Plate-Type Heat Exchanger

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0046001, filed on Apr. 4, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

The present invention relates to a plate-type heat exchanger including a sealing structure capable of separating different heat exchange regions without a separate structure.

It is important to configure and arrange an air conditioning system for a vehicle so that the air conditioning system may perform heat exchange with maximum efficiency in an engine room having a limited space. Therefore, a heat exchanger requires a structure that is small in size and has high heat exchange efficiency or a structure that is configured to exchange heat with various types of fluids and ensure spatial utilization.

Therefore, the development is being conducted on a technology related to a hybrid-type heat exchanger in which a plurality of fluids may exchange heat while flowing in the single heat exchanger. The hybrid-type heat exchanger is a heat exchanger in which two or more types of heat transfer mechanisms are coupled. Heat exchange regions, in which different fluids flow, are separated in the single device, such that the device may be configured such that different types of fluids exchange heat while flowing in the separated regions.

In this case, in accordance with spatial utilization or a limited environment in the engine room, a fluid inlet or outlet formed in a plate-type heat exchanger sometimes requires a structure that is not disposed adjacent to the separated heat exchange regions. In this case, a flow path may be configured such that at least one inlet or outlet is connected to the heat exchange region through a separate structure.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned configuration, a first heat exchange plate-type heat exchanger region and a second heat exchange region may be separated in a stacking direction of plates of the plate-type heat exchanger. In this case, in accordance with some environments, the fluid inlet or outlet provided in the plate-type heat exchanger may be disposed only in the vicinity of the first heat exchange region. In this case, in the related art, a flow path structure, in which at least one fluid inlet or outlet is connected to a second heat exchange region, may be configured by using a straw structure. Further, in this case, in order to prevent the fluid in the first heat exchange region from flowing into the second heat exchange region, it is necessary to provide a structure in which the first heat exchange region and the second heat exchange region are sealed by brazing the straw and the plate.

However, in case that the heat exchanger includes the straw structure in the related art, it is necessary to perform a process of sealing the regions by brazing the straw and the plate in a partial region of the plate disposed and stacked to separate the first heat exchange region and the second heat exchange region. However, there is a limitation in that the process is complicated and difficult. In addition, the brazing process may cause damage to thermal deformation of the plate, and the effect of the process may fluctuate depending on the environment. For this reason, there is a problem in that it is difficult to ensure durability and quality of a welded portion and a defective product is likely to be produced.

The present invention is proposed to solve these problems and aims to provide a plate-type heat exchanger in which heat exchange regions are separated, the plate-type heat exchanger having a structure in which the heat exchange regions may be sealed and a flow path May be defined by using features of plates stacked without a separate structure when the flow path is defined inward by restrictive positions of an inlet and an outlet.

The present invention provides a plate-type heat exchanger including: a core formed by stacking a plurality of plates and configured to allow a heat exchange medium to exchange heat; and a plurality of flow paths formed by through-holes continuously formed in the stacked plates so that a fluid flows in the core, in which the core is divided into a first heat exchange region at one side and a second heat exchange region at the other side based on any one plate among the stacked plates, in which the flow path includes at least one first flow path disposed at one end in a stacking direction of the plates and connected to the second heat exchange region, and in which a portion of the first flow path at least passing through the first heat exchange region has a sealing structure.

In this case, at least a part of the plate included in the first heat exchange region may include a first depressed portion depressed in a ‘U’ shape toward the other side so that a part of a periphery of the through-hole constituting the first flow path is in surface contact with the adjacent plate.

In this case, the plates constituting the first heat exchange region may include: first plates including the first depressed portion; and second plates including a second depressed portion depressed toward the other side so that a part of the periphery of the through-hole constituting the first flow path is in surface contact with the adjacent plate, and the first plates and the second plates may be disposed alternately.

In this case, the sealing structure may be formed as the first depressed portion is continuously in surface contact with the second plate to seal the periphery of the through-hole.

In this case, the first depressed portion may be formed outward of the second depressed portion based on the through-hole.

Further, the second depressed portion may be depressed within a range of a second diameter from an edge of the through-hole, the first depressed portion may be depressed within a range of a first diameter from a position spaced apart from the edge of the through-hole by the second diameter, and the first diameter may be larger than the second diameter.

In n addition, the plates disposed at a portion at least constituting the first flow path among the plates constituting the second heat exchange region may include: the second plates; and third plates including the through-hole of the first flow path, and the second plates and the third plates may be disposed alternately.

In this case, a portion of the first flow path passing through the second heat exchange region may have an open structure.

In this case, the fluid flowing through the first heat exchange medium and the fluid flowing through the second heat exchange medium may be identical or different.

In this case, a connection flange may be provided at one end of the core and connect an inlet pipe, through which a refrigerant is introduced into the core, and an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant is discharged to the outside from the core, and the first flow path may be connected to any one of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe.

In addition, the first flow path may be configured to be biased toward any one side based on a center in a longitudinal direction of the plate.

Further, the core may include a partition plate configured to physically separate the first heat exchange region and the second heat exchange region.

Hereinafter, the technical spirit of the present invention will be described in more detail using the accompanying drawings. In addition, terms or words used in the specification and the claims should not be interpreted as being limited to a general or dictionary meaning and should be interpreted as a meaning and a concept which conform to the technical spirit of the present invention based on a principle that an inventor can appropriately define a concept of a term in order to describe his/her own invention by the best method.

Therefore, the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are just the best preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all the technical spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that various modified examples capable of substituting the exemplary embodiments may be made at the time of filing the present application.

Hereinafter, the technical spirit of the present invention will be described in more detail using the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are only exemplary embodiments illustrated to explain the technical spirit of the present invention in more detail, and the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to the form of the accompanying drawings.

With reference to, a plate-type heat exchangerincludes a coreformed by stacking a plurality of plateseach having a flat surface, and a heat exchange medium exchanges heat while flowing through the plates. A refrigerant or coolant, as the heat exchange medium, may flow through the inside of the core. The refrigerant and the coolant may alternately flow between the stacked platesof the core. The plate may be formed in a quadrangular shape. The quadrangular shape may be a rectangular shape having a longer length in any one direction. A stacking direction of the plates of the coremay be one direction or the other direction. Cover plates of the plate and another plate, which constitute the core, may be respectively disposed, as necessary, at one end or the other end, i.e., one of two opposite ends of the stacked plate of the plate-type heat exchanger. In this case, flow pathsmay be formed in the cover plates of the plate-type heat exchanger.

With reference to, the coremay separate the stacked plates, based on any one plate, into one side platesin a first heat exchange regionA and the other side platesin a second heat exchange regionB. In this case, the heat exchange medium may be the refrigerant or the coolant. One of the refrigerant and the coolant is configured as a main fluid, and regions in which the main fluid exchanges heat may include the first heat exchange regionA and the second heat exchange regionB. Further, the regions may be separated so that the fluid flowing through the first heat exchange regionA and the fluid flowing through the second heat exchange regionB do not interfere with each other. In this case, the fluid flowing through the first heat exchange regionA and the fluid flowing through the second heat exchange regionB may be identical or different in type. However, in case that the fluid in the first heat exchange regionA and the fluid in the second heat exchange regionB are identical in type, the properties, such as a temperature of the fluid and introduced components, may be different from one another. In this case, a first flow pathmay at least be the flow paththrough which the refrigerant is introduced or discharged.

The present invention may include a partition platecapable of physically separating the first heat exchange regionA and the second heat exchange regionB in order to clearly separate the heat exchange regions in the core. With reference to, the partition plateis any one plate configured to separate the heat exchange regions. In the core, the partition platemay be inserted, instead of the plate stacked to perform heat exchange, at a position at which the partition plateis intended to separate the heat exchange regions. The partition platemay physically separate the heat exchange regions while blocking a corresponding region so that the fluid flowing through the first heat exchange regionA and the fluid flowing through the second heat exchange regionB are not mixed with each other. In this case, the partition platemay include a shape further protruding in a longitudinal direction of the plate or a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the plate. The partition platemay be used as a fixing part, such as a mount, of the heat exchanger.

Further, the coreof the present invention may include a connection flangeconfigured to connect an inlet pipe having one end or the other end through which the heat exchange medium, i.e., the refrigerant or the coolant is introduced into the core, and an outlet pipe through which the heat exchange medium is discharged to the outside from the core. With reference to, the connection flangemay be formed by the cover plate positioned at one end, and the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe may be positioned adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction on a flat surface of the cover plate. In this case, the first flow pathmay be connected to any one of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. In addition, the connection flangemay be disposed on the cover plate and biased toward any one side based on a center in the longitudinal direction. In particular, any one of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe may be disposed to be positioned at an edge of the plate. Therefore, in case that the first flow pathis formed to be connected to the connection flange, the first flow pathmay also be configured to be biased toward any one side based on the center in the longitudinal direction of the plate. In the embodiment of the present invention, the connection flangemay be disposed at a lower side in an upward/downward direction based on.

In addition, in case that the heat exchange medium introduced through the connection flangeis the refrigerant, the coreof the plate-type heat exchangerof the present invention may include a coolant outlet portthrough which the coolant is introduced or discharged. The coolant outlet portmay include a coolant inlet port and a coolant discharge port separated from each other. Alternatively, a single coolant outlet port may serve as both a coolant inlet port and a coolant discharge port. The coolant outlet portmay be formed at one end of the coreand formed on the same plate as the connection flange. In case that the coolant outlet portincludes the coolant inlet port and the coolant outlet port, the coolant inlet port and the coolant outlet port may be respectively provided at edges on the flat surface of the plate and disposed at edges of a portion where at least the connection flangeis not formed. The flow pathsmay be formed in the corefrom the positions at which the coolant inlet portand the coolant discharge portare disposed. The flow pathmay be connected by a through-hole formed in the plate from the coolant outlet port. In the embodiment of the present invention, in case that the connection flangeis disposed at a right side of a lower end based on, the coolant inlet portand the coolant discharge portmay be disposed one by one at upper and lower sides in a diagonal direction.

In this case, in case that the heat exchange regions, through which the fluid flows, are separated by any one stacked plate in the plate-type heat exchanger, the heat exchange regions and the flow pathsneed to be different from one another depending on the directions and the positions of the inlet and the outlet for the fluid. An example will be described in detail with reference to. In the plate-type heat exchanger, the first heat exchange regionA at one side and the second heat exchange regionB at the other side may be separated based on any one plate. Further, the inlet and the outlet for the fluid containing the heat exchange medium introduced into the plate-type heat exchangermay be disposed to be biased toward any one side in the stacking direction in accordance with the necessity or type of the plate-type heat exchanger. In this case, the separated heat exchange regions may be connected to at least one of the inlet and the outlet for the fluid. However, the inlet and the outlet for the fluid are not sometimes disposed adjacent to the heat exchange regions in accordance with the positions of the inlet and the outlet or the position at which the heat exchange regions are separated. In the related art, in this case, the inlet and the outlet are connected to portions distant from the heat exchange regions by a separate structure such as a straw, and the straw and the plate are brazed so that the fluids in the separated heat exchange regions do not flow over the heat exchange regions, such that the fluid flowing in the straw and the fluid flowing to the plate in another heat exchange region flow through the flow pathsseparated from each other. However, the process of brazing the stacked plates by using a separate structure such as the straw is a difficult and complicated process with a high degree of difficulty. Because the brazing process is greatly affected by the environment, there is a high likelihood that a problem occurs on the processed part, and there is a limitation in that a defective product is likely to be produced.

In contrast, unlike the related art, the present invention provides the plate-type heat exchangerhaving the structure of the flow pathin which the fluids flowing through the different regions may flow in the separated states without bypassing by using the plates configured to define the heat exchange regions without a separate structure in case that the inlet and the outlet for the fluid are not adjacent to the separated heat exchange regions.

Therefore, as illustrated in, the plate-type heat exchangerof the present invention includes the coreconfigured by stacking the plurality of platesso that the heat exchange medium exchanges heat, and the plurality of flow pathsconfigured by the through-holes continuously formed in the stacked plates so that the fluid flows in the core. In this case, the coreis divided into the first heat exchange regionA at one side and the second heat exchange regionB at the other side on the basis of any one of the stacked plates, and the flow pathsmay include at least one first flow pathdisposed at one end in the stacking direction of the plate and connected to the second heat exchange regionB. In this case, a portion of the first flow path, which at least passes through the first heat exchange regionA, has a sealing structure. That is, the plate, which defines the first flow path, has the sealing structure.

The plate-type heat exchangerof the present invention may be variously configured such that the flow pathsare respectively disposed at one end and the other end, as necessary, based on the coreconfigured by stacking the plurality of platesor all the flow pathsare disposed at one end or the other end. However, as illustrated in, the present invention is characterized in that in the coreincluding the first heat exchange regionA at one side and the second heat exchange regionB at the other side, at least one flow pathdisposed at one end of the coreis connected to the second heat exchange regionB. That is, among the flow pathsprovided in the plate-type heat exchanger, the first flow pathdisposed at one end of the coreis connected to the second heat exchange regionB at a position that is not adjacent to the first flow path. In this case, the first flow pathis a shortest shape passing through the first heat exchange regionA. Therefore, a portion of the first flow path, which at least passes through the first heat exchange regionA, has a sealing structure, and the sealing structure is formed such that the fluid, which flows to the second heat exchange regionB through the first flow path, is not introduced into the first heat exchange regionA.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the sealing structure of the first flow pathis formed by the structure of the plate disposed in the first heat exchange regionA. The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to. The flow paths, through which the fluid flows, are provided in the core. The flow pathsare formed by through-holes,, andformed continuously in the corresponding directions in the plates in consideration of the positions and the lengths of the flow paths. Further, the coreof the present invention at least may include the first flow path. The first flow pathstarts from one end of the core, and the through-holes,, andare formed continuously in the plates by predetermined lengths in the stacking direction from any one position on the flat surface of the plate. In one embodiment, the first flow pathis configured to be biased toward any one side on the basis of a center in the longitudinal direction of the plate.

In this case, with reference to, the present invention is characterized in that the platesat one side, which is disposed in the first heat exchange regionA among the plurality of platesconstituting the core, include at least a part of a first plateincluding a first depressed portionat a part of a periphery of the through-holeconstituting the first flow path. The first depressed portionis depressed in a ‘U’ shape toward the other side from a part of the periphery of the through-holeconstituting the first flow path. The first depressed portionis depressed by a height to a degree to which the first depressed portionis in surface contact with the adjacent plate, and the first depressed portionis in surface contact with the adjacent plate to seal a gap between the plates.

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to. In case that the coreis formed by stacking the plates in one direction and the first flow pathis formed from one end of the core, the first plate, which is included in the first heat exchange regionA including the through-holeconstituting the first flow path, includes the first depressed portiondepressed in a ‘U’ shape toward the other side.

In this case, a degree to which the first depressed portionis depressed may correspond to a gap between the plates. Further, the first depressed portionhas a shape having an area outward from a position spaced apart from an edge of the through-holeof the first plateat a predetermined interval. In other words, in the through-holeconstituting the first flow pathof the first plate, the through-hole, a flat surface, and the first depressed portionare disposed in a direction of a diameter that gradually increases based on the through-hole. That is, the predetermined intervalis present between the through-holeand the first depressed portion, and the first depressed portionis formed outward of the through-holeby the predetermined interval. A thickness of the first depressed portionmay be adjusted, as necessary. A portion of the other end of the first depressed portionis in surface contact with the adjacent plate, such that the gap between the plates is sealed.

In addition, with reference to, the platesat one side disposed in the first heat exchange regionA includes a second plateincluding a second depressed portionat a part of a periphery of the through-holeconstituting the first flow path. Therefore, the plate in the first heat exchange regionA is disposed while including the first plateand the second plate. In this case, the through-holeformed in the second platemay correspond in size and shape to the through-hole formed in the first plate. The second depressed portionis formed such that a predetermined thickness portion is depressed outward toward the other side from a periphery of the through-holeconstituting the first flow path. The second depressed portionis depressed by a height to a degree to which the second depressed portionis also in surface contact with the plate, and the second depressed portionis in surface contact with the adjacent plate to seal the gap between the plates. The present invention will be described in more detail with

reference to. In the second plateincluded in the first heat exchange regionA including the through-holeconstituting the first flow path, the second depressed portionis formed outward by a predetermined thickness along the edge of the through-hole. In this case, a degree to which the second depressed portionis depressed may correspond to the gap between the plates. The second depressed portionmay have the same height as the first depressed portion. Further, the second depressed portionis a depressed portion starting from the edge of the through-holeof the second plate. The second depressed portionis formed outward by a predetermined thickness. Therefore, the second depressed portionis disposed at the edge of the through-holebased on the through-holeof the second plate. Therefore, in case that the through-holeof the first plateand the through-holeof the second plateare equal in diameter, the through-hole, the second depressed portion, and the second depressed portionmay be disposed outward of the through-holebased on the through-hole. That is, the first depressed portionmay be formed outward of the second depressed portion. Further, a thickness of the second depressed portionmay be adjusted, as necessary. However, the second depressed portionmay be formed to be positioned inward of a portion where the first depressed portionstarts. Therefore, a diameter of the second depressed portionmay be larger than that of the through-hole, smaller than an inner diameter of the first depressed portion. The inner diameter of the first depressed portionmay be larger than an outer diameter of the second depressed portion. The second depressed portionmay be depressed within a range of a second diameter from the edge of the through-hole, and the first depressed portionmay be depressed within a range of a first diameter from a position spaced apart from the edge of the through-holeby the second diameter. In this case, the first diameter may be larger than the second diameter.

The embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to. In this case, based on, an upper end is described as being one side, and a lower end is described as being the other side. In the first heat exchange regionA of the present invention, the first platesand the second platesare alternately disposed, the first depressed portionof the first plateis continuously in surface contact with an outer portion of the second depressed portionof the second plate, and the corresponding portion has the sealing structure. That is, the first platesat one side and the second platesat the other side are alternately disposed, such that the other surface of the first depressed portionis in surface contact with one surface of a flat surface portionof the second plateformed outward of the second depressed portion. This configuration is identical to the configuration in which the other surface of the flat surface portionformed outward of the second depressed portionis in surface contact with the other surface of the first depressed portiondisposed at one side. In addition, the other surface of the second depressed portionis in contact with one surface of the flat surface portionformed inward of the first depressed portionof the first platedisposed at the other side, such that the first heat exchange regionA has the sealing structure.

Further, with reference to, the first flow pathof the present invention has an open structure, except for the sealing structure formed in the first heat exchange regionA. In other words, the first flow pathis the flow pathformed from one end of the core, and the first flow pathpasses through the first heat exchange regionA and then is connected to the second heat exchange regionB. In this case, the first flow pathis characterized in that the flow pathof the portion passing through the first heat exchange regionA has the sealing structure. Further, the portion of the first flow pathconnected to the second heat exchange regionB has the open structure. Therefore, the first flow pathis connected to the second heat exchange regionB. The heat exchange medium flowing through the second heat exchange regionB is introduced into the other end of the first flow pathand flows through the first flow path.

The first flow pathformed in the second heat exchange regionB is formed by connecting the through-holesof the plates stacked in the second heat exchange regionB. In this case, as illustrated in, the first flow pathmay be formed merely by a third platehaving the through-holeconstituting the flow pathand by the second plateincluding the second depressed portiondepressed at the other side so that a part of the periphery of the through-holeconstituting the first flow pathis in surface contact with the adjacent plate. In this case, the through-holeformed in the third platemay correspond in size and shape to the through-hole formed in the second plate.

The present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to. In the present invention, the platesat the other side, which is disposed in the second heat exchange regionB among the plurality of platesconstituting the core, include the platesincluding the through-holesandconstituting the first flow path. Further, in the second heat exchange regionB, the second plates, which include the second depressed portionformed at the periphery of the through-holeconstituting the first flow path, and the third plates, which include the through-holeconstituting the first flow path, may be disposed alternately. The second depressed portionis formed such that the predetermined thickness portion is depressed outward toward the other side from the periphery of the through-holeconstituting the first flow path. The second platehas a structure in which the portions of the third plateand the second depressed portion, which are the adjacent plates, are in surface contact with each other to seal a partial section of the gap between the plates. That is, when the second plates and the third platesare disposed alternately, the other surface of the second depressed portionmay be in surface contact with one surface of a flat surface portionof the third plateand seal the corresponding portion. In addition, the third platehas a structure having a through-hole without a separate depressed portion, such that the open structure is formed between the third plateand the second plateafter being disposed at the other side.

In this case, the open structure may be connected to the flow pathfor the fluid flowing through the second heat exchange regionB. That is, in case that the refrigerant and the coolant alternately flow between the stacked platesof the core, the heat exchange medium flowing through the second heat exchange regionB may flow between the third plateand the second platedisposed toward the other side, and the corresponding flow pathmay be connected to the open structure, such that the fluid flowing through the second heat exchange regionB is inserted into the first flow pathand flows. Therefore, the plates stacked in the second heat exchange regionB each include the structure in which the sealing structures and the open structures are alternately disposed in the stacking direction, and the fluid in the second heat exchange regionB is introduced into the first flow pathby the open structure and flows.

The other end of the first flow pathof the present invention may be formed regardless of a length as long as the other end of the first flow pathis connected to the second heat exchange regionB. In more detail, a length of the first flow pathis defined as a length from one side of the coreto the other end of the first heat exchange regionA, such that the other end may be positioned at one side of the second heat exchange regionB. Alternatively, a length of the first flow pathis defined as a length further extending from one side of the coreto the inside of the second heat exchange regionB, such that the other end of the first flow pathis connected to the second heat exchange regionB in a larger number of regions.

The plate-type exchanger of the present invention configured as described above may have the flow paths and the heat exchange regions formed without a separate structure and be manufactured by the process excluding the welding process, thereby solving the problem of damage to and thermal deformation of the material caused by welding. Further, it is possible to provide the heat exchanger in which unnecessary components and processes may be excluded, such that productivity may be improved, costs may be reduced, the assembling process may be simplified, the process may be easily performed, and the stability and durability may be improved.

While the present invention has been described above with reference to particular contents such as specific constituent elements, the limited embodiments, and the drawings, but the embodiments are provided merely for the purpose of helping understand the present invention overall, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and may be variously modified and altered from the disclosure by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiment, and all of the equivalents or equivalent modifications of the claims as well as the appended claims belong to the scope of the spirit of the present invention.