U.S. patent application number 14/825489 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-18 for air conditioner.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Eunjun CHO, Kiwoong PARK, Beomsoo SEO.
Application Number | 20160047581 14/825489 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53488219 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160047581 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHO; Eunjun ; et
al. |
February 18, 2016 |
AIR CONDITIONER
Abstract
An air conditioner is provided that may include a heat exchanger
including a plurality of refrigerant tubes, a distributor disposed
at one side of the heat exchanger to divide a refrigerant into a
plurality of flow paths, a plurality of capillary tubes that
extends from the distributor toward the plurality of refrigerant
tubes, and a bypass tube that extends from the plurality of
refrigerant tubes. The bypass tube may allow the refrigerant to
bypass the distributor, thereby guiding a flow of the refrigerant
toward an outlet of the distributor.
Inventors: |
CHO; Eunjun; (Seoul, KR)
; SEO; Beomsoo; (Seoul, KR) ; PARK; Kiwoong;
(Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
53488219 |
Appl. No.: |
14/825489 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/529 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 2400/0411 20130101;
F25B 41/003 20130101; F25B 41/067 20130101; F25B 2400/06
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25B 41/00 20060101
F25B041/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 14, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0105769 |
Claims
1. An air conditioner, comprising: a heat exchanger comprising a
plurality of refrigerant tubes; a distributor disposed at one side
of the heat exchanger to divide a refrigerant into a plurality of
flow paths; a plurality of capillary tubes that extends from the
distributor toward the plurality of refrigerant tubes; and at least
one bypass tube that extends from the plurality of refrigerant
tubes, wherein the at least one bypass tube allows the refrigerant
to bypass the distributor, thereby guiding a flow of the
refrigerant toward an outlet of the distributor.
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising at
least one branch tube connected to one capillary tube of the
plurality of capillary tubes and the at least one bypass tube.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the at least
one branch tube is connected to one refrigerant tube of the
plurality of refrigerant tubes, and wherein the at least one branch
tube comprises: a first branch that guides a refrigerant passing
through the one refrigerant tube to the one capillary tube; and a
second branch that guides the refrigerant passing through the one
refrigerant tube to the at least one bypass tube.
4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a
distributor connection tube connected to the distributor to
introduce the refrigerant into the distributor during a heating
operation; and a connection tube that extends from the at least one
bypass tube to the distributor connection tube.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, further comprising a
check valve disposed in the connection tube to guide the
refrigerant in the connection tube in one direction.
6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the check
valve restricts a flow of the refrigerant from the distributor
connection tube toward the at least one bypass tube when the heat
exchanger functions as an evaporator.
7. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the heat
exchanger comprises an outdoor heat exchanger.
8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, further comprising a
main expansion valve disposed at one side of the outdoor heat
exchanger, wherein the distributor connection tube is disposed
between the main expansion valve and the distributor.
9. The air conditioner according to claim 5, further comprising a
combination tank disposed on the connection tube and in which the
refrigerant passing through the at least one bypass tube is
mixed.
10. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one bypass tube is connected to one side of the plurality of
refrigerant tubes, at which side a speed of external air passing
through the heat exchanger is greater than a predetermined wind
speed.
11. The air conditioner according to claim 10, further comprising a
blower fan disposed above the heat exchanger to blow the external
air, wherein the heat exchanger extends in a vertical direction,
and wherein the side of the plurality of refrigerant tubes at which
side the speed of the external air is greater than the
predetermined wind speed is disposed at an upper portion of the
heat exchanger.
12. The air conditioner according to claim 9, further comprising a
storage tank disposed on the connection tube to store a liquid
refrigerant condensed in the heat exchanger.
13. The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein the check
valve is disposed between the connection tube and the combination
tank.
14. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one bypass tube comprises a plurality of bypass tubes.
15. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the heat
exchanger comprises an indoor heat exchanger, and wherein the air
conditioner further comprises a turbo fan that blows indoor air
toward the indoor heat exchanger.
16. An air conditioner, comprising: a heat exchanger comprising a
plurality of refrigerant tubes; a distributor that divides a
refrigerant to introduce the divided refrigerant into the heat
exchanger during a heating operation; a distributor connection tube
disposed at an inlet-side of the distributor; a plurality of
capillary tubes that extends from the distributor to the plurality
of refrigerant tubes; at least one branch tube comprising a first
branch connected to at least one of the plurality of capillary
tubes; at least one bypass tube connected to a second branch of the
at least one branch tube; and a connection tube that extends from
the distributor connection tube to the at least one bypass
tube.
17. The air conditioner according to claim 16, further comprising a
check valve installed on the connection tube to restrict a flow of
the refrigerant in the connection tube.
18. The air conditioner according to claim 16, wherein the at least
one bypass tube comprises a plurality of bypass tubes, and wherein
a combination tank that mixes the refrigerants flowing through the
plurality of bypass tubes with each other is disposed on the
connection tube.
19. The air conditioner according to claim 16, further comprising a
storage tank disposed on the connection tube, wherein the storage
tank is disposed at a position corresponding to a refrigerant tube
of the plurality of refrigerant tubes disposed at a lower portion
of the heat exchanger.
20. The air conditioner according to claim 16, wherein the heat
exchanger comprises an outdoor heat exchanger or an indoor heat
exchanger.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119
and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0105769,
filed in Korea on Aug. 14, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] An air conditioner is disclosed herein.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Air conditioners are apparatuses that maintain air within a
predetermined space at a most proper state according to a use and
purpose thereof. In general, such an air conditioner may include a
compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and evaporator. Thus,
the air conditioner may have a refrigerant cycle, in which
compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of
a refrigerant are performed. Thus, the air conditioner may heat or
cool a predetermined space.
[0006] The predetermined space may be variously provided according
to a location at which the air conditioner is used. For example,
when the air conditioner is disposed in a home or office, the
predetermined space may be an indoor space of a house or building.
On the other hand, when the air conditioner is disposed in a
vehicle, the predetermined space may be an occupant space in which
a person rides.
[0007] When the air conditioner performs a cooling operation, an
outdoor heat-exchanger provided in an outdoor unit or device may
serve as a condenser, and an indoor heat-exchanger provided in an
indoor unit or device may serve as an evaporator. On the other
hand, when the air conditioner performs a heating operation, the
indoor heat-exchanger may serve as the condenser, and the outdoor
heat-exchanger may serve as the evaporator.
[0008] FIGS. 1A-1B are a schematic diagram of a heat exchanger and
a graph illustrating a variation in speed of wind passing through
the heat exchanger, respectively, according to a related art.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a heat exchanger 1 according to the related
art includes a plurality of refrigerant tubes 2 arranged in a
plurality of rows, a coupling plate 3 coupled to ends of the
refrigerant tubes 2 to support the plurality of refrigerant tubes
2, and a head 4 that divides a refrigerant into the plurality of
refrigerant tubes 2 or mixes the refrigerant passing through the
plurality of refrigerant tubes 2.
[0009] The head 4 extends lengthwise in one direction along an
arranged direction of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 2. For
example, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the head 4 may extend
vertically.
[0010] The heat exchanger 1 further includes a distributor 6. The
distributor 6 may divide the refrigerant introduced into the heat
exchanger 1 into the plurality of refrigerant tubes 2 through a
plurality of branch tubes 5 or mix the refrigerants passing through
the plurality of refrigerant tubes 2 with each other through the
plurality of branch tubes 5. Each of the plurality of branch tubes
5 may include a capillary tube. The heat exchanger 1 further
includes a distributor connection tube 7 that introduces the
refrigerant into the distributor 6, and an inlet/outlet tube 8 that
guides the refrigerant into the heat exchanger 1.
[0011] In the above-described heat exchanger 1, the refrigerant may
flow in directions opposite to each other when cooling or heating
operations are performed. Hereinafter, a case in which the heat
exchanger 1 is an "outdoor heat exchanger" will be described as an
example.
[0012] When the air conditioner performs the cooling operation, the
outdoor heat exchanger 1 may serve as a condenser. In detail,
high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor is
introduced into the head 4 and then divided into the plurality of
refrigerant tubes 2. Then, the refrigerant is heat-exchanged with
outdoor air while flowing into the plurality of refrigerant tubes
2. The heat-exchanged refrigerants are mixed with each other in the
distributor 6 via the plurality of branch tubes 5 to flow into the
indoor device.
[0013] On the other hand, when the air conditioner performs the
heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may serve as an
evaporator. In detail, the refrigerant passing through the indoor
device is introduced into the distributor 6 through the distributor
connection tube 7. The refrigerant may be introduced into the
plurality of refrigerant tubes 2 through the plurality of branch
tubes 5 connected to the distributor 6, and the refrigerant
heat-exchanged with the plurality of refrigerant tubes 2 may be
mixed in the head 4 to flow toward the compressor.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1B, a variation in speed of wind passing
through the outdoor heat exchanger 1 according to positions of the
outdoor heat exchanger 1 is illustrated. A blower fan that blows
external air may be disposed on or at a side of the outdoor heat
exchanger 1. The external air passing through the outdoor heat
exchanger 1 may vary in wind speed or amount according to
installation positions of the blower fan or arrangements of
structures around the outdoor heat exchanger.
[0015] For example, FIG. 1B illustrates a state in which an upper
wind speed of the outdoor heat exchanger 1 is greater than a lower
wind speed of the outdoor heat exchanger 1. In detail, when the
blower fan is disposed at an upper portion of the outdoor heat
exchanger 1, a wind speed at a portion of the outdoor heat
exchanger 1 which is adjacent to the blower fan, for example, at
the upper portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may be greater
than a wind speed at a lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger
1.
[0016] In this case, the refrigerant of the refrigerant tube 2
disposed in or at the upper portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 1
may have a relatively superior heat-exchange efficiency. However,
the heat-exchange efficiency of the refrigerant of the refrigerant
tube 2 disposed in or at the lower portion of the outdoor heat
exchanger 1 may be reduced. To solve the above-described
limitation, the branch tube 5 extending toward an upper side of the
outdoor heat exchanger 1 may have a length less than a length of
the branch tube 5 extending toward a lower side of the outdoor heat
exchanger 1. In this case, an amount of refrigerant flowing into
the branch tube 5 extending toward the upper side of the outdoor
heat exchanger 1 may be less than an amount of refrigerant flowing
into the branch tube 5 extending toward the lower side of the
outdoor heat exchanger 1.
[0017] When the plurality of branch tubes 5 are disposed or
designed in length, the plurality of branch tubes 5 may be designed
in consideration of a case in which the outdoor heat exchanger 1
serves as the evaporator. In this case, when the air conditioner
performs the heating operation, an amount of refrigerant divided
and introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may be optimized,
improving evaporation performance.
[0018] On the other hand, when the air conditioner performs the
cooling operation in which the outdoor heat exchanger 1 serves as
the condenser, a deviation of an outlet temperature (an outlet
temperature of the condenser) of the refrigerant passing through
the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may occur, deteriorating condensation
performance.
[0019] This limitation may also occur in an indoor heat exchanger
that serves as the condenser or the evaporator according to an
operation mode of the air conditioner as well as the heat exchanger
1 which is the outdoor heat exchanger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, and wherein:
[0021] FIGS. 1A-1B are a schematic diagram of a heat exchanger
according to a related art and a graph illustrating a variation in
speed of wind passing through the heat exchanger;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner
according to an embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor heat exchanger
and peripheral components of the air conditioner of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow of
refrigerant when the air conditioner of FIG. 2 performs a heating
operation;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow of
refrigerant when the air conditioner of FIG. 2 performs a cooling
operation;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor heat exchanger
and peripheral components according to another embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor heat exchanger
and peripheral components according to still another
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an indoor device according
to an embodiment; and
[0029] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an indoor heat exchanger
and peripheral components of the indoor device of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings. The embodiments may, however, be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
alternate embodiments falling within the spirit and scope will
fully convey the concept to those skilled in the art. Where
possible, like reference numerals have been used to indicate like
elements, and repetitive disclosure has been omitted.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner
according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an
outdoor heat exchanger and peripheral components of the air
conditioner of FIG. 2.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, an air conditioner 10 according to an
embodiment may include an outdoor unit or device disposed in an
outer space and an indoor unit or device disposed in an inner
space. The indoor device may include an indoor heat exchanger
heat-exchanged with air of the indoor space. FIG. 2 illustrates the
outdoor device.
[0033] The air conditioner 10 may include a plurality of
compressors 110 and 112, and oil separators 120 and 122,
respectively, disposed on outlet-sides of the plurality of
compressors 110 and 112 to separate oil from a refrigerant
discharged from the plurality of compressors 110 and 112. The
plurality of compressors 110 and 112 may include a first compressor
110 and a second compressor 112, which may be connected in parallel
to each other. A discharge temperature sensor 114 that detects a
temperature of compressed refrigerant may be disposed on an
outlet-side of each of the first and second compressors 110 and
112. The oil separators 120 and 122 may include a first oil
separator 120 disposed at the outlet-side of the first compressor
110, and a second oil separator 122 disposed at the outlet-side of
the second compressor 112.
[0034] The air conditioner 10 may include a collection passage 116
that collects the oil from the oil separators 120 and 122 and
returns the oil into the first and second compressors 110 and 112.
The collection passage 116 may extend from each of the outlet-sides
of the first and second oil separators 120 and then be combined.
The combined passage may be connected to an inlet-side tube of each
of the first and second compressors 110 and 112.
[0035] A dryer 127 and a capillary 128 may be disposed in the
collection passage 116. A high-pressure sensor 125 that detects a
discharge pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the
compressors 110 and 112, and a flow switch 130 that guides the
refrigerant passing through the high-pressure sensor 125 to the
outdoor heat exchanger 200 or the indoor device may be disposed at
the outlet-sides of the first and second oil separators 120 and
122. For example, the flow switch 130 may include a four-way
valve.
[0036] When the air conditioner 10 performs a cooling operation in
a cooling mode, the refrigerant may be introduced from the flow
switch 130 into the outdoor heat exchanger 200 via a first
inlet/outlet tube 141. The first inlet/outlet tube 141 may refer to
a tube that extends from the flow switch 130 to the outdoor heat
exchanger 200. On the other hand, when the air conditioner operates
in a heating mode, the refrigerant may flows from the flow switch
130 into an indoor heat exchange-side of the indoor device (not
shown).
[0037] When the air conditioner 10 operates in the cooling mode,
the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may
pass through a main expansion valve 260 (electronic expansion
valve) via a second inlet/outlet tube 145. The main expansion valve
260 may be fully opened so that the refrigerant is not
decompressed. That is, the main expansion valve 260 may be disposed
in or at an outlet-side of the outdoor heat exchanger 200. Also,
the second inlet/outlet tube 145 may refer to a tube that extends
from the outdoor heat exchanger 200 to the main expansion valve
260.
[0038] The refrigerant passing through the main expansion valve 260
may pass through a heatsink plate 265. The heatsink plate 265 may
be disposed on an electronic unit or device including a heating
component. For example, the heat generation component may include
an intelligent power module (IPM). The term IPM refers to a drive
circuit of a power device, such as a power MOSFET or IGBT, and a
protection circuit having a self-protection function. The
refrigerant tube that guides a flow of condensed refrigerant may be
coupled to the heatsink plate 265 to cool the heat generation
component.
[0039] The air conditioner 10 may further include a supercooling
heat exchanger 270, into which the refrigerant passing through the
heat-sink plate 265 may be introduced, and a supercooling
distributor 271 disposed on or at an inlet-side of the supercooling
heat exchanger 270 to divide the refrigerant flow. The supercooling
heat exchanger 270 may serve as an intermediate heat exchanger, in
which a first refrigerant circulated into the system and a portion
(a second refrigerant) of the first refrigerant may be
heat-exchanged with each other after the refrigerant is
branched.
[0040] The first refrigerant may be a refrigerant which is
introduced into the supercooling heat exchanger 270 via the
supercooling distributor 271, and thus, may be supercooled by the
second refrigerant. On the other hand, the second refrigerant may
absorb heat from the first refrigerant.
[0041] The air conditioner 10 may include a supercooling passage
273 disposed on or at an outlet-side of the supercooling heat
exchanger 270 to branch the second refrigerant from the first
refrigerant. Also, a supercooling expansion device 275 that
decompresses the second refrigerant may be disposed in the
supercooling passage 273. The supercooling expansion device 275 may
include an electronic expansion valve (EEV).
[0042] The second refrigerant of the supercooling passage 273 may
be introduced into the supercooling heat exchanger 270, and then,
may be heat-exchanged with the first refrigerant to flow toward an
inlet-side of a gas/liquid separator 280. The air conditioner 10
may further include a supercooling discharge temperature sensor 276
that detects a temperature of the second refrigerant passing
through the supercooling heat exchanger 270.
[0043] The gas/liquid separator 280 may separate a gaseous
refrigerant from the refrigerant before the refrigerant is
introduced into the first and second compressors 110 and 112. The
separated gaseous refrigerant may be introduced into the first and
second compressors 110 and 112.
[0044] While the refrigeration cycle is driven, evaporated
refrigerant may be introduced into the gas/liquid separator 280 via
the flow switch 130. The evaporated refrigerant may be mixed with
the second refrigerant passing through the supercooling heat
exchanger 270, and then, may be introduced into the gas/liquid
separator 280.
[0045] A suction temperature sensor 282 that detects a temperature
of the refrigerant to be suctioned into the first and second
compressors 110 and 112 may be disposed on or at the inlet-side of
the gas/liquid separator 280. The first refrigerant passing through
the supercooling heat exchanger 270 may be introduced into the
indoor device through an indoor device connection tube 279. The
indoor device connection tube 279 may include a first connection
tube 279a connected to a first side of the indoor heat exchanger
300, and a second connection tube 279b connected to a second side
of the indoor heat exchanger 300. The refrigerant introduced into
the indoor heat exchanger 300 through the first connection tube
279a may flow into the second connection tube 279b after being
heat-exchanged with the indoor heat exchanger 300. The air
conditioner 10 may further include a liquid tube temperature sensor
278 disposed on or at the outlet-side of the supercooling heat
exchanger 270 to detect a temperature of the first refrigerant
passing through the supercooling heat exchanger 270, that is, a
temperature of the supercooled refrigerant.
[0046] Components of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 and peripheral
components thereof will be described hereinbelow.
[0047] The air conditioner 10 may include the first inlet/outlet
tube 141 that extends from the flow switch 130 to a first side of
the outdoor heat exchanger 200, and the second inlet/outlet tube
145 that extends from a second side of the outdoor heat exchanger
200 to the main expansion device 260. For example, the first
inlet/outlet tube 141 may be connected to an upper portion of a
head 205, and the second inlet/outlet tube 145 may be connected to
a distributor 230 that divides the refrigerant into the outdoor
heat exchanger 200.
[0048] When the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation,
the refrigerant may be introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger
200 through the first inlet/outlet tube 141 and may be discharged
from the outdoor heat exchanger 200 through the second inlet/outlet
tube 145. On the other hand, when the air conditioner 10 performs
the heating operation, the refrigerant may be introduced into the
distributor 230 through the second inlet/outlet tube 145 and may be
divided into a plurality of paths at the distributor 230, and then,
may be introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 200. Also, the
refrigerant heat-exchanged in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may be
discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 200 through the first
inlet/outlet tube 141.
[0049] The outdoor heat exchanger 200 may include a refrigerant
tube 202 having a plurality of rows and stages. For example, a
plurality of the refrigerant tube 202 may be provided, so that the
plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 is arranged in three rows in a
horizontal direction and stepped in a plurality of stages in a
vertical direction. The plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may be
disposed to be spaced apart from each other.
[0050] The plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may be bent to extend
in a lengthwise direction. For example, in FIG. 3, the plurality of
refrigerant tubes 202 may extend again in a forward direction after
extending in a backward direction from the ground. In this case,
each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may have a U
shape.
[0051] The outdoor heat exchanger 200 may further include a
coupling plate 203 that supports the refrigerant tube 202. A
plurality of the coupling plate 203 may be provided, to support a
first side and a second side of each refrigerant tube 202, each of
which may have the bent shape. FIG. 3 illustrates one coupling
plate 203 that supports one side of the refrigerant tube 202. The
coupling plate 203 may extend lengthwise in a vertical
direction.
[0052] The outdoor heat exchanger 200 may further include a return
tube 204 coupled to an end of each of the plurality of refrigerant
tubes 202 to guide the refrigerant flowing in one refrigerant tube
202 into the other refrigerant tube 202. A plurality of the return
tube 204 may be provided and may be coupled to the coupling plate
203.
[0053] The outdoor heat exchanger 200 may further include the head
205 that defines a flow space for the refrigerant. The head 205 may
divide the refrigerant and introduce the divided refrigerant into
the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 according to the cooling or
heating operation of the air conditioner 10 or mix the refrigerant
heat-exchanged in the plurality of refrigerant tube 202. The head
205 may extend lengthwise in a vertical direction to correspond to
an extension direction of the coupling plate 203.
[0054] A plurality of refrigerant inflow tubes 206 may extend
between the head 205 and the coupling plate 203. The plurality of
refrigerant inflow tubes 206 may extend from the head 205, and
then, may be connected to the refrigerant tube 202 supported by the
coupling plate 203. Also, the plurality of refrigerant inflow tubes
206 may be vertically spaced apart from each other.
[0055] When the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation,
the refrigerant of the head 205 may be introduced into the
plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 through the plurality of
refrigerant inflow tubes 206. On the other hand, when the air
conditioner 10 performs the heating operation, the refrigerant of
the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may be introduced into the
head 205 through the plurality of refrigerant inflow tubes 206.
[0056] The air conditioner 10 may further include the distributor
230 that divides the refrigerant and introduces the divided
refrigerant into the outdoor heat exchanger 200, and a distributor
connection tube 235 that guides the refrigerant into the
distributor 230. The distributor connection tube 235 may be coupled
to the second inlet/outlet tube 145 to extend to an inlet-side of
the distributor 230. An "inflow side" of the distributor 230 may
represent a direction in which the refrigerant is introduced into
the distributor 230 when the air conditioner 10 performs the
heating operation. That is, the distributor connection tube 235 and
the second inlet/outlet tube 145 may be disposed between the main
expansion valve 260 and the distributor 230.
[0057] The air conditioner 10 may further include a plurality of
capillary tubes 207 that extends from the distributor 230 to the
plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 as "branch tubes". When the air
conditioner 10 performs the heating operation, the refrigerant may
be divided by the distributor 230 and flow into the plurality of
refrigerant tubes 202 through the plurality of capillary tubes
207.
[0058] The air conditioner 10 may further include a branch tube 208
that connects the plurality of capillary tubes 207 to the
refrigerant tube 202. The branch tube 208 may divide the
refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202
in two directions to allow the refrigerant to flow into the
capillary tube 207 and a bypass tube 210.
[0059] In detail, the branch tube 208 may include a first branch
208a connected to the capillary tube 207, and a second branch 208b
connected to the bypass tube 210. For example, the branch tube 208
may have a Y shape due to the first and second branches 208a and
208b. At least one branch tube 208 may be provided to correspond to
a number of bypass tubes 210.
[0060] When the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation,
at least a first portion of the refrigerant heat-exchanged while
flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may flow
into the first branch 208a of the branch tube 208, and a second
portion of the refrigerant may flow into the second branch 208b of
the branch tube 208. When the air conditioner 10 performs the
cooling operation, the bypass tube 210 may refer to a guide tube
that allows the refrigerant passing through the plurality of
refrigerant tubes 202 to bypass the distributor 230 so that the
refrigerant flows into the distributor connection tube 235. At
least one bypass tube 210 may be provided in consideration of
installation conditions, that is, external environments of the
outdoor heat exchanger 200 and wind speed conditions of external
air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 200. As described
above, the bypass tube 210 may be connected to the second branch
208b of the branch tube 208. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3,
ten capillary tubes 207 that extend from the distributor 230 to the
refrigerant tube 202 may be provided.
[0061] The air conditioner 10 may further include a blower fan 300
disposed above the outdoor heat exchanger 200 to blow external air.
Thus, a speed of external air passing through the upper refrigerant
tube of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may be relatively high.
[0062] Also, one bypass tube 210 may be provided to extend from an
upper portion of the head 205. In this case, one branch tube 208
may be provided on or at an upper portion of the head 205. That is,
one of ten capillary tubes 207 may be connected to the branch tube
208, and nine capillary tubes 207 may be directly connected to the
refrigerant tube 202.
[0063] Although one bypass tube 210 is provided in the drawings,
embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, a minimum of two
to a maximum of ten bypass tubes 210 may be provided. Also, the
number of branch tubes 208 may correspond to the number of bypass
tubes 210.
[0064] The air conditioner 10 may further include a connection tube
225 that extends from the bypass tube 210 to the distributor
connection tube 235, and a combination tank 220 coupled to the
connection tube 225 to store the refrigerant flowing through the
bypass tube 210. The refrigerant flowing through the bypass tube
210 via the second branch 208b of the branch tube 208 may be stored
in the combination tank 220.
[0065] When a plurality of the bypass tube 210 is provided, the
refrigerants flowing through the plurality of bypass tubes 210 may
be mixed with each other and stored in the combination tank 220. On
the other hand, when one bypass tube 210 is provided, the
combination tank 220 may not be provided, and one bypass tube 210
may be directly connected to the connection tube 225.
[0066] When the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation,
the refrigerant stored in the combination tank 220 may flow to the
distributor connection tube 235 via the connection tube 225. Then,
the refrigerant may be mixed with the refrigerant passing through
the distributor 230 via the plurality of capillary tubes 207 to
flow into the second inlet/outlet tube 145.
[0067] The air conditioner 10 may further include a check valve 227
disposed in the connection tube 225 to guide a flow of the
refrigerant flowing through the connection tube 225 in one
direction. The check valve 227 may allow the refrigerant to flow
from the bypass tube 210 toward the distributor connection tube 235
when the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation and
prevent the refrigerant from flowing from the distributor
connection tube 235 toward the bypass tube 210 when the air
conditioner 10 performs the heating operation.
[0068] Hereinafter, a flow of refrigerant in the air conditioner 10
when the air conditioner 10 performs the heating operation and the
cooling operation will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0069] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow of
refrigerant when the air conditioner of FIG. 2 performs a heating
operation. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow of
refrigerant when the air conditioner of FIG. 2 performs a cooling
operation.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 4, when the air conditioner performs the
heating operation, a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant
compressed in the first and second compressors 110 and 112 may be
separated from oil while passing through the first and second oil
separators 120 and 122, and the separated oil may return to the
first and second compressors 110 and 112 through the collection
passage 116. Also, the refrigerant from which the oil is separated
may flow toward the indoor device via the flow switch 130.
[0071] The refrigerant introduced into the indoor device may be
condensed in the indoor heat exchanger, and the condensed
refrigerant may be introduced into the supercooling heat exchanger
270 through the indoor device connection tube 279. A portion of the
refrigerant may be divided from the supercooling passage 273 and
decompressed in the supercooling expansion device 275, and then,
may be introduced into the supercooling heat exchanger 270.
[0072] The condensed refrigerant and the refrigerant flowing
through the supercooling passage 273 may be heat-exchanged with
each other in the supercooling heat exchanger 270 to supercool the
condensed refrigerant. The supercooled refrigerant passing through
the supercooling heat exchanger 270 may cool the heating components
of the electronic device while passing through the heatsink plate
265, and then, may be decompressed in the main expansion valve
260.
[0073] The decompressed refrigerant may be introduced into the
distributor 230 via the second inlet/outlet tube 145 and the
distributor tube 235. The refrigerant may be divided in the
distributor 230 to flow through the plurality of capillary tubes
207, and then, may be introduced into the plurality of refrigerant
tubes 202. The refrigerant may be evaporated while flowing through
the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202, and the evaporated
refrigerant may be discharged to the first inlet/outlet tube 141
via the head 205.
[0074] The refrigerant of the first inlet/outlet tube 141 may be
introduced into the gas/liquid separator 280 via the flow switch
130, and the separated gas refrigerant may be suctioned into the
first and second compressors 110 and 112.
[0075] A flow of the refrigerant of the distributor tube 235 into
the connection tube 225 may be restricted by the check valve 227.
Thus, a flow of the refrigerant into the bypass tube 210 may not
occur.
[0076] As described above, when the air conditioner 10 performs the
heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may function as
the evaporator. Also, the refrigerant may be introduced into the
outdoor heat exchanger 200 through the distributor 230. On the
other hand, the flow of the refrigerant into the bypass tube 210
may be restricted.
[0077] When the outdoor heat exchanger 200 is designed according to
this embodiment, dispositions of the distributor 230 and the
capillary tube 207 may be designed so that an evaporation
performance is sufficiently secured through only the refrigerant
flow through the plurality of capillary tubes 207.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 5, when the air conditioner 10 performs
the cooling operation, a high-temperature, high-pressure
refrigerant compressed in the first and second compressors 110 and
112 may be separated from oil while passing through the first and
second oil separators 120 and 122, and the separated oil may return
to the first and second compressors 110 and 112 through the
collection passage 116. Also, the refrigerant from which the oil is
separated may flow into the first inlet/outlet tube 141 via the
flow switch 130, and then, may be introduced into the head 205 of
the outdoor heat exchanger 200.
[0079] The refrigerant introduced into the head 205 may be
introduced into the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 via the
refrigerant inflow tube 206. The refrigerant of the plurality of
refrigerant tubes 202 may be condensed while being heat-exchanged.
A first portion of the condensed refrigerant may be discharged to
the first branch 208a of the branch tube 208 to flow into the
capillary tube 207. A second portion of the condensed refrigerant
may be discharged to the second branch 208b of the branch tube 208
to flow into the bypass tube 210. Of course, all of the refrigerant
may flow into the capillary tube(s) 207 at a side of the
refrigerant tube(s) 202 which is (are) not connected to the bypass
tube 210.
[0080] The refrigerant of the plurality of capillary tubes 207 may
be introduced into the distributor 230, and then, may be discharged
to the distributor tube 235. Also, the refrigerant of the bypass
tube 210 may flow into the distributor tube 235 via the combination
tank 220 and the connection tube 225. The check valve 227 may guide
a flow of the refrigerant in the connection tube 225. That is, the
refrigerant of the plurality of capillary tubes 207 and the
refrigerant of the bypass tube 210 may be mixed with each other in
the distributor tube 235.
[0081] The refrigerant mixed in the distributor tube 235 may flow
through the second inlet/outlet passage 145 to pass through the
main expansion device 260. Then, the refrigerant may pass through
the heatsink plate 265 and the supercooling heat exchanger 270 to
flow toward the indoor device. The refrigerant may be expanded and
evaporated in the indoor device, and then, may be suctioned into
the first and second compressors 110 and 120 via the flow switch
130 and the gas/liquid separator 280. This cycle may be repeatedly
performed.
[0082] As described above, when the air conditioner 10 performs the
cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may function as
the condenser. Also, a first portion of the refrigerant condensed
in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may flow into the plurality of
capillary tubes 207, and a second portion of the refrigerant may
flow toward the distributor tube 235 through the bypass tube
210.
[0083] As described above, when the outdoor heat exchanger
functions as the condenser, a refrigerant path may be additionally
secured to reduce a deviation of an outlet temperature of the
refrigerant passing through the condenser.
[0084] In detail, in a case of an air conditioner, in which the
bypass tube 210 is not provided, according to the related art, a
portion of the refrigerant condensed in the plurality of
refrigerant tubes may have a supercooling degree greater than a
supercooling degree of the refrigerant condensed in the other
refrigerant tube. In particular, a portion at which a speed of
external air is greater than a preset or predetermined wind speed,
for example, an upper portion of the outdoor heat exchanger, may
have a heat exchange amount greater than a heat exchange amount of
a lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger. Thus, the
refrigerant passing though the upper portion of the heat exchanger
may have a supercooling degree greater than a supercooling degree
of the refrigerant passing through the lower portion of the heat
exchanger. If a deviation of the supercooling degree of the
refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger is high,
heat-exchange performance of the air conditioner may be
reduced.
[0085] Thus, in this embodiment, the bypass tube may be disposed at
the refrigerant tube having a low output temperature of the
condenser, that is, the refrigerant tube having a high supercooling
degree, to increase an amount of refrigerant flowing through the
refrigerant tube and also reduce the supercooling degree. As a
result, a deviation of the output temperature of the refrigerant
passing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes, that is, a
deviation of the supercooling degree may be reduced.
[0086] Hereinafter, additional embodiments will be described. As
the embodiments may be the same as the previous embodiment except
for only portions of the components, only the difference (s)
therebetween will be described, descriptions of the same or like
parts will be denoted by the same or like reference numerals and
descriptions of the previous embodiment, and repetitive disclosure
has been omitted.
[0087] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor heat exchanger
and peripheral components according to another embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 6, an air conditioner according to this
embodiment may further include a storage tank 250 coupled to
connection tube 225.
[0088] When the air conditioner performs a cooling operation, a
refrigerant condensed in outdoor heat exchanger 200 may be
unnecessarily excessive. For example, if an indoor load for the
cooling operation is not large, the refrigerant condensed in the
outdoor heat exchanger 200, that is, a liquid refrigerant, may be
accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 200. If the liquid
refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 is unnecessarily
excessive, condensation performance of the outdoor heat exchanger
200 may be reduced. Thus, the air conditioner according to this
embodiment may include the storage tank 250 to store liquid
refrigerant accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 installed
on the connection tube 225.
[0089] The storage tank 250 may be disposed at a position
corresponding to a height of a lower or a lowermost refrigerant
tube 202 of a plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 so that the liquid
refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may be introduced
into the storage tank 250. That is, the connection tube 225 and the
storage tank 250 may be disposed at positions corresponding to a
lower or a lowermost portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 200.
[0090] The storage tank 250 may be disposed at an inflow-side or a
discharge-side of check valve 227 of the connection tube 225. The
term "inflow side" may refer to a direction in which the
refrigerant is introduced into the check valve 227 when the air
conditioner performs the cooling operation. That is, the check
valve 227 may be disposed between the storage tank 250 and
combination tube 220, or the storage tank 250 may be disposed
between the check valve 227 and the combination tank 220.
[0091] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor heat exchanger
and peripheral components according to still another embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 7, an air conditioner according to this
embodiment may include a plurality of bypass tubes 210 connected to
a plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 of outdoor heat exchanger 200.
For example, the plurality of bypass tubes 210 may be provided in a
number corresponding to a number of capillary tubes 207. That is,
as illustrated in FIG. 7, ten capillary tubes 207 and ten bypass
tubes 210 may be provided, for example.
[0092] Of course, it is unnecessary that the number of plurality of
bypass tubes 210 corresponds to the number of capillary tubes 207.
The plurality of bypass tubes 210 may be selectively provided to or
at a side of a refrigerant tube at which the outdoor heat exchanger
200 has an outlet temperature less than a preset or predetermined
temperature when the outdoor heat exchanger 200 functions as a
condenser. For example, two to nine bypass tubes 210 may be
provided. The air conditioner may also include a plurality of
branch tubes 208 connected to the plurality of bypass tubes 210.
The number of branch tubes 208 may correspond to the number of
bypass tubes 210.
[0093] In summary, the plurality of capillary tubes 207 may be
connected to a first branch 208a of the plurality of branch tubes
208, and the plurality of bypass tubes 210 may be connected to a
second branch 208a of the plurality of branch tubes 208. When the
air conditioner performs a cooling operation, a refrigerant
condensed in the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may be divided
into the capillary tubes 207 and the bypass tubes 210 through the
plurality of branch tubes 208. Also, the refrigerant flowing
through the plurality of bypass tubes 210 may be mixed in
combination tank 220, and then, may flow into distributor tube 235
via the connection tube 225.
[0094] Hereinafter, descriptions will be made according to a still
further embodiment. This embodiment has main features of a
distributor and bypass tube, which are connected to an indoor heat
exchanger instead of an outdoor heat exchanger. Thus, difference
with respect to the previous embodiments will be mainly described,
the same or like parts will be denoted with the same or like
reference numerals of the previous embodiments, and repetitive
disclosure has been omitted.
[0095] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an indoor device according
to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an indoor heat
exchanger and peripheral components of the indoor device of FIG.
8.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 8, an indoor unit or device 30 according
to this embodiment may include a cabinet 31 that defines an
exterior thereof, a case 32 inserted into the cabinet 31 to protect
inner components, an indoor heat exchanger 300 disposed in the case
32 and mounted to be spaced inward from the case 32, a fan assembly
37 and 38 disposed in the indoor heat exchanger 300, a drain pan 35
seated on an upper portion of the indoor heat exchanger 300 to
receive condensate water formed on a surface of the indoor heat
exchanger 300, a shroud disposed in the drain pan 35 to guide
suction of indoor air, and a front panel 39 seated on an upper
portion of the drain pan 35 to cover the case 32.
[0097] The fan assembly 37 and 38 may include a fan motor 37, and a
blower fan 38 connected to a rotational shaft of the fan motor 37
to rotate, thereby suctioning the indoor air. A centrifugal fan
that suctions air in an axial direction to discharge the suctioned
air in a radial direction, more particularly, a turbo fan, may be
used as the blower fan 38. The fan motor 37 may be fixed and
mounted on a base 33 by a motor mount.
[0098] A suction grille 39a that suctions the indoor air may be
mounted on the front panel 39, and a filter 42 that filters the
suctioned indoor air may be mounted on a bottom surface of the
suction grille 39a. Discharge holes 45, through which the suctioned
indoor air may be discharged, may be defined in four edge surfaces
of the front panel 39, and each of the discharge holes 45 may be
selectively opened or closed by a louver.
[0099] A recess 40, in which a lower end of the indoor heat
exchanger 300 may be accommodated, may be defined in a lower
portion of the drain pan 35, in detail, the recess 40 may provide a
space into which the condensate water generated on the surface of
the indoor heat exchanger 300 may drop down and be collected. A
drain pump (not shown) that drains the condensate water may be
mounted in the recess 40.
[0100] Also, an orifice 36 bent at a predetermined curvature to
minimize flow resistance while indoor air is suctioned may be
disposed inside the shroud. The orifice 36 may extend in a
cylindrical shape toward the blower fan 38.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 9, the indoor heat exchanger 300 according
to this embodiment may further include a plurality of refrigerant
tubes 302, and a coupling plate 303 that supports the plurality of
refrigerant tubes 302. A plurality of the coupling plates 303 may
be provided to support a first side and a second side of each
refrigerant tube 302, each of which may have a bent shape. The
indoor heat exchanger 300 may further include a return tube 304
coupled to an end of each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 302
to guide the refrigerant flowing in one refrigerant tube 302 into
the other refrigerant tube 302, a head 305 that defines a flow
space for the refrigerant, and a plurality of refrigerant inflow
tubes 306 disposed to extend between the head 305 and the coupling
plate 303.
[0102] Distributor 230, capillary tube 207, branch tube 208, bypass
tube 210, combination tank 220, and check valve 227, described with
respect to the previous embodiment, may be disposed on or at one
side of the indoor heat exchanger 300. Repetitive descriptions of
the above-described components has been omitted.
[0103] First connection tube 279a of first and second connection
tubes 279a and 279b may be connected to the head 305, and second
connection tube 279b may be connected to the distributor 230.
[0104] When an air conditioner performs a cooling operation, the
indoor heat exchanger 300 may serve as an evaporator. In detail,
refrigerant may be introduced into the distributor 230 through the
second connection tube 279b, and also may be introduced into the
indoor heat exchanger 300 through the plurality of capillary tubes
207. A flow of the refrigerant into the bypass tube 210 may be
restricted by the check valve 227.
[0105] On the other hand, when the air conditioner performs a
heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 300 may serve as a
condenser. In detail, refrigerant may be introduced into the indoor
heat exchanger 300 through the first connection tube 279a, and also
may be introduced into the distributor 300 through the plurality of
capillary tubes 207. At least a portion of the refrigerant passing
through the indoor heat exchanger 300 may flow through the bypass
tube 210.
[0106] As described above, when the indoor heat exchanger functions
as the evaporator, a flow of the refrigerant in the bypass tube may
be restricted. When the indoor heat exchanger functions as the
condenser, a flow of refrigerant in the bypass tube may be
allowable.
[0107] According to embodiments, a connection structure of the tube
extending from the distributor to the heat exchanger may be
improved, improving evaporation performance and condensation
performance when the heat exchanger functions as the evaporator or
condenser. More particularly, when the heat exchanger functions as
the evaporator, the plurality of branch tubes that guides the flow
of the refrigerant from the distributor to the heat exchanger may
be provided. Also, when the heat exchanger functions as the
condenser, the at least one bypass tube that guides the flow of the
refrigerant from the heat exchanger to the distributor connection
tube may be provided. Thus, when the refrigerant is condensed or
evaporated, the flow path of the refrigerant may be different.
[0108] Also, as the connection tube that guides the refrigerant
flowing through the bypass tube into the distributor connection
tube and the check valve installed in the connection tube are
provided, when the heat exchanger functions as the evaporator, the
refrigerant flow through the connection tube may be restricted.
When the heat exchanger functions as the condenser, the refrigerant
flow through the connection tube may be guided.
[0109] Thus, even though an amount of refrigerant which can pass
through the heat exchanger is designed in consideration of the
evaporator, when the heat exchanger functions as the condenser, an
amount of refrigerant that can pass through the heat exchanger may
be additionally secured. As a result, deviation of the outlet
temperature of the evaporator when the heat exchanger functions as
the evaporator and deviation of the outlet temperature of the
evaporator when the heat exchanger functions as the condenser may
be reduced.
[0110] Also, as the storage tank is provided on the connection
tube, when the heat exchanger functions as the condenser, condensed
liquid refrigerant may be stored so that an excessive refrigerant
does not exist in the condenser. Also, the tube connection part
connected to the branch tube and the bypass tube may be provided in
the head of the heat exchanger. In a process of installing the heat
exchanger, as the plurality of tube connection parts corresponding
to the number of bypass tubes are provided, an optimum heat
exchanger according to an installation environment may be
enabled.
[0111] Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioner
having improved heat-exchange efficiency and operation
performance.
[0112] Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioner that
may include a heat exchanger including a plurality of refrigerant
tubes; a distributor disposed or at on one side of the heat
exchanger to divide a refrigerant into a plurality of flow paths; a
plurality of capillary tubes that extends from the distributor
toward the plurality of refrigerant tubes; and a bypass tube that
extends from the plurality of refrigerant tubes. The bypass tube
may allow the refrigerant to bypass the distributor, thereby
guiding a flow of the refrigerant toward an outlet of the
distributor.
[0113] The air conditioner may further include a branch tube
connected to one capillary tube of the plurality of capillary tubes
and the bypass tube. The branch tube may be connected to one
refrigerant tube of the plurality of refrigerant tubes, and the
branch tube may include a first branch part or branch that guides a
refrigerant passing through the one refrigerant tube to the
capillary tube; and a second branch part or branch that guides the
refrigerant passing through the one refrigerant tube to the bypass
tube.
[0114] The air conditioner may further include a distributor
connection tube connected to the distributor to introduce the
refrigerant into the distributor during a heating operation, and a
connection tube that extends from the bypass tube to the
distributor connection tube. The air conditioner may further
include a check valve disposed in the connection tube to guide the
refrigerant in the connection tube in one direction. The check
valve may restrict a flow of the refrigerant from the distributor
connection tube toward the bypass tube when the heat exchanger
functions as an evaporator.
[0115] The heat exchanger may include an outdoor heat exchanger.
The air conditioner may further include a main expansion valve
disposed on or at one side of the outdoor heat exchanger. The
distributor connection tube may be disposed between the main
expansion valve and the distributor. The air conditioner may
further include a combination tank disposed on the connection tube
and in which the refrigerant passing through the bypass tube may be
mixed.
[0116] The bypass tube may be connected to one side of the
refrigerant tube, in which a speed of external air passing through
the heat exchanger is greater than a preset or predetermined wind
speed, of the plurality of refrigerant tubes disposed in the heat
exchanger.
[0117] The air conditioner may further include a blower fan
disposed above the heat exchanger to blow external air. The heat
exchanger may extend in a vertical direction, and the refrigerant
tube in which a speed of external air is greater than a preset or
predetermined wind speed may be disposed in an upper portion of the
heat exchanger.
[0118] The air conditioner may further include a storage tank
disposed on the connection tube to store a liquid refrigerant
condensed in the heat exchanger. The check valve may be disposed
between the connection tube and the combination tank.
[0119] A plurality of bypass tubes may be provided.
[0120] The heat exchanger may include an indoor heat exchanger, and
the air conditioner may further include a turbo fan that blows
indoor air toward the indoor heat exchanger.
[0121] Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an air
conditioner that may include a heat exchanger including a plurality
of refrigerant tubes; a distributor that divides a refrigerant to
introduce the divided refrigerant into the heat exchanger during a
heating operation; a distributor connection tube disposed on or at
an inlet-side of the distributor; a plurality of capillary tubes
that extends from the distributor to the plurality of refrigerant
tubes; a branch tube including a first branch part or branch
connected to the plurality of capillary tubes; a bypass tube
connected to a second branch part or branch of the branch tube; and
a connection tube that extends from the distributor connection tube
to the bypass tube. The air conditioner may further include a check
valve connected in the connection tube to restrict a flow of the
refrigerant in the connection tube.
[0122] A plurality of the bypass tube may be provided, and a
combination tank that mixes the refrigerants flowing through the
plurality of bypass tubes with each other may be disposed on the
connection tube. The air conditioner may further include a storage
tank disposed on the connection tube. The storage tank may be
disposed at a position corresponding to the refrigerant tube
disposed in or at a lower portion of the heat exchanger. The heat
exchanger may include an outdoor heat exchanger or an indoor heat
exchanger.
[0123] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description. Other features will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
[0124] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The
appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further,
when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that
it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones
of the embodiments.
[0125] 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.
* * * * *