Fin and heat exchanger having the same

Abstract

A fin includes straight segments and substantially circular arc segments connected with the straight segments in turn along a longitudinal direction such that the arc segments form respective wave crests and wave troughs of the fin. The fin is divided in a lateral direction into first and second end portions and an intermediate portion between the first and second end portions. Each arc segment at least forming the wave troughs in the first end portion is separated from the respective arc segment of the corresponding intermediate portion via a longitudinal slot. A top of each arc segment at least forming the wave troughs in the first end portion is formed with a lateral slot along the lateral direction such that each arc segment at least forming the wave troughs in the first end portion is divided into first and second straight portions separated from each other.

1 . A fin comprising:
 straight segments; and   substantially circular arc segments connected with said straight segments in turn along a longitudinal direction such that said arc segments form respective wave crests and wave troughs of said fin,   wherein said fin is divided in a lateral direction into a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between said first and second end portions, each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said first end portion is separated from respective said arc segment of corresponding said intermediate portion via a longitudinal slot, and a top of each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said first end portion is formed with a lateral slot along the lateral direction such that each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said first end portion is divided into a first straight portion and second straight portion separated from each other.   
     
     
         2 . The fin as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said second end portion is separated from respective said arc segment of corresponding said intermediate portion via said longitudinal slot and a top of each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said second end portion is formed with said lateral slot along the lateral direction such that each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said second end portion is divided into a first straight portion and second straight portion separated from each other. 
     
     
         3 . The fin as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein each of said arc segments forming said wave crests and wave troughs in said first and second end portions is separated from respective said arc segment of corresponding said intermediate portion via said longitudinal slot and a top of each of said arc segments forming said wave crests and wave troughs of said first and second end portions is formed with a lateral slot along the lateral direction such that each of said arc segments of said first and second end portions is divided into said first straight portion and second straight portion separated from each other. 
     
     
         4 . The fin as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a substantially circular arc-transition segment is connected between adjacent ones of said straight segments and arc segments, “R” is a radius of said arc segment, “r” is a radius of said arc-transition segment, and R>r. 
     
     
         5 . The fin as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein R/r>2. 
     
     
         6 . The fin as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein “α” is a central angle of said arc segment and 0.01 mm ≦R[1−cos(α/2)]≦0.1 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The fin as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein “P” is one cycle-length of said fin, “α” is a central angle of said arc segment, “π” is a circumference ratio, and [2×R×α×(π/180)]/P ≧0.85. 
     
     
         8 . The fin as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein “α” is a central angle of said arc segment and 30°≦α≦170°. 
     
     
         9 . The fin as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein each of said straight segments is formed with a window. 
     
     
         10 . The fin as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said window is formed by extending a portion of said straight segment away from a plane in which said straight segment is located. 
     
     
         11 . The fin as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein “L” is a length of said window, “H” is a height of said fin in a vertical direction after said fin is deformed, and 0.85≦L/H≦1.05. 
     
     
         12 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a first header disposed vertically;   a second header disposed vertically and spaced apart from said first header;   a plurality of tubes each of which defines two ends of the tube being connected and communicated respectively with said first and second headers; and   a plurality of fins each of which is disposed between adjacent ones of said tubes and defines a first end portion of the fin being extended out from a first side of said adjacent tubes in a lateral direction;   wherein each fin comprises:
 straight segments; and 
 substantially circular arc segments connected with said straight segments in turn along a longitudinal direction such that said arc segments form respective wave crests and wave troughs of said fin, 
 wherein said fin is divided in the lateral direction into a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between said first and second end portions, each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said first end portion is separated from respective said arc segment of a corresponding said intermediate portion via a longitudinal slot, and a top of each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said first end portion is formed with a lateral slot along the lateral direction such that each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said first end portion is divided into a first straight portion and a second straight portion separated from each other. 
   
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein a second end portion of each of said fins is extended out from a second side opposite to said first side of said adjacent tubes in the lateral direction. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said second end portion is separated from respective said arc segment of corresponding said intermediate portion via said longitudinal slot and a top of each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said second end portion is formed with said lateral slot along the lateral direction such that each of said arc segments at least forming said wave troughs in said second end portion is divided into a first straight portion and second straight portion separated from each other. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein each of said arc segments forming said wave crests and wave troughs in said first and second end portions is separated from respective said arc segment of corresponding said intermediate portion via said longitudinal slot and a top of each of said arc segments forming said wave crests and wave troughs of said first and second end portions is formed with a lateral slot along the lateral direction such that each of said arc segments of said first and second end portions is divided into said first straight portion and second straight portion separated from each other. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein a substantially circular arc-transition segment is connected between adjacent ones of said straight segments and arc segments, “R” is a radius of said arc segment, “r” is a radius of said arc-transition segment, and R>r. 
     
     
         17 . The fin as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein R/r>2. 
     
     
         18 . The fin as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein “α” is a central angle of said arc segment and 0.01 mm ≦R[1−cos(α/2)]≦0.1 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The fin as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein “P” is one cycle-length of said fin, “α” is a central angle of said arc segment, “π” is a circumference ratio, and [2×R×α×(π/180)]/P ≧0.85. 
     
     
         20 . The fin as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein “α” is a central angle of said arc segment and 30°≦α≦170°.