TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger. More particularly, the invention
relates to a heat exchanger suitable for use in air conditioners.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, there has been a heat exchanger disclosed in
JP 2-309195 A.
[0003] This heat exchanger includes fins and pipes. The fins are each formed from a plate
in a rectangular shape. The fins are placed at intervals. The fins each have a plurality
of insertion holes formed for insertion of the pipes therethrough. The insertion holes
are provided in a staggered arrangement in the fins. Between the insertion holes provided
in a staggered arrangement in each fin, a plurality of protruding threads in an approximately
linear shape are formed. The plurality of protruding threads are generally parallel
to each other. The protruding threads extend in directions different from the longitudinal
direction of the fin.
[0004] The pipes are placed such that they perpendicularly intersect with each fin. More
specifically, the pipes are inserted in the insertion holes of the fin in the state
of extending in the normal direction to the surface of the fin.
[0005] In the conventional heat exchanger, the rigidity of the fin is improved by forming
the protruding threads between the insertion holes in the fin. This prevents parts
near the insertion holes in the fin from being deformed when the pipes are inserted
in the insertion holes.
[0006] However, in the conventional heat exchanger, since the protruding threads extend
in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the fin, it is impossible
to achieve sufficient reinforcement concerning the longitudinal direction of the fin,
which has largest influence on the strength of the fin, thereby causing a problem
of an insufficiently reinforced fin.
[0007] Moreover, the conventional heat exchanger has a difficulty in increasing rigidity
of the fin even with formation of protruding threads when the size of the insertion
holes is large, when the minimum distance value between the adjoining insertion holes
is small, and/or when the width of the fin is small.
[0008] Moreover in the conventional heat exchanger, when the height of the protruding thread
provided on the fin is large, it interferes with the flow of air passing outside of
the pipe, which causes the heat exchanger to have a decreased heat exchanging efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger capable of increasing
the rigidity of a fin and preventing deterioration of heat exchanging efficiency.
[0010] In order to attain the object, the present invention provides a heat exchanger, comprising:
a plurality of heat transfer tubes; and
at least one plate-shaped fin having a first rib generally parallel to an outer edge
of the fin and having insertion holes for receiving the heat transfer tubes,
wherein the first rib is placed closer to the outer edge than all the insertion holes
are,
wherein the insertion holes are placed in one row or in staggered arrangement in the
fin, and
wherein when an inside diameter of the insertion holes is set as D [mm], a distance
between a center of the insertion hole nearest to the first rib and the outer edge
is set as L [mm], a distance between a center of the first rib and the outer edge
is set as La [mm], a width of the first rib is set as LL1 [mm], a thickness of the
fin is set as t [mm], a height of the first rib is set as h1 [mm], and a minimum value
of distance between the insertion holes adjacent to each other is set as P [mm], then

and

[0011] It is to be noted that the center of the rib refers to the center in the width direction
of the rib.
[0012] According to the present invention, the first rib is formed so as to extend generally
parallel to the outer edge of the fin, so that the strength of the fin is increased
effectively.
[0013] According to the present invention, since the insertion holes for insertion of the
heat transfer tubes are placed in one row or in staggered arrangement in the fin,
more heat transfer tubes can be placed without decreasing the strength of the fin.
[0014] According to the present invention, because 0.4<La holds, it is possible to prevent
the center of the rib from becoming too close to the outer edge of the fin and therefore
deformation of the edge portion and/or the first rib of the fin can be avoided. Also,
because La<(L-D/2-0.5) holds, it is possible to prevent the center of the first rib
becoming close to the insertion holes enough to cause deformation of the first rib.
[0015] According to the present invention, 0.15<LL1, 0.05<t, 0.5t<h1, D<7.5, 15<P, and D/P<0.5
hold, and the rib having a size larger than a predetermined size is formed on the
fin having strength larger than a predetermined strength. This makes it possible to
certainly reinforce the fin having strength larger than the predetermined strength
with the rib having a high reinforcement effect. Therefore, the strength of the fin
is brought to a satisfactory level, and fin deflection and fin tilting are certainly
prevented from occurring during an operation of stacking the fins.
[0016] According to the present invention, because LL1<0.5 and h1<2.5t hold, the rib is
not excessively large. This prevents the rib from becoming resistance against a heat
transfer medium, thereby preventing generation of turbulent flow and the like in a
flow of the heat transfer medium. Therefore, the flow of the heat transfer medium
can be smoothed and the decrease in heat exchanging efficiency, which would otherwise
be caused by change of the heat transfer medium due to the formation of the rib, is
certainly prevented.
[0017] Also, according to the present invention, t<0.15 holds so that the thickness of the
fin is not too large. This makes it possible to increase the stacking or packing density
of fins and to thereby achieve excellent heat exchange efficiency. Also, production
costs of the fin can be reduced.
[0018] In one embodiment, the insertion holes are placed in staggered arrangement in the
fin,
the insertion holes placed on one side of the fin is generally parallel to the outer
edge,
a second rib extending generally parallel to the outer edge is formed on the fin between
the insertion holes which are adjacent to each other in a direction generally perpendicular
to a direction in which the outer edge extends, and
when a width of the second rib is set as LL2 [mm] and a height of the second rib is
set as h2 [mm], then

and

[0019] According to the embodiment, the second rib is formed in the fin between the insertion
holes that are adjacent to each other in the above approximately perpendicular direction,
so that the strength near the center of the fin is increased and thereby the strength
of the fin can be further increased.
[0020] According to the embodiment, 0.15 < LL2 < 0.5 and 0.5t < h2 < 2.5t, so that reinforcement
of the fin is ensured while the flow of a heat transfer medium is smoothed.
(Effect of the Invention)
[0021] According to the present invention, the first rib is formed so as to extend generally
parallel to the outer edge of the fin, so that the strength of the fin is increased
effectively.
[0022] According to the present invention, since the insertion holes for insertion of the
heat transfer tubes are placed in one row or in staggered arrangement in the fin,
more heat transfer tubes can be placed without decreasing the strength of the fin.
[0023] According to the present invention, 0.4<La<(L-D/2-0.5), 0.15<LL1, 0.05<t, 0.5t<h1,
D<7.5, 15<P, and D/P<0.5 hold, it is possible to certainly reinforce a fin having
strength larger than a predetermined strength with the rib having a high reinforcement
effect. Therefore, the strength of the fin is brought to a satisfactory level, and
fin deflection and fin tilting is certainly prevented from occurring during stacking
of fins.
[0024] According to the present invention, because LL1<0.5 and h1<2.5t hold, the rib is
not excessively large. This prevents the rib from becoming resistance against a heat
transfer medium, thereby preventing generation of turbulence and the like in a flow
of the heat transfer medium. Therefore, the flow of the heat transfer medium can be
smoothed and the decrease in heat exchanging efficiency, which would otherwise be
caused by change of the heat transfer medium, is certainly prevented.
[0025] Also, according to the present invention, because of t<0.15, it is possible to increase
the stacking ability of fins and to thereby achieve excellent heat exchange efficiency.
[0026] According to the present invention, the second rib is formed between the adjacent
rows of the insertion holes in the fin, so that the strength of a part near the center
of the fin is increased and thereby the strength of the fin can be further increased.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description
given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration
only, and thus are not intended to limit the present invention, and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an air conditioner having a heat
exchanger in a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2A is a detailed view showing a part of a fin included in the heat exchanger
of the first embodiment;
Fig. 2B is a detailed view showing a part of a fin included in the heat exchanger
of the first embodiment;
Fig. 3A is a view showing an example of the first rib formed on the fin;
Fig. 3B is a view showing an example of the first rib formed on the fin;
Fig. 3C is a view showing an example of the first rib formed on the fin;
Fig. 3D is a view showing an example of the first rib formed on the fin; and
Fig. 4 is a partial enlarged view showing a fin of a heat exchanger in a second embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments
shown in the figures.
(First Embodiment)
[0029] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an air conditioner using a heat
exchanger in the first embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, reference numeral
1 denotes a blower fan, and 2 denotes a heat exchanger. In Fig. 1, arrow a shows a
vertically upward direction in the state where the heat exchanger is placed in the
air conditioner in use, and arrow b shows a flow direction of air as a heat transfer
medium. In Fig. 1, a casing in which the blower fan 1 and the heat exchanger 2 are
housed is omitted for simplicity's sake.
[0030] This air conditioner is designed such that the blower fan 1 is rotated to blow out
air, which was sucked in via the heat exchanger 2, through an unshown blowoff opening.
[0031] The heat exchanger 2 includes fins 6 and heat transfer tubes (unshown). The fins
6 are provided so as to be disposed at specified intervals in a direction perpendicular
to the drawing sheet of Fig. 1. Each fin 6 is in a flat plate shape. The fin 6 has
a configuration which is bent like an upset V-letter so that its upper part in the
vertical direction shown in Fig. 1 by arrow a forms a protruding section.
[0032] The fin 6 has an outer edge inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and
also has a first section 8 and a second section 9 which form the bent part, and a
third section 10 which links to a lower part in the vertical direction of the second
section 9. As shown in Fig. 1, the first section 8 is located downstream of the flow
of air from the second section 9. The third section 10 extends in a generally vertical
direction. The first section 8, the second section 9, and the third section 10 have
an elongate, rectangular-shaped cross section.
[0033] A first rib 15 extending generally in parallel with the longitudinal direction of
the second section 9 is formed on a longitudinal edge portion on the leeward of the
second section 9. Thus, in the first embodiment, the fin 6 has a rectangular-shaped
section, with the first rib 15 extending generally in parallel with an outer edge
of the longitudinal direction of the rectangular-shaped section.
[0034] There are arranged a plurality of heat transfer tubes. Each heat transfer tube extends
in a direction in which the fins 6 are arranged or arrayed, i.e., in the direction
normal to the surface of the plate-shaped fin 5 (a direction perpendicular to the
drawing sheet of Fig. 1). The heat transfer tubes are inserted through the fins 6
which are arrayed at specified intervals. As shown in Fig. 1, in each of the first
section 8, the second section 9, and the third section 10, the heat transfer tubes
are provided in two rows in staggered arrangement.
[0035] More specifically, in the first section 8, the insertion holes are arranged in two
rows in the width direction and in 16 rows in the longitudinal direction, while in
the second section 9, the insertion holes are arranged in two rows in the width direction
and twelve rows in the longitudinal direction. In the third section 10, the insertion
holes are arranged in two rows in the width direction and in eight rows in the longitudinal
direction.
[0036] Each of the two rows arranged in the width direction of the insertion holes in the
first section 8 is generally parallel to the longitudinal outer edge of the first
section 8, while each of the two rows arranged in the width direction of the insertion
holes in the second section 9 is generally parallel to the longitudinal outer edge
of the second section 9. Each of the two rows arranged in the width direction of the
insertion holes in the third section 10 is generally parallel to the longitudinal
outer edge of the third section 10.
[0037] Fluid runs through the heat transfer tubes. This heat exchanger performs heat exchange
between the fluid flowing through the heat transfer tubes and the air running over
the heat transfer tube.
[0038] Figs. 2A and 2B are views showing the second section 9 of the fin 6 in detail. More
specifically, Fig. 2A is a partial enlarged view showing the second section 9 of the
fin 6. Fig. 2B is a part of the cross sectional view of Fig. 2A taken along an α-α
line.
[0039] In Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, reference numeral 15 denotes a first rib and reference numeral
22 denotes an insertion hole for insertion of the heat transfer tube formed in the
fin 6. In Fig. 2A, arrow b shows a flow of air. In Fig. 2A, only the inside diameter
of the insertion hole 22 is shown and the detailed aperture shape of the insertion
hole is omitted for simplicity's sake.
[0040] The rib 15 extends generally in parallel with an outer edge 25 of the plate-shaped
fin 6. The plate-shaped fin 6 has insertion holes 22 for insertion of a plurality
of heat transfer tubes. Moreover, the first rib 15 is placed closer to the outer edge
25 than all the insertion holes 22 are.
[0041] In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, when the inside diameter
of the insertion hole 22 is set as D [mm], a distance between the center of the insertion
hole 22 nearest to the rib 15 and the outer edge 25 is set as L [mm], and a distance
between the center of the rib 15 and the outer edge 25 is set as La [mm], then La
is designed to satisfy the following equation (1):

[0044] According to the heat exchanger in the first embodiment, the first rib 15 is formed
so as to extend along the outer edge 25 of the fin 6 (generally parallel to the outer
edge 25 of the fin 6), so that the strength of the fin 6 is increased effectively.
[0045] According to the heat exchanger in the first embodiment, the heat transfer tubes
are placed in staggered arrangement through the fin 6, so that an increased number
of heat transfer tubes can be placed without decreasing the strength of the fin 6.
[0046] According to the heat exchanger in the first embodiment, 0.4<La holds, which prevents
the center of the first rib 15 from becoming too close to the outer edge of the fin
6 and thus avoids deformation of the edge portion and/or the first rib 15 of the fin
6. Also, because La<(L-D/2-0.5) holds, the center of the first rib 2 is prevented
from becoming too close to the insertion holes 22 and thus deformation of the first
rib 15 is avoided.
[0047] According to the heat exchanger in the first embodiment, 0.15<LL1, 0.05<t, 0.5t<hl,
D<7.5, 15<P, and D/P<0.5 hold, and the first rib 15 having a size larger than a predetermined
size is formed on the fin 6 having strength larger than a predetermined strength.
This makes it possible to certainly reinforce the fin 6 having strength larger than
a predetermined strength with the first rib 15 having a high reinforcement effect.
Therefore, the strength of the fin 6 is brought to a satisfactory level, and fin deflection
and fin tilting are certainly prevented from occurring during a stacking operation
of the fins 6.
[0048] According to the heat exchanger in the first embodiment, LL1<0.5 and h1<2.5t holds,
which conditions prevent the first rib 15 from becoming too large. This in turn prevents
the first rib 15 from becoming resistance against air flow, thereby preventing generation
of turbulent flow and the like in the air flow. Therefore, the air flow can be smoothed
and the decrease in heat exchanging efficiency, which would otherwise be caused by
change of the air flow due to the formation of the first rib 15, is certainly prevented.
[0049] According to the heat exchanger in the first embodiment, t<0.15 holds so that the
thickness of the fin 6 is not too large. This makes it possible to increase the stacking
or packing density of the fins 6 and to achieve excellent heat exchange efficiency.
[0050] In the heat exchanger in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2B, the first rib
15 is formed in such a manner that it projects from one surface 27 of the plate-shaped
fin 6 so as to satisfy the equations (1) to (7). However, in this invention, a plurality
of first ribs that satisfy the equations (1) to (7) may be formed so that they project
from one surface of the plate-shaped fin. A plurality of first ribs that satisfy the
equations (1) to (7) may also be formed so as to project from both the surfaces (e.g.,
surface 27 and surface 28 in Fig. 2B) of the plate-shaped fin.
[0051] In the heat exchanger of the first embodiment, one first rib 15 generally parallel
to the outer edge 25 is formed only on the leeward side in the width direction of
the second section 9. However, in this invention, a plurality of ribs may be formed
so as to satisfy the equation (1) to (7). For example, it is acceptable not only to
provide one or more first ribs generally parallel to the outer edge on the leeward
side in the width direction of the second section, but also to provide one or more
first ribs generally parallel to the outer edge of the first section on the windward
side in the width direction of the first section, while providing one or more first
ribs generally parallel to the outer edge of the first section on the leeward side
in the width direction of the first section and providing one or more first ribs generally
parallel to the outer edge of the third section on the leeward side in the width direction
of the third section.
[0052] Although in the heat exchanger of the first embodiment, the heat transfer tubes are
placed in two rows in staggered arrangement in the width direction of the second section
9 and one first rib is formed on the leeward side of the second section 9, the heat
exchanger in this invention may be structured so that heat transfer tubes are arranged
in one row, i.e., one per the width of the fin, or in three or more rows in staggered
arrangement in the width direction of the fin at least in a part of the fin and that
one or more first ribs which satisfy the equations (1) to (7) are formed at least
in a part of the longitudinal edge portion of the fin.
[0053] For example, as shown in Fig. 3A, holes for insertion of heat transfer tubes may
be placed in one row in a fin 30, while at an longitudinal edge portion of the fin
30 on the downstream side of the flow of air shown by arrow c, one first rib 32 generally
parallel to an outer edge of the edge portion may be formed. Also, as shown in Fig.
3B, holes for insertion of heat transfer tubes may be placed in one row, i.e., one
hole per the width, in a fin 40, while at a longitudinal edge portion of the fin 40
on the upstream side of the flow of air shown by arrow d, one first rib 42 generally
parallel to an outer edge of the edge portion may be formed. Also, as shown in Fig.
3C, holes for insertion of heat transfer tubes may be placed in one row in a fin 50,
while at longitudinal edge portions of the fin 50 on the upstream side and the downstream
side of the flow of air shown by arrow e, first ribs 52 and 53 generally parallel
to outer edges of those edge portions may be formed, respectively. Also, as shown
in Fig. 3D, holes for insertion of heat transfer tubes may be placed in two rows in
staggered arrangement in the width direction of a fin 60, while at longitudinal edge
portions of the fin 60 on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the flow
of air shown by an arrow f, first ribs 62, 63 generally parallel to outer edges of
those edge portions may be formed, respectively.
[0054] In the heat exchanger of the embodiment, the first rib 15 is formed in almost the
entire edge portion on the leeward of the second section 9. According to this invention,
however, the first rib may be provided only in a part of the edge portion such that
the first rib extends generally parallel to the part of the outer edge of the fin.
For example, the first rib may be provided only in a part of the edge portion on the
leeward of the second section so as to extend generally parallel to the outer edge
of that part of the edge portion.
[0055] In the heat exchanger of the first embodiment, the fin 6 is composed of the first
section 8 and second section 9 which form a bend section, and the third section 10.
However, according to this invention, the fin on which the first rib is formed may
take any shape, without being limited to the shape described in this embodiment, for
example, the fin may be composed of one plate having a flat or circular-arc shaped
cross section.
[0056] In the heat exchanger of the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2B, a groove 29 having
a trapezoidal cross section is formed on the back side of the area where the first
rib 15 is formed. In this invention, however, grooves other than the groove having
a trapezoidal cross section, such as grooves having a V-shaped section or a U-shaped
section, may be formed on the back side of the area where the first rib is formed.
It is not imperative to form the groove on the back side of the area where the first
rib is formed.
[0057] Moreover in the heat exchanger of this invention, the first rib may be formed in
all of the plurality of fins. The first rib may be formed only in one or more of the
plurality of fins and there may be fins without the first rib.
(Second Embodiment)
[0058] Fig. 4 is a partial enlarged view showing a second section 79 of a fin 73 included
in a heat exchanger of a second embodiment. The heat exchanger of the second embodiment
is different from the heat exchanger of the first embodiment only in that a second
rib 76 being generally parallel to the first rib 75 and having the shape generally
identical to the first rib 75 is formed between the rows of insertion holes 72 placed
in staggered arrangement in the width direction in the second section 79 for receiving
the heat transfer tubes.
[0059] In the heat exchanger of the second embodiment, description of the component parts
identical to those in the heat exchanger of the first embodiment will be omitted.
In the heat exchanger of the second embodiment, description of operation, effects
and modifications similar or identical to those of the heat exchanger in the first
embodiment will be omitted, and only the structure, operation, effects and modifications
different from those of the heat exchanger in the first embodiment will be explained.
[0060] As shown in Fig. 4, the insertion holes 72 for insertion of heat transfer tubes are
placed in two rows and in staggered arrangement in width direction in the second section
79 of the fin 73. Each row of the insertion holes 72 provided totally in staggered
arrangement in width direction is generally parallel to a longitudinal outer edge
77 of the second section 79 and to the first rib 75. The second rib 76 is formed between
the rows of the insertion holes 72 in the second section 79 in the state generally
parallel to the outer edge 77 and the first rib 75.
[0061] In the heat exchanger of the second embodiment, the second rib 76 is formed between
the rows of the insertion holes 72 in the second section 79 of the fin 73, so that
the strength of a central area of the second section 79 of the fin 73 is increased,
by which the strength of the fin 73 is increased further.
[0062] In the heat exchanger of the second embodiment, the insertion holes 72 are arranged
in two rows and in staggered arrangement in the width direction of the second section
79 and the second rib 76 is formed between the two rows juxtaposed in the width direction.
However, in this invention, the insertion holes for insertion of heat transfer tubes
may be arranged in two or more rows juxtaposed in the width direction in at least
a part of the fin, and two or more second ribs may be formed between a given row and
a row adjacent to the row in the width direction. The insertion holes for insertion
of heat transfer tubes may also be arranged in three or more rows in at least a part
of the fin, and one or more second ribs may be placed between two or more different
rows.
[0063] Moreover, in the heat exchanger of the second embodiment, the second rib 76 being
generally parallel to the first rib 75 and having the shape generally identical to
the first rib 75 is formed between the rows of the insertion holes 72. In this invention,
a second rib, which is generally parallel to the first rib and which satisfies equations
obtained by rewriting the equations (5) and (7) [herein, the equations obtained by
rewriting the equations (5) and (7) refer to the equations obtained by rewriting the
width LL1 [mm] of the first rib 15 as the width LL2 [mm] of the second rib 76, and
the height h1 [mm] of the first rib 15 as the height h2 [mm] of the second rib 76
in the equations (5) and (7)], may be formed between the rows of the insertion holes
for insertion of heat transfer tubes.
[0064] Although the heat exchanger of this invention is applied to air conditioners in the
first and the second embodiments, it should be understood that the heat exchanger
of this invention can be applied to devices other than the air conditioners, such
as the refrigerators.
[0065] Embodiments of the invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same
may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be
obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of
the following claims.