FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
HEAT EXCHANGER AND REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS;
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED AND
EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3, MARUNOUCHI
2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-8310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION
AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
2
DESCRIPTION
5 Technical Field
[0001]
The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger and a refrigeration cycle
apparatus including the heat exchanger, particularly to a configuration in which the
buckling of heat transfer parts is prevented.
10 Background Art
[0002]
In recent years, to provide refrigeration cycle apparatuses with higher
performance and lighter weight, the introduction of aluminum flat tubes as heat transfer
tubes intended for heat exchangers of refrigeration and air-conditioning apparatuses
15 has been facilitated in place of some copper round tubes. Furthermore, in recent
years, the importance of reducing the use of refrigerants having high global warming
potentials has required the development of high-performance heat exchangers
employing flat tubes having a much smaller inside capacity than the inside capacity of
aluminum flat tubes employed in known heat exchangers.
20 [0003]
In a proposed heat exchanger, for example, for the purpose of making the inside
capacity of flat tubes much smaller than the inside capacity of aluminum flat tubes of
other known heat exchangers, the minor-axis length of a plurality of flat tubes arranged
parallel to each other in the axial direction of header pipes is set to, for example, smaller
25 than 1 mm (see Patent Literature 1, for example). Herein, the minor-axis length refers
to the length of the shortest diameter in a right-angled cross section of the flat tube.
The heat exchanger disclosed by Patent Literature 1 includes assisting parts each
provided between adjacent ones of the flat tubes. The assisting parts each extend in
the direction of arrangement of refrigerant passages, thereby retaining the interval
30 between adjacent ones of the flat tubes.
3
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
5 2018-162953
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0005]
In the heat exchanger disclosed by Patent Literature 1, however, it is difficult for
10 only a single support to prevent the buckling of the flat tubes in the tube-axis direction.
Accordingly, the heat exchanger includes a plurality of supports and is thus capable of
preventing the buckling of the flat tubes in the tube-axis direction. Nevertheless, such
a heat exchanger that includes a plurality of supports has a problem in that the ease of
drainage of condensed water and the ease of air passage tend to be reduced.
15 [0006]
The present disclosure is to solve the above problem and to provide a heat
exchanger and a refrigeration cycle apparatus in each of which the buckling of flat tubes
in the tube-axis direction is prevented while the ease of drainage and the ease of air
passage are maintained.
20 Solution to Problem
[0007]
A heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes
a plurality of heat transfer parts arranged in a first direction and spaced apart from each
other, the plurality of heat transfer parts extending in a second direction and allowing
25 refrigerant to flow through inside the plurality of heat transfer parts; a first header
extending in the first direction and connected to one end of each of the plurality of heat
transfer parts; a second header extending in the first direction and connected to an
other end of each of the plurality of heat transfer parts; and a support extending along
the first direction and the second direction and having an opening, the support being
30 located at at least one face of the plurality of heat transfer parts in a third direction that
4
is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the support being fixed to
the first header and the second header.
[0008]
A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to another embodiment of the present
5 disclosure includes the heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0009]
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger
10 includes the support located along the first direction, in which the plurality of heat
transfer parts are arranged in parallel to each other, and along the second direction, in
which the plurality of heat transfer parts extend, and the support is fixed to the first
header and the second header. Thus, the support retains the interval between the first
header and the second header in the tube-axis direction of the plurality of heat transfer
15 parts, that is, in the second direction. Such a configuration prevents deformation due
to buckling of the plurality of heat transfer parts in the axial direction.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0010]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
20 100, including a heat exchanger 10, according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger 10 according to
Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a side view of the heat exchanger 10 according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 illustrates a modification of a fixing part of the heat exchanger 10
25 according to Embodiment 1, where a support 20 is fixed to a header 12.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 10a, which is a
modification of the heat exchanger 10 according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a side view of the heat exchanger 10a, which is a modification of
the heat exchanger 10 according to Embodiment 2.
5
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 10b, which is a
modification of the heat exchanger 10 according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a front view of a support 20b, which is included in the heat
exchanger 10b illustrated in Fig. 7.
5 [Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 210 according to
Embodiment 2.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a top view of the heat exchanger 210 according to
Embodiment 2.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 310 according to
10 Embodiment 3.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a top view of the heat exchanger 310 according to
Embodiment 3.
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 410 according to
Embodiment 4.
15 [Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a side view of the heat exchanger 410 according to
Embodiment 4.
[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 510 according to
Embodiment 5.
[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a top view of the heat exchanger 510 according to
20 Embodiment 5.
[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a side view of the heat exchanger 510 according to
Embodiment 5.
Description of Embodiments
[0011]
25 A heat exchanger and a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 1
will be described below with reference to the drawings and relevant materials. In the
drawings, including Fig. 1, to be referred to below, factors such as relative sizes and
shapes of individual elements may be different from those of actual elements. In the
drawings to be referred to below, the same reference signs denote the same or
30 equivalent elements and are consistent throughout this specification. For easy
6
understanding, terms indicating directions (such as "upper", "lower", "right", "left",
"front", and "rear") will be used according to need. Such terms, however, are only for
convenience of description and do not limit the arrangements or orientations of the
apparatus and individual elements. Herein, the positional relationship between
5 relevant elements, the directions in which relevant elements extend, and the direction in
which relevant elements are arranged are those in a state where the heat exchanger is
installed for use.
[0012]
Embodiment 1
10 (Refrigeration Cycle Apparatus 100)
Fig. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 100,
including a heat exchanger 10, according to Embodiment 1. In Fig. 1, dotted-line
arrows represent the direction in which refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit 110 flows in a
cooling operation, and solid-line arrows represent the direction in which the refrigerant
15 flows in a heating operation. First, with reference to Fig. 1, the refrigeration cycle
apparatus 100 including the heat exchanger 10 will be described. Embodiment 1
relates to a case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 serves as an airconditioning apparatus. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is also applicable to
apparatuses intended for refrigeration uses or air-conditioning uses such as a
20 refrigerator, a freezer, a vending machine, an air-conditioning apparatus, a freezing
apparatus, and a water heater. The refrigerant circuit 110 illustrated in Fig. 1 is only
exemplary. The configuration and other relevant factors of circuit elements are not
limited to those to be described in the following embodiments and may be changed
according to need within the technical scope of the embodiments.
25 [0013]
The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes a compressor 101, a passage
switcher 102, an indoor heat exchanger 103, a decompressor 104, and an outdoor heat
exchanger 105, which are all connected to each other by refrigerant pipes to form a loop
serving as the refrigerant circuit 110. At least one of the outdoor heat exchanger 105
30 and the indoor heat exchanger 103 includes the heat exchanger 10 to be described
7
below. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes an outdoor unit 106 and an
indoor unit 107. The outdoor unit 106 includes the compressor 101, the passage
switcher 102, the outdoor heat exchanger 105, the decompressor 104, and an outdoor
fan 108. The outdoor fan 108 supplies outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 105.
5 The indoor unit 107 includes the indoor heat exchanger 103 and an indoor fan 109.
The indoor fan 109 supplies air to the indoor heat exchanger 103. The outdoor unit
106 and the indoor unit 107 are connected to each other by an extension pipe 111 and
an extension pipe 112, which are two of the refrigerant pipes.
[0014]
10 The compressor 101 is a fluid machine that compresses refrigerant sucked into
the compressor 101 and discharges the compressed refrigerant. The passage
switcher 102 is, for example, a four-way valve and is configured to establish a
refrigerant passage that is switched between one for the cooling operation and one for
the heating operation under the control of a controller (not illustrated).
15 [0015]
The indoor heat exchanger 103 causes the refrigerant flowing inside the indoor
heat exchanger 103 and the indoor air supplied by the indoor fan 109 to exchange their
heat. The indoor heat exchanger 103 serves as a condenser in the heating operation
and as an evaporator in the cooling operation.
20 [0016]
The decompressor 104 is, for example, an expansion valve and decompresses
the refrigerant. The decompressor 104 may be an electronic expansion valve whose
opening degree is regulated under the control of the controller.
[0017]
25 The outdoor heat exchanger 105 causes the refrigerant flowing inside the outdoor
heat exchanger 105 and the air supplied by the outdoor fan 108 to exchange their heat.
The outdoor heat exchanger 105 serves as an evaporator in the heating operation and
as a condenser in the cooling operation.
[0018]
30 (Operation of Refrigeration Cycle Apparatus 100)
8
An exemplary operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 will be described
below with reference to Fig. 1. In the heating operation of the refrigeration cycle
apparatus 100, the refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 101 in the form of gas
having a high pressure and a high temperature and flows through the passage switcher
5 102 into the indoor heat exchanger 103, where the refrigerant exchanges heat with the
air supplied by the indoor fan 109 and thus condenses. The refrigerant having
condensed takes the form of liquid having a high pressure and is discharged from the
indoor heat exchanger 103 into the decompressor 104, where the refrigerant turns into
two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant having a low pressure. The two-phase gas-liquid
10 refrigerant having a low pressure flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 105, where the
refrigerant exchanges heat with the air supplied by the outdoor fan 108 and thus
evaporates. The refrigerant having evaporated takes the form of gas having a low
pressure and is sucked into the compressor 101.
[0019]
15 In the cooling operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the refrigerant
flows through the refrigerant circuit 110 in a direction opposite to the direction in the
heating operation. Specifically, in the cooling operation of the refrigeration cycle
apparatus 100, the refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 101 in the form of gas
having a high pressure and a high temperature and flows through the passage switcher
20 102 into the outdoor heat exchanger 105, where the refrigerant exchanges heat with the
air supplied by the outdoor fan 108 and thus condenses. The refrigerant having
condensed takes the form of liquid having a high pressure and is discharged from the
outdoor heat exchanger 105 into the decompressor 104, where the refrigerant turns into
two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant having a low pressure. The two-phase gas-liquid
25 refrigerant having a low pressure flows into the indoor heat exchanger 103, where the
refrigerant exchanges heat with the air supplied by the indoor fan 109 and thus
evaporates. The refrigerant having evaporated takes the form of gas having a low
pressure and is sucked into the compressor 101.
[0020]
30 (Heat Exchanger 10)
9
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger 10 according to Embodiment 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the heat exchanger 10 according to Embodiment 1. With
reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the heat exchanger 10 according to Embodiment 1 will be
described below.
5 [0021]
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the heat exchanger 10 includes a plurality of heat transfer
parts 11, a first header 12a, a second header 12b, and a support 20. The first header
12a and the second header 12b are connected to respective end portions of each of the
plurality of heat transfer parts 11. The support 20 is fixed to the first header 12a and
10 the second header 12b. The plurality of heat transfer parts 11 are arranged side by
side in the X-direction. The plurality of heat transfer parts 11 are each oriented such
that its tube axis extends in the Y-direction. In Embodiment 1, the Y-direction is parallel
to the direction of gravity. The orientation of the heat exchanger 10 is not limited to the
above. The heat exchanger 10 may be oriented with the Y-direction that is made to
15 extend diagonally to the direction of gravity. The plurality of heat transfer parts 11 are
regularly spaced apart from each other at an interval w1 in the X-direction.
[0022]
The first header 12a is connected to one end portion, in a tube-axis direction, of
each of the plurality of heat transfer parts 11. The second header 12b is connected to
20 the other end portion, in the tube-axis direction, of each of the plurality of heat transfer
parts 11. The first header 12a and the second header 12b are each oriented with their
longitudinal direction coinciding with the direction in which the plurality of heat transfer
parts 11 are arranged in parallel to each other. The longitudinal direction of the first
header 12a and the longitudinal direction of the second header 12b are parallel to each
25 other. Hereinafter, the first header 12a and the second header 12b are also collectively
denoted as the headers 12.
[0023]
The plurality of heat transfer parts 11 each have the opposite end portions fitted
in the respective headers 12 and joined to the headers 12 by joining means such as
30 brazing. The plurality of heat transfer parts 11 are arranged in parallel to each other in
10
the X-direction. The plurality of heat transfer parts 11 each include a heat transfer
portion 14, which is a portion excluding the opposite end portions and is located
between the lower surface of the first header 12a and the upper surface of the second
header 12b.
5 [0024]
The support 20 extends parallel to the X-direction and the Y-direction and is
located at the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 in the Z-direction. Air flows through the
heat exchanger 10 in the Z-direction. The plurality of heat transfer parts 11 and the
support 20 are arranged in series in the direction in which air flows into the heat
10 exchanger 10. In Embodiment 1, the support 20 covers one face of the plurality of
heat transfer parts 11 in the Z-direction. Herein, the X-direction in which the plurality of
heat transfer parts 11 are arranged in parallel to each other is also referred to as the
first direction, the Y-direction coinciding with the tube-axis direction of the plurality of
heat transfer parts 11 is also referred to as the second direction, and the Z-direction
15 perpendicular to the X-direction and the Y-direction is also referred to as the third
direction.
[0025]
(Heat Transfer Parts 11)
The plurality of heat transfer parts 11 each allow the refrigerant to flow through
20 inside the heat transfer part 11. The plurality of heat transfer parts 11 each extend
between the first header 12a and the second header 12b. The plurality of heat transfer
parts 11 are spaced apart from each other at an interval w1 in the X-direction and are
arranged in parallel to each other in the direction in which the headers 12 extend. The
plurality of heat transfer parts 11 each have an oblong or elliptical sectional shape or a
25 rectangular sectional shape, and the major axis of the section extends in the Z-direction.
The plurality of heat transfer parts 11 each have lateral faces 15, each of which extends
along the major axis of the section and faces a corresponding one of the lateral faces
15 of an adjacent heat transfer part 11. Between the lateral faces 15 of each adjacent
two of the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 that are located face to face is provided a
30 gap serving as a passage for air. While the heat exchanger 10 according to
11
Embodiment 1 employs a plurality of flat tubes serving as the plurality of heat transfer
parts 11, the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 are not limited to flat tubes. For
example, the heat transfer parts 11 may each be a plurality of thin circular tubes that are
connected to each other in the Z-direction by a plate-like part.
5 [0026]
In the heat exchanger 10, the X-direction in which the plurality of heat transfer
parts 11 are arranged coincides with the horizontal direction. Note that the direction in
which the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 are arranged is not limited to the horizontal
direction and may be the vertical direction or a direction extending diagonally to the
10 vertical direction. Furthermore, in the heat exchanger 10, the direction in which each
of the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 extends coincides with the vertical direction.
Note that the direction in which each of the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 extends is
not limited to the vertical direction and may be the horizontal direction or a direction
extending diagonally to the vertical direction.
15 [0027]
The lateral faces 15 of each adjacent two of the plurality of heat transfer parts 11
that are located face to face are not connected to each other by any heat transfer
promoter. The heat transfer promoter is, for example, a plate fin or a corrugated fin.
That is, the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 are connected to each other only by the
20 headers 12.
[0028]
(Headers 12)
The first header 12a and the second header 12b each extend in the X-direction
and allow the refrigerant to flow through inside the first header 12a and the second
25 header 12b. As illustrated in Fig. 2, for example, a refrigerant passage tube 42 is
connected to one end of the second header 12b and allows the refrigerant to flow into
the second header 12b. Then, the refrigerant is distributed to the plurality of heat
transfer parts 11. The distributed portions of refrigerant flow through the plurality of
respective heat transfer parts 11 and merge together in the first header 12a. The
12
refrigerant having merged is discharged from the first header 12a into a refrigerant
passage tube 41, which is connected to one end of the first header 12a.
[0029]
While the headers 12 illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 each have a round columnar
5 outline shape, the outline shape of the headers 12 is not limited. The outline shape of
the headers 12 may be, for example, a cuboid or an elliptical column. The sectional
shape of the headers 12 may also be changed according to need. Moreover, the
structure of each of the headers 12 may be, for example, a cylinder with its opposite
ends closed, or a stack of plate-like parts having slits. The first header 12a and the
10 second header 12b each have a refrigerant port through which the refrigerant is allowed
to flow into and out of the header 12a or 12b.
[0030]
(Support 20)
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the support 20 of the heat exchanger 10 covers one face
15 of the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 in the Z-direction. That is, the support 20 is
oriented such that a face of the support 20 extending along the X-direction and the Ydirection is oriented toward the plurality of heat transfer parts 11. As illustrated in Fig.
2, the support 20 has openings 25, which allow fluid to pass through the support 20 in a
direction perpendicular to the face extending along the X-direction and the Y-direction,
20 that is, in the Z-direction.
[0031]
The support 20 has a rectangular shape when seen in the Z-direction and
includes a frame 21 and partitions 22. The frame 21 forms the outer periphery of the
support 20. The partitions 22 divide the area enclosed by the frame 21 into a plurality
25 of subareas. The frame 21 of the support 20 includes a first frame segment 21a, which
extends along the first header 12a, a second frame segment 21b, which extends along
the second header 12b, and two third frame segments 21c, which connect the ends of
the first frame segment 21a and the ends of the second frame segment 21b to each
other. The first frame segment 21a, the second frame segment 21b, and the two third
30 frame segments 21c are assembled to form a rectangle. The first frame segment 21a
13
and the second frame segment 21b form opposite sides of the rectangular frame 21.
The two third frame segments 21c form the other opposite sides of the rectangular
frame 21.
[0032]
5 The partitions 22 of the support 20 according to Embodiment 1 includes first
partitions 22a, which each extend in the X-direction, and second partitions 22b, which
each extend in the Y-direction. The partitions 22 are arranged such that the partitions
22 divide the area enclosed by the frame 21 into a plurality of subareas. In
Embodiment 1, the first partitions 22a and the second partitions 22b are orthogonal to
10 each other, thereby forming meshes. That is, the support 20 is meshes having the
openings 25. The openings 25 are each defined by the partitions 22 or by the
partitions 22 and the frame 21.
[0033]
The support 20 formed as a combination of the frame 21 and the partitions 22
15 resists deformation that may occur in the XY-plane. The support 20 is fixed to at least
the first header 12a and the second header 12b. Therefore, the relative displacement
between the first header 12a and the second header 12b is prevented. Consequently,
the deformation of the heat exchanger 10 as a whole is prevented. Specifically, the
deformation due to buckling of the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 in the Y-direction
20 and the tilting of the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 in the X-direction are prevented.
Thus, the heat exchanger 10 exhibits increased strength with the minimum addition,
which is the support 20.
[0034]
The size of the openings 25 may be determined according to need. In
25 Embodiment 1, when the interval between the partitions 22 of the support 20 is set
according to need, the entry of foreign matter into the heat exchanger 10 can be
prevented. Furthermore, the support 20 protects the heat transfer parts 11 during the
transport of the heat exchanger 10 or the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 including the
heat exchanger 10.
30 [0035]
14
The support 20 is preferably made of a material having higher strength than the
strength of the material of which the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 are made. In
Embodiment 1, the flat tubes serving as the heat transfer parts 11 are made of, for
example, aluminum. Therefore, the support 20 is preferably made of a material, such
5 as stainless steel, having higher rigidity and strength than the rigidity and strength of
aluminum.
[0036]
The heat exchanger 10 includes fixing parts where the support 20 is fixed to the
headers 12. In the heat exchanger 10 illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the support 20 and
10 the headers 12 are joined to each other by, for example, welding. Alternatively, any
fastening parts such as bolts may be employed at the fixing parts for fastening, fitting, or
locking.
[0037]
Fig. 4 illustrates a modification of the fixing part of the heat exchanger 10
15 according to Embodiment 1, where the support 20 is fixed to one of the headers 12.
The fixing part, 30, according to the modification is formed by the first frame segment
21a of the support 20, and locking parts 31a and 31b. The locking parts 31a and 31b
are provided on the first header 12a. The fixing part 30 is provided at each of the four
corners of the rectangular support 20, and the support 20 is fixed to the headers 12 at
20 the fixing parts 30. In the fixing part 30 illustrated in Fig. 4, the first frame segment 21a
of the support 20 is fitted between the locking parts 31a and 31b. The first frame
segment 21a is prevented from moving in the Y-direction and the Z-direction by the
locking parts 31a and 31b. Such fixing parts 30 are located in the vicinities of the
respective opposite ends of the first frame segment 21a in the X-direction. The third
25 frame segments 21c connected to the respective opposite ends of the first frame
segment 21a are stopped by the respective locking parts 31b. Thus, displacement of
the support 20 in the X-direction is prevented.
[0038]
The fixing part 30 is only exemplary and may be combined with any other
30 fastening part, such as a bolt, for fixing the support 20 to the header 12.
15
[0039]
(Modifications)
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 10a, which is a modification of
the heat exchanger 10 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is a side view of the heat
5 exchanger 10a, which is a modification of the heat exchanger 10 according to
Embodiment 2. As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the heat exchanger 10a, which is a
modification, includes the support 20 at each of the opposite faces of the plurality of
heat transfer parts 11 in the Z-direction. That is, the opposite faces of the heat
exchanger 10a in the Z-direction, which are the front face and the rear face, are formed
10 by respective supports 20.
[0040]
The two supports 20 are fixed to the respective faces of each of the first header
12a and the second header 12b in the Z-direction. The two headers 12 are connected
to each other by the two supports 20. Such a configuration provides higher strength
15 than the strength of the heat exchanger 10 according to Embodiment 1.
[0041]
The supports 20 cover the respective opposite faces of the plurality of heat
transfer parts 11 in the Z-direction. Therefore, the supports 20 not only prevent the
entry of foreign matter from both respective faces in the Z-direction but also protect the
20 plurality of heat transfer parts 11 in situations such as during the transport of the heat
exchanger 210.
[0042]
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 10b, which is a modification of
the heat exchanger 10 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a front view of a support
25 20b, which is included in the heat exchanger 10b illustrated in Fig. 7. The support 20b
included in the heat exchanger 10b, which is a modification, includes partitions 27a and
27b, which extend diagonally to the X-direction and the Y-direction. As illustrated in
Fig. 8, the partitions 27a and the partitions 27b are orthogonal to each other. Openings
25 are each defined by the inclined partitions 27a and 27b or by the partitions 27a and
30 27b and the frame 21.
16
[0043]
The support 20b including the inclined partitions 27a and 27b exhibits great ease
of drainage of any dew water that may be generated on the support 20b. Specifically,
when the heat exchanger 10b is installed with the Y-direction coinciding with the
5 direction of gravity, any waterdrops adhering to the partitions 27a and 27b flow
downward under the influence of gravity. Hence, in the heat exchanger 10b, dew
water does not keep staying on the partitions 27a and 27b. Accordingly, retention of
dew water and frosting with frozen dew water are prevented. Consequently, the
reduction in the ease of air passage through the heat exchanger 10b is prevented.
10 [0044]
The support 20b is a combination of the frame 21, which extends in the Xdirection and the Y-direction, and the partitions 27a and 27b, which are inclined.
Therefore, the support 20b exhibits high strength to deformation in the XY-plane.
Accordingly, the heat exchanger 10b including the support 20b exhibits increased
15 strength to a deformation that may tilt the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 in the Xdirection. Furthermore, a load that may act in such a direction as to buckle the plurality
of heat transfer parts 11 is borne not only by the third frame segments 21c but also by
the partitions 27a and 27b, which extend diagonally to the Y-direction. Accordingly, the
heat exchanger 10b also exhibits increased strength to a load acting in the Y-direction.
20 [0045]
Embodiment 2
A heat exchanger 210 according to Embodiment 2 will be described below. The
heat exchanger 210 is obtained by changing the shape of the support 20 or 20b
according to Embodiment 1. Elements having the same functions and effects as those
25 described in Embodiment 1 are denoted by corresponding ones of the reference signs
used in Embodiment 1, and description of such elements is omitted.
[0046]
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger 210 according to Embodiment
2. Fig. 10 is a top view of the heat exchanger 210 according to Embodiment 2. The
30 heat exchanger 210 according to Embodiment 2 includes a support 220, which is
17
located at the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 in the Z-direction. The support 220 is
different from the support 20 or 20b according to Embodiment 1 in the shape at its
opposite ends in the X-direction. The support 220 is folded and extends in the
backward Z-direction at its opposite ends in the X-direction. Specifically, the support
5 220 includes first folded portions 24, which are located at the respective opposite ends
of the support 220 in the X-direction and each extend in the backward Z-direction.
[0047]
As with the case of the support 20b according to Embodiment 1, the support 220
according to Embodiment 2 includes the partitions 27a and 27b, which extend
10 diagonally to the X-direction and the Y-direction. The partitions 27a and 27b are
located at the face of the support 220 that is oriented toward the Z-direction and are
extended into the first folded portions 24. Alternatively, the partitions 27a and 27b may
be absent in the first folded portions 24.
[0048]
15 When the heat exchanger 210 is seen from above as illustrated in Fig. 10, the
first folded portions 24 of the support 220 hold the headers 12 between the first folded
portions 24 in the X-direction. The support 220 has a rectangular U-shape in top view
and therefore exhibits high strength to deformation in the XZ-plane. Furthermore, the
support 220 is joined to the headers 12. Accordingly, deformation of the heat
20 exchanger 210 in the XZ-plane is prevented.
[0049]
The first frame segment 21a and the second frame segment 21b at the Ydirection opposite ends of the support 220 are each folded at corresponding ones of the
X-direction opposite ends and extend in the backward Z-direction, thereby forming the
25 respective first folded portions 24. The support 220 further includes fourth frame
segments 21d, each of which forms the end of a corresponding one of the first folded
portions 24 in the backward Z-direction. The third frame segments 21c are located at
the respective ends of the first folded portions 24 in the Z-direction. The third frame
segments 21c may be omitted. However, providing the third frame segments 21c
30 enhances the effect of strengthening the heat exchanger 210.
18
[0050]
The support 220 exhibits high rigidity by employing the first folded portions 24
that are located at the respective the X-direction ends and extend in the Z-direction.
Consequently, the effect of strengthening the heat exchanger 210 is enhanced. The
5 first folded portions 24 are located at the respective X-direction ends and therefore do
not hinder the passage of air through the heat exchanger 210.
[0051]
According to Embodiment 2, the partitions 27a and 27b of the support 220 are
inclined as with the case of the support 20b according to Embodiment 1. Such a
10 configuration exhibits great ease of drainage and increased strength. The partitions
27a and the partitions 27b of the support 220 do not necessarily need to be inclined and
may extend in the X-direction and the Y-direction, respectively, as with the case of the
first partitions 22a and the second partitions 22b according to Embodiment 1.
[0052]
15 Embodiment 3
A heat exchanger 310 according to Embodiment 3 will be described below. The
heat exchanger 310 is obtained by changing the shape of the support 20 or 20b
according to Embodiment 1. Elements having the same functions and effects as those
described in Embodiment 1 are denoted by corresponding ones of the reference signs
20 used in Embodiment 1, and description of such elements is omitted.
[0053]
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger 310 according to Embodiment
3. Fig. 12 is a top view of the heat exchanger 310 according to Embodiment 3. The
heat exchanger 310 includes a support 320. As illustrated in Fig. 12, the support 320
25 is folded and extends in the Z-direction at a portion in the X-direction. As with the case
of the heat exchanger 10a according to Embodiment 1, the support 320 covers the
opposite faces of the heat exchanger 310 in the Z-direction. The support 320 has
faces 320a and 320b, which are located at respective opposite sides of the plurality of
heat transfer parts 11 and are connected to each other by a first folded portion 324. In
30 other words, the faces 320a and 320b connected to each other by the first folded
19
portion 324 hold the heat exchanger 310 between the faces 320a and 320b from both
sides in the Z-direction. The face 320a is also referred to as the first portion, and the
face 320b is also referred to as the second portion.
[0054]
5 The support 320 is a single continuous unit. That is, the support 320 includes a
small number of components. Accordingly, the cost of the heat exchanger 310 is
reduced, and the ease of manufacturing of the heat exchanger 310 is increased.
[0055]
The support 320 according to Embodiment 3 includes the partitions 27a that are
10 inclined in one direction but includes no partitions 27b that intersect the partitions 27a.
The partitions 27a extend continuously over the support 320 from the face 320a to the
face 320b. Therefore, when the heat exchanger 310 is seen in the Z-direction,
portions of the partitions 27a forming the face 320a and portions of the partitions 27a
forming the face 320b appear to intersect each other. When the support 320 is
15 unfolded, the partitions 27a are inclined in one direction over the entirety of the support
320. When the support 320 is assembled into the heat exchanger 310, the direction in
which the partitions 27a are inclined is symmetrical between that in the front face of the
heat exchanger 310 and that in the rear face of the heat exchanger 310. Accordingly,
the support 320 uniformly resists a force that may act on the heat exchanger 310 in
20 such a manner as to tilt the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 in the X-direction and a
force that may act on the heat exchanger 310 in such a manner as to tilt the plurality of
heat transfer parts 11 in the backward X-direction.
[0056]
Embodiment 4
25 A heat exchanger 410 according to Embodiment 4 will be described below. The
heat exchanger 410 is obtained by changing the shape of the support 20 or 20b
according to Embodiment 1. Elements having the same functions and effects as those
described in Embodiment 1 are denoted by corresponding ones of the reference signs
used in Embodiment 1, and description of such elements is omitted.
30 [0057]
20
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger 410 according to Embodiment
4. Fig. 14 is a side view of the heat exchanger 410 according to Embodiment 4. The
heat exchanger 410 according to Embodiment 4 includes a support 420. As illustrated
in Fig. 14, the support 420 is folded and extends in the Z-direction at a portion in the Y5 direction. In the heat exchanger 410, as with the case of the heat exchanger 10a
according to Embodiment 1, the support 420 covers the opposite faces of the plurality of
heat transfer parts 11 in the Z-direction. The support 420 has faces 420a and 420b,
which are located at the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 in the Z-direction and are
connected to each other by a second folded portion 28. In other words, the support
10 420 holds the heat exchanger 410 from the Z-direction opposite sides, specifically, the
face 420a and the face 420b connected to each other by the second folded portion 28
hold the heat exchanger 410 between the face 420a and the face 420b from both sides
in the Z-direction. The second folded portion 28 extends in the Z-direction along the
upper surface of the first header 12a.
15 [0058]
The support 420 according to Embodiment 4 includes the partitions 27a that are
inclined in one direction but includes no partitions 27b that intersect the partitions 27a.
The partitions 27a extend continuously over the support 420 from the face 420a to the
face 420b. Therefore, when the heat exchanger 410 is seen in the Z-direction,
20 portions of the partitions 27a forming the face 420a and portions of the partitions 27a
forming the face 420b appear to intersect each other. When the support 420 is
unfolded, the partitions 27a are inclined in one direction over the entirety of the support
420. When the support 420 is assembled into the heat exchanger 410, the direction in
which the partitions 27a are inclined is symmetrical between that in the front face of the
25 heat exchanger 410 and that in the rear face of the heat exchanger 410. Accordingly,
the support 420 uniformly resists a force that may act on the heat exchanger 410 in
such a manner as to tilt the plurality of heat transfer parts 11 in the X-direction and a
force that may act on the heat exchanger 410 in such a manner as to tilt the plurality of
heat transfer parts 11 in the backward X-direction.
30 [0059]
21
Embodiment 5
A heat exchanger 510 according to Embodiment 5 will be described below. The
heat exchanger 510 is obtained by changing the shape of the support 20 or 20b
according to Embodiment 1. Elements having the same functions and effects as those
5 described in Embodiment 1 are denoted by corresponding ones of the reference signs
used in Embodiment 1, and description of such elements is omitted.
[0060]
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger 510 according to Embodiment
5. Fig. 16 is a top view of the heat exchanger 510 according to Embodiment 5. Fig.
10 17 is a side view of the heat exchanger 510 according to Embodiment 5. The heat
exchanger 510 according to Embodiment 5 includes a support 520. As with the case
of the support 320 of the heat exchanger 310 according to Embodiment 3, the support
520 included in the heat exchanger 510 according to Embodiment 5 covers the front
face and the rear face of the heat exchanger 510. The support 520 includes partitions
15 527a, which are inclined in one direction. The partitions 527a extend uniformly over
the entirety of the support 520. When the heat exchanger 510 is seen in the Zdirection, portions of the partitions 527a on the front face of the heat exchanger 510 and
portions of the partitions 527a on the rear face of the heat exchanger 510 intersect each
other.
20 [0061]
Portions of the partitions 527a on a face 520a of the support 520 are provided
with projection parts 529. The projection parts 529 are plate-like parts extending along
and joined to the respective portions of the partitions 527a that form the face 520a.
The projection parts 529 are preferably provided on the face 520a, which receives
25 incoming air. In Embodiment 5, air flows in the backward Z-direction. The projection
parts 529 also serve as heat transfer surfaces. In such a case, the projection parts
529 compensate for the insufficiency in the heat transfer area of the heat exchanger
510, which is referred to as a finless heat exchanger.
[0062]
22
As illustrated in Fig. 17, the heat exchanger 510 includes a plurality of heat
transfer parts 511. The plurality of heat transfer parts 511 each include heat transfer
plates 16, which are each shaped in a plate form and extend from the respective Zdirection ends of the heat transfer part 511. The support 520 may be in contact with or
5 joined to the Z-direction ends of the heat transfer plates 16. In such a configuration,
the support 520 and the heat transfer plates 16 are thermally connected to each other.
Therefore, the support 520 serves as a heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger 510
while enhancing the strength of the heat exchanger 510.
[0063]
10 The support 520 includes the partitions 527a, which extend diagonally to the Xdirection and the Y-direction, dew water thus does not stay on the projection parts 529.
Therefore, the ease of air passage through the heat exchanger 510 is secured.
Furthermore, for example, when the heat exchanger 510 is installed in a refrigeration
cycle apparatus 100, the projection parts 529 of the support 520 are positioned in the
15 vicinity of the outside of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100. Therefore, the
projection parts 529 start to corrode earlier than the heat transfer parts 11 and the
headers 12. In particular, when the support 520 is made of a metal material that is
more likely to be ionized than the materials of which the heat transfer parts 11 and the
headers 12 are made, the support 520 is given priority to corrode. Thus, in the heat
20 exchanger 510, the corrosion of the heat transfer parts 11 is prevented. Consequently,
refrigerant leakage due to corrosion is prevented. Furthermore, a cost reduction is
possible by reducing the thicknesses of the materials of which the heat transfer parts 11
and the headers 12 are made.
[0064]
25 The present disclosure is not limited to the above configurations. For example,
the heat exchangers 10, 10a, 10b, 210, 310, 410, and 510 according to Embodiments 1
to 5 may each employ any combination of the above features. As a specific example,
the configuration of the support 20 of the heat exchanger 10b that includes the partitions
27a and 27b may be applied to the heat exchanger 310 or any of the other heat
30 exchangers.
23
Reference Signs List
[0065]
10: heat exchanger, 10a: heat exchanger, 10b: heat exchanger, 11: heat transfer
part, 12: header, 12a: first header, 12b: second header, 14: heat transfer portion, 15:
5 lateral face, 16: heat transfer plate, 20: support, 20b: support, 21: frame, 21a: first frame
segment, 21b: second frame segment, 21c: third frame segment, 21d: fourth frame
segment, 22: partition, 22a: first partition, 22b: second partition, 24: first folded portion,
25: opening, 27a: partition, 27b: partition, 28: second folded portion, 30: fixing part, 30a:
fixing part, 31a: locking part, 31b: locking part, 41: refrigerant passage tube, 42:
10 refrigerant passage tube, 100: refrigeration cycle apparatus, 101: compressor, 102:
passage switcher, 103: indoor heat exchanger, 104: decompressor, 105: outdoor heat
exchanger, 106: outdoor unit, 107: indoor unit, 108: outdoor fan, 109: indoor fan, 110:
refrigerant circuit, 111: extension pipe, 112: extension pipe, 210: heat exchanger, 220:
support, 310: heat exchanger, 320: support, 320a: face, 320b: face, 324: first folded
15 portion, 410: heat exchanger, 420: support, 420a: face, 420b: face, 510: heat
exchanger, 511: heat transfer part, 520: support, 520a: face, 527a: partition, 529:
projection part

We Claim :
[Claim 1]
A heat exchanger, comprising:
a plurality of heat transfer parts arranged in a first direction and spaced apart
5 from each other, the plurality of heat transfer parts extending in a second direction and
allowing refrigerant to flow through inside the plurality of heat transfer parts;
a first header extending in the first direction and connected to one end of each of
the plurality of heat transfer parts;
a second header extending in the first direction and connected to an other end of
10 each of the plurality of heat transfer parts; and
a support extending along the first direction and the second direction and having
an opening,
the support being located at at least one face of the plurality of heat transfer parts
in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction,
15 the support being fixed to the first header and the second header.
[Claim 2]
The heat exchanger of claim 1,
wherein the support includes
a frame that forms an outer periphery of the support, and
20 a partition that divides an area enclosed by the frame,
wherein the opening is defined by at least one of the frame and the partition, and
wherein the partition extends diagonally to the first direction.
[Claim 3]
The heat exchanger of claim 2,
25 wherein the support is joined to the plurality of heat transfer parts, and
wherein the partition projects in the third direction.
[Claim 4]
The heat exchanger of any one of claims 1 to 3,
25
wherein the support includes a first folded portion obtained by folding the support
at an end of the support in the first direction, the first folded portion extending in the third
direction, and
wherein the first folded portion is fixed to the first header and the second header.
5 [Claim 5]
The heat exchanger of any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the support includes a second folded portion obtained by folding the
support at an end of the support in the second direction, the second folded portion
extending in the third direction, and
10 wherein the second folded portion is fixed to at least one of the first header and
the second header.
[Claim 6]
The heat exchanger of claim 5,
wherein the support includes
15 a first portion that covers one face of the plurality of heat transfer parts in the third
direction, and
a second portion that covers an other face of the plurality of heat transfer parts in
the third direction, and
wherein the second folded portion connects the first portion and the second
20 portion to each other.
[Claim 7]
The heat exchanger of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support is made of a
material that is more likely to be ionized than materials of which the plurality of heat
transfer parts, the first header, and the second header are made.
25 [Claim 8]
The heat exchanger of any one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein the first header and the second header each include a fixing part where
the support is fixed to a corresponding one of the first header and the second header,
and
30 wherein the support is locked at the fixing part.

[Claim 9]
A refrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising:
the heat exchanger of any one of claims 1 to 8.