JP7171889B2 - Heat exchanger manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger.

Conventionally, a plurality of flat tubes having coolant flow paths therein and a plurality of plate fins having slits having shapes corresponding to the plurality of flat tubes are provided, and each flat tube is passed through the slit of each plate fin. Heat exchangers are known.

For example, when manufacturing such a heat exchanger, first, a plurality of plate fins are arranged at a predetermined pitch, and flat tubes are sequentially inserted into the slits of each plate fin. Further, headers are attached to both ends of each flat tube, and each flat tube and each plate fin are joined through brazing in a furnace. In the case of such a manufacturing method, when the flat tubes are inserted into the slits of the plurality of plate fins, problems such as the plate fins falling due to the frictional force between the flat tubes and the plate fins may occur.

On the other hand, after arranging a plurality of flat tubes, a method of gripping the plate fins and attaching them to the flat tubes one by one is also conceivable. However, in this case, since it is necessary to prevent the members that hold the plate fins from interfering with the plate fins already attached to the flat tube, the pitch of the plate fins is restricted.

JP 2016-48162 A

As noted above, there is room for improvement in the manufacture of heat exchangers. Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method capable of increasing the degree of freedom in designing a heat exchanger and efficiently manufacturing the heat exchanger.

A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to one embodiment includes a first step, a second step, and a third step. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes arranged in a first direction and elongated in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of flat tubes arranged in the second direction and elongated in the first direction. each of the plurality of plate fins has a plurality of first slits opening along one side along the first direction, and each of the plurality of flat tubes includes the plurality of plate fins is passed through each of the first slits. In the first step, the plurality of flat tubes are arranged in the first direction. In the second step, the plate fins are sucked by a suction member. In the third step, the plate fins and the plurality of flat tubes sucked by the suction member are relatively moved in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and the plate The flattened tubes are respectively positioned in the plurality of first slits of the fin. Further, the suction member includes a suction surface that suctions the plate fins, a first end facing the plurality of flat tubes, a second end opposite to the first end, and the suction surface. a protruding portion that protrudes from the attraction surface between the second ends.

The figure which shows the schematic structure of the refrigerating-cycle apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. 1 is a schematic plan view of a heat exchanger according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger taken along line III-III in FIG. 2; The schematic perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a suction member and plate fins included in the manufacturing apparatus; Schematic sectional drawing of the said attraction|suction member and the said plate fin. The perspective view which shows the state in the middle of lowering the said attraction|suction member toward several flat tubes. The perspective view which shows the state which lowered the said attraction|suction member to the maximum. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the manufacturing apparatus, etc. along line IX-IX in FIG. 8; The perspective view which shows the state which attached several plate fins to each flat tube.

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. This refrigeration cycle device 1 is, for example, an air conditioner capable of cooling operation and heating operation, and includes a compressor 2, a four-way valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an expansion valve 5, and an indoor heat exchanger 6. , and coolant channels 7 connecting these elements.

The compressor 2 includes a compressor body 2a and an accumulator 2b. The accumulator 2b separates the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant passage 7 into gas and liquid, and supplies the gas refrigerant to the compressor main body 2a. The compressor main body 2a compresses the gas refrigerant supplied from the accumulator 2b to generate high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant.

In such a refrigeration cycle device 1, by changing the flow of the refrigerant with the four-way valve 3, it is possible to switch between the cooling operation and the heating operation. In the example of FIG. 1, the solid line arrows indicate the refrigerant flow in the cooling operation, and the broken line arrows indicate the refrigerant flow in the heating operation.

For example, in cooling operation, refrigerant flows through the compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the expansion valve 5, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 in this order. At this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator, thereby cooling the room.

On the other hand, in heating operation, the flow path of the four-way valve 3 is switched as indicated by the broken line, and the refrigerant flows through the compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, the indoor heat exchanger 6, the expansion valve 5, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 in this order. At this time, the room is heated by the indoor heat exchanger 6 functioning as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functioning as an evaporator.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the heat exchanger 100 according to this embodiment. This heat exchanger 100 can be used for the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 6 shown in FIG. The heat exchanger 100 can also be used in other types of refrigerating cycle devices and devices other than refrigerating cycle devices.

In the following description, a first direction D1, a second direction D2 and a third direction D3 are defined as shown in FIG. These directions D1 to D3 are directions orthogonal to each other, for example. However, these directions D1 to D3 may intersect at an angle other than 90 degrees.

The heat exchanger 100 has a first header 10 and a second header 20 . Each of the headers 10 and 20 is a long pipe in the first direction D1, and is spaced apart in the second direction D2.

Both ends of the first header 10 in the first direction D1 are closed by end caps 11 and 12 . Furthermore, the first header 10 has a first joint 13 for connecting with the refrigerant flow path 7 .

Similarly, both ends of the second header 20 in the first direction D1 are closed by end caps 21 and 22 . Furthermore, the second header 20 has a second joint 23 for connecting with the coolant channel 7 .

Heat exchanger 100 further includes a plurality of flat tubes 30 and a plurality of plate fins 40 . The plurality of flat tubes 30 have an elongated shape in the second direction D2 and are arranged at intervals in the first direction D1. The plurality of plate fins 40 have an elongated shape in the first direction D1 and are arranged at intervals in the second direction D2. In the example of FIG. 2 , the arrangement pitch of the plate fins 40 is larger than the arrangement pitch of the flat tubes 30 . As an example, the interval (arrangement pitch) between adjacent plate fins 40 is approximately 1.5 mm.

One end of each flat tube 30 in the second direction D2 is connected to the first header 10 . Also, the other end of each flat tube 30 in the second direction D2 is connected to the second header 20 . For example, when refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchanger 100 through the first joint 13, the refrigerant is split from the first header 10 to each flat tube 30, joins at the second header 20, and flows through the second joint 23. It is discharged from heat exchanger 100 . Further, when the refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchanger 100 through the second joint 23, the refrigerant is branched from the second header 20 to each flat tube 30, joins at the first header 10, and flows through the first joint 13. It is discharged from heat exchanger 100 .

The heat exchanger 100 is arranged, for example, such that the first direction D1 is along the direction of gravity. A plurality of heat exchangers 100 having channels connected to each other may constitute the above-described outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the like. In this case, either one of the first joint 13 and the second joint 23 may be used to connect the flow paths between the heat exchangers 100 .

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of heat exchanger 100 along line III-III in FIG. The plate fin 40 has a first side 41 , a second side 42 opposite to the first side 41 , a first surface 43 , and a second surface 44 opposite to the first surface 43 . Both the first side 41 and the second side 42 are parallel to the first direction D1. The first surface 43 is the front surface of the plate fins 40 shown in FIG. 3, and the second surface F2 is the rear surface of the plate fins 40 .

The plate fins 40 have multiple first slits 50 . These first slits 50 all extend in the third direction D3 and are aligned in the first direction D1. Each first slit 50 opens on the first side 41 .

In the example of FIG. 3, each first slit 50 has a first portion 51 , a second portion 52 and a tapered portion 53 between the first portion 51 and the second portion 52 . The second portion 52 opens to the first side 41 and has a width in the first direction D1 that is larger than that of the first portion 51 . In the tapered portion 53, both sides of the first slit 50 are inclined with respect to the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 so that the width gradually narrows from the second portion 52 toward the first portion 51. there is

Each flat tube 30 is inserted into the first portion 51 of the first slit 50 and joined to the plate fins 40 by, for example, brazing. In the example of FIG. 3 , the end of each flat tube 30 in the third direction D3 is located at the tapered portion 53 . As another example, the end of each flattened tube 30 may be located in the first portion 51 or the second portion 52 . Each flat tube 30 has therein a plurality of flow paths 31 aligned in the third direction D3. These channels 31 communicate with the channels in the first header 10 and the channels in the second header 20 shown in FIG.

Between the first slits 50 adjacent to each other, an expanded portion 45 projecting downward in the figure with respect to the flat tube 30 is formed. The expanded portion 45 increases the contact area between the plate fins 40 and the air, improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 100 .

In the example of FIG. 3, the plate fin 40 includes an inclined portion 46 extending along the second side 42, a stepped portion 47 located between the inclined portion 46 and the second side 42, and adjacent first slits 50. and a cut-and-raised portion 48 provided between.

At the inclined portion 46, the plate fins 40 are bent so as to protrude toward the second surface 44 (see FIG. 6, which will be described later). Therefore, the first surface 43 at the stepped portion 47 is recessed with respect to the region where the first slits 50 are provided. By providing the inclined portion 46, the bending of the thin plate fins 40 can be suppressed.

For example, the cut-and-raise 48 is formed by forming a pair of cuts in the plate fin 40 along the first direction D1, and pressing a portion between the cuts to protrude toward the first surface 43 side. At the cut-and-raised portion 48, the space on the first surface 43 side communicates with the space on the second surface 44 side. Such cut-and-raised portions 48 increase the contact area between the plate fins 40 and the surrounding air, and allow the air to flow from the first surface 43 side to the second surface 44 side, or vice versa. .

Note that the plate fins 40 may not have the extended portions 45 and the cut-and-raised portions 48 . Also, the first slit 50 may not have at least one of the second portion 52 and the tapered portion 53 .

Next, a method for manufacturing the heat exchanger 100 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a manufacturing apparatus 200 for the heat exchanger 100. FIG. This manufacturing apparatus 200 is responsible for the process of assembling the plurality of flat tubes 30 and the plurality of plate fins 40 in the manufacturing process of the heat exchanger 100 .

The manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a table 201 , a holder 202 , a suction device 210 and a transport device 220 . In FIG. 4, a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction D3 regarding the heat exchanger 100 to be assembled are also shown in the manufacturing apparatus 200. As shown in FIG.

The holder 202 is arranged at one end of the table 201 in the second direction D2. Although omitted in FIG. 4, a holder 202 is also arranged at the other end of the table 201 in the second direction D2. These holders 202 hold both ends of a plurality of flat tubes 30 . Although the configuration of these holders 202 is not particularly limited, for example, flat tubes 30 may be held by inserting respective ends of flat tubes 30 into slits provided in these holders 202 .

In the example of FIG. 4, a support member 203 for supporting the lower end of flat tube 30 is arranged on table 201 . The support member 203 may be arranged at multiple locations between the pair of holders 202 . Details of the support member 203 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The suction device 210 includes a suction member 211 and multiple tubes 212 . The suction member 211 faces the plurality of flat tubes 30 in the third direction D3 and holds the plate fins 40 by suction. One end of the plurality of tubes 212 is connected to the suction member 211, and the other end is connected to a suction source such as a pump.

The conveying device 220 includes a pair of rails 221A, 221B and a pair of pillars 222A, 222B. The rails 221A, 221B are arranged on the table 201 and extend in the second direction D2. A plurality of flat tubes 30 are held by holders 202 between these rails 221A and 221B.

The struts 222A, 222B extend in the third direction D3. The lower end of the support 222A and the rail 221A are connected so that the support 222A can slide along the rail 221A as indicated by an arrow AR1. Similarly, the lower end of the support 222B and the rail 221B are connected so that the support 222B can slide along the rail 221B as indicated by the arrow AR1. The direction indicated by arrow AR1 is parallel to the second direction D2.

One end of the suction member 211 and the support 222A are connected so that the suction member 211 can slide along the support 222A, as indicated by an arrow AR2. Similarly, one end of the suction member 211 and the support 222B are connected so that the suction member 211 can slide along the support 222B, as indicated by an arrow AR2. A direction indicated by an arrow AR2 is parallel to the third direction D3.

The horizontal drive mechanism for moving the columns 222A and 222B along the rails 221A and 221B includes a power supply source such as a motor, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power from the power source to the columns 222A and 222B. Various configurations can be applied. Similarly, the vertical drive mechanism for moving the suction member 211 along the struts 222A and 222B includes a power supply source such as a motor, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting power from the power supply source to the suction member 211. Various configurations with are applicable.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the suction member 211 and the plate fins 40. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the suction member 211 and the plate fins 40, showing a state in which the suction member 211 is attracted to the plate fins 40. FIG.

5 and 6, the suction member 211 includes a suction surface 213 that suctions the plate fins 40, a first end 214 in the third direction D3, and a second end opposite to the first end 214. and a projecting portion 216 located between the attracting surface 213 and the second end 215 . The first end 214 is the end facing the plurality of flattened tubes 30 shown in FIG. The protruding portion 216 protrudes from the attraction surface 213 and extends along the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the suction member 211 further has a plurality of second slits 217 . The plurality of second slits 217 all extend in the third direction D3 and are arranged in the first direction D1 at the same pitch as the first slits 50 of the plate fins 40 . Each second slit 217 opens at the first end 214 .

In the example of FIG. 5, the attraction surface 213 includes an inclined portion 218 extending in the first direction D1 between each second slit 217 and the projecting portion 216, and a stepped portion 219 positioned between the inclined portion 218 and the projecting portion 216. and As shown in FIG. 6 , the shapes of the slanted portion 218 and the stepped portion 219 are shapes corresponding to the slanted portion 46 and the stepped portion 47 of the plate fin 40 . That is, the stepped portion 47 (first stepped portion) protrudes in the second direction D2, and the stepped portion 219 (second stepped portion) is recessed in the second direction D2.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the suction member 211 has multiple exhaust holes 230 , multiple first intake holes 231 , and multiple second intake holes 232 . The plurality of exhaust holes 230 are provided on the upper surface of the suction member 211 (the surface of the second end portion 215) and are arranged in the first direction D1. The plurality of first air intake holes 231 are provided in the adsorption surface 213 and arranged in the first direction D1. Similarly, the plurality of second air intake holes 232 are provided in the adsorption surface 213 and arranged in the first direction D1.

In the example of FIG. 5, one first intake hole 231 and one second intake hole 232 are provided between adjacent second slits 217 . These first air intake holes 231 and second air intake holes 232 are arranged in the third direction D3.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the suction member 211 has flow paths 233 between adjacent second slits 217 . The flow path 233 communicates with one exhaust hole 230 , one first intake hole 231 and one second intake hole 232 . That is, the suction member 211 has the same number of flow paths 233 as the exhaust holes 230 inside. As another example, the suction member 211 may have channels inside that communicate with the plurality of exhaust holes 230 , the plurality of first suction holes 231 , and the plurality of second suction holes 232 .

As shown in FIG. 5, each exhaust hole 230 is connected to a tube 212 . 5, the tubes 212 corresponding to some of the exhaust holes 230 are shown, and the remaining tubes 212 are omitted. When the adsorption surface 213 is not covered with the plate fins 40 , air is sucked into the flow path 233 through the first air intake hole 231 and the second air intake hole 232 , and the air passes through the exhaust hole 230 and the tube 212 . Ejected. When the adsorption surface 213 is covered with the plate fins 40, the first air intake hole 231 and the second air intake hole 232 are closed, and the pressure inside the flow path 233 is reduced. As a result, the plate fins 40 are attracted to the attraction surface 213 .

As shown in FIG. 6 , when the plate fins 40 are attracted to the attraction surface 213 , the second surfaces 44 of the plate fins 40 are in contact with the attraction surface 213 . At this time, the inclined portion 46 and the stepped portion 47 of the plate fin 40 contact the inclined portion 218 and the stepped portion 219 of the attraction surface 213, respectively.

When the plate fins 40 are attracted to the attraction surface 213, the plurality of first slits 50 and the plurality of second slits 217 overlap.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus 200 and shows a state in which the suction member 211 is being lowered toward the plurality of flat tubes 30. As shown in FIG. In this figure, the suction member 211 is positioned at the starting position P where the first plate fin 40 should be arranged. When the suction member 211 is lowered, the flat tube 30 is inserted into the first slit 50 and the second slit 217 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the suction member 211 is lowered to the maximum. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the manufacturing apparatus 200 etc. taken along line IX-IX in FIG. When the suction member 211 is lowered to the maximum, the flat tube 30 is inserted up to the upper end of each first slit 50 . After that, for example, the suction through the tube 212 is temporarily stopped to release the holding of the plate fins 40 by the suction member 211 .

As shown in FIG. 9 , the support member 203 of the manufacturing apparatus 200 is provided for each of the plurality of flat tubes 30 . The lower end of each flat tube 30 is supported by the upper surface 203a of the support member 203 in the third direction D3. As shown, the upper surface 203a of the support member 203 may be recessed to facilitate receiving the flattened tube 30 . When the suction member 211 is lowered, part of the support member 203 is inserted into the second portion 52 of the first slit 50 .

A part of the plate fin 40 is cut away on the left side of FIG. 9 to show the attracting surface 213 located behind the plate fin 40 . As shown in the broken portion, the second slit 217 has a width greater than that of the support member 203 in the first direction D1. A part of the support member 203 is inserted into the second slit 217 when the suction member 211 is lowered.

When each flat tube 30 is inserted into each first slit 50, the frictional force between the edge of each first slit 50 and each flat tube 30 acts as resistance. However, in the present embodiment, the projecting portion 216 of the attraction member 211 can push the plate fins 40 , so the plate fins 40 are less likely to shift from the attraction surface 213 even if the resistance is received.

Each flat tube 30 is not only supported at both ends by the holders 202 described above, but also supported at its intermediate portion by the support member 203 . Therefore, even if each flat tube 30 is pushed downward by the plate fins 40, each flat tube 30 is less likely to bend.

Next, a series of manufacturing steps of the heat exchanger 100 using the manufacturing apparatus 200 as described above will be described.
[First step]
First, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, by attaching a plurality of flat tubes 30 to the holder 202, the flat tubes 30 are arranged in the first direction D1.

[Second step]
After the first step, as shown in FIG. 4, the plate fins 40 are attracted by the attraction surface 213 of the attraction member 211 .

The plate fins 40 are supplied to the adsorption surface 213 by a supply device separate from the manufacturing apparatus 200, for example. Although the configuration of this supply device is not particularly limited, for example, a configuration may be employed in which a plurality of plate fins 40 individually cut and prepared in advance are sequentially supplied to the adsorption surface 213 . As another example, the supply device includes a press machine that forms the elements of the plate fins 40 such as the first slits 50 by pressing a continuous plate material, and a press machine that cuts the press-processed area from the plate material to form the plate fins 40. A cutting device for cutting out the plate fins 40 may be provided, and the cut plate fins 40 may be sequentially supplied to the attracting surface 213 .

[Third step]
After the second step, the conveying device 220 moves the suction member 211 along the second direction D2 to the start position P shown in FIG.

At the start position P shown in FIG. 7 , the suction member 211 is lowered along the third direction D<b>3 by the conveying device 220 to insert the flat tubes 30 into the plurality of first slits 50 of the plate fins 40 . After insertion, for example, the suction is temporarily stopped to move the suction member 211 away from the plate fins 40 . After separating the plate fins 40 and the suction member 211, the suction member 211 is raised to the position shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of a plate fin that does not have the inclined portion 46 or the stepped portion 47, the suction member 211 does not have to be moved away from the plate fin.

After that, the plate fins 40 are sequentially attached to the respective flat tubes 30 by continuously performing the second step and the third step. At this time, the suction member 211 that has attracted the second and subsequent plate fins 40 is moved by the conveying device 220 by a predetermined distance along the second direction D2. This predetermined distance corresponds to the arrangement pitch of the plate fins 40 in the heat exchanger 100 to be manufactured. That is, the suction member 211 moves the attracted plate fins 40 to positions having a predetermined distance in the second direction D2 from the plate fins 40 into which the flat tubes 30 have already been inserted, and attaches them to the respective flat tubes.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus 200 and shows a state in which some of the plurality of plate fins 40 included in the heat exchanger 100 are attached to the respective flat tubes 30. FIG. In the step of moving the suction member 211 along the second direction D2, the suction member 211 moves in a direction away from the plate fins 40 to which the suction surface 213 is attached. Therefore, the suction member 211 does not interfere with the attached plate fins 40 . A plurality of plate fins 40 attached to each flat tube 30 as shown in FIG. 10 are supported by each flat tube 30 without contacting each other, for example.

In the step of moving the suction member 211 along the second direction D2, the movement distance may be changed according to the position in the second direction D2. In this case, the plate fins 40 can be arbitrarily provided with a dense arrangement pitch or a sparse arrangement pitch.

After all the plate fins 40 have been attached, each flat tube 30 is attached with other elements of the heat exchanger 100 such as the first header 10 and the second header 20 . For example, each flat tube 30 is coated with a brazing material in advance, and each flat tube 30 and each plate fin 40 are fixed by brazing the assembled heat exchanger 100 in a furnace. Thus, the heat exchanger 100 is completed.

Here, as a comparative example with the present embodiment, a heat exchanger using circular tubes with a diameter of about 7 mm is assumed instead of flat tubes. Conventionally, in such a heat exchanger, a circular slit for inserting a circular tube is provided in the plate fins, and a fin collar for defining the interval between adjacent plate fins is protruded around the slit. is formed. After stacking a plurality of plate fins at a predetermined arrangement pitch using the fin collars, circular tubes are inserted into the slits of each plate fin.

For example, when the plate fins are arranged at intervals of 1.5 mm, the protrusion height of the fin collar is set to 1.5 mm. Since the diameter of the slit is as large as about 7 mm, which is the same as that of the circular tube, the fin collar having such a protrusion height can be easily formed. On the other hand, in a heat exchanger using flat tubes as in the present embodiment, assuming that the thickness of the flat tubes is, for example, 2 mm or less, a fin collar of about 1.5 mm is formed around the slit of the plate fin. is difficult to form.

In addition, as a technique for adjusting the intervals between a plurality of plate fins, a structure in which the plate fins are provided with cut-and-raised portions for adjusting the intervals and the adjacent plate fins are brought into contact with the cut-and-raised portions may be considered. However, if there is such a cut-and-raised portion across adjacent plate fins, it may become a factor that hinders the drainage of condensed water generated when the heat exchanger acts as an evaporator. In addition, when the outside air temperature is low, frost forms on the cut-and-raise, which can be a factor that hinders heat transfer.

In contrast, in the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, the plate fins 40 are attached one by one after the plurality of flat tubes 30 are arranged. Therefore, the plurality of plate fins 40 can be arranged at appropriate intervals without providing fin collars or cut-and-raises for adjusting the intervals.

Further, if a plurality of plate fins 40 are arranged first and the flat tubes 30 are inserted into the first slits 50 of these plate fins 40, the frictional force between the many plate fins 40 and the flat tubes 30 , the plate fins 40 may collapse or deform. On the other hand, according to the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, since the plate fins 40 are inserted one by one, the frictional force when inserting the plate fins 40 is small, and the above problems can be suppressed.

During insertion, the plate fins 40 are held by the suction force of the suction member 211 . If the plate fins 40 are attached to the flat tube 30 by holding the plate fins 40 with some member, the member may interfere with the attached plate fins 40 . Therefore, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate interval between the adjacent plate fins 40, and the arrangement pitch of the plate fins 40 is restricted. On the other hand, when the plate fins 40 are sucked by the suction member 211, the plate fins 40 can be held on one side as shown in FIG. 4 and the like. As a result, interference between the attraction member 211 and the attached plate fins 40 can be suppressed, so that the adjustment range of the arrangement pitch of the plate fins 40 is widened.

In addition, in the suction member 211 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of first intake holes 231 or the plurality of second intake holes 232 are arranged in the first direction D1 (longitudinal direction of the plate fins 40). I'm in. Further, the first air intake holes 231 and the second air intake holes 232 are arranged in the third direction D3 (the lateral direction of the plate fins 40). Since each position of the plate fins 40 is dispersedly attracted by these, the plate fins 40 are stably attracted to the attraction surface 213 .

For example, by changing the size of some of the plurality of first air intake holes 231 and the plurality of second air intake holes 232, it is possible to partially adjust the suction force on the plate fins 40. FIG. By appropriately performing such adjustment, the insertability of the plate fins 40 into the plurality of flat tubes 30 can be enhanced.

Also, the suction member 211 of this embodiment has a second slit 217 at a position corresponding to the first slit 50 of the plate fins 40 . Then, when the suction member 211 sucking the plate fins 40 is lowered, the flat tube 30 is inserted into both the first slit 50 and the second slit 217 . With such a configuration, the plate fins 40 can be favorably held by the suction member 211 until the insertion of the flat tube 30 into the first slit 50 is finished.

Also, the suction member 211 of this embodiment has a projecting portion 216 that projects beyond the attraction surface 213 . When the suction member 211 sucking the plate fins 40 is lowered, the plate fins 40 are pushed by the projecting portion 216, so that the plate fins 40 and the flat tube 30 are preferably attached against the frictional force. be able to.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a manufacturing method capable of increasing the degree of design freedom regarding the arrangement pitch of the plurality of plate fins 40 and efficiently manufacturing the heat exchanger 100 . .

Note that the manufacturing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 4 and the like is merely an example of an apparatus that can be used to implement the method for manufacturing the heat exchanger 100 . Manufacturing apparatus 200 can be modified in various ways.

For example, in this embodiment, a plurality of flat tubes 30 are fixed on the table 201, and the suction member 211 and the plate fins 40 are lowered with respect to these flat tubes 30 in the third step. However, in the third step, the flat tubes 30 may be moved toward the suction member 211 and the plate fins 40 . That is, the manufacturing apparatus 200 may have a structure capable of relatively moving the plate fins 40 sucked by the suction member 211 and the plurality of flat tubes 30 in the third direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the suction member 211 is moved in the second direction D2 in the third step is exemplified. However, in the second step or the third step, the plurality of flat tubes 30 may be moved along the second direction D2. That is, the manufacturing apparatus 200 only needs to have a structure capable of relatively moving the suction member 211 and the plurality of flat tubes 30 in the second direction D2.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Heat exchanger, 10... 1st header, 20... 2nd header, 30... Flat tube, 40... Plate fin, 50... 1st slit, 200... Manufacturing apparatus, 201... Table, 202... Holder, 203... Support Member 210 Suction device 211 Suction member 212 Tube 213 Adsorption surface 214 First end 215 Second end 216 Protruding portion 217 Second slit 220 Conveying device , 221A, 221B... rails, 222A, 222B... struts, 230... exhaust holes, 231... first intake holes, 232... second intake holes.

Claims (9)

A plurality of flat tubes arranged in a first direction and elongated in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of plate fins arranged in the second direction and elongated in the first direction. , wherein each of the plurality of plate fins has a plurality of first slits opening along one side along the first direction, and each of the plurality of flat tubes is the first slit of each of the plurality of plate fins. A method for manufacturing a slitted heat exchanger, comprising:
a first step of arranging the plurality of flat tubes in the first direction;
a second step of sucking the plate fins with a suction member;
The plate fins and the plurality of flat tubes sucked by the suction member are relatively moved in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and the plurality of first flat tubes of the plate fins are moved. a third step of positioning each of the flat tubes in a slit;
including
The suction member includes a suction surface that suctions the plate fins, a first end that faces the plurality of flat tubes, a second end that is opposite to the first end, the suction surface, and the second end. and a protruding portion that protrudes from the attracting surface between the two ends . The suction member has a plurality of suction ports arranged in the first direction, and the plate fins are suctioned by the suction ports.
The manufacturing method according to claim 1. The suction member has a plurality of suction ports arranged in the third direction, and the plate fins are suctioned by the suction ports.
The manufacturing method according to claim 1. In the second step or the third step, the plate fins sucked by the suction member have a predetermined distance from the plate fins in which the flat tubes are already arranged in the first slits. relatively moving the suction member and the plurality of flat tubes in the second direction;
continuously performing the second step and the third step;
The manufacturing method according to claim 1. The suction member has a plurality of second slits arranged at a pitch corresponding to the plurality of first slits and opening at the first end,
In the third step, the flat tubes are respectively inserted into the plurality of second slits when the plate fins and the plurality of flat tubes attracted by the suction member are relatively moved in the third direction. to be
The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The plate fins further have a first step portion projecting in the second direction,
The attraction surface further has a second stepped portion recessed in the second direction,
The first stepped portion and the second stepped portion are in contact with each other in a state in which the plate fins are attracted by the attraction surface.
The manufacturing method according to claim 1 . In the third step, after the flat tubes are respectively positioned in the plurality of first slits of the plate fins, the adsorption by the suction member is stopped, and the suction member and the plate fins are separated from each other. to move relative to
The manufacturing method according to claim 6 . A plurality of flat tubes arranged in a first direction and elongated in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of plate fins arranged in the second direction and elongated in the first direction. , wherein each of the plurality of plate fins has a plurality of first slits opening along one side along the first direction, and each of the plurality of flat tubes is the first slit of each of the plurality of plate fins. A method for manufacturing a slitted heat exchanger, comprising:
a first step of arranging the plurality of flat tubes in the first direction;
a second step of sucking the plate fins with a suction member;
The plate fins and the plurality of flat tubes sucked by the suction member are relatively moved in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and the plurality of first flat tubes of the plate fins are moved. a third step of positioning each of the flat tubes in a slit;
including
The suction member includes a suction surface that suctions the plate fins, a first end facing the plurality of flat tubes, a second end opposite to the first end, and the plurality of first slits. a plurality of second slits arranged at a pitch corresponding to and opening at the first end,
In the first step to the third step, one end of the flat tube in the third direction is supported by a support member,
In the third step, when the plate fins sucked by the suction member and the plurality of flat tubes are relatively moved in the third direction, the flat tube and a part of the support member are separated from each other. inserted into the second slit,
manufacturing method. The first slit includes a first portion and a second portion that opens along the side along the first direction and has a width greater than that of the first portion,
In the third step, a portion of the support member is inserted into the second portion;
The manufacturing method according to claim 8 .

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