Heat exchanger and magnetic heat pump device

Abstract

A heat exchanger 10 to be used in a magnetic heat pump device includes: an assembly 11 which is formed by bundling wires 12; a case 13 which accommodates the assembly 11 and is provided with at least one cutout 145 or 146; and a filling portion 16 which is filled in the cutout 145 or 146, in which the wire 12 is formed of a magnetocaloric material having a magnetocaloric effect and the filling portion 16 is in close contact with an outer periphery of the assembly 11.

1 . A heat exchanger to be used in a magnetic heat pump device, the heat exchanger comprising:
 an assembly which is formed by bundling wires;   a case which accommodates the assembly and is provided with at least one cutout; and   a filling portion which is filled in the cutout, wherein   each of the wires is formed of a magnetocaloric material having a magnetocaloric effect, and   the filling portion is in close contact with an outer periphery of the assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the case includes a pair of side portions,   the cutout is formed at each of the side portions,   the case includes a pair of connection portions connecting end portions of the pair of side portions, and   the heat exchanger includes an elastic body which is interposed between at least one of the connection portions and the assembly and is in close contact with the outer periphery of the assembly.   
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the case includes:
 a pair of side portions; and   a pair of connection portions connecting end portions of the pair of side portions,   the cutout is continuously formed in one of the side portions, one of the connection portions, and other of the side portions, and   the heat exchanger includes an elastic body which is interposed between other of the connection portions and the assembly and is in close contact with the outer periphery of the assembly.   
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A heat exchanger to be used in a magnetic heat pump device, the heat exchanger comprising:
 an assembly which is formed by bundling wires;   a case which accommodates the assembly and is shorter than the assembly; and   a covering portion which covers a portion exposed from the case in the assembly, wherein   each of the wires is formed of a magnetocaloric material having a magnetocaloric effect, and   the covering portion is in close contact with an outer periphery of the assembly.   
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger to be used in a magnetic heat pump device, the heat exchanger comprising:
 an assembly which is formed by bundling wires;   a case which accommodates the assembly; and   a blocking member which contacts an end surface of the case and overlaps a part of the assembly in an axial direction of the case, wherein   each of the wires is formed of a magnetocaloric material having a magnetocaloric effect, and   the blocking member blocks at least a part of a gap formed between an inner surface of the case and an outer periphery of the assembly.   
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the blocking member has an annular shape corresponding to a shape of an opening of an end portion of the case, and   the blocking member blocks a gap in an entire circumference of the inner surface of the case.   
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the heat exchanger includes a terminal member attached to an end portion of the case,   the blocking member is formed of an elastic body, and   the blocking member is interposed between the terminal member and the case.   
     
     
         12 . A heat exchanger to be used in a magnetic heat pump device, the heat exchanger comprising:
 an assembly which is formed by bundling wires;   a case which accommodates the assembly; and   a filling portion which is filled in at least a part of a gap formed between an outer periphery of the assembly and an inner surface of the case, wherein   each of the wires is formed of a magnetocaloric material having a magnetocaloric effect.   
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the filling portion is provided in at least one end portion of the case.   
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the case includes a pair of side portions,   the filling portion is filled in a gap between the outer periphery of the assembly and the side portions,   the case includes a pair of connection portions connecting end portions of the pair of side portions,   the heat exchanger includes an elastic body which is interposed between at least one of the connection portions and the assembly and is in close contact with the outer periphery of the assembly,   the elastic body is interposed between one of the connection portions and the assembly, and   the filling portion is also filled in a gap between other of the connection portions and the outer periphery of the assembly.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the filling portion is filled in a gap in an entire circumference of the inner surface of the case.   
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the elastic body is provided in an entire area along a longitudinal direction of the case.   
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the case includes:   a first opening located at one end portion; and   a second opening located at the other end portion, and   a direction from the first opening toward the second opening substantially matches an extending direction of the assembly.   
     
     
         21 . A magnetic heat pump device comprising:
 the heat exchanger according to  claim 1 ;   a magnetic field changer configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material and change the magnitude of the magnetic field;   first and second external heat exchangers respectively connected to the heat exchanger through a pipe; and   a fluid supplier configured to supply a fluid from the heat exchanger to the first or second external heat exchanger in synchronization with the operation of the magnetic field changer.   
     
     
         22 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the case includes:   a first opening located at one end portion; and   a second opening located at the other end portion, and   a direction from the first opening toward the second opening substantially matches an extending direction of the assembly.   
     
     
         23 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the case includes:   a first opening located at one end portion; and   a second opening located at the other end portion, and   a direction from the first opening toward the second opening substantially matches an extending direction of the assembly.   
     
     
         24 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the case includes:   a first opening located at one end portion; and   a second opening located at the other end portion, and   a direction from the first opening toward the second opening substantially matches an extending direction of the assembly.   
     
     
         25 . A magnetic heat pump device comprising:
 the heat exchanger according to  claim 7 ;   a magnetic field changer configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material and change the magnitude of the magnetic field;   first and second external heat exchangers respectively connected to the heat exchanger through a pipe; and   a fluid supplier configured to supply a fluid from the heat exchanger to the first or second external heat exchanger in synchronization with the operation of the magnetic field changer.   
     
     
         26 . A magnetic heat pump device comprising:
 the heat exchanger according to  claim 8 ;   a magnetic field changer configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material and change the magnitude of the magnetic field;   first and second external heat exchangers respectively connected to the heat exchanger through a pipe; and   a fluid supplier configured to supply a fluid from the heat exchanger to the first or second external heat exchanger in synchronization with the operation of the magnetic field changer.   
     
     
         27 . A magnetic heat pump device comprising:
 the heat exchanger according to  claim 12 ;   a magnetic field changer configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material and change the magnitude of the magnetic field;   first and second external heat exchangers respectively connected to the heat exchanger through a pipe; and   a fluid supplier configured to supply a fluid from the heat exchanger to the first or second external heat exchanger in synchronization with the operation of the magnetic field changer.