U.S. patent application number 15/223311 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-02 for heat exchanger.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Seungmo JUNG, Juhyok KIM, Eungyul LEE.
Application Number | 20170030662 15/223311 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56557619 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170030662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Eungyul ; et
al. |
February 2, 2017 |
HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
A heat exchanger is provided which is capable of rapidly moving
condensed water downward. The heat exchanger may include a
plurality of flat tubes forming a plurality of flow paths therein;
and a fin located between the plurality of flat tubes to conduct
heat. The fin may include at least one first fin portion located
between the plurality of flat tubes; at least one first bent
portion bent at the first fin portion so as to come into contact
with a first one of the plurality of flat tubes; at least one
second fin portion bent at the first bent portion, the second fin
portion being opposite to the first fin portion and being located
between the plurality of flat tubes; a flow space defined between
the first fin portion and the second fin portion; at least one
second bent portion bent at the second fin portion so as to come
into contact with a second one of the plurality of flat tubes; at
least one condensed water discharge hole formed by cutting at least
one of the first bent portion or the second bent portion; and at
least one condensed water discharge fin bent at the at least one of
the first bent portion or the second bent portion.
Inventors: |
LEE; Eungyul; (Seoul,
KR) ; JUNG; Seungmo; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM;
Juhyok; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
56557619 |
Appl. No.: |
15/223311 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 39/00 20130101;
F28F 1/128 20130101; F28F 2265/22 20130101; F28F 2260/02 20130101;
F28D 1/05383 20130101; F28D 2021/0068 20130101; F28D 2021/0085
20130101; F28F 17/005 20130101; F25B 39/02 20130101; F28D 2021/0071
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 17/00 20060101
F28F017/00; F25B 39/00 20060101 F25B039/00; F28F 1/12 20060101
F28F001/12; F28D 1/053 20060101 F28D001/053 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0108929 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a plurality of flat tubes forming
a plurality of flow paths therein; and a fin located between the
plurality of flat tubes to conduct heat, wherein the fin includes:
at least one first fin portion located between the plurality of
flat tubes; at least one first bent portion bent at the first fin
portion so as to come into contact with a first one of the
plurality of flat tubes; at least one second fin portion bent at
the first bent portion, the second fin portion being opposite to
the first fin portion and being located between the plurality of
flat tubes; a flow space defined between the first fin portion and
the second fin portion; at least one second bent portion bent at
the second fin portion so as to come into contact with a second one
of the plurality of flat tubes; at least one condensed water
discharge hole formed by cutting at least one of the first bent
portion or the second bent portion; and at least one condensed
water discharge fin bent at the at least one of the first bent
portion or the second bent portion.
2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the condensed
water discharge fin is bent in a same direction as a direction in
which the at least one of first fin portion or the second fin
portion extends.
3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein each flat tube
is located so as to come into close contact with the at least one
condensed water discharge fin.
4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the condensed
water discharge fin and the condensed water discharge hole are
located at an edge of the respective fin.
5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one condensed water discharge fin includes two condensed water
discharge fins formed on opposite sides of the condensed water
discharge hole.
6. The heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein the two
condensed water discharge fins are arranged so as to face each
other.
7. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one condensed water discharge fin includes a first condensed water
discharge fin formed on the first bent portion and a second
condensed water discharge fin formed on the second bent portion,
and wherein the first condensed water discharge fin and the second
condensed water discharge fin are bent in opposite directions.
8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the first
condensed water discharge fin and the second condensed water
discharge fin are arranged in a line in a vertical direction.
9. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the first
condensed water discharge fin and the second condensed water
discharge fin are offset in a vertical direction.
10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein at least one
of the first fin portion or the second fin portion is provided with
at least one vent by which the flow space and an adjacent flow
space communicate with each other.
11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein a louver
forms the vent and guides air.
12. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein the at least
one of the first fin portion or the second fin portion is further
provided with a first vent and a second vent, and provided with a
first-first louver that forms the first vent and a first-second
louver that forms the second vent, and the first-first louver and
the first-second louver are formed in opposite directions.
13. A heat exchanger, comprising: a plurality of flat tubes forming
a plurality of flow paths therein; and a fin located between the
plurality of flat tubes to conduct heat, wherein the fin includes:
at least one first fin portion located between the plurality of
flat tubes; at least one first bent portion bent at the first fin
portion so as to come into contact with a first one of the
plurality of flat tubes; at least one second fin portion bent at
the first bent portion, the second fin portion being opposite to
the first fin portion and being located between the plurality of
flat tubes; a flow space defined between the first fin portion and
the second fin portion; at least one second bent portion bent at
the second fin portion so as to come into contact with a second one
of the plurality of flat tubes; at least one condensed water
discharge hole provided in at least one of the first bent portion
or the second bent portion; and at least one condensed water
discharge fin provided in the at least one of the first bent
portion or the second bent portion adjacent the at least one
condensed water discharge hole.
14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the condensed
water discharge fin extends in a same direction as a direction in
which the at least one of first fin portion or the second fin
portion extends.
15. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the condensed
water discharge fin and the condensed water discharge hole are
located at an edge of the respective fin.
16. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the at least
one condensed water discharge fin includes two condensed water
discharge fins formed on opposite sides of the condensed water
discharge hole.
17. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the at least
one condensed water discharge fin includes a first condensed water
discharge fin formed on the first bent portion and a second
condensed water discharge fin formed on the second bent portion,
and wherein the first condensed water discharge fin and the second
condensed water discharge fin are bent in opposite directions.
18. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein at least one
of the first fin portion or the second fin portion is provided with
at least one vent by which the flow space and an adjacent flow
space communicate with each other.
19. The heat exchanger according to claim 18, wherein a louver
forms the vent and guides air.
20. A heat exchanger, comprising: a plurality of flat tubes forming
a plurality of flow paths therein; and a fin located between the
plurality of flat tubes to conduct heat, wherein the fin includes:
at least one first fin portion located between the plurality of
flat tubes; at least one first bent portion bent at the first fin
portion so as to come into contact with a first one of the
plurality of flat tubes; at least one second fin portion bent at
the first bent portion, the second fin portion being opposite to
the first fin portion and being located between the plurality of
flat tubes; a flow space defined between the first fin portion and
the second fin portion; at least one second bent portion bent at
the second fin portion so as to come into contact with a second one
of the plurality of flat tubes; at least one condensed water
discharge hole provided in at least one of the first bent portion
or the second bent portion; and at least one condensed water
discharge fin provided in the at least one of the first bent
portion or the second bent portion adjacent the at least one
condensed water discharge hole, where the first fin portion and the
second fin portion are spaced a predetermined amount apart
sufficient to prevent condensed water from connecting the first fin
portion and the second fin portion via surface tension.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2015-0108929, filed in Korea on Jul. 31, 2015 in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0002] A heat exchanger is disclosed herein.
2. Background
[0003] Generally, a heat exchanger may be used as a condenser or an
evaporator in a refrigeration cycle device, which includes a
compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator. The heat
exchanger may be installed in, for example, a vehicle or a
refrigerator, and perform heat exchange between refrigerant and
air.
[0004] Heat exchangers may be sorted into a fin-tube-type heat
exchanger and a micro-channel-type heat exchanger depending on a
structure thereof. The fin-tube-type heat exchanger is fabricated
using copper, and the micro-channel-type heat exchanger is
fabricated using aluminum.
[0005] The micro-channel-type heat exchanger defines micro
flow-paths therein, and therefore, has a higher efficiency than the
fin-tube-type heat exchanger. Although the fin-tube-type heat
exchanger is easily fabricated by welding fins and tubes, the
micro-channel-type heat exchanger disadvantageously requires high
initial investment costs for fabrication thereof because it is
fabricated via brazing after being introduced into a furnace.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a related art
micro-channel-type heat exchanger. The related art
micro-channel-type heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat
tubes 1 having micro flow paths therein, fins 2 located between the
respective flat tubes 1 to interconnect the flat tubes 1 in order
to conduct heat, and headers 3 and 4, respectively, assembled to
first and second sides of the flat tubes 1.
[0007] The fins 2 are coupled to flat tubes 1 at opposite sides
thereof. The fins 2 are arranged in a zigzag arrangement in a
longitudinal direction of the flat tubes 1.
[0008] The conventional micro-channel-type heat exchanger has
considerably higher heat exchange efficiency between refrigerant
and air than the fin-tube-type heat exchanger, but has difficulty
in discharging condensed water when it is used as an evaporator.
The conventional micro-channel-type heat exchanger problematically
causes deterioration in heat exchange efficiency because condensed
water, which is generated when the heat exchanger is used as an
evaporator, may not be discharged and the condensed water may
stagnate and freeze between the fins. A related art
micro-channel-type heat exchanger having such disadvantages is
shown in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0765557, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, and wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a related art
micro-channel-type heat exchanger;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a micro-channel-type heat
exchanger according to an embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the heat exchanger of
FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a micro-channel-type heat
exchanger according to another embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a front view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 7;
and
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. Where possible, like
reference numerals have been used to indicate like elements, and
repetitive disclosure has been omitted.
[0021] A micro-channel-type heat exchanger according to an
embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. FIG. 2
is a perspective view of a micro-channel-type heat exchanger
according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of
the heat exchanger of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a front view of the heat
exchanger of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the heat exchanger of
FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a side view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 2.
[0022] The micro-channel-type heat exchanger according to this
embodiment may include a plurality of flat tubes 10 defining a
plurality of flow paths therein, fins 20 arranged between and
respectively coupled to the plurality of flat tubes 10 to conduct
heat, and a first header (not illustrated) and a second header (not
illustrated) assembled to respective ends of the plurality of flat
tubes 10 to move refrigerant.
[0023] In the micro-channel-type heat exchanger, when refrigerant
is supplied to the first header, the refrigerant passes through the
plurality of flat tubes 10 and moves to the second header. On the
other hand, when refrigerant is supplied to the second header, the
refrigerant moves to the first header. The first header and the
second header have a structure which is well known to those skilled
in the art, and thus, a detailed description thereof has been
omitted herein.
[0024] The flat tubes 10 have a flat shape and define multiple flow
paths therein. The flat tubes 10 may be formed of a metal material.
In this embodiment, the flat tubes are formed of aluminum.
[0025] In this embodiment, the flat tubes 10 are horizontally
arranged, and the fins 20 are also arranged so as to extend
horizontally. The micro-channel-type heat exchanger according to
this embodiment has a structure for easy discharge of condensed
water because the flat tubes 10 and the fins 20 are horizontally
arranged. Alternatively, the flat tubes 10 and the fins 20 may be
arranged so as to extend vertically.
[0026] The fins 20 may be bent in a longitudinal direction of the
flat tubes 10. The fins 20 may have an advantage of low
manufacturing costs because they may be fabricated by repeatedly
performing a fin-rolling method.
[0027] The fins 20 may be formed of a metal material. In this
embodiment, the fins 20 are formed of aluminum, like the flat tubes
10. The fins 20 may serve to rapidly conduct the heat in the flat
tubes 10 so as to increase heat exchange efficiency.
[0028] The fins 20 may be arranged between the flat tubes 10. By
way of explanation, a fin 20 located at an uppermost position may
be defined as a first fin 20-1, a fin 20 located under the first
fin 20-1 may be defined as a second fin 20-2, and a fin 20 located
under the second fin 20-2 may be defined as a third fin 20-3.
[0029] Each fin 20 may include a first fin portion 30 located
between two flat tubes 10, a first bent portion 50 bent at the
first fin portion 30 so as to come into contact with any one or a
first of the two flat tubes 10, a second fin portion 40 bent at the
first bent portion 50 so as to be opposite the first fin portion 30
and to be located between the two flat tubes 10, and a second bent
portion 60 bent at the second fin portion 40 so as to come into
contact with the other or a second one of the two flat tubes 10.
For convenience of description, the flat tube 10 which is in
contact with the first bent portion 50, may be defined as a first
flat tube 11, and the flat tube 10 which is in contact with the
second bent portion 60, may be defined as a second flat tube
12.
[0030] The fin 20 may be configured such that the first fin portion
30, the first bent portion 50, the second fin portion 40, and the
second bent portion 60 are repeated. The first fin portion 30 may
support the first flat tube 11 and the second flat tube 12. The
first fin portion 30 may be oriented substantially perpendicular to
a longitudinal direction of the first flat tube 11 and the second
flat tube 12.
[0031] Like the first fin portion 30, the second fin portion 40 may
also support the first flat tube 11 and the second flat tube 12,
and may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the first flat tube 11 and the second flat tube 12.
The first fin portion 30 and the second fin portion 40 may be
spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. A flow
space 25 for movement of air may be defined between the first fin
portion 30 and the second fin portion 40.
[0032] Air for heat exchange may pass through the flow space 25
defined between the first fin portion 30 and the second fin portion
40. The smaller the gap in the flow space 25 defined between the
first fin portion 30 and a second fin portion 40, the greater a
number of fin portions which may be installed, which may increase
heat exchange efficiency.
[0033] However, when the gap in the flow space 25 is small,
condensed water, generated when the heat exchanger operates as an
evaporator, may be attached and fixed to the first fin portion 30
and the second fin portion 40 via surface tension. In this
embodiment, the flow space 25 has the gap to prevent condensed
water from connecting the first fin portion 30 and the second fin
portion 40 to each other via surface tension.
[0034] The condensed water generated in the first fin portion 30
and the second fin portion 40 comes into contact with air, which
moves along the flow space 25, and thus falls down. At least one of
the first fin portion 30 or the second fin portion 40 may be
provided with vents 21 and 22, which may communicate with an
adjacent flow space 25'. In this embodiment, both the first fin
portion 30 and the second fin portion 40 are provided with the
vents 21 and 22. Although each of the first fin portion 30 and the
second fin portion 40 is provided with the two vents 21 and 22,
only one vent may be provided, alternatively.
[0035] For convenience of description, the vents 21 and 22 may be
referred to as a first vent 21 and a second vent 22. The vents 21
and 22 may take the form of holes or slits. In this embodiment, the
vents 21 and 22 are formed by cutting the first fin portion 30 and
the second fin portion 40.
[0036] The first fin portion 30 may be provided with a first-first
louver 31 that forms the first vent 21. Further, the first fin
portion 30 may be provided with a first-second louver 32 that forms
the second vent 22.
[0037] The first-first louver 31 may be formed by bending the cut
first fin portion 30. The first vent 21 may be formed in a location
in which the first-first louver 31 is cut.
[0038] The first-second louver 32 may be formed in a same method as
the first-first louver 31. The louvers 31 and 32 may serve to guide
some of the air moving along the flow space 25 to the neighboring
flow space 25'.
[0039] In this embodiment, the first-first louver 31 and the
first-second louver 32 are formed so as to guide the air in
different directions. For example, when the first-first louver 31
is formed to guide the air from the adjacent flow space 25' to the
flow space 25, the first-second louver 32 is formed to guide the
air from the flow space 25 to the adjacent flow space 25'.
[0040] The louvers may protrude from the first fin portion 30 or
the second fin portion 40 to the flow space 25 or the adjacent flow
space 25'. The louver may be formed to extend perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction of the first flat tube 11 and the second
flat tube 12.
[0041] Louvers, formed in the second fin portion 40, may have a
same structure as the louvers formed in the first fin portion 30,
and for convenience of description, may be referred to as a
second-first louver 41 and a second-second louver 42. The second
fin portion 40 may be provided with the first vent 21 formed by the
second-first louver 41 and the second vent 22 formed by the
second-second louver 42. Because the first-first louver 31 and the
first-second louver 32 are formed in opposite directions, the
direction in which the fins 20 are installed need not be considered
upon installation of the heat exchanger.
[0042] The first bent portion 50 may come into close contact with
the first flat tube 11 and conduct heat from the first flat tube
11. The first bent portion 50 may be formed into a plane in this
embodiment. Although the first bent portion 50 is located at a top
and the second bent portion 60 is located at a bottom in this
embodiment, they may be located at opposite positions.
[0043] The first bent portion 50 may be provided with a condensed
water discharge fin 70, 71 to discharge condensed water from the
flow space 25. The condensed water discharge fin 70 may be formed
by cutting and bending the first bent portion 50.
[0044] As such, the first bent portion 50 may be provided with a
condensed water discharge hole 51 at a location at which the
condensed water discharge fin 70 is provided. The condensed water
discharge hole formed in the first bent portion 50 may be referred
to as a first condensed water discharge hole 51.
[0045] In this embodiment, two condensed water discharge fins 70
are formed on the first bent portion 50 so as to face each other.
Only one condensed water discharge hole 51 is provided. Because the
two condensed water discharge fins 70 are formed in a limited area,
a length of the condensed water discharge fins 70 may be half or
less than a width of the first bent portion 50.
[0046] In addition, a connector 52 that connects the first fin
portion 30 and the second fin portion 40 to each other may be
formed on an edge of the first bent portion 50. The connector 52
may be a portion that remains when the condensed water discharge
fins 70 are formed. As such, the connector 52 may be formed so as
to be in contact with the condensed water discharge hole 51. The
connector 52 may connect the first fin portion 30 and the second
fin portion 40 to each other, thus improving a strength of the fin
20.
[0047] The condensed water present in the flow space 25 may be
discharged from the flow space 25 through the condensed water
discharge hole 51. The condensed water discharge fins 70 may guide
a flow of condensed water when the condensed water is
discharged.
[0048] Likewise, the second bent portion 60 may be provided with a
condensed water discharge hole 61 and condensed water discharge
fins 70, 72, in a same manner as the first bent portion 50. The
condensed water discharge hole, formed in the second bent portion
60, may be referred to as a second condensed water discharge hole
61.
[0049] Because the flat tubes 10 are stacked one above another and
the fins 20 are arranged between the flat tubes 10, condensed water
discharge fins 71 formed on the first bent portion 50 and condensed
water discharge fins 72 formed on the second bent portion 60 may be
vertically arranged. For convenience of description, the condensed
water discharge fin provided on the first bent portion 50 may be
referred to as a first condensed water discharge fin 71 and the
condensed water discharge fin provided on the second bent portion
60 may be referred to as a second condensed water discharge fin
72.
[0050] The first condensed water discharge fin 71 and the second
condensed water discharge fin 72 may be vertically arranged. The
first condensed water discharge fin 71 and the second condensed
water discharge fin 72 may be aligned in a line. When the first
condensed water discharge fin 71 and the second condensed water
discharge fin 72 are aligned in a line, the first condensed water
discharge fin 71 and the second condensed water discharge fin 72
may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined
distance.
[0051] The predetermined distance between the first condensed water
discharge fin 71 and the second condensed water discharge fin 72
may be a distance by which condensed water may move by surface
tension. In this embodiment, the second condensed water discharge
fin 72 of the first fin 20-1 and the first condensed water
discharge fin 71 of the second fin 20-2 are spaced apart from each
other by a predetermined distance. Alternatively, the second
condensed water discharge fin 72 of the first fin 20-1 and the
first condensed water discharge fin 71 of the second fin 20-2 may
contact with each other.
[0052] As such, condensed water, generated in the flow space 25
defined in the upper fin 20, may be discharged to the condensed
water discharge hole 61 and may move downward along the second
condensed water discharge fin 72. Then, the condensed water may
move downward along the second condensed water discharge fin 72 and
the first condensed water discharge fin 71 adjacent thereto.
[0053] The flat tube 10 may be located so as to come into close
contact with the condensed water discharge fin 70. When the heat
exchanger is used as an evaporator, the flat tube 10 has a lowest
temperature. The condensed water, generated in the flat tube 10,
may rapidly move downward through the condensed water discharge fin
70, which is in close contact with the flat tube 10. Through this
rapid movement of the condensed water, it may be possible to
minimize freezing of condensed water on a surface of the flat tube
10.
[0054] In this embodiment, the condensed water discharge fins 70
and the condensed water discharge holes 51 and 61 are formed only
on one side of the fin 20. Alternatively, the condensed water
discharge fins 70 and the condensed water discharge holes 51 and 61
may be formed on opposite sides of the fin 20.
[0055] In addition, although the condensed water discharge fins 70
and the condensed water discharge holes 51 and 61 are formed by
cutting the first bent portion 50 and the second bent portion 60 in
this embodiment, alternatively, only the condensed water discharge
holes 51 and 61 may be formed. In addition, when only the condensed
water discharge holes 51 and 61 are formed, a plurality of the
holes 51 and 61 may be provided along the first bent portion 50 or
the second bent portion 60.
[0056] A micro-channel-type heat exchanger according to another
embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a micro-channel-type heat exchanger
according to another embodiment. FIG. 8 is a front view of the heat
exchanger of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the heat exchanger of
FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a side view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 7.
[0057] The heat exchanger according to this embodiment has
differences in terms of a position and alignment of the condensed
water discharge fins compared to the previous embodiment. A fin 120
according to this embodiment may be provided with condensed water
discharge fins 170 on opposite edges of the first bent portion 50.
The fin 120 may be provided with the condensed water discharge fins
170 on opposite edges of the second bent portion 60. For
convenience of description, the condensed water discharge fins
provided on the first bent portion 50 may be referred to as first
condensed water discharge fins 171, and the condensed water
discharge fins provided on the second bent portion 60 may be
referred to as second condensed water discharge fins 172.
[0058] The first bent portion 50 may be provided on opposite edges
thereof with condensed water discharge holes 51. The second bent
portion 60 may be provided on opposite edges thereof with condensed
water discharge holes 61.
[0059] Unlike the previous embodiment, each condensed water
discharge hole 51 or 61 is provided with one condensed water
discharge fin 170. The first condensed water discharge fin 171 and
the second condensed water discharge fin 172, provided on the fin
120, may be offset in the vertical direction. That is, the first
condensed water discharge fin 171 and the second condensed water
discharge fin 172 may be not aligned in a line, unlike the previous
embodiment.
[0060] As such, when the fins 120 are stacked one above another,
the first condensed water discharge fin 171 and the second
condensed water discharge fin 172 may be offset in a lateral
direction. In particular, the first condensed water discharge fin
171 and the second condensed water discharge fin 172 may be
arranged so as to face each other at offset positions.
[0061] In a state in which the fins 120 are stacked one above
another, the second condensed water discharge fin 172 of the upper
fin 120 and the first condensed water discharge fin 171 of the
lower fin 120 may be arranged so as to face each other. In this
embodiment, when viewing the fins 120 from a front side, the first
condensed water discharge fin 171 and the second condensed water
discharge fin 172 may be arranged in a line.
[0062] Alternatively, the first condensed water discharge fin 171
may be offset when viewing the fins 120 from the front side. The
second condensed water discharge fin 172 may also be offset when
viewing from the front side. The other components may be the same
as in the previous embodiment, and thus, a detailed description
thereof has been omitted herein.
[0063] As is apparent from the above description, a heat exchanger
according to embodiments disclosed herein has at least the
following advantages.
[0064] First, embodiments disclosed herein have the advantage of
easily discharging condensed water from a flow space, which is
defined between a first fin portion and a second fin portion,
through condensed water discharge holes and condensed water
discharge fins. Second, embodiments disclosed herein have the
advantage of fabricating the heat exchanger using a fin-rolling
machine because the condensed water discharge holes and the
condensed water discharge fins are formed by cutting and bending
the first fin portion and the second fin portion. Third,
embodiments disclosed herein have the advantage of reducing
fabrication costs through use of the fin-rolling machine.
[0065] Fourth, embodiments disclosed herein have the advantage of
easily discharging condensed water by arranging the condensed water
discharge fins in a line or in a zigzag arrangement. Fifth,
embodiments disclosed herein have the advantage of easily
discharging condensed water by forming the condensed water
discharge fins in a direction of gravity. Sixth, embodiments
disclosed herein have the advantage of rapidly discharging
condensed water because the condensed water discharge fins are
arranged in contact with the condensed water discharge holes,
through which condensed water is discharged from the flow space.
Seventh, embodiments disclosed herein have the advantage of easily
discharging condensed water generated inside fins even when flat
tubes and the fins are horizontally installed.
[0066] Embodiments disclosed herein have been made in view of
problems associated with the prior art, and provide a
micro-channel-type heat exchanger, which may easily discharge
condensed water. Embodiments disclosed herein provide a
micro-channel-type heat exchanger, which may be fabricated via a
fin-rolling method. Embodiments disclosed herein provide a
micro-channel-type heat exchanger, which may easily move fluid in a
longitudinal direction of flat tubes and in a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a micro-channel-type heat
exchanger, which may easily move condensed water, generated in
upper fins, to lower fins.
[0067] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a heat exchanger that
may include a plurality of flat tubes formed in a micro-channel
form, and a fin located between the flat tubes to conduct heat. The
fin may include a first fin portion located between two flat tubes,
a first bent portion bent at the first fin portion so as to come
into contact with one of the two flat tubes, a second fin portion
bent at the first bent portion, the second fin portion being
opposite the first fin portion and being located between the two
flat tubes, a flow space defined between the first fin portion and
the second fin portion, a second bent portion bent at the second
fin portion so as to come into contact with a remaining one of the
two flat tubes, and a condensed water discharge hole formed by
cutting at least one of the first bent portion or the second bent
portion and a condensed water discharge fin bent at one of the
first bent portion or the second bent portion.
[0068] The condensed water discharge fin may be bent in a same
direction as a direction in which the first fin portion or the
second fin portion is formed. Each flat tube may be located so as
to come into close contact with the condensed water discharge fin.
The condensed water discharge fin and the condensed water discharge
hole may be located at an edge of the fin.
[0069] Two condensed water discharge fins may be formed on opposite
sides of the condensed water discharge hole. The two condensed
water discharge fins may be arranged so as to face each other.
[0070] The condensed water discharge fin may include a first
condensed water discharge fin formed on the first bent portion and
a second condensed water discharge fin formed on the second bent
portion, and the first condensed water discharge fin and the second
condensed water discharge fin may be bent in opposite directions.
The first condensed water discharge fin and the second condensed
water discharge fin may be arranged in a line in a vertical
direction. The first condensed water discharge fin and the second
condensed water discharge fin may be offset in a vertical
direction.
[0071] At least one of the first fin portion or the second fin
portion may be provided with a vent for communication of the flow
space and an adjacent flow space with each other. The fin portion
may further be provided with a louver that forms the vent and
guides air.
[0072] The at least one of the first fin portion or the second fin
portion may further be provided with a first vent and a second
vent, and provided with a first-first louver that forms the first
vent and a first-second louver that forms the second vent. The
first-first louver and the first-second louver may be formed in
opposite directions.
[0073] Although the embodiments have been described above with
reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments are not limited
to the disclosed embodiments and may be fabricated into various
forms. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
embodiments may be implemented into other specific forms without
change in the technical idea or essential features. Hence, it
should be understood that the embodiments described above are given
by way of example in all terms and are not limitative.
[0074] 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.
[0075] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
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