U.S. patent application number 15/001920 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-21 for heat exchanger.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Gaku Hayase, Kang Tae Seo, Young In Son.
Application Number | 20160209130 15/001920 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56407585 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160209130 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seo; Kang Tae ; et
al. |
July 21, 2016 |
HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a heat exchanger according to the spirit of
the present disclosure which includes an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe
and a connection pipe configured to connect a first header with a
second header. In the heat exchanger, since a refrigerant exchanges
heat while flowing in only one of an upward direction and a
downward direction, circulation of the refrigerant may be improved,
and since each of the first header and the second header includes a
plurality of divided chambers formed therein, and the refrigerant
may be repeatedly distributed according to a flow of the
refrigerant passing through each chamber, distribution and mixing
of the refrigerant may be improved.
Inventors: |
Seo; Kang Tae; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) ; Son; Young In; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ;
Hayase; Gaku; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
56407585 |
Appl. No.: |
15/001920 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 2021/0071 20130101;
F28F 9/0204 20130101; F28F 9/0253 20130101; F28F 2250/06 20130101;
F28D 1/05391 20130101; F28F 9/0243 20130101; F28D 2021/007
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/02 20060101
F28F009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 20, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0009492 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger comprising: tubes configured to permit a flow
of refrigerant and to permit the refrigerant to exchange heat with
external air, wherein the tubes are arranged in a plurality of rows
having a first row and a second row; a first header connected to
one end of each of the tubes; a second header connected to another
end of each of the tubes; an inlet pipe configured to introduce the
refrigerant into the first header from an outside; an outlet pipe
configured to discharge the refrigerant from the second header to
the outside; and a connection pipe configured to permit the
refrigerant to bypass the tubes and flow from the second header to
the first header.
2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first
header comprises a first chamber configured to enable the
refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the first row, a second
chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the
tubes in the second row, a third chamber configured to distribute
the refrigerant to the first chamber, and a fourth chamber
configured to distribute the refrigerant to the second chamber.
3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the first
chamber comprises a first sub-chamber configured to introduce the
refrigerant from the inlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber
configured to introduce the refrigerant from the third chamber and
configured to enable the refrigerant to flow to the tubes in the
first row, and the second chamber comprises a first sub-chamber
configured to introduce the refrigerant from the connection pipe,
and a second sub-chamber configured to introduce the refrigerant
from the fourth chamber and configured to enable the refrigerant to
flow to the tubes in the second row.
4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the third
chamber comprises a through-hole through configured to introduce
the refrigerant from the first sub-chamber of the first chamber,
and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be
spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a
lengthwise direction of the third chamber and configured to
distribute the refrigerant to the second sub-chamber of the first
chamber, and the fourth chamber comprises a through-hole configured
to introduce the refrigerant from the first sub-chamber of the
second chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are
disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined
distance in a lengthwise direction of the fourth chamber and
configured to distribute the refrigerant to the second sub-chamber
of the second chamber.
5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein each of the
distribution holes of the third chamber and the fourth chamber is
formed so that a length thereof in a lengthwise direction of the
first header is longer than a length thereof in a width direction
of the first header.
6. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein each of the
third chamber and the fourth chamber has three distribution
holes.
7. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein each of the
distribution holes of the third chamber is formed so that a length
thereof in a lengthwise direction of the third chamber is longer
than a length thereof in a width direction of the third chamber,
and the distribution holes of the fourth chamber are formed so that
a diameter of the distribution hole located at a side of the
through-hole is smaller than a diameter of the distribution hole
located at another side.
8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein each of the
third chamber and the fourth chamber has two distribution holes,
and the distribution hole of the fourth chamber which is located at
the side of the through-hole has a diameter of 5 mm or less.
9. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the first
header comprises cover baffles which are coupled to both ends of
the first header to seal both opened ends of the first chamber and
the second chamber.
10. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the first
header comprises caps which are coupled to both ends of the first
header to seal both opened ends of the third chamber and the fourth
chamber.
11. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the first
header comprises a partition baffle which divides the first
sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber of the first chamber, and a
partition baffle which divides the first sub-chamber and the second
sub-chamber of the second chamber.
12. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first
header comprises a first chamber which is in communication with the
inlet pipe and the tubes in the first row, a second chamber which
is in communication with the connection pipe and the tubes in the
second row, a third chamber which is in communication with the
first chamber, and a fourth chamber which is in communication with
the second chamber, and the second header comprises a fifth chamber
which is in communication with the connection pipe and the tubes in
the first row, a sixth chamber which is in communication with the
outlet pipe and the tubes in the second row, a seventh chamber
which is in communication with the fifth chamber, and an eighth
chamber which is in communication with the sixth chamber.
13. The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein the first
chamber comprises a first sub-chamber which is in communication
with the inlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber which is in
communication with the tubes in the first row, the second chamber
comprises a first sub-chamber which is in communication with the
connection pipe, and a second sub-chamber which is in communication
with the tubes in the second row, and the fifth chamber comprises a
first sub-chamber which is in communication with the connection
pipe, and a second sub-chamber which is in communication with the
tubes in the first row, and the sixth chamber comprises a first
sub-chamber which is in communication with the outlet pipe, and a
second sub-chamber which is in communication with the tubes in the
second row.
14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the third
chamber comprises a through-hole which is in communication with the
first sub-chamber of the first chamber, and a plurality of
distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each
other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the
first header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber
of the first chamber, the fourth chamber comprises a through-hole
which is in communication with the first sub-chamber of the second
chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed
to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in
the lengthwise direction of the first header, and are in
communication with the second sub-chamber of the second chamber,
the seventh chamber comprises a through-hole which is in
communication with the first sub-chamber of the fifth chamber, and
a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced
apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise
direction of the second header, and are in communication with the
second sub-chamber of the fifth chamber, and the eighth chamber
comprises a through-hole which is in communication with the first
sub-chamber of the sixth chamber, and a plurality of distribution
holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a
predetermined distance in the lengthwise direction of the second
header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber of the
sixth chamber.
15. The heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein each of the
distribution holes of the third chamber and the fourth chamber is
formed so that a length thereof in the lengthwise direction of the
first header is longer than a length thereof in a width direction
of the first header, each of the distribution holes of the seventh
chamber is formed so that a length thereof in a lengthwise
direction of the seventh chamber is longer than a length thereof in
a width direction of the seventh chamber, and the distribution
holes of the eighth chamber are formed so that a diameter of the
distribution hole located at a side of the through-hole is smaller
than a diameter of the distribution hole located at another
side.
16. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first
header comprises a body and a cover, the cover is coupled with the
body, and forms a first chamber configured to enable the
refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the first row and a second
chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the
tubes in the second row, and the body comprises a third chamber
configured to distribute the refrigerant to the first chamber, and
a fourth chamber that distributes the refrigerant to the second
chamber.
17. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the body
comprises a central partition wall which divides the first chamber
and the second chamber, and the cover comprises a coupling hole
through which a part of the central partition wall passes.
18. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the body of
the first header comprises a wall which forms an internal space,
and a tube stopper which protrudes from the wall toward the tubes
so as to restrict an insertion depth of the tubes.
19. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the body of
the first header is formed of an extruded material of aluminum, the
cover of the first header is formed of a clad material of aluminum,
and the cover is bonded to the body by brazing.
20. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the cover
comprises a first cover which forms the first chamber, and a second
cover which forms the second chamber.
21. A heat exchanger comprising: tubes configured to permit a flow
of refrigerant and to permit the refrigerant to exchange heat with
external air, and wherein the tubes are arranged in a plurality of
rows having a first row and a second row; a first header connected
to one end of each of the tubes and includes a plurality of
chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant; a second
header connected to another end of each of the tubes and includes a
plurality of chambers which are divided to distribute the
refrigerant; an inlet pipe configured to introduce the refrigerant
into the first header from an outside; and an outlet pipe
configured to discharge the refrigerant from the second header to
the outside.
22. The heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein each of the
first header and the second header is divided into four
chambers.
23. The heat exchanger according to claim 22, wherein the first
header and the second header are connected with each other by a
connection pipe provided to enable the refrigerant to bypass the
tubes, the first header comprises a first chamber configured to
enable the refrigerant to flow through the inlet pipe and the tubes
in the first row, a second chamber configured to enable the
refrigerant to flow through the connection pipe and the tubes in
the second row, a third chamber configured to enable the
refrigerant to flow through the first chamber, and a fourth chamber
configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the second
chamber, and the second header comprises a fifth chamber configured
to enable the refrigerant to flow through the connection pipe and
the tubes in the first row, a sixth chamber configured to enable
the refrigerant to flow through the outlet pipe and the tubes in
the second row, a seventh chamber configured to enable the
refrigerant to flow through the third chamber, and an eighth
chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the
fourth chamber.
24. A heat exchanger comprising: tubes arranged in a plurality of
rows having a first row and a second row and configured to permit a
flow of refrigerant in the tubes in the first row and the tubes in
the second row in a same direction and to permit the exchange of
heat with external air; a first header connected to one end of each
of the tubes and including a plurality of chambers which are
divided to distribute the refrigerant; a second header connected to
the other end of each of the tubes and including a plurality of
chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant; an inlet
pipe configured to introduce the refrigerant into the first header
from an outside; and an outlet pipe configured to discharge the
refrigerant from the second header to the outside.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] The present application is related to and claims benefit of
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0009492, filed on Jan. 20,
2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heat
exchanger, and more particularly, to a heat exchanger having an
improved circulation and distribution structure of a
refrigerant.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In general, a heat exchanger is a device including a tube in
which a refrigerant flows and which exchanges heat with external
air, a heat exchanger fin which is in contact with the tube so as
to increase a heat sink area, and a header with which both ends of
the tube are in communication, and thus the refrigerant exchanges
heat with the external air. The heat exchanger includes an
evaporator or a condenser, and forms a refrigeration cycle
apparatus together with a compressor which compresses the
refrigerant and an expansion valve which expands the
refrigerant.
[0004] The heat exchanger may have an inlet pipe through which an
external refrigerant is introduced, and the refrigerant introduced
through the inlet pipe may be distributed to a plurality of tubes
via the header. To increase heat exchange efficiency, the plurality
of tubes may be provided in two rows. In a cooling operation, a
flow of the refrigerant includes an upward flow (against a
direction of gravity) and a downward flow (in the direction of
gravity), and even in a warming operation, the upward flow and the
downward flow coexist in directions opposite to those in the
cooling operation.
[0005] However, in the case of the upward flow in the warming
operation, a condensate is generated in the tube, and an increase
in viscosity and density of the refrigerant due to the condensate
serves as resistance against the upward flow of the refrigerant,
and obstructs the distribution of the refrigerant in a distributor,
and degrades performance. Therefore, a new structure which allows
only the downward flow of the refrigerant in the tube during the
warming operation and thus enhances and improves the heat exchange
efficiency and the circulation and distribution of the refrigerant
is required.
SUMMARY
[0006] To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary
object to provide a heat exchanger which improves circulation of a
refrigerant so that the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows in
only one of an upward direction and a downward direction.
[0007] It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
heat exchanger which improves the circulation of the refrigerant so
that the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows only in a
direction of gravity when the refrigerant is under a condensation
condition, and flows only against the direction of gravity when the
refrigerant is under an evaporation condition. It is still another
aspect of the present disclosure to provide a heat exchanger in
which a distribution structure of the refrigerant in a header is
improved. Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in
part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
disclosure.
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a
heat exchanger includes tubes in which a refrigerant flows and
exchanges heat with external air, and which are arranged in a
plurality of rows having a first row and a second row; a first
header connected to one ends of the tubes; a second header
connected to the other ends of the tubes; an inlet pipe through
which the refrigerant is introduced into the first header from an
outside; an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant is discharged
from the second header to the outside; and a connection pipe
provided to enable the refrigerant to bypass the tubes and to flow
from the second header to the first header.
[0009] The first header may include a first chamber which enables
the refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the first row, a
second chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the
tubes in the second row, a third chamber which distributes the
refrigerant to the first chamber, and a fourth chamber which
distributes the refrigerant to the second chamber. The first
chamber may include a first sub-chamber in which the refrigerant is
introduced from the inlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber in which
the refrigerant is introduced from the third chamber and which
enables the refrigerant to flow to the tubes in the first row, and
the second chamber may include a first sub-chamber in which the
refrigerant is introduced from the connection pipe, and a second
sub-chamber in which the refrigerant is introduced from the fourth
chamber and which enables the refrigerant to flow to the tubes in
the second row.
[0010] The third chamber may include a through-hole through which
the refrigerant is introduced from the first sub-chamber of the
first chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are
disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined
distance in a lengthwise direction of the third chamber and to
distribute the refrigerant to the second sub-chamber of the first
chamber, and the fourth chamber may include a through-hole through
which the refrigerant is introduced from the first sub-chamber of
the second chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are
disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined
distance in a lengthwise direction of the fourth chamber and to
distribute the refrigerant to the second sub-chamber of the second
chamber.
[0011] Each of the distribution holes of the third chamber and the
fourth chamber may be formed so that a length thereof in a
lengthwise direction of the first header is longer than a length
thereof in a width direction of the first header. Each of the third
chamber and the fourth chamber may have three distribution holes.
Each of the distribution holes of the third chamber may be formed
so that a length thereof in a lengthwise direction of the third
chamber is longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the
third chamber, and the distribution holes of the fourth chamber may
be formed so that a diameter of the distribution hole located at a
side of the through-hole is smaller than a diameter of the
distribution hole located at another side.
[0012] Each of the third chamber and the fourth chamber may have
two distribution holes, and the distribution hole of the fourth
chamber which is located at the side of the through-hole may have a
diameter of 5 mm or less. The first header may include cover
baffles which are coupled to both ends of the first header to seal
both opened ends of the first chamber and the second chamber.
[0013] The first header may include caps which are coupled to both
ends of the first header to seal both opened ends of the third
chamber and the fourth chamber. The first header may include a
partition baffle which divides the first sub-chamber and the second
sub-chamber of the first chamber, and a partition baffle which
divides the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber of the
second chamber. The first header may include a first chamber which
is in communication with the inlet pipe and the tubes in the first
row, a second chamber which is in communication with the connection
pipe and the tubes in the second row, a third chamber which is in
communication with the first chamber, and a fourth chamber which is
in communication with the second chamber, and the second header may
include a fifth chamber which is in communication with the
connection pipe and the tubes in the first row, a sixth chamber
which is in communication with the outlet pipe and the tubes in the
second row, a seventh chamber which is in communication with the
fifth chamber, and an eighth chamber which is in communication with
the sixth chamber.
[0014] The first chamber may include a first sub-chamber which is
in communication with the inlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber
which is in communication with the tubes in the first row, and the
second chamber may include a first sub-chamber which is in
communication with the connection pipe, and a second sub-chamber
which is in communication with the tubes in the second row, and the
fifth chamber may include a first sub-chamber which is in
communication with the connection pipe, and a second sub-chamber
which is in communication with the tubes in the first row, and the
sixth chamber may include a first sub-chamber which is in
communication with the outlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber which
is in communication with the tubes in the second row.
[0015] The third chamber may include a through-hole which is in
communication with the first sub-chamber of the first chamber, and
a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced
apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise
direction of the first header, and are in communication with the
second sub-chamber of the first chamber, and the fourth chamber may
include a through-hole which is in communication with the first
sub-chamber of the second chamber, and a plurality of distribution
holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a
predetermined distance in the lengthwise direction of the first
header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber of the
second chamber, and the seventh chamber may include a through-hole
which is in communication with the first sub-chamber of the fifth
chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed
to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a
lengthwise direction of the second header, and are in communication
with the second sub-chamber of the fifth chamber, and the eighth
chamber may include a through-hole which is in communication with
the first sub-chamber of the sixth chamber, and a plurality of
distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each
other at a predetermined distance in the lengthwise direction of
the second header, and are in communication with the second
sub-chamber of the sixth chamber.
[0016] Each of the distribution holes of the third chamber and the
fourth chamber may be formed so that a length thereof in the
lengthwise direction of the first header is longer than a length
thereof in a width direction of the first header, and each of the
distribution holes of the seventh chamber may be formed so that a
length thereof in a lengthwise direction of the seventh chamber is
longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the seventh
chamber, and the distribution holes of the eighth chamber may be
formed so that a diameter of the distribution hole located at a
side of the through-hole is smaller than a diameter of the
distribution hole located at another side.
[0017] The first header may include a body and a cover, and the
cover may be coupled with the body, and may form a first chamber
which enables the refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the
first row and a second chamber which enables the refrigerant to
flow through the tubes in the second row, and the body may include
a third chamber which distributes the refrigerant to the first
chamber and a fourth chamber which distributes the refrigerant to
the second chamber. The body may include a central partition wall
which divides the first chamber and the second chamber, and the
cover may include a coupling hole through which a part of the
central partition wall passes. The body of the first header may
include a wall which forms an internal space, and a tube stopper
which protrudes from the wall toward the tubes so as to restrict an
insertion depth of the tubes. The body of the first header may be
formed of an extruded material of aluminum, and the cover of the
first header may be formed of a clad material of aluminum, and the
cover may be bonded to the body by brazing.
[0018] The cover may include a first cover which forms the first
chamber, and a second cover which forms the second chamber. In
accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a heat
exchanger includes tubes in which a refrigerant flows and exchanges
heat with external air, and which are arranged in a plurality of
rows having a first row and a second row; a first header connected
to one ends of the tubes and including a plurality of chambers
which are divided to distribute the refrigerant; a second header
connected to the other ends of the tubes and including a plurality
of chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant; an
inlet pipe through which the refrigerant is introduced into the
first header from an outside; and an outlet pipe through which the
refrigerant is discharged from the second header to the outside.
Each of the first header and the second header may include divided
four chambers.
[0019] The first header and the second header may be connected with
each other by a connection pipe provided to enable the refrigerant
to bypass the tubes, and the first header may include a first
chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the inlet
pipe and the tubes in the first row, a second chamber which enables
the refrigerant to flow through the connection pipe and the tubes
in the second row, a third chamber which enables the refrigerant to
flow through the first chamber, and a fourth chamber which enables
the refrigerant to flow through the second chamber, and the second
header may include a fifth chamber which enables the refrigerant to
flow through the connection pipe and the tubes in the first row, a
sixth chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the
outlet pipe and the tubes in the second row, a seventh chamber
which enables the refrigerant to flow through the third chamber,
and an eighth chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through
the fourth chamber.
[0020] In accordance with still another aspect of the present
disclosure, a heat exchanger includes tubes arranged in a plurality
of rows having a first row and a second row and in which a
refrigerant in the tubes in the first row and the tubes in the
second row flows in the same direction and exchanges heat with
external air; a first header connected to one ends of the tubes and
including a plurality of chambers which are divided to distribute
the refrigerant; a second header connected to the other ends of the
tubes and including a plurality of chambers which are divided to
distribute the refrigerant; an inlet pipe through which the
refrigerant is introduced into the first header from an outside;
and an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant is discharged from
the second header to the outside.
[0021] Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be
advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases
used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and
"comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without
limitation; the term "or," is inclusive, meaning and/or; the
phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as
derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within,
interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or
with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with,
interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have,
have a property of, or the like; and the term "controller" means
any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one
operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware
or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It
should be noted that the functionality associated with any
particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether
locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are
provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill
in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances,
such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such
defined words and phrases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure
and its advantages, reference is now made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference numerals represent like parts:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external
appearance of a heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external
appearance of a first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
structure of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header of
the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an external appearance of
a body of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the first header
of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header
illustrating a coupling structure between an inlet pipe and a
connection pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the first header illustrating a
periphery of the inlet pipe and the connection pipe of the heat
exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an external
appearance of a second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 10 is an perspective view illustrating a structure of
the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the second header
of the heat exchanger of FIG.
[0034] FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating an external appearance
of a body of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the second header of the heat
exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of a header of a heat
exchanger according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a flow of a refrigerant in a
warming cycle of the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of
the present disclosure; and
[0038] FIG. 16 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant
in a cooling cycle of the heat exchanger according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] FIGS. 1 through 16, discussed below, and the various
embodiments used to describe the principles of the present
disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only
and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the
disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the
principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any
suitably arranged heat exchanger. Reference will now be made in
detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of
which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external
appearance of a heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 1 according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of tubes
10 which has a refrigerant flowing therein and exchanges heat with
external air, a first header 100 and a second header 200 with each
of which the plurality of tubes 10 are in communication, an inlet
pipe 300 through which the refrigerant is introduced from an
outside when a warming cycle is driven, and discharged to the
outside when a cooling cycle is driven, an outlet pipe 400 through
which the refrigerant is discharged to the outside when the warming
cycle is driven, and introduced from the outside when the cooling
cycle is driven, a connection pipe 500 which connects the first
header 100 with the second header 200, a flange 600 which fixes the
inlet pipe 300 and the connection pipe 500 to the first header 100,
a flange 600 which fixes the outlet pipe 400 and the connection
pipe 500 to the second header 200, an inlet connection tube 310
which connects the inlet pipe 300 with the flange 600, an outlet
connection tube 410 which connects the outlet pipe 400 with the
flange 600, and a connection pipe connection tube 510 which
connects the connection pipe 500 with the flange 600.
[0042] The tubes 10 may have a plurality of micro-channels formed
therein to enable the refrigerant to flow. The tubes 10 may be
formed flat. The tubes 10 may be arranged in two rows of a front
row 11 and a rear row 12. The tubes 10 may be vertically arranged.
The tubes 10 may be extruded of an aluminum material.
[0043] Although not shown in the drawing, a heat exchanger fin
which is in contact with the tubes to increase a heat transfer area
with external air may be disposed between the tubes 10. The heat
exchanger fin may be disposed to be in contact with walls of the
tubes 10. The heat exchanger fin may be provided in various
well-known types such as a corrugated fin, and may have a louver
for enhancing heat transfer and drain performance. The heat
exchanger fin may be formed of an aluminum material and may be
bonded to the tubes 10 by brazing.
[0044] The first header 100 and the second header 200 are disposed
to be spaced apart from each other, and the tubes 10 may be
disposed between the first header 100 and the second header 200.
The first header 100 may be disposed at upper portions of the tubes
10, and the second header 200 may be disposed at lower portions of
the tubes 10.
[0045] One inlet pipe 300, one outlet pipe 400 and one connection
pipe 500 may be provided. The refrigerant may be introduced into
the first header 100 through the inlet pipe 300, and the
refrigerant may be discharged from the second header 200 to an
outside through the outlet pipe 400. Also, the refrigerant may be
discharged to the connection pipe 500 without passing through the
tubes 10, and then may be introduced again into the first header
100.
[0046] A diameter of the inlet pipe 300 may be provided larger than
that of the connection pipe 500, and a diameter of the outlet pipe
400 may be provided smaller than that of the connection pipe 500. A
high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant passed
through a compressor may be introduced into the inlet pipe 300. The
refrigerant introduced into the inlet pipe 300 passes through the
tubes 10, and is condensed due to a loss of heat to the outside,
and the condensed refrigerant may be discharged to the outside
through the outlet pipe 400. Therefore, in such a warming cycle,
the heat exchanger 1 may serve as a condenser.
[0047] On the contrary to this, a low temperature and low pressure
liquid or gaseous refrigerant passed through an expansion valve is
introduced through the outlet pipe 400, and evaporated by absorbing
external heat while passing through the tubes 10, and the
evaporated refrigerant may be discharged to the outside through the
inlet pipe 300. Therefore, in such a cooling cycle, the heat
exchanger 1 may serve as an evaporator.
[0048] Hereinafter, the case in which the heat exchanger according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure is used as the
condenser will be mainly described. However, it is natural that,
when the refrigerant is circulated in the reverse cycle as
described above, the heat exchanger should serve as the
evaporator.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external
appearance of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of
the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a side
cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger of
FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an external
appearance of a body of the first header of the heat exchanger of
FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view taken along a line
which passes through a center of the inlet pipe of the first header
of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6, the first header 100 of the heat
exchanger 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure
includes a body 110, a cover 120 which is coupled to the body 110,
and chambers 160, 170, 180 and 190 which are provided inside the
body 110 and the cover 120 and in which the refrigerant flows. The
body 110 includes a wall 112, and a central partition wall 111
which protrudes from a center of the wall 112. The cover 120
includes a lower wall 121, and side walls 122 which extend from
both sides of the lower wall 121.
[0051] Coupling grooves 113 may be formed at the wall 112, and ends
of the side walls 122 of the cover 120 are inserted into the
coupling groove 113, respectively, and thus the body 110 and the
cover 120 may be firmly coupled to each other. All of the body 110
and the cover 120 may be formed of an aluminum material, or the
body 110 may be formed of an extruded material, and the cover 120
may be formed of a clad material, and the body 110 and the cover
120 may be bonded to each other by brazing.
[0052] The chambers 160, 170, 180 and 190 may be divided into a
first chamber 160 and a second chamber 170 by the central partition
wall 111 and the cover 120, and may also be divided into a third
chamber 180 and a fourth chamber 190 in an internal space formed by
the wall 112 of the body 110. The first chamber 160 may be
connected with the tubes 10 in a first row 11, and the second
chamber 170 may be connected with the tubes 10 in a second row 12.
Also, the refrigerant may be introduced into the first chamber 160
through the inlet pipe 300, and the refrigerant may also be
introduced into the second chamber 170 through the connection pipe
500.
[0053] A coupling hole 123 may be formed at a center of the lower
wall 121, and a coupling protrusion 111a which passes through the
coupling hole 123 may be formed at a lower end of the central
partition wall 111, and thus the first chamber 160 and the second
chamber 170 may be fundamentally isolated from each other by
passing the coupling protrusion 111a through the coupling hole
123.
[0054] Both surfaces of each of the first chamber 160 and the
second chamber 170 are opened, and cover baffles 130 may be coupled
to both ends of the first header 100 to cover the opened surfaces.
The cover baffles 130 may be inserted into cover baffle holes 114
and 127 which are formed at the body 110 and the cover 120,
respectively, and thus may be coupled to the first header 100. The
cover baffles 130 may be bonded to the first header 100 by brazing.
All of the cover baffles 130 may have the same shape, and may
perform the same function.
[0055] Tube holes 124 in which the tubes 10 are inserted may be
formed at the cover 120. An inlet hole 125 through which the
refrigerant introduced through the inlet pipe 300 passes and a
connection pipe hole 126 through which the refrigerant flows to the
connection pipe 500 may be formed at the cover 120. Also, the body
110 may include a tube stopper 116 which restricts an insertion
depth of the tubes 10. The tube stopper 116 may protrude from an
outside of a lower portion of the wall 112, and may prevent the
tubes 10 from being excessively inserted into the first chamber 160
and the second chamber 170. Meanwhile, the first chamber 160 is
divided into a first sub-chamber 161 and a second sub-chamber 162.
The first chamber 160 may be divided into the first sub-chamber 161
and the second sub-chamber 162 by a partition baffle 150 which is
coupled to the first header 100. The partition baffle 150 may be
inserted into a partition baffle hole 115 formed at the body 110,
and may be coupled to the first header 100. The partition baffle
150 may be bonded to the first header 100 by brazing.
[0056] Therefore, the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber
160 and the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 may be
formed by the partition baffle 150, the cover baffle 130, the body
110 and the cover 120. At this time, the refrigerant may be
introduced into the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160
through the inlet pipe 300, and the tubes 10 in the first row 11
may be connected to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber
160. The refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 161 of
the first chamber 160 may flow to the third chamber 180 through a
through-hole 117, and the refrigerant introduced into the third
chamber 180 may flow to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first
chamber 160 through a distribution hole 118. That is, by the
partition baffle 150, the first chamber 160 is divided into the
first sub-chamber 161 in which the refrigerant is introduced, and
the second sub-chamber 162 in which the refrigerant in the third
chamber 180 is introduced and which is connected with the tubes 10
in the first row 11.
[0057] Like the first chamber 160, the second chamber 170 is
divided into a first sub-chamber 171 and a second sub-chamber 172.
The second chamber 170 may be divided into the first sub-chamber
171 and the second sub-chamber 172 by the partition baffle 150
which is coupled to the first header 100. Therefore, the first
sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 and the second
sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170 may also be formed by the
partition baffle 150, the cover baffle 130, the body 110 and the
cover 120.
[0058] At this time, the refrigerant may be introduced into the
first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 through the
connection pipe 500, and the tubes 10 in the second row 12 may be
connected to the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170.
The refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 171 of the
second chamber 170 may flow to the fourth chamber 190 through the
through-hole 117, and the refrigerant introduced into the fourth
chamber 190 may flow to the second sub-chamber 172 of the second
chamber 170 through the distribution hole 118. That is, by the
partition baffle 150, the second chamber 170 is divided into the
first sub-chamber 171 in which the refrigerant is introduced, and
the second sub-chamber 172 in which the refrigerant in the fourth
chamber 190 is introduced and which is connected with the tubes 10
in the second row 12.
[0059] Meanwhile, the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190
formed by the wall 112 of the body 110 are arranged in lengthwise
directions of the first chamber 160 and the second chamber 170 so
that the refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 161 of
the first chamber 160 and the first sub-chamber 171 of the second
chamber 170 flows to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first
chamber 160 and the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber
170, respectively. The third chamber 180 may serve to equally
distribute the refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber
161 of the first chamber 160 to the tubes 10 of the first row 11,
and the fourth chamber 190 may serve to equally distribute the
refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 171 of the second
chamber 170 to the tubes 10 of the second row 12.
[0060] As a result, the partition baffle 150, the third chamber 180
and the fourth chamber 190 form a warming distributor in which,
when the warming cycle is driven, the refrigerant introduced into
the first chamber 160 through the inlet pipe 300 and the
refrigerant introduced into the second chamber 170 through the
connection pipe 500 are equally distributed to the tubes 10. Both
surfaces of each of the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber
190 are opened, and caps 140 may be inserted into both ends of the
body 110 to cover the opened surfaces and thus may be coupled to
the first header 100. The caps 140 may be bonded to the first
header 100 by brazing. All of the caps 140 have the same shape and
perform the same function.
[0061] Each of the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190 may
have at least one distribution hole 118 located at a position which
is spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the partition
baffle 150 toward the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber
160 and the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170, such
that the refrigerant in the first sub-chamber 161 of the first
chamber 160 and the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170
which is introduced through each through-hole 117 flows to the
second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 and the second
sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170.
[0062] Therefore, the refrigerant in the first sub-chamber 161 of
the first chamber 160 and the first sub-chamber 171 of the second
chamber 170 which is introduced through each through-hole 117 may
pass, in turn, through each internal space and each distribution
hole 118 of the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190, and
may flow to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 and
the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170.
[0063] As illustrated well in FIG. 5, each length of the
through-holes 117 and the distribution holes 118 of the third
chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190 in a lengthwise direction of
the first header 100 may be formed longer than a length thereof in
a width direction of the first header 100, and may be formed
downward to be directed to the first chamber 160 and the second
chamber 170. Also, each of the third chamber 180 and the fourth
chamber 190 may have one through-hole 117, and each of the third
chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190 may have three distribution
holes 118 which are spaced apart from each other at regular
intervals.
[0064] As illustrated well in FIG. 6, the refrigerant introduced
into the internal space of the third chamber 180 may flow to the
second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 through the
distribution hole 118, and then may be equally distributed to the
tubes 10 in the first row 11. In FIG. 6, a solid line indicates the
flow of the refrigerant in the warming cycle, and a dotted line
indicates the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling cycle. By such
a structure, the refrigerant introduced into the internal space of
the fourth chamber 190 may flow to the second sub-chamber 172 of
the second chamber 170 through the distribution hole 118, and then
may be equally distributed to the tubes 10 in the second row
12.
[0065] As a result, the refrigerant introduced into the first
chamber 160 through the inlet pipe 300 may be equally dispersed and
may be distributed to the tubes 10 in the first row 11, and the
refrigerant introduced into the second chamber 170 through the
connection pipe 500 may be equally dispersed and may be distributed
to the tubes 10 in the second row 12. In addition, the refrigerant
introduced into the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160
and the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 may be
autonomously mixed and stabilized in the first sub-chamber 161 of
the first chamber 160 and the first sub-chamber 171 of the second
chamber 170, before flowing to the internal spaces of the third
chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190. Therefore, distribution of
the refrigerant and heat exchange efficiency may be increased.
[0066] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header
illustrating a coupling structure between the inlet pipe and the
connection pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a
plan view of the first header illustrating a periphery of the inlet
pipe and the connection pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in the heat exchanger according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inlet pipe 300 may
be firmly coupled to the first header 100 through the inlet
connection tube 310 and the flange 600. The connection pipe 500 may
be firmly coupled to the first header 100 through the connection
pipe connection tube 510 and the flange 600. The inlet connection
tube 310 and the connection pipe connection tube 510 are formed of
a stainless material, and thus may prevent corrosion due to the
bonding between different materials, i.e., the inlet pipe 300 and
the connection pipe 500 formed of a copper material and the first
header 100 and the flange 600 formed of an aluminum material.
[0068] As illustrated well in FIG. 7, the inlet pipe 300 and the
connection pipe 500 are fitted into and brazing-bonded to an
expanded part 311 of the inlet connection tube 310 and an expanded
part 511 of the connection pipe connection tube 510. The inlet
connection tube 310 and the connection pipe connection tube 510 may
be bonded to the flange 600 by brazing. At this time, a solder ring
coupling groove 113 is formed at an outer side surface of the
flange 600, and solder rings 320 and 520 are inserted into the
solder ring coupling groove 113, and thus the inlet connection tube
310 and the connection pipe connection tube 510 may be easily
bonded to the flange 600 by brazing.
[0069] The flange 600 may be bonded to an outer side surface of the
first header 100 by brazing. Also, the flange 600 may be fastened
to the first header 100 by a rivet to reinforce a bonding force. To
this end, rivet holes 620 and 128 may be formed at the flange 600
and the first header 100, respectively. At this time, an insertion
groove 530 in which the coupling protrusion 111a of the central
partition wall 111 of the first header 100 is inserted may be
formed at an upper portion of the flange 600. As described above,
the coupling protrusion 111a serves to fundamentally isolate the
first chamber 160 and the second chamber 170 of the first header
100 from each other.
[0070] By such a structure, the external refrigerant may pass, in
turn, through the inlet pipe 300, the inlet connection tube 310,
the flange 600 and the inlet hole 125, and may be introduced into
the first chamber 160, and the refrigerant introduced from the
second header 200 through the connection pipe 500 may pass, in
turn, through the connection pipe connection tube 510, the flange
600 and the connection pipe hole 126, and then may be introduced
into the second chamber 170.
[0071] In the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure, like the structure in which the inlet pipe 300
and the connection pipe 500 are connected to the first header 100,
the outlet pipe 400 may be firmly coupled to the second header 200
through the outlet connection tube 410 and the flange 600, and the
connection pipe 500 may be firmly coupled to the second header 200
through the connection pipe connection tube 510 and the flange 600.
The outlet connection tube 410 and the connection pipe connection
tube 510 may be formed of a stainless material, and thus may
prevent corrosion due to the bonding between different materials,
i.e., the outlet pipe 400 and the connection pipe 500 formed of a
copper material and the second header 200 and the flange 600 formed
of an aluminum material.
[0072] The outlet pipe 400 and the connection pipe 500 are fitted
into and brazing-bonded to an expanded part 411 of the outlet
connection tube 410 and the expanded part 511 of the connection
pipe connection tube 510. The outlet connection tube 410 and the
connection pipe connection tube 510 may be bonded to the flange 600
by brazing. At this time, the solder ring coupling groove 113 is
formed at the outer side surface of the flange 600, and solder
rings 420 and 520 are inserted into the solder ring coupling groove
113, and thus the outlet connection tube 410 and the connection
pipe connection tube 510 may be easily bonded to the flange 600 by
brazing. The flange 600 may be bonded to an outer side surface of
the second header 200 by brazing. Also, the flange 600 may be
fastened to the second header 200 by a rivet to reinforce a bonding
force. To this end, the rivet holes 620 and 128 may be formed at
the flange 600 and the second header 200, respectively.
[0073] At this time, an insertion groove 630 in which the coupling
protrusion 111a of the central partition wall 111 of the second
header 200 is inserted may be formed at a lower portion of the
flange 600. As described above, the coupling protrusion 111a serves
to fundamentally isolate a fifth chamber 260 and a sixth chamber
270 of the second header 200 from each other. As such a structure,
the refrigerant passing through the tubes 10 in the first row 11
may pass, in turn, through the fifth chamber 260, the connection
pipe hole 126, the flange 600, the connection pipe connection tube
510 and the connection pipe 500, and then may be introduced into
the first header 100, and the refrigerant passing through the tubes
10 in the second row 12 may pass, in turn, through the sixth
chamber 270, an outlet pipe hole 225, the flange 600, the outlet
connection tube 410 and the outlet pipe 400, and then may be
discharged to the outside.
[0074] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an external
appearance of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1,
and FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the
second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a side
cross-sectional view of the second header of the heat exchanger of
FIG. 1, FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating an external appearance
of a body of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, and
FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the second header of the heat
exchanger of FIG. 1.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13, the second header 200 of the
heat exchanger 1 according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure includes a body 210, a cover 220 which is coupled to the
body 210, and chambers 260, 270, 280 and 290 which are provided
inside the body 210 and the cover 220 and in which the refrigerant
flows. The body 210 of the second header 200 includes a wall 112,
and a central partition wall 111 which protrudes from a center of
the wall 112. The cover 220 includes an upper wall 121, and side
walls 122 which extend from both sides of the upper wall 121.
Coupling grooves 113 may be formed at the wall 112, and ends of the
side walls 122 of the cover 220 are inserted into the coupling
groove 113, respectively, and thus the body 210 and the cover 220
may be firmly coupled to each other. All of the body 210 and the
cover 220 may be formed of an aluminum material, or the body 210
may be formed of an extruded material, and the cover 220 may be
formed of a clad material, and the body 210 and the cover 220 may
be bonded to each other by brazing.
[0076] The chambers 260, 270, 280 and 290 may be divided into a
fifth chamber 260 and a sixth chamber 270 by the central partition
wall 111 and the cover 220, and may also be divided into a seventh
chamber 280 and an eighth chamber 290 in an internal space formed
by the wall 112 of the body 210. The fifth chamber 260 may be
connected with the tubes 10 in the first row 11, and the sixth
chamber 270 may be connected with the tubes 10 in the second row
12. Also, the refrigerant may flow from the fifth chamber 260
through the connection pipe 500, and the refrigerant may be
discharged from the sixth chamber 270 through the outlet pipe 400.
A coupling hole 123 may be formed at a center of the upper wall
121, and a coupling protrusion 111a which passes through the
coupling hole 123 may be formed at an upper end of the central
partition wall 111, and thus the fifth chamber 260 and the sixth
chamber 270 may be fundamentally isolated from each other by
passing the coupling protrusion 111a through the coupling hole
123.
[0077] Both surfaces of each of the fifth chamber 260 and the sixth
chamber 270 are opened, and cover baffles 130 may be coupled to
both ends of the second header 200 to cover the opened surfaces.
The cover baffles 130 may be inserted into cover baffle holes 114
and 127 which are formed at the body 210 and the cover 220,
respectively, and thus may be coupled to the second header 200. The
cover baffles 130 may be bonded to the second header 200 by
brazing. All of the cover baffles 130 may have the same shape, and
may perform the same function.
[0078] Tube holes 124 in which the tubes 10 are inserted may be
formed at the cover 220. An outlet pipe hole 225 through which the
refrigerant discharged through the outlet pipe 400 passes and a
connection pipe hole 126 through which the refrigerant flows to the
connection pipe 500 may be formed at the cover 220. Also, the body
210 may include a tube stopper 116 which restricts an insertion
depth of the tubes 10. The tube stopper 116 may protrude from an
outside of a lower portion of the wall 112, and may prevent the
tubes 10 from being excessively inserted into the fifth chamber 260
and the sixth chamber 270.
[0079] Meanwhile, the fifth chamber 260 is divided into a first
sub-chamber 261 and a second sub-chamber 262. The fifth chamber 260
may be divided into the first sub-chamber 261 and the second
sub-chamber 262 by a partition baffle 150 which is coupled to the
second header 200. The partition baffle 150 may be inserted into a
partition baffle hole 115 formed at the body 210, and may be
coupled to the second header 200. The partition baffle 150 may be
bonded to the second header 200 by brazing.
[0080] Therefore, the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber
260 and the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 may be
formed by the partition baffle 150, the cover baffle 130, the body
210 and the cover 220. At this time, the refrigerant may be
discharged from the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260
through the connection pipe 500, and the tubes 10 in the first row
11 may be connected to the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth
chamber 260. The refrigerant introduced into the second sub-chamber
262 of the fifth chamber 260 may flow to the seventh chamber 280
through distribution holes 218a and 218b, and the refrigerant
introduced into the seventh chamber 280 may flow to the first
sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 through a through-hole
117. That is, by the partition baffle 150, the fifth chamber 260 is
divided into the second sub-chamber 262 which is connected with the
tubes 10 in the first row 11, and the first sub-chamber 261 in
which the refrigerant in the seventh chamber 280 is introduced and
from which the refrigerant is introduced to the connection pipe
500.
[0081] Like the fifth chamber 260, the sixth chamber 270 is divided
into a first sub-chamber 271 and a second sub-chamber 272. The
sixth chamber 270 may be divided into the first sub-chamber 271 and
the second sub-chamber 272 by the partition baffle 150 which is
coupled to the second header 200. Therefore, the first sub-chamber
271 of the sixth chamber 270 and the second sub-chamber 272 of the
sixth chamber 270 may also be formed by the partition baffle 150,
the cover baffle 130, the body 210 and the cover 220.
[0082] At this time, the refrigerant may be discharged from the
first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270 through the outlet
pipe 400, and the tubes 10 in the second row 12 may be connected to
the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270. The
refrigerant introduced into the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth
chamber 270 may flow to the eighth chamber 290 through distribution
holes 219a and 219b, and the refrigerant introduced into the eighth
chamber 290 may flow to the firth sub-chamber 271 of the sixth
chamber 270 through the through-hole 117. That is, by the partition
baffle 150, the sixth chamber 270 is divided into the second
sub-chamber 272 which is connected with the tubes 10 in the second
row 12, and the first sub-chamber 271 in which the refrigerant in
the eighth chamber 290 is introduced and from which the refrigerant
is discharged to the outlet pipe 400.
[0083] Meanwhile, the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber
290 formed by the wall 112 of the body 210 are arranged in
lengthwise directions of the fifth chamber 260 and the sixth
chamber 270 so that the refrigerant introduced into the second
sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 and the second sub-chamber
272 of the sixth chamber 270 flows to the first sub-chamber 261 of
the fifth chamber 260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth
chamber 270, respectively. The seventh chamber 280 may serve to
equally distribute and accommodate the refrigerant introduced from
the tubes 10 in the first row 11 into the second sub-chamber 262 of
the fifth chamber 260 and then to flow the refrigerant toward the
first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260, and the eighth
chamber 290 may serve to equally distribute and accommodate the
refrigerant introduced from the tubes 10 in the second row 12 into
the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 and then to
flow the refrigerant toward the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth
chamber 270.
[0084] As a result, the partition baffle 150, the seventh chamber
280 and the eighth chamber 290 form a warming distributor in which,
when the warming cycle is driven, the refrigerant introduced into
the fifth chamber 260 through the tubes 10 in the first row 11 and
the refrigerant introduced into the sixth chamber 270 through the
tubes 10 in the second row 12 are equally distributed and
accommodated, and thus the refrigerant in the tubes 10 is equally
discharged to the connection pipe 500 and the outlet pipe 400. Both
surfaces of each of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber
290 are opened, and caps 140 may be inserted into the both ends of
the body 210 to cover the opened surfaces and thus may be coupled
to the second header 200. The caps 140 may be bonded to the second
header 200 by brazing. All of the caps 140 have the same shape and
perform the same function.
[0085] Each of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290
may have at least one distribution hole 218, 219a, 219b located at
a position which is spaced apart at a predetermined distance from
the partition baffle 150 toward the second sub-chamber 262 of the
fifth chamber 260 and the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth
chamber 270, such that the refrigerant in the tubes 10, which is
introduced into the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260
and the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270, is equally
distributed and accommodated. Also, each of the seventh chamber 280
and the eighth chamber 290 may have the through-hole 117 so that
the refrigerant introduced from the second sub-chamber 262 of the
fifth chamber 260 and the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth
chamber 270 flows to the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber
260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270.
[0086] Therefore, the refrigerant in the second sub-chamber 262 of
the fifth chamber 260 and the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth
chamber 270 which is introduced through each of the distribution
holes 218, 219a and 219b may pass, in turn, through each internal
space and each through-hole 117 of the seventh chamber 280 and the
eighth chamber 290, and may flow to the first sub-chamber 261 of
the fifth chamber 260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth
chamber 270.
[0087] As illustrated well in FIG. 12, each length of the
through-holes 117 of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber
290 in a lengthwise direction of the second header 200 may be
formed longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the
second header 200. Also, each length of the distribution holes 218
of the seventh chamber 280 in the lengthwise direction of the
second header 200 may be formed longer than a length thereof in the
width direction of the second header 200, and the distribution hole
218 may be formed upward to be directed to the fifth chamber 260.
Meanwhile, the distribution holes 219a and 219b of the eighth
chamber 290 may be formed so that a diameter of the distribution
hole 219a located at a side of the through-hole 117 is formed
smaller than that of the distribution hole 219b located at another
side, and may be formed upward to be directed to the sixth chamber
270.
[0088] Also, each of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber
290 may have one through-hole 117, and each of the seventh chamber
280 and the eighth chamber 290 may have two distribution holes
which are spaced a predetermined distance from each other. In the
flow of the refrigerant which will be described below, the
refrigerant passing through the distribution holes 218 (such as
218a and 218b), 219a and 219b of the seventh chamber 280 and the
eighth chamber 290 may be a liquid refrigerant, and the
distribution holes 218, 219a and 219b having different sizes from
each other may be effective in distribution of the liquid
refrigerant.
[0089] As illustrated well in FIG. 13, the refrigerant introduced
from the tubes 10 of the first row 11 into the second sub-chamber
262 of the fifth chamber 260 may be equally introduced into the
internal space of the seventh chamber 280 through the distribution
holes 218, may flow to the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth
chamber 260, and may be discharged to the connection pipe 500. In
FIG. 13, a solid line indicates the flow of the refrigerant in the
warming cycle, and a dotted line indicates the flow of the
refrigerant in the cooling cycle.
[0090] By such a structure, the refrigerant introduced from the
tubes 10 in the second row 12 into the second sub-chamber 272 of
the sixth chamber 270 may be equally introduced into the internal
space of the eighth chamber 290 through the distribution holes 219a
and 219b, may flow to the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth
chamber 270, and may be discharged to the outlet pipe 400.
[0091] As a result, the refrigerant introduced into the fifth
chamber 260 through the tubes 10 in the first row 11 may be equally
dispersed and may be discharged to the connection pipe 500, and the
refrigerant introduced into the sixth chamber 270 through the tubes
10 in the second row 12 may be equally dispersed and may be
discharged to the outlet pipe 400.
[0092] In addition, the refrigerant introduced into the seventh
chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 may be autonomously mixed
and stabilized in the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber
290, before flowing to the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth
chamber 260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270.
Also, the refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 261 of
the fifth chamber 260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth
chamber 270 may be autonomously mixed and stabilized once again in
the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 and the first
sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270, before being discharged
to the connection pipe 500 and the outlet pipe 400. Therefore,
circulation of the refrigerant and heat exchange efficiency may be
increased.
[0093] FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of a header of a heat
exchanger according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure. The drawing illustrates a header which is provided at
the upper portions of the tubes 10. However, the header may be a
header which is provided at the lower portions of the tubes 10, due
to a top and bottom symmetrical structure. The same elements as
those in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 are designated by the
same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be
omitted.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 14, a header 100 of a heat exchanger 1
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes
a body 110, a first cover 120a and a second cover 120b which are
coupled to the body 110, and chambers 160, 170, 180 and 190 which
are provided inside the body 110, the first cover 120a and the
second cover 120b and in which the refrigerant flows. The first
cover 120a and the second cover 120b each include lower walls 121a
and 121b and side walls 122a and 122b extending from both sides of
the lower walls 121a and 121b. A first chamber 160 may be formed by
a wall 112 of the body 110 and the first cover 120a, and a second
chamber 170 may be formed by the wall 112 of the body 110 and the
second cover 120b. An internal space formed by the wall 112 of the
body 110 may be divided into a third chamber 180 and a fourth
chamber 190.
[0095] Tube holes 124 in which the tubes 10 in the first row 11 are
inserted and an inlet hole 125 through which the refrigerant
introduced through an inlet pipe 300 passes may be formed at the
first cover 120a. Tube holes 124 in which the tubes 10 in the
second row 12 are inserted and a connection pipe hole 126 through
which the refrigerant flows to the connection pipe 500 may be
formed at the second cover 120b. Hereinafter, the flow of the
refrigerant in the heat exchanger according to the embodiment of
the present disclosure having the above-described structure will be
described.
[0096] FIG. 15 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant
in the warming cycle of the heat exchanger according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 16 is a view
illustrating the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling cycle of
the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure. The heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure includes the first header 100 having the first
chamber 160, the second chamber 170, the third chamber 180 and the
fourth chamber 190, a second header 200 having a fifth chamber 260,
a sixth chamber 270, a seventh chamber 280 and an eighth chamber
290, and the tubes 10 which are arranged in two rows of the first
row 11 and the second row 12. The heat exchanger may further
include a heat exchanger fin which is disposed between the tubes
10. Also, the inlet pipe 300 which is in communication with an
outside of the heat exchanger 1 is connected to the first chamber
160, and the third chamber 180 and the fifth chamber 260 are
connected to each other through a connection pipe 500, and an
outlet pipe 400 which is in communication with the outside is
connected to the seventh chamber 280.
[0097] The refrigerant introduced into the first chamber 160 of the
first header 100 through the inlet pipe 300 may be primarily mixed
and stabilized in a first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160,
and then may flow to the third chamber 180 through a through-hole
117. The refrigerant flowed to the third chamber 180 may be
distributed to a second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160
through a distribution hole 118, and the refrigerant flowed to the
second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 may be equally
distributed to the tubes 10 in the first row 11. The refrigerant
exchanges heat with the external air, while passing through the
tubes 10 in the first row 11, and is then introduced in to a second
sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260. The refrigerant flowed to
the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 is distributed
through the distribution hole 118, and introduced into the seventh
chamber 280, and thus the refrigerant passing through the tubes 10
in the first row 11 flows equally. The refrigerant may be
secondarily mixed and stabilized in the seventh chamber 280.
[0098] The refrigerant in the seventh chamber 280 may flow to a
first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 through the
through-hole 117, and the refrigerant flowed to the first
sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 may be mixed and
stabilized again, and then may flow to a first sub-chamber 171 of
the second chamber 170 of the first header 100 through the
connection pipe 500 without heat exchanging. The refrigerant
introduced into the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170
through the connection pipe 500 is mixed and stabilized, and then
flows to the fourth chamber 190 through the through-hole 117. The
refrigerant flowed to the fourth chamber 190 may be distributed to
a second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170 through the
distribution hole 118, and the refrigerant flowed to the second
sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170 may be equally
distributed to the tubes 10 in the second row 12.
[0099] The refrigerant exchanges heat with the external air once
again, while passing through the tubes 10 in the second row 12, and
is introduced into a second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber
270 disposed in the second header 200. The refrigerant flowed to
the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 is distributed
through distribution holes 219a and 219b, and introduced into the
eighth chamber 290, and thus the refrigerant passing through the
tubes 10 in the second row 12 equally flows. The refrigerant may be
mixed and stabilized again in the eighth chamber 290. The
refrigerant in the eighth chamber 290 flows to a first sub-chamber
271 of the sixth chamber 270, and the refrigerant flowed to the
first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270 is mixed and
stabilized again, and then discharged to an outside of the heat
exchanger 1 through the outlet pipe 400.
[0100] The flow of the refrigerant as described above corresponds
to the case in which the heat exchanger according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure is used as the condenser, i.e., driven in
the warming cycle. When the heat exchanger is used as a condenser,
the refrigerant may be a high temperature and high pressure gaseous
refrigerant. The refrigerant loses heat to the outside and thus is
condensed. As illustrated well in FIG. 15, the heat exchanger
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may enable
the refrigerant, which flows in the direction of gravity, exchanges
heat and then is partially condensed, to flow to the first header
100 provided at the upper portions of the tubes 10 through the
connection pipe 500, to flow again in the direction of gravity
through the tubes 10 and to exchange heat. Accordingly, an increase
in viscosity and density due to condensation of the refrigerant
does not serve as resistance against the flow of the
refrigerant.
[0101] Also, since the headers which are provided at the upper and
lower portions of the tubes 10 include the plurality of divided
chambers, and the refrigerant is distributed, mixed and stabilized,
whenever passing through each chamber, the circulation of the
refrigerant may be improved, and the heat exchange efficiency may
be increased. Meanwhile, in the heat exchanger according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure, when the refrigerant is
circulated in the reverse cycle, the heat exchanger may be used as
an evaporator, and thus may be driven in the cooling cycle. When
the heat exchanger is used as the evaporator, a low temperature and
low pressure liquid refrigerant may be introduced through the
outlet pipe 400. The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the
outside and is evaporated, while passing through the tubes 10. As
illustrated well in FIG. 16, when the heat exchanger according to
one embodiment of the present disclosure is driven in the cooling
cycle, the refrigerant in all of the tubes in the first and second
rows 11 and 12 flows against the direction of gravity, and thus the
evaporated refrigerant may be easily circulated in the heat
exchanger.
[0102] Also, like the warming cycle, since the refrigerant is
distributed, mixed and stabilized whenever passing through the
plurality of divided chambers of the headers provided at the upper
and lower portions of the tubes 10, the circulation of the
refrigerant may be improved, and the heat exchange efficiency may
be increased. According to the spirit of the present disclosure,
the heat exchanger includes the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe and the
connection pipe which connects the first header with the second
header. When the warming cycle is driven, the refrigerant
introduced into the first header may exchange heat, while flowing
through the tubes in the direction of gravity, and then may be
introduced into the first header through the connection pipe, and
may exchange heat again, while flowing through the tubes in the
direction of gravity.
[0103] Since the refrigerant flows only in the direction of gravity
when the warming cycle is driven, the resistance against the flow
of the refrigerant may be reduced, and the heat exchange efficiency
may be increased. Also, since each of the first header and the
second header includes the body and the cover, and the plurality of
divided chambers are provided in the headers, and the refrigerant
can be repeatedly distributed according to the flow of the
refrigerant flowing through each chamber, the distribution of the
refrigerant can be improved. Also, since the body of each of the
first header and the second header is formed of the extruded
material, and the cover thereof is formed of the clad material, and
the cover and the body are bonded to each other by brazing, the
header can be easily assembled, and the bonding force can be
ensured.
[0104] Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have
been shown and described, the scope of rights of the present
disclosure should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments.
[0105] Although the present disclosure has been described with an
exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be
suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the
present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *