Heat exchanger

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger configured to conduct refrigerant through the heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND

As this type of heat exchanger, there has been previously proposed a flow passage unit. The flow passage unit forms a portion of a refrigeration cycle circuit in which the refrigerant is circulated.

The flow passage unit is formed by a pair of plate members that are joined together. The flow passage unit includes a refrigerant flow passage for conducting the refrigerant at an inside of the flow passage unit. The refrigerant flow passage of the flow passage unit includes: a condensing flow passage that releases heat from the refrigerant to condense the refrigerant; a pressure reducing flow passage that depressurizes the refrigerant outputted from the condensing flow passage; and an evaporating flow passage that evaporates the refrigerant which is depressurized at the pressure reducing flow passage.

The flow passage unit is one of a plurality of flow passage units that are stacked in a thickness direction thereof. The stacked flow passage units form a heat exchanger as a whole. The flow passage units of the heat exchanger form a plurality of refrigerant flow passages which are arranged in parallel in the refrigeration cycle circuit.

As described above, in the heat exchanger, the refrigerant flow passages are arranged in parallel in the refrigeration cycle circuit. Therefore, when the number of the flow passage units stacked one after another is increased, the number of parallel refrigerant flow passages, which include the condensing flow passages (in other words, heat releasing flow passages), the pressure reducing flow passages and the evaporating flow passages, is increased. A cooling capacity or a heating capacity of an air conditioning apparatus, which includes the heat exchanger including the flow passage units, is determined by the number of the flow passage units stacked one after another. The cooling capacity or the heating capacity of the air conditioning apparatus can be increased by increasing the number of the stacked flow passage units.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a heat exchanger configured to conduct refrigerant through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a side plate portion, a heat releasing unit and an evaporating unit. The evaporating unit and the heat releasing unit are arranged one after another in a direction along the side plate portion. In the heat releasing unit, a heat releasing unit outlet is formed at an outlet-side heat releasing constituent that is one of a plurality of heat releasing constituents placed at an end of the plurality of heat releasing constituents. In the evaporating unit, an evaporating unit inlet is formed at an inlet-side evaporating constituent that is one of a plurality of evaporating constituents placed at an end of the plurality of evaporating constituents. All of a plurality of heat releasing flow passages, which are respectively formed in the plurality of heat releasing constituents, are connected to a plurality of evaporating flow passages, which are respectively formed in the plurality of evaporating constituents, through the heat releasing unit outlet and the evaporating unit inlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing a refrigeration cycle circuit having a heat exchanger of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a structure of the heat exchanger of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, showing a one-side tertiary plate of a one-side side plate portion.

FIG. 4 is a view in a direction of an arrow IV in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, showing an other-side secondary plate of an other-side side plate portion with a dot-dot-dash line.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a secondary plate member viewed in a direction of an arrow V in FIG. 2 while the secondary plate member is placed on the other side in a stacking direction among a pair of plate members which form a condensing constituent and an evaporating constituent of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a primary plate member viewed in the direction of the arrow IV in FIG. 2 while the primary plate member is placed on one side in the stacking direction among the pair of plate members which form the condensing constituent and the evaporating constituent of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, schematically showing a refrigerant flow in a condensing unit with arrows.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, schematically showing a refrigerant flow in an evaporating unit with arrows.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, schematically showing a structure of an internal heat exchanging unit.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a one-side secondary plate of the one-side side plate portion of the first embodiment viewed in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a one-side primary plate of the one-side side plate portion of the first embodiment viewed in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 and showing a structure of an other-side condensing plate portion of the secondary plate member of FIG. 5, in which a primary communication hole is not formed.

FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 and showing a structure of a one-side evaporating plate portion of the primary plate member of FIG. 6, in which a primary communication hole is not formed.

FIG. 14 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing a refrigeration cycle circuit having a heat exchanger of a second embodiment and corresponding to FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view, schematically showing a structure of the heat exchanger of the second embodiment and corresponding to FIG. 2.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a one-side side plate portion of the second embodiment viewed in a direction of an arrow XVI in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in FIG. 15, showing an other-side side plate portion of the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 15, showing a primary plate member of the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 15, showing a secondary plate member of the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in FIG. 15 corresponding to FIG. 19 and showing a structure of the secondary plate member of FIG. 19, in which a primary communication hole is not formed in an other-side condensing plate portion, and a secondary communication hole is not formed in an other-side evaporating plate portion.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXI-XXI in FIG. 15 corresponding to FIG. 19 and showing a structure of the secondary plate member of FIG. 19, in which a secondary communication hole is not formed in the other-side condensing plate portion, and a primary communication hole is not formed in the other-side evaporating plate portion.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 15, schematically showing a structure of a heat exchanger of a third embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 15 and schematically showing a structure of a heat exchanger of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 23 corresponding to FIG. 18 and showing a one-side condensing plate portion and a one-side evaporating plate portion of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 23 corresponding to FIG. 19 and showing an other-side condensing plate portion and an other-side evaporating plate portion of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI in FIG. 23 corresponding to FIG. 20 and showing the other-side condensing plate portion and the other-side evaporating plate portion of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVII-XXVII in FIG. 23 corresponding to FIG. 21 and showing the other-side condensing plate portion and the other-side evaporating plate portion of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 15 and schematically showing a structure of a heat exchanger of a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIX-XXIX in FIG. 28, corresponding to FIG. 18 and showing a primary plate member of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIX-XXIX in FIG. 28, corresponding to FIG. 19 and showing a secondary plate member of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIX-XXIX in FIG. 28, corresponding to FIG. 29 and showing a primary plate member of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXX-XXX in FIG. 28, corresponding to FIG. 30 and showing a secondary plate member of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIX-XXIX in FIG. 28, corresponding to FIG. 29 and showing a primary plate member of a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXX-XXX in FIG. 28, corresponding to FIG. 30 and showing a secondary plate member of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXXV-XXXV in FIG. 33 schematically showing a portion of a heat exchanger of the seventh embodiment in a manner similar to FIG. 15.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 33 and schematically showing an air flow passing through a condensing unit and an air flow passing through an evaporating unit with broken arrows in the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIX-XXIX in FIG. 28, corresponding to FIG. 29 and showing a primary plate member of an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXX-XXX in FIG. 28, corresponding to FIG. 30 and showing a secondary plate member of the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 35 taken along line XXXV-XXXV in FIG. 33 and schematically showing a portion of a heat exchanger of a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 29 showing a primary plate member of a tenth embodiment while (a) indicates a state before bending and raising two primary outer peripheral plate portions relative to a primary plate member main body in a manufacturing process of the primary plate member, and (b) indicates the finished primary plate member.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 30 showing a secondary plate member of the tenth embodiment while (a) indicates a state before bending and raising two secondary outer peripheral plate portions relative to a secondary plate member main body in a manufacturing process of the secondary plate member, and (b) indicates the finished secondary plate member.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along line LXII-LXII in FIG. 40 schematically showing a portion of a heat exchanger of the tenth embodiment in a manner similar to FIG. 15.

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view taken along line LXIII-LXIII in FIG. 40 in the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to (b) of FIG. 40 and schematically showing an air flow passing through a condensing unit and an air flow passing through an evaporating unit with broken arrows in the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of an eleventh embodiment indicating a cross-sectional view taken along line LXIII-LXIII in FIG. 40 and corresponding to FIG. 43.

FIG. 46 is a refrigerant circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing a refrigeration cycle circuit in a first modification, which is a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 18 and showing shapes and locations of a one-side condensing tank space, an other-side condensing tank space, a condensing flow passage, a one-side evaporating tank space, an other-side evaporating tank space and an evaporating flow passage in a second modification which is a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 24 and showing shapes and locations of a one-side condensing tank space, an other-side condensing tank space, a condensing flow passage, a one-side evaporating tank space, an other-side evaporating tank space and an evaporating flow passage in a third modification which is a modification of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 18 and showing shapes and locations of a one-side condensing tank space, an other-side condensing tank space, a condensing flow passage, a one-side evaporating tank space, an other-side evaporating tank space and an evaporating flow passage in a fourth modification which is a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 18 and showing shapes and locations of a one-side condensing tank space, an other-side condensing tank space, a condensing flow passage, a one-side evaporating tank space, an other-side evaporating tank space and an evaporating flow passage in a fifth modification which is a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 24 and showing shapes and locations of a one-side condensing tank space, an other-side condensing tank space, a condensing flow passage, a one-side evaporating tank space, an other-side evaporating tank space and an evaporating flow passage in a sixth modification which is a modification of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 24 and showing shapes and locations of a one-side condensing tank space, an other-side condensing tank space, a condensing flow passage, a one-side evaporating tank space, an other-side evaporating tank space and an evaporating flow passage in a seventh modification which is a modification of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a refrigerant circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 14 and showing a refrigeration cycle circuit in an eighth modification, which is a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8 taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 2 in a ninth modification, which is a modification of the first embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a heat exchanger, for example, there has been previously proposed a flow passage unit. The flow passage unit forms a portion of a refrigeration cycle circuit in which the refrigerant is circulated.

However, in the heat exchanger including the stacked flow passage units, all of the heat releasing flow passages are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow, and all of the evaporating flow passages are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow. Therefore, due to variations in a shape of the respective components which form the refrigerant flow passages and/or differences in the refrigerant paths, a refrigerant flow rate tends to vary among the heat releasing flow passages, and also a refrigerant flow rate tends to vary among the evaporating flow passages.

Specifically, in the heat exchanger, a refrigerant distribution tends to vary among the heat releasing flow passages in the heat releasing unit including the heat releasing flow passages, and a refrigerant distribution tends to vary among the evaporating flow passages in the evaporating unit including the evaporating flow passages. This phenomenon will cause a deterioration in the cooling capacity or the heating capacity of the air conditioning apparatus, and this phenomenon will be more prominent when the number of the stacked flow passage units is increased to increase the cooling capacity or the heating capacity of the air conditioning apparatus. As a result of detailed examination by the inventors of the present application, the above phenomenon was found.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heat exchanger configured to conduct refrigerant through the heat exchanger, including:

- a side plate portion, wherein a thickness direction of the side plate portion serves as a stacking direction that is predetermined;
- a heat releasing unit that includes a plurality of heat releasing constituents which are stacked on one side of the side plate portion in the stacking direction and are joined together, wherein:
  - a plurality of heat releasing flow passages are formed in the plurality of heat releasing constituents, respectively; and
  - the heat releasing unit is configured to release heat from the refrigerant flowing in the plurality of heat releasing flow passages; and
- an evaporating unit that includes a plurality of evaporating constituents which are stacked on the one side of the side plate portion in the stacking direction and are joined together, wherein:
- a plurality of evaporating flow passages are formed in the plurality of evaporating constituents, respectively;
- the evaporating unit and the heat releasing unit are arranged one after another in a direction along the side plate portion;
- the evaporating unit is configured to evaporate the refrigerant by let the refrigerant flowing in the plurality of evaporating flow passages absorb heat;
- the heat releasing unit and the evaporating unit are both fixed to the side plate portion;
- a heat releasing unit outlet is formed at an outlet-side heat releasing constituent that is one of the plurality of heat releasing constituents placed at an end of the plurality of heat releasing constituents;
- an evaporating unit inlet is formed at an inlet-side evaporating constituent that is one of the plurality of evaporating constituents placed at an end of the plurality of evaporating constituents; and
- all of the plurality of heat releasing flow passages, which are respectively formed in the plurality of heat releasing constituents, are connected to the plurality of evaporating flow passages through the heat releasing unit outlet and the evaporating unit inlet.

With the above-described configuration, the heat releasing unit and the evaporating unit can be integrated together by the side plate portion.

Furthermore, it is not necessary that all of the plurality of heat releasing flow passages are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow, and a connection relationship among the heat releasing flow passages can be made into a desired configuration in the heat releasing unit. For example, all of the heat releasing flow passages may be connected in series. Alternatively, the heat releasing flow passages may be divided into a plurality of flow passage groups, and the flow passage groups may be connected in series.

In this way, the refrigerant distribution among the heat releasing flow passages can be improved over, for example, the above-described heat exchanger. This is also true for the evaporating flow passages. That is, the refrigerant distribution among the evaporating flow passages can be improved over, for example, the above-described heat exchanger.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, parts that are the same or equal to each other are indicated by the same reference signs in the drawings.

First Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment constitutes a part of a refrigeration cycle circuit 12 in which refrigerant is circulated. Specifically, in the refrigeration cycle circuit 12, the refrigerant, which is compressed by a compressor 14 of the refrigeration cycle circuit 12, flows into the heat exchanger 10, and the refrigerant, which flows into the heat exchanger 10, flows through the heat exchanger 10 and is then suctioned into the compressor 14.

The heat exchanger 10 exchanges heat between the air, which will flow into an air conditioning subject space where cooling or heating is performed, and the refrigerant. For example, in the case where the air conditioning subject space is cooled, the heat exchanger 10 cools the air, which will flow into the air conditioning subject space, with the refrigerant. Furthermore, in the case where the air conditioning subject space is heated, the heat exchanger 10 heats the air, which will flow into the air conditioning subject space, with the refrigerant.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment is formed by brazing and joining a plurality of constituent members, which are made of metal (e.g., an aluminum alloy), to each other. The heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment includes: a condensing unit 20, which functions as a condenser; an evaporating unit 22, which functions as an evaporator; an internal heat exchanging unit 28, which functions as an internal heat exchanger; a one-side side plate portion 30; an other-side side plate portion 32; an inlet pipe 34, which is shaped in a tubular form; and an outlet pipe 36, which is shaped in a tubular form.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the one-side side plate portion 30 and the other-side side plate portion 32 are respectively shaped generally in a form of a plate while a thickness direction of each of the one-side side plate portion 30 and the other-side side plate portion 32 serves as a stacking direction Ds that is predetermined, and a longitudinal direction of each of the one-side side plate portion 30 and the other-side side plate portion 32 coincides with a gravity direction Dg. The stacking direction Ds is a direction intersecting the gravity direction Dg, strictly speaking, a direction perpendicular to the gravity direction Dg. Here, it should be noted that FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 4. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a direction, which is perpendicular to both of the stacking direction Ds and the gravity direction Dg, will be also referred to as a heat exchanger width direction Dw.

The one-side side plate portion 30 is placed at one end of the heat exchanger 10 located on one side in the stacking direction Ds, and the other-side side plate portion 32 is placed at the other end of the heat exchanger 10 located on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. The condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the internal heat exchanging unit 28 are placed between the one-side side plate portion 30 and the other-side side plate portion 32 in the stacking direction Ds.

Specifically, the one-side side plate portion 30 is placed on the one side of the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the internal heat exchanging unit 28 in the stacking direction Ds, and the other-side side plate portion 32 is placed on the other side of the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the internal heat exchanging unit 28 in the stacking direction Ds. The one-side side plate portion 30 and the other-side side plate portion 32 clamp the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the internal heat exchanging unit 28 therebetween.

The condensing unit 20 has a stack structure in which a plurality of condensing constituents 201 are stacked in the stacking direction Ds to form a stack of the condensing constituents 201. A thickness direction of each condensing constituent 201 coincides with the stacking direction Ds, and a longitudinal direction of the condensing constituent 201 coincides with the gravity direction Dg. Specifically, the condensing unit 20 includes the plurality of condensing constituents 201, which are stacked in the stacking direction Ds and are joined together.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, an internal space, which is formed by a one-side condensing tank space 201a, an other-side condensing tank space 201b and a condensing flow passage 201c, is formed at an inside of each of the condensing constituents 201. Each of the one-side condensing tank space 201a, the other-side condensing tank space 201b and the condensing flow passage 201c is a space that conducts the refrigerant.

The one-side condensing tank space 201a is connected to one end of the condensing flow passage 201c, and the other-side condensing tank space 201b is connected to the other end of the condensing flow passage 201c. The condensing flow passage 201c extends, for example, along a wavy path that is reciprocated (is turning forward and then backward) a plurality of times in the gravity direction Dg. In the present embodiment, the condensing flow passage 201c extends along the wavy path that is reciprocated three times in the gravity direction Dg.

The condensing flow passage 201c is located on an upper side of the one-side condensing tank space 201a and the other-side condensing tank space 201b in the gravity direction Dg. Furthermore, the one-side condensing tank space 201a is located on one side of the other-side condensing tank space 201b in the heat exchanger width direction Dw.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, at least the one-side condensing tank spaces 201a or the other-side condensing tank spaces 201b of each adjacent two of the condensing constituents 201 are communicated with each other.

The refrigerant, which is discharged from the compressor 14 (see FIG. 1), flows into the condensing unit 20 through the inlet pipe 34 as indicated by arrows Fi, F1a and thereafter flows in the condensing flow passages 201c of the corresponding condensing constituents 201. The condensing unit 20, which serves as a heat releasing unit for releasing the heat from the refrigerant, exchanges the heat between the air around the condensing unit 20 and the refrigerant flowing in the condensing flow passages 201c to release the heat from the refrigerant and condense the refrigerant.

Each of arrows F2a, F2b, F2c of FIG. 7 indicates the refrigerant flow that flows in the corresponding one-side condensing tank spaces 201a which are adjacent to one another in the stacking direction Ds and are connected with each other. Furthermore, each of arrows F3a, F3b indicates the refrigerant flow that flows in the corresponding other-side condensing tank spaces 201b which are adjacent to one another in the stacking direction Ds and are connected with each other. Furthermore, each of arrows F4a-F4h indicates the refrigerant flow that flows in the corresponding condensing flow passage 201c.

The evaporating unit 22 has a stack structure in which a plurality of evaporating constituents 221 are stacked in the stacking direction Ds to form a stack of the evaporating constituents 221. A thickness direction of each evaporating constituent 221 coincides with the stacking direction Ds, and a longitudinal direction of the evaporating constituent 221 coincides with the gravity direction Dg. Specifically, the evaporating unit 22 includes the plurality of evaporating constituents 221 which are stacked in the stacking direction Ds and are joined together.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, an internal space, which is formed by a one-side evaporating tank space 221a, an other-side evaporating tank space 221b and an evaporating flow passage 221c, is formed at an inside of each of the evaporating constituents 221. Each of the one-side evaporating tank space 221a, the other-side evaporating tank space 221b and the evaporating flow passage 221c is a space that conducts the refrigerant.

The one-side evaporating tank space 221a is connected to one end of the evaporating flow passage 221c, and the other-side evaporating tank space 221b is connected to the other end of the evaporating flow passage 221c. The evaporating flow passage 221c extends, for example, along a wavy path that is reciprocated (is turning forward and then backward) a plurality of times in the gravity direction Dg. In the present embodiment, the evaporating flow passage 221c extends along the wavy path that is reciprocated two times in the gravity direction Dg. The evaporating flow passage 221c is formed such that a size of a flow passage cross-sectional area of evaporating flow passage 221c is larger than that of the condensing flow passage 201c.

The evaporating flow passage 221c is located on a lower side of the one-side evaporating tank space 221a and the other-side evaporating tank space 221b in the gravity direction Dg. Furthermore, the one-side evaporating tank space 221a is located on one side of the other-side evaporating tank space 221b in the heat exchanger width direction Dw.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, at least the one-side evaporating tank spaces 221a or the other-side evaporating tank spaces 221b of each adjacent two of the evaporating constituents 221 are communicated with each other.

The evaporating unit 22, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and the condensing unit 20 are arranged in this order in the gravity direction Dg. Specifically, the evaporating unit 22, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and the condensing unit 20 are arranged in this order from the upper side in the gravity direction Dg. That is, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 is placed on the lower side of the evaporating unit 22 such that the internal heat exchanging unit 28 overlaps with the evaporating unit 22. The condensing unit 20 is placed on the lower side of both of the evaporating unit 22 and the internal heat exchanging unit 28 such that the condensing unit 20 overlaps with both of the evaporating unit 22 and the internal heat exchanging unit 28. Here, it should be noted that the gravity direction Dg is a direction along the one-side side plate portion 30 and also a direction along the other-side side plate portion 32.

The refrigerant, which is outputted from the condensing unit 20, flows through the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and the flow restricting portion 321e of the other-side side plate portion 32 in this order and enters the evaporating unit 22 after depressurization of the refrigerant through the flow restricting portion 321e. This refrigerant flow from the condensing unit 20 to the evaporating unit 22 is indicated by, for example, arrows F1b-F1f of FIG. 2.

The refrigerant, which is inputted into the evaporating unit 22 through the flow restricting portion 321e, flows to the evaporating flow passages 221c of the corresponding evaporating constituents 221. The evaporating unit 22 exchanges the heat between the air around the evaporating unit 22 and the refrigerant flowing in the evaporating flow passage 221c to let the refrigerant absorb the heat and evaporate.

Here, it should be noted that each of arrows F5a, F5b of FIG. 8 indicates the refrigerant flow in the corresponding one-side evaporating tank spaces 221a which are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction Ds and are connected one after another. Furthermore, each of arrows F6a, F6b indicates the refrigerant flow in the corresponding other-side evaporating tank spaces 221b which are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction Ds and are connected one after another. Furthermore, each of arrows F7a-F7g indicates the refrigerant flow in the corresponding evaporating flow passage 221c.

As shown in FIG. 2, the one-side side plate portion 30 includes a one-side primary plate 301, a one-side secondary plate 302 and a one-side tertiary plate 303 each of which is a member shaped in a form of a plate. The one-side side plate portion 30 is formed by stacking and joining the one-side primary plate 301, the one-side secondary plate 302 and the one-side tertiary plate 303 one after another. The one-side primary plate 301, the one-side secondary plate 302 and the one-side tertiary plate 303 are stacked in this order from the other side toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds.

The condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22 are both fixed to the one-side side plate portion 30. Specifically, the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22 are joined in parallel to the other side of the one-side primary plate 301 in the stacking direction Ds. That is, the condensing constituents 201 and the evaporating constituents 221 are stacked on the other side of the one-side side plate portion 30 in the stacking direction Ds.

The other-side side plate portion 32 includes an other-side primary plate 321 and an other-side secondary plate 322 each of which is a member shaped in a form of a plate, and the other-side side plate portion 32 is formed by stacking and joining the other-side primary plate 321 and the other-side secondary plate 322 one after another. The other-side primary plate 321 and the other-side secondary plate 322 are stacked in this order from the one side toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds.

The condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22 are both fixed to the other-side side plate portion 32. Specifically, the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22 are joined in parallel to the one side of the other-side primary plate 321 in the stacking direction Ds. That is, the condensing constituents 201 and the evaporating constituents 221 are stacked on the one side of the other-side side plate portion 32 in the stacking direction Ds.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 9, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 exchanges the heat between the refrigerant, which is outputted from the condensing unit 20, and the refrigerant, which is outputted from the evaporating unit 22. Therefore, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 has a double-tube structure extending in the stacking direction Ds and includes an outer tube portion 281, which is shaped in a tubular form, and an inner tube portion 282, which is shaped in a tubular form and is inserted into the outer tube portion 281. The internal heat exchanging unit 28 is placed between the one-side primary plate 301 and the other-side primary plate 321 such that the internal heat exchanging unit 28 is arranged side by side with the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22 and is joined to the one-side primary plate 301 and the other-side primary plate 321.

The outer tube portion 281 includes a plurality of outer tube constituents 281a, 281b. The outer tube constituents 281a, 281b are joined in series in the stacking direction Ds, so that the outer tube portion 281 is shaped in the tubular form extending in the stacking direction Ds.

Specifically, the outer tube portion 281 includes a plurality of primary outer tube constituents 281a and a plurality of secondary outer tube constituents 281b as the outer tube constituents 281a, 281b while a shape of the respective secondary outer tube constituents 281b differs from a shape of the respective primary outer tube constituents 281a. For example, each of the primary outer tube constituents 281a and the secondary outer tube constituents 281b is shaped in a tubular form extending in the stacking direction Ds, and each of the secondary outer tube constituents 281b is symmetrically arranged relative to an adjacent one of the primary outer tube constituents 281a in the stacking direction Ds. The primary outer tube constituents 281a and the secondary outer tube constituents 281b are alternately arranged in series in the stacking direction Ds and are joined together by brazing. The outer tube portion 281 is formed in the above-described manner.

The inner tube portion 282 is formed by a tube member that extends in the stacking direction Ds. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, one end of the inner tube portion 282 is inserted into a one-end through hole 302a formed at the one-side secondary plate 302 and is joined to the one-side secondary plate 302 through the one end through hole 302a by brazing. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the other end of the inner tube portion 282 is inserted into an other-end through hole 321a formed at the other-side primary plate 321 and is joined to the other-side primary plate 321 through the other-end through hole 321a by brazing.

With the above-described structure, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 has two flow passages extending in the stacking direction Ds, specifically, an outer flow passage 28a, which conducts the refrigerant outputted from the evaporating unit 22, and an inner flow passage 28b, which conducts the refrigerant outputted from the condensing unit 20. The outer flow passage 28a is located on an inner side of the outer tube portion 281, and the inner flow passage 28b is located on an inner side of the outer flow passage 28a such that a tubular wall of the inner tube portion 282 is interposed between the outer flow passage 28a and the inner flow passage 28b. Therefore, in the internal heat exchanging unit 28, the refrigerant, which is conducted in the outer flow passage 28a, and the refrigerant, which is conducted in the inner flow passage 28b, exchange the heat therebetween through the tubular wall of the inner tube portion 282.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 9, the other-side primary plate 321 includes an inlet through hole 321b and an outlet through hole 321c besides the other-end through hole 321a described above. The other-side primary plate 321 also includes a flow restricting hole 321d that functions as an orifice hole (a flow restrictor hole). That is, the other-side side plate portion 32 has a portion of the other-side primary plate 321, in which the flow restricting hole 321d is formed, as a flow restricting portion 321e. This flow restricting portion 321e is an orifice (a flow restrictor).

The inlet pipe 34 is inserted into the inlet through hole 321b, and the inlet pipe 34 is joined to the other-side primary plate 321 through the inlet through hole 321b by brazing. In this way, the inlet pipe 34 is connected to the condensing unit 20 such that the inlet pipe 34 is communicated with an inside of the condensing unit 20.

The outlet pipe 36 is inserted into the outlet through hole 321c, and the outlet pipe 36 is joined to the other-side primary plate 321 through the outlet through hole 321c by brazing. In this way, the outlet pipe 36 is connected to the internal heat exchanging unit 28 such that the outlet pipe 36 is communicated with the outer flow passage 28a of the internal heat exchanging unit 28.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 9, at the other-side side plate portion 32, the other-side secondary plate 322 is joined to the other side of the other-side primary plate 321 in the stacking direction Ds by brazing such that an other-side relay flow passage 32a is formed between the other-side secondary plate 322 and the other-side primary plate 321.

The other-side relay flow passage 32a extends in the gravity direction Dg and is located between the inner flow passage 28b of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and the flow restricting hole 321d along the refrigerant flow (the flow of the refrigerant). That is, the other-side relay flow passage 32a is a flow passage that connects between a refrigerant outlet of the inner flow passage 28b and a refrigerant inlet of the flow restricting hole 321d.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, among the evaporating constituents 221, an inlet-side evaporating constituent 222, which is located at an end of the stack of the evaporating constituents 221 (i.e., at an end of the plurality of evaporating constituents 221) on the other side in the stacking direction Ds, includes an evaporating unit inlet 222a through which the refrigerant is inputted from the flow restricting hole 321d (serving as a flow restricting flow passage) into the inside of the evaporating unit 22. The evaporating unit inlet 222a is included in the one-side evaporating tank space 221a of the inlet-side evaporating constituent 222. The flow restricting hole 321d of the other-side side plate portion 32 is connected to the evaporating unit inlet 222a. Thus, the evaporating unit inlet 222a serves as a portion of the one-side evaporating tank space 221a of the inlet-side evaporating constituent 222 which is connected to a downstream end of the flow restricting hole 321d that is a downstream end in a flow direction of the refrigerant.

A hole diameter of the flow restricting hole 321d of the other-side side plate portion 32 is set such that a predetermined depressurizing effect is exerted on the refrigerant which passes through the flow restricting hole 321d. That is, the flow restricting portion 321e is a fixed flow restrictor that restricts the refrigerant flow, and the flow restricting portion 321e functions as a pressure reducing portion which depressurizes the refrigerant outputted from the condensing unit 20 and then outputs the depressurized refrigerant to the evaporating unit 22. In the present embodiment, since the internal heat exchanging unit 28 is provided, the refrigerant, which has been outputted from the condensing unit 20 and has passed through the inner flow passage 28b of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and the other-side relay flow passage 32a, is inputted into the flow restricting hole 321d of the flow restricting portion 321e.

As shown in FIG. 11, the one-side primary plate 301 of the one-side side plate portion 30 includes a condensing unit through hole 301b and a gas-liquid separating through hole 301c. The condensing unit through hole 301b is located on the lower side of the gas-liquid separating through hole 301c.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the one-side secondary plate 302 includes a condensing unit through hole 302b and a gas-liquid separating through hole 302c besides the one-end through hole 302a described above. The condensing unit through hole 302b is located on the lower side of the one-end through hole 302a and the gas-liquid separating through hole 302c and is coaxial with the condensing unit through hole 301b of the one-side primary plate 301.

Furthermore, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the one-side tertiary plate 303 includes a flow passage cover portion 303a and a gas-liquid separating cover portion 303c while the gas-liquid separating cover portion 303c is located on the upper side of the flow passage cover portion 303a.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, among the condensing constituents 201, an outlet-side condensing constituent 202, which is located at an end of the stack of the condensing constituents 201 (i.e., at an end of the plurality of condensing constituents 201) on the one side in the stacking direction Ds, includes a condensing unit outlet 202a through which the refrigerant is outputted from the condensing unit 20. The condensing unit outlet 202a is included in the one-side condensing tank space 201a of the outlet-side condensing constituent 202. The condensing unit through hole 301b of the one-side primary plate 301 and the condensing unit through hole 302b of the one-side secondary plate 302 are connected to the condensing unit outlet 202a.

Furthermore, the one-side tertiary plate 303 is joined to the one side of the one-side secondary plate 302 in the stacking direction Ds by brazing, so that the flow passage cover portion 303a of the one-side tertiary plate 303 forms a one-side relay flow passage 30a between the flow passage cover portion 303a and the one-side secondary plate 302.

The one-side relay flow passage 30a extends in the gravity direction Dg and is formed between the condensing unit through hole 302b of the one-side secondary plate 302 and the inner flow passage 28b of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 along the refrigerant flow. That is, the one-side relay flow passage 30a forms a flow passage that connects between the condensing unit outlet 202a of the condensing unit 20 and the refrigerant inlet of the inner flow passage 28b. With the flow passage structure for the refrigerant described above, the flow restricting portion 321e of the other-side side plate portion 32 is located between the condensing unit outlet 202a and the evaporating unit inlet 222a along the refrigerant flow.

As shown in FIG. 11, the gas-liquid separating through hole 301c of the one-side primary plate 301 includes a one-side hole portion 301d, an other-side hole portion 301e and a connecting hole portion 301f. The one-side hole portion 301d and the other-side hole portion 301e extend in the gravity direction Dg.

The other-side hole portion 301e is slightly spaced from the one-side hole portion 301d and is located on the other side of the one-side hole portion 301d which is opposite to the one side in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. The connecting hole portion 301f is located between the one-side hole portion 301d and the other-side hole portion 301e and connects between an upper end portion of the one-side hole portion 301d and an upper end portion of the other-side hole portion 301e.

Furthermore, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 11, the evaporating unit 22 includes an evaporating unit outlet 22b for outputting the refrigerant from the inside of the evaporating unit 22. The evaporating unit outlet 22b is an opening hole that opens in the stacking direction Ds. The gas-liquid separating through hole 301c is formed as follows. That is, the other-side hole portion 301e of the gas-liquid separating through hole 301c is placed on the one side of the evaporating unit outlet 22b in the stacking direction Ds such that the other-side hole portion 301e of the gas-liquid separating through hole 301c overlaps with the evaporating unit outlet 22b.

As shown in FIG. 10, the gas-liquid separating through hole 302c of the one-side secondary plate 302 extends in the gravity direction Dg. The gas-liquid separating through hole 302c is placed to overlap with the other-side hole portion 301e of the one-side primary plate 301. In contrast, the gas-liquid separating through hole 302c of the one-side secondary plate 302 is spaced from the one-side hole portion 301d of the one-side primary plate 301 toward the other side in the heat exchanger width direction Dw.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gas-liquid separating cover portion 303c of the one-side tertiary plate 303 is recessed toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds and forms a cover internal space 303d between the gas-liquid separating cover portion 303c and the one-side secondary plate 302. The cover internal space 303d is a space connected to the gas-liquid separating through hole 302c of the one-side secondary plate 302.

The gas-liquid separating cover portion 303c; the primary gas-liquid separator constituent 301g of the one-side primary plate 301 having the gas-liquid separating through hole 301c; and the secondary gas-liquid separator constituent 302d of the one-side secondary plate 302 having the gas-liquid separating through hole 302c form a gas-liquid separating device 26.

That is, the one-side side plate portion 30 includes the gas-liquid separating device 26. The refrigerant flows from the evaporating unit 22 into the gas-liquid separating device 26 as indicated by an arrow F8 (see FIGS. 2 and 8). The gas-liquid separating device 26 functions as an accumulator that separates the refrigerant inputted from the evaporating unit 22 into gas-phase refrigerant and liquid-phase refrigerant. The gas-liquid separating device 26 enables the gas phase refrigerant, which is separated in the gas-liquid separating device 26, to flow from the gas-liquid separating device 26 into the outer flow passage 28a of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and stores the liquid phase refrigerant in a liquid storage space 26a of the gas-liquid separating device 26.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 10 and 11, the liquid storage space 26a is formed by: the other-side hole portion 301e of the one-side primary plate 301; the gas-liquid separating through hole 302c of the one-side secondary plate 302; and the cover internal space 303d. In FIGS. 2, 3, 10 and 11, the liquid phase refrigerant stored in a lower portion of the liquid storage space 26a is indicated by hatching.

The inner tube portion 282 of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 is inserted into the one-side hole portion 301d of the one-side primary plate 301 and reaches the one-end through hole 302a of the one-side secondary plate 302. The one-side hole portion 301d of the one-side primary plate 301 is communicated with the outer flow passage 28a of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 at a lower portion of the one-side hole portion 301d. Therefore, the one-side hole portion 301d and the connecting hole portion 301f of the one-side primary plate 301 function as a refrigerant outlet flow passage which guides the gas phase refrigerant from the liquid storage space 26a to the outer flow passage 28a as indicated by arrows F9a, F9b.

The structure of the condensing unit 20 will now be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, each of the condensing constituents 201 includes a pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h each of which is shaped in a form of a plate. In each of the condensing constituents 201, the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h are stacked in the stacking direction Ds. Each of the condensing constituents 201 is formed by joining the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h such that the condensing flow passage 201c and the condensing tank spaces 201a, 201b are formed between the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h.

Specifically, the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h include a one-side condensing plate portion 201d and an other-side condensing plate portion 201h while the other-side condensing plate portion 201h is placed on the other side of the one-side condensing plate portion 201d in the stacking direction Ds.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the one-side condensing plate portion 201d, which is one of the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h, includes a primary condensing tank forming portion 201e, a secondary condensing tank forming portion 201f and a condensing flow passage forming portion 201g which are recessed toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, which is the other one of the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h, includes a primary condensing tank forming portion 201i, a secondary condensing tank forming portion 201j and a condensing flow passage forming portion 201k which are recessed toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds. The one-side condensing tank space 201a is formed between the primary condensing tank forming portions 201e, 201i, and the other-side condensing tank space 201b is formed between the secondary condensing tank forming portions 201f, 201j. Furthermore, the condensing flow passage 201c is formed between the condensing flow passage forming portions 201g, 201k.

Furthermore, in the one-side condensing plate portion 201d, a width of the primary condensing tank forming portion 201e measured in the stacking direction Ds and a width of the secondary condensing tank forming portion 201f measured in the stacking direction Ds are equal to each other and are larger than a width of the condensing flow passage forming portion 201g measured in the stacking direction Ds. Likewise, in the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, a width of the primary condensing tank forming portion 201i measured in the stacking direction Ds and a width of the secondary condensing tank forming portion 201j measured in the stacking direction Ds are equal to each other and are larger than a width of the condensing flow passage forming portion 201k measured in the stacking direction Ds.

Therefore, in the condensing unit 20, the primary condensing tank forming portions 201e, 201i of the adjacent two condensing constituents 201 are joined together, and the secondary condensing tank forming portions 201f, 201j of the adjacent two condensing constituents 201 are joined together. Furthermore, an air flow space 20a, through which the air passes, is formed between the adjacent condensing flow passage forming portions 201g, 201k of each adjacent two of the condensing constituents 201.

Thus, this air flow space 20a is one of a plurality of air flow spaces 20a arranged one after another in the stacking direction Ds, and a condensing unit fin 203, which is a corrugated fin, is placed in each of the air flow spaces 20a such that the condensing unit fin 203 is brazed to the outsides of the adjacent condensing flow passage forming portions 201g, 201k. The condensing unit fins 203 promote the heat exchange between the air flowing through the air flow spaces 20a and the refrigerant in the condensing unit 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, two opposite outermost ones of the condensing constituents 201, which are located at the one end and the other end of the stack of the condensing constituents 201 in the stacking direction Ds, respectively, have a different shape that is different from that of the rest of the condensing constituents 201. For example, one of these two opposite outermost condensing constituents 201, which is located on the one side, includes the other-side condensing plate portion 201h and an opposing portion 301h of the one-side primary plate 301 while the opposing portion 301h is opposed to the other-side condensing plate portion 201h. Furthermore, the other one of the two opposite outermost condensing constituents 201, which is located on the other side, includes the one-side condensing plate portion 201d and an opposing portion 321f of the other-side primary plate 321 while the opposing portion 321f is opposed to the one-side condensing plate portion 201d.

Furthermore, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, in the one-side condensing plate portion 201d, a primary communication hole 201m extends through the primary condensing tank forming portion 201e in the stacking direction Ds, and a secondary communication hole 201n extends through the secondary condensing tank forming portion 201f in the stacking direction Ds. Likewise, in the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, a primary communication hole 201o extends through the primary condensing tank forming portion 201i in the stacking direction Ds, and a secondary communication hole 201p extends through the secondary condensing tank forming portion 201j in the stacking direction Ds.

The one-side condensing tank spaces 201a of each adjacent two of the condensing constituents 201 are communicated with each other since the primary communication holes 201m, 201o of these two condensing constituents 201 overlap with each other. Furthermore, the other-side condensing tank spaces 201b of each adjacent two of the condensing constituents 201 are communicated with each other since the secondary communication holes 201n, 201p of these two condensing constituents 201 overlap with each other.

However, some of the condensing constituents 201 do not have one of the primary and secondary communication holes 201m, 201n, 201o, 201p. Therefore, there is provided a plurality of condensing constituent groups 204a-204d each of which includes one or two or more of the condensing constituents 201. In the present embodiment, these condensing constituent groups 204a-204d include a first condensing constituent group 204a, a second condensing constituent group 204b, a third condensing constituent group 204c and a fourth condensing constituent group 204d.

In the condensing unit 20, the first condensing constituent group 204a, the second condensing constituent group 204b, the third condensing constituent group 204c and the fourth condensing constituent group 204d are arranged in this order from the other side toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. The first condensing constituent group 204a, the second condensing constituent group 204b, the third condensing constituent group 204c and the fourth condensing constituent group 204d are connected in series in this order from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the refrigerant flow in the condensing unit 20.

Furthermore, in some of the condensing constituent groups 204a-204d, which include the plurality of condensing constituents 201, the plurality of condensing flow passages 201c are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow.

In order to realize such a refrigerant flow path, as shown in a portion C1 of FIG. 7, the primary communication hole 2010 is not formed in the other-side condensing plate portion 201h that is located at an end of the second condensing constituent group 204b on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in a portion C2, the secondary communication hole 201n is not formed in the one-side condensing plate portion 201d that is located at an end of the second condensing constituent group 204b on the one side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in a portion C3, the primary communication hole 2010 is not formed in the other-side condensing plate portion 201h that is located at an end of the fourth condensing constituent group 204d on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. For example, the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, in which the secondary communication hole 201p is formed but the primary communication hole 2010 is not formed, is shown in FIG. 12.

The structure of the evaporating unit 22 is basically the same as the structure of the condensing unit 20 described above. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the evaporating constituents 221 respectively include a pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h. In each of the evaporating constituents 221, the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h are stacked in the stacking direction Ds. The evaporating constituents 221 are joined together such that the evaporating flow passage 221c and the evaporating tank spaces 221a, 221b are formed between the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h.

Specifically, the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h includes a one-side evaporating plate portion 221d and an other-side evaporating plate portion 221h while the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h is placed on the other side of the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d in the stacking direction Ds.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d, which is one of the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h, includes a primary evaporating tank forming portion 221e, a secondary evaporating tank forming portion 221f and an evaporating flow passage forming portion 221g which are recessed toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h, which is the other one of the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h, includes a primary evaporating tank forming portion 221i, a secondary evaporating tank forming portion 221j and an evaporating flow passage forming portion 221k which are recessed toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds. The one-side evaporating tank space 221a is formed between the primary evaporating tank forming portions 221e, 221i, and the other-side evaporating tank space 221b is formed between the secondary evaporating tank forming portions 221f, 221j. Furthermore, the evaporating flow passage 221c is formed between the evaporating flow passage forming portions 221g, 221k.

Furthermore, in the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d, a width of the primary evaporating tank forming portion 221e measured in the stacking direction Ds and a width of the secondary evaporating tank forming portion 221f measured in the stacking direction Ds are equal to each other and are larger than a width of the evaporating flow passage forming portion 221g measured in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, the width of the primary and secondary evaporating tank forming portions 221e, 221f measured in the stacking direction Ds is equal to the width of the condensing tank forming portions 201e, 201f of the one-side condensing plate portion 201d measured in the stacking direction Ds.

Likewise, in the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h, a width of the primary evaporating tank forming portion 221i measured in the stacking direction Ds and a width of the secondary evaporating tank forming portion 221j measured in the stacking direction Ds are equal to each other and are larger than a width of the evaporating flow passage forming portion 221k measured in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, the width of the evaporating tank forming portions 221i, 221j measured in the stacking direction Ds is equal to the width of the condensing tank forming portions 201i, 201j of the other-side condensing plate portion 201h measured in the stacking direction Ds.

Therefore, in the evaporating unit 22, the primary evaporating tank forming portions 221e, 221i of the adjacent two evaporating constituents 221 are joined together, and the secondary evaporating tank forming portions 221f, 221j of the adjacent two evaporating constituents 221 are joined together. Furthermore, an air flow space 22a, through which the air passes, is formed between the adjacent evaporating flow passage forming portions 221g, 221k of each adjacent two of the adjacent evaporating constituents 221.

Thus, this air flow space 22a is one a plurality of air flow spaces 22a arranged one after another in the stacking direction Ds, and an evaporating unit fin 223, which is a corrugated fin, is placed in each of the air flow spaces 22a such that the evaporating unit fin 223 is brazed to the outsides of the adjacent evaporating flow passage forming portions 221g, 221k. The evaporating unit fins 223 promote the heat exchange between the air flowing through the air flow spaces 22a and the refrigerant in the evaporating unit 22.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, an outermost one of the evaporating constituents 221, which is located at the other end of the stack of the evaporating constituents 221 in the stacking direction Ds, has a different shape that is different from that of the rest of the evaporating constituents 221. For example, this outermost evaporating constituent 221, which is located at the other end of the stack of the evaporating constituents 221, includes the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d and an opposing portion 321g of the other-side primary plate 321 while the opposing portion 321g is opposed to the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d.

With reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, in the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d, a primary communication hole 221m extends through the primary evaporating tank forming portion 221e in the stacking direction Ds, and a secondary communication hole 221n extends through the secondary evaporating tank forming portion 221f in the stacking direction Ds. Likewise, in the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h, a primary communication hole 2210 extends through the primary evaporating tank forming portion 221i in the stacking direction Ds, and a secondary communication hole 221p extends through the secondary evaporating tank forming portion 221j in the stacking direction Ds.

The one-side evaporating tank spaces 221a of each adjacent two of the evaporating constituents 221 are communicated with each other since the primary communication holes 221m, 221o of these two evaporating constituents 221 overlap with each other. Furthermore, the other-side evaporating tank spaces 221b of each adjacent two of the evaporating constituents 221 are communicated with each other since the secondary communication holes 221n, 221p of these two evaporating constituents 221 overlap with each other.

However, some of the evaporating constituents 221 do not have one of the primary and secondary communication holes 221m, 221n, 221o, 221p. Therefore, there is provided a plurality of evaporating constituent groups 224a-224c each of which includes one or two or more of the evaporating constituents 221. In the present embodiment, these evaporating constituent groups 224a-224c include a first evaporating constituent group 224a, a second evaporating constituent group 224b and a third evaporating constituent group 224c.

In the evaporating unit 22, the first evaporating constituent group 224a, the second evaporating constituent group 224b and the third evaporating constituent group 224c are arranged in this order from the other side toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. The first evaporating constituent group 224a, the second evaporating constituent group 224b and the third evaporating constituent group 224c are connected in series in this order from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the refrigerant flow in the evaporating unit 22.

Furthermore, in some of the evaporating constituent groups 224a-224c, which include the plurality of evaporating constituents 221, the plurality of evaporating flow passages 221c are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow.

In order to realize such a refrigerant flow path, as shown in a portion E1 of FIG. 8, the primary communication hole 221m is not formed in the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d that is located at an end of the first evaporating constituent group 224a on the one side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in a portion E2, the secondary communication hole 221p is not formed in the outermost other-side evaporating plate portion 221h that is located at an end of the third evaporating constituent group 224c on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in a portion E3, the primary communication hole 221m is not formed in the outermost one-side evaporating plate portion 221d that is located at an end of the third evaporating constituent group 224c on the one side in the stacking direction Ds. For example, the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d, in which the secondary communication hole 221n is formed but the primary communication hole 221m is not formed, is shown in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the one-side condensing plate portion 201d, the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d and the primary outer tube constituent 281a are integrally formed in one-piece as a single component. Specifically, the one-side condensing plate portion 201d, the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d and the primary outer tube constituent 281a form a primary plate member 381. In the primary plate member 381, the one-side condensing plate portion 201d, the primary outer tube constituent 281a and the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d are arranged in this order from the lower side toward the upper side in the gravity direction Dg.

Therefore, the primary plate member 381 has the primary outer tube constituent 281a, which forms a portion of the internal heat exchanging unit 28, at a location between the one-side condensing plate portion 201d and the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d. That is, the primary plate member 381 forms the portion of the internal heat exchanging unit 28.

Likewise, the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h and the secondary outer tube constituent 281b are integrally formed in one-piece as a single component. Specifically, the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h and the secondary outer tube constituent 281b form a secondary plate member 382. In the secondary plate member 382, the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, the secondary outer tube constituent 281b and the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h are arranged in this order from the lower side toward the upper side in the gravity direction Dg.

Therefore, the secondary plate member 382 has the secondary outer tube constituent 281b, which forms a portion of the internal heat exchanging unit 28, at a location between the other-side condensing plate portion 201h and the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h. That is, the secondary plate member 382 forms the portion of the internal heat exchanging unit 28.

Both of the primary plate member 381 and the secondary plate member 382 are made of metal, such as an aluminum alloy which has good thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the primary plate members 381 and the secondary plate members 382 are alternately stacked in the stacking direction Ds and are joined together by brazing. In the present embodiment, among the stack structure formed by the primary plate members 381 and the secondary plate members 382, the outermost plate member located at the one end of the stack structure on the one side in the stacking direction Ds, i.e., the plate member joined to the one-side primary plate 301 is the secondary plate member 382. Furthermore, the outermost plate member located at the other end of the stack structure on the other side in the stacking direction Ds, i.e., the plate member joined to the other-side primary plate 321 is the primary plate member 381.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the shape of the secondary plate member 382 coincides with a shape that is formed by flipping the primary plate member 381 to reverse the front surface and the rear surface of the primary plate member 381 in the stacking direction Ds except for the presence or absence of the primary and secondary communication holes 201m, 201n, 201o, 201p, 221m, 221n, 221o, 221p. Each of the shape of the primary plate member 381 and the shape of the secondary plate member 382 is symmetrical in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. Therefore, the components are commonized between at least some of the primary plate members 381 and at least some of the secondary plate members 382.

Furthermore, in the pair of the primary plate member 381 and the secondary plate member 382, the internal space of the condensing constituent 201, the internal space of the evaporating constituent 221 and the outer flow passage 28a of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 are respectively formed as independent spaces which are formed independently from each other. That is, the primary plate member 381 is formed such that the condensing flow passage 201c, the outer flow passage 28a and the evaporating flow passage 221c of the primary plate member 381 are separated from each other. Likewise, the secondary plate member 382 is formed such that the condensing flow passage 201c, the outer flow passage 28a and the evaporating flow passage 221c of the secondary plate member 382 are separated from each other.

The refrigerant flows as follows in the heat exchanger 10 and the refrigeration cycle circuit 12 having the heat exchanger 10 constructed in the above-described manner. First of all, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 14 is inputted into an upstream-side space, which is formed by the one-side condensing tank spaces 201a connected one after another in the first condensing constituent group 204a of the condensing unit 20, through the inlet pipe 34 as indicated by arrows Fi, F1a. The refrigerant, which is inputted into the upstream-side space of the first condensing constituent group 204a, flows toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds as indicated by an arrow F2a and at the same time is distributed to the condensing flow passages 201c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the condensing flow passages 201c as indicated by arrows F4a, F4b, F4c and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the condensing constituents 201 to release the heat to the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the condensing flow passages 201c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the other-side condensing tank spaces 201b connected one after another. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the first condensing constituent group 204a into an upstream-side space which is formed by the other-side condensing tank spaces 201b connected one after another in the second condensing constituent group 204b as indicated by an arrow F3a. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the second condensing constituent group 204b, flows toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the condensing flow passages 201c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the condensing flow passages 201c as indicated by arrows F4d, F4e and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the condensing constituents 201 to release the heat to the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the condensing flow passages 201c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the one-side condensing tank spaces 201a connected one after another. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the second condensing constituent group 204b into the one-side condensing tank space 201a, which serve as an upstream-side space, of the third condensing constituent group 204c as indicated by an arrow F2b. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the third condensing constituent group 204c, flows into the condensing flow passage 201c. The refrigerant flows in the condensing flow passage 201c as indicated by an arrow F4f and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the condensing constituent 201 to release the heat to the air.

The refrigerant flows from the condensing flow passage 201c into the other-side condensing tank space 201b, which serves as a downstream-side space. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the third condensing constituent group 204c into an upstream-side space which is formed by the other-side condensing tank spaces 201b connected one after another in the fourth condensing constituent group 204d as indicated by an arrow F3b. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the fourth condensing constituent group 204d, flows toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the condensing flow passages 201c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the condensing flow passages 201c as indicated by arrows F4g, F4h and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the condensing constituents 201 to release the heat to the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the condensing flow passages 201c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the one-side condensing tank spaces 201a connected one after another. The refrigerant, which flows into the downstream-side space of the fourth condensing constituent group 204d, flows from the condensing unit outlet 202a into the one-side relay flow passage 30a through the condensing unit through hole 301b of the one-side primary plate 301 and the condensing unit through hole 302b of the one-side secondary plate 302 as indicated by arrows F1b, F2c. In the one-side relay flow passage 30a, the refrigerant flows from the lower side toward the upper side in the gravity direction Dg as indicated by an arrow F1c in FIG. 2, and then this refrigerant flows from the one-side relay flow passage 30a into the inner flow passage 28b of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 as indicated by an arrow F1d. In the inner flow passage 28b, the refrigerant flows from the one side toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds, and then this refrigerant flows from the inner flow passage 28b into the other-side relay flow passage 32a as indicated by an arrow F1e.

In the other-side relay flow passage 32a, the refrigerant flows from the lower side toward the upper side in the gravity direction Dg, and then this refrigerant flows from the other-side relay flow passage 32a into the evaporating unit 22 through the flow restricting hole 321d of the other-side primary plate 321. At this time, in the flow restricting hole 321d, the refrigerant flow is restricted, so that the pressure of the refrigerant after passing through the flow restricting hole 321d is reduced in comparison to the pressure of the refrigerant before passing through the flow restricting hole 321d.

As indicated in FIGS. 2 and 8, the refrigerant, which has passed through the flow restricting hole 321d of the flow restricting portion 321e, flows into the evaporating unit 22 through the evaporating unit inlet 222a. Therefore, all of the condensing flow passages 201c formed in the condensing unit 20 are connected to the evaporating flow passages 221c of the evaporating unit 22 through the condensing unit outlet 202a (see FIG. 7), the flow restricting portion 321e and the evaporating unit inlet 222a in this order.

The refrigerant, which flows from the evaporating unit inlet 222a into the evaporating unit 22, first flows in an upstream-side space which is formed by the one-side evaporating tank spaces 221a connected one after another in the first evaporating constituent group 224a. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the first evaporating constituent group 224a, flows toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space as indicated by an arrow F5a and at the same time is distributed to the evaporating flow passages 221c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the evaporating flow passages 221c as indicated by arrows F7a, F7b and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the evaporating constituents 221 to absorb the heat from the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the evaporating flow passages 221c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the other-side evaporating tank spaces 221b connected one after another. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the first evaporating constituent group 224a into an upstream-side space which is formed by the other-side evaporating tank space 221b connected one after another in the second evaporating constituent group 224b as indicated by an arrow F6a. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the second evaporating constituent group 224b, flows toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the evaporating flow passages 221c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the evaporating flow passages 221c as indicated by arrows F7c, F7d and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the evaporating constituents 221 to absorb the heat from the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the evaporating flow passages 221c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the one-side evaporating tank spaces 221a connected one after another. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the second evaporating constituent group 224b into an upstream-side space which is formed by the one-side evaporating tank space 221a connected one after another in the third evaporating constituent group 224c as indicated by an arrow F5b. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the third evaporating constituent group 224c, flows toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the evaporating flow passages 221c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the evaporating flow passages 221c as indicated by arrows F7e, F7f, F7g and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the evaporating constituents 221 to absorb the heat from the air.

The refrigerant is separated in the gas phase refrigerant and the liquid phase refrigerant at the gas-liquid separating device 26, and the separated gas phase refrigerant flows to the outer flow passage 28a of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 as indicated by arrows F9a, F9b. In contrast, the separated liquid phase refrigerant is stored in the liquid storage space 26a.

The refrigerant, which flows in the outer flow passage 28a of the internal heat exchanging unit 28, flows from the one side toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds as indicated by arrows FA1, FA2 in FIG. 2 and at the same time exchanges the heat with the refrigerant flowing in the inner flow passage 28b. Then, the refrigerant, which is outputted from the outer flow passage 28a, flows from the outlet pipe 36 to the outside of the heat exchanger 10 as indicated by an arrow Fo. The refrigerant, which is outputted from the outlet pipe 36, is suctioned into the compressor 14 as indicated in FIG. 1. The refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger 10 and the refrigeration cycle circuit 12 in the above-described manner.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the condensing unit 20 corresponds to the heat releasing unit. Therefore, the condensing constituents 201 may be referred to as heat releasing constituents, and the condensing flow passage 201c may be referred to as a heat releasing flow passage. Furthermore, the one-side condensing plate portion 201d may be referred to as a one-side heat releasing plate portion, and the other-side condensing plate portion 201h may be referred to as an other-side heat releasing plate portion. Additionally, the outlet-side condensing constituent 202 may be referred to as an outlet-side heat releasing constituent, and the condensing unit outlet 202a may be referred to as a heat releasing unit outlet.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the condensing constituents 201 and the evaporating constituents 221 are stacked on the one side of the other-side side plate portion 32 in the stacking direction Ds. Also, the evaporating unit 22 and the condensing unit 20 are arranged one after another in the direction along the other-side side plate portion 32 (more specifically, the gravity direction Dg) and are both fixed to the other-side side plate portion 32.

Therefore, the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22 can be integrated together by the other-side side plate portion 32 regardless of whether the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22 are integrated together by the primary plate members 381 and the secondary plate members 382.

Furthermore, the condensing flow passages 201c formed in the condensing unit 20 are all connected to the evaporating flow passages 221c of the evaporating unit 22 through the condensing unit outlet 202a and the evaporating unit inlet 222a. That is, the structure of the heat exchanger 10 is not limited to that all of the condensing flow passages 201c are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the connection relationship among the condensing flow passages 201c can be easily set to a desirable relationship in the condensing unit 20 by arbitrarily setting the locations, at each of which the communication hole 201m, 201n, 201o, 201p is not formed as shown at the portions C1-C3 of FIG. 7.

For example, by setting the presence/absence of the communication hole 201m, 201n, 201o, 201p (see FIGS. 5 and 6) in a manner shown in FIG. 7, the connection relationship among the condensing flow passages 201c according to the present embodiment can be easily implemented. That is, it can be easily implemented that the condensing constituent groups 204a-204d, in each of which the one or two or more of the condensing flow passages 201c are formed, are connected in series along the refrigerant flow, and the two or more of the condensing flow passages 201c are connected in parallel in each of the corresponding ones of the condensing constituent groups 204a-204d.

Further, although different from the present embodiment, depending on the setting of the locations, at each of which the communication hole 201m, 201n, 201o, 201p is not formed, it can be easily implemented that all of the condensing flow passages 201c of the condensing unit 20 are connected in series along the refrigerant flow.

In this way, the refrigerant distribution among the condensing flow passages 201c can be improved over, for example, the previously proposed heat exchanger described above. The improvement of the refrigerant distribution is, in other words, the suppression of the variation in the refrigerant flow rate.

This point will be further explained. That is, for example, in a case where all of the condensing flow passages 201c of the condensing unit 20 are connected in parallel, when the number of the condensing constituents 201 stacked one after another is increased, the distributability of the refrigerant to the condensing flow passages 201c is deteriorated. In short, the variation in the flow rate of the refrigerant becomes large in the distribution of the refrigerant to the respective condensing flow passages 201c. In contrast, since the structure of the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment is not limited to that all of the condensing flow passages 201c are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow, it is possible to avoid the deterioration in the distributability of the refrigerant to the condensing flow passages 201c even when the number of the condensing constituents 201 stacked one after another is increased.

Furthermore, this is also true with respect to the evaporating flow passages 221c. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the structure of the heat exchanger 10 is not limited to that all of the evaporating flow passages 221c are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the connection relationship among the evaporating flow passages 221c can be easily set to a desirable relationship in the evaporating unit 22 by arbitrarily setting the locations (see the portions E1-E3 of FIG. 8), at each of which the communication hole 221m, 221n, 221o, 221p is not formed.

Therefore, like the refrigerant distribution among the condensing flow passages 201c, the refrigerant distribution among the evaporating flow passages 221c can be improved over, for example, the previously proposed heat exchanger described above. It should be noted that the ability to avoid the deterioration in the distributability of the refrigerant is particularly effective in the evaporating unit 22 rather than in the condensing unit 20. Furthermore, the presence/absence of the communication hole 201m-201p, 221m-221p can be easily selected depending on the presence/absence of the hole drilling step at the time of manufacturing the primary plate members 381 and the secondary plate members 382.

Furthermore, in the case where all of the condensing flow passages 201c are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow like in the previously proposed heat exchanger described above, although the pressure loss in the condensing unit 20 can be reduced, it is difficult to optimize the flow speed of the refrigerant in the condensing flow passages 201c. Therefore, in such a case, the heat transfer coefficient between the refrigerant and the member in contact with the refrigerant is reduced, and thereby it is difficult to optimize the cooling capacity or the heating capacity.

In contrast, in the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment, the locations, at each of which the communication hole 201m, 201n, 201o, 201p is not formed, can be easily set such that the refrigerant flow speed, which can optimize the cooling capacity or the heating capacity, is obtained.

With respect to such optimization of the cooling capacity or the heating capacity, the same effect and advantage, which are the same as those discussed above, can be obtained in the evaporating unit 22.

Furthermore, at the time of manufacturing the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 10 can be assembled by alternately stacking the primary plate members 381 and the secondary plate members 382 while one of the one-side side plate portion 30 and the other-side side plate portion 32 is used as the base for the primary plate members 381 and the secondary plate members 382. That is, the heat exchanger 10 can be assembled in one direction by stacking and assembling the constituent members in the one direction. As a result, the manufacturing work of the heat exchanger 10 becomes simple, and thereby the cost of the heat exchanger 10 can be reduced.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the outer tube portion 281 of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 are integrated together by the primary and secondary plate members 381, 382. Therefore, in comparison to a case where these components are separately formed, the size and the cost of the heat exchanger 10 can be easily reduced. Furthermore, the condensed water, which is generated in the evaporating unit 22, can be guided to the condensing unit 20 along the primary and secondary plate members 381, 382, so that it is possible to limit disadvantages, such as splashing of the condensed water. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the loss of the condensed water which contributes to the heat releasing of the condensing unit 20. This leads to the higher performance of the heat exchanger 10.

In addition, the one-side condensing plate portion 201d and the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d can be formed by a single die device, and the one-side condensing plate portion 201d and the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d can be shaped into different shapes (e.g., optimum shapes). This is also true for the other-side condensing plate portion 201h and the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h. Therefore, this also makes it possible to improve the performance of the heat exchanger 10 and reduce the cost of the heat exchanger 10.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the other-side side plate portion 32 includes the flow restricting portion 321e that functions as the pressure reducing portion for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant, and this flow restricting portion 321e is located between the condensing unit outlet 202a and the evaporating unit inlet 222a along the refrigerant flow. Therefore, it is possible to limit an increase in the size of the heat exchanger 10 including the flow restricting portion 321e. Furthermore, in comparison to, for example, the previously proposed heat exchanger described above, in which a large number of flow passage units are stacked, the flow restricting portion 321e can be easily constructed.

More specifically, for example, in the previously proposed heat exchanger described above, in which the large number of the flow passage units are stacked, the same number of flow restricting portions as the number of the flow passage units stacked one after another are provided in parallel along the refrigerant flow. However, in order to obtain an appropriate pressure reducing effect for the refrigerant, a finer and more accurate shape of each flow restricting portion is required as the number of flow restricting portions connected in parallel is increased. In such a case, due to variations in, for example, processing and brazing of the members, variations in the shape among the flow restricting portions are likely to occur. Therefore, in the previously proposed heat exchanger described above, a reduction in the cooling/heating performance is likely to occur due to the variations in the shape among the flow restricting portions.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, it is not required to provide the flow restricting portion 321e as a plurality of flow restricting portions connected in parallel. Thus, in comparison to the previously proposed heat exchanger described above, the flow restricting portion 321e can be configured in the simple form as described above, and thereby it is possible to avoid a reduction in the cooling/heating performance. Then, the flow restricting portion 321e can be provided as, for example, one simple flow restricting portion.

Furthermore, since the other-side side plate portion 32 includes the flow restricting portion 321e, it is possible to integrally braze the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the flow restricting portion 321e together. Therefore, it is possible to limit an increase in the size of the integrated body in which the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the flow restricting portion 321e are integrated together. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the cost of the heat exchanger 10 including the flow restricting portion 321e. Furthermore, at the time of manufacturing the heat exchanger 10, the heat exchanger 10 can be assembled in the one direction described above.

Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the stacking direction Ds is a direction that intersects the gravity direction Dg. The condensing unit 20 is placed on the lower side of the evaporating unit 22. Therefore, the heat releasing performance of the condensing unit 20 can be improved by a watering effect that applies the condensed water generated at the evaporating unit 22 to the condensing unit 20 by the action of gravity. Furthermore, since the evaporation process of evaporating the condensed water generated at the evaporating unit 22 by the heat of the condensing unit 20 can be performed, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the drain water which is the discharged condensed water.

Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, each of the condensing constituents 201 includes the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h each of which is shaped in the form of plate. Each of the condensing constituents 201 is formed by stacking the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h in the stacking direction Ds and joining the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h together such that the condensing flow passage 201c is formed between the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h. Therefore, each of the condensing constituents 201 can have the simple structure. At the same time, depending on the shape of the internal space of the condensing constituent 201, such as the shape of the condensing flow passage 201c, there is a merit that it is easy to make the component of the one-side condensing plate portion 201d and the component of the other-side condensing plate portion 201h as the common component.

Further, according to the present embodiment, each of the evaporating constituents 221 includes the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h each of which is shaped in the form of plate. Each of the evaporating constituents 221 is formed by stacking the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h in the stacking direction Ds and joining the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h together such that the evaporating flow passage 221c is formed between the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h. Therefore, each of the evaporating constituents 221 can have the simple structure. At the same time, depending on the shape of the internal space of the evaporating constituent 221, such as the shape of the evaporating flow passage 221c, there is a merit that it is easy to make the component of the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d and the component of the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h as the common component.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the one-side condensing plate portion 201d, the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d and the primary outer tube constituent 281a form the primary plate member 381. Furthermore, the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h and the secondary outer tube constituent 281b form the secondary plate member 382.

Therefore, the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the outer tube portion 281 of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 can be integrated together by the primary plate members 381 and the secondary plate members 382 in addition to the one-side and other-side side plate portions 30, 32 respectively placed at the two opposite sides.

Furthermore, the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the outer tube portion 281 of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 can support with each other not only by the one-side and other-side side plate portions 30, 32 respectively placed at the two opposite sides but also by the primary plate members 381 and the secondary plate members 382. Therefore, the heat exchanger 10 can be made more robust in comparison to the case where the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the outer tube portion 281 of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 are coupled together only by, for example, the one-side and other-side side plate portions 30, 32 respectively placed at the two opposite sides.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the outlet-side condensing constituent 202 is the outermost condensing constituent located at the end of the stack of the condensing constituents 201 on the one side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, the inlet-side evaporating constituent 222 is the outermost evaporating constituent located at the end of the stack of the evaporating constituents 221 on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Therefore, as compared with the case where the inlet-side evaporating constituent 222 is not arranged in this way, it is easy to provide the refrigerant flow path from the condensing unit outlet 202a to the evaporating unit inlet 222a. Thus, the refrigerant flow path can be easily simplified. For example, it is possible to provide the refrigerant flow path from the condensing unit outlet 202a to the evaporating unit inlet 222a by using the side plate portions 30, 32.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the heat exchanger 10 includes the internal heat exchanging unit 28, and the primary plate members 381 and the secondary plate members 382 form a portion of the internal heat exchanging unit 28. Therefore, in comparison to a case where, for example, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 is formed separately from the plate members 381, 382, an increase in the size of the heat exchanger 10 caused by the provision of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 can be limited, and the number of the components can be reduced.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the evaporating unit 22, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and the condensing unit 20 are arranged in this order in the gravity direction Dg. The primary plate member 381 has the primary outer tube constituent 281a, which forms a portion of the internal heat exchanging unit 28, at the location between the one-side condensing plate portion 201d and the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d. Furthermore, the secondary plate member 382 has the secondary outer tube constituent 281b, which forms the portion of the internal heat exchanging unit 28, at the location between the other-side condensing plate portion 201h and the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h. Therefore, for example, in comparison to a case where each of the plate members 381, 382 has a structure which is different from the above-described one, the refrigerant flow passage, which connects between the evaporating unit 22 and the internal heat exchanging unit 28, and the refrigerant flow passage, which connects between the condensing unit 20 and the internal heat exchanging unit 28, are less unlikely to overlap each other.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the one-side side plate portion 30 is formed by stacking the one-side primary plate 301, the one-side secondary plate 302 and the one-side tertiary plate 303 in the stacking direction Ds. The gas-liquid separating device 26 of the one-side side plate portion 30 includes the liquid storage space 26a which stores the liquid phase refrigerant. Furthermore, the liquid storage space 26a is formed by overlapping the gas-liquid separating through hole 301c of the one-side primary plate 301 and the gas-liquid separating through hole 302c of the one-side secondary plate 302 with each other and covering the one side of the liquid storage space 26a in the stacking direction Ds with the one-side tertiary plate 303.

In short, the through holes 301c, 302c formed in the plates 301, 302 of the one-side side plate portion 30 overlap with each other, and the one side of the liquid storage space 26a is covered with the other plate 303 which is different from the plates 301, 302. Thereby, the liquid storage space 26a is formed.

Therefore, by using the thickness of the one-side side plate portion 30, it is possible to suppress the width of the gas-liquid separating device 26 in the stacking direction Ds, and it is possible to form the gas-liquid separating device 26 at the one-side side plate portion 30.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences with respect to the above-described first embodiment will be mainly described. In addition, description of components, which are the same or equivalent to those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted or simplified. This also applies to the description of the embodiments described later.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment includes the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the flow restricting portion 321e like in the first embodiment. However, the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment does not include the gas-liquid separating device 26 (see FIG. 2) and the internal heat exchanging unit 28 unlike the first embodiment. Due to the absence of the internal heat exchanging unit 28, although the primary plate member 381 includes the one-side condensing plate portion 201d and the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d, the primary plate member 381 does not include the primary outer tube constituent 281a (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, although the secondary plate member 382 includes the other-side condensing plate portion 201h and the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h, the secondary plate member 382 does not include the secondary outer tube constituent 281b (see FIG. 2).

In FIG. 15, the cross sections of the primary plate member 381, the secondary plate member 382, the condensing unit fins 203 and the evaporating unit fin 223 are shown by bold lines instead of hatching. Further, in order to make the illustration easy to see, FIG. 15 indicates a deliberate gap (that is, an actually non-existing gap) between each adjacent two among the primary plate member 381, the secondary plate member 382, the one-side side plate portion 30 and the other-side side plate portion 32. This also applies to the drawings which correspond to FIG. 15 and are described later.

The refrigeration cycle circuit 12 of the present embodiment includes a gas-liquid separator 40, which corresponds to the gas-liquid separating device 26 of the first embodiment as a separate device that is provided separately from the heat exchanger 10. The gas-liquid separator 40 is an accumulator that has the same function as the gas-liquid separating device 26. The gas-liquid separator 40 is located on the downstream side of the outlet pipe 36 of the heat exchanger 10 and on the upstream side of the compressor 14 along the refrigerant flow.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the present embodiment, the one-side side plate portion 30 has a single-layer stack structure rather than a multilayer stack structure in which a plurality of plates are stacked. That is, the one-side side plate portion 30 of the present embodiment is formed by the one-side primary plate 301 and does not include the one-side secondary plate 302 and the one-side tertiary plate 303 (see FIG. 2) of the first embodiment.

The inlet pipe 34 is inserted into a lower-side through hoe 30b, which is formed at a lower portion of the one-side side plate portion 30, and the inlet pipe 34 is joined to the one-side side plate portion 30 at the lower-side through hoe 30b by brazing. In this way, the inlet pipe 34 is connected to the condensing unit 20 such that the inlet pipe 34 is communicated with an inside of the condensing unit 20.

Furthermore, the outlet pipe 36 is inserted into an upper-side through hoe 30c, which is formed at an upper portion of the one-side side plate portion 30, and the outlet pipe 36 is joined to the one-side side plate portion 30 at the upper-side through hoe 30c by brazing. In this way, the outlet pipe 36 is connected to the evaporating unit 22 such that the outlet pipe 36 is communicated with an inside of the evaporating unit 22.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the other-side side plate portion 32 includes the other-side primary plate 321 and the other-side secondary plate 322 which are stacked one after another and are joined together.

The other-side primary plate 321 includes the flow restricting portion 321e like in the first embodiment. In addition, the other-side primary plate 321 includes a condensing unit outlet hole 321h that is a through hole formed at a lower portion of the other-side primary plate 321. The condensing unit outlet hole 321h is communicated with the condensing unit outlet 202a.

The other-side secondary plate 322 includes a groove 322a that is recessed from the one side toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds and extends in the gravity direction Dg. The other-side secondary plate 322 is joined to the other side of the other-side primary plate 321 in the stacking direction Ds by brazing, so that the groove 322a of the other-side secondary plate 322 forms a transverse relay flow passage 322b between the groove 322a of the other-side secondary plate 322 and the other-side primary plate 321.

The transverse relay flow passage 322b extends in the gravity direction Dg and is formed between the condensing unit outlet hole 321h and the flow restricting hole 321d of the other-side primary plate 321 along the refrigerant flow. That is, the transverse relay flow passage 322b is a flow passage that connects between the condensing unit outlet 202a of the condensing unit 20 and the flow restricting hole 321d. With the flow passage structure for the refrigerant described above, the flow restricting portion 321e of the other-side side plate portion 32 is located between the condensing unit outlet 202a and the evaporating unit inlet 222a along the refrigerant flow.

As shown in FIG. 15, even in the present embodiment, like in the first embodiment, the condensing constituent 201 and the evaporating constituent 221, which are arranged one after another in the gravity direction Dg, are formed by stacking the pair of plate members 381, 382 in the stacking direction Ds and joining the pair of plate members 381, 382 together. Among the pair of plate members 381, 382, the primary plate member 381 is located on the one side of the secondary plate member 382 in the stacking direction Ds.

However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the one-side condensing tank space 201a is located on the lower side of the condensing flow passage 201c in the gravity direction Dg, and the other-side condensing tank space 201b is located on the upper side of the condensing flow passage 201c in the gravity direction Dg. Furthermore, the one-side evaporating tank space 221a is located on the lower side of the evaporating flow passage 221c in the gravity direction Dg, and the other-side evaporating tank space 221b is located on the upper side of the evaporating flow passage 221c in the gravity direction Dg.

Furthermore, a plurality of heat insulation holes 381a, 381b, 381c, which are through holes, are formed at the primary plate member 381 to interfere with the transmission of the heat between the refrigerant in the condensing constituent 201 and the refrigerant in the evaporating constituent 221. Likewise, a plurality of heat insulation holes 382a, 382b, 382c, which are through holes, are formed at the secondary plate member 382.

As shown in FIG. 15, the condensing unit 20 of the present embodiment includes the first condensing constituent group 204a, the second condensing constituent group 204b, the third condensing constituent group 204c and the fourth condensing constituent group 204d. The first condensing constituent group 204a, the second condensing constituent group 204b, the third condensing constituent group 204c and the fourth condensing constituent group 204d are arranged in this order from the one side toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds. The first condensing constituent group 204a, the second condensing constituent group 204b, the third condensing constituent group 204c and the fourth condensing constituent group 204d are connected in series in this order from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the refrigerant flow in the condensing unit 20.

Furthermore, in each of the condensing constituent groups 204a-204d, the plurality of condensing flow passages 201c are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow.

In order to realize such a refrigerant flow path, as shown in a portion C4 of FIG. 15, the primary communication hole 2010 is not formed in the outermost other-side condensing plate portion 201h that is located at an end of the first condensing constituent group 204a on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in a portion C5, the secondary communication hole 201p is not formed in the outermost other-side condensing plate portion 201h that is located at an end of the second condensing constituent group 204b on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in a portion C6, the primary communication hole 2010 is not formed in the outermost other-side condensing plate portion 201h that is located at an end of the third condensing constituent group 204c on the other side in the stacking direction Ds.

For example, the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, in which the secondary communication hole 201p is formed but the primary communication hole 2010 is not formed, is shown in FIG. 20. Furthermore, the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, in which the primary communication hole 2010 is formed but the secondary communication hole 201p is not formed, is shown in FIG. 21.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the present embodiment, the evaporating constituent groups 224a-224d, which are included in the evaporating unit 22, include a first evaporating constituent group 224a, a second evaporating constituent group 224b, a third evaporating constituent group 224c and a fourth evaporating constituent group 224d.

In the evaporating unit 22 of the present embodiment, the first evaporating constituent group 224a, the second evaporating constituent group 224b, the third evaporating constituent group 224c and the fourth evaporating constituent group 224d are arranged in this order from the other side toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. The first evaporating constituent group 224a, the second evaporating constituent group 224b, the third evaporating constituent group 224c and the fourth evaporating constituent group 224d are connected in series in this order from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the refrigerant flow in the evaporating unit 22.

In each of the evaporating constituent groups 224a-224d, the evaporating flow passages 221c are connected in parallel along the refrigerant flow.

In order to realize such a refrigerant flow path, as shown in a portion E4 of FIG. 15, the secondary communication hole 221p is not formed in the outermost other-side evaporating plate portion 221h that is located at an end of the second evaporating constituent group 224b on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in a portion E5, the primary communication hole 2210 is not formed in the outermost other-side evaporating plate portion 221h that is located at an end of the third evaporating constituent group 224c on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in a portion E6, the secondary communication hole 221p is not formed in the outermost other-side evaporating plate portion 221h that is located at an end of the fourth evaporating constituent group 224d on the other side in the stacking direction Ds.

For example, the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h, in which the primary communication hole 2210 is formed but the secondary communication hole 221p is not formed, is shown in FIG. 20. For example, the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h, in which the secondary communication hole 221p is formed but the primary communication hole 2210 is not formed, is shown in FIG. 21.

The refrigerant flows as follows in the heat exchanger 10 and the refrigeration cycle circuit 12 of the present embodiment. Broken arrows shown in FIG. 15 indicate the refrigerant flow in the heat exchanger 10.

First of all, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 14 is inputted into an upstream-side space, which is formed by the one-side condensing tank spaces 201a connected one after another in the first condensing constituent group 204a of the condensing unit 20, through the inlet pipe 34. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the first condensing constituent group 204a, flows toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the condensing flow passages 201c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the condensing flow passages 201c and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the condensing constituents 201 to release the heat to the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the condensing flow passages 201c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the other-side condensing tank spaces 201b connected one after another. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the first condensing constituent group 204a into an upstream-side space which is formed by the other-side condensing tank spaces 201b connected one after another in the second condensing constituent group 204b. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the second condensing constituent group 204b, flows toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the condensing flow passages 201c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the condensing flow passages 201c and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the condensing constituents 201 to release the heat to the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the condensing flow passages 201c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the one-side condensing tank spaces 201a connected one after another. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the second condensing constituent group 204b into an upstream-side space which is formed by the one-side condensing tank spaces 201a connected one after another in the third condensing constituent group 204c. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the third condensing constituent group 204c, flows toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the condensing flow passages 201c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the condensing flow passages 201c and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the condensing constituents 201 to release the heat to the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the condensing flow passages 201c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the other-side condensing tank spaces 201b connected one after another. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the third condensing constituent group 204c into an upstream-side space which is formed by the other-side condensing tank spaces 201b connected one after another in the fourth condensing constituent group 204d. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the fourth condensing constituent group 204d, flows toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the condensing flow passages 201c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the condensing flow passages 201c and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the condensing constituents 201 to release the heat to the air.

In the transverse relay flow passage 322b, the refrigerant flows from the lower side toward the upper side in the gravity direction Dg, and then this refrigerant flows from the transverse relay flow passage 322b into the evaporating unit 22 through the flow restricting hole 321d of the flow restricting portion 321e. At this time, when the refrigerant passes through the flow restricting hole 321d, the pressure of the refrigerant is reduced.

The refrigerant, which has passed through the flow restricting hole 321d of the flow restricting portion 321e, flows into the evaporating unit 22 through the evaporating unit inlet 222a. The refrigerant, which is inputted from the evaporating unit inlet 222a into the evaporating unit 22, first flows into an upstream-side space which is formed by the other-side evaporating tank spaces 221b connected one after another in the first evaporating constituent group 224a. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the first evaporating constituent group 224a, flows toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the evaporating flow passages 221c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the evaporating flow passages 221c and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the evaporating constituents 221 to absorb the heat from the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the evaporating flow passages 221c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the one-side evaporating tank spaces 221a connected one after another. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the first evaporating constituent group 224a into an upstream-side space which is formed by the one-side evaporating tank spaces 221a connected one after another in the second evaporating constituent group 224b. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the second evaporating constituent group 224b, flows toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the evaporating flow passages 221c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the evaporating flow passages 221c and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the evaporating constituents 221 to absorb the heat from the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the evaporating flow passages 221c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the other-side evaporating tank spaces 221b connected one after another. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the second evaporating constituent group 224b into an upstream-side space which is formed by the other-side evaporating tank spaces 221b connected one after another in the third evaporating constituent group 224c. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the third evaporating constituent group 224c, flows toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the evaporating flow passages 221c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the evaporating flow passages 221c and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the evaporating constituents 221 to absorb the heat from the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the evaporating flow passages 221c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the one-side evaporating tank spaces 221a connected one after another. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows from the downstream-side space of the third evaporating constituent group 224c into an upstream-side space which is formed by the one-side evaporating tank spaces 221a connected one after another in the fourth evaporating constituent group 224d. The refrigerant, which flows into the upstream-side space of the fourth evaporating constituent group 224d, flows toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds in the upstream-side space and at the same time is distributed to the evaporating flow passages 221c. The refrigerant flows in parallel in the evaporating flow passages 221c and at the same time exchanges the heat with the air around the evaporating constituents 221 to absorb the heat from the air.

Then, the refrigerant flows from the evaporating flow passages 221c into a downstream-side space which is formed by the other-side evaporating tank spaces 221b connected one after another. The refrigerant, which flows into the downstream-side space of the fourth evaporating constituent group 224d, flows from the outlet pipe 36 to the outside of the heat exchanger 10. The refrigerant, which flows out from the outlet pipe 36, flows into the gas-liquid separator 40 shown in FIG. 14 and is thereafter suctioned from the gas-liquid separator 40 into the compressor 14. The refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger 10 and the refrigeration cycle circuit 12 of the present embodiment in the above-described manner.

Except the points described above, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the advantages, which can be obtained from the common structure that is common to the first embodiment, can be obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences with respect to the above-described second embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 22, the heat exchanger 10 of the present embodiment does not include the flow restricting portion 321e (see FIG. 15). The refrigeration cycle circuit 12 of the present embodiment includes a pressure reducing device 41, which corresponds to the flow restricting portion 321e, as a separate device that is provided separately from the heat exchanger 10. The present embodiment differs from the second embodiment with respect to this point.

Specifically, since the flow restricting portion 321e is not provided, the other-side side plate portion 32 has a single-layer structure rather than a multilayer structure in which a plurality of plates are stacked. A condensing unit outlet pipe 323 is provided at a lower portion of the other-side side plate portion 32 and is connected to the condensing unit outlet 202a. Furthermore, an evaporating unit inlet pipe 324 is provided at an upper portion of the other-side side plate portion 32 and is connected to the evaporating unit inlet 222a.

The pressure reducing device 41 is a device that has the same function as the flow restricting portion 321e of the second embodiment. An upstream side portion of the pressure reducing device 41 in the flow direction of the refrigerant is connected to the condensing unit outlet 202a through the condensing unit outlet pipe 323, and a downstream side portion of the pressure reducing device 41 in the flow direction of the refrigerant is connected to the evaporating unit inlet 222a through the evaporating unit inlet pipe 324. Therefore, the pressure reducing device 41 depressurizes the refrigerant outputted from the condensing unit 20 and supplies the depressurized refrigerant to the evaporating unit 22.

For example, the pressure reducing device 41 may be an orifice like the flow restricting portion 321e of the second embodiment or an expansion valve having a variable opening degree that is variable.

Except the points described above, the present embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the advantages, which can be obtained from the common structure that is common to the second embodiment, can be obtained in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences with respect to the above-described second embodiment will be mainly described.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, each of the one-side condensing plate portions 201d and the corresponding one of the one-side evaporating plate portions 221d are not formed as the single component but are formed as separate components, respectively. Also, each of the other-side condensing plate portions 201h and the corresponding one of the other-side evaporating plate portions 221h are not formed as the single component but are formed as separate components, respectively. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the primary plate member 381 (see FIG. 15) is not formed, and the secondary plate member 382 is also not formed. The present embodiment differs from the second embodiment with respect to these points.

As described above, each of the one-side condensing plate portions 201d and the corresponding one of the one-side evaporating plate portions 221d are formed as the separate components, respectively, and each of the other-side condensing plate portions 201h and the corresponding one of the other-side evaporating plate portions 221h are also formed as the separate components, respectively. Therefore, the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22 are integrated together by joining the one-side side plate portion 30 and the other-side side plate portion 32 to the two opposite sides of the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22.

The refrigerant flow path of the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment as indicated by broken arrows in FIG. 23. Therefore, basically, as shown in FIG. 24, the primary communication hole 201m and the secondary communication hole 201n are formed in the one-side condensing plate portion 201d, and the primary communication hole 221m and the secondary communication hole 221n are formed in the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 25, the primary communication hole 2010 and the secondary communication hole 201p are formed in the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, and the primary communication hole 2210 and the secondary communication hole 221p are formed in the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h.

However, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 26, at a portion C4 of FIG. 23, the primary communication hole 2010 is not formed in the outermost other-side condensing plate portion 201h that is located at an end of the first condensing constituent group 204a on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 27, at a portion C5 of FIG. 23, the secondary communication hole 201p is not formed in the outermost other-side condensing plate portion 201h that is located at an end of the second condensing constituent group 204b on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 26, at a portion C6 of FIG. 23, the primary communication hole 2010 is not formed in the outermost other-side condensing plate portion 201h that is located at an end of the third condensing constituent group 204c on the other side in the stacking direction Ds.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 26, at a portion E4 of FIG. 23, the secondary communication hole 221p is not formed in the outermost other-side evaporating plate portion 221h that is located at an end of the second evaporating constituent group 224b on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 27, at a portion E5 of FIG. 23, the primary communication hole 2210 is not formed in the outermost other-side evaporating plate portion 221h that is located at an end of the third evaporating constituent group 224c on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 26, at a portion E6 of FIG. 23, the secondary communication hole 221p is not formed in the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h that is located at an end of the fourth evaporating constituent group 224d on the other side in the stacking direction Ds.

Further, as can be seen from FIGS. 24 to 27, the components are commonized not only among the one-side condensing plate portions 201d and among the one-side evaporating plate portions 221d but also between the one-side condensing plate portions 201d and the one-side evaporating plate portions 221d. Likewise, the components are commonized not only among the other-side condensing plate portions 201h and among the other-side evaporating plate portions 221h but also between the other-side condensing plate portions 201h and the other-side evaporating plate portions 221h.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences with respect to the above-described second embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 28, in the present embodiment, each of the primary plate members 381 and a corresponding one of the secondary plate members 382 are joined together to form a joined plate member assembly 39 that includes a corresponding one the condensing constituents 201 and a corresponding one of the evaporating constituents 221. In each of the joined plate member assemblies 39, the primary plate member 381 is located on the one side of the secondary plate member 382 in the stacking direction Ds. With respect to this point, the present embodiment is the same as the second embodiment.

However, as shown in FIGS. 28-30, unlike the second embodiment, in the present embodiment, a primary intermediate through hole 39a and a secondary intermediate through hole 39b are formed in the joined plate member assembly 39. The primary intermediate through hole 39a and the secondary intermediate through hole 39b are located between the condensing constituent 201 and the evaporating constituent 221 of the joined plate member assembly 39 and extend through the joined plate member assembly 39 in a thickness direction of the joined plate member assembly 39 (i.e., the stacking direction Ds). Since FIG. 28 is a diagram for showing reference signs that could not be shown in FIG. 15 because of the limited space in FIG. 15, the illustrated shape of the heat exchanger 10 shown in FIG. 28 is the same as the heat exchanger 10 shown in FIG. 15.

When the discussion is focused on the primary plate member 381 of the joined plate member assembly 39, the primary plate member 381 includes a primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d that is a portion of the primary intermediate through hole 39a which belongs to the primary plate member 381. Furthermore, the primary plate member 381 includes a primary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 381e that is a portion of the secondary intermediate through hole 39b which belongs to the primary plate member 381.

Similarly, when the discussion is focused on the second plate member 382, the second plate member 382 includes a secondary plate member's primary intermediate hole 382d that is a portion of the primary intermediate through hole 39a which belongs to the secondary plate member 382. Furthermore, the secondary plate member 382 includes a secondary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 382e that is a portion of the secondary intermediate through hole 39b which belongs to the secondary plate member 382.

In other words, a size of the primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d and a size of the secondary plate member's primary intermediate hole 382d are equal to each other, and the primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d and the secondary plate member's primary intermediate hole 382d are connected in series in the stacking direction Ds to form the primary intermediate through hole 39a. Furthermore, a size of the primary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 381e and a size of the secondary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 382e are equal to each other, and the primary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 381e and the secondary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 382e are connected in series in the stacking direction Ds to form the secondary intermediate through hole 39b.

The primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d and the primary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 381e of the present embodiment are provided in place of the heat insulation holes 381a, 381b, 381c (see FIG. 18) of the second embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, these heat insulation holes 381a, 381b, 381c are not provided. Furthermore, the secondary plate member's primary intermediate hole 382d and the secondary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 382e of the present embodiment are provided in place of the heat insulation holes 382a, 382b, 382c (see FIG. 19) of the second embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, these heat insulation holes 382a, 382b, 382c are not provided.

Like, for example, the heat insulation holes 381a, 382a of the second embodiment, the primary intermediate through hole 39a and the secondary intermediate through hole 39b of the present embodiment are provided for the purpose of heat insulation for suppressing the heat transmission between the refrigerant in the condensing constituent 201 and the refrigerant in the evaporating constituent 221.

Specifically, the primary intermediate through hole 39a and the secondary intermediate through hole 39b of the present embodiment extend in the heat exchanger width direction Dw as indicated in FIGS. 29 and 30. For example, each of the primary intermediate through hole 39a and the secondary intermediate through hole 39b is a slit hole that is in a slit form and is elongated in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. The primary intermediate through hole 39a is located on one side of the secondary intermediate through hole 39b in a constituent arranging direction Dh (i.e., an arranging direction in which the condensing constituent 201 and the evaporating constituent 221 are arranged) such that the primary intermediate through hole 39a partially overlaps with the secondary intermediate through hole 39b.

In the present embodiment, the heat exchanger width direction Dw is also an assembly width direction (i.e., a width direction of the joined plate member assembly 39) and is a direction that intersects the constituent arranging direction Dh (more precisely, a direction perpendicular to the constituent arranging direction Dh). Further, although the constituent arranging direction Dh does not have to coincide with the gravity direction Dg, the constituent arranging direction Dh coincides with the gravity direction Dg in the present embodiment. Furthermore, the one side in the constituent arranging direction Dh is the lower side in the gravity direction Dg in the present embodiment.

As described above, in the present embodiment, each of the primary intermediate through hole 39a and the secondary intermediate through hole 39b extends in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. The primary intermediate through hole 39a is located on the one side of the secondary intermediate through hole 39b in the constituent arranging direction Dh (i.e., the arranging direction in which the condensing constituent 201 and the evaporating constituent 221 are arranged) such that the primary intermediate through hole 39a partially overlaps with the secondary intermediate through hole 39b. Therefore, in comparison to a case where the joined plate member assembly 39 does not include the primary and secondary intermediate through holes 39a, 39b, it is possible to increase a heat transfer path PH along which the heat is conducted between the refrigerant in the condensing constituent 201 and the refrigerant in the evaporating constituent 221 through the joined plate member assembly 39.

Thereby, it is possible to reduce the heat transfer loss at the time of exchanging the heat at the condensing unit 20 between the refrigerant in the condensing constituents 201 and the heat absorbing medium (specifically, the air around the condensing constituents 201) which absorbs the heat from the refrigerant. Also, it is possible to reduce the heat transfer loss at the time of exchanging the heat at the evaporating unit 22 between the refrigerant in the evaporating constituents 221 and the heat releasing medium (specifically, the air around the evaporating constituents 221) which releases the heat to the refrigerant.

Although the present embodiment is a modification based on the second embodiment, the present embodiment can be combined with the first embodiment or the third embodiment.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences with respect to the above-described fifth embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, in the present embodiment, in addition to the primary intermediate through hole 39a and the secondary intermediate through hole 39b, the joined plate member assembly 39 also includes a tertiary intermediate through hole 39c. Therefore, in addition to the primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d and the primary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 381e, the primary plate member 381 also includes a primary plate member's tertiary intermediate hole 381f that is a portion of the tertiary intermediate through hole 39c which belongs to the primary plate member 381. Furthermore, in addition to the secondary plate member's primary intermediate hole 382d and the secondary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 382e, the secondary plate member 382 also includes a secondary plate member's tertiary intermediate hole 382f that is a portion of the tertiary intermediate through hole 39c which belongs to the secondary plate member 382. The present embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment with respect to this point.

Specifically, the tertiary intermediate through hole 39c of the present embodiment extends in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. The tertiary intermediate through hole 39c is located between the primary intermediate through hole 39a and the secondary intermediate through hole 39b in the constituent arranging direction Dh.

Except the points described above, the present embodiment is the same as the fifth embodiment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the advantages, which can be obtained from the common structure that is common to the fifth embodiment, can be obtained in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment.

Seventh Embodiment

Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences with respect to the above-described fifth embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, the primary plate member 381 of the present embodiment includes a primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h and a secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i which are respectively formed at two different locations of the primary plate member 381. Furthermore, the secondary plate member 382 of the present embodiment also includes a primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h and a secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i which are respectively formed at two different locations of the secondary plate member 382. The present embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment with respect to this point.

Specifically, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381 is shaped such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h is bent from a peripheral portion 381j of the primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d and is raised toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381 is shaped such that the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i is bent from the peripheral portion 381k of the primary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 381e and is raised toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. In other words, as can be seen from FIG. 35, the one side of the primary plate member 381 in the stacking direction Ds can be said to be an opposite side of the primary plate member 381 that is opposite from the side where the secondary plate member 382, which is joined to the primary plate member 381 to form the joined plate member assembly 39, is placed in the stacking direction Ds.

The primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381 extends along the peripheral portion 381j of the primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. Likewise, the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381 extends along the peripheral portion 381k of the primary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 381e in the heat exchanger width direction Dw.

Furthermore, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381 is located on the one side of the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381 in the constituent arranging direction Dh such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h partially overlaps with the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i.

In contrast to the primary plate member 381 configured in the above-described manner, the secondary plate member 382 is symmetrically shaped in the stacking direction Ds at the joined plate member assembly 39. That is, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h of the secondary plate member 382 is shaped such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h is bent from the peripheral portion 382j of the secondary plate member's primary intermediate hole 382d and is raised toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i of the secondary plate member 382 is shaped such that the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i is bent from the peripheral portion 382k of the secondary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 382e and is raised toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds. In other words, as can be seen from FIG. 35, the other side of the secondary plate member 382 in the stacking direction Ds can be said to be an opposite side of the secondary plate member 382 that is opposite from the side where the primary plate member 381, which is joined to the secondary plate member 382 to form the joined plate member assembly 39, is placed in the stacking direction Ds.

The primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h of the secondary plate member 382 extends along the peripheral portion 382j of the secondary plate member's primary intermediate hole 382d in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. Likewise, the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i of the secondary plate member 382 extends along the peripheral portion 382k of the secondary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 382e in the heat exchanger width direction Dw.

Furthermore, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h of the secondary plate member 382 is located on the one side of the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i of the secondary plate member 382 in the constituent arranging direction Dh such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h partially overlaps with the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381 is shaped such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h is bent from the peripheral portion 381j of the primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d and is raised toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. Likewise, the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381 is shaped such that the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i is bent from the peripheral portion 381k of the primary plate member's secondary intermediate hole 381e and is raised toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. Each of the primary and secondary hole peripheral plate portions 381h, 381i of the primary plate member 381 extends in the heat exchanger width direction Dw.

Therefore, it is possible to increase the strength of the primary plate member 381 alone and the strength of the joined plate member assembly 39 by the primary and secondary hole peripheral plate portions 381h, 381i. In response to the formation of the intermediate through holes 39a, 39b which reduces the heat transfer loss described above at the time of exchanging the heat between the refrigerant and the air (serving as the heat absorbing medium or the heat releasing medium), the primary and secondary hole peripheral plate portions 381h, 381i for increasing the strength of intermediate through holes 39a, 39b can also be formed.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381 is located on the one side of the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381 in the constituent arranging direction Dh such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h partially overlaps with the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i. Therefore, it is possible to increase the strength of the primary plate member 381 alone and the strength of the joined plate member assembly 39 by the hole peripheral plate portions 381h, 381i through a wide range in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. Furthermore, since the primary and secondary hole peripheral plate portions 382h, 382i are also formed at the secondary plate member 382, the effect and advantage of increasing the strength described above are further increased.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 36, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381 has a function of guiding the air flow, which passes around the condensing constituent 201 as indicated by an arrow FB, in the heat exchanger width direction Dw, and the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h of the secondary plate member 382 also has the function that is similar to the function of the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381. Therefore, an air flow, which tries to deviate from the air flow indicated by the arrow FB toward the other side in the constituent arranging direction Dh as indicated by an arrow FBa, can be suppressed by the primary hole peripheral plate portions 381h, 382h. In short, it is possible to reduce air leakage from the location between the condensing constituents 201.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, during the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger 10, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381 has a function of limiting positional deviation of the condensing unit fin 203 before the time of brazing toward the other side in the constituent arranging direction Dh. The primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h of the secondary plate member 382 also has the function that is the same as the function of the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381. Specifically, during the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger 10, each of the primary hole peripheral plate portions 381h, 382h can function as a fin stopper for positioning the condensing unit fin 203 before the time of brazing.

The advantage of the primary hole peripheral plate portions 381h, 382h implemented in the condensing unit 20 is likewise implemented by the secondary hole peripheral plate portions 381i, 382i at the evaporating unit 22. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 36, the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381 has the function of guiding the air flow, which passes around the evaporating constituent 221 as indicated by an arrow FC, in the heat exchanger width direction Dw, and the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i of the secondary plate member 382 also has the function that is similar to the function of the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381. Therefore, an air flow, which tries to deviate from the air flow indicated by the arrow FC toward the one side in the constituent arranging direction Dh as indicated by an arrow FCa, can be suppressed by the secondary hole peripheral plate portions 381i, 382i. In short, it is possible to reduce air leakage from the location between the evaporating constituents 221.

As described above, the hole peripheral plate portions 381h, 381i, 382h, 382i of each of the plate members 381, 382 can limit the flow of the air along the plate members 381, 382 indicated by an arrow FD of FIG. 35 between the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, during the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger 10, the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381 has a function of limiting positional deviation of the evaporating unit fin 223 before the time of brazing toward the one side in the constituent arranging direction Dh. The secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i of the secondary plate member 382 also has the function that is the same as the function of the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381. Specifically, during the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger 10, each of the secondary hole peripheral plate portions 381i, 382i can function as a fin stopper for positioning the evaporating unit fin 223 before the time of brazing.

Eighth Embodiment

Next, an eighth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences with respect to the above-described seventh embodiment will be mainly described.

In the seventh embodiment, the joined plate member assembly 39 includes the two intermediate through holes 39a, 39b. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38 the joined plate member assembly 39 includes one intermediate through hole 39a instead of the two intermediate through holes.

Specifically, the intermediate through hole 39a of the present embodiment is shaped as if the two intermediate through holes 39a, 39b of the seventh embodiment are connected to each other. For example, the intermediate through hole 39a of the present embodiment is formed in the joined plate member assembly 39 such that the opening of the intermediate through hole 39a is bent at a plurality of locations.

Since the number of the intermediate through hole 39a in the joined plate member assembly 39 is the one, the number of the primary plate member's intermediate hole 381d of the primary plate member 381 is also one, and the number of the secondary plate member's intermediate hole 382d of the secondary plate member 382 is also one.

Furthermore, each of the primary and secondary hole peripheral plate portions 381h, 381i of the primary plate member 381 is bent from the peripheral portion 381j of the primary plate member's intermediate hole 381d and is raised toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. Furthermore, each of the primary and secondary hole peripheral plate portions 382h, 382i of the secondary plate member 382 is bent from the peripheral portion 382j of the secondary plate member's intermediate hole 382d and is raised toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds.

Except the points described above, the present embodiment is the same as the seventh embodiment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the advantages, which can be obtained from the common structure that is common to the seventh embodiment, can be obtained in the same manner as in the seventh embodiment.

Ninth Embodiment

Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences with respect to the above-described seventh embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 39, in the present embodiment, the hole peripheral plate portions 381h, 381i, 382h, 382i differ from those of the seventh embodiment.

Like in the seventh embodiment, in the present embodiment, the joined plate member assemblies 39 are stacked in the stacking direction Ds. However, in the present embodiment, one of each adjacent two of the joined plate member assemblies 39 is referred to as “one joined plate member assembly 39”, and the other one of each adjacent two of the joined plate member assemblies 39 is referred to as “other joined plate member assembly 39.” Furthermore, the one joined plate member assembly 39 is located on the one side of the other joined plate member assembly 39 in the stacking direction Ds. This also applies to the description of the embodiments described later.

Specifically, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h of the secondary plate member 382, which is included in the one joined plate member assembly 39, is located on the other side of the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381, which is included in the other joined plate member assembly 39, in the constituent arranging direction Dh, such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h partially overlaps with the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381. For example, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h of the secondary plate member 382 is in contact with the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381.

Furthermore, the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i of the secondary plate member 382, which is included in the one joined plate member assembly 39, is located on the one side of the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381, which is included in the other joined plate member assembly 39, in the constituent arranging direction Dh such that the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i partially overlaps with the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381. For example, the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i of the secondary plate member 382 is in contact with the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381.

In this way, it is possible to further increase the advantage of limiting the leakage of the air along the plate members 381, 382 indicated by the arrow FD (see FIG. 35) at the location between the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22 in comparison to the seventh embodiment.

Furthermore, at the time before the brazing in the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger 10, it is possible to limit the positional deviation of the secondary plate member 382 included in the one joined plate member assembly 39 relative to the primary plate member 381 included in the other joined plate member assembly 39 in the constituent arranging direction Dh.

Although the present embodiment is a modification based on the second embodiment, the present embodiment can be combined with the eighth embodiment described above.

Tenth Embodiment

Next, a tenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences with respect to the above-described fifth embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIGS. 40 to 42, in the present embodiment, the joined plate member assembly 39 includes one intermediate through hole 39a instead of the two intermediate through holes 39a like in the eighth embodiment. Furthermore, the primary plate member 381 includes a primary plate member main body 383 and two primary outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n. Also, the secondary plate member 382 includes a secondary plate member main body 384 and two secondary outer peripheral plate portions 382m, 382n. The present embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment with respect to this point.

Here, the primary plate member main body 383 of the present embodiment includes the one-side condensing plate portion 201d and the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d, which form the primary plate member 381 and extends in the constituent arranging direction Dh and the heat exchanger width direction Dw. Therefore, the primary plate member main body 383 of the present embodiment corresponds to the primary plate member 381 of the fifth embodiment.

Furthermore, the secondary plate member main body 384 of the present embodiment includes the other-side condensing plate portion 201h and the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h, which form the secondary plate member 382 and extends in the constituent arranging direction Dh and the heat exchanger width direction Dw. Therefore, the secondary plate member main body 384 of the present embodiment corresponds to the secondary plate member 382 of the fifth embodiment.

Here, it should be noted that (a) of FIG. 40 indicates a state before the two primary outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n are bent and raised relative to the primary plate member main body 383 during the manufacturing process of the primary plate member 381, and (b) of FIG. 40 indicates the finished primary plate member 381 alone. Likewise, (a) of FIG. 41 indicates a state before the secondary outer peripheral plate portions 382m, 381n are bent and raised relative to the secondary plate member main body 384 during the manufacturing process of the secondary plate member 382, and (b) of FIG. 41 indicates the finished secondary plate member 382 alone.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in (b) of FIG. 40 and FIG. 43, each of the two primary outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n of the primary plate member 381 is bent from the outer peripheral portion 383a of the primary plate member main body 383 and is raised toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds.

Specifically, a one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m, which is the one of the two primary outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n, is located on the one side of the primary plate member main body 383 in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. In contrast, an other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n, which is the other one of the two primary outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n, is located on the other side of the primary plate member main body 383 in the heat exchanger width direction Dw.

The one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m and the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n are bent at the two different locations, respectively, of the outer peripheral portion 383a of the primary plate member main body 383 and are raised toward one side in the stacking direction Ds. In (a) of FIG. 40, a bending location of the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m, at which the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m is bent and is raised from the outer peripheral portion 383a of the primary plate member main body 383, is indicated by a dot-dash line LA1. Furthermore, a bending location of the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n, at which the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n is bent and is raised from the outer peripheral portion 383a of the primary plate member main body 383, is indicated by a dot-dash line LA2.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 41 and FIG. 43, each of the two secondary outer peripheral plate portions 382m, 382n of the secondary plate member 382 is bent from the outer peripheral portion 384a of the secondary plate member main body 384 and is raised toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds.

Specifically, the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m, which is the one of the two secondary outer peripheral plate portions 382m, 382n, is located on the one side of the secondary plate member main body 384 in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. In contrast, the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n, which is the other one of the two secondary outer peripheral plate portions 382m, 382n, is located on the other side of the secondary plate member main body 384 in the heat exchanger width direction Dw.

The one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m and the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n are bent at the two different locations, respectively, of the outer peripheral portion 384a of the secondary plate member main body 384 and are raised toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds. In (a) of FIG. 41, a bending location of the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m, at which the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m is bent and is raised from the outer peripheral portion 384a of the secondary plate member main body 384, is indicated by a dot-dash line LB1. Furthermore, a bending location of the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n, at which the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n is bent and is raised from the outer peripheral portion 384a of the secondary plate member main body 384, is indicated by a dot-dash line LB2.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 40, FIG. 42 and FIG. 43, the intermediate through hole 39a extends from the primary plate member main body 383 to each of the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m and the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n in the primary plate member 381. Furthermore, as shown in (b) of FIG. 41, FIG. 42 and FIG. 43, the intermediate through hole 39a extends from the secondary plate member main body 384 to each of the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m and the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n in the secondary plate member 382.

Therefore, as shown in (b) of FIG. 40 and (b) of FIG. 41, the intermediate through hole 39a extends in the heat exchanger width direction Dw along the entire width of a main body lamination 385 (see FIG. 43), which is formed by the primary plate member main body 383 and the secondary plate member main body 384 of the joined plate member assembly 39. The intermediate through hole 39a extends through the main body lamination 385, the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m, the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n, the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m and the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n. In short, the intermediate through hole 39a extends through the joined plate member assembly 39.

Because of the above-described configuration, the intermediate through hole 39a separates the condensing constituent 201 from the evaporating constituent 221 at the primary plate member main body 383 and the secondary plate member main body 384. In other words, the intermediate through hole 39a separates the condensing constituent 201 from the evaporating constituent 221 at the main body lamination 385.

- at the joined plate member assembly 39, the condensing constituent 201 and the corresponding evaporating constituent 221 are connected with each other through each of the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m, the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n, the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m and the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the intermediate through hole 39a extends from the primary plate member main body 383 to each of the two primary outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n at the primary plate member 381. Also, the intermediate through hole 39a extends from the secondary plate member main body 384 to each of the two secondary outer peripheral plate portions 382m, 382n at the secondary plate member 382.

Therefore, the heat transfer path, along which the heat is conducted between the refrigerant in the condensing constituent 201 and the refrigerant in the evaporating constituent 221 through the joined plate member assembly 39, i.e., the heat transfer path between the condensing constituent 201 and the evaporating constituent 221 always passes through one of the outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n, 382m, 382n. Therefore, in comparison to a case where the outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n, 382m, 382n are not provided, the heat transfer path can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the heat transfer loss at the time of exchanging the heat at each of the condensing unit 20 and the evaporating unit 22.

Furthermore, each of the outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n, 382m, 382n is shaped in the raised form described above, so that the width of the joined plate member assembly 39 measured in the heat exchanger width direction Dw is not substantially increased, and there is no substantial influence on the size of the heat exchanger 10.

The two primary outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n can increase the flexural rigidity of the primary plate member 381 before the time of joining by the brazing in the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger 10, i.e., the primary plate member 381 alone as follows. Specifically, in the primary plate member 381 alone, it is possible to increase the flexural rigidity against the bending that displaces the one end of the primary plate member 381, which is located on the one side in the constituent arranging direction Dh, relative to the other end of the primary plate member 381, which is located on the other side, in the thickness direction of the primary plate member 381. This is also true for the secondary plate member 382.

Furthermore, as shown in (b) of FIG. 40 and (b) of FIG. 41, each of the outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n, 382m, 382n of the joined plate member assembly 39 is located at an intermediate location between the condensing constituent 201 and the evaporating constituent 221 in the constituent arranging direction Dh. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 44, the outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n, 382m, 382n can have the function of separating between the air flow, which passes around the condensing constituent 201 as indicated by the arrow FB, and the air flow, which passes around the evaporating constituent 221 as indicated by the arrow FC. For example, the air flow, which tries to flow from the evaporating unit 22 toward the condensing unit 20 as indicated by an arrow FE, can be limited by the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n and the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n.

Here, it should be noted that FIG. 44 indicates a one-side partition plate 44, which is located on the one side of the heat exchanger 10 in the heat exchanger width direction Dw, and an other-side partition plate 45, which is located on the other side of the heat exchanger 10 in the heat exchanger width direction Dw. The other-side partition plate 45 partitions between the air flow, which flows toward the condensing unit 20 as indicated by the arrow FB, and the air flow, which flows toward the evaporating unit 22 as indicated by the arrow FC, at the location that is on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 10 in the flow direction of the air flow. Furthermore, the one-side partition plate 44 partitions between the air flow, which flows out from the condensing unit 20 as indicated by the arrow FB, and the air flow, which flows out from the evaporating unit 22 as indicated by the arrow FC, at the location that is on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 10 in the flow direction of the air flow.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, each of the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m and the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n is bent from the outer peripheral portion 383a of the primary plate member main body 383 and is raised. Therefore, the higher strength can be obtained as compared with, for example, a case where the primary outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n are joined to the primary plate member main body 383 by brazing. This is also true for the secondary outer peripheral plate portions 382m, 382n of the secondary plate member 382.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the intermediate through hole 39a separates the condensing constituent 201 from the evaporating constituent 221 in the main body lamination 385 (see FIG. 43) which is formed by the primary plate member main body 383 and the secondary plate member main body 384 of the joined plate member assembly 39. At the joined plate member assembly 39, the condensing constituent 201 and the corresponding evaporating constituent 221 are connected with each other through each of the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m, the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n, the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m and the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n. Therefore, the heat transfer between the condensing constituent 201 and the evaporating constituent 221 at the primary plate member main body 383 and the secondary plate member main body 384 can be largely suppressed while the condensing constituent 201 and the evaporating constituent 221 are formed as the integrated body.

Eleventh Embodiment

Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences with respect to the above-described tenth embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 45, in the present embodiment, the primary outer peripheral plate portions 381m, 381n and the secondary outer peripheral plate portions 382m, 382n are different from those of the tenth embodiment.

Specifically, the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m of the secondary plate member 382, which is included in the one joined plate member assembly 39, is located on the one side of the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m of the primary plate member 381, which is included in the other joined plate member assembly 39, in the heat exchanger width direction Dw such that the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m partially overlaps with the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m of the primary plate member 381. For example, the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m is in contact with the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m.

Furthermore, the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n of the secondary plate member 382, which is included in the one joined plate member assembly 39, is located on the other side of the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n of the primary plate member 381, which is included in the other joined plate member assembly 39, in the heat exchanger width direction Dw such that the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n partially overlaps with the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n of the primary plate member 381. For example, the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n is in contact with the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n.

Therefore, in comparison to the tenth embodiment, it is possible to further improve the function of separating between the air flow, which passes around the condensing constituent 201 as indicated by the arrow FB (see FIG. 44), and the air flow, which passes around the evaporating constituent 221 as indicated by the arrow FC (see FIG. 44).

Except the points described above, the present embodiment is the same as the tenth embodiment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the advantages, which can be obtained from the common structure that is common to the tenth embodiment, can be obtained in the same manner as in the tenth embodiment.

Other Embodiments

(1) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, heat exchanger 10 includes the gas-liquid separating device 26 which serves as the accumulator. However, this is only one example. For example, as shown in FIG. 46, the heat exchanger 10 may include a receiver 42, which functions as the gas-liquid separator, in place of the gas-liquid separating device 26.

As shown in FIG. 46, the receiver 42 is placed between the condensing unit outlet 202a and the inner flow passage 28b (see FIG. 2) of the internal heat exchanging unit 28 along the refrigerant flow. The receiver 42 stores the refrigerant (specifically, the two-phase refrigerant of a gas and liquid refrigerant mixture, or the liquid phase refrigerant alone) inputted from the condensing unit 20 into the receiver 42 and outputs the separated liquid phase refrigerant separated at the receiver 42 to the inner flow passage 28b of the internal heat exchanging unit 28.

For example, the receiver 42 of FIG. 46 may be provided to the one-side side plate portion 30 by stacking a plurality of plates like the gas-liquid separating device 26 of FIG. 2 or may be fixed to the one side of the one-side side plate portion 30 in the stacking direction Ds.

(2) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 7, the outlet-side condensing constituent 202, which includes the condensing unit outlet 202a, is located at the one end of the stack of the condensing constituents 201 on the one side in the stacking direction Ds. However, this is only one example. Depending on the arrangement of the refrigerant flow in the heat exchanger 10, the outlet-side condensing constituent 202 may be located at the other end of the stack of the condensing constituents 201 on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. In short, it is only required that the outlet-side condensing constituent 202 is located at the end of the stack of the condensing constituents 201.

(3) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 8, the inlet-side evaporating constituent 222, which includes the evaporating unit inlet 222a, is located at the other end of the stack of the evaporating constituents 221 on the other side in the stacking direction Ds. However, this is only one example. Depending on the arrangement of the refrigerant flow in the heat exchanger 10, the inlet-side evaporating constituent 222 may be located at the one end of the stack of the evaporating constituents 221 on the one side in the stacking direction Ds. In short, it is only required that the inlet-side evaporating constituent 222 is located at the end of the stack of the evaporating constituent 221.

(4) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the one-side condensing plate portion 201d, the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d and the primary outer tube constituent 281a form the primary plate member 381. Furthermore, the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h and the secondary outer tube constituent 281b form the secondary plate member 382. However, this is merely one example. For example, one of the combination of the one-side condensing plate portion 201d, the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d and the primary outer tube constituent 281a, and the combination of the other-side condensing plate portion 201h, the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h and the secondary outer tube constituent 281b may be formed as a combination of a plurality of components which are separately formed.

(5) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, in each of the condensing constituents 201, the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h are stacked in the stacking direction Ds. However, this is merely one example. For example, in one or more of the condensing constituents 201 included in the condensing unit 20, the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h may be formed such that the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h are not stacked in the stacking direction Ds. In short, it is only required that at least one of the condensing constituents 201 included in the condensing unit 20 includes the pair of condensing plate portions 201d, 201h.

(6) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, each of the evaporating constituents 221 includes the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h. However, this is merely one example. For example, in one or more of the evaporating constituents 221 included in the evaporating unit 22, the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h may be formed such that the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h are not stacked in the stacking direction Ds. In short, it is only required that at least one of the evaporating constituents 221 included in the evaporating unit 22 includes the pair of evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h.

(7) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the internal space of the condensing constituent 201 is formed by the recess, which is produced by recessing the one-side condensing plate portion 201d toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds, and the recess, which is produced by recessing the other-side condensing plate portion 201h toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds. However, this is merely one example. For example, one of the one-side condensing plate portion 201d and the other-side condensing plate portion 201h may be in a form of a planar plate without having the recess that is recessed in the stacking direction Ds. This is also true with respect to the shape of the one-side evaporating plate portion 221d and the shape of the other-side evaporating plate portion 221h.

(8) In the second embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the groove 322a of the other-side secondary plate 322 does not have the function of reducing the pressure of the refrigerant by restricting the refrigerant flow. However, this is only one example. For example, the groove 322a may be formed as a capillary for restricting the refrigerant flow to have the function of reducing the pressure of the refrigerant.

(9) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the evaporating unit 22, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and the condensing unit 20 are arranged in this order from the upper side in the gravity direction Dg. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to this arranging order and the arranging direction. For example, the evaporating unit 22, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and the condensing unit 20 may be arranged in a horizontal direction. Also, the condensing unit 20 may be located on the upper side of the evaporating unit 22 in the gravity direction Dg.

(10) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchanger 10 includes the gas-liquid separating device 26, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and the flow restricting portion 321e in addition to the evaporating unit 22 and the condensing unit 20. However, this is only one example. For example, it is conceivable that the heat exchanger 10 does not include one or more or all of the gas-liquid separating device 26, the internal heat exchanging unit 28 and the flow restricting portion 321e.

(11) In the second embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the shape of the condensing flow passage 201c and the shape of the evaporating flow passage 221c are identical to each other. However, this is only one example. For example, as shown in FIG. 47, the shape of the condensing flow passage 201c and the shape of the evaporating flow passage 221c may be different from each other. This is also true in the fourth embodiment in which the condensing plate portion 201d, 201h and the evaporating plate portion 221d, 221h are formed as separate components as shown in, for example, FIG. 48.

(12) In the second embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the one of the one-side condensing tank space 201a and the other-side condensing tank space 201b is located on the upper side of the condensing flow passage 201c in the gravity direction Dg. Furthermore, the other one of the one-side condensing tank space 201a and the other-side condensing tank space 201b is located on the lower side of the condensing flow passage 201c in the gravity direction Dg. However, this is merely one example. For example, as shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, both of the one-side condensing tank space 201a and the other-side condensing tank space 201b may be located only on one of the upper side and the lower side of the condensing flow passage 201c in the gravity direction Dg. FIGS. 49 and 50 indicate an example in which both of the one-side condensing tank space 201a and the other-side condensing tank space 201b are located on the lower side of the condensing flow passage 201c in the gravity direction Dg.

This is also true for the structure of the evaporating unit 22. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, both of the one-side evaporating tank space 221a and the other-side evaporating tank space 221b may be located only on one of the upper side and the lower side of the evaporating flow passage 221c in the gravity direction Dg. FIGS. 49 and 50 indicate an example in which both of the one-side evaporating tank space 221a and the other-side evaporating tank space 221b are located on the upper side of the evaporating flow passage 221c in the gravity direction Dg.

Furthermore, this is also true in the fourth embodiment in which the condensing plate portion 201d, 201h and the evaporating plate portions 221d, 221h are formed as separate components as shown in, for example, FIGS. 51 and 52.

(13) In the second embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 14, the gas-liquid separator 40, which serves as the accumulator, is provided separately from the heat exchanger 10. However, this is only one example. For example, as shown in FIG. 53, the gas-liquid separator 40 may be formed as a portion of the heat exchanger 10, and the condensing unit 20, the evaporating unit 22 and the flow restricting portion 321e may be formed integrally.

(14) In the first embodiment described above, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the flow restricting portion 321e, which is formed at the other-side side plate portion 32, is the orifice. However, this is only one example. The flow restricting portion 321e may be a capillary or a combination of the capillary and the orifice connected with each other or a block in which the flow restricting hole 321d is formed as shown in FIG. 54.

In an example shown in FIG. 54, the flow restricting portion 321e is formed as a member shaped in a block form, and the flow restricting portion 321e is inserted into a hole formed in the other-side primary plate 321 and is fixed to the other-side primary plate 321.

(15) In the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381 is shaped such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h is bent from the peripheral portion 381j of the primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d and is raised toward the one side in the stacking direction Ds. However, this is only one example. Alternatively, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381 may be shaped such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h is bent from the peripheral portion 381j of the primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d and is raised toward the other side on the stacking direction Ds. In this case, in order to avoid an interference with the secondary plate member 382, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h is bent and is raised toward the other side in the stacking direction Ds at, for example, a location where the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h is inserted into the secondary plate member's primary intermediate hole 382d. This is also true for the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381 and the primary and secondary hole peripheral plate portions 382h, 382i of the secondary plate member 382.

(16) In the ninth embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 39, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h of the secondary plate member 382 is located on the other side of the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h in the constituent arranging direction Dh such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h overlaps with the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381. Specifically, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h of the secondary plate member 382, which is included in the one joined plate member assembly 39, is located on the one side of the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381, which is included in the other joined plate member assembly 39, in the constituent arranging direction Dh such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion 382h partially overlaps with the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381.

This is also true with respect the way of overlapping the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i of the secondary plate member 382 and the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381 with each other. That is, contrary to FIG. 39, the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i of the secondary plate member 382, which is included in the one joined plate member assembly 39, is located on the other side of the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381, which is included in the other joined plate member assembly 39, in the constituent arranging direction Dh such that the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 382i partially overlaps with the secondary hole peripheral plate portion 381i of the primary plate member 381.

(17) In the tenth embodiment described above, as shown in (b) of FIG. 40 and (b) of FIG. 41, the number of the intermediate through hole 39a formed in the joined plate member assembly 39 is one. However, this is only one example. For example, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the intermediate through hole 39a may be divided into a plurality of intermediate through holes formed in the joined plate member assembly 39.

(18) In the eleventh embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 45, the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m, which is included in the one joined plate member assembly 39, is located on the one side of the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m, which is included in the other joined plate member assembly 39, in the heat exchanger width direction Dw such that the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m overlaps with the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m. For example, this way of overlapping may be reversed. Specifically, the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382m included in the one joined plate member assembly 39 may be located on the other side of the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m included in the other joined plate member assembly 39 in the heat exchanger width direction Dw and overlaps with the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381m.

Furthermore, this is also true with respect to the way of overlapping between the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n of the secondary plate member 382 and the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n of the primary plate member 381. Specifically, contrary to FIG. 45, the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n of the secondary plate member 382, which is included in the one joined plate member assembly 39, may be located on the one side of the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n of the primary plate member 381, which is included in the other joined plate member assembly 39, in the heat exchanger width direction Dw such that the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion 382n overlaps with the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion 381n of the primary plate member 381.

(19) In the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381 is formed at the portion of the peripheral portion 381j of the primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d. However, this is only one example. For example, the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h may be formed along the entire peripheral portion 381j of the primary plate member's primary intermediate hole 381d. This is also true for the hole peripheral plate portions 381i, 382h, 382i which are other than the primary hole peripheral plate portion 381h of the primary plate member 381.

(20) The present disclosure should not be limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified into various other forms. In each of the above embodiments, it is needless to say that the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential, unless otherwise clearly indicated as essential or in principle considered to be clearly essential. The above embodiments are not unrelated to each other, and can be combined as appropriate, unless the combination is clearly impossible.

In each of the above embodiments, when a numerical value such as the number, numerical value, amount, range or the like of the constituent elements of the embodiment is mentioned, the present disclosure should not be limited to such a numerical value unless it is clearly stated that it is essential and/or it is required in principle. In each of the above embodiments, when referring to the material, the shape, the positional relationship or the like of the components, the present disclosure should not be limited to such a material, shape, positional relationship or the like unless it is clearly stated that it is essential and/or it is required in principle.

CONCLUSION

According to a first aspect indicated in a portion of a whole of each of the above embodiments, a heat releasing unit includes a plurality of heat releasing constituents which are stacked on one side of a side plate portion in a stacking direction and are joined together, and the heat releasing unit is configured to release heat from the refrigerant flowing in a plurality of heat releasing flow passages formed in the plurality of heat releasing constituents, respectively. An evaporating unit includes a plurality of evaporating constituents which are stacked on the one side of the side plate portion in the stacking direction and are joined together, and the evaporating unit is configured to evaporate the refrigerant by let the refrigerant flowing in a plurality of evaporating flow passages formed in the plurality of evaporating constituents absorb heat. The evaporating unit and the heat releasing unit are arranged one after another in a direction along the side plate portion and are both fixed to the side plate portion. A heat releasing unit outlet is formed at an outlet-side heat releasing constituent that is one of the plurality of heat releasing constituents placed at an end of the plurality of heat releasing constituents, and an evaporating unit inlet is formed at an inlet-side evaporating constituent that is one of the plurality of evaporating constituents placed at an end of the plurality of evaporating constituents. All of the plurality of heat releasing flow passages, which are respectively formed in the plurality of heat releasing constituents, are connected to the plurality of evaporating flow passages through the heat releasing unit outlet and the evaporating unit inlet.

Furthermore, according to a second aspect, the side plate portion includes a pressure reducing portion that is located between the heat releasing unit outlet and the evaporating unit inlet along a flow of the refrigerant and is configured to reduce a pressure of the refrigerant. Therefore, it is possible to limit an increase in the size of the heat exchanger including the pressure reducing portion. Furthermore, in comparison to, for example, the previously proposed heat exchanger described above, in which a large number of flow passage units are stacked, the pressure reducing portion can be easily constructed.

Furthermore, according to a third aspect, the stacking direction is a direction that intersects a gravity direction. The heat releasing unit is placed on a lower side of the evaporating unit such that the heat releasing unit overlaps with the evaporating unit. Therefore, the heat releasing performance of the heat releasing unit can be improved by a watering effect that applies condensed water generated at the evaporating unit to the heat releasing unit by the action of gravity. Furthermore, since an evaporation process of evaporating the condensed water generated at the evaporating unit by the heat of the heat releasing unit can be performed, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the drain water which is the discharged condensed water.

Furthermore, according to a fourth aspect, at least one of the plurality of heat releasing constituents includes a pair of heat releasing plate portions each of which is in a form of a plate, and the pair of heat releasing plate portions are stacked in the stacking direction and are joined together such that a corresponding one of the plurality of heat releasing flow passages is formed between the pair of heat releasing plate portions. Therefore, the structure of the heat releasing constituent can be simplified, and depending on the shape of the internal space of the heat releasing constituent, such as the shape of the heat releasing flow passage, there is a merit that it is easy to make each of the pair of heat releasing plate portions as the common component.

Furthermore, according to a fifth aspect, at least one of the plurality of evaporating constituents includes a pair of evaporating plate portions each of which is in a form of a plate, and the pair of evaporating plate portions are stacked in the stacking direction and are joined together such that a corresponding one of the plurality of evaporating flow passages is formed between the pair of evaporating plate portions. Therefore, the structure of the evaporating constituent can be simplified, and depending on the shape of the internal space of the evaporating constituent, such as the shape of the evaporating flow passage, there is a merit that it is easy to make each of the pair of evaporating plate portions as the common component.

Furthermore, according to a sixth aspect, at least one of the plurality of heat releasing constituents includes a pair of heat releasing plate portions each of which is in a form of a plate, and the pair of heat releasing plate portions are stacked in the stacking direction and are joined together such that a corresponding one of the plurality of heat releasing flow passages is formed between the pair of heat releasing plate portions.

Also, at least one of the plurality of evaporating constituents includes a pair of evaporating plate portions each of which is in a form of a plate, and the pair of evaporating plate portions are stacked in the stacking direction and are joined together such that a corresponding one of the plurality of evaporating flow passages is formed between the pair of evaporating plate portions. Additionally, one of the pair of heat releasing plate portions and one of the pair of evaporating plate portions are integrated together to form a plate member. Therefore, since the heat releasing unit and the evaporating unit support each other not only by the side plate portion but also by the plate member, the heat exchanger can be made more robust in comparison to the structure where the heat releasing unit and the evaporating unit are coupled together only by the side plate portion.

Furthermore, according to a seventh aspect, the plate member is a primary plate member. Another one of the pair of heat releasing plate portions and another one of the pair of evaporating plate portions are integrated together to form a secondary plate member. The primary plate member and the secondary plate member are joined together to form a joined plate member assembly that includes a corresponding heat releasing constituent among the plurality of heat releasing constituents and a corresponding evaporating constituent among the plurality of evaporating constituents. A primary intermediate through hole and a secondary intermediate through hole extend through the joined plate member assembly at a location that is between the corresponding heat releasing constituent and the corresponding evaporating constituent of the joined plate member assembly. The primary intermediate through hole and the secondary intermediate through hole extend in an assembly width direction that intersects an arranging direction in which the heat releasing constituent and the evaporating constituent are arranged one after another, and the primary intermediate through hole is located on one side of the secondary intermediate through hole in the arranging direction such that the primary intermediate through hole partially overlaps with the secondary intermediate through hole.

Therefore, in comparison to a case where the joined plate member assembly does not include the primary and secondary intermediate through holes, it is possible to increase the heat transfer path, along which the heat is conducted between the refrigerant in the heat releasing constituent and the refrigerant in the evaporating constituent through the joined plate member assembly. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the heat transfer loss at the time of exchanging the heat at the heat releasing unit between the refrigerant in the heat releasing constituents and the heat absorbing medium which absorbs the heat from the refrigerant, and also it is possible to reduce the heat transfer loss at the time of exchanging the heat at the evaporating unit between the refrigerant in the evaporating constituents and the heat releasing medium which releases the heat to the refrigerant.

Furthermore, according to an eighth aspect, an intermediate through hole extends through the joined plate member assembly at a location that is between the corresponding heat releasing constituent and the corresponding evaporating constituent of the joined plate member assembly. The primary plate member includes a primary plate member's intermediate hole that is a portion of the intermediate through hole which belongs to the primary plate member. The primary plate member includes a hole peripheral plate portion that is bent from a peripheral portion around the primary plate member's intermediate hole and is raised in the stacking direction. The hole peripheral plate portion extends in an assembly width direction that intersects an arranging direction in which the corresponding heat releasing constituent and the corresponding evaporating constituent are arranged one after another. Therefore, it is possible to increase the strength of the primary plate member alone and the strength of the joined plate member assembly by the hole peripheral plate portions. Furthermore, in response to formation of the intermediate through hole, which reduces the heat transfer loss, the hole peripheral plate portions for increasing the strength of intermediate through hole can also be formed.

Furthermore, according to a ninth aspect, the hole peripheral plate portion is one of a plurality of hole peripheral plate portions that include a primary hole peripheral plate portion and a secondary hole peripheral plate portion which are respectively formed at two different locations of the primary plate member. The primary hole peripheral plate portion is located on one side of the secondary hole peripheral plate portion in the arranging direction such that the primary hole peripheral plate portion partially overlaps with the secondary hole peripheral plate portion. Therefore, it is possible to increase the strength of the primary plate member alone and the strength of the joined plate member assembly by the two hole peripheral plate portions through a wide range in the assembly width direction.

Furthermore, according to a tenth aspect, the primary plate member includes: a primary plate member main body that has the heat releasing plate portion and the evaporating plate portion which form the primary plate member; and a primary outer peripheral plate portion that is raised from an outer peripheral portion of the primary plate member main body. The secondary plate member includes: a secondary plate member main body that has the heat releasing plate portion and the evaporating plate portion which form the secondary plate member; and a secondary outer peripheral plate portion that is raised from an outer peripheral portion of the secondary plate member main body. The intermediate through hole extends from the primary plate member main body to the primary outer peripheral plate portion at the primary plate member and extends from the secondary plate member main body to the secondary outer peripheral plate portion at the secondary plate member.

Therefore, the heat transfer path, along which the heat is conducted between the refrigerant in the heat releasing constituent and the refrigerant in the evaporating constituent through the joined plate member assembly, i.e., the heat transfer path between the heat releasing constituent and the evaporating constituent passes through the primary outer peripheral plate portion or the secondary outer peripheral plate portion. Therefore, in comparison to a case where the primary and secondary outer peripheral plate portions are not provided, the heat transfer path can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the heat transfer loss at the time of exchanging the heat at each of the heat releasing unit and the evaporating unit. Furthermore, each of the primary outer peripheral plate portion and the secondary outer peripheral plate portion is shaped in the raised form described above, so that the width of the joined plate member assembly is not substantially increased, and there is no substantial influence on the size of the heat exchanger 10.

Furthermore, according to an eleventh aspect, the primary outer peripheral plate portion is bent and raised from the outer peripheral portion of the primary plate member main body. Therefore, the higher strength can be obtained as compared with, for example, a case where the primary outer peripheral plate portion is joined to the primary plate member main body by brazing.

Furthermore, according to a twelfth aspect, the primary outer peripheral plate portion is one of a plurality of primary outer peripheral plate portions of the primary plate member that include: a one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion that is located at one side of the primary plate member main body in the assembly width direction; and an other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion that is located at another side of the primary plate member main body in the assembly width direction. The secondary outer peripheral plate portion is one of a plurality of secondary outer peripheral plate portions of the secondary plate member that include: a one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion that is located at one side of the secondary plate member main body in the assembly width direction; and an other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion that is located at another side of the secondary plate member main body in the assembly width direction. The intermediate through hole extends from the primary plate member main body to each of the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion and the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion at the primary plate member and extends from the secondary plate member main body to each of the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion and the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion at the secondary plate member. Furthermore, the intermediate through hole separates the corresponding heat releasing constituent from the corresponding evaporating constituent at the primary plate member main body and the secondary plate member main body. At the joined plate member assembly, the corresponding heat releasing constituent and the corresponding evaporating constituent are connected with each other through each of the one-side primary outer peripheral plate portion, the other-side primary outer peripheral plate portion, the one-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion and the other-side secondary outer peripheral plate portion. Therefore, the heat transfer between the corresponding condensing constituent and the corresponding constituent at the primary plate member main body and the secondary plate member main body can be largely suppressed while the corresponding heat releasing constituent and the corresponding evaporating constituent are formed as the integrated body.

Furthermore, according to a thirteenth aspect, the outlet-side heat releasing constituent is the one of the plurality of heat releasing constituents located at the end of the plurality of heat releasing constituents at one side or another side the plurality of heat releasing constituents in the stacking direction. Also, the inlet-side evaporating constituent is the one of the plurality of evaporating constituents located at the end of the plurality of evaporating constituents at one side or another side of the plurality of evaporating constituents in the stacking direction. Therefore, as compared with the case where the outlet-side heat releasing constituent and the inlet-side evaporating constituent are not arranged in this way, it is easy to provide the refrigerant flow path from the heat releasing unit outlet to the evaporating unit inlet. Thus, the refrigerant flow path can be easily simplified. For example, it is possible to provide the refrigerant flow path from the heat releasing unit outlet to the evaporating unit inlet by using the side plate portions.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2019-135405	Jul 2019	JP	national
2019-229631	Dec 2019	JP	national

Number	Name	Date	Kind
20100155028	Lemee	Jun 2010	A1
20170097179	Martin	Apr 2017	A1

Number	Date	Country
105074375	Nov 2015	CN
2006329511	Dec 2006	JP
2018066536	Apr 2018	JP
2018197613	Dec 2018	JP
2018536133	Dec 2018	JP
2021018051	Feb 2021	JP
2021018052	Feb 2021	JP
20160147342	Dec 2016	KR
WO-2018235765	Dec 2018	WO

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	PCT/JP2020/025345	Jun 2020	WO
Child	17578922		US

Heat exchanger

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