HEAT EXCHANGER

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20250060173
  • Publication Number
    20250060173
  • Date Filed
    December 19, 2022
    2 years ago
  • Date Published
    February 20, 2025
    2 days ago
Abstract
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger including a tank having an opened lower side, a header into which the opened lower side of the tank is inserted, the header being configured to define a space, in which a heat exchange medium is stored and flows, by being coupled to the tank, a baffle coupled and interposed between the tank and the header, and a nozzle having an insertion portion, which is one side, formed in a shape corresponding to an inner shape defined by the tank and the baffle, the insertion portion being inserted and coupled into an inner side defined by the tank and the baffle, such that a communication hole of the nozzle, which connects the header tank and an inlet/outlet pipe, may have a relatively large size.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger coupled to a nozzle capable of connecting an inlet/outlet pipe, through which a heat exchange medium is introduced or discharged, to a header tank made by coupling a tank and a header.


BACKGROUND ART

A heat exchanger refers to a device disposed between two environments having a temperature difference and configured to absorb heat from one environment and discharge the heat to the other environment. The heat exchanger serves as a cooling system when the heat exchanger absorbs heat from an interior and discharges the heat to the outside. The heat exchanger serves as a heating system when the heat exchanger absorbs heat from the outside and discharges the heat to the interior.



FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematic exploded perspective cross-sectional views illustrating a heat exchanger and a header tank in the related art.


In general, the heat exchanger includes a header tank configured to define a space in which a heat exchange medium is stored and flows, a plurality of tubes 20 connected to the header tank and configured to define a passageway in which the heat exchange medium flows, and heat radiating fins 30 coupled and interposed between the tubes 20.


Further, the header tank may be made by coupling a header 11 and a tank 12 and define the space in which the heat exchange medium may be accommodated. End caps 13 may be disposed at two opposite longitudinal ends of the header tank, and the end caps 13 may be coupled and interposed between the header 11 and the tank 12, such that end portions of the header tank are blocked by the end caps 13. In addition, an inlet/outlet pipe 15 may be connected to the end cap 13 to introduce or discharge the heat exchange medium. For example, a through-hole 13a may be formed in the end cap 13 while penetrating two opposite surfaces of the end cap 13, and the heat exchanger may further include a nozzle 14 and the inlet/outlet pipe 15. One side of the nozzle 14 may be inserted into the through-hole 13a of the end cap 13, and the inlet/outlet pipe 15 may be assembled by being inserted into the other side of the nozzle 14. After the assembling process, the components may be coupled and fixed by brazing.


However, in the heat exchanger in the related art, a size (diameter) of a communication hole, which is an inner passageway of the nozzle, is inevitably small because of a body portion of the end cap 13 in which the through-hole 13a is formed. For this reason, there is a limitation in increasing the size of the communication hole of the nozzle. As a result, flow resistance of the heat exchange medium increases, which degrades heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger. In addition, because one side of the nozzle, which is a portion inserted into the through-hole of the end cap, has a relatively small size, coupling strength of a portion where the nozzle and the end cap are connected is low, which degrades durability.


DOCUMENT OF RELATED ART

KR 2014-0095698 A (Aug. 4, 2014)


DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger, in which a size of a communication hole, which is an inner passageway of a nozzle, may be relatively large in a configuration in which the nozzle is coupled to connect an inlet/outlet pipe, through which a heat exchange medium is introduced or discharged, to a header tank.


Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a heat exchanger including: a tank having an opened lower side; a header into which the opened lower side of the tank is inserted, the header being configured to define a space, in which a heat exchange medium is stored and flows, by being coupled to the tank; a baffle coupled and interposed between the tank and the header; and a nozzle having an insertion portion, which is one side, formed in a shape corresponding to an inner shape defined by the tank and the baffle, the insertion portion being inserted and coupled into an inner side defined by the tank and the baffle.


In addition, a lower end of the tank inserted into the header may be disposed to be spaced apart from an inner lower end of the header, and the baffle may be disposed between the lower end of the tank and the inner lower end of the header.


In addition, an inner peripheral surface of the tank and an inner peripheral surface of the baffle may be formed without a level difference therebetween.


In addition, a fixing hole may be formed in the header while penetrating inner and outer surfaces of the header, a fixing tab may protrude from the baffle, and the fixing tab of the baffle may be inserted and coupled into the fixing hole of the header.


In addition, a lower end of the tank may be in contact with and supported by upper ends of two opposite sides of the baffle based on a width direction.


In addition, the nozzle may further include a pipe connection portion extending from the insertion portion and having a larger diameter than the insertion portion.


In addition, the heat exchanger may further include: an auxiliary baffle disposed to be spaced apart from the baffle, in a direction in which the insertion portion of the nozzle is inserted into an inner side defined by the tank and the baffle, and configured such that one end of the insertion portion is in contact with and supported by the auxiliary baffle, the auxiliary baffle coupled and interposed between the header and the tank and having a through-hole penetrating two opposite surfaces of the auxiliary baffle.


In addition, one end of the insertion portion of the nozzle may be in contact with and joined to the auxiliary baffle.


In addition, the through-hole of the auxiliary baffle may be formed in a shape corresponding to a communication hole that is an inner side of the insertion portion of the nozzle, and the through-hole may be formed so as not to cover the communication hole.


In addition, protruding tabs may be formed at upper and lower sides of the auxiliary baffle, coupling holes may be formed in the header and the tank while penetrating inner and outer surfaces of the header and the tank, and the protruding tabs of the auxiliary baffle may be inserted and coupled into the coupling holes of the headers and the tanks.


In addition, the tank and the header may be formed in two rows, the baffle may be coupled to one of the two rows, and an end cap, which has a shape in which two opposite sides are blocked, may be coupled to the other of the two rows at a position corresponding to the baffle.


Further, the present invention provides a heat exchanger including: a tank having an opened lower side; a header into which the opened lower side of the tank is inserted, the header configured to define a space, in which a heat exchange medium is stored and flows, by being coupled to the tank; a baffle coupled to an outer side of the tank and an outer side of the header to cover and block an opened side of an assembly made by coupling the tank and the header, the baffle having an opening penetrating two opposite surfaces of the baffle; and a nozzle having an insertion portion having at least a part formed in a shape corresponding to an inner shape of the tank, the insertion portion being inserted and coupled into an inner side defined by the tank and the header.


In addition, an upper side of the insertion portion of the nozzle may be in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the tank, and a lower side of the insertion portion may be in contact with and supported by an inner peripheral surface of the header.


In addition, an upper side of the opening of the baffle may be formed to correspond to an inner peripheral surface of the tank, and a lower side of the opening may be formed in a curved shape connected to the upper side without a level difference.


In addition, the baffle may have a bent tab extending and bent from a periphery toward an outer surface of the tank and an outer surface of the header.


In addition, the bent tab of the baffle may be provided as a plurality of bent tabs, and the bent tab of the baffle at a position corresponding to the tank side and the bent tab positioned at the position corresponding to the header side may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other.


In addition, a catching projection may protrude from an inner surface of the header, and a lower end of the tank may be in contact with and supported by the catching projection.


In addition, the nozzle may further include a pipe connection portion extending from the insertion portion and having a larger diameter than the insertion portion.


In addition, the tank and the header may be formed in two rows, the baffle may be coupled to one of the two rows, and the end cap, which has a shape in which two opposite surfaces are blocked, may be coupled to the other of the two rows at a position corresponding to the baffle and coupled to an opened outer side of an assembly made by coupling the tank and the header.


In addition, the end cap may have a bent tab extending and bent from a periphery toward an outer surface of the tank and an outer surface of the header.


In addition, the bent tab of the end cap may be provided as a plurality of bent tabs, and the bent tab of the end cap at a position corresponding to the tank side and the bent tab at a position corresponding to the header side may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other.


The baffle and the end cap may be integrated into a single connected shape.


Advantageous Effects

According to the heat exchanger of the present invention, the communication hole of the nozzle, which connects the header tank and the inlet/outlet pipe, may have a relatively large size, which may reduce the flow resistance of the heat exchange medium and improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.


In addition, the insertion portion of the nozzle, which has the communication hole, has a relatively large size. Therefore, the coupling force is improved at a portion where the nozzle is coupled to the tank and the baffle, such that the durability of the portion where the nozzle is connected to the tank and the baffle may be improved, and a likelihood of a leak of the heat exchange medium may be reduced.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIGS. 1 to 3 are partial perspective views illustrating a structure for coupling a header tank, an end cap, a nozzle, and an inlet/outlet pipe in a heat exchanger in the related art.



FIGS. 4 to 7 are partial perspective views illustrating a structure for coupling a tank, a header, a baffle, an end cap, and a nozzle in a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention.



FIGS. 8 to 11 are side views and cross-sectional views illustrating a structure for coupling a tank, a header, an end cap, and a nozzle in a heat exchanger to which the related art is applied.



FIGS. 12 to 16 are side views and cross-sectional views illustrating the structure for coupling the tank, the header, the baffle, and the nozzle in the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention.



FIGS. 17 to 19 are perspective views illustrating an embodiment in which the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes an auxiliary baffle.



FIG. 20 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the entire heat exchanger including an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.



FIGS. 21 to 24 are assembled perspective views and exploded perspective views illustrating a structure for coupling a tank, a header, a baffle, an end cap, and a nozzle in a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 25 is a left side view illustrating a state in which the nozzle in FIG. 21 is removed.



FIG. 26 is a right side view in FIG. 21.



FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 26.



FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 26.





BEST MODE

Hereinafter, a heat exchanger of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.



FIGS. 4 to 7 are partial perspective views illustrating a structure for coupling a tank, a header, a baffle, an end cap, and a nozzle in a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention.


As illustrated, a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention may broadly include tanks 110, a header 120, a baffle 130, and a nozzle 150 and further include an end cap 140 and an inlet/outlet pipe.


The tank 110 may have an opened lower side and be formed in a shape concave from below to above. More specifically, the tank 110 may be formed in a pipe shape opened at two opposite longitudinal ends and a lower side, such that a cross-section of the tank 110 may have a “n” shape. Further, for example, the tanks 110 may be provided in two rows. The two tanks 110 are formed separately to be provided in two rows, such that the two tanks 110 are spaced apart from each other in a width direction.


The header 120 may be coupled to the tanks 110 and define therein spaces in which the heat exchange medium is stored and flows. The header 120 may be formed in a shape concave from above to below. The header 120 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the tank 110, such that the tank 110 may be coupled to the header 120. For example, the header 120 may be formed integrally to have two rows by bending one sheet of board. The header 120 may be formed in a shape concave from above to below. The header 120 may be formed in a shape in which two pipe shapes each having a “U”-shaped cross-section are connected. Therefore, a lower end of one tank 110 may be inserted and coupled into a first row of the header 120 that is a front side based on the drawings, and a lower end of another tank 110 may be inserted and coupled into a second row of the header 120 that is a rear side based on the drawings. In this case, the lower end of the tank 110 may be disposed to be spaced apart from an inner lower end of the header 120. In addition, a plurality of tube insertion holes 123 is formed in the header 120 while penetrating inner and outer surfaces of the header 120, such that the tubes may be inserted and coupled into the tube insertion holes 123.


The baffle 130 may be interposed between the tank 110 and the header 120, such that the baffle 130 may be coupled to the header 120 and the tank 110. A fixing hole may be formed at one longitudinal end of the header 120 while penetrating the inner and outer surfaces, a fixing tab 131 may protrude downward from a lower side of the baffle 130, and the fixing tab 131 may be inserted and coupled into the fixing hole. Further, upper ends of two opposite sides of the baffle 130 based on a width direction may be pressed by being brought into contact with the lower end of the tank 110, such that the baffle 130 may be fixed by the tank 110 and the header 120. That is, the baffle 130 may be coupled to the header 120 first, and then the tank 110 is coupled to the header 120, such that the baffle 130 may be disposed between the lower end of the tank 110 and the inner lower end of the header 120. In this case, an inner peripheral surface of the baffle 130, which is an upper side of the baffle 130, may be formed without a level difference from an inner peripheral surface of the tank 110, such that a shape in which a smooth hole is formed in the tank 110 and the baffle 130 may be implemented. In addition, as illustrated, the baffle 130 may be disposed in the first row that is the front side.


Further, the end cap 140 may be coupled to the second row defined by the tank 110 and the header 120, and the end cap 140 may be formed to block a longitudinal end of the tank 110 and a longitudinal end of the header 120. In addition, the end cap 140 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the baffle 130 in the width direction. Protruding tabs are formed at the upper and lower sides of the end cap 140, and coupling holes are formed in the tank 110 and the header 120 while corresponding to the protruding tabs, such that the protruding tabs of the end cap 140 may be inserted and coupled into the coupling holes.


The nozzle 150 may be formed in an approximate funnel shape. An insertion portion 151 may be formed at one longitudinal side of the nozzle 150, and a pipe connection portion 152 may extend from the other longitudinal side of the insertion portion 151. Further, the insertion portion 151 may be formed in a shape corresponding to an inner shape defined by the tank 110 and the baffle 130, and the pipe connection portion 152 may have a larger diameter than the insertion portion 151. In addition, the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150 may be inserted and coupled into the inside defined by the tank 110 and the baffle 130, and an inlet/outlet pipe 160 may be inserted and coupled into the pipe connection portion 152 of the nozzle 150.


Therefore, the heat exchanger of the present invention may define a size of the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150 by using the entire internal space defined by the tank 110 and the baffle 130, such that the communication hole, which is a flow passageway for the heat exchange medium in the insertion portion 151, may have a relatively large size. Therefore, the flow resistance of the heat exchange medium may be reduced, and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger may be improved. In addition, the insertion portion of the nozzle having the communication hole may have a relatively large size, and most parts of the surface of the nozzle, which excludes a part of a lower side of the insertion portion of the nozzle, may be joined and coupled to in a state of being in contact with the tank. Therefore, the coupling force is improved at a portion where the nozzle is coupled to the tank and the baffle, such that the durability of the portion where the nozzle is connected to the tank and the baffle may be improved, and a likelihood of a leak of the heat exchange medium may be reduced.


More specifically, the comparison between the related art and the technology of the present invention will be described below.



FIGS. 8 to 11 are side views and cross-sectional views illustrating a structure for coupling a tank, a header, an end cap, and a nozzle in a heat exchanger to which the related art is applied.


With reference to the heat exchanger to which the related art is applied, as illustrated, a lower side of a tank 12 is inserted into a header 11, and an end cap 13 is coupled and interposed between the tank 12 and the header 11. Further, a body of the end cap 13 is inevitably present around a hole to form the hole formed to penetrate two opposite surfaces of the end cap 13 so that an insertion portion 14a of a nozzle 14 is inserted into the hole. In addition, because the insertion portion 14a of the nozzle 14 is inserted and coupled into the hole of the end cap 13, the insertion portion 14a of the nozzle 14 is spaced apart radially inward from an inner surface of the tank 12 by a thickness of the body of the end cap 13. Therefore, the body of the end cap 13 reduces a cross-sectional area of a communication hole 14b of the nozzle 14, which consequently increases flow resistance of the heat exchange medium passing through the communication hole 14b of the nozzle 14. In addition, an outer surface of the insertion portion 14a of the nozzle 14 is spaced apart from an inner peripheral surface of the tank or the header without being brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tank or the header, and only the insertion portion 14a of the nozzle 14 and the hole portion of the end cap 13 are coupled. For this reason, a coupling force is relatively low at the portion where the nozzle is coupled to the end cap.



FIGS. 12 to 16 are side views and cross-sectional views illustrating the structure for coupling the tank, the header, the baffle, and the nozzle in the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention.


As illustrated, with reference to the heat exchanger to which the technology of the present invention is applied, the baffle 130 is positioned between the lower end of the tank 110 and the inner lower end of the header 120 without being present inside the tank 110. Therefore, the inner shape, which is defined by the tank 110 and the baffle 130 and is the hole into which the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150 is inserted, may have a relatively large size in comparison with the related art. Therefore, the size of the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150, which is inserted between the tank 110 and the baffle 130, may increase, such that a cross-sectional area of a communication hole 151a, which is the inside of the insertion portion 151, may be relatively large. Therefore, it is possible to reduce flow resistance of the heat exchange medium passing through the communication hole 151a. Further, most parts of the surface of the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150 may be in contact with, supported by, and joined to an inner peripheral surface 110a of the tank 110, and a lower side of the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150 may be in contact with, supported by, and joined to an inner peripheral surface of an inner peripheral surface 130a of the baffle 130. Therefore, the coupling force between the nozzle 150 and the tank 110 may be increased, and the durability may be improved, which may reduce a likelihood of a leak of the heat exchange medium.



FIGS. 17 to 19 are perspective views illustrating an embodiment in which the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes an auxiliary baffle.


As illustrated, the heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include an auxiliary baffle 170.


The auxiliary baffle 170 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the internal space defined by coupling the tank 110 and the header 120. A through-hole 171 may be formed in the auxiliary baffle 170 while penetrating two opposite surfaces of the auxiliary baffle 170 in a longitudinal direction. Further, the auxiliary baffle 170 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the baffle 130 in the longitudinal direction in which the nozzle 150 is inserted between the tank 110 and the baffle 130, such that the auxiliary baffle 170 may be disposed inward of the baffle 130. In addition, protruding tabs 172 may be formed at upper and lower sides of the baffle 170, and the protruding tabs 172 may be inserted and coupled into a coupling hole of the tank 110 and a coupling hole of the header 120. Therefore, when the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150 is inserted between the tank 110 and the baffle 130, one end of the insertion portion 151 may be in contact with and supported by the auxiliary baffle 170. Therefore, one end of the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 151 may be securely joined and fixed to the auxiliary baffle 170. As described above, the nozzle 150 may be more securely fixed to the tank 110 by the auxiliary baffle 170, and a depth by which the nozzle 150 is inserted between the tank 110 and the baffle 130 may be restricted.


In addition, the through-hole 171 of the auxiliary baffle 170 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the communication hole that is the inside of the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150, and the through-hole 171 may be formed to be equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area of communication hole so as not to cover the communication hole.



FIG. 20 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the entire heat exchanger including an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a plurality of tubes 300 and heat radiating fins. The tubes 300 may be inserted and coupled into the tube insertion holes formed in the header 120, and the heat radiating fins may be inserted and coupled between the tubes 300.


Further, the heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a pair of header tanks, a plurality of tubes, a plurality of heat radiating fins, an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe.


The header tank may include the tank 110, the header 120, the baffle 130, and the nozzle 150 and further include the end cap 140. In this case, in the header tank, an additional baffle may be coupled at any position between two opposite longitudinal ends to divide the internal space, which is formed by coupling the tank 110 and the header 120, in the longitudinal direction. Further, the pair of header tanks may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in an upward/downward direction, the inlet pipe 510 may be coupled to the nozzle of one header tank, and the outlet pipe 520 may be coupled to the nozzle of another header tank. One end of each of the plurality of tubes 300 may be inserted and coupled into one header tank, and the other end of each of the plurality of tubes 300 may be inserted and coupled into another header tank. The heat radiating fins may be interposed between the tubes 300 and coupled to the tubes.


In addition, in the heat exchanger according to the present invention, the pair of header tanks may be formed in one row or three or more rows. Alternatively, the pair of header tanks may be formed in various shapes. Further, various flow paths for the heat exchange medium may be formed by using the additional baffle, the communication hole, or the like.



FIGS. 21 to 24 are assembled perspective views and exploded perspective views illustrating a structure for coupling a tank, a header, a baffle, an end cap, and a nozzle in a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 25 is a left side view illustrating a state in which the nozzle in FIG. 21 is removed. Further, FIG. 26 is a right side view in FIG. 21, FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 26, and FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 26. As illustrated, the heat exchanger according to the second embodiment of the present invention may broadly include the tank 110, the header 120, a baffle 600, and the nozzle 150 and further include an end cap 700.


The tank 110 and the header 120 may be formed to be identical to those in the first embodiment. Further, a catching projection 121 may protrude from an inner surface of the header 120, and a lower end of the tank 110 may be in contact with and supported by the catching projection 121. Therefore, a depth by which the tank 110 is inserted into the header 120 may be restricted, such that the tank 110 may be coupled to the header 120 in a state in which a predetermined distance is maintained. In this case, the catching projection 121 may be applied to both the first and second embodiments of the present invention.


The baffle 600 may be coupled to and fitted with an outer portion of an assembly, which is made by coupling the tank 110 and the header 120, so as to cover and block one opened longitudinal end of the assembly made by coupling the tank 110 and the header 120. Further, an opening 610 may be formed in the baffle 600 while penetrating two opposite surfaces of the baffle 600 in the longitudinal direction, such that the internal space defined by coupling the tank 110 and the header 120 may communicate with the outside through the opening 610. For example, the baffle 600 may be formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the opening 610 may be formed at a position spaced apart inward from the periphery. The baffle 600 may have bent tabs 620 formed in a shape bent from the periphery toward an outer surface of the tank 110 and an outer surface of the header 120. Further, the bent tabs 620 may be provided as a plurality of bent tabs 620. The plurality of bent tabs 620 may be disposed to be spaced apart from one another. In addition, some of the plurality of bent tabs 620 may be bent in a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the tank 110 at the position corresponding to the tank 110. Some of the remaining bent tabs 620 may be bent in a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the header 120 at the position corresponding to the header 120. In addition, the plurality of bent tabs 620 may be formed in parallel with the outer peripheral surface of the tank 110 or the header 120. The surfaces of the plurality of bent tabs 620 facing the outer peripheral surface of the tank 110 or the header 120 may be in contact with and coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the tank 110 or the header 120. In this state, the plurality of bent tabs 620 may be joined by brazing. A lower side of the opening 610 may be formed in a curved shape having no level difference from an upper side of the opening 610. For example, the upper side of the opening 610 may be formed to be consistent with a shape of an inner peripheral surface of the tank 110, and the lower end of the opening 610 may be formed to be consistent with a lower end of an inner peripheral surface of the header 120. In addition, as illustrated, the baffle 600 may be disposed in the first row that is the front side.


For example, the nozzle 150 may include the insertion portion 151 and the pipe connection portion 152. An outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 151 may be formed to be consistent with the opening 610 of the baffle 600. An upper side of the insertion portion 151 may be formed to be consistent with the inner peripheral surface of the tank 110, and a lower end of the insertion portion 151 may be formed to be consistent with the lower end of the header 120. Further, the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150 may pass through the opening 610 of the baffle 600 and be inserted into the tank 110 and the header 120. The upper side of the insertion portion 151 may be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tank 110, and the lower end of the insertion portion 151 may be in contact with and supported by the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the header 120. In addition, the communication hole 151a, which is a flow passageway for the heat exchange medium, may be formed inside the insertion portion 151. The pipe connection portion 152 may be formed to be identical to that in the first embodiment, and the inlet/outlet pipe may be inserted and coupled into the pipe connection portion 152.


Therefore, the size of the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150 may be defined by maximally using the internal space of the tank 110, such that the communication hole 151a, which is a flow passageway for the heat exchange medium in the insertion portion 151, may have a relatively large size. Further, the insertion portion 151 of the nozzle 150 may be in contact with and joined to the entire periphery of the inner peripheral surface of the tank 110, and the lower end of the insertion portion 151 may be in contact with and joined to the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the header 120, such that the coupling force may be remarkably increased at the portion where the nozzle is coupled to the tank and the header. Therefore, the durability of the portion where the nozzle is connected to the tank and the header may be improved, and a likelihood of a leak of the heat exchange medium may be reduced.


In addition, the heat exchanger according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include the end cap 700. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the tanks 110 and the header 120 may be formed in two rows, the baffle 600 may be coupled to the first row, which is the front side of the two rows, and the end cap 700 may be coupled to the second row that is the rear side.


The end cap 700 may be formed to block one longitudinal end of the tank 110 and one longitudinal end of the header 120. For example, the end cap 700 may be disposed at the position corresponding to the baffle 600 in the width direction. The end cap 700 may be coupled to and fitted with an outer portion of an assembly, which is made by coupling the tank 110 and the header 120, so as to cover and block one opened longitudinal end of the assembly made by coupling the tank 110 and the header 120. Further, the end cap 700 may be formed in a shape in which two opposite surfaces thereof are blocked in the longitudinal direction, such that the internal space defined by coupling the tank 110 and the header 120 in the second row may be blocked from the outside by the end cap 700. In addition, the end cap 700 may be formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The end cap 700 may have bent tabs 720 formed in a shape bent from the periphery toward the outer surface of the tank 110 and the outer surface of the header 120. Further, the bent tabs 720 may be provided as a plurality of bent tabs 720. The plurality of bent tabs 720 may be disposed to be spaced apart from one another. In addition, some of the plurality of bent tabs 720 may be bent in a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the tank 110 at the position corresponding to the tank 110. Some of the remaining bent tabs 720 may be bent in a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the header 120 at the position corresponding to the header 120. In addition, the plurality of bent tabs 720 may be formed in parallel with the outer peripheral surface of the tank 110 or the header 120. The surfaces of the plurality of bent tabs 720 facing the outer peripheral surface of the tank 110 or the header 120 may be in contact with and coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the tank 110 or the header 120. In this state, the plurality of bent tabs 720 may be joined by brazing. In addition, the baffle 600 and the end cap 700 may be integrated into a single connected shape. For example, the baffle 600 and the end cap 700 may be integrated by pressing a single board.


In addition, as in the first embodiment, although not illustrated, the second embodiment of the present invention may further include the auxiliary baffle and further include the plurality of tubes and the heat radiating fins. In addition, the second embodiment of the present invention may include the pair of header tanks, the plurality of tubes, the plurality of heat radiating fins, the inlet pipe, and the outlet pipe. In addition, the pair of header tanks may be formed in one row or three or more rows. Alternatively, the pair of header tanks may be formed in various shapes. Further, various flow paths for the heat exchange medium may be formed by using the additional baffle, the communication hole, or the like.


The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the scope of application is diverse. Of course, various modifications and implementations made by any person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the subject matter of the present invention claimed in the claims.


DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS






    • 100: First header tank


    • 110: Tank


    • 110
      a: Inner peripheral surface of tank


    • 120: Header


    • 121: Catching projection


    • 123: Tube insertion hole


    • 130: Baffle


    • 130
      a: Inner peripheral surface of baffle


    • 131: Fixing tab


    • 140: End cap


    • 150: Nozzle


    • 151: Insertion portion


    • 151
      a: Communication hole


    • 152: Pipe connection portion


    • 160: Inlet/outlet pipe


    • 170: Auxiliary baffle


    • 171: Through-hole


    • 172: Protruding tab


    • 200: Second header tank


    • 300: Tube


    • 510: Inlet pipe


    • 520: Outlet pipe


    • 600: Baffle


    • 610: Opening


    • 620: Bent tab


    • 700: End cap


    • 720: Bent tab.




Claims
  • 1. A heat exchanger comprising: a tank having an opened lower side;a header into which the opened lower side of the tank is inserted, the header being configured to define a space, in which a heat exchange medium is stored and flows, by being coupled to the tank;a baffle coupled and interposed between the tank and the header; anda nozzle having an insertion portion, which is one side, formed in a shape corresponding to an inner shape defined by the tank and the baffle, the insertion portion being inserted and coupled into an inner side defined by the tank and the baffle.
  • 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a lower end of the tank inserted into the header is disposed to be spaced apart from an inner lower end of the header, and the baffle is disposed between the lower end of the tank and the inner lower end of the header.
  • 3. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the tank and an inner peripheral surface of the baffle are formed without a level difference therebetween.
  • 4. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a fixing hole is formed in the header while penetrating inner and outer surfaces of the header, a fixing tab protrudes from the baffle, and the fixing tab of the baffle is inserted and coupled into the fixing hole of the header.
  • 5. The heat exchanger of claim 4, wherein a lower end of the tank is in contact with and supported by upper ends of two opposite sides of the baffle based on a width direction.
  • 6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the nozzle further comprises a pipe connection portion extending from the insertion portion and having a larger diameter than the insertion portion.
  • 7. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising: an auxiliary baffle disposed to be spaced apart from the baffle, in a direction in which the insertion portion of the nozzle is inserted into an inner side defined by the tank and the baffle, and configured such that one end of the insertion portion is in contact with and supported by the auxiliary baffle, the auxiliary baffle coupled and interposed between the header and the tank and having a through-hole penetrating two opposite surfaces of the auxiliary baffle.
  • 8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein one end of the insertion portion of the nozzle is in contact with and joined to the auxiliary baffle.
  • 9. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the through-hole of the auxiliary baffle is formed in a shape corresponding to a communication hole that is an inner side of the insertion portion of the nozzle, and the through-hole is formed so as not to cover the communication hole.
  • 10. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein protruding tabs are formed at upper and lower sides of the auxiliary baffle, coupling holes are formed in the header and the tank while penetrating inner and outer surfaces of the header and the tank, and the protruding tabs of the auxiliary baffle are inserted and coupled into the coupling holes of the headers and the tanks.
  • 11. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the tank and the header are formed in two rows, the baffle is coupled to one of the two rows, and an end cap, which has a shape in which two opposite sides are blocked, is coupled to the other of the two rows at a position corresponding to the baffle.
  • 12. A heat exchanger comprising: a tank having an opened lower side;a header into which the opened lower side of the tank is inserted, the header configured to define a space, in which a heat exchange medium is stored and flows, by being coupled to the tank;a baffle coupled to an outer side of the tank and an outer side of the header to cover and block an opened side of an assembly made by coupling the tank and the header, the baffle having an opening penetrating two opposite surfaces of the baffle; anda nozzle having an insertion portion having at least a part formed in a shape corresponding to an inner shape of the tank, the insertion portion being inserted and coupled into an inner side defined by the tank and the header.
  • 13. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein an upper side of the insertion portion of the nozzle is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the tank, and a lower side of the insertion portion is in contact with and supported by an inner peripheral surface of the header.
  • 14. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein an upper side of the opening of the baffle is formed to correspond to an inner peripheral surface of the tank, and a lower side of the opening is formed in a curved shape connected to the upper side without a level difference.
  • 15. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the baffle has a bent tab extending and bent from a periphery toward an outer surface of the tank and an outer surface of the header.
  • 16. The heat exchanger of claim 15, wherein the bent tab of the baffle is provided as a plurality of bent tabs, and the bent tab of the baffle at a position corresponding to the tank side and the bent tab positioned at the position corresponding to the header side are disposed to be spaced apart from each other.
  • 17. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein a catching projection protrudes from an inner surface of the header, and a lower end of the tank is in contact with and supported by the catching projection.
  • 18. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the nozzle further comprises a pipe connection portion extending from the insertion portion and having a larger diameter of the insertion portion.
  • 19. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the tank and the header are formed in two rows, the baffle is coupled to one of the two rows, and the end cap, which has a shape in which two opposite surfaces are blocked, is coupled to the other of the two rows at a position corresponding to the baffle and coupled to an opened outer side of an assembly made by coupling the tank and the header.
  • 20. The heat exchanger of claim 19, wherein the end cap has a bent tab extending and bent from a periphery toward an outer surface of the tank and an outer surface of the header.
  • 21. The heat exchanger of claim 20, wherein the bent tab of the end cap is provided as a plurality of bent tabs, and the bent tab of the end cap at a position corresponding to the tank side and the bent tab at a position corresponding to the header side are disposed to be spaced apart from each other.
  • 22. The heat exchanger of claim 19, wherein the baffle and the end cap are integrated into a single connected shape.
Priority Claims (2)
Number Date Country Kind
10-2021-0184849 Dec 2021 KR national
10-2022-0174618 Dec 2022 KR national
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a national phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2022/020719 filed Dec. 19, 2022, which claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2021-0184849 filed Dec. 22, 2021, and 10-2022-0174618 filed Dec. 14, 2022, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes

PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/KR2022/020719 12/19/2022 WO