Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6408939
-
Patent Number
6,408,939
-
Date Filed
Monday, March 27, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 25, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Harness, Dickey and Pierce, P.L.C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 165 135
- 165 140
- 165 149
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
In a double heat exchange, a radiator and a condenser are integrated through a side plate for reinforcing the radiator and the condenser, and a longitudinal dimension of condenser tubes is made smaller than a longitudinal dimension of radiator tubes. Therefore, a core area of the condenser becomes smaller than that of the radiator. Thus, heat-exchanging capacity of the condenser is restricted from being increased more than a necessary capacity, and size and performance of the double heat exchanger are restricted from being increased more than necessary conditions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is related to and claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications No. Hei. 11-89792 filed on Mar. 30, 1999, and No. Hei. 11-242097 filed on Aug. 27, 1999, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a double heat exchanger having plural heat-exchanging units. For example, the present invention is suitable for an integrated double heat exchanger in which a condenser for a refrigerant cycle and a radiator for cooling engine-cooling water of a vehicle are integrated.
2. Description of Related Art
In a conventional double heat exchanger described in JP-A-10-170184, radiator fins and condenser fins are integrated so that both radiator and condenser are integrated. Further, by adjusting louver states formed in the radiator fins and the condenser fins, heat-exchanging capacities of the radiator and the condenser are adjusted, respectively. The louvers are formed by cutting and standing a part of fin flat portions to disturb a flow of air passing through the fins. Here, the louver state means a louver standing angle, a louver cutting length, a louver width dimension and the number of louvers, for example.
However, in the conventional double heat exchanger, both heat-exchanging capacities of the radiator and the condenser are adjusted only by adjusting the louver states, while both core sizes of the radiator and condenser are set to be approximately equal. Therefore, in a vehicle where the heat-exchanging capacity necessary in the condenser is greatly smaller than the heat-exchanging capacity necessary in the radiator, it is difficult to adjust both the heat-exchanging capacities of the radiator and the condenser only using the louver states. That is, the size and performance of the condenser become larger than necessary conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a double heat exchanger in which heat-exchanging capacities of plural heat-exchanging units are adjusted while size and performance of a heat-exchanging unit are prevented from increasing more than necessary conditions.
According to the present invention, in a double heat exchanger including first and second heat-exchanging units, the first and second heat-exchanging units are disposed to be integrated through a side plate for reinforcing the first and second heat-exchanging units, and second tubes of the second heat-exchanging unit have a tube dimension in a tube longitudinal direction of the second tubes, smaller than that of first tubes of the first heat-exchanging unit. Therefore, it is possible to decrease heat-exchanging capacity of the second heat exchanger while size and weight of the second heat-exchanging unit are prevented from being increased more than necessary conditions. As a result, it prevents the size and weight of the double heat exchanger from being increased while heat-exchanging capacities of the first and second heat-exchanging units are adjusted.
Preferably, the second tubes have tube number smaller than that of the first tubes. Therefore, the size and the weight of the double heat exchanger further reduced while the heat-exchanging capacity of the second heat exchanger is prevented from being increased more than the necessary capacity. Further, the double heat exchanger includes a reinforcement plate disposed to extend from an end of the second core portion to the side plate, for supporting and fixing the second heat-exchanging unit. Therefore, the second heat-exchanging unit is tightly connected to the first heat-exchanging unit.
Preferably, the first heat-exchanging unit is disposed at a downstream air side from the second heat-exchanging unit linearly in an air-flowing direction, each of the first and second tubes is a flat-shaped tube having a major diameter dimension in the air-flowing direction and a minor diameter dimension in a direction perpendicular to both a tube longitudinal direction and the air-flowing direction, and each minor diameter dimension of the second tubes is smaller than each minor diameter dimension of the first tubes. Therefore, even when a temperature boundary layer generated at most upstream ends of the second tubes in the air-flowing direction is increased toward a downstream air side in the second core portion, it can prevent a distance (i.e., temperature boundary layer thickness) between the first tubes and the temperature boundary layer from being increased. As a result, the temperature boundary layer generated from the second heat-exchanging unit hardly deteriorates the heat-exchanging performance of the first heat-exchanging unit.
More preferably, both the first and second tubes have major diameter center lines corresponding to each other in the air-flowing direction. Therefore, air smoothly passes through the first and second heat-exchanging units in the air-flowing direction.
On the other hand, according to the present invention, each the first corrugated fin has a first fin height between adjacent first tubes, different from a second fin height of each second corrugated fin between adjacent second tubes. Further, the first tubes have a first pitch distance between adjacent first tubes at centers of the first tubes, the second tubes have a second pitch distance between adjacent second tubes at centers of the second tubes, the second pitch distance is equal to the first pitch distance, and a tube thickness of each first tube between adjacent first corrugated fins is different from a tube thickness of each the second tube between adjacent second corrugated fins. Therefore, at ends of the first core portion and the second core portion, where the side plate contacts, a difference between a core height of the first core portion and a core height of the second core portion is not greatly changed. Thus, the first and second core portions tightly contact the side plate without greatly increasing the kinds of the side plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a double heat exchanger according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of a double heat exchanger according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a schematic sectional view when being viewed from arrow III in
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of a double heat exchanger according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5
is a partially sectional view of core portions of the double heat exchanger according to the third embodiment;
FIG. 6
is a partially sectional view of core portions of a double heat exchanger according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7
is a perspective view of a double heat exchanger according to a fifth preferred embodiment;
FIG. 8
is a schematic sectional view when being viewed from arrow VIII in
FIG. 7
;
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of core portions of a double heat exchanger according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10
is a schematic sectional view of a double heat exchanger according to the sixth embodiment;
FIG. 11
is a perspective view of a double heat exchanger according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12A
is a perspective view of a double heat exchanger according to an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 12B
is a partially sectional view of the double heat exchanger according to the eighth embodiment;
FIG. 13
is a perspective view of a double heat exchanger according to a ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14
is a partially sectional view of core portions of a double heat exchanger according to a tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15
is a partially sectional view showing a structure of the core portions where radiator fins protrude toward a condenser, according to the tenth embodiment;
FIG. 16
is a partially sectional view of core portions of a double heat exchanger according to an eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17
is a partially sectional view of core portions of a double heat exchanger having plural heat-exchanging units more than three, according to a modification of the present invention; and
FIG. 18
is a sectional view of core portions of a double heat exchanger according to an another modification of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A first preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIG.
1
. In the first embodiment, the present invention is typically applied to a double heat exchanger where a radiator
100
for cooling engine-cooling water of a vehicle engine and a condenser
200
for cooling refrigerant of a refrigerant cycle are integrated, as shown in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of the double heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the radiator
100
is disposed at a downstream air side of the condenser
200
. Further, the radiator
100
and the condenser
200
are arranged linearly relative to an air-flowing direction.
The radiator
100
includes plural radiator tubes
110
extending in a tube longitudinal direction, and plural radiator corrugated fins (hereinafter, referred to as “radiator fins”)
120
each of which is formed by roller-forming into a wave shape and is disposed between adjacent radiator tubes
110
. Each of the radiator tubes
110
is formed into a flat like having a major-diameter dimension in the air-flowing direction. The radiator tubes
110
and the radiator fins
120
are integrally connected to form a radiator core portion
130
. In the radiator core portion
130
, engine-cooling water flowing through the radiator tubes
110
and air passing through between the radiator tunes
110
and the radiator fins
120
are heat-exchanged so that the engine-cooling water from the vehicle engine is cooled.
Further, the radiator
100
includes a radiator tank portion
140
disposed at both longitudinal ends of the radiator tubes
110
to extend in a tank longitudinal direction perpendicular to the tube longitudinal direction and to communicate with the plural radiator tubes
110
. That is, the radiator tank portion
140
includes a first radiator header tank
141
for distributing and supplying cooling water from the vehicle engine into each of the radiator tubes
110
, and a second radiator header tank
142
for collecting and recovering cooling water flowing from the radiator tubes
110
. The first radiator header tank
141
is disposed at one side longitudinal ends of the radiator tubes
110
, and the second radiator header tank
142
is disposed at the other side longitudinal ends of the radiator tubes
110
.
A cooling-water outlet side of the vehicle engine is coupled to an inlet portion
143
so that engine-cooling water from the vehicle engine is introduced into the first radiator header tank
141
through the inlet portion
143
. On the other hand, a cooling water inlet side of the vehicle engine is coupled to an outlet portion
144
so that the engine-cooling water having been heat-exchanged in the radiator core portion
130
is returned to the vehicle engine through the outlet portion
144
.
On the other hand, the condenser
200
includes plural condenser tubes
210
extending in a tube longitudinal direction, and plural condenser corrugated fins (hereinafter, referred to as “condenser fins”)
220
each of which is formed by roller-forming into a wave shape and is disposed between adjacent condenser tubes
210
. Each of the condenser tubes
210
is formed into a flat like having a major-diameter dimension in the air-flowing direction. The condenser tubes
210
and the condenser fins
220
are integrally connected to form a condenser core portion
230
. In the condenser core portion
230
, refrigerant of the refrigerant cycle flowing through the condenser tubes
210
and air passing through between the condenser tubes
210
and the condenser fins
220
are heat-exchanged so that the refrigerant is cooled and condensed.
Further, the condenser
200
includes a condenser tank portion
240
disposed at both longitudinal ends of the condenser tubes
210
to extend in a tank longitudinal direction perpendicular to the tube longitudinal direction and to communicate with the plural condenser tubes
210
. That is, the condenser tank portion
240
includes a first condenser header tank
241
for distributing and supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant cycle into each of the condenser tubes
210
, and a second condenser header tank
242
for collecting and recovering refrigerant flowing from the condenser tubes
210
. The first condenser header tank
241
is disposed at one side longitudinal ends of the condenser tubes
210
, and the second condenser header tank
242
is disposed at the other side longitudinal ends of the condenser tubes
210
.
In the first embodiment, each longitudinal dimension L
2
of the condenser tubes
210
between the first and second condenser header tanks
241
,
242
is set to be smaller than each longitudinal dimension L
1
of the radiator tubes
110
between the first and second radiator header tanks
141
,
142
, so that a core area of the condenser core portion
230
is made smaller than a core area of the radiator core portion
130
. Here, the core area of the condenser core portion
230
is a reflection area of the condenser core portion
230
on a surface perpendicular to the air-flowing direction. Similarly, the core area of the radiator core portion
130
is a reflection area of the radiator core portion
130
on a surface perpendicular to the air-flowing direction.
On both side ends of both the core portions
130
,
230
, side plates
300
for reinforcing both the core portions
130
,
220
are provided. The side plates
300
are disposed to extend in a direction parallel to the flat tubes
110
,
210
. In the first embodiment, the radiator
100
and the condenser
200
are integrated through the side plates
300
.
In the double heat exchanger, the tubes
110
,
210
, the fins
120
,
220
, the tank portions
140
,
240
and the side plates
300
are made of aluminum, and are integrally bonded through brazing.
According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal dimension L
2
of the condenser tubes
210
is set to be smaller than the longitudinal dimension L
1
of the radiator tubes L
1
, so that the core area of the condenser core portion
230
is made smaller than the core area of the radiator core portion
130
. Therefore, in the double heat exchanger where the radiator
100
and the condenser
200
are integrated, the size and the weight of the condenser
200
become smaller. As a result, it prevents the size and the performance of the double heat exchanger from being increased too much as compared with necessary conditions, while heat-radiating capacity (i.e., heat-exchanging capacity) of the condenser
200
is adjusted.
A second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to
FIGS. 2 and 3
. In the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal dimension L
2
of the condenser tubes
210
is set to be smaller than the longitudinal dimension L
1
of the radiator tubes
110
, so that the core area of the condenser core portion
230
is made smaller than the core area of the radiator core portion
130
. However, in the second embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 2
, the number of the condenser tubes
210
is set to be smaller than that of the radiator tubes
110
, so that the core area of the condenser core portion
230
is made smaller than the core area of the radiator core portion
130
. In the second embodiment, the radiator
100
and the condenser
200
are integrated by one-side side plate
300
. Further, as shown in
FIG. 3
, both the tank portions
140
,
240
are integrally connected by connection portions
310
separately formed in the tank longitudinal direction of both the tank portions
140
,
240
between both the tank portions
140
,
240
. In the second embodiment, the other portions are similar to those in the above-described first embodiment. Thus, in the second embodiment, the effect similar to that of the first embodiment is obtained.
A third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to
FIGS. 4 and 5
. In the third embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 4
, the core area of the condenser core portion
230
is set to be approximately equal to that of the radiator core portion
130
. However, as shown in
FIG. 5
, a fin height h
2
of the condenser fins
220
is set to be smaller than a fin height h
1
of the radiator fins
110
, so that the heat-exchanging capacity of the condenser core portion
230
is made smaller than the heat-exchanging capacity of the radiator core portion
130
. Here, the fin height h
2
is a dimension between peaks and troughs of each the wave-shaped condenser fin
220
, and the fin height h
1
is a dimension between peaks and troughs of each the wave-shaped radiator fin
120
. With a dimension difference between the fin heights h
1
, h
2
, a core height hc
1
of the radiator core portion
130
is different from a core height hc
2
of the condenser core portion
230
. In the third embodiment, a step portion
301
having a height dimension h
3
is provided in a lower-side side plate
300
, so that the condenser core portion
230
and the radiator core portion
130
having different core heights hc
1
, hc
2
are integrated through the side plate
300
.
A fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to FIG.
6
. As shown in
FIG. 6
, a distance between centers of the adjacent radiator tubes
110
, i.e., a pitch P
1
between adjacent radiator tubes
110
, is set to be equal to a distance between centers of the adjacent condenser tubes
210
, i.e., a pitch P
2
between adjacent radiator tubes
110
. However, in the fourth embodiment, each tube thickness L
3
(i.e., minor-diameter dimension) of the radiator tubes
110
is made smaller than each tube thickness L
4
(i.e., minor-diameter dimension) of the condenser tubes
210
. Here, the tube thickness L
3
of the radiator tubes
110
is a dimension of each radiator tube
110
, parallel to the tank longitudinal direction of the radiator tank portion
140
. Similarly, the tube thickness L
4
of the condenser tubes
210
is a dimension of each condenser tube
210
, parallel to the tank longitudinal direction of the condenser tank portion
240
.
That is, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the tube thickness L
4
of the condenser tubes
210
is made smaller so that a flow rate of refrigerant in the condenser tubes
210
is increased and the fin height h
2
of the condenser fins
220
is made larger. Therefore, it is compared with the heat-exchanging capacity of the condenser
200
described in the first and second embodiments, the heat-exchanging capacity of the condenser
200
is increased.
According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, while the radiator tube pitch P
1
is set to be equal to the condenser tube pitch P
2
, the tube thickness L
3
(i.e., minor-diameter dimension) of the radiator tubes
110
and the fin height h
1
of the radiator fins
120
are set to be different from the tube thickness L
4
(i.e., minor-diameter dimension) of the condenser tubes
210
and the fin height h
2
of the condenser fins
220
, respectively. Therefore, the core height hc
1
of the radiator core portion
130
is approximately equal to the core height hc
2
of the condenser core portion
230
. That is, the height dimension of the step portion
301
is a difference between the fin heights h
1
and h
2
of the fins
120
,
220
, and is not greatly changed. Thus, the core portions
130
,
230
readily contact the side plates
300
having the slightly changed step portions
301
, and a contacting state between the core portions
130
,
230
and the side plates
300
is readily obtained by using small kinds of side plates
300
.
A fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to
FIGS. 7 and 8
. In the fifth embodiment, a mechanical strength of the condenser
200
of the double heat exchanger described in the second embodiment is improved.
FIG. 7
is a perspective view of a double heat exchanger according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 7
, the top side ends of both core portions
130
,
230
are integrally connected through the side plate
300
having U-shaped cross section, similarly to the second embodiment. However, as shown in
FIGS. 7
,
8
, the bottom side end of the condenser core portion
230
is supported and fixed by a reinforcement plate
320
extending from the bottom side end of the condenser core portion
230
to the bottom side end of the radiator core portion
130
. Thus, the condenser core portion
230
is fastened and fixed to the radiator core portion
130
through the reinforcement plate
320
in addition to the connection portions
310
and the top-side side plate
300
. AS a result, connection strength between both the core portions
130
,
230
and the mechanical strength of the condenser core portion
230
(i.e., condenser
200
) are improved.
A sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to
FIGS. 9 and 10
. In the sixth embodiment, similarly to the fifth embodiment, the strength of the condenser
200
and the connection strength between both the core portions
130
,
230
are improved in the double heat exchanger described in the second embodiment. As shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10
, a condenser side plate
330
for reinforcing the condenser core portion
230
is provided at the bottom side end of the condenser core portion
230
to extend in a direction parallel to the condenser tubes
210
. The condenser side plate
330
extends to radiator core portion
130
to be connected to the radiator fins
120
and the radiator tank portion
140
. The top side ends of both the core portions
130
,
230
and the bottom side end of the radiator core portion
130
are formed similarly to those in the above-described second embodiment.
Further, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a recess portion
331
for reducing a heat-transmitting area is provided in the condenser side plate
331
to restrict heat from being transmitted from the radiator
100
to the condenser
200
. Therefore, the recess portion
331
provided in the condenser side plate
331
prevents heat-exchanging capacity of the condenser
200
from being greatly reduced.
A seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to FIGS.
11
. In the seventh embodiment, similarly to the fifth embodiment, the strength of the condenser
200
and the connection strength between the core portions
130
,
230
are improved in the double heat exchanger described in the second embodiment.
As shown in
FIG. 11
, in the seventh embodiment, the longitudinal dimension h
4
of the condenser tank portion
240
is set to be larger than the core height hc
2
of the condenser core portion
230
. Further, both longitudinal ends of the condenser tank portion
240
are bonded and brazed to the side plates
300
connected to top and bottom side ends of the radiator core portion
130
. Here, the core height hc
2
is a dimension of the condenser core portion
230
, parallel to the tank longitudinal direction of the condenser tank portion
240
. In the seventh embodiment, the core height hc
2
is a dimension between a condenser fin
220
at the top side end of the condenser core portion
230
and a condenser fin
220
at the bottom side end of the condenser core portion
230
.
Because a lower side space of the condenser tank portion
240
, lower than the condenser core portion
230
is an unnecessary space, a separator
243
is disposed within the condenser tank portion
240
to partition the unnecessary space and a necessary space in the condenser tank portion
240
.
According to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, because both longitudinal ends of the condenser tank portion
240
are connected to the top and bottom-side side plates
300
connected to the radiator
100
, the condenser
200
is tightly connected to the radiator
100
, and the mechanical strength of the condenser
200
is improved.
Further, because the longitudinal dimension h
4
of the condenser tank portion
240
is larger than the core height hc
2
, a connection part between the condenser tank portion
240
and the radiator tank portion
140
, that is, the number of the connection portion
310
is increased. Thus, both the tank portions
140
,
240
can be tightly connected, and the connection strength between the radiator
100
and the condenser
200
is improved.
Further, in the seventh embodiment, because both the tank portions
140
,
240
are connected, both the tank portions
140
,
240
can be integrally molded by extrusion or drawing.
An eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to
FIGS. 12A and 12B
. In the eighth embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 12A
,
12
B, the core portions
130
,
230
and the tank portions
140
,
240
are similar to those described in the above-described first embodiment. However, in the eighth embodiment, radiator side plates
150
for reinforcing the radiator core portion
130
and condenser side plates
250
for reinforcing the condenser core portion
230
are respectively independently formed. By bonding both the radiator side plate
150
and the condenser side plate
250
through brazing, the radiator
100
and the condenser
200
having different core areas are integrated. The brazing of the radiator side plate
150
and the condenser side plate
250
are performed at the brazing step where both the core portions
130
,
230
and both the tank portions
140
,
240
are brazed.
A ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to FIG.
13
. As shown in
FIG. 13
, the number of the condenser tubes
210
is decreased in the double heat exchanger described in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the ninth embodiment, the heat-exchanging capacity of the condenser
200
is further reduced as compared with the above-described first embodiment.
A tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to
FIGS. 14 and 15
. In the tenth embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 14
,
15
, a minor-diameter dimension B
1
of each the condenser tube
210
is made smaller than a minor-diameter dimension B
2
of each the radiator tube
110
, while center lines L
1
and L
2
of both radiator and condenser tubes
110
,
210
in a major-diameter direction of the flat tubes
110
,
210
are corresponded to each other when being viewed from the air-flowing direction.
In the tenth embodiment, the radiator tubes
110
and the condenser tubes
210
are disposed to have therebetween a distance D
1
equal to 20 mm or smaller than 20 mm, while heat transmitted from the radiator
100
to the condenser
200
is restricted. Further, a difference between the minor dimension B
1
of each condenser tubes
210
and the minor dimension B
2
of the radiator tubes
110
is set to be equal to or smaller than 1 mm. Thus, even when a temperature boundary layer generated at most upstream ends of the condenser tubes
210
in the air-flowing direction is increased toward a downstream air side in the condenser core portion
230
, it can prevent a distance (i.e., temperature boundary layer thickness) between the radiator tube
110
and the temperature boundary layer from being increased. As a result, the temperature boundary layer generated from the condenser
200
hardly deteriorates the heat-exchanging performance of the radiator
100
.
Further, because the minor-diameter dimension B
1
of each the condenser tube
210
on an upstream air side is smaller than the minor-diameter dimension B
2
of each the radiator tube
110
on a downstream air side, an air flow resistance in the core portions
230
,
130
becomes smaller. Further, because the center lines L
1
and L
2
of both radiator and condenser tubes
110
,
210
in the major-diameter direction of the flat tubes
110
,
210
are corresponded to each other when being viewed from the air-flowing direction, air smoothly flows through the core portions
130
,
230
, and the air flow resistance is further reduced.
The minor-diameter dimensions B
1
, B
2
of both the radiator and condenser tubes
110
,
210
may be changed in the above-described first through ninth embodiment, similarly to the tenth embodiment.
An eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to FIG.
16
. In the above-described tenth embodiment, the center lines L
1
and L
2
of both radiator and condenser tubes
110
,
210
in the major-diameter direction of the flat tubes
110
,
210
are corresponded to each other when being viewed from the air-flowing direction. However, in the eleventh embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 16
, the center lines L
1
and L
2
of both radiator and condenser tubes
110
,
210
in the major-diameter direction of the flat tubes
110
,
210
are offset from each other when being viewed from the air-flowing direction.
Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
For example, in the above-described embodiments, the present invention is typically applied to a double heat exchanger where the radiator
100
and the condenser
200
are integrated. However, the present invention may be applied to a double heat exchanger where plural heat-exchanging units are integrated. For example, the double heat exchanger may be constructed by three or more heat-exchanging units, as shown in FIG.
17
.
In the above-described embodiments, the radiator fins
120
and the condenser fins
220
may be integrated, as shown in FIG.
9
. Specifically, as shown in
FIG. 18
, fin connection portions J for partially connecting the corrugated fins
120
,
220
may be provided.
Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. The heat exchanger comprising:a first heat-exchanging unit for performing heat exchange between a first fluid and air, said first heat exchanging unit includes a plurality of first tubes through which said first fluid flows, a plurality of first corrugated fins disposed between adjacent first tubes, and a first tank portion disposed to communicate with said first tubes, at both longitudinal ends of each aid first tube; a second heat-exchanging unit for performing heat exchange between a second fluid and air, said second heating-exchanging unit includes a plurality of second tubes through which said second fluid flows, said second tubes extending in parallel with said first tubes, a plurality of second corrugated fins disposed between adjacent said second tubes, and a second tank portion disposed to communicate with said second tubes, at both longitudinal ends of each said second tube; a side plate disposed in parallel with said first and second tubes, for reinforcing said first and second heat-exchanging units, wherein: said first and second heat-exchanging units are disposed to be integrated through said side plate; said second tubes have a tube dimension in a tube longitudinal direction of said second tubes, smaller than that of said first tubes, in such a manner that the first heat-exchanging unit has an overlapping portion overlapping with said second heat-exchanging unit in an air-flowing direction and a non-overlapping portion in the air-flowing direction; in the overlapping portion, air passes through both said first heat-exchanging unit and said second heat-exchanging unit; and in the non-overlapping portion, air only passes through the first heat-exchanging unit.
- 2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein said second tubes have tube number smaller than that of said first tubes, while said first and second tubes have the same pitch.
- 3. A heat exchanger comprising:a first heat-exchanging unit for performing heat exchange between a first fluid and air, said first heat-exchanging unit includes a plurality of first tubes through which said first fluid flows, plurality of first corrugated fins disposed between adjacent first tubes, and a first tank portion disposed to communicate with said first tubes, at both longitudinal ends of each aid first tube; a second heat-exchanging unit for performing heat exchange between a second fluid and air, said second heating-exchanging unit includes a plurality of second tubes through which said second fluid flows, said second tubes extending in parallel with said first tubes, a plurality of second corrugated fins disposed between adjacent said second tubes, and a second tank portion disposed to communicate with said second tubes, at both longitudinal ends of each said second tube; a side plate disposed in parallel with said first and second tubes, for reinforcing said first and second heat-exchanging units wherein; said first and second heat-exchanging units are disposed to be integrated through said side plate; said second tubes have a tube dimension in a tube longitudinal direction of said second tubes, smaller than that of said first tubes; said side plate includes a first side plate portion for reinforcing said first heat-exchanging unit, and a second side plate portion for reinforcing said second heat-exchanging unit; and said first and second heat-exchanging units are integrated by bonding said first and second side plate portions through brazing.
- 4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, further comprisinga fin connection portion through which both said first and second fins are partially connected.
- 5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein:said first heat-exchanging unit is disposed at a downstream air side from said second heat-exchanging unit linearly in an air-flowing direction; each of said first and second tubes is a flat-shaped tube having a major diameter dimension in the air-flowing direction and a minor diameter dimension in a direction perpendicular to both the tube longitudinal direction and the air-flowing direction; and each minor diameter dimension of said second tubes is smaller than each minor diameter dimension of said first tubes.
- 6. The heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein said first and second tubes have major diameter center lines corresponding to each other in the air-flowing direction.
- 7. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein:both said first and second tubes has a distance therebetween, in the air-flowing direction; and the distance is equal to or smaller than 20 mm.
- 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein a difference between the minor diameter dimension of each said second tube and the minor diameter dimension of each first tube is equal to or smaller than 1 mm.
- 9. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein:said first heat-exchanging unit is a radiator for cooling engine-cooling water of a vehicle; and said second heat-exchanging unit is a condenser for cooling refrigerant of a refrigerant cycle.
- 10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein:said first heat-exchanging unit is disposed at a downstream air side from said second heat-exchanging unit linearly in the air-flowing direction; in the overlapping portion, air after passing through said first heat-exchanging unit passes through said second heat-exchanging unit; and in the non-overlapping portion, air directly passes through said second heat-exchanging unit while bypassing said first heat-exchanging unit.
- 11. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein said first tubes and said second tubes are disposed in parallel with each other.
- 12. A heat exchanger comprising:a first heat-exchanging unit for performing heat exchange between a first fluid and air, said first heat-exchanging unit includes a first core portion having a plurality of first tubes through which said first fluid flows, and a plurality of first corrugated fins disposed between adjacent first tubes, and a first tank portion disposed to communicate with said first tubes, at both longitudinal ends of each said first tube; a second heat-exchanging unit for performing heat exchange between a second fluid and air, said second heat-exchanging unit includes a second core portion having a plurality of second tubes through which said second fluid flows and a plurality of second corrugated fins disposed between adjacent said second tubes, said second tubes extending in a direction parallel to said first tubes, and a second tank portion disposed to communicate with said second tubes, at both longitudinal ends of each said second tube; and a side plate disposed in parallel with said first and second tubes at an end of said first and second core portions, for reinforcing said first and second core portions, wherein each said first corrugated fin has a first fin height between adjacent first tubes, different from a second fin height of each second corrugated fin between adjacent second tubes.
- 13. The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein:said first tubes have a first distance between adjacent first tubes at centers of said first tubes; said second tubes have a second distance between adjacent second tubes at centers of said second tubes, said second distance being equal to said first distance; and each said first tube has a tube thickness between adjacent first corrugated fins, different from a tube thickness of each said second tube between adjacent second corrugated fins.
- 14. The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein:said side plate has a step portion between said first core portion and said second core portion; and said first core portion and said second core portion are integrated through said side plate.
- 15. The heat exchanger according to claim 12, further comprisinga fin connection portion through which both said first and second fins are partially connected.
- 16. The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein:said first heat-exchanging unit is disposed at a downstream air side from said second heat-exchanging unit linearly in an air-flowing direction; each of said first and second tubes is a flat-shaped tube having a major diameter dimension in the air-flowing direction and a minor diameter dimension in a direction perpendicular to both a tube longitudinal direction and the air-flowing direction; and each minor diameter dimension of said second tubes is smaller than each minor diameter dimension of said first tubes.
- 17. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein said first and second tubes have major diameter center lines corresponding to each other in the air-flowing direction.
- 18. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein a difference between the minor diameter dimension of each said second tube and the minor diameter dimension of each first tube is equal to or smaller than 1 mm.
- 19. The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein:said first heat-exchanging unit is a radiator for cooling engine-cooling water of a vehicle; and said second heat-exchanging unit is a condenser for cooling refrigerant of a refrigerant cycle.
- 20. A heat exchanger comprising:a first heat-exchanging unit for performing heat exchange between a first fluid and air, said first heat-exchanging unit includes a plurality of first tubes through which said first fluid flows; and a second heat-exchanging unit for performing heat exchange between a second fluid and air, said second heat-exchanging unit includes a plurality of second tubes through which said second fluid flows, where: said first heat-exchanging unit is disposed at a downstream air side from said second heat-exchanging unit linearly in an air-flowing direction; each of said first and second tubes is a flat-shaped tube having a major diameter dimension in the air-flowing direction and a minor diameter dimension in a direction perpendicular to both a tube longitudinal direction and the air-flowing direction; each minor diameter dimension of said second tubes is smaller than each minor diameter dimension of said first tubes; and each of said first tubes has a major diameter centerline corresponding to a major diameter centerline of each of said second tubes, said first tubes have a tube pitch equal to a tube pitch of said second tubes.
- 21. The heat exchanger according to claim 20, wherein the major diameter center lines of said first and second tubes correspond to each other in the air-flowing direction.
- 22. The heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein:both said first and second tubes has a distance therebetween, in the air-flowing direction; and the distance is equal to or smaller than 20 mm.
- 23. The heat exchanger according to claim 20, wherein a difference between the minor diameter dimension of each said second tube and the minor diameter dimension of each first tube is equal to or smaller than 1 mm.
- 24. The heat exchanger according to claim 20, wherein:said first heat-exchanging unit is a radiator for cooling engine-cooling water of a vehicle; and said second heat-exchanging unit is a condenser for cooling refrigerant of a refrigerant cycle.
- 25. The heat exchanger according to claim 20, wherein each of said first and second tubes has an oval sectional shape.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
11-089792 |
Mar 1999 |
JP |
|
11-242097 |
Aug 1999 |
JP |
|
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