US20160327343A1

US20160327343A1 - Heat exchanger of air conditioner

Info

Publication number: US20160327343A1
Application number: US15/149,316
Authority: US
Inventors: Soonchul HWANG; Kiwon SEO; Juseok Lee
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2015-05-08
Filing date: 2016-05-09
Publication date: 2016-11-10
Also published as: KR20160131577A; CN106123403A

Abstract

A heat exchanger of an air conditioner is provided, which may include a first heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, an introduction pipe, through which the refrigerant may be introduced, connected to the first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchanger being provided at an outside of the first heat exchanger, a discharge pipe, through which the refrigerant may be discharged, connected to the second heat exchanger, and a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger. The flat tubes forming the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may be provided to extend in horizontal direction. A plurality of heat exchangers may be stacked based on a cooling capacity of the heat exchanger. Even in a case in which a plurality of microchannel type heat exchangers is stacked, a pressure difference of the refrigerant between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may be small, whereby refrigerant may flow smoothly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0064311, filed in Korea on May 8, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field
A heat exchanger of an air conditioner is disclosed herein.
2. Background
In a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, a heat exchanger may generally be used as the condenser or the evaporator. In addition, a heat exchanger may be provided in a vehicle, or a refrigerator for example to perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and air.
Based on a structure thereof, a heat exchanger may be classified as fin tube type heat exchanger or a microchannel type heat exchanger, for example. The fin tube type heat exchanger may be made of a copper material, and the microchannel type heat exchanger may be made of an aluminum material.
The microchannel type heat exchanger has microchannels defined therein. As a result, the microchannel type heat exchanger exhibits a higher efficiency than the fin tube type heat exchanger.
The fin tube type heat exchanger may be manufactured by welding fins and tubes to each other, with a result that it is possible to easily manufacture the fin tube type heat exchanger. On the other hand, the microchannel type heat exchanger may be manufactured though brazing in a furnace, with the result that an initial investment for manufacturing the microchannel type heat exchanger is high.
In particular, it is easy to configure a fin tube type heat exchanger so as to have a two-row structure, as it is possible to easily manufacture the fin tube type heat exchanger. On the other hand, it is difficult to configure a microchannel type heat exchanger so as to have a two-row structure, as the microchannel type heat exchanger is manufactured in a furnace.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a related art microchannel type heat exchanger. As shown in FIG. 1, the related art microchannel type heat exchanger includes a first row 1 and a second row 2. The first row 1 and the second row 2 are connected to each other via a header 3. The header 3 is provided with a channel, through which a refrigerant flows from the first row 1 to the second row 2.
In the related art two-row microchannel type heat exchanger, a refrigerant introduction port 4 is located at a lower side of the first row 1, and a refrigerant discharge port 5 is located at a lower side of the second row 2. In particular, as shown in FIG, 1, a plurality of introduction ports 4 is provided to supply the refrigerant into the first row 1 through a plurality of channels.
In the first row 1, the refrigerant flows upward. After passing through the header 3, the refrigerant flows downward.
In the related art microchannel type heat exchanger, only one discharge port 5 is provided. That is, the refrigerant having passed through the first row 1, is gathered in the second row 2, and is then discharged through the discharge port 5.
In a case in which the related art microchannel type heat exchanger is used as a condenser, however, the refrigerant flows upward along the channel with a result that the condensed refrigerant may not move into the second row 2. In addition, in a case in which the related art microchannel type heat exchanger is used as a condenser, a pressure difference occurs between the first row 1 and the second row 2 due to condensation of the refrigerant, with a result that the refrigerant may not move smoothly.
An example of such a related art heat exchanger is disclosed in Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0765557, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a related art microchannel type heat exchanger;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an air conditioner including a microchannel type heat exchanger according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an interior of an outdoor unit or device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an outdoor heat exchanger shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the outdoor heat exchanger shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a first heat exchanger shown in FIG. 5 before the first heat exchanger is bent;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a second heat exchanger shown in FIG. 5 before the second heat exchanger is bent;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a second heat exchanger according to another embodiment before the second heat exchanger is bent;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a comparison between a conventional outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective showing an outdoor heat exchanger according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a first heat exchanger shown in FIG. 10 before the first heat exchanger is bent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A microchannel type heat exchanger according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an air conditioner including a microchannel type heat exchanger according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an interior of an outdoor unit or device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an outdoor heat exchanger shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the outdoor heat exchanger shown in FIG. 3.
An air conditioner may include a compressor 10 that compresses a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 20 that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air, an expansion device 12 that expands the refrigerant, and an indoor heat exchanger 13 that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air. The refrigerant, compressed by the compressor 10, may be heat-exchanged with outdoor air while passing thorough the outdoor heat exchanger 20 with a result that the refrigerant may be condensed.
The outdoor heat exchanger 20 may be used as a condenser. The refrigerant, condensed by the outdoor heat exchanger 20, may flow to the expansion device 12, by which the refrigerant may be expanded. The refrigerant, expanded by the expansion device 12, may be heat-exchanged with indoor air while passing thorough the indoor heat exchanger 13, with a result that the refrigerant may be evaporated.
The indoor heat exchanger 13 may be used as an evaporator that evaporates a refrigerant. The refrigerant, evaporated by the indoor heat exchanger 13, may be collected to or in the compressor 10.
The refrigerant may circulate through a refrigeration cycle including the compressor 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 20, the expansion device 12, and the indoor heat exchanger 13. A compressor suction channel that guides the refrigerant, having passed through the indoor heat exchanger 13, to the compressor 10 may be connected to the compressor 10. An accumulator 14 that accumulates liquid refrigerant may be installed in the compressor suction channel. A refrigerant channel, through which the refrigerant may pass, may be defined in the indoor heat exchanger 13.
The air conditioner may be a separation type air conditioner including an indoor unit or device I and an outdoor unit or device O, which may be separated from each other. In this case, the compressor 10 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20 may be installed in the outdoor unit O.
The expansion, device 12 may be installed in any one selected from between the indoor unit land the outdoor unit O. The indoor heat exchanger 13 may be installed in the indoor unit I.
An outdoor fan 15 that blows outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 20 may be installed in the outdoor unit O. An indoor fan 16 that blows indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 13 may be installed in the indoor unit I.
The outdoor heat exchanger 20 may be a microchannel type heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger 20 may be made of an aluminum material.
The outdoor heat exchanger 20 may include a first heat exchanger 30 and a second heat exchanger 40. Unlike this embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 20 may include more, than two heat exchangers, which may be stacked.
The outdoor heat exchanger 20 may include the first heat exchanger 30, which may be provided at an inside of the outdoor unit O, the second heat exchanger 40, which may be stacked on the first heat exchanger 30, such that the second heat exchanger 40 may be disposed or provided at an outside of the first heat exchanger 30, an introduction pipe 22 connected to the first heat exchanger 30 to supply a refrigerant, a discharge pipe 24 connected to the second heat exchanger 40 to discharge the refrigerant, and a connection pipe 25 connected between the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 to allow the refrigerant to flow from the first heat exchanger 30 to the second heat exchanger 40 therethrough.
The first heat exchanger 30 may be disposed or provided at the inside of the outdoor unit O, and the second heat exchanger 40 may be disposed or provided at the outside of the first heat exchanger 30. The first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 may be manufactured in a state in which the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 are stacked.
The first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 may be manufactured by stacking a plurality of flat tubes 50 for example. The flat tubes 50 of the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 may be disposed or provided so as to extend in a horizontal direction. The refrigerant may flow in the flat tubes 50 in the horizontal direction,
The first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 may be identical in basic structure to each other. Therefore, the following description will be given based on the first heat exchanger 30.
The first heat exchanger 30 may include a plurality of the flat tubes 50 having a plurality of channels defined therein, fins 60 connected between the respective flat tubes 50 that conduct heat a first header (left side in drawing) 70 coupled to a first side (left side in drawing) of a stack of the flat tubes 50 so as to communicate with the, first side of the stack of the flat tubes 50, such that the refrigerant flows in the first header 70, a second header (right side in drawing) 80 coupled to a second side (right side in drawing) of the stack of the flat tubes 50 so as to communicate with a second side of the stack of the flat tubes 50, such that the refrigerant flows in the second header 80, and a baffle 90 disposed or provided in at least one of the first header 70 or the second header 80 to partition an interior of the at least one of the first header 70 or the second header 80 to block the flow of the refrigerant.
Each of the flat tubes 50 may be made of a metal material. The flat tubes 50 may extend in a longitudinal direction. A channel along which the refrigerant may flow, may be defined in each of the flat tubes 50. The channel may extend in the longitudinal direction of each of the flat tubes 50. A plurality of channels may be defined in each of the flat tubes 50.
The flat tubes 50 may be disposed or provided to extend in a horizontal direction. The flat tubes 50, which may be disposed or provided to extend in the horizontal direction, may be stacked one on another. The first side of each of the flat tubes 50 may communicate with the first header 70, and the second side of each of the flat tubes 50 may communicate with the second right header 80.
Each of the fins 60 may be made of a metal material. The fin 60 may conduct heat. The fins 60 may be made of a same material as a material of the flat tubes 50. In this embodiment, each of the fins 60 is made of an aluminum material.
Each of the fins 60 may be disposed or provided so as to contact two flat tubes 50. Each of the fins 60 may be bent upward and downward. Each of the fins 60 may be connected between two flat tubes 50, which are stacked one on another, in order to conduct heat.
The baffle 90 may be provided to change a direction in which the refrigerant flows. The refrigerant in the flat tubes 50 on one side of the baffle 90 and the refrigerant in the flat tubes 50 on the other side of the baffle 90 may flow in opposite directions.
The baffle 90 may be disposed or provided in the first header 70 or the second header 80. In this embodiment, the baffle 90 is disposed or provided in the second header 80.
The baffle 90 may partition an interior of the second header 80 into two spaces 91, 92. The baffle 90 may partition an interior of the second header 80 into upper and lower spaces 92, 91. In order to distinguish the baffle 90 of the first heat exchanger 30 from a baffle 90 of the second heat exchanger 40 which will be described hereinafter, the baffle 90 disposed or provided in the second header 80 may be referred to as a first baffle 90 a. The refrigerant on an upper side of the baffle 90 and the refrigerant on a lower side of the baffle 90 may flow in opposite directions.
The second header 80 may be divided into the lower space 91 and the upper space 92 by the baffle 90. The lower space 91 of the second header 80 may be referred to as a 1-1 space, and the upper space 92 of the first right header 80 may be referred to as a 1-2 space. The flat tubes 50 disposed or provided on the lower side of the baffle 90 may be referred to as a 1-1 group 51, and the flat tubes 50 disposed or provided on the upper side of the baffle 90 may be referred to as a 1-2 group 52.
A single space may be defined in the first header 70. In this embodiment, the space in the first header 70 may be referred to as a second space 93.
The introduction pipe 22 may be connected to the 1-1 space 91 and the connection pipe 25 may be connected to the 1-2 space 92. In order to prevent the refrigerant from accumulating in the 1-2 space 92, the connection pipe 25 may be disposed or provided on or at the lower side of the baffle 90 at the 1-2 space 92. In this case, the refrigerant may flow downward by gravity, and may naturally flow through the connection pipe 25.
The introduction pipe 22 may be disposed or provided on the upper side of baffle 90 at the 1-1 space 91. The introduction pipe a and the connection pipe 25 may be disposed or provided considering a flow of the refrigerant by gravity. In a case ire which the introduction pipe 22 and the connection pipe 25 are disposed or provided in consideration of gravity, the refrigerant may more easily flow to or into the flat tubes 50.
Reference numeral 25 a indicates a first side of the connection pipe 25, and reference numeral 25 b indicates a second side of the connection pipe 25. The first side 25 a of the connection pipe 25 may be connected to the first heat exchanger 30, and the second side 25 b of the connection pipe 25 may be connected to the second heat exchanger 40.
The refrigerant, supplied to the 1-1 space 91 through the introduction pipe 22, may pass through the flat tubes 50 of the 1-1 group 51, flow to the upper side of the first header 70, and flow to the 1-2 space 92 of the second header 80 through the flat tubes 50 of the 1-2 group 52. The refrigerant in the 1-2 space 92 may flow to the second heat exchanger 40 through the connection pipe 25.
The refrigerant channel in the first heat exchanger 30 may be disposed or provided such that the refrigerant flows from the lower side to the upper side, that is, in a direction opposite to gravity. The refrigerant in the first header 70 may flow upward due to a pressure difference against gravity.
In this embodiment, the flat tubes 50 of the first heat exchanger 30 may be divided into two groups. Unlike this embodiment, an additional baffle 90 may be further provided in order to for more than two groups.
The second heat exchanger 40 may be similar in construction to the first heat exchanger 30. A number of baffles 90 of the second heat exchanger 40 may be different from a number of baffles 90 of the first heat exchanger 30, and a number of groups 53, 54 55, and 56 of the second heat exchanger 40 may be different from a number of groups of the first heat exchanger 30. In this embodiment, the number of groups of the second heat exchanger 40 is greater than the number of groups of the first heat exchanger 30 in order to reduce the pressure difference between the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40.
In the same manner as the first heat exchanger 30, the second heat exchanger 40 may include a plurality of flat tubes 50, fins 60, a third header (left side in the drawing) 71, a fourth header (right side in the drawing) 81, and baffles 90. The flat tubes 50 may be divided into a 2-1 group 53, a 2-2 group 54, a 2-3 group 55, and a 2-4 group 56.
An interior of the third header 71 may be partitioned into two spaces by one baffle 90 and an interior of the fourth header 81 may be partitioned into three spaces by two baffles 90. The baffle 90 provided in the third header 71 may be provided between the 2-2 group 54 and the 2-3 group 55. The baffle 90 provided in the third header 71 may be referred to as a third baffle 90 c. The third baffle 90 c may partition the interior of the third header 71 into a 4-1 space 97 and a 4-2 space 98.
The two baffles 90 may be provided in the fourth header 81. The baffle 90 provided between the 2-1 group 53 and the 2-2 group 54 may be referred to as a second baffle 90 b and the baffle 90 provided between the 2-3 group 55 and the 2-4 group 55 may be defined as a fourth baffle 90 d. The second baffle 90 b and the fourth baffle 90 d may partition the interior of the fourth header 81 into a 3-1 space 94 a 3-2 space 95, and a 3-3 space 96.
The baffles 90 b, 90 c, and 90 d may be provided such that the refrigerant flow separately through the respective groups of the flat tubes 50. The refrigerant may flow from the first or left side to the second or right side or from the second or right side to the first or left side by the baffles 90 b, 90 c, and 90 d.
The first baffle to the fourth baffle may be arranged in consideration of a sequence in which the refrigerant flows. In a case in which a position of the connection pipe or the introduction pipe is changed, positions of the baffles may also be changed.
The refrigerant, passing through the second heat exchanger 40, may flow from the upper side to the lower side, that is, in the direction of gravity. That is the refrigerant may sequentially flow through the 2-1 group 53, the 2-2 group 54 the 2-3 group 55, and the 2-4 group 56.
The refrigerant may flow in a state in which gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant are mixed. As the refrigerant flows in the direction of gravity, even the liquid refrigerant may flow smoothly. It is very important for the heat exchanger according to this embodiment to provide for a smooth flow of liquid refrigerant, as the flow of the refrigerant is considered when the heat exchanger is used as a condenser.
The second side 25 b of the connection pipe 25 may be connected to the 3-1 space 94. In consideration of the flow of the refrigerant by gravity, the second side 25 b of the connection pipe 25 may be connected to an upper side of the 3-1 space 94.
The discharge pipe 24 may be connected to the 3-3 space 96. In consideration of the flow of the refrigerant by gravity, the discharge pipe 24 may be connected to a lower side of the 3-3 space 96.
In this embodiment, the introduction pipe 22, the discharge pipe 24, and the connection pipe 25 are connected to the second header 80 and the fourth header 81. Unlike this embodiment, the introduction pipe 22, the discharge pipe 24, and the connection pipe 25 may be connected to the first and third headers 70 and 71. In addition, the introduction pipe or the discharge pipe may be separately connected to the headers based on a design of the outdoor unit O.
The first heat exchanger 30 and, the second heat exchanger 40 of the outdoor heat exchanger 20 may be bent such that the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 can exchange heat with suctioned air on at least two surfaces thereof.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the first heat exchanger 30 before the first heat exchanger is bent. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the second heat exchanger 40 before the second heat exchanger 40 is bent.
The first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 may be manufactured through high-temperature blazing, for example, in a state in which the flat tubes 50 are inserted into the first and third headers 70 and 71 and into the second and fourth headers 80 and 81. Subsequently, the manufactured first heat exchanger 30 and second heat exchanger 40, which may be flat, may be bent.
The first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 may be bent simultaneously in a state in which the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 are coupled to each other. Alternatively, the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 r may be bent individually, and then the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 may be coupled to each other. In a case in which the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 are bent, it is appropriate to bend portions of the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 adjacent to the first and third headers 70 and 71 to which the introduction pipe 22, the discharge pipe 24, and the connection pipe 25 are not connected.
The 1-1 space, the 2-1 space the 3-1 space, and the 4-1 space may be defined merely to specify spaces in the headers irrespective of the sequence in which the refrigerant flows. In addition, the groups, into which the flat tubes 50 are divided, may be defined irrespective of the sequence in which the refrigerant flows.
In this embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 20 is constructed by stacking a plurality of microchannel type heat exchangers. The first heat exchanger 30 may be provided at the inside of the outdoor heat exchanger 20, and the second heat exchanger 40 may be provided at the outside of the outdoor heat exchanger 20.
The flat tubes 50 provided in the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 may be arranged to extend in the horizontal direction. The refrigerant may exchange heat with air while flowing along the flat tubes 50 in the horizontal direction.
The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may be supplied to the first heat exchanger 30, which may be provided at the inside of the outdoor heat exchanger 20, and then flow to the second heat exchanger 40, which may be provided at the outside of the outdoor heat exchanger 20. In particular, the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 30 may pass through the 1-1 group 51, which may be provided at the lower side, in the horizontal direction flow to the upper side, and then pass through the 1-2 group 52, which may be provided at the upper side.
In the first heat exchanger 30, to which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may be directly supplied, resistance may be minimized by a weight of the refrigerant even when the refrigerant flows from the lower side to the upper side, that is, in the direction opposite to gravity, as a pressure of the refrigerant which is supplied is high, in particular, as the first heat exchanger 30 may be provided at the inside of the outdoor heat exchanger 20, the first heat exchanger 30 may exchange heat with higher-temperature air, whereby condensation of the refrigerant may be minimized.
Outdoor air may exchange heat with the second heat exchanger 40, and then exchange heat with the first heat exchanger 30. As a result, a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the second heat exchanger 40 is lower than a temperature of air that exchanges heat with the first heat exchanger 30.
When outdoor air exchanges heat with the second heat exchanger 40, the temperature of the outdoor air is increased, and the outdoor air, the temperature of which has been increased, exchanges heat with the first heat exchanger 30. As a result, condensation of the refrigerant into liquid refrigerant may be minimized even though the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 30 is lowered.
In the first heat exchanger 30, therefore, the refrigerant may flow smoothly even when the refrigerant flows from the lower side to the upper side against gravity. In the second heat exchanger 40, the refrigerant may flow smoothly, as the refrigerant flows from the upper side to the lower side, that is, in the direction of gravity. In the second heat exchanger 40, gaseous refrigerant is condensed into liquid refrigerant. The condensed refrigerant may naturally flow downward by gravity.
In the second heat exchanger 40 the refrigerant may sequentially flow through the 2-1 group 53, the 2-2 group 54, the 2-3 group 55, and the 2-4 group 56. After flowing to the lower side, the liquid refrigerant may be discharged through the discharge pipe 24.
In the outdoor heat exchanger 20 according to this embodiment, the refrigerant may exchange heat with air while flowing along the flat tubes 50 in the horizontal direction. As a result, the effect of gravity may be minimized.
Even when the gaseous refrigerant is condensed into liquid refrigerant in the flat tubes 50, the effect of gravity on the condensed refrigerant may be minimized, as the flat tubes 50 are arranged in the horizontal direction. In a case in which the flat tubes 50 are arranged vertically or obliquely, gravity has an effect on the condensed refrigerant, with the result that much more pressure is required for the condensed refrigerant to flow.
In the first heat exchanger 30 according to this embodiment, the refrigerant is gaseous refrigerant having a high specific volume. For this reason, a number of flat tubes 50 in the 1-1 group 51 and the 1-2 group 52 may be set so as to be greater than a number of flat tubes in the second heat exchanger 40.
The second heat exchanger 40 may exchange heat with outdoor air having a low temperature. Consequently, the refrigerant may be condensed, with the result that, a specific volume of the refrigerant may be reduced. For this reason, the number of flat tubes 50 in the respective groups may be reduced.
In the outdoor heat exchanger 20 according to this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 30 may be provided at the inside of the outdoor heat exchanger 20 and the second heat exchanger 40 may be provided at the outside of the outdoor heat exchanger 20 such that the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 are stacked. As a result, a heat exchange area of the refrigerant may be increased twice or doubled.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a second heat exchanger according to another embodiment before the second heat exchanger is bent. As shown in FIG. 8, the number of flat tube groups provided in the second heat exchanger 41 may be gradually reduced. That is, baffles may be provided such that a 2-1 group 53′ has seven flat tubes 50, a 2-2 group 54′ has six flat tubes 50, a 2-3 group 55′ has four flat tubes 50, and a 2-4 group 56′ has three flat tubes 50, for example.
Consequently, the number of flat tube groups in the second heat exchanger 41 may be greater than the number of flat tube groups in the first heat exchanger 30. The number of flat tubes 50 in each of the flat tube groups of the second heat exchanger 41 may be less than the number of flat tubes 50 in each of the flat tube groups of the first heat exchanger 30.
Referring to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the two-row outdoor heat exchanger according to this embodiment has a higher efficiency than a conventional two-row outdoor heat exchanger.
In this embodiment, two heat exchangers are stacked. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, three or more heat exchangers may be stacked.
An outdoor heat exchanger according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective showing an outdoor heat exchanger according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a first heat exchanger shown in FIG. 10 before the first heat exchanger is bent.
The outdoor heat exchanger 20 according to this embodiment may be configured such that the refrigerant flows from the upper side to lower side in the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40. The introduction pipe 22 may be connected to the 1-2 space 92 and the discharge pipe 24 may be connected to the 3-3 space 96 in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.
The first side 25 a of the connection pipe 25, which is connected between the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40, may be connected to the 1-1 space 91, and the second side 25 b of the connection pipe 25 may be connected to the 3-1 space 94 in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. In this structure, the refrigerant may flow from the upper side to the lower side, that is, in the direction of gravity, in the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40.
The introduction pipe 22 may be connected to the upper side of the 1-2 space 92 and the first side 25 a of the connection pipe 5 may be connected to the lower side of the 1-1 space 91 such that refrigerant may flow smoothly by gravity. The other constructions of this embodiment may be identical to those of the previous embodiment, and therefore, a detailed description thereof has been omitted.
In the above embodiments, an outdoor heat exchanger according to embodiments has been described by way of example. Alternatively, the structure of the outdoor heat exchanger may be applied to the indoor heat exchanger.
As is apparent from the above description a heat exchanger of an air conditioner according to embodiments disclosed herein has at least the following advantages.
First, even in a case in which a plurality of microchannel type heat exchangers is stacked, a pressure difference of the refrigerant between a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger may be small. Consequently, it is possible for refrigerant to flow smoothly.
Second, flat tubes may be arranged to extend in a horizontal direction, such that refrigerant exchanges heat with air while flowing in the horizontal direction. Consequently, it is possible to effectively achieve heat exchange and to minimize accumulation or backward flow of condensed refrigerant.
Third, it is possible to easily stack a plurality of heat exchangers based on a cooling capacity of the heat exchanger. Fourth, one introduction pipe may be connected to the first heat exchanger, and one discharge pipe may be connected to the second heat exchanger. Consequently, it is possible to easily install and assemble the heat exchanger.
Fifth, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may be bent. Consequently, it is possible for the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to exchange heat with introduced air on two surfaces thereof.
Embodiments disclosed herein have been made in view of the above problems, and embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat exchanger of an air conditioner configured to have a structure in which a refrigerant flows smoothly even when the heat exchanger is used as a condenser.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat exchanger of an air conditioner configured to have a structure in which a refrigerant may flow smoothly even though the heat exchanger has a plurality of rows. Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat exchanger of an air conditioner configured to have a structure in which a pressure difference of a refrigerant between a plurality of rows is minimized.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat exchanger of an air conditioner configured to have a structure in which one introduction pipe and one discharge pipe are provided even though the heat exchanger has a plurality of rows such that the heat exchanger may be easily installed and assembled. Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat exchanger of an air conditioner configured to have a structure in which an increase in cost of manufacturing the heat exchanger is restrictive even in a case in which the number of rows is selectively increased.
It should be noted that objects are not limited to objects as mentioned above, and other unmentioned objects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertains from the following description.
A heat exchanger of an air conditioner according to embodiments disclosed herein is configured to have a structure in which a first heat exchange unit or heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes and a second heat exchange unit or heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes are stacked such that the second heat exchange unit is disposed or provided at an outside of the first heat exchange unit, and a number of flat tube groups in the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit, which are divided by baffles, or a heat transfer area of the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit may be adjusted to reduce a pressure difference of a refrigerant between the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger including a first heat exchange unit or heat exchanger that includes a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, an introduction pipe, through which the refrigerant is introduced, being connected to the first heat exchange unit, a second heat exchange unit or heat exchanger that includes a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchange unit being disposed or provided at an outside of the first heat exchange unit, a discharge pipe, through which the refrigerant is discharged, being connected to the second heat exchange unit, and a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchange unit to the second heat exchange unit. The flat tubes constituting or forming the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit may be disposed or provided in a horizontal direction.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger including a first heat exchange unit or heat exchanger that includes a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, an introduction pipe, through which the refrigerant is introduced, being connected to the first heat exchange unit, a second heat exchange unit or heat exchanger that includes a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchange unit being disposed or provided at an outside of the first heat exchange unit, a discharge pipe, through which the refrigerant is discharged, being connected to the second heat exchange unit, and a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchange unit to the second heat exchange unit. The first heat exchange unit may include a plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the flat tubes being disposed or provided in a horizontal direction, fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat, a first left or first header coupled to one or a first side of a stack of the flat tubes so as to communicate with the one side of the stack of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the first left header, a first right or second header coupled to the other or a second side of the stack of the flat tubes so as to communicate with the other side of the stack of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the first right header, and a baffle disposed or provided in at least one selected from between the first left header and the first right header to partition an interior of the at least one selected from between the first left header and the first right header to block flow of the refrigerant, the baffle dividing the flat tubes into a plurality of groups. The second heat exchange unit may include a plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the flat tubes being disposed or provided in the horizontal direction, fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat, a second left or third header coupled to one or a first side of a stack of the flat tubes so as to communicate with the one side of the stack of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the second left header, a second right or fourth header coupled to the other or a second side of the stack of the flat tubes so as to communicate with the other side of the stack of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the second right header, and a baffle disposed or provided in at least one selected from between the second left header and the second right header to partition an interior of the at least one selected from between the second left header and the second right header to block flow of the refrigerant, the baffle dividing the flat tubes into a plurality of groups. The channels may be configured such that the refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchange unit through the introduction pipe flows from a lower side to an upper side in the first heat exchange unit and such that the refrigerant supplied to the second heat exchange unit through the connection pipe flows from an upper side to a lower side in the second heat exchange unit.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger including a first heat exchange unit or heat exchanger that includes a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, an introduction pipe, through which the refrigerant is introduced, being connected to the first heat exchange unit, a second heat exchange unit or heat exchanger that includes a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchange unit being disposed or provided at an outside of the first heat exchange unit, a discharge pipe, through which the refrigerant is discharged, being connected to the second heat exchange unit, and a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchange unit to the second heat exchange unit. The first heat exchange unit may include a plurality of flat tubes having, a plurality of channels defined therein, the flat tubes being disposed or provided in a horizontal direction, fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat, a first left or first header coupled to one or a first side of a stack of the flat tubes so as to communicate with the one side of the stack of the, flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the first left header, a first right or second header coupled to the other or a second side of the stack of the flat tubes so as to communicate with the other side of the stack of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the first right header, and a baffle disposed or provided in at least one selected from between the first left header and the first right header to partition an interior of the at least one selected from between the first left header and the first right header to block flow of the refrigerant, the baffle dividing the flat tubes into a plurality of groups. The second heat exchange unit may include a plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the flat tubes being disposed or provided in the horizontal direction, fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat, a second left or third header coupled to one or a first side of a stack of the flat tubes so as to communicate with the one side of the stack of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the second left header, a second, right or fourth header coupled to the other or a second side of the stack of the flat tubes so as to communicate with the other side of the stack of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the second right header, and a baffle disposed or provided in at least one selected from between the second left header and the second right header to partition an interior of the at least one selected from between the second left header and the second right header to block flow of the refrigerant, the baffle dividing the flat tubes into a plurality of groups. The channels may be configured such that the refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchange unit through the introduction pipe may flow from an upper side to a lower side in the first heat exchange unit and such that the refrigerant supplied to the second heat exchange unit through the connection pipe may flow from an upper side to a lower side in the second heat exchange unit.
It will be apparent that, although the embodiments disclosed herein have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments are not limited to the above-described specific embodiments, and therefore various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the appended claims. Thus, it is intended that the modifications and variations should not be understood independently of the technical spirit. The above embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive.
Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with over ones of the embodiments.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger comprising:

a first heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air;

an introduction pipe, through which the refrigerant is introduced, connected to the first heat exchanger;

a second heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchanger being provided at an outside of the first heat exchanger with respect to a central longitudinal axis of an air conditioner in which the heat exchanger is provided;

a discharge pipe through which the refrigerant is discharged, connected to the second heat exchanger; and

a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger, wherein the plurality of flat tubes forming the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are provided to extend in a horizontal direction.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flat tubes provided in the first heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of groups, the plurality of groups being disposed one on another, the first heat exchanger being configured to have a channel defined therein such that the refrigerant flows from a lower side to an upper side in the first heat exchanger, and wherein the plurality of flat tubes provided in the second heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of groups, the groups being provided one on another, the second heat exchanger being configured to have a channel defined therein such that the refrigerant flows from an upper side to a lower side in the second heat exchanger.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein a number of the plurality of groups of the second heat exchanger, which is disposed at the outside of the first heat exchanger, is greater than a number of the plurality of groups of the first heat exchanger.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of groups of the second heat exchanger is provided such that a number of the plurality of flat tubes is gradually reduced from the upper side to the lower side.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flat tubes provided in the first heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of groups the groups being disposed one on another, the first heat exchanger being configured to have a channel defined therein such that the refrigerant flows from an upper side to a lower side in the first heat exchanger, and wherein the plurality of flat tubes provided in the second heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of groups, the groups being disposed one on another, the second heat exchanger being configured to have a channel defined therein such that the refrigerant flows from an upper side to a lower side in the second heat exchanger.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger includes:

the plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the plurality of flat tubes being provided to extend in the horizontal direction;

fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat;

a first header coupled to a first side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the first side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the first header;

second header coupled to a second side o the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the second header; and

a baffle provided in at least one of the first header or the second header to partition an interior of the at least of the first header or the second header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger includes:

the plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the plurality of flat tubes being provided to extend in a horizontal direction;

fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat;

a second header coupled to a second side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the second header; and

a first baffle provided in at least one of the first header or the second header to partition an interior of the at least one of the first header or the second header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups, and wherein the second heat exchanger includes:

the plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein the plurality of flat tubes being provided to extend in the horizontal direction;

fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat;

a third header coupled to a first side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the first side of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the third header;

a fourth header coupled to a second side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the fourth header; and

a second baffle provided in at least one of the third header or the fourth header to partition an interior of the at least one of the third header or the fourth header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the second baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the first baffle of the first heat exchanger is provided in the second header to partition an interior of the second header into a 1-2 space, which is an upper space and a 1-1 space, which is a lower space, wherein the second baffle of the second heat exchanger includes at least two baffles, which are provided in the fourth header to partition an interior of the fourth header into a 3-1 space, which is an upper space, a 3-2 space, which is a middle space, and a 3-3 space, which is a lower space, and wherein the introduction pipe is connected to the second header of the first heat exchanger, the discharge pipe is connected to the fourth header of the second heat exchanger, and the connection pipe is connected between the second header and the fourth header.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the introduction pipe is connected to the 1-1 space, which, is the lower space, selected from between the 1-2 space and the 1-1 space, which are provided one on another, the connection pipe is connected between the 1-2 space and the 3-1 space, and the discharge pipe is connected to the 3-3 space, which is the lower space, selected from among the 3-1 space, the 3-2 space, and the 3-3 space, which are provided one on another.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein the introduction pipe is connected to an upper side of the 1-1 space.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein a first side of the connection pipe is connected to a lower side of the 1-2 space, and a second side of the connection pipe is connected to an upper side of the 3-1 space.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein the discharge pipe is connected to a lower side of the 3-3 space.

13. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the introduction pipe is connected to the 1-2 space, which is the upper space, selected from between the 1-2 space and the 1-1 space, which are provided one on another, the connection pipe is connected between the 1-1 space and the 3-1 space, and the discharge pipe is connected to the 3-3 space, which is the lower space, selected from among the 3-1 space, the 3-2 space, and the 3-3 space, which are provided one on another.

14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the introduction pipe is connected to an upper side of the 1-1 space.

15. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein a first side of the connection pipe is connected to a lower side of the 1-2 space, and a second side of the connection pipe is connected to an upper side of the 3-1 space.

16. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the discharge pipe is connected to a lower side of the 3-3 space.

17. An air conditioner including the heat exchanger according to claim 1.

18. A microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger comprising:

a discharge pipe, through which the refrigerant is discharged, connected to the second heat exchanger; and

a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger includes:

fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat;

a third header coupled to a first side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the first side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the third header;

a fourth header coupled to a second side of the flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the fourth header; and

a second baffle provided in at least one of the third header or the fourth header to partition an interior of the at least one of the third left header or the fourth header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the second baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups, wherein the plurality of channels is configured such that the refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchanger through the introduction pipe flows from a lower side to an upper side in the first heat exchanger and such that the refrigerant supplied to the second heat exchanger through the connection pipe flows from an upper side to a lower side in the second heat exchanger.

19. The heat exchanger according to claim 18, wherein the first baffle of the first heat exchanger is provided in the second header to partition an interior of the second, header into a 1-2 space, which is,an upper space, and a 1-1 space, which is a lower space, wherein the second baffle of the second heat exchanger includes at least two baffles, which are provided in the fourth header to partition an interior of the fourth header into a 3-1 space, which is an upper space, a 3-2 space, which is a middle space, and a 3-3 space, which is a lower space, and wherein the introduction pipe is connected to the 1-1 space, which is the lower space, selected from between the 1-2 space and the 1-1 space, which are pro tided one on another, the connection pipe is connected between the 1-2 space and the 3-1 space, and the discharge pipe is connected to the 3-3 space, which is the lower space, selected from among the 3-1 space, the 3-2 space, and the 3-3 space, which are provided one on another.

20. An air conditioner including the heat exchanger according to claim 18.

21. A microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger comprising:

a first heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and air;

a connection pipe connected bet teen the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger includes:

fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat;

a first baffle provided in at least one of the first header or the second header to partition an interior of the at least one of the first header and the second header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the first baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups, wherein the second heat exchanger:

fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat;

a second baffle provided in at least one of the third header or the fourth header to partition an interior of the at least one of the third header or the fourth header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the second baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups, and wherein the plurality of channels is configured such that the refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchanger through the introduction pipe flows from an upper side to a lower side in the first heat exchanger and such that the refrigerant supplied to the second heat exchanger through the connection pipe flows from an upper side to a lower side in the second heat exchanger.

22. The heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein the first baffle of the first heat exchanger is provided in the second header to partition an interior of the second header into a 1-2 space, which is an upper space, and a 1-1 space, which is a lower space, wherein the second baffle of the second heat exchanger includes at least two baffles, which are provided in the fourth header, to partition an interior of the fourth header into a 3-1 space, which is an upper space, a 3-2 space, which is a middle space, and a 3-3 space, which is a lower space, the introduction pipe is connected to the 1-1 space, which is the lower space, selected from between the 1-2 space and the 1-1 space, which are provided one on another, and wherein the connection pipe is connected between the 1-1 space and the 3-1 space, and the discharge pipe is connected to the 3-3 space, which is the lower space, selected from among the 3-1 space, the 3-2 space, and the 3-3 space, which are provided one on another.

23. An air conditioner including the heat exchanger according to claim 21.

24. A microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger comprising:

a first heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, and a plurality of headers between which the plurality of flat tubes horizontally extend;

a second heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchanger being provided at an outside of the first heat exchanger with respect to a central longitudinal axis of an air conditioner in which the heat exchanger is provided, and a plurality of headers between which the plurality of flat tubes horizontally extend;

a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger, wherein a plurality of baffles is provided ire respective ones of the plurality of headers of the first and second heat exchangers to control a direction of a flow of the refrigerant in the first and second heat exchangers.

25. An air conditioner including the heat exchanger according to claim 24.