U.S. patent application number 13/882097 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-19 for air conditioner.
The applicant listed for this patent is Namjoon Cho, Jongho Hong, Giseop Lee, Dongkeun Yang. Invention is credited to Namjoon Cho, Jongho Hong, Giseop Lee, Dongkeun Yang.
Application Number | 20130333410 13/882097 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45994535 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130333410 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cho; Namjoon ; et
al. |
December 19, 2013 |
AIR CONDITIONER
Abstract
Provided is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a
mechanical chamber receiving a compressor for compressing a
refrigerant and a water-cooled heat exchanger for heat-exchanging
water introduced from the outside and flowing along a water pipe
with the refrigerant, an air-cooled heat exchanger disposed on a
top surface of the mechanical chamber, the air-cooled heat
exchanger being fluidly connected to the compressor, and a fan
disposed above the air-cooled heat exchanger. A refrigerant pipe
constituting the air-cooled heat exchanger is bent several times
along an outer edge of the fan and has a polygonal pillar shape
extending in a vertical direction.
Inventors: |
Cho; Namjoon; (Geumcheon-gu,
KR) ; Lee; Giseop; (Geumcheon-gu, KR) ; Yang;
Dongkeun; (Geumcheon-gu, KR) ; Hong; Jongho;
(Geumcheon-gu, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cho; Namjoon
Lee; Giseop
Yang; Dongkeun
Hong; Jongho |
Geumcheon-gu
Geumcheon-gu
Geumcheon-gu
Geumcheon-gu |
|
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
45994535 |
Appl. No.: |
13/882097 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
October 25, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR11/07968 |
371 Date: |
August 26, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/426 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 1/00 20130101; F25B
2313/003 20130101; F28D 2001/0273 20130101; F24F 1/06 20130101;
F25B 2313/02741 20130101; F24F 1/50 20130101; F28D 1/0477 20130101;
F28D 1/0426 20130101; F28B 1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/426 |
International
Class: |
F25B 1/00 20060101
F25B001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 27, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0105209 |
Claims
1. An air conditioner comprising: a mechanical chamber receiving a
compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a water-cooled heat
exchanger for heat-exchanging water introduced from the outside and
flowing along a water pipe with the refrigerant; an air-cooled heat
exchanger disposed on a top surface of the mechanical chamber, the
air-cooled heat exchanger being fluidly connected to the
compressor; and a fan disposed above the air-cooled heat exchanger,
wherein a refrigerant pipe constituting the air-cooled heat
exchanger is bent several times along an outer edge of the fan and
has a polygonal pillar shape extending in a vertical direction.
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air-cooled
heat exchanger comprises: a plurality of main pipes vertically
spaced from each other, the plurality of main pipes being bent
several times along the outer edge of the fan; and return bands
disposed on both side ends of the heat exchanger, the return bands
connecting ends of the vertically adjacent main pipes to each
other.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the plurality
of main pipes are bent at least two times or more.
4. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein a horizontal
section of the air-cooled heat exchanger defines a polygonal plane
having a plurality of lines crossing each other at a preset angle,
and each of the main pipes is bent by the number of angles on the
polygonal plane to allow the return bands disposed on both side
ends of the heat exchanger to face each other.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the present
angle is less than about 180 degrees.
6. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the heat
exchanger comprises a first heat exchange part and a second heat
exchange part which are symmetric with respect to each other, and
the return bands disposed on both side ends of the first heat
exchange part are disposed adjacent to the return bands disposed on
both side ends of the second heat exchange part to define the
polygonal plane.
7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the return
bands disposed on both side ends of the first heat exchange part
and the return bands disposed on both side ends of the second heat
exchange part contact each other.
8. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the first heat
exchange part and the second heat exchange part are integrated with
each other.
9. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein, when the fan
is rotated, a rotation region defined by a side end of the fan is
defined, and an inner region of the polygonal plane comprises the
rotation region.
10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the rotation
region has a diameter corresponding to the longest distance between
the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part.
11. An air conditioner comprising: a mechanical chamber receiving a
compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a water-cooled heat
exchanger for heat-exchanging water introduced from the outside and
flowing along a water pipe with the refrigerant; an air-cooled heat
exchanger disposed on a top surface of the mechanical chamber, the
air-cooled heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchange
parts; and a fan disposed above the air-cooled heat exchanger,
wherein the plurality of heat exchange parts comprise: a first heat
exchange part comprising one bent part; and a second heat exchange
part coupled to the first heat exchange part, the second heat
exchange part comprising the other bent part, wherein the
air-cooled heat exchanger has a polygonal box shape due to the
coupling of the first heat exchange part and the second heat
exchange part.
12. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the
polygonal box shape is a hexagonal box shape.
13. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the first
and second heat exchange parts define a closed space which is not
opened in side directions.
14. The air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein the first
heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part are integrated
with each other.
15. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the fan
defines a rotation region corresponding to a rotation radius, and
two points defining the rotation region on a circumference are
defined at the first heat exchange part and the second heat
exchange part.
16. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the
air-cooled heat exchanger comprises: a plurality of main pipes
vertically spaced from each other, the plurality of main pipes
being bent several times along the outer edge of the fan; and
return bands disposed on both side ends of the heat exchanger, the
return bands connecting ends of the vertically adjacent main pipes
to each other.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, air conditioning systems are systems in which
indoor air is cooled or heated using a refrigerant circulation
cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and
evaporation processes which are successively performed.
[0003] In a general refrigerant circulation cycle, a compressor, a
condenser, an expansion member, and an evaporator are connected by
refrigerant pipes to realize a closed circuit. Also, a refrigerant
is heat-exchanged with air in the condenser and evaporator. That
is, the refrigerant within the condenser decreases in temperature
due to the heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant. Also,
the refrigerant within the evaporator increases in temperature due
to the heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant. Also, air
cooled through the heat exchange in the evaporator may be supplied
into an indoor space, and air heated through the heat exchange in
the condenser may be supplied into the indoor space.
[0004] Air conditioning systems that are water-cooled heat
exchangers has been developed in recent years so that a refrigerant
within one of the condenser and the evaporator is not
heat-exchanged with air, but is heat-exchanged with other fluids,
e.g., water. In detail, in one heat exchanger serving as a
condenser or evaporator, refrigerant and water are not mixed with
each other, but are heat-exchanged with each other.
[0005] In case of combination type air conditioning systems
including an air-cooled heat exchanger and water-cooled heat
exchanger, the air-cooled heat exchanger is installed in an outdoor
space and other system components except the air cooled heat
exchanger are received in a separate case and then installed in an
indoor space. Alternatively, the air cooled heat exchanger and the
case may be provided as one module and then installed in the
outdoor space.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioning system
according to a related art.
[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioning system according to
a related art includes a case 2 receiving a compressor, a four-way
valve, a water-cooled heat exchanger, and an expansion member, an
air-cooled heat exchanger 3 installed on a top surface of the case
2, and a fan assembly 4 for forcibly blowing air to heat-exchange
the air-cooled heat exchanger 3 with air.
[0008] In detail, when the air conditioning system 1 is operated as
a heat pump, the air-cooled heat exchanger 3 may serve as a
condenser in which a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant
flows. Also, when the air conditioning system 1 is operated as a
cooler, the air-cooled heat exchanger 3 may serve as an evaporator
in which a low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant
flows.
[0009] Also, the air-cooled heat exchanger 3 may have a V shape as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0010] However, when the air-cooled heat exchanger 3 has the V
shape, there is a limitation to increase a heat exchange area of
the heat exchanger under a limited condition in a plane area of the
case 2, i.e., a bottom area of the heat exchanger.
[0011] In addition, when two (or more) fan assemblies 4 are
installed on an upper end of the V-shaped heat exchanger as shown
in FIG. 1, heat exchange efficiency may be significantly reduced in
case where one of the plurality of fans may be broken down.
[0012] In detail, when a portion of the fans is broken down in the
existing V-shaped heat exchanger, air existing in an outer upper
side of the broken fan and air existing in a lower space of the
broken fan within an inner space of the heat exchanger may flow
toward the normal operating fan. As a result, air existing outside
a side surface of the heat exchanger does not flow into the inner
space of the heat exchanger. That is, the amount of air flowing by
one normal fan may be reduced than the amount of air flowing by two
normal fans. Furthermore, the amount of air sucked from the outside
of the heat exchanger may be reduced. That is to say, the amount of
air existing inside the V-shaped heat exchanger in air sucked by
the normal operating fan may be greater than the amount of air
sucked from the heat exchanger. This is done because the air sucked
from the outside of the heat exchanger is affected by a flow
resistance due to fins of the heat exchanger. However, air within
the heat exchanger is not affected by the flow resistance.
[0013] Thus, there is a limitation that the heat exchange is not
smoothly performed in a heat exchanger region that should be
covered by the normal operating fan as well as a heat exchanger
region covered when the broken fan is normally operated.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0014] Embodiments provide an air conditioning system in which a
heat exchanger is improved in shape to maximally secure a heat
exchange area in comparison to a single bottom area.
[0015] Embodiments also provide an air conditioning system in which
only a heat exchange function in a heat exchange region covered by
a broken fan assembly is stopped, and a heat exchange function in a
heat exchange region covered by a normal operating fan is not
affected by the broken fan assembly to realize normal heat exchange
efficiency.
Solution to Problem
[0016] In one embodiment, an air conditioner includes: a mechanical
chamber receiving a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a
water-cooled heat exchanger for heat-exchanging water introduced
from the outside and flowing along a water pipe with the
refrigerant; an air-cooled heat exchanger disposed on a top surface
of the mechanical chamber, the air-cooled heat exchanger being
fluidly connected to the compressor; and a fan disposed above the
air-cooled heat exchanger, wherein a refrigerant pipe constituting
the air-cooled heat exchanger is bent several times along an outer
edge of the fan and has a polygonal pillar shape extending in a
vertical direction.
[0017] In another embodiment, an air conditioner includes: a
mechanical chamber receiving a compressor for compressing a
refrigerant and a water-cooled heat exchanger for heat-exchanging
water introduced from the outside and flowing along a water pipe
with the refrigerant; an air-cooled heat exchanger disposed on a
top surface of the mechanical chamber, the air-cooled heat
exchanger including a plurality of heat exchange parts; and a fan
disposed above the air-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the plurality
of heat exchange parts include: a first heat exchange part
including one bent part; and a second heat exchange part coupled to
the first heat exchange part, the second heat exchange part
including the other bent part, wherein the air-cooled heat
exchanger has a polygonal box shape due to the coupling of the
first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0018] The air conditioner including the above-described
constitutions may realize effects as follows.
[0019] First, even though one of the plurality of fan assemblies
installed in the heat exchanger is broken down, heat exchange
performance in the heat exchange region defined at a side of the
other normal operating fan assembly is not affected by the broken
fan assembly.
[0020] Second, since the heat exchanger has the polygonal box
(column) shape, the distance from the center of the fan assembly up
to the heat exchanger in a circumference direction is constant from
an upper end of the heat exchanger up to a lower end. Therefore the
uniform flow rate may be secured in the whole heat exchanger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioning system
according to a related art.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an outer
appearance of an air conditioning system according to an
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating constitutions of the air
conditioning system.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a set of a fan and heat
exchanger according to a first embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating constitutions of a heat
exchange part according to the first embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a set of a fan and heat
exchanger according to a second embodiment.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as being limited
to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, that alternate
embodiments included in other retrogressive inventions or falling
within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will fully
convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the
art.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an outer
appearance of an air conditioning system according to an
embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating constitutions of the air
conditioning system.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an air conditioning system
according to an embodiment is a combination-type system in which a
water-cooled heat exchanger and an air-cooled heat exchanger are
used together with each other. That is, the air conditioning system
may heat or cool indoor air using water cooled or heated by
heat-exchanging with a refrigerant used in a refrigeration cycle or
may be used for providing cool and warm water.
[0030] In detail, the air conditioning system 10 according to the
current embodiment includes a case 101 for receiving components
used for the refrigeration cycle and an air-cooled heat exchanger
15 disposed outside of the case 101, i.e., a top surface of the
case 101. Also, the components constituting the air conditioning
system 10 are connected to each other by refrigerant pipes 16 to
realize a closed circuit.
[0031] In more detail, the air conditioning system 10 includes a
compressor for compressing the refrigerant at a high-temperature
high-pressure, a four-way valve 12 disposed at an outlet side of
the compressor 11 to convert a flow direction of the refrigerant, a
water-cooled heat exchanger 13 connected to one of outlets of the
four-way valve 12, an expansion member 14 connected to an outlet
side of the water-cooled heat exchanger 13, and an air-cooled heat
exchanger 15 connected to an outlet side of the expansion member
14.
[0032] An outlet end of the air-cooled heat exchanger 15 is
connected to the other one of the outlets of the four-way valve 12.
Also, a water utilizer 20 using water as an operation fluid is
connected to the water-cooled heat exchanger 13 by a water pipe 17.
The water utilizer 20 may include an air conditioner installed in
an indoor space to cool or heat indoor air or an indoor bottom or a
hot/cold water dispenser for supplying cold and hot water.
[0033] Also, the four-way valve 12 may be disposed on the outlet
side of the compressor 11 so that a high-temperature high-pressure
refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows toward one of
the water-cooled heat exchanger 13 and the air-cooled heat
exchanger 15 according to an operation mode.
[0034] A fan 151 is disposed on a side of the air-cooled heat
exchanger 15 to heat-exchange external air with a refrigerant
flowing into the air-cooled heat exchanger 15. Here, a heat
exchange assembly constituted by the air-cooled heat exchanger 15
and the fan 151 may be disposed outside the case 101, and other
components except the water utilizer may be received into the case
101. The heat exchanger assembly may be provided in plurality on
the case 101.
[0035] Also, the water-cooled heat exchanger 13 may have a
structure in which only the heat exchange is performed without
mixing the refrigerant circulating the refrigerant circulation
cycle and the water flowing along the water pipe 17. For example, a
plate-type heat exchanger well known in the related art may be used
as the water-cooled heat exchanger 13. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a
chiller in which a refrigerant is introduced into a cylindrical
case and a water pipe meanderingly bent in several times in an S
shape within the cylindrical case is received may be used as the
water-cooled heat exchanger. In detail, the water pipe is received
into the case of the chiller and a refrigerant is filled into the
case of the chiller. Thus, water flowing along the inside of the
water pipe is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant filled into the
case of the chiller without being mixed with the refrigerant.
[0036] In detail, a refrigerant suction port 13a may be disposed on
one side of the chiller, and a refrigerant discharge port 13b may
be disposed on the other side of the chiller. A refrigerant pipe
extending from the four-way valve 12 is connected to the
refrigerant suction port 13a. The refrigerant discharge port 13b is
connected to an inlet of the expansion member 14 by the refrigerant
pipe.
[0037] Also, a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant
discharged from the compressor 11 may be supplied into the
water-cooled heat exchanger 13 or a low-temperature low-pressure
two-phase refrigerant discharged from the expansion member 14 may
be supplied into the water-cooled heat exchanger 13 according to a
state of the four-way valve 12.
[0038] Here, a flow direction of the refrigerant may be decided
according to the converted state of the four-way valve 12. For
example, a flow of the refrigerant when the air conditioning system
10 performs a heating cycle operation such as a heat pump is as
follows.
[0039] In detail, a flow direction of a supersaturated gaseous
refrigerant compressed at a high-temperature high-pressure by the
compressor 11 is decided by the four-way valve 12 to flow into the
water-cooled heat exchanger 13. Also, the refrigerant passing
through the water-cooled heat exchanger 13 may be changed in phase
into a two-phase refrigerant while passing through the expansion
member 14. Also, the refrigerant passing through the expansion
member 14 is changed in phase into a low-temperature low-pressure
saturation refrigerant while passing through the air-cooled heat
exchanger 15. Then, the low-temperature low-pressure saturation
refrigerant returns to the compressor 11 via the four-way valve 12.
Here, a process in which the refrigerant and the water are
heat-exchanged with each other is performed in the water-cooled
heat exchanger 13. That is, the water introduced into the
water-cooled heat exchanger 13 along the water pipe 17 may absorb
heat from the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant and thus
be heated to return to the water utilizer 20. The water utilizer 20
may be used as an indoor heater or a hot water dispenser.
[0040] A flow of the refrigerant when the air conditioning system
10 performs a cooling cycle operation such as an air conditioner is
as follows.
[0041] In detail, a flow direction of a supersaturated gaseous
refrigerant compressed at a high-temperature high-pressure by the
compressor 11 is decided by the four-way valve 12 to flow into the
air-cooled heat exchanger 15. The refrigerant introduced into the
air-cooled heat exchanger 15 is heat-exchanged with air and thus
changed in phase into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid
state. Also, the refrigerant is changed in phase into a
low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant while passing
through the expansion member 14. Also, the refrigerant absorbs heat
from the water flowing along the water pipe 17 and thus is changed
in phase into a low-temperature low-pressure saturation refrigerant
while passing through the water-cooled heat exchanger 13. Also, the
refrigerant passing through the water-cooled heat exchanger 13
returns to the compressor 11 via the four-way valve 12. Here, heat
of the water flowing along the water pipe 17 is lost into the
refrigerant and thus cooled. Thus, the water utilizer 20 may be
used as a cooler or a cold water dispenser.
[0042] As shown in drawings, the air-cooled heat exchanger 15 may
have a polygonal pillar shape. Although the air-cooled heat
exchanger 15 has a hexagonal pillar shape in the current
embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For
example, the air-cooled heat exchanger may have a polygonal pillar
shape including the hexagonal pillar shape as well as a cylindrical
shape.
[0043] The air-cooled heat exchanger 15 has a box shape. Also, the
air-cooled heat exchanger 15 may be constituted by a set of one fan
and one heat exchanger having the box shape. Thus, even though one
of the plurality of fans is broken down, other normal operating
fans and the heat exchange set are not affected by the broken fan.
That is, heat exchange efficiency may be reduced in the aspects of
the whole heat exchanger. However, the heat exchange may be
normally performed in the heat exchanger disposed at a side of the
normal operating fan without being affected by the broken fan.
[0044] In addition, since the heat exchanger has the box shape, a
distance (the shortest distance) from a line vertically extending
with respect to a center of the fan up to any position of the heat
exchanger may be constantly maintained in a length direction of the
heat exchanger. Thus, a uniform flow rate may be secured in the
whole heat exchanger.
[0045] Hereinafter, a structure of the heat exchanger having a
polygonal box shape will be described in detail. For example, a
heat exchanger having a hexagonal box shape will be described.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a set of a fan and heat
exchanger according to a first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view
illustrating constitutions of a heat exchange part according to the
first embodiment.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an air-cooled heat exchanger 15
of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment has a
structure in which first and second heat exchanger parts 110 and
120 defined by bending a heat exchanger having a rectangular shape
two times are coupled to each other. The first and second heat
exchange parts 110 and 120 may be symmetric with respect to each
other. Hereinafter, the constitutions of the first heat exchange
part 110 will be described. Here, the first and second heat
exchange parts 110 and 120 have the same constitution as each
other.
[0048] The first heat exchange part 110 includes a plurality of
main pipes 111 extending in a horizontal direction and spaced a
predetermined distance from each other in a vertical direction and
.OR right.-shaped return bands 112 connecting ends of the main
pipes 111 adjacent to each other in a vertical direction to each
other. The return bands 114 may be disposed on an end of one side
of the main pipe 112 and an end of the other side of the main pipe
112, respectively.
[0049] Since the main pipes 111 and the return bands 112 are
coupled to each other, the refrigerant pipes constituting the first
heat exchange part 110 may be meanderingly connected to each other
in an S shape to form a meander line. Also, the refrigerant pipe
manufactured by connecting the main pipes 11 to the return bands
112 passes through a plurality of cooling fin 115.
[0050] Each of the main pipes 111 includes a plurality of bent
parts 113 and 114. In detail, the plurality of bent parts 113 and
114 include a first bent part 113 disposed at one portion of the
main pipe 111 and a second bent part 114 disposed at the other
portion of the main pipe 114. Since the plurality of bent parts 113
and 114 are provided, the heat exchanger 15 may have a plurality of
side surfaces facing a plurality of directions. Thus, air may be
heat-exchanged while passing through the plurality of side
surfaces.
[0051] Although the heat exchanger 15 has the hexagonal box shape
to provide the two bent parts in the current embodiment, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when the
heat exchanger 15 has an octagonal box shape, the main pipe 111 may
include three bent parts. In summary, the first heat exchanger 110,
i.e., the main pipe 111 may include at least two bent parts.
[0052] For example, when the main pipe 111 includes two or more
bent parts, lines of the polygonal shape may have an angle (see
reference symbol a of FIG. 6) less than about 180 degrees with
respect to one another.
[0053] Also, the return band 112 disposed at one side of the first
heat exchange part 110 is disposed adjacent to the return band 120
disposed at one side of the second heat exchange part 120, for
example. For example, the two return bands 112 may contact each
other. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For
example, the two return bands may be disposed more close to each
other. Also, the return band 112 disposed at the other side of the
first heat exchange part 110 may be disposed more close to the
return band disposed at the other side of the second heat exchange
part 120.
[0054] In summary, the return bands 112 disposed on both side ends
of the first heat exchange part 110 and the return bands 112
disposed on both side ends of the second heat exchange part 120 are
disposed adjacent to each other. Thus, a horizontal section of the
heat exchanger 15 may have a polygonal plane.
[0055] Also, since the first and second heat exchange parts 110 and
120 are coupled to each other so that the return band 112 of the
first heat exchange part 110 and the return band of the second heat
exchange part 120 are more adjacent to each other, an inner region
130 defined by the first and second heat exchange parts 110 and 120
may define a closed space.
[0056] Here, the "closed space" may be understood as that the
closed space is not opened in side directions and also external air
should pass through the heat exchanger 15 to flow into the inner
region 130.
[0057] As described above, both side ends of the first and second
heat exchange parts 110 and 120 are close to each other. Thus, the
air-cooled heat exchanger 15 may have a polygonal shape in plane
(hexagonal plane in the current embodiment).
[0058] That is, in a state where the fan is provided above the heat
exchanger 15 and the case 101 is provided under the heat exchanger
15, the side surfaces of the heat exchanger 15 may be closed by the
first and second heat exchange parts 110 and 120 including the
plurality of bent parts and the return bands adjacent to each
other.
[0059] Also, as the fan 151 is operated, air may flow from the
outside of the air-cooled heat exchanger 15 toward the inside (an
arrow direction). Thus, the air is heat-exchanged with the
refrigerant within the heat exchanger due to the air flow formed by
the fan 151.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, when the fan 151 disposed above the
heat exchanger 15 is rotated, side ends of the fan 151 may define
predetermined rotation regions 153. The rotation region 153 may be
understood as a virtual region (area) corresponding to a rotation
radius of the fan 151.
[0061] The rotation region 153 may be understood as a region
included in a sectional area in a horizontal direction of the inner
region 130, i.e., the hexagonal area of FIG. 4. That is, the
rotation region 153 is less than the hexagonal area.
[0062] Also, the rotation region has a diameter D corresponding to
the longest distance defined between at least portion of the first
heat exchange part 110 and at least portion of the second heat
exchange part 120. That is to say, as shown in FIG. 4, two points
153a and 153b on a circumference defining the diameter D may be
defined at the first heat exchange part 110 and the second heat
exchange part 120, respectively.
[0063] According to the above-described structure, the external air
may smoothly flow by a driving force of the fan 151.
[0064] Also, since the fan and the heat exchanger are independently
provided as one assembly, the normal operating fan and the heat
exchanger is not affected by the broken fan even though one fan of
the plurality of fans is broken down.
[0065] Hereinafter, a description will be made according to a
second embodiment. Since the current embodiment is the same as the
first embodiment except for a portion of the heat exchanger in
structure, different parts between the first and second embodiments
will be described principally, and descriptions of the same parts
will be denoted from the descriptions and reference numerals of the
first embodiment.
[0066] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a set of a fan and heat
exchanger according to a second embodiment.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, an air-cooling heat exchanger 15
according to the current embodiment has a structure in which main
pipes and return bands are coupled to each other to realize a
refrigerant pipe and the refrigerant pipe passes through a
plurality of cooling fins, like the structure of the foregoing
embodiment.
[0068] However, unlike the structure in which the air-cooled heat
exchanger includes the first and second heat exchange parts 110 and
120 in the foregoing embodiment, the air-cooled heat exchanger 15
according to the current embodiment has a structure in which a
single heat exchanger is bent several times (four times in FIG. 6),
and one side thereof end and the other side end are disposed
adjacent to each other.
[0069] That is to say, a structure in which a pair of symmetric
heat exchangers are disposed adjacent to each other to define one
polygonal shape is not provided, but a structure in which one heat
exchanger is bent several times to define one polygonal shape is
provided. That is, the pair of heat exchangers 110 and 120 may be
integrated with each other.
[0070] Thus, the return band disposed on one side end and the
return band disposed on the other side ends are disposed adjacent
to and facing each other. Here, the return bands of both side ends
are disposed adjacent to and crossing each other at an angle
.alpha. less than about 180 degrees.
[0071] As described above, the heat exchanger 15 is disposed under
the fan 151 to define a closed space and extends in a vertical
direction. Thus, external air certainly passes through the heat
exchanger 15 while flowing into an inner space of the heat
exchanger 15 by a driving force of the fan 151. Therefore, a heat
exchange area may increase.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0072] In the air conditioning system according to the embodiments,
even though one of the plurality of fan assemblies installed in the
heat exchanger is broken down, heat exchange performance in the
heat exchange region defined at a side of the other normal
operating fan assembly is not affected by the broken fan
assembly.
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