U.S. patent application number 13/762517 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for heat pump.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hongseong Kim, Juhyok Kim, Hanchoon Lee, Sangyeul LEE. Invention is credited to Hongseong Kim, Juhyok Kim, Hanchoon Lee, Sangyeul LEE.
Application Number | 20130240176 13/762517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47713925 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130240176 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Sangyeul ; et
al. |
September 19, 2013 |
HEAT PUMP
Abstract
A heat pump is provided. The heat pump that may include an
outdoor heat exchanger, in which a refrigerant may be condensed by
being heat-exchanged with outdoor air in a cooling operation, and
evaporated by being heat-exchanged with the outdoor air in a
heating operation, and an outdoor fan that allows the outdoor air
to be moved to the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat
exchanger may include a front-row heat exchange device, through
which the outdoor air moved by the outdoor fan may pass, and a
rear-row heat exchange device, through which the outdoor air having
passed through the front-row heat exchange device may pass; a
water-repellent coating layer formed on a surface of the front-row
heat exchange device, which the outdoor air contacts; and a
hydrophilic coating layer formed on a surface of the rear-row heat
exchange device, which the outdoor air contacts. Accordingly, the
outdoor heat exchanger may have a longer frost formation time in
comparison to a hydrophilic coated double-row heat exchanger, and a
high heat exchange performance and lower pressure loss in
comparison to a water-repellent coated heat exchanger.
Inventors: |
LEE; Sangyeul; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kim; Hongseong; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim;
Juhyok; (Seoul, KR) ; Lee; Hanchoon; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LEE; Sangyeul
Kim; Hongseong
Kim; Juhyok
Lee; Hanchoon |
Seoul
Seoul
Seoul
Seoul |
|
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
47713925 |
Appl. No.: |
13/762517 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/59 ;
165/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 1/24 20130101; F25B
30/02 20130101; F25B 39/02 20130101; F28F 19/006 20130101; F25B
29/00 20130101; F28F 2245/02 20130101; F28F 2245/04 20130101; F28D
1/047 20130101; F28F 17/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/59 ;
165/121 |
International
Class: |
F25B 29/00 20060101
F25B029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 10, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0013872 |
Claims
1. A heat pump, comprising: an outdoor heat exchanger, in which a
refrigerant is condensed by being heat-exchanged with outdoor air,
in a cooling operation, and evaporated by being heat-exchanged with
the outdoor air, in a heating operation; and an outdoor fan that
moves the outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger, wherein the
outdoor heat exchanger includes a front-row heat exchange device,
through which the outdoor air moved by the outdoor fan passes, and
a rear-row heat exchange device, through which the outdoor air
having passed through the front-row heat exchange device passes,
wherein a water-repellent coating layer is formed on the front-row
heat exchange device, which the outdoor air contacts, and wherein a
hydrophilic coating layer is formed on the rear-row heat exchange
device, which the outdoor air contacts.
2. The heat pump of claim 1, wherein the water-repellent coating
layer is formed on a surface of the front-row heat exchange device,
which the outdoor air contacts, and wherein the hydrophilic coating
layer is formed on a surface of the rear-row heat exchange device,
which the outdoor air contacts.
3. The heat pump of claim 2, wherein each of the front-row heat
exchange device and the rear-row heat exchange device includes a
refrigerant tube and at least one fin coupled to the refrigerant
tube.
4. The heat pump of claim 3, wherein the water-repellent coating
layer is formed on at least one outer surface of the fin of the
front-row heat exchange device, and wherein the hydrophilic coating
layer is formed on at least one outer surface of the fin of the
rear-row heat exchange device.
5. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein the water-repellent coating
layer and the hydrophilic coating layer are separated from each
other.
6. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein the water-repellent coating
layer is coated on first and second side surfaces of the fin of the
front-row heat exchange device, and the hydrophilic coating layer
is coated on first and second side surfaces of the fin of the
rear-row heat exchange device.
7. The heat pump of claim 6, wherein the water-repellent coating
layer is coated on front and rear end surfaces of the fin of the
front-row heat exchange device, and the hydrophilic coating layer
is coated on front and rear end surfaces of the fin of the rear-row
heat exchange device.
8. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein a rear end of the
water-repellent coating layer is separated from a front end of the
hydrophilic coating layer in a moving direction of the outdoor
air.
9. A heat exchange apparatus, comprising: a fan that moves air; and
a heat exchanger including a front-row heat exchange device,
through which the air moved by the fan first passes, and a rear-row
heat exchange device, through which the air having passed through
the front-row heat exchange device passes, wherein a
water-repellent coating layer is formed on the front-row heat
exchange device, and wherein a hydrophilic coating layer is formed
on the rear-row heat exchange device.
10. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
water-repellant coating layer is formed on a surface of the
front-row heat exchange device, and wherein the hydrophilic coating
layer is formed on a surface of the rear-row heat exchange
device.
11. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of the
front-row heat exchange device and the rear-row heat exchange
device includes a refrigerant tube and at least one fin coupled to
the refrigerant tube.
12. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 11, wherein the
water-repellent coating layer is formed on at least one outer
surface of the fin of the front-row heat exchange device, and
wherein the hydrophilic coating layer is formed on at least one
outer surface of the fin of the rear-row heat exchange device.
13. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 12, wherein the
water-repellent coating layer and the hydrophilic coating layer are
separated from each other.
14. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 12, wherein the
water-repellent coating layer is coated on first and second side
surfaces of the fin of the front-row heat exchange device, and the
hydrophilic coating layer is coated on first and second side
surfaces of the fin of the rear-row heat exchange device.
15. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 14, wherein the
water-repellent coating layer is coated on front and rear end
surfaces of the fin of the front-row heat exchange device, and the
hydrophilic coating layer is coated on front and rear end surfaces
of the fin of the rear-row heat exchange device.
16. The heat exchange apparatus of claim 12, wherein a rear end of
the water-repellent coating layer is separated from a front end of
the hydrophilic coating layer in a moving direction of the outdoor
air.
17. A heat pump comprising the heat exchange apparatus of claim
9.
18. The heat pump of claim 17, wherein the heat exchange apparatus
comprises an outdoor heat exchange apparatus.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2012-0013872 filed in Korea on Feb. 10, 2012,
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] A heat pump is disclosed herein.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Heat pumps are known. However, they suffer from various
disadvantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, and wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heat pump according to an
embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor heat exchanger
and an outdoor fan of the heat pump of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a graph comparing heat-exchange performance of the
outdoor heat exchanger of the heat pump of FIGS. 1-2 with those of
a hydrophilic double-row heat exchanger and a water-repellent
double-row heat exchanger;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a graph comparing pressure loss of the outdoor
heat exchanger of the heat pump of FIGS. 1-2 with those of a
hydrophilic double-row heat exchanger and a water-repellent
double-row heat exchanger; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a graph comparing frost formation time of the
outdoor heat exchanger of the heat pump of FIGS. 1-2 with those of
a hydrophilic double-row heat exchanger and a water-repellent
double-row heat exchanger.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments
are shown. Embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different
forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set
forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope to those skilled in the art. Where possible, like numbers
refer to like elements throughout, and repetitive disclosure has
been omitted.
[0013] In general, a heat pump is a device that includes a
compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and
an indoor heat exchanger. Such a heat exchanger may be used to cool
or heat the inside of a room or to supply hot water.
[0014] In a cooling operation of the heat pump, the outdoor heat
exchanger may function as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger
may function as an evaporator. In a heating operation of the heat
pump, the indoor heat exchanger may function as a condenser and the
outdoor heat exchanger may function as an evaporator.
[0015] In the heating operation of the heat pump, frost may form on
a surface of the outdoor heat exchanger. In this case, a defrosting
heater that applies heat to the outdoor heat exchanger may be
installed to prevent the frost from forming on the surface of the
outdoor heat exchanger, or the frost formed on the surface of the
outdoor heat exchanger may be removed by changing the heating
operation of the heat pump to the cooling operation.
[0016] Recently, technologies for performing water-repellent
coating or hydrophilic coating on an outdoor or indoor heat
exchanger have been developed.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heat pump according to an
embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the heat pump 1 may include a
compressor 2 that compresses a refrigerant, and an outdoor heat
exchanger 4 that performs a heat exchange between the refrigerant
and outdoor air.
[0018] The outdoor heat exchanger 4 may condense or evaporate the
refrigerant by performing a heat exchange between the refrigerant
and the outdoor air moved by an outdoor fan 5. The outdoor fan 5
may move the outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 4, being
placed together with the outdoor heat exchanger 4 at an outside of
a room.
[0019] The heat pump 1 may further include an indoor heat exchanger
6, in which refrigerant may be heat-exchanged with indoor air or
heat-exchanged with a liquid heat medium, such as an antifreezing
solution or water.
[0020] The heat pump may be a heat-pump type air conditioner or a
heat-pump type hot-water supply apparatus. In the case of the
heat-pump type air conditioner, the indoor air may be
heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 6
and then provided to an inside of a room, thereby changing an
indoor temperature. In the case of the heat-pump type hot-water
supply apparatus, the liquid heat medium, such as water or
antifreezing solution, may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant
in the indoor heat exchanger 6 and then used to supply hot
water.
[0021] In the case of the heat-pump type air conditioner, the
indoor heat exchanger 6 may be a fin-tube heat exchanger including
a refrigerant tube, through which the refrigerant may pass, and at
least one fin coupled to the refrigerant tube, so that the indoor
air may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant by contacting the
fin-tube heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger 6 may condense
or evaporate the refrigerant by performing a heat exchange between
the indoor air moved by an indoor fan 7 and the refrigerant passing
through the indoor heat exchanger 6.
[0022] In the case of the heat-pump type hot-water supply
apparatus, the indoor heat exchanger 6 may be provided with a first
flow path, through which the refrigerant may pass, and a second
flow path, through which the liquid heat medium may pass. The
indoor heat exchanger 6 may be a double-tube heat exchanger, a
plate-type heat exchanger, or a shell-tube type heat exchanger, in
which the refrigerant in the first flow path and the liquid heat
medium in the second flow path may be heat-exchanged with a heat
transfer member interposed therebetween. The liquid heat medium may
be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant through the heat transfer
member while passing through the second flow path.
[0023] The indoor heat exchanger 6 may be connected to a water tank
(or hot-water tank) (not shown) through a liquid heat medium
circulation flow path. The liquid heat medium moved in the water
tank (or hot-water tank) may evaporate or condense the refrigerant
while passing through the second flow path of the indoor heat
exchanger 6.
[0024] The heat pump 1 may further include an expansion mechanism 8
that expands the refrigerant, installed between the indoor heat
exchanger 6 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4. Additionally, the
heat pump 1 may include a flow switch 10. The flow switch 10 may
allow the refrigerant to be circulated in the order of the
compressor 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the expansion mechanism
8, and the indoor heat exchanger 6, or may allow the refrigerant to
be circulated in the order of the compressor 2, the indoor heat
exchanger 6, the expansion mechanism 8, and the outdoor heat
exchanger 4.
[0025] The flow switch 10 may include a 4-way valve that switches a
moving direction of the refrigerant, or may include a plurality of
open/close valves that switches the moving direction of the
refrigerant. Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described using a
4-way valve to switch the moving direction of the refrigerant;
however, embodiments are not so limited.
[0026] In the heat pump 1, the compressor 2, the outdoor heat
exchanger 4, the outdoor fan 5, the expansion mechanism 8, and the
flow switch 10 may be installed in an outdoor device O, and the
indoor heat exchanger 6 and the indoor fan 7 may be installed in an
indoor device I. The heat pump 1 may include cooling and heating
operations, or may include cooling, heating, and defrosting
operations. Alternatively, the heat pump may include heating and
defrosting operations.
[0027] The cooling operation may be an operation in which the
indoor heat exchanger 6 cools the liquid heat medium or indoor air.
In the cooling operation, the refrigerant compressed in the
compressor 2 may move or flow to the outdoor heat exchanger 4,
sequentially passing through the expansion mechanism 8 and the
indoor heat exchanger 6, and may then be collected by the
compressor 2. In the cooling operation, the refrigerant may be
condensed by being heat-exchanged with the outdoor air in the
outdoor heat exchanger 4, and may be evaporated by being
heat-exchanged with the indoor air or liquid heat medium in the
indoor heat exchanger 6.
[0028] The heating operation may be an operation in which the
indoor heat exchanger 6 heats the liquid heat medium or indoor air.
In the heating operation, the refrigerant compressed in the
compressor 2 may move or flow to the indoor heat exchanger 6,
sequentially passing through the expansion mechanism 8 and the
outdoor heat exchanger 4, and may then be collected by the
compressor 2. In the heating operation, the refrigerant may be
condensed by being heat-exchanged with the indoor air or liquid
heat medium in the indoor heat exchanger 6, and evaporated by being
heat-exchanged with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger
4.
[0029] The defrosting operation may be an operation in which the
refrigerant compressed in the compressor 2 is moved to the outdoor
heat exchanger 4 so as to defrost or melt frost formed on the
surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. In the defrosting
operation, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 2 may move
or flow to the outdoor heat exchanger 4, sequentially passing
through the expansion mechanism 8 and the indoor heat exchanger 6,
and may then be collected by the compressor 2. In the defrosting
operation, a portion of the refrigerant compressed in the
compressor 2 may partially defrost or melt frost formed on the
surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 while passing through a
portion of the flow paths of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The rest
of the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 2 may sequentially
pass through the indoor heat exchanger 6 and the expansion
mechanism 8, pass through the remaining flow paths of the outdoor
heat exchanger 4, and may then be collected by the compressor
2.
[0030] If a defrosting start condition is satisfied during the
heating operation, the heat pump 1 may perform the defrosting
operation. If a defrosting end condition is satisfied, the heat
pump 1 may return to the heating operation.
[0031] The defrosting condition may be a condition in which an
accumulated time for which the heat pump 1 performs the heating
operation and various conditions, such as outdoor temperature and
suction superheat degree, satisfy the defrosting start condition.
The defrosting end condition may be a condition in which the
accumulated time for which the heat pump 1 performs the heating
operation and various conditions, such as outdoor temperature and
suction superheat degree, satisfy the defrosting end condition.
[0032] The flow switch 10 may move the refrigerant compressed in
the compressor 2 to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 in the heating
operation. If the defrosting start condition is satisfied, the flow
switch 10 may move the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 2
to the indoor heat exchanger 6. Then, when the heat pump returns to
the heating operation, the flow switch 10 may move the refrigerant
compressed in the compressor 2 to the outdoor heat exchanger 4.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor heat exchanger
and outdoor fan of the heat pump of FIG. 1. The outdoor device O
may include a casing 13 in which an outdoor air inlet 11 and an
outdoor air outlet 12 may be formed.
[0034] The outdoor heat exchanger 4 may include a plurality of heat
exchange devices 16 and 18. The plurality of heat exchange devices
16 and 18 may be disposed along a moving direction of the outdoor
air.
[0035] The outdoor fan 5 may be installed in the casing 13, and may
blow the outdoor air so that the outdoor air may be sucked in
through the outdoor air inlet 11, sequentially pass through the
plurality of heat exchange devices 16 and 18, and then be exhausted
through the outdoor air outlet 12. The outdoor device O may include
a barrier 14 that partitions an inside of the casing 13 into a
blowing chamber 80a, through which the outdoor air may pass, and a
machine chamber 80b, in which the compressor 2 may be
installed.
[0036] The plurality of heat exchange devices 16 and 18 may include
a front-row heat exchange device 16, through which the outdoor air
moved by the outdoor fan 5 may first pass, and a rear-row heat
exchange device 18, through which the outdoor air having passed
through the front-row heat exchange device 16 may pass. Each of the
front-row heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row exchange device
18 may be a fin-tube heat exchange device. The refrigerant may
first pass through any one of the front-row heat exchange device 16
and the rear-row exchange device 18, and may then pass through the
other of the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row
heat exchange device 18. The refrigerant may be divided into
refrigerants, respectively, passing through the front-row heat
exchange device 16 and the rear-row exchange device 18. The
refrigerants, respectively, having passed through the front-row
heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row exchange device 18 may be
recombined.
[0037] The front-row heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row
exchange device 18 may be disposed along the moving direction of
the outdoor air. The front-row heat exchange device 16 and the
rear-row exchange device 18 may be disposed to have a gap
therebetween. The front-row heat exchange device 16 may be disposed
closer to the outdoor air inlet 11 than the rear-row heat exchange
device 18. The rear-row heat exchange device 18 may be disposed
closer to the outdoor air outlet 12 than the front-row heat
exchange device 16. The heat pump 1 may be configured so that the
outdoor air inlet 11, the front-row heat exchange device 16, the
rear-row heat exchange device 18, the outdoor fan 5, and the
outdoor air outlet 12 are sequentially disposed in the moving
direction of the outdoor air.
[0038] During rotation of the outdoor fan 5, the outdoor air is
sucked into the outdoor device O through the outdoor air inlet 11
and then passes through the front-row heat exchange device 16.
Subsequently, the outdoor air passes through the rear-row heat
exchange device 18 and is then exhausted to the outside of the
outdoor device O through the outdoor air outlet 12.
[0039] The outdoor air sucked into the outdoor device O by the
outdoor fan 5 may be primarily heat-exchanged with the refrigerant
while passing through the front-row heat exchange device 16. Then,
the outdoor air may be secondarily heat-exchanged with the
refrigerant while passing through the rear-row heat exchange device
18.
[0040] Each of the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the
rear-row exchange device 18 may include a refrigerant tube and at
least one fin coupled to the refrigerant tube. The front-row heat
exchange device 16 may include a front-row refrigerant tube 22 and
at least one front-row fin 24 coupled to the front-row refrigerant
tube 22. The rear-row exchange device 18 may include a rear-row
refrigerant tube 32 and at least one rear-row fin 34 coupled to the
rear-row refrigerant tube 32.
[0041] A water-repellent coating or a hydrophilic coating may be
coated on both the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the
rear-row exchange device 18. According to one embodiment, when
considering heat exchange performance, pressure loss, and frost
formation time, the water-repellent coating may be coated on any
one of the two heat exchange devices 16 and 18 and the hydrophilic
coating may be coated on the other of the two heat exchange devices
16 and 18, in comparison to a case in which the water-repellent
coating or hydrophilic coating is coated on both the heat exchange
devices 16 and 18. In the outdoor heat exchanger 4, a lot of frost
may be formed on the front-row heat exchange device 16, through
which the outdoor air first passes, rather than the rear-row heat
exchange device 18. A heat transfer amount of the rear-row heat
exchange device 18 may be relatively smaller than that of the
rear-row heat exchange device 16. Hence, the water-repellent
coating may be coated on the front-row heat exchange device 16, and
the hydrophilic coating may be coated on the rear-row heat exchange
device 18.
[0042] A water-repellent coating layer X may be formed or coated on
at least one surface of the front-row heat exchange device 16,
which the outdoor air contacts, and a hydrophilic coating layer Y
may be formed or coated on at least one surface of the rear-row
heat exchange device 18, which the outdoor air contacts. For the
front-row heat exchange device 16, the water-repellent coating may
be coated on the fin (front-row fin) 24. For the rear-row heat
exchange unit 18, the hydrophilic coating may be coated on the fin
(rear-row fin) 34.
[0043] The water-repellent coating layer X may be formed or coated
on at least one outer surface of the fin 24 of the front-row heat
exchange device 16. The water-repellent coating may be formed or
coated on the front-row heat exchange device 16, so that the at
least one outer surface of the fin 24 is covered by the
water-repellent coating layer X. The water-repellent coating layer
X may be coated on both (first and second side) surfaces of the fin
24 of the front-row heat exchange device 16. The water-repellent
coating layer X may be coated on front and rear ends of the fin 24
of the front-row heat exchange device 16.
[0044] The hydrophilic coating layer Y may be formed or coated on
at least one outer surface of the rear-row heat exchange device 18.
The hydrophilic coating layer Y may be formed or coated on the
rear-row heat exchange device 18, so that at least one outer
surface of the fin 34 of the rear-row heat exchange device 18 is
covered by the hydrophilic coating layer Y. The hydrophilic coating
layer Y may be coated on both (first and second side) surfaces of
the fin 34 of the rear-row heat exchange device 18. The
water-repellent coating layer X may be coated on front and rear
ends of the fin 34 of the rear-row heat exchange device 18.
[0045] The water-repellent coating layer X and the hydrophilic
coating layer Y may not be formed together on one heat exchange
device, and moreover, may be spaced apart from each other. A rear
end of the water-repellent coating layer X may be spaced apart from
a front end of the hydrophilic coating layer Y in the moving
direction of the outdoor air.
[0046] In a case in which the water-repellent coating is coated on
both the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat
exchange device 18, condensate water generated on the surface of
each heat exchange device may form as a drop of water. Therefore,
the pressure loss of the entire outdoor heat exchanger 4 may be
enlarged, and a load of the outdoor fan 5 may be increased.
Accordingly, a decrease in amount of air and degradation of
performance may result.
[0047] On the other hand, in a case in which the hydrophilic
coating is coated on both the front-row heat exchange device 16 and
the rear-row heat exchange device 18, frost due to the condense
water may easily form on the surface of each heat exchange device.
Therefore, a frost formation time may be shortened, and the
defrosting operation frequently required.
[0048] The outdoor heat exchanger 4 according to embodiments
disclosed herein, in which the water-repellent coating is coated on
the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the hydrophilic coating
is coated on the rear-row heat exchange device 18, has a higher
heat transfer performance than a case in which the water-repellent
coating is coated on both the front-row heat exchange device 16 and
the rear-row heat exchange device 18, and has a lower heat transfer
performance than a case in which the hydrophilic coating is coated
on both the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat
exchange device 18.
[0049] The outdoor heat exchanger 4 according to embodiments
disclosed herein, in which the water-repellent coating is coated on
the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the hydrophilic coating
is coated on the rear-row heat exchange device 18, has a lower
pressure loss than a case in which the water-repellent coating is
coated on both the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the
rear-row heat exchange device 18, and has a higher pressure loss
than a case in which the hydrophilic coating is coated on both the
front-row heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat exchange
device 18.
[0050] The outdoor heat exchanger 4 according to embodiments
disclosed herein, in which the water-repellent coating is coated on
the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the hydrophilic coating
is coated on the rear-row heat exchange device 18, has a shorter
frost formation time than a case in which the water-repellent
coating is coated on both the front-row heat exchange device 16 and
the rear-row heat exchange device 18, and has a longer frost
formation time than a case in which the hydrophilic coating is
coated on both the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the
rear-row heat exchange device 18.
[0051] Hereinafter, for convenience of illustration, an outdoor
heat exchanger in which the water-repellent coating is coated on
both the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat
exchange device 18 may be referred to as a water-repellent
double-row heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger in which
the hydrophilic coating is coated on both the front-row heat
exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat exchange device 18 may be
referred to as a hydrophilic double-row heat exchanger.
[0052] Hereinafter, operation of embodiments configured as
described above will be described as follows.
[0053] First, in a cooling operation, the refrigerant may be
circulated in the order of the compressor 2, the outdoor heat
exchanger 4, the expansion mechanism 8, the indoor heat exchanger
6, and the compressor 2. The refrigerant compressed in the
compressor 2 may be condensed while passing through the front-row
heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat exchange device 18.
The condensed refrigerant may be expanded in the expansion
mechanism 8. The expanded refrigerant may be evaporated while
passing through the indoor heat exchanger 6 and then flow into the
compressor 2.
[0054] In a heating operation, the refrigerant may be circulated in
the order of the compressor 2, the indoor heat exchanger 6, the
expansion mechanism 8, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the
compressor 2. The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 2 may be
condensed while passing through the indoor heat exchanger 6. The
condensed refrigerant may be expanded in the expansion mechanism 8.
The expanded refrigerant may be evaporated while passing through
the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat
exchange device 18 and then flow into the compressor 2.
[0055] The outdoor air may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant
of the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat
exchange device 18 while sequentially passing through the front-row
heat exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat exchange device 18.
When passing through the front-row heat exchange device 16, the
outdoor air may pass between the fins 24 on which the
water-repellent coating layer X may be coated. Then, when passing
through the rear-row heat exchange device 18, the outdoor air may
pass between the fins 34 on which the hydrophilic coating layer Y
may be coated.
[0056] In the heating operation, the condensed water may form as a
drop of water on the water-repellent coating layer X of the
front-row heat exchange device 16, and therefore, the pressure loss
of the front-row heat exchange device 16 may be large. However, the
condensed water may be widely spread on the hydrophilic coating
layer Y of the rear-row heat exchange device 18, and therefore, the
pressure loss of the rear-row heat exchange device 18 may be small.
In this case, the pressure loss of the entire outdoor heat
exchanger 4 may be smaller than the case in which the
water-repellent coating is coated on both the front-row heat
exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat exchange device 18.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a graph comparing heat-exchange performance of the
outdoor heat exchanger of the heat pump of FIGS. 1-2 with those of
a hydrophilic double-row heat exchanger and a water-repellent
double-row heat exchanger. FIG. 4 is a graph comparing pressure
loss of the outdoor heat exchanger of the heat pump of FIGS. 1-2
with those of a hydrophilic double-row heat exchanger and a
water-repellent double-row heat exchanger. FIG. 5 is a graph
comparing frost formation time of the outdoor heat exchanger of the
heat pump of FIGS. 1-2 with those of a hydrophilic double-row heat
exchanger and a water-repellent double-row heat exchanger.
[0058] When assuming that the front-row heat exchange device 16 and
the rear-row heat exchange device 18 have the same conditions and
the same amount of outdoor air is moved therethrough, FIGS. 3 to 5
illustrates results obtained by comparing heat exchange
performances, pressure losses, and frost formation times when the
hydrophilic coating is coated on both the front-row heat exchange
device 16 and the rear-row heat exchange device 18, when the
water-repellent coating is coated on both the front-row heat
exchange device 16 and the rear-row heat exchange device 18, and
when the water-repellent coating is coated on the front-row heat
exchange device 16 and the hydrophilic coating is coated on the
rear-row heat exchange device 18.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, when the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is
configured as the water-repellent double-row heat exchanger, the
heat exchange performance is lower by approximately 1.8% than that
(approximately 100%) when the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is
configured as the hydrophilic double-row heat exchanger. On the
other hand, when the water-repellent coating is coated on the
front-row heat exchange device 16 and the hydrophilic coating is
coated on the rear-row heat exchange device 18, the heat exchange
performance is higher by approximately 1.1% than that when the
outdoor heat exchanger 4 is configured as the water-repellent
double-row heat exchanger.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, when the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is
configured as the water-repellent double-row heat exchanger, the
pressure loss is higher by approximately 37% than that
(approximately 100%) when the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is
configured as the hydrophilic double-row heat exchanger. On the
other hand, when the water-repellent coating is coated on the
front-row heat exchange device 16 and the hydrophilic coating is
coated on the rear-row heat exchange device 18, the pressure loss
is lower by approximately 16% than that when the outdoor heat
exchanger 4 is configured as the water-repellent double-row heat
exchanger.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, when the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is
configured as the water-repellent double-row heat exchanger, the
frost formation time is longer by approximately 68% than that
(approximately 100%) when the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is
configured as the hydrophilic double-row heat exchanger. On the
other hand, when the water-repellent coating is coated on the
front-row heat exchange device 16 and the hydrophilic coating is
coated on the rear-row heat exchange device 18, the frost formation
time is shorter by approximately 23% than that when the outdoor
heat exchanger 4 is configured as the water-repellent double-row
heat exchanger, but is longer by approximately 45% than that when
the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is configured as the hydrophilic
double-row heat exchanger. That is, when the water-repellent
coating is coated on the front-row heat exchange device 16 and the
hydrophilic coating is coated on the rear-row heat exchange device
18, the frost formation delay effect is lower than that when the
outdoor heat exchanger 4 is configured as the water-repellent
double-row heat exchanger, but is remarkably higher than that when
the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is configured as the hydrophilic
double-row heat exchanger.
[0062] When the water-repellent coating is coated on the front-row
heat exchange device 16 and the hydrophilic coating is coated on
the rear-row heat exchange device 18, the frost formation delay
effect is remarkably higher than that when the outdoor heat
exchanger 4 is configured as the water-repellent double-row heat
exchanger. When considering both heat exchange performance and the
pressure loss, the entire performance of the outdoor heat exchanger
4 is higher than that of the water-repellent double-row heat
exchanger or hydrophilic double-row heat exchanger.
[0063] In the heat pump according to embodiments, it is possible to
delay frost formation time as compared with the hydrophilic
double-row heat exchanger and to reduce pressure loss while
enhancing heat exchange performance as compared with the
water-repellent double-row heat exchanger.
[0064] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump capable of
improving heating performance while delaying a frost formation time
of an outdoor heat exchanger as long as possible.
[0065] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat pump that may
include an outdoor heat exchanger in which a refrigerant is
condensed by being heat-exchanged with outdoor air in a cooling
operation and evaporated by being heat-exchanged with the outdoor
air in a heating operation, and an outdoor fan that allows the
outdoor air to be moved to the outdoor heat exchanger. In the heat
pump, the outdoor heat exchanger may include a front-row heat
exchange unit or device, through which the outdoor air moved by the
outdoor fan may pass, and a rear-row heat exchange unit or device,
through which the outdoor air passing through the front-row heat
exchange unit may pass; a water-repellent coating layer formed on a
surface of the front-row heat exchange unit, which the outdoor air
contacts; and a hydrophilic coating layer formed on a surface of
the rear-row heat exchange unit, which the outdoor air
contacts.
[0066] Each of the front-row heat exchange unit and the rear-row
heat exchange unit may include a refrigerant tube and at least one
fin coupled to the refrigerant tube. The water-repellent coating
layer may be formed on an outer surface of the fin of the front-row
heat exchange unit. The hydrophilic coating layer may be formed on
an outer surface of the fin of the rear-row heat exchange unit.
[0067] The water-repellent coating layer and the hydrophilic
coating layer may be spaced apart from each other. The
water-repellent coating layer may be formed on both surfaces of the
fin of the front-row heat exchange unit, and the hydrophilic
coating layer may be formed on both surfaces of the fin of the
rear-row heat exchange unit. A rear end of the water-repellent
coating layer may be separated from a front end of the hydrophilic
coating layer in the moving direction of the outdoor air.
[0068] 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 of the
invention. 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 other ones of the embodiments.
[0069] 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.
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