U.S. patent application number 11/647471 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for heat exchanger and fin of the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Dong Yeon Jang, Ju Hyok Kim, Han Choon Lee, Sang Yeul Lee, Yong Cheol Sa.
Application Number | 20070151716 11/647471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38223170 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070151716 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Han Choon ; et
al. |
July 5, 2007 |
Heat exchanger and fin of the same
Abstract
A heat exchanger and a fin of the same are provided. The heat
exchanger includes a tube, a plurality of fins, a slit section, and
a condensed water guide. The tube is arranged in at least a front
row and a rear row with respect to a direction of airflow. The
plurality of fins is installed with the tube passing therethrough.
The slit section is formed on the fins and includes a plurality of
slits. The condensed water guide is formed between at least the
front row and the rear row, for guiding a draining of condensed
water that is generated on a surface of the tube. A fin of the heat
exchanger includes a plurality of tube insert holes, a slit
section, and a condensed water guide. A refrigerant tube is
inserted in the plurality of tube insert holes. The slit section
includes a plurality of slits formed around the tube insert holes.
The condensed water guide is formed at a rear side of one of the
slits, and guides a draining of condensed water generated in a heat
exchange process between refrigerant and air.
Inventors: |
Lee; Han Choon; (Seoul,
KR) ; Jang; Dong Yeon; (Sihcong-si, KR) ; Lee;
Sang Yeul; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim; Ju Hyok;
(US) ; Sa; Yong Cheol; (Gwncheon-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38223170 |
Appl. No.: |
11/647471 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/151 ;
62/285 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 17/005 20130101;
F28F 1/325 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/151 ;
062/285 |
International
Class: |
F28F 1/32 20060101
F28F001/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 30, 2005 |
KR |
10-2005-0135138 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger comprising: a tube arranged in at least a front
row and a rear row with respect to a direction of airflow; a
plurality of fins installed with the tube passing therethrough; a
slit section formed on the fin and including a plurality of slits;
and a condensed water guide formed between at least the front row
and the rear row, for guiding a draining of condensed water that is
generated on a surface of the tube.
2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the condensed
water guide protrudes a predetermined height from the surface of a
fin.
3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the condensed
water guide is depressed by a predetermined depth.
4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the condensed
water guide is formed along a length of the fin.
5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the condensed
water guide is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to
the direction of airflow.
6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the condensed
water guide is press-formed.
7. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, further comprising
another condensed water guide provided at a rear side of the rear
row.
8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the condensed
water guides are parallel to each other.
9. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the slit
section comprises: a front row slit section formed around the fin
into which the front row tube is inserted; and a rear row slit
section formed around the fin into which the rear row tube is
inserted, the front row slit section having a smaller number of
slit rows formed therein than the rear row slit section.
10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the slit
section comprises: a front row slit section formed around the fin
into which the front row tube is inserted; and a rear row slit
section formed around the fin into which the rear row tube is
inserted, the front row slit section having wider intervals between
slits than the rear row slit section.
11. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the condensed
water guide has a length that is substantially equal to a vertical
length of the fin.
12. A fin of a heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of tube
insert holes into which a refrigerant tube is inserted; a slit
section including a plurality of slits formed around the tube
insert holes, and a condensed water guide formed at a rear side of
one of the slits, for guiding a draining of condensed water
generated in a heat exchange process between refrigerant and
air.
13. The fin of the heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein
the condensed water guide is formed at a rear of a center of the
tube insert hole with respect to a direction of airflow.
14. The fin of the heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein
the condensed water guide protrudes a predetermined height.
15. The fin of the heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein
the height is between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm.
16. The fin of the heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein
the condensed water guide is depressed by a predetermined
depth.
17. The fin of the heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein
the condensed water guide has a substantially triangular or
semicircular sectional shape.
18. The fin of the heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein
the condensed water guide extends vertically.
19. The fin of the heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein
the tube insert holes are arranged in two or more rows with respect
to a direction of airflow, and the condensed water guide is formed
between at least a front tube insert hole and a rear tube insert
hole.
20. A fin of a heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of tube
insert holes formed in two or more rows at a front and a rear with
respect to an airflow direction; and a first and a second condensed
water guide for guiding a drainage of condensed water generated
during a heat exchange process between air and refrigerant in the
tube, wherein the first condensed water guide is formed at a rear
of a center of a front tube insert hole with respect to the airflow
direction, and the second condensed water guide is formed at a rear
of center of a rear tube insert hole with respect to the airflow
direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a fin of a heat exchanger,
and more particularly, to a heat exchanger and a fin of the same
for promptly draining condensed water to increase a heat exchanging
efficiency of the heat exchanger and prevent a carry-over
phenomenon where condensed water overflows into an indoor area.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In general, a heat exchanger is an apparatus for exchanging
heat between refrigerant and air, and has various applications
including air conditioners. Heat exchangers are mainly embodied in
the form of finned tubes.
[0005] In a heat exchanger according to a related art, a plurality
of fins is vertically stacked and spaced from each other by a
predetermined distance. A tube is installed through the fins and
bent multiple times, through which refrigerant circulates. The fin
is installed perpendicular to the tube to expand an area of heat
exchange between the refrigerant and air that pass through and
around the tube.
[0006] Here, the fin is planar in form. Fin collars are arranged in
a zigzag pattern along the length of the fin so that the tube can
be inserted into the fins.
[0007] However, when air flows along the plate fin, working fluid
collides against the front end of the fin to flow in a parabolic
form and form a thick hydraulic boundary. As a result, heat
exchanging efficiency decreases as the working fluid approaches the
rear part of the fin.
[0008] Accordingly, a recent improvement uses a plurality of slits
formed in a surface of the fin to form a relatively thin hydraulic
boundary, increasing heat-exchanging efficiency.
[0009] The function of the above heat exchanger according to a
related art will be described below.
[0010] When a heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, refrigerant
first flows into the heat exchanger, and a fan mounted at one side
of the heat exchanger forces outer air past the surface of the fin.
As a result, the outer air loses its heat by means of the tube in
which the refrigerant flows. Thus, cool air is generated in this
way to drop the temperature of a room.
[0011] After a while, in the course of the heat exchange, when air
flows by the surface of the fin of the heat exchanger, condensed
water is generated by the reaction of air with the cooling fin of
the heat exchanger. Also, the amount of condensed water generated
is much greater at the front of the heat exchanger than at the
rear.
[0012] However, a plurality of slits in the structure of the heat
exchanger fin according to a related art prevents condensed water
from flowing, so that the condensed water cannot drain quickly
away. Such condensed water becomes a heat insulating layer between
the surface of the heat exchanger and the outer air, decreasing the
efficiency of the heat exchanger for heat transfer.
[0013] Further, when the condensed water does not drain quickly,
the condensed water generated on the surface of the fin may flow
into an indoor area from the rear of the fin, that is, the end
portion of an air outlet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a heat
exchanger and a fin of the same that substantially obviate one or
more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related
art.
[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a heat
exchanger and a fin for promptly draining condensed water generated
on a surface of a fin.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat
exchanger and a fin for improving the efficiency of the heat
exchanger due to condensed water draining away easily.
[0017] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0018] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, there is provided a heat exchanger
including: a tube arranged in at least a front row and a rear row
with respect to a direction of airflow; a plurality of fins
installed with the tube passing therethrough; a slit section formed
on the fin and including a plurality of slits; and a condensed
water guide formed between at least the front row and the rear row,
for guiding a draining of condensed water that is generated on a
surface of the tube.
[0019] In another object of the present invention, there is
provided a fin of a heat exchanger including: a plurality of tube
insert holes into which a refrigerant tube is inserted; a slit
section including a plurality of slits formed around the tube
insert holes, and a condensed water guide formed at a rear side of
one of the slits, for guiding a draining of condensed water
generated in a heat exchange process between refrigerant and
air.
[0020] In a further object of the present invention, there is
provided fin of a heat exchanger including: a plurality of tube
insert holes formed in two or more rows at a front and a rear with
respect to an airflow direction; and a first and a second condensed
water guide for guiding a drainage of condensed water generated
during a heat exchange process between air and refrigerant in the
tube, wherein the first condensed water guide is formed at a rear
of a center of a front tube insert hole with respect to the airflow
direction, and the second condensed water guide is formed at a rear
of center of a rear tube insert hole with respect to the airflow
direction.
[0021] An advantage of the present invention is the promp draining
away of condensed water generated on a surface of a fin to prevent
the condensed water from flowing into an indoor area.
[0022] Another advantage of the present invention is that heat
exchanging efficiency is improved through prompt drainage of the
condensed water to reduce power consumption of the heat
exchanger.
[0023] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according
to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the structure of a heat
exchanger fin;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of
FIG. 2; and
[0028] FIG. 4 is a top view showing condensed water flowing along a
condensed water guide on a fin surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to the present
invention.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a heat exchange 1 includes a tube 10
arranged with at least a front and a rear row, a plurality of fins
20 installed through the fin 10.
[0032] In detail, the tube 10, through which refrigerant flows, has
a predetermined length and is bent multiple times. Also, the fins
are spaced from each other at a predetermined distance and are
perpendicular to the tube.
[0033] Here, a front and a rear row tube are arranged in a zigzag
pattern to promote heat exchange at each tube.
[0034] The fin 20 is formed of a thin plate to expand a heat
transfer area that contacts air and improves the efficiency of heat
transfer.
[0035] Also, a plurality of slits is formed on at least one side of
the fin. Condensed water guides 41 and 42 are formed to guide
drainage of condensed water generated on a surface of the fin.
[0036] The operation of the heat exchanger 1 according to the above
embodiment will be described. First, refrigerant flows in the tube
10. Then, while the refrigerant is flowing, air streams into a
front row tube to exchange heat and flows out of the rear row
tube.
[0037] In the course of the heat exchange, condensed water is
generated on the surface of the fin 20, and drains downwardly along
the condensed water guides 41 and 42 on the surface of the fin
20.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the structure of a heat
exchanger fin.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, the fin 20 is divided into a front row
fin 21 that the front row tube 10 penetrates and a rear row fin 21
that the rear row tube penetrates.
[0040] Also, a plurality of tube insert holes into which the tube
10 can be inserted is formed on a surface of the fin 20.
[0041] Also, the tube insert holes 11 and 12 are spaced from each
other at a predetermined distance. The tube insert hole 11 on the
front row fin 21 and the tube insert hole 12 on the rear row fin 22
are arranged in a zigzag pattern relative to each other.
[0042] In this way, the tube insert hole 12 on the rear row fin 22
is arranged between the tube insert holes 11 on the front row fin
21, so that each tube 10 can achieve a desired level of heat
exchange.
[0043] Also, a fin collar 13 is formed around the tube insert holes
11 and 12, and extends from a rear side or a front side, so that
the tube 10 can be easily inserted into and firmly secured to the
tube insert hole.
[0044] A front slit area A and a rear slit area B including a
plurality of slits are formed along a length of the fin 20 between
the tube insert holes 11 and 12.
[0045] Also, based on an air flowing direction, a front and a rear
condensed water guides 41 and 42 are formed at rear of each of the
tube insert holes 11 and 12. Specifically, each end of the front
row fin 21 and the rear row fin 22 guides drainage of condensed
water.
[0046] In detail, the front row slit area A has three or less slit
rows to improve drainage of the condensed water, while the rear row
slit area B has four or more slit rows.
[0047] When air flows into the heat exchanger 1, most condensation
of water occurs on the front row fin 21 of the fin 10, where a
temperature difference between refrigerant and air is relatively
broad. Accordingly, the front row slit area A is configured to
include three or less slits to reduce flow resistance of the
condensed water.
[0048] In other words, the number of slits formed on the front row
fin 21 is less than the number on the rear row fin 22. As a result,
a pattern of slits at the front row fin 21 and slits of the rear
row fin 22 is asymmetric.
[0049] Further, for good drainage of the condensed water from the
front row fin 21, it is preferable that a gap between slits in the
front row slit area A is greater than that in the rear row slit
area B.
[0050] In particular, the front row slit area A includes a first
row that has a plurality of short slits 22 and 23 based on an air
flow direction, a second row that has a single long slit and a
third row that has a plurality of short slits 26 and 27.
[0051] The rear row slit area B includes a first row that has a
plurality of short slits 71 and 72, a second and a third row that
have a single long slit 73 and 74 respectively, and a fourth row
that has a plurality of short slits 75 and 76.
[0052] Since the less water condenses on the rear row slit area B,
here, it is more important to dissipate the heat boundary between
air and a surface of the fin 10. Accordingly, four or more of slits
are formed on the rear row slit area B to increase the surface area
contacting air and dissipate the heat boundary.
[0053] Meanwhile, the front row guide 41 is formed between the
centerline C of the fin and the centerline C1 of the tube insert
hole 11 formed on the front row fin 21. The rear row guide 42 is
formed between the rear end line B of the fin and the centerline C2
of the tube insert hole 12 formed on the rear row fin 22.
[0054] Next, the condensed water guides 41 and 42 are disposed at a
predetermined angle with respect to an airflow direction. The
condensed water guides 41 and 42 extend vertically along the length
of the fin 20. It is preferable that the condensed water guides 41
and 42 are the same length as the fin 20.
[0055] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of
FIG. 2.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, the condensed water guides 41 and 42
are protruded or depressed by a predetermined height H from the
surface of the fin 20. It is apparent that these condensed water
guides 41 and 42 may be press-formed, but the forming method
thereof is not limited thereto.
[0057] Also, the condensed water guides 41 and 42 have a triangular
or semicircular sectional profile. Here, the sectional profile of
the condensed water guides 41 and 42 is triangular as shown in FIG.
3.
[0058] Here, the condensed water guides 41 and 42 include both
protruded and depressed parts.
[0059] Accordingly, condensed water generated on the surface of the
fin 20 flows downwardly along the protruded parts of the condensed
water guides 41 and 42, or may flow downwardly through the
depressed parts of the condensed water guides 41 and 42.
[0060] In other words, the condensed water guides 41 and 42 with
different shapes are formed at a front side and a rear side.
[0061] Here, the protruded height H of the condensed water guides
41 and 42 is preferably 0.3 to 0.6 mm. That is, when the height is
below 0.3 mm, the problem of condensed water flowing over the
condensed water guide 41 and 42 occurs. On the other hand, when the
height is above 0.6 mm, the problem of a reduction in heat
exchanging efficiency occurs due to the obstruction of airflow.
[0062] Here, according to an embodiment of the present invention,
press-forming is used to form the condensed water guide 41 and 42.
Alternately, a separate member may be combined with the surface of
the fin.
[0063] The operation of the heat exchanger having the above
configuration will now be explained.
[0064] FIG. 4 is a top view showing condensed water flowing along a
condensed water guide on a fin surface.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 4, during the operation of the heat
exchanger according to the present invention, refrigerant flows in
the tube 10. The refrigerant transfers heat to the fin 20. The fin
20 exchanges heat with the air.
[0066] Then, in the course of the heat exchange, condensed water W
forms on the surface of the fin 20. This condensed water W streams
down by gravity along the surface of the fin 20. In detail, one
portion of the condensed water W flows along a circumferential
surface of the fin collar 13 and a circumferential surface of the
tube 10, while another portion of the condensed water W flows to
the rear of the fin 20 by means of the airflow.
[0067] Meanwhile, condensed water W formed at a front of centerline
C of the fin 20 is pushed to the front row guide 41, and then
promptly streams down along the front row guide 41. In this way,
the heat-isolating phenomenon disappears. As a result, the
efficiency of the fin 20 improves.
[0068] On the other hand, condensed water W formed at a rear of
centerline C of the fin 20 is pushed to the rear row guide 42, and
then promptly streams down along the rear row guide 42. In this
way, the condensed water W is prevented from flowing into an indoor
area.
[0069] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *