubes of a radiator core portion of a radiator for cooling an automotive engine, and

wherein said condenser core portion is disposed at an upstream air side of said radiator core portion.