JP2024092386A - Offset fin, heat exchanger, plate material for fin, and offset fin manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an offset fin that can improve heat transfer performance between the offset fin and a fluid.SOLUTION: An offset fin comprises a plurality of wave-shaped structures that have: first joint plate sections and second joint plate sections, which are positioned offset from each other in a plate thickness direction and are arranged alternatingly in a first direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction; and a plurality of connection plate sections, which extend in the plate thickness direction, connect the first joint plate sections and second joint plate sections that neighbor each other in the first direction, and are arranged at intervals in the first direction, whereby the wave-shaped structures extend in the first direction while meandering periodically in the plate thickness direction. The plurality of wave-shaped structures are arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction and the first direction. The connection plate sections of two wave-shaped structures that neighbor each other in the second direction are positioned offset from each other in the first direction, and in at least one of the wave-shaped structures, leading edge surfaces of the connection plate sections, which face one side in the second direction, are slanted to the other side in the second direction relative to the plate thickness direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

This disclosure relates to offset fins, heat exchangers, fin plate materials, and methods for manufacturing offset fins.

Patent Document 1 discloses an offset fin used in a heat exchanger. The offset fin has a plurality of corrugated structures that are periodically meandering in the vertical direction when viewed from the direction of fluid flow. The fins extending in the vertical direction of each corrugated structure are arranged at a constant interval in the width direction (left and right when viewed from the direction of fluid flow). The interval pitch of the fins is equal among the plurality of corrugated structures. The plurality of corrugated structures are arranged in the direction of fluid flow. Two corrugated structures (first corrugated structure, second corrugated structure) adjacent to each other in the flow direction are offset in the width direction so that the fins of the two corrugated structures are shifted in the width direction. As a result, the fluid passing between the fins of the first corrugated structure located upstream hits the front edge of the fins of the second corrugated structure located downstream, promoting the generation of turbulence in the fluid flowing through the offset fin. The generation of the turbulence can suppress the development of a temperature boundary layer that appears on the surface of the offset fin due to the flow of the fluid, thereby improving the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fin.

In addition, in the offset fins of Patent Document 1, the fins with a corrugated structure extend at an angle in the width direction relative to the direction of fluid flow. This further promotes the generation of turbulence in the fluid flowing through the offset fins, improving the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fins.

International Publication No. 2015/170456

With this type of offset fin, there is room to improve the heat transfer performance between the offset fin and the fluid.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide offset fins that can improve the heat transfer performance between the offset fins and a fluid, a heat exchanger equipped with the offset fins, fin plate material used to manufacture the offset fins, and a method for manufacturing offset fins using the fin plate material.

In order to solve the above problem, the offset fin according to the present disclosure has a first joining plate portion and a second joining plate portion that are shifted from each other in the plate thickness direction and are arranged alternately in a first direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction, and a plurality of connecting plate portions that extend in the plate thickness direction and connect the first joining plate portion and the second joining plate portion adjacent to each other in the first direction and are arranged at intervals in the first direction, thereby providing a plurality of wave structures that extend in the first direction while meandering periodically in the plate thickness direction. The plurality of wave structures are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction and the first direction. The connecting plate portions of two wave structures adjacent to each other in the second direction are shifted from each other in the first direction. In at least one of the wave structures, the leading edge surface of the connecting plate portion that faces one side of the second direction is inclined toward the other side of the second direction with respect to the plate thickness direction.

The heat exchanger according to the present disclosure includes the offset fin and a pair of plates between which the offset fin is disposed in the plate thickness direction. The first joining plate portion is overlapped and joined to a first plate of the pair of plates. The second joining plate portion is overlapped and joined to a second plate of the pair of plates.

The fin plate material according to the present disclosure is a fin plate material having a single plane, and includes a plurality of unit structures having first and second bonding plate parts alternately arranged at intervals in a first direction along the plane, and a plurality of connecting plate parts arranged between the first and second bonding plate parts in the first direction and connecting the first and second bonding plate parts. The plurality of unit structures are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction along the plane. Two unit structures adjacent to each other in the second direction are shifted from each other in the first direction. In at least one of the unit structures, the front edge surface of the connecting plate part facing one side of the second direction is inclined toward the other side of the second direction with respect to the first direction. In the same unit structure, the first boundary line between the first bonding plate part and the connecting plate part and the second boundary line between the second bonding plate part and the connecting plate part extend without inclining with respect to the second direction.

The offset fin manufacturing method according to the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing offset fins using the fin plate material, in which the fin plate material is folded in a valley fold at the first boundary line, and the fin plate material is folded in a mountain fold at the second boundary line.

This disclosure makes it possible to improve the heat transfer performance between the offset fins and the fluid.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an offset fin according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 3 is a front view of the offset fin of FIG. 2 as viewed from a direction III of FIG. 2 . 4 is a side view of the offset fin of FIG. 2 as viewed from a direction IV of FIG. 2 . 5 is a front view of the main part of the offset fin of Figures 2 to 4 as viewed from the Y-axis direction. 5 is a side view of a main portion of the offset fin of FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 as viewed from the X-axis direction. 5 is a plan view of a main portion of the offset fin of FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 as viewed from the Z-axis direction. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a fin plate material according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[Heat exchanger]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 1 is a so-called plate type heat exchanger, and has a structure in which offset fins 3 are arranged between a pair of plates 2.

The heat exchanger 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a plurality of plates 2 and a plurality of offset fins 3. The plurality of plates 2 are arranged at intervals in their thickness direction (Z-axis direction). The offset fins 3 are disposed between a pair of plates 2 adjacent to each other in the thickness direction, and are joined to each plate 2 by brazing or the like. The offset fins 3 function as strength members that ensure a gap between the pair of plates 2. The offset fins 3 also form a flow path through which a fluid flows in one direction (Y-axis direction) between the pair of plates 2. The fluid may be a liquid or a gas, and is not particularly limited.

As a result, the heat exchanger 1 has a plurality of flow paths arranged in the thickness direction. These flow paths include a high-temperature side flow path through which a high-temperature side fluid flows, and a low-temperature side flow path through which a low-temperature side fluid flows. The high-temperature side flow paths and the low-temperature side flow paths are arranged alternately in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the flow direction of the high-temperature side fluid in the high-temperature side flow path and the flow direction of the low-temperature side fluid in the low-temperature side flow path are opposite to each other.
In the heat exchanger 1 , a high temperature side fluid and a low temperature side fluid are circulated, and thereby the high temperature side fluid and the low temperature side fluid exchange heat with each other via the plate 2 and the offset fins 3 .

[Offset fin]
Next, the offset fin 3 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the offset fin 3 has a plurality of corrugated structures 10. The number of corrugated structures 10 may be any number, but in this embodiment, there are four.

[Configuration of the waveform structure]
Each corrugated structure 10 has a first joining plate portion 11, a second joining plate portion 12, and a plurality of connecting plate portions 13.
In each corrugated structure 10, the first and second bonding plate portions 11 and 12 are shifted from each other in the plate thickness direction (Z-axis direction). The first and second bonding plate portions 11 and 12 are alternately arranged in the X-axis direction (first direction) perpendicular to the Z-axis direction.
In the corrugated structures 10 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the dimensions (width dimensions) of the first bonding plate portion 11 and the second bonding plate portion 12 in the X-axis direction are equal to each other. The width dimensions of the first and second bonding plate portions 11, 12 are equal to each other even among a plurality of corrugated structures 10. In addition, the first bonding plate portion 11 is located on the negative side of the Z axis (one side in the plate thickness direction), and the second bonding plate portion 12 is located on the positive side of the Z axis (the other side in the plate thickness direction). In each of the corrugated structures 10 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the number of first bonding plate portions 11 and second bonding plate portions 12 is two each, but this is not limited to this.

The multiple connecting plate portions 13 in each corrugated structure 10 each extend in the Z-axis direction to connect the first joining plate portion 11 and the second joining plate portion 12 adjacent in the X-axis direction. The multiple connecting plate portions 13 are arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, each connecting plate portion 13 extends in the Y-axis direction without being inclined in the X-axis direction with respect to the Y-axis direction. The dimension (height dimension) of the connecting plate portions 13 in the Z-axis direction is equal among the multiple corrugated structures 10.

As shown in Fig. 3, each wavy structure 10 extends in the X-axis direction while periodically meandering in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, each wavy structure 10 is formed in a wavy shape with one cycle consisting of the connection plate portion 13, the first joining plate portion 11, the connection plate portion 13, and the second joining plate portion 12 arranged in order in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, in each wave structure 10 of this embodiment, the connection portion between the first joining plate portion 11 and the connecting plate portion 13 is rounded so as to smoothly connect the first joining plate portion 11 and the connecting plate portion 13. In addition, the connection portion between the second joining plate portion 12 and the connecting plate portion 13 is rounded so as to smoothly connect the second joining plate portion 12 and the connecting plate portion 13. Each connection portion is formed in a fan shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction as shown in FIG. 3. The radius of curvature of the fan-shaped connection portion may be larger than the thickness dimension of the first and second joining plate portions 11, 12 and the connecting plate portion 13, for example.

[Relative arrangement of multiple corrugated structures]
The multiple corrugated structures 10 are aligned in the Y-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction. The connecting plate parts 13 of two corrugated structures 10 adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are shifted from each other in the X-axis direction. Specifically, two corrugated structures 10 adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are shifted by 1/4 period in the X-axis direction. Therefore, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, between two connecting plate parts 13 adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction in a given corrugated structure 10, the connecting plate part 13 of another corrugated structure 10 adjacent to the given corrugated structure 10 in the Y-axis direction is located.

In the following description, the four wavy structures 10 arranged in order on the positive Y-axis side (the other side of the second direction) may be referred to as the first wavy structure 10A, the second wavy structure 10B, the third wavy structure 10C, and the fourth wavy structure 10D, respectively.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first wavy structure 10A, the second wavy structure 10B, and the third wavy structure 10C, which are arranged in sequence on the positive Y-axis side, are shifted by 1/4 period toward the negative X-axis side (one side in the first direction). The fourth wavy structure 10D is shifted by 1/4 period toward the positive X-axis side (the other side in the first direction) with respect to the third wavy structure 10C. Therefore, the second wavy structure 10B and the fourth wavy structure 10D are positioned without being shifted from each other in the X-axis direction, i.e., they overlap in the Y-axis direction.

In the offset fin 3 in which multiple corrugated structures 10 are offset in the X-axis direction as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, multiple first joining plate portions 11 are lined up without gaps in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the first joining plate portions 11 of the different corrugated structures 10 are lined up in the X-axis direction. Similarly, multiple second joining plate portions 12 are lined up without gaps in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the second joining plate portions 12 of the different corrugated structures 10 are lined up in the X-axis direction.

[Front edge surface of connection plate]
2 and 4, the front edge surfaces 15 of the connecting plate portions 13 of the first and third corrugated structures 10A and 10C facing the negative Y-axis direction (one side in the second direction) are inclined toward the positive Y-axis direction (the other side in the second direction) with respect to the Z-axis direction. Also, in each of the first and third corrugated structures 10A and 10C, the front edge surfaces 15 of the connecting plate portions 13 adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction are inclined in opposite directions with respect to the Z-axis direction.
2 and 4, the front edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 located furthest on the X-axis positive side is inclined toward the Y-axis positive side as it approaches the Z-axis positive side. On the other hand, the front edge surface 15 of another connecting plate portion 13 adjacent to the connecting plate portion 13 on the X-axis negative side in the first corrugated structure 10A is inclined toward the Y-axis negative side as it approaches the Z-axis positive side.

[Front edge surface of joint plate]
As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second joint plate portions 11 and 12 of each corrugated structure 10 each have a front edge surface 17 facing the negative Y-axis direction (one side in the second direction). The front edge surface 17 of each joint plate portion 11 and 12 includes two inclined surfaces 171 and 172 (first inclined surface 171 and second inclined surface 172) arranged in order on the positive X-axis direction. These two inclined surfaces 171 and 172 are both inclined in the Y-axis direction with respect to the X-axis direction. However, the two inclined surfaces 171 and 172 are inclined in opposite directions to each other. Therefore, the front edge surface 17 of each joint plate portion 11 and 12 is formed in a V-shape in a plan view.

Specifically, in each of the joint plate portions 11, 12 of the first and third wave structures 10A, 10C, the first inclined surface 171 is inclined toward the positive Y-axis direction from the end portion of each of the joint plate portions 11, 12 on the negative X-axis side toward the positive X-axis side. On the other hand, the second inclined surface 172 is inclined toward the positive Y-axis direction from the end portion of each of the joint plate portions 11, 12 on the positive X-axis side toward the negative X-axis side. Therefore, the front edge surface 17 of each of the joint plate portions 11, 12 of the first and third wave structures 10A, 10C is formed into a V-shape in plan view that is recessed toward the positive Y-axis side.

On the other hand, in each of the joint plate portions 11, 12 of the second and fourth wave structures 10B, 10D, the first inclined surface 171 is inclined toward the negative Y-axis direction from the end portion on the negative X-axis side of each of the joint plate portions 11, 12 toward the positive X-axis side. On the other hand, the second inclined surface 172 is inclined toward the negative Y-axis direction from the end portion on the positive X-axis side of each of the joint plate portions 11, 12 toward the negative X-axis side. Therefore, the front edge surface 17 of each of the joint plate portions 11, 12 of the second and fourth wave structures 10B, 10D is formed in a V-shape in plan view that protrudes toward the negative Y-axis side.

In addition, in this embodiment, the front edge surfaces 17 of each of the joining plate portions 11, 12 of the first and third corrugated structures 10A, 10C are formed into an asymmetric V-shape in the X-axis direction. Specifically, in the first corrugated structure 10A, the first inclined surfaces 171 of each of the joining plate portions 11, 12 are longer than the second inclined surfaces 172 in a plan view. On the other hand, in the third corrugated structure 10C, the first inclined surfaces 171 of each of the joining plate portions 11, 12 are shorter than the second inclined surfaces 172 in a plan view.

On the other hand, the front edge surfaces 17 of the joining plate portions 11, 12 of the second and fourth wave structures 10B, 10D are formed in a V-shape that is symmetrical in the X-axis direction. That is, in the second and fourth wave structures 10B, 10D, the lengths of the first and second inclined surfaces 171, 172 of the joining plate portions 11, 12 are equal to each other in plan view.

[Rear edge surface of joint plate]
As shown in Fig. 2, the first and second joint plate portions 11, 12 of each corrugated structure 10 each have a trailing edge surface 18 facing the positive Y-axis direction. The trailing edge surface 18 of each joint plate portion 11, 12 is formed in a V-shape in plan view corresponding to the above-mentioned leading edge surface 17. Specifically, the trailing edge surfaces 18 of each joint plate portion 11, 12 of the first and third corrugated structures 10A, 10C are formed in a V-shape symmetrical in the X-axis direction. On the other hand, the trailing edge surfaces 18 of each joint plate portion 11, 12 of the second and fourth corrugated structures 10B, 10D are formed in a V-shape asymmetrical in the X-axis direction.
For the above reasons, the joint plate portions 11, 12 of each corrugated structure 10 are each formed into an asymmetric V-shape in the X-axis direction in a plan view.

In the same corrugated structure 10, the first and second joining plate portions 11, 12 have the same shape and size in plan view. In addition, the shapes of the first and second joining plate portions 11, 12 differ from one another among the multiple corrugated structures 10 (first to fourth corrugated structures 10A to 10D).

In the offset fin 3 of this embodiment, the first joint plate portions 11 of the multiple corrugated structures 10 arranged adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are integrally formed to form a single flat plate. Specifically, a part of the trailing edge surface 18 of the first joint plate portion 11 of the first corrugated structure 10A is connected to the second inclined surface 172 of the leading edge surface 17 of the first joint plate portion 11 of the second corrugated structure 10B, so that the first joint plate portions 11 of the first and second corrugated structures 10A and 10B arranged in the Y-axis direction are integrally formed. In addition, a part of the trailing edge surface 18 of the first joint plate portion 11 of the second corrugated structure 10B is connected to the second inclined surface 172 of the leading edge surface 17 of the first joint plate portion 11 of the third corrugated structure 10C, so that the first joint plate portions 11 of the second and third corrugated structures 10B and 10C arranged in the Y-axis direction are integrally formed. In addition, a portion of the rear edge surface 18 of the first joining plate portion 11 of the third corrugated structure 10C is connected to the first inclined surface 171 of the front edge surface 17 of the first joining plate portion 11 of the fourth corrugated structure 10D, so that the first joining plate portions 11 of the third and fourth corrugated structures 10C and 10D aligned in the Y-axis direction are formed integrally.
Similarly, the second joint plate portions 12 of the multiple corrugated structures 10 adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are integrally formed to form a single flat plate. The connection manner of the second joint plate portions 12 of the first to fourth corrugated structures 10A to 10D arranged in the Y-axis direction is the same as that of the first joint plate portion 11 described above.

The offset fin 3 of this embodiment configured as described above is disposed between a pair of plates 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The first joining plate portion 11 of each corrugated structure 10 is placed on the first plate 2A of the pair of plates 2 and joined by brazing or the like. The second joining plate portion 12 of each corrugated structure 10 is placed on the second plate 2B of the pair of plates 2 and joined by brazing or the like.

[Flow due to the leading edge of the connecting plate]
Next, a description will be given of the flow of fluid in the heat exchanger 1 including the offset fins 3 of this embodiment.
As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in the offset fin 3 of this embodiment, the front edge surface 15 of each connecting plate portion 13 of the first corrugated structure 10A is inclined toward the Y-axis positive direction with respect to the Z-axis direction. Therefore, when a fluid is caused to flow toward the Y-axis positive direction with respect to the offset fin 3, the fluid flows along the inclined front edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 as shown by arrows D1 and D2 in Figures 5 and 6. That is, the fluid flows not only in the Y-axis positive direction but also in the Z-axis direction at the front edge surface 15 of the inclined connecting plate portion 13. As a result, a swirling flow (secondary flow) is generated in the area adjacent to the connecting plate portion 13 in the X-axis direction as shown by arrows D3 and D4 in Figure 5. The swirling flow is a spiral flow with the Y-axis direction as its axis.

In addition, in the first wave structure 10A, the leading edge surfaces 15 of two adjacent connecting plate portions 13 in the X-axis direction are inclined in opposite directions with respect to the Z-axis direction. Therefore, in the leading edge surfaces 15 of these two adjacent connecting plate portions 13, the fluid flows in opposite directions in the Z-axis direction, as shown by arrows D1 and D2 in Figures 5 and 6. This allows a complex swirling flow to be generated between the two adjacent connecting plate portions 13, as shown by arrows D3 and D4 in Figure 5.

Although not shown, a swirling flow similar to that described above also occurs in a third wavy structure 10C having a structure similar to that of the first wavy structure 10A (a structure in which the leading edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 is inclined toward the positive Y-axis direction with respect to the Z-axis direction, and a structure in which the leading edge surfaces 15 of two connecting plate portions 13 adjacent in the X-axis direction are inclined in opposite directions with respect to the Z-axis direction).

[Flow due to the leading edge of the joint plate]
5 and 7, in the offset fin 3 of this embodiment, the front edge surface 17 of the second joining plate portion 12 of the first corrugated structure 10A has first and second inclined surfaces 171 and 172 inclined toward the Y-axis positive direction with respect to the X-axis direction. Therefore, when a fluid is caused to flow toward the Y-axis positive direction with respect to the offset fin 3, the fluid flows along the first and second inclined surfaces 171 and 172 as shown by arrows D5 and D6 in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7. That is, the fluid flows not only in the Y-axis positive direction but also in the X-axis direction on the first and second inclined surfaces 171 and 172. As a result, a swirling flow as shown by arrows D7 and D8 in Fig. 5 is generated in the region adjacent to the second joining plate portion 12 in the Z-axis direction.
In the second joint plate portion 12 of the first corrugated structure 10A, the first and second inclined surfaces 171, 172 are inclined in opposite directions so that the front edge surface 15 is formed in a V-shape in a plan view recessed toward the positive Y-axis direction. For this reason, swirling flows D7, D8 having opposite rotation directions are generated in the region adjacent to the second joint plate portion 12 in the Z-axis direction.

Although not shown, a swirling flow similar to the above also occurs in the first joint plate portion 11 (see FIG. 2) of the first corrugated structure 10A having the first and second inclined surfaces 171 and 172. In addition, a swirling flow similar to the above also occurs in the first inclined surfaces 171 of the joint plate portions 11 and 12 of the second and third corrugated structures 10B and 10C, and in the second inclined surfaces 172 of the joint plate portions 11 and 12 of the fourth corrugated structure 10D (see FIG. 2).

[Flow due to arrangement of joint plates]
3, in the offset fin 3 of this embodiment, the first bonding plate portions 11 of the different corrugated structures 10 are arranged without gaps in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction. Therefore, at any position in the X-axis direction, a step due to the first bonding plate portion 11 appears in the Y-axis direction. Similarly, the second bonding plate portions 12 of the different corrugated structures 10 are arranged without gaps in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction, so that a step due to the second bonding plate portion 12 appears in the Y-axis direction at any position in the X-axis direction. As a result, when a fluid is caused to flow in the Y-axis positive direction relative to the offset fin 3, turbulence due to the step occurs at any position in the X-axis direction.

[Fin plate material]
Next, a fin plate material 100 used in manufacturing the offset fin 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
The fin plate material 100 shown in FIG. 8 has a single plane, that is, the fin plate material 100 is formed in a flat plate shape. The fin plate material 100 is a plate material that can be bent. The fin plate material 100 has a plurality of unit structures 110. The unit structures 110 correspond to the corrugated structures 10 in the offset fin 3 after manufacture. For this reason, the number of unit structures 110 in this embodiment is four. The four unit structures 110 are arranged in the Y-axis direction (second direction) along the plane of the fin plate material 100. In the following description, the four unit structures 110 arranged in order on the Y-axis positive direction side (the other side of the second direction) may be referred to as the first unit structure 110A, the second unit structure 110B, the third unit structure 110C, and the fourth unit structure 110D, respectively. The first to fourth unit structures 110A to 110D correspond to the first to fourth corrugated structures 10A to 10D in the offset fin 3, respectively.

[Unit structure configuration]
Each unit structure 110 has a first joining plate portion 11 corresponding to the offset fin 3, a second joining plate portion 12, and a plurality of connecting plate portions 13.
The first bonding plate portions 11 and the second bonding plate portions 12 are alternately arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction (first direction) perpendicular to the Y-axis direction along the plane of the fin plate material 100. The shape and size of the first bonding plate portion 11 and the second bonding plate portion 12 of each unit structure 110 are the same as those of each wave structure 10 of the offset fin 3. That is, each bonding plate portion 11, 12 has a leading edge surface 17 and a trailing edge surface 18. In addition, the leading edge surface 17 of each bonding plate portion 11, 12 has a first inclined surface 171 and a second inclined surface 172. In each unit structure 110 illustrated in FIG. 8, the number of first bonding plate portions 11 and second bonding plate portions 12 is two, but this is not limited to this.

In each unit structure 110, the multiple connecting plate portions 13 are disposed between the first bonding plate portion 11 and the second bonding plate portion 12 in the X-axis direction, and connect the first bonding plate portion 11 and the second bonding plate portion 12. The multiple connecting plate portions 13 are arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction.
In the first and third unit structures 110A and 110C, the front edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 facing the negative Y-axis direction (one side in the second direction) is inclined toward the positive Y-axis direction with respect to the X-axis direction. The inclination directions of the front edge surfaces 15 of the multiple connecting plate portions 13 in the same unit structure 110 are the same. The inclination directions of the front edge surfaces 15 of the connecting plate portions 13 are opposite between the first unit structure 110A and the third unit structure 110C. Note that in the second and fourth unit structures 110B and 110D, the front edge surfaces of the connecting plate portions 13 extend in the X-axis direction without inclining with respect to the X-axis direction.
In the same unit structure 110, the shapes and sizes of the multiple connecting plate portions 13 as viewed in the Z-axis direction (the plate thickness direction of the fin plate material 100) are the same. Note that the shapes of the connecting plate portions 13 differ from one another among the multiple unit structures 110.

In each unit structure 110, the first boundary line 141 between the first joining plate portion 11 and the connecting plate portion 13, and the second boundary line 142 between the second joining plate portion 12 and the connecting plate portion 13, extend without inclining with respect to the Y-axis direction. In FIG. 8, the first boundary line 141 is shown by a dashed line. The second boundary line 142 is shown by a broken line.

[Relative placement of multiple unit structures]
Two unit structures 110 adjacent in the Y-axis direction are shifted in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the first bonding plate portions 11 of two unit structures 110 adjacent in the Y-axis direction are shifted by about half the width of the first bonding plate portion 11 in the X-axis direction. Similarly, the second bonding plate portions 12 of two unit structures 110 adjacent in the Y-axis direction are shifted by about half the width of the second bonding plate portion 12 in the X-axis direction.
The second unit structure 110B is positioned offset toward the negative X-axis direction with respect to the first unit structure 110A. The third unit structure 110C is positioned offset toward the negative X-axis direction with respect to the second unit structure 110B. That is, the three (multiple) unit structures 110 are positioned offset in the same direction. The fourth unit structure 110D is positioned offset toward the positive X-axis direction with respect to the third unit structure 110C. Therefore, the fourth unit structure 110D is positioned without being offset in the X-axis direction with respect to the second unit structure 110B.

In addition, in the fin plate material 100, the first bonding plate portions 11 of the multiple unit structures 110 that are adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are integrally formed. That is, the first bonding plate portions 11 that are adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are integrally connected. Similarly, the second bonding plate portions 12 of the multiple unit structures 110 that are adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are integrally formed. That is, the second bonding plate portions 12 that are adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are integrally connected. The specific connection manner between the first bonding plate portions 11 that are adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction and the specific connection manner between the second bonding plate portions 12 that are adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are the same as those of the offset fin 3.

The fin plate material 100 has holes 145 and slits 146. The holes 145 and slits 146 are formed so that the offset fin 3 of this embodiment can be manufactured simply by bending the fin plate material 100. The holes 145 and slits 146 penetrate the fin plate material 100 in its thickness direction (Z-axis direction).

The holes 145 are arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction between the first unit structure 110A and the second unit structure 110B, and between the third unit structure 110C and the fourth unit structure 110D, in multiples (three in FIG. 8). In a plan view from the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 8, the outline of each hole 145 includes an inclined side that forms part of the leading edge surface 17 and the trailing edge surface 18 of the first and second joining plate portions 11, 12.

The notches 146 are formed between the second unit structure 110B and the third unit structure 110C, and multiple notches (three in the illustrated example) are lined up at intervals in the X-axis direction. Each notch 146 extends at an incline in the Y-axis direction with respect to the X-axis direction. The inclined notches 146 correspond to the inclined front edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 of the third unit structure 110C and the inclined front edge surfaces 17 (first inclined surface 171) of the first and second joining plate portions 11, 12 of the third unit structure 110C.

[Method of manufacturing offset fins]
Next, an example of a manufacturing method for manufacturing the offset fin 3 of this embodiment using the fin plate material 100 described above will be described.
To manufacture the offset fin 3, the fin plate material 100 may be folded at the first and second boundary lines 141, 142. Specifically, as viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis as shown in Figure 8, the fin plate material 100 is folded in a valley fold at the first boundary line 141. In addition, the fin plate material 100 is folded in a mountain fold at the second boundary line 142. In this way, the offset fin 3 shown in Figures 2 to 4 can be manufactured. The fin plate material 100 may be folded by press working, for example.

[Action and Effect]
As described above, in the offset fin 3 and the heat exchanger 1 including the offset fin 3 of this embodiment, the front edge surface 15 of each connecting plate portion 13 of the first and third corrugated structures 10A and 10C is inclined toward the positive Y-axis direction with respect to the Z-axis direction. Therefore, when a fluid is caused to flow toward the positive Y-axis direction with respect to the offset fin 3, swirling flows D3 and D4 (see FIG. 5) are generated. This makes it possible to suppress the development of a thermal boundary layer that appears on a surface along the flow direction of the fluid, such as the main surface of the connecting plate portion 13. In other words, the thickness of the thermal boundary layer can be kept thin. As a result, the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fin 3 can be improved.

In addition, in the offset fins 3 and heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, the front edge surfaces 15 of the two connecting plate portions 13 adjacent in the X-axis direction are inclined in opposite directions with respect to the Z-axis direction. This allows complex swirling flows D3 and D4 to be generated between these two connecting plate portions 13. This further improves the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fins 3.

In addition, in the offset fin 3 and heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, the first bonding plate portions 11 of the different corrugated structures 10 are aligned in the X-axis direction without gaps when viewed from the Y-axis direction. Also, the second bonding plate portions 12 of the different corrugated structures 10 are aligned in the X-axis direction without gaps when viewed from the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 3). Therefore, at any position in the X-axis direction, a step due to the first bonding plate portion 11 and the second bonding plate portion 12 appears in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, when a fluid is flowed in the positive Y-axis direction relative to the offset fin 3, turbulence due to the step occurs at any position in the first direction. As a result, the development of a temperature boundary layer is suppressed at any position in the first direction. Therefore, the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fin 3 can be improved throughout the entire offset fin 3.

In addition, in the offset fins 3 and heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, the multiple corrugated structures 10 that are continuously arranged in the Y-axis direction are shifted by 1/4 period toward the negative X-axis direction. This allows the multiple first joining plate portions 11 to be arranged without gaps in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction, and also allows the multiple second joining plate portions 12 to be arranged without gaps in the X-axis direction.

In addition, in the offset fins 3 and heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, the leading edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 of each corrugated structure 10 has inclined surfaces 171, 172 that are inclined in the Y-axis direction with respect to the X-axis direction. Therefore, when a fluid is caused to flow in the positive direction of the Y-axis relative to the offset fin 3, swirling flows D7, D8 (see FIG. 5) are generated due to the inclined surfaces 171, 172. This makes it possible to suppress the development of a thermal boundary layer that appears on surfaces along the flow direction of the fluid, such as the main surfaces of the joining plate portions 11, 12. In other words, the thickness of the thermal boundary layer can be kept thin. As a result, the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fins 3 can be improved.

In addition, in the offset fins 3 and heat exchanger 1 of this embodiment, the connection portions between the joining plate portions 11, 12 and the connecting plate portion 13 are rounded. This makes it possible to suppress fluid from stagnating in the vicinity of the connection portions. It also makes it possible to suppress the connection portions from obstructing the swirling flows D3, D4, D7, and D8 that are generated due to the leading edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 and the leading edge surfaces 17 of the joining plate portions 11, 12. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent a decrease in heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fins 3 in the vicinity of the connection portions.

In addition, in the offset fins 3 and the heat exchanger 1 equipped with the offset fins 3 of this embodiment, the connecting plate portion 13 of each corrugated structure 10 extends in the Y-axis direction without being inclined in the X-axis direction with respect to the Y-axis direction. Therefore, when a fluid is caused to flow in the positive Y-axis direction relative to the offset fins 3, the connecting plate portion 13 can effectively prevent the fluid flow direction from changing. This makes it possible to keep the pressure loss of the fluid small.

In addition, in the fin plate material 100 of this embodiment, in the same unit structure 110, the first boundary line 141 between the first joining plate portion 11 and the connecting plate portion 13, and the second boundary line 142 between the second joining plate portion 12 and the connecting plate portion 13 each extend without inclining with respect to the Y-axis direction. In other words, the first and second boundary lines 141, 142 are not inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction. As a result, in the manufacturing method of the offset fin 3 of this embodiment, the fin plate material 100 can be bent at the first and second boundary lines 141, 142 without changing the orientation (angle) of the fin plate material 100. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent manufacturing errors due to changes in the orientation of the fin plate material 100.

In addition, the fin plate material 100 of this embodiment has holes 145 and notches 146 formed therein. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent the bending from affecting another adjacent unit structure 110 when the fin plate material 100 is bent at the first and second boundary lines 141, 142 of a given unit structure 110.

The above describes the embodiments of the present disclosure in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes design changes within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, the specific method of arranging the multiple corrugated structures 10 with a shift in the X-axis direction so that the multiple first joining plate portions 11 are arranged without gaps in the X-axis direction and the multiple second joining plate portions 12 are arranged without gaps in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction is not limited to the method shown in the above embodiment.

In the present disclosure, the front edge surfaces 17 of the first and second joining plate portions 11, 12 of each corrugated structure 10 are not limited to being formed in a V-shape in plan view, but may have at least one inclined surface that is inclined toward the positive Y-axis direction with respect to the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the inclined surface is not limited to extending linearly, but may extend, for example, in a curved manner.

<Additional Notes>
The offset fins 3, the heat exchanger 1, the fin plate material 100, and the manufacturing method of the offset fins 3 described in the above-described embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

(1) The offset fin 3 according to the first aspect has a first joining plate portion 11 and a second joining plate portion 12 that are shifted from each other in the plate thickness direction and are arranged alternately in a first direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction, and a plurality of connecting plate portions 13 that extend in the plate thickness direction and connect the first joining plate portion 11 and the second joining plate portion 12 adjacent to each other in the first direction and are arranged at intervals in the first direction. This offset fin 3 has a plurality of corrugated structures 10 that extend in the first direction while meandering periodically in the plate thickness direction, the plurality of corrugated structures 10 are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction and the first direction, the connecting plate portions 13 of two corrugated structures 10 adjacent to each other in the second direction are shifted from each other in the first direction, and in at least one of the corrugated structures 10A, 10C, the leading edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 that faces one side of the second direction is inclined to the other side of the second direction with respect to the plate thickness direction.

In the offset fin 3 configured as described above, the leading edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 facing one side in the second direction is inclined. Therefore, when a fluid is made to flow to the other side in the second direction relative to the offset fin 3, the fluid flows along the leading edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13, generating a swirling flow (secondary flow). This makes it possible to suppress the development of a thermal boundary layer that appears on surfaces along the fluid flow direction, such as the main surface of the connecting plate portion 13. In other words, the thickness of the thermal boundary layer can be kept thin. As a result, the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fin 3 can be improved.

(2) The offset fin 3 according to the second aspect is the offset fin 3 described in (1) in which the leading edge surfaces 15 of the two connecting plate portions 13 adjacent to each other in the first direction in the same corrugated structure 10A, 10C are inclined in opposite directions to each other with respect to the plate thickness direction.

In the offset fin 3 configured as described above, the fluid flows in opposite directions in the plate thickness direction of the joining plate parts 11, 12 at the leading edge surfaces 15 of the two connecting plate parts 13 adjacent to each other in the first direction. This allows a complex swirling flow to be generated between these two connecting plate parts 13. As a result, the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fin 3 can be further improved.

(3) The offset fin 3 according to the third aspect is the offset fin 3 described in (1) or (2) in which the connection portion between the first joining plate portion 11 and the connecting plate portion 13 is rounded so as to smoothly connect the first joining plate portion 11 and the connecting plate portion 13, and the connection portion between the second joining plate portion 12 and the connecting plate portion 13 is rounded so as to smoothly connect the second joining plate portion 12 and the connecting plate portion 13.

In the offset fin 3 configured as described above, the connection portions between the first and second joining plate portions 11, 12 and the connecting plate portion 13 are rounded, which can prevent fluid from stagnating near the connection portions. In addition, the connection portions can be prevented from impeding the swirling flow caused by the leading edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13, etc. This can prevent or suppress a decrease in heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fin 3 near the connection portions.

(4) The offset fin 3 according to the fourth aspect is an offset fin 3 described in any one of (1) to (3) in which the plurality of wave structures 10 are positioned offset in the first direction so that, when viewed from the second direction, the plurality of first joining plate portions 11 are aligned without gaps in the first direction, and the plurality of second joining plate portions 12 are aligned without gaps in the first direction.

In the offset fin 3 configured as described above, a step due to the first joining plate portion 11 and the second joining plate portion 12 appears in the second direction at any position in the first direction. Therefore, when a fluid is caused to flow through the offset fin 3 in the second direction, turbulence due to the step occurs at any position in the first direction. This suppresses the development of a thermal boundary layer at any position in the first direction. Therefore, the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fin 3 can be improved throughout the entire offset fin 3.

(5) The offset fin 3 according to the fifth aspect is the offset fin 3 described in (4) in which the connecting plate portion 13, the first joining plate portion 11, the connecting plate portion 13, and the second joining plate portion 12 arranged in sequence in the first direction in the same corrugated structure 10 constitute one period, and the multiple corrugated structures 10 that are continuous in the second direction are shifted by 1/4 period to one side of the first direction.

In the offset fin 3 configured as described above, when viewed from the second direction, multiple first joining plate portions 11 can be arranged in the first direction without gaps, and multiple second joining plate portions 12 can be arranged in the first direction without gaps.

(6) The offset fin 3 according to the sixth aspect is an offset fin 3 described in any one of (1) to (5) in which the leading edge surfaces 17 of the first joining plate portion 11 and the second joining plate portion 12 facing one side of the second direction have inclined surfaces 171, 172 that are inclined toward the other side of the second direction with respect to the first direction.

In the offset fin 3 configured as described above, when a fluid is caused to flow toward the other side of the offset fin 3 in the second direction, the fluid flows along the inclined surfaces 171, 172 of the leading edge surfaces 17 of the first and second joining plate portions 11, 12, generating a swirling flow (secondary flow). This makes it possible to suppress the development of a thermal boundary layer that appears on surfaces along the fluid flow direction, such as the main surfaces of the first and second joining plate portions 11, 12. In other words, the thickness of the thermal boundary layer can be kept thin. As a result, the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fin 3 can be improved.

(7) The seventh aspect of the heat exchanger 1 is a heat exchanger 1 comprising an offset fin 3 as described in any one of (1) to (6) and a pair of plates 2 between which the offset fin 3 is disposed in the plate thickness direction, in which the first joining plate portion 11 is overlapped and joined to the first plate 2A of the pair of plates 2, and the second joining plate portion 12 is overlapped and joined to the second plate 2B of the pair of plates 2.

In the heat exchanger 1 configured as described above, when a fluid is caused to flow between the pair of plates 2 on the other side of the second direction, a swirling flow is generated due to the leading edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 of the offset fin 3, so that the development of a temperature boundary layer that appears on surfaces along the flow direction of the fluid, such as the main surfaces of the first and second plates 2A and 2B, can be suppressed. This makes it possible to improve the heat transfer performance between the fluid and the offset fin 3.

(8) The fin plate material 100 according to the eighth aspect is a fin plate material 100 having a single plane, and is provided with a plurality of unit structures 110 each having a first bonding plate portion 11 and a second bonding plate portion 12 arranged alternately at intervals in a first direction along the plane, and a plurality of connecting plate portions 13 arranged between the first bonding plate portion 11 and the second bonding plate portion 12 in the first direction and connecting the first bonding plate portion 11 and the second bonding plate portion 12, and the plurality of unit structures 110 are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction along the plane, and the plurality of unit structures 110 are connected to the second bonding plate portion 12 in the first direction. Two unit structures 110 adjacent to each other in the first direction are offset from each other in the first direction, and in at least one of the unit structures 110, the front edge surface 15 of the connecting plate portion 13 facing one side in the second direction is inclined toward the other side in the second direction with respect to the first direction, and in the same unit structure 110, the first boundary line 141 between the first joining plate portion 11 and the connecting plate portion 13 and the second boundary line 142 between the second joining plate portion 12 and the connecting plate portion 13 extend without inclining with respect to the second direction, forming a fin plate material 100.

The aforementioned offset fin 3 can be manufactured by using the fin plate material 100 of the above-mentioned configuration and bending it at the first boundary line 141 between the first joining plate portion 11 and the connecting plate portion 13, and at the second boundary line 142 between the second joining plate portion 12 and the connecting plate portion 13.
In addition, since the first and second boundary lines 141, 142 are not inclined with respect to the second direction, the fin plate material 100 can be bent at the first and second boundary lines 141, 142 without changing the orientation (angle) of the fin plate material 100. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent manufacturing errors caused by changes in the orientation of the fin plate material 100.

(9) The manufacturing method of the offset fin 3 according to the ninth aspect is a manufacturing method of the offset fin 3 in which the offset fin 3 is manufactured using the fin plate material 100 described in (8), and the fin plate material 100 is folded in a valley fold at the first boundary line 141, and the fin plate material 100 is folded in a mountain fold at the second boundary line 142.

According to the above-mentioned method for manufacturing the offset fin 3, the offset fin 3 described above can be manufactured.
In addition, since the first and second boundary lines 141, 142 are not inclined with respect to the second direction, the fin plate material 100 can be bent at the first and second boundary lines 141, 142 without changing the orientation (angle) of the fin plate material 100. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent manufacturing errors caused by changes in the orientation of the fin plate material 100.

1 Heat exchanger 2 Plate 2A First plate 2B Second plate 3 Offset fin 10 Corrugated structure 10A First corrugated structure 10B Second corrugated structure 10C Third corrugated structure 10D Fourth corrugated structure 11 First joining plate portion 12 Second joining plate portion 13 Connection plate portion 15 Front edge surface 17 of connection plate portion 13 Front edge surface 100 of joining plate portions 11, 12 Fin plate material 110 Unit structure 110A First unit structure 110B Second unit structure 110C Third unit structure 110D Fourth unit structure 141 First boundary line 142 Second boundary line 171 First inclined surface 172 Second inclined surface

Claims (9)

a first joining plate portion and a second joining plate portion that are shifted from each other in the plate thickness direction and alternately arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction, and a plurality of connecting plate portions that extend in the plate thickness direction, connect the first joining plate portion and the second joining plate portion that are adjacent to each other in the first direction, and are arranged at intervals in the first direction, thereby providing a plurality of wave-shaped structures that extend in the first direction while meandering periodically in the plate thickness direction;
The plurality of corrugated structures are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction and the first direction,
The connecting plate portions of the two corrugated structures adjacent to each other in the second direction are shifted from each other in the first direction,
In at least one of the wave structures, an offset fin has a leading edge surface of the connecting plate portion facing one side in the second direction, the leading edge surface being inclined toward the other side in the second direction with respect to the plate thickness direction. The offset fin according to claim 1, wherein the leading edge surfaces of two connecting plate portions adjacent to each other in the first direction in the same corrugated structure are inclined in opposite directions relative to the plate thickness direction. A connection portion between the first joining plate portion and the connecting plate portion is rounded so as to smoothly connect the first joining plate portion and the connecting plate portion,
The offset fin according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a connection portion between the second joining plate portion and the connecting plate portion is rounded so as to smoothly connect the second joining plate portion and the connecting plate portion. The offset fin according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of wave structures are positioned offset in the first direction so that, as viewed from the second direction, the plurality of first joining plate portions are aligned without gaps in the first direction, and the plurality of second joining plate portions are aligned without gaps in the first direction. The connecting plate portion, the first bonding plate portion, the connecting plate portion, and the second bonding plate portion arranged in sequence in the first direction in the same corrugated structure are defined as one period,
The offset fin according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of corrugated structures continuous in the second direction are shifted by ¼ period to one side in the first direction. An offset fin according to claim 1 or 2, in which the leading edge surfaces of the first joining plate portion and the second joining plate portion facing one side of the second direction have an inclined surface that is inclined toward the other side of the second direction with respect to the first direction. The offset fin according to claim 1 or 2;
A pair of plates between which the offset fin is disposed in the plate thickness direction,
The first joining plate portion is overlapped and joined to a first plate of the pair of plates,
A heat exchanger in which the second joining plate portion is overlapped and joined to a second plate of the pair of plates. A fin plate material having a single plane,
a plurality of unit structures each having a first bonding plate portion and a second bonding plate portion alternately arranged at intervals in a first direction along the plane, and a plurality of connecting plate portions disposed between the first bonding plate portion and the second bonding plate portion in the first direction and connecting the first bonding plate portion and the second bonding plate portion;
the plurality of unit structures are arranged along the plane in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction,
Two of the unit structures adjacent to each other in the second direction are shifted from each other in the first direction,
In at least one of the unit structures, a front edge surface of the connecting plate portion facing one side in the second direction is inclined toward the other side in the second direction with respect to the first direction,
In the same unit structure, a first boundary line between the first joining plate portion and the connecting plate portion, and a second boundary line between the second joining plate portion and the connecting plate portion, extend without inclining with respect to the second direction. A method for manufacturing an offset fin using the fin plate material according to claim 8,
A manufacturing method for offset fins, comprising: folding the fin plate material with a valley fold at the first boundary line; and folding the fin plate material with a mountain fold at the second boundary line.

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