Resinous heat exchanger and a method of manufacturing the same

• US 6,832,648 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Shimoya, Masahiro, Torigoe, Eiichi
• Primary Examiner(s): MCKINNON, TERRELL L
• Application Number:
  US10/674,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20040079521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 165/150-153, 165/148, 165/172-177, 298/900.3
• US Class Current: 165/148
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/0246 heat-exchange elements having several adjacent conduits forming a whole, e.g. blocks
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 1/022 with multiple channels
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 21/065 the heat-exchange apparatus employing plate-like or laminated conduits
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2240/00 Spacing means

Abstract

In a resinous heat exchanger, a core portion includes a plurality of heat exchanging plate portions forming inside fluid passages therein and holding portions. The heat exchanging plate portions are layered with predetermined spaces between them so that outside fluid passages are formed between the adjacent heat exchanging plate portions. The heat exchanging plate portions are held by holding portions. The heat exchanging plate portions and the holding portions are integrally formed by extrusion of a resin material. Thus, the heat exchanger is light in weight and is capable of improving productivity.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising:

a core portion for performing heat exchange between an inside fluid and an outside fluid; and

tank portions connected to ends of the core portion, wherein

the core portion is made of resin and includes a plurality of heat exchanging plate portions, each of which forms inside fluid passages therein through which the inside fluid flows, and a holding portion, and the plurality of heat exchanging plate portions are layered with predetermined spaces therebetween and held by the holding portion,

the heat exchanging plate portions and the holding portion are integrally formed; and

the core portion is provided by a resinous extrusion.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1,

wherein each of the heat exchanging plate portions includes a base portion substantially in a form of plate and projection ribs projecting from the base portion,

wherein each of the projection ribs has one of a substantially trapezoidal-shaped cross-section and a substantially rectangular-shaped cross-section and forms the inside fluid passage therein.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2,

wherein the inside fluid passage has substantially a circular-shaped cross-section.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 2,

wherein the projection ribs project from the base portion alternately in opposite directions, thereby forming waved outside fluid passages through which the outside fluid flows between the adjacent heat exchanging plates.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1,

wherein the tank portions are made of resin,

wherein each of the tank portions forms slits in which ends of the heat exchanging plate portions are received and a communication passage for allowing the slits to communicate in the tank portion.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 5,

wherein the tank portions form communication ports through which the inside fluid is introduced into and discharged from the communication passages of the tank portions.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 5,

wherein the tank portions have slanting surfaces at ends of the slits through which the ends of the heat exchanging plate portions are inserted.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1,

wherein the core portion and the tank portions are bonded.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 1,

wherein the holding portion extends substantially perpendicular to longitudinal directions of the heat exchanging plate portions for holding the layered heat exchanging plate portions.

10. A method of manufacturing the heat exchanger of claim 1 comprising:

forming an extrusion body by extrusion of a resin material so that the extrusion body has end walls opposing each other and a plurality of heat exchanging plate portions perpendicular to the end walls between the end walls and the plurality of heat exchanging plate portions are layered with predetermined spaces therebetween; and

removing predetermined portions of the end walls so that the spaces defined between the adjacent heat exchanging plate portions are open in directions parallel to the heat exchanging plate portion and the heat exchanging plate portions are held by remaining portions of the end walls.