U.S. patent application number 15/128692 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-27 for outdoor unit of an air conditioner and method of manufacturing the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Jaehwa JUNG, Kakjoong KIM, Chiwoo SONG.
Application Number | 20170115013 15/128692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54144937 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170115013 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Kakjoong ; et
al. |
April 27, 2017 |
OUTDOOR UNIT OF AN AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE
SAME
Abstract
An outdoor unit of an air conditioner of the present invention
includes a printed circuit board on which a heat generating element
is mounted, a radiating block which contacts the heat generating
element and includes a refrigerant path through which refrigerant
passes, and a refrigerant tube connected to the radiating block to
communicate with the refrigerant path. Material costs of the
refrigerant tube can be reduced, and radiation performance can be
improved by utilization of the whole surface of the refrigerant
path as a surface for heat exchange.
Inventors: |
KIM; Kakjoong; (Seoul,
KR) ; JUNG; Jaehwa; (Seoul, KR) ; SONG;
Chiwoo; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
54144937 |
Appl. No.: |
15/128692 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
March 18, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2015/002620 |
371 Date: |
September 23, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/20 20130101;
F24F 1/58 20130101; F24F 1/46 20130101; F24F 1/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 1/24 20060101
F24F001/24; F24F 13/20 20060101 F24F013/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 18, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0031815 |
Claims
1. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: a printed
circuit board on which a heat generating element is mounted; an
electric component box in which the printed circuit board is
installed; a radiating block made of aluminum-based material, which
contacts the heat generating element and includes a refrigerant
path through which refrigerant passes; and a plurality of tube
parts connected to the radiating block to communicate with the
refrigerant path and spaced apart from each other with the
refrigerant path being disposed therebetween, wherein the plurality
of tube parts include a hybrid coupling tube part composed of a
first tube section made of aluminum-based material and
communicating with the refrigerant path and a second tube section
made of copper-based material and connected to the first tube
section.
2. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1,
wherein each of the plurality of tube parts is partially fitted in
the refrigerant path.
3. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1,
wherein the refrigerant path includes a plurality of refrigerant
paths formed in the radiating block.
4. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 3,
wherein the plurality of tube parts include a return tube part made
of aluminum-based material for guiding refrigerant introduced
through one of the plurality of refrigerant paths into another one
of the plurality of refrigerant paths.
5. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 4,
wherein the hybrid coupling tube part includes a plurality of
hybrid coupling tube parts joined to the radiating block, wherein
one of the plurality of hybrid coupling tube parts is connected to
one of the plurality of refrigerant paths and another one of the
plurality of heteroconjuction tube parts is connected to another
one of the plurality of refrigerant paths.
6. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: a printed
circuit board on which a heat generating element is mounted; a
radiating block contacting the heat generating element and
including a refrigerant path through which refrigerant passes; and
a refrigerant tube part joined to the radiating block to
communicate with the refrigerant path.
7. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 6,
wherein the refrigerant path is formed between opposite sides of
the radiating block.
8. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 6,
wherein the refrigerant path is longitudinally formed in the
radiating block.
9. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 6,
wherein the refrigerant tube part includes a plurality of tube
parts which are spaced apart from each other with the refrigerant
path being disposed therebetween.
10. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 9,
wherein each of the plurality of tube parts is partially fitted in
the refrigerant path.
11. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 9,
wherein the refrigerant path includes a plurality of refrigerant
paths formed in the radiating block.
12. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 11,
wherein the plurality of tube parts include a return tube part for
guiding refrigerant introduced through one of the plurality of
refrigerant paths into another one of the plurality of refrigerant
paths.
13. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 12,
wherein the return tube part is made of the same material as that
of the radiating block.
14. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 9,
wherein the plurality of tube parts include a hybrid coupling tube
part composed of a first tube section made of the same material as
that of the radiating block and a second tube section made of a
different material than the radiating block, wherein the first tube
section is joined to the radiating block.
15. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 14,
wherein the refrigerant path includes a plurality of refrigerant
paths formed in the radiating block, and wherein the hybrid
coupling tube part includes a plurality of hybrid coupling tube
parts joined to the radiating block, wherein one of the plurality
of hybrid coupling tube parts is connected to one of the plurality
of refrigerant paths and another one of the plurality of hybrid
coupling tube parts is connected to another one of the plurality of
refrigerant paths.
16. A method of manufacturing an outdoor unit of an air
conditioner, comprising: extruding aluminum-based material to form
a radiating block including a plurality of refrigerant paths;
welding a return tube part made of aluminum-based material to the
radiating block in such a manner that the return tube part
communicates with the plurality of refrigerant paths and welding
hybrid coupling tube parts, each of which is composed of a first
aluminum tube section and a second copper tube section connected to
the first aluminum tube section, to the radiating block in such a
manner that the first aluminum tube sections communicate with the
plurality of refrigerant paths; and connecting the second copper
tube sections to refrigerant pipes of the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of an air
conditioner and a method of manufacturing the same and, more
particularly, to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner and a method
of manufacturing the same in which a heat generating element
mounted on a printed circuit board is cooled by refrigerant.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, an air conditioner is an apparatus that
processes suctioned air and supplies the processed air into a
building or a room to keep indoor air fresh. The air conditioner is
mainly classified as a window type air conditioner or a separate
type (or split type) air conditioner.
[0003] The window type air conditioner, which has an integrated
cooling and radiating function, is directly mounted in a window of
a building or a house or in a hole formed through the wall of the
building or the house with the aid of a support frame.
[0004] The separate type air conditioner includes an indoor unit
including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor blower, an outdoor
unit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an
outdoor blower, and a refrigerant pipe connected between the indoor
unit and the outdoor unit.
[0005] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner may include a printed
circuit board for controlling various components such as a
compressor and an outdoor blower. The printed circuit board may be
installed in an electric component box.
[0006] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner may introduce outdoor
air into an electric component box and then discharge the outdoor
air. At this time, the outdoor air may dissipate heat in the
electric component box, thus enhancing operation reliability of the
electric component box. However, when the interior of the electric
component box is air-cooled, efficient temperature management
according to temperature variation of outdoor air may not be
facilitated.
[0007] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner may cool an interior
of an electric component box using refrigerant, and may cool an
interior of an electric component box using a heat exchanger
installed at the electric component box, through which refrigerant
passes.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENT
Patent Document
[0008] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1324935 B1 (1 Nov.
2013)
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide an outdoor unit of an air conditioner capable of minimizing
material costs of a refrigerant tube for cooling a heat generating
element in an electric component box.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method of manufacturing an outdoor unit of an air conditioner which
is capable of reducing material costs and minimizing heat loss due
to contact thermal resistance.
Solution to Problem
[0011] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the
above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an
outdoor unit of an air conditioner, including a printed circuit
board on which a heat generating element is mounted, a radiating
block which contacts the heat generating element and includes a
refrigerant path through which refrigerant passes, and a
refrigerant tube connected to the radiating block to communicate
with the refrigerant path.
[0012] The refrigerant path may be formed between the opposite
sides of the radiating block.
[0013] The refrigerant path may be longitudinally formed in the
radiating block.
[0014] The refrigerant tube may include a plurality of tube parts
which are spaced apart from each other with the refrigerant path
being disposed therebetween.
[0015] Each tube part may be partially fitted in the refrigerant
path.
[0016] The refrigerant path may include a plurality of refrigerant
paths formed in the radiating block.
[0017] The plurality of tube parts may include a return tube part
for guiding refrigerant introduced through one of the plurality of
refrigerant paths into another one of the plurality of refrigerant
paths.
[0018] The return tube part may be made of the same material as
that of the radiating block.
[0019] The plurality of tube parts may include a hybrid coupling
tube part composed of a first tube section made of the same
material as that of the radiating block and a second tube section
made of a different material than the radiating block, and the
first tube section may be joined to the radiating block.
[0020] The refrigerant path may include a plurality of refrigerant
paths formed in the radiating block, and wherein the hybrid
coupling tube part may include a plurality of hybrid coupling tube
parts joined to the radiating block, wherein one of the plurality
of hybrid coupling tube parts may be connected to one of the
plurality of refrigerant paths and another one of the plurality of
hybrid coupling tube parts may be connected to another one of the
plurality of refrigerant paths.
[0021] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the
present invention includes a printed circuit board on which a heat
generating element is mounted, an electric component box in which
the printed circuit board is installed, a radiating block made of
aluminum-based material, which contacts the heat generating element
and includes a refrigerant path through which refrigerant passes,
and a plurality of tube parts connected to the radiating block to
communicate with the refrigerant path and spaced apart from each
other with the refrigerant path being disposed therebetween,
wherein the plurality of tube parts include a hybrid coupling tube
part composed of a first tube section made of aluminum-based
material and communicating with the refrigerant path and a second
tube section made of copper-based material and connected to the
first tube section.
[0022] Each of the plurality of tube parts may be partially fitted
in the refrigerant path.
[0023] The refrigerant path may include a plurality of refrigerant
paths formed in the radiating block.
[0024] The plurality of tube parts may include a return tube part
made of aluminum-based material for guiding refrigerant introduced
through one of the plurality of refrigerant paths into another one
of the plurality of refrigerant paths.
[0025] The hybrid coupling tube part may include a plurality of
hybrid coupling tube parts joined to the radiating block, wherein
one of the plurality of hybrid coupling tube parts may be connected
to one of the plurality of refrigerant paths and another one of the
plurality of hybrid coupling tube parts may be connected to another
one of the plurality of refrigerant paths.
[0026] A method of manufacturing an outdoor unit of an air
conditioner according to the present invention includes extruding
aluminum-based material to form a radiating block including a
plurality of refrigerant paths, welding a return tube part made of
aluminum-based material to the radiating block, welding hybrid
coupling tube parts, each of which is composed of a first aluminum
tube section and a second copper tube section connected to the
first aluminum tube section, to the radiating block in such a
manner that the first aluminum tube sections communicate with the
plurality of refrigerant paths, and connecting the second copper
tube sections to refrigerant pipes of the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0027] According to the present invention, material costs of a
refrigerant tube can be reduced, and radiation performance can be
improved by utilization of the whole surface of the refrigerant
path as a surface for heat exchange.
[0028] Furthermore, since a radiating block and part of a
refrigeration tube are made of aluminum-based material, weight of
an outdoor unit can be reduced. In this case, when a copper
connecting tube is directly joined to the radiating block, product
reliability is enhanced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of
an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
embodiment of the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to
the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a radiating module of
the embodiment of the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according
to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 4 is an exploded front view of the radiating module of
the embodiment of the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according
to the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view illustrating the
radiating module and an electric component box of the embodiment of
the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating
the radiating module and the electric component box of the
embodiment of the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to
the present invention; and
[0036] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method
of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according
to the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with respect to the accompanying drawings.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of
an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present
invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
embodiment of the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to
the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a
radiating module of the embodiment of the outdoor unit of an air
conditioner according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an
exploded front view of the radiating module of the embodiment of
the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present
invention. FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view illustrating
the radiating module and an electric component box of the
embodiment of the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to
the present invention. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional
view illustrating the radiating module and the electric component
box of the embodiment of the outdoor unit of an air conditioner
according to the present invention.
[0039] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an
outdoor body 2, a compressor 4, an outdoor heat exchanger 6, and an
outdoor blower 8. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may be
connected to an indoor unit via a liquid pipe and an air pipe.
Refrigerant may pass through an indoor heat exchanger provided in
the indoor unit while exchanging heat with indoor air. The air
conditioner may include an expansion device for expanding the
refrigerant in one of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The
expansion device may include an electronic expansion valve.
[0040] The outdoor body 2 may be provided with air suction ports I
through which indoor air is introduced into the outdoor body 2. The
outdoor body 2 may further be provided with air discharge ports O
through which heat exchanged air is discharged to the outside of
the outdoor body 2. The outdoor body 2 may define an appearance of
the outdoor unit.
[0041] The outdoor body 2 may further include a base, cabinet
bodies 12, 13 and 14 installed at the base 11, and a top cover 15
mounted on the cabinet bodies 12, 13 and 14. The outdoor body 2 may
further include outdoor unit covers 16 and 17 for opening and
closing the outdoor unit. The outdoor body 2 may further include a
frame 18.
[0042] The cabinet bodies 12, 13 and 14 may be formed with the air
suction ports I, and thus may serve as air suction bodies through
which outdoor air passes for introduction into the outdoor unit.
The air suction ports I may be formed at a plurality of surfaces of
the outdoor unit body 2. The cabinet bodies 12, 13 and 14 may be
composed of a plurality of bodies. The cabinet bodies 12, 13 and 14
may include the left cabinet body 12 including a left outdoor air
suction port formed thereat, the rear cabinet body 13 including a
rear outdoor air suction port formed thereat, and the right cabinet
body 14 including a right outdoor air suction port formed thereat.
The rear cabinet body 13 may be integrally formed with at least one
of the left cabinet body 12 and the right cabinet body 14, or may
be coupled to at least one of the left cabinet body 12 and the
right cabinet body 14 by means of fastening elements such as
screws. The cabinet bodies 12, 13 and 14 may be provided at areas
facing the outdoor heat exchanger 6 with suction grills at which
the air suction ports I are formed. Furthermore, the cabinet bodies
12, 13 and 14 may be made of plates at areas facing the outdoor
blower 8.
[0043] The top cover 15 may be provided with the air discharge port
O. The top cover 15 may serve as a discharge body through which
outdoor air passes for discharge to the outside of the outdoor
unit. The top cover 15 may be horizontally installed on the cabinet
bodies 12, 13 and 14. The top cover 15 may define an upper
appearance of the outdoor unit. The outdoor blower 8 may be
installed at the top cover 15.
[0044] The outdoor unit covers 16 and 17 may be coupled to at least
one of the base 11, the cabinet bodies 12, 13 and 14, and the frame
18. The outdoor unit covers 16 and 17 may be coupled or dismantled
by a worker when the outdoor unit needs to be serviced. The outdoor
unit covers 16 and 17 may be coupled by means of fastening elements
such as screws. The outdoor unit covers 16 and 17 may be integrated
into one member or may be composed of a plurality of members. The
outdoor unit covers 16 and 17 may be installed in such a way as to
shield an opening between the left cabinet body 12 and the right
cabinet body 14 by means of a single cover or a plurality of
covers. The outdoor unit covers 16 and 17 may define a front
appearance of the outdoor unit. At least one of the outdoor unit
covers 16 and 17 may be disposed to shield the front of the
electric component box 40. At least one of the outdoor unit covers
16 and 17 may serve as a service cover 16 for shielding the front
of the electric component box 40. When the electric component box
40 needs to be serviced, a worker may take the electric component
box 40 out of the outdoor unit after removal of the service cover
16. The electric component box 40 may be taken out of the outdoor
unit through an opening between the left cabinet body 12 and the
right cabinet body 14 after removal of the service cover 16.
[0045] The frame 18 may support the outdoor unit body 2. At least
one of components of the outdoor unit may be mounted on the frame
18. The frame 18 may include a vertical frame which is vertically
disposed in the outdoor unit. The frame 18 may include a horizontal
frame which is horizontally disposed in the outdoor unit. The frame
18 may include a plurality of frames, at least one of which may be
disposed between a lower part of the outdoor blower 8 and back
surfaces of the outdoor unit covers 16 and 17. The frame 18 may
include a transverse frame 18A which extends in a lateral
direction. The transverse frame 18A may be disposed between the
left cabinet body 12 and the right cabinet body 14. The transverse
frame 18A may include a plurality of frames which are disposed
between the rear cabinet body 13 and the outdoor unit covers 16 and
17. The frame 18 may include an anteroposterior frame 18B which
extends in a front-back direction. The anteroposterior frame 18B
may be connected to the transverse frame 18A. The anteroposterior
frame 18B may be connected to the plurality of transverse frames.
The anteroposterior frame 18B may include a plurality of flames
which are disposed between the plurality of transverse frames
18A.
[0046] The compressor 4 may compress refrigerant.
[0047] The air conditioner may be an air conditioner exclusively
for cooling. In this case, refrigerant compressed in the compressor
4 may sequentially pass through the outdoor heat exchanger 6, the
expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger (not shown), and
then may be introduced into the compressor 4.
[0048] The air conditioner may be a heat pump type air conditioner.
In this case, refrigerant compressed in the compressor 4 may
sequentially pass through the outdoor heat exchanger 6, the
expansion device (not shown), and the indoor heat exchanger (not
shown), and may be introduced into the compressor 4, during a
cooling operation. Meanwhile, the refrigerant may sequentially pass
through the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion device (not
shown), and the outdoor heat exchanger 6, and may be introduced
into the compressor 4, during a heating operation.
[0049] The compressor 4 may be installed at the outdoor unit body
2. The compressor 4 may be installed at the base 11 of the outdoor
unit body 2. The compressor 4 may be installed so as to be disposed
at a lower position in the outdoor unit. When the outdoor unit
covers 16 and 17 are removed, the compressor 4 may be exposed to
the outside. When the outdoor unit cover 17, which is disposed at a
lower position than the outdoor unit cover 16, is removed, the
compressor 4 may be exposed through an opening between the left
cabinet body 12 and the right cabinet body 14. The compressor 4 may
include a plurality of compressors installed at the outdoor unit
body 2. At least one of the plurality of compressors 4 may be a
variable capacity compressor or an inverter compressor.
[0050] The outdoor heat exchanger 6 may exchange heat between
outdoor air and refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 6 may be
installed at the outdoor unit body 2. The outdoor heat exchanger 6
may be installed on the base 11 of the outdoor unit body 2. The
outdoor heat exchanger 6 may be configured to have a shape which is
bent at at least one position. The outdoor heat exchanger 6 may be
installed so as to be disposed in a space defined by the cabinet
bodies 12, 13 and 14. The outdoor heat exchanger may include a left
heat exchanger part facing the left cabinet body 12, a right heat
exchanger part facing the right cabinet body 14, and a rear heat
exchanger part facing the rear cabinet body 13, wherein the left
heat exchanger part and the right heat exchanger part may be
connected to each other via the rear heat exchanger part.
[0051] The outdoor heat exchanger 6 may include a plurality of
outdoor heat exchangers which are spaced apart from one another.
The outdoor heat exchanger 6 may include a first heat exchanger at
which the left heat exchanger part facing the left cabinet body 13
is bent with respect to the rear heat exchanger part facing the
rear cabinet body 13, and a second heat exchanger at which the
right heat exchanger part facing the right cabinet body 14 is bent
with respect to the rear heat exchanger part facing the rear
cabinet body 13.
[0052] The outdoor blower 8 may cause outdoor air to flow. The
outdoor blower 8 may be installed at the outdoor unit body 2 to
introduce outdoor air into the outdoor heat exchanger 6 and to
discharge the outdoor air. The outdoor blower 8 may be installed at
an upper position in the outdoor unit body 2. The outdoor blower 8
may be installed at the top cover 15 of the outdoor unit body 2.
The outdoor blower 8 may draw in air present thereunder and
discharge the air upward. The outdoor blower 8 may include a shroud
8A for guiding discharge of outdoor air, a motor 8C, and a fan 8D
fitted over a rotating shaft of the motor 8C and rotating
therewith. The motor 8C of the outdoor blower 8 may be mounted on
the frame 18, or may be mounted on the frame 18 by means of an
additional motor mount 8B. The motor 8C may be installed at the
motor mount 8B. The motor mount 8B may be coupled to at least one
of the shroud 8A, the top cover 15, and the frame 18. The shroud 8A
may be coupled to at least one of the top cover 15 and the frame
18. The outdoor blower 8 may include a plurality of outdoor blowers
installed at the outdoor unit body 2. The outdoor blower 8 may be
disposed such that a portion thereof protrudes upward from the top
cover 15. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may further
include a discharge grill 19. The discharge grill 19 is installed
at the outdoor blower 8 or the top cover 15 to protect the outdoor
blower 8.
[0053] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include a
controller C for controlling the air conditioner. The controller C
may be composed of a single controller or a plurality of
controllers installed at the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.
The controller C may be installed at the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner to control various electric components such as the
compressor 4 or the outdoor blower 8. The controller C may
communicate with the indoor unit of the air conditioner to control
various electric components such as an indoor blower (not shown)
installed at the indoor unit of the air conditioner. The controller
C may include at least one electric component for controlling
various electric components installed at the air conditioner. The
at least one electric component may include at least one printed
circuit board on which at least one electric element is mounted.
The at least one electric element may include a heat generating
element which generates heat during operation of the air
conditioner.
[0054] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include a
printed circuit board 30 on which a heat generating element 28 is
mounted, and a radiating module 50 through which refrigerant passes
and which is in contact with the heat generating element 28. The
radiating module 50 may include a radiating block 52, and a
refrigerant tube 54 which is connected to the radiating block 52
and through which refrigerant passes.
[0055] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may further include
the electric component box 40 in which the printed circuit board 30
is installed. The heat generating element 28 may be mounted on the
printed circuit board 30 to be isolated from a back plate 42 of the
electric component box 40. The heat generating element 28 may be
mounted on the printed circuit board 30 such that all or a part
thereof protrudes rearward.
[0056] The printed circuit board 30 may include an invert driving
printed circuit board for varying an operating frequency of an
electric motor for driving the compressor 4. The printed circuit
board 30 may be an inverter driver for controlling an inverter
compressor. The inverter driving printed circuit board may be
provided with the heat generating element 28 such as an intelligent
power module (IPM) which generates a large amount of heat. The
printed circuit board 30 may be configured to have a larger size
than that of the heat generating element 28.
[0057] The electric component box 40 protects various electric
components including the heat generating element 28 and the printed
circuit board 30. The electric component box 40 may be mounted on
the outdoor unit body 20. The electric component box 40 may be
mounted on the outdoor unit body 2 by means of fastening elements
such as screws, and may be removed from the outdoor unit body 2 at
the time of service. The electric component box 40 may be coupled
to at least one of the left cabinet body 12, the right cabinet body
14, the service covers 16 and 17, the frame 18, and the outdoor
blower 8 by means of fastening elements such as screws. The
electric component box 40 may be installed such that at least a
portion thereof is positioned in front of the outdoor blower 8. The
electric component box 40 may be open at one side thereof. The
electric component box 40 may be configured to have a box shape
having one open side. The electric component box 40 has an internal
space in which the printed circuit board 30 may be provided. The
electric component box 40 may be open at a side thereof facing the
outdoor unit covers 16 and 17. The electric component box 40 may
include the back plate 42, and a peripheral wall 44 formed at a
peripheral edge of the back plate 42. The electric component box 40
may have an internal space defined therein. The printed circuit
board 30 may be positioned in the internal space defined by the
peripheral wall 44. The printed circuit board 30 may be installed
at the back plate 42 of the electric component box 40. Disposed
between the printed circuit board 30 and the electric component box
40 may be a spacer 46 for isolating the printed circuit board 30
from the back surface 42 of the electric component box 40. The
electric component box 40 may have an opening 47 in which one of
the radiating block 52 and the heat generating element 28 is
disposed. One of the radiating block 52 and the heat generating
element 28 may be disposed to pass through the opening 47.
[0058] The radiating module 50 may be connected to a refrigeration
cycle circuit including the compressor 4, the outdoor heat
exchanger 6, the expansion device, and the indoor heat exchanger.
The radiating module 50 may be connected to a lower temperature
part of the refrigeration cycle circuit which further includes a
higher temperature part in addition to the lower temperature part.
Refrigerant in the lower temperature part of the refrigeration
cycle circuit may flow into the radiating module 50 and may pass
through the radiating module 50. The refrigerant may pass through
the radiating module 50 while absorbing heat from the heat
generating element 28.
[0059] The radiating module 50 may be a refrigerant type cooling
module in which at least a portion of the radiating module 50
contacts the heat generating element 28 to absorb heat from the
heat generating element 28 in a heat transfer manner while
refrigerant cools the heat generating element 28. The refrigerant
tube 54 may be connected to a refrigerant pipe between the outdoor
heat exchanger 6 and the expansion device, or may be connected to a
refrigerant pipe between the expansion device and the indoor heat
exchanger.
[0060] The radiating block 52 may be provided with refrigerant
paths 55 and 56 through which refrigerant passes. When refrigerant
passes through the refrigerant paths 55 and 56, the radiating block
52 may directly exchange heat with refrigerant in the refrigerant
paths 55 and 56 without an additional heat transfer member or tube.
The radiating block 52 may absorb heat from the heat generating
element 28 through a contact area contacting the heat generating
element 28 and may transfer the heat to refrigerant passing through
the refrigerant paths 55 and 56. In other words, the refrigerant
and the heat generating element 28 may exchange heat through the
radiating block 52. The radiating block 52 may be a single heat
exchanger member which exchanges heat between the refrigerant and
the heat generation element 28.
[0061] The radiating block 52 may be configured to have a plate
shape, and may be a radiating plate contacting the heat generating
element 28. The refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be longitudinally
formed between one side 57 and the other side 58 of the radiating
block 52. The radiating block 52 may be formed with a surface
contact area which contacts the heat generating element 28. The
radiating block 52 may face the heat generating element 28 at one
side 57 thereof. The one side of the radiating block 57, which
faces the heat generating element 28, may include the surface
contact area which contacts the heat generating element 28. The
radiating block 52 may be partially positioned outside the electric
component box 40. The radiating block 52 may include the other side
58 positioned outside the electric component box 40. The other side
58 positioned outside the electric component box 40 may be
positioned opposite the one side 57 including the surface contact
area contacting the heat generating element. The one side 57 and
the other side 58 of the radiating block 52 may be composed of
respective flat surfaces. The refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be
longitudinally formed in the radiating block 52 between the one
side 57 contacting the heat generating element 28 and the other
side 58 positioned outside the electric component box 40. The
refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be spaced apart from the one side
57 contacting the heat generating element 28 and the other side 58
positioned outside the electric component box 40. The refrigerant
paths 55 and 56 may be longitudinally formed to be parallel to the
one side 57 contacting the heat generating element 28 and the other
side 58 positioned outside the electric component box 40. The
refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may have a smaller diameter than a
thickness of the radiating plate 52 as viewed in cross-section
perpendicular to a flow direction of refrigerant.
[0062] The radiating block 52 may be configured to have a
rectangular shape, and may be extended in a lateral or vertical
direction. The refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be longitudinally
formed in the radiating block 52. One-side ends 55A and 56A and the
other-side ends 55B and 56B of the refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may
be open. The radiating block 52 may extend in the lateral
direction. The refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be connected between
a left end and a right end of the radiating block 52. The radiating
paths 55 and 56 may be elongated holes which are longitudinally
formed in the radiating block 52 between the left end and the right
end.
[0063] The refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may include a plurality of
refrigerant paths formed in the radiating block 52. The plurality
of refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be spaced apart from each other.
The plurality of refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be independently
formed in the radiating block 52 without merging with each other.
The plurality of refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be formed to be
parallel to each other. One refrigerant path 55 of the plurality of
refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be positioned over the other 56.
One refrigerant path 55 of the plurality of refrigerant paths 55
and 56 may be disposed close to an upper surface 59A of the
radiating block 52, and the other refrigerant path 56 of the
plurality of refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be disposed closer to
a lower surface 59B of the radiating block 52. The plurality of
refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be spaced apart from each other
between the upper surface 59A and the lower surface 59B of the
radiating block 52.
[0064] The radiating block 52 may be made of aluminum-based
material. In the specification, the aluminum-based material may
refer to a single aluminum-based material or an aluminum alloy
material. The radiating block may be an aluminum radiating plate
which is produced from aluminum through extrusion processing. The
aluminum radiating block 52 may be produced at lower cost and may
have a lighter weight, compared to a copper radiating block. The
radiating module 50 may be partially made of an aluminum-based
material at a portion thereof through which refrigerant exchanges
heat with the heat generating element 28, and, as such, the
radiating module 50 may be produced at lower cost, compared to the
case in which the radiating block 52 is made of a copper-based
material.
[0065] The radiating block 52 may be fixedly positioned at the
outdoor unit body 2 by means of fastening elements such as screws
or hanging elements such as hooks. The radiating block 52 may be
directly mounted on the outdoor unit body 2, or may be fixedly
positioned at the outdoor unit body 2 by means of an additional
radiating block mount 60. The radiating block mount 60 may be
fixedly installed at the outdoor unit body 2. The radiating block
mount 60 may be installed at the frame 18 of the outdoor unit body
2. Specifically, the radiating block mount 60 may be installed at
the horizontal frame 18A of the outdoor unit body 2 by means of
fastening elements such as screws or hanging elements such as
hooks.
[0066] The radiating block 52 may be formed with fastening holes
61B through which fastening elements 61A such as screws pass. The
radiating block 52 may be provided at an upper side thereof with an
upper protrusion 61C, and may be provided at a lower side thereof
with a lower protrusion 61D. The radiating block 52 may have the
fastening holes 61B formed at at least one of the upper protrusion
61C and the lower protrusion 61D of the radiating block 52. The
radiating block 52 may be coupled to the radiating block mount 60
by attaching at least one of the upper protrusion 61C and the lower
protrusion 61D of the radiating block 52 to the radiating block
mount 60 by means of fastening elements 61A such as screws.
[0067] The radiating block 52 may be coupled to the heat generating
element 28 by means of a fastening element 64A such as a screw. The
radiating block 52 may be formed with a fastening hole 62B into
which the fastening element 64A such as a screw is screwed. The
fastening hole 62B of the radiating block 52 may be formed at a
region excluding the refrigerant paths 55 and 56. The fastening
hole 62B of the radiating block 52 may include a plurality of
fastening holes which are formed between the refrigerant paths 55
and 56. The heat generating element 28 may be formed with a
fastening hole 29 through which the fastening element 64A such as a
screw passes. Therefore, the fastening element 64A such as a screw
may pass through the fastening hole 29 of the heat generating
element 28 and then may be screwed into the fastening hole 62B of
the radiating block 52.
[0068] The refrigerant tube 54 may be connected to the
refrigeration cycle circuit in such a manner that one end of the
refrigerant tube 54 at which refrigerant is introduced is connected
to the lower temperature part of the refrigerant cycle circuit and
the other end of the refrigerant tube 54 at which the refrigerant
is discharged is connected to the lower temperature part of the
refrigerant cycle circuit. The refrigerant tube 54 may be connected
to the refrigerant pipe between the outdoor heat exchanger 6 and
the expansion device, or may be connected to the refrigerant pipe
between the expansion device and the indoor heat exchanger. The
refrigerant tube 54 may be connected to the radiating block 52 at a
position outside the electric component box 40.
[0069] The refrigerant tube 54 may be connected to the radiating
block 52 so as to communicate with the refrigerant paths 55 and 56.
The refrigerant tube 54 may be partially fitted in the refrigerant
paths 55 and 56.
[0070] The refrigerant tube 54 may include a plurality of tube
parts 63, 64 and 65 which are separated from one another. The
plurality of tube parts 63, 64 and 65 each may be partially fitted
in the refrigerant paths 55 and 56. The plurality of tube parts 63,
64 and 65 may be disposed spaced apart from one another with the
refrigerant paths 55 and 56 being disposed therebetween. The
refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may have relatively long non-fitting
sections in which the plurality of tube parts 63, 64 and 65 are not
fitted, and, as such, material costs of the refrigerant tube may be
reduced by portions corresponding to the non-fitting sections in
which the plurality of tubes 63, 64 and 65 are not fitted. The
refrigerant paths 55 and 56 are preferably sectioned such that a
length of the non-fitting section of each refrigerant path 55 or 56
is longer than the total length of the fitting sections in which
the plurality of tube parts 63, 64 and 65 are fitted. As the total
length of the fitting sections in which the plurality of tube parts
63, 64 and 65 are fitted is increased, material costs may be
increased. The total length of the fitting sections of the
refrigerant paths 55 and 56 in which the plurality of tube parts
63, 64 and 65 are fitted is preferably less than 20% the total
length of the refrigerant paths 55 and 56, and most preferably less
than 10% the total length of the refrigerant paths 55 and 56.
[0071] The plurality of tube parts 63, 64 and 65 may include
heteroj unction tube parts 63 and 64. Each of the heteroj unction
tube parts 63 and 64 may include a first tube section 66
communicating with the corresponding one of the refrigerant paths
55 and 56 and made of the same material as that of the radiating
block 52, and a second tube section 68 made of a different material
than the radiating block 52. The hybrid coupling tube parts 63 and
64 may be disposed spaced apart from a return tube section 65
(described later) with the refrigerant paths 55 and 56 being
disposed therebetween.
[0072] The first tube section 66 may be joined to the radiation
block 52. The first tube section 66 may be of the same material as
that of the radiation block 52. The second tube section 68 may be
made of a different material than the radiation block 52. The first
tube section 66 may be made of aluminum-based material. The second
tube section 68 may be made of copper-based material. In the
description, the copper-based material may refer to a single
copper-based material and a copper alloy material. The first tube
section 66 and the second tube section 68 may be joined to the
radiation module 52 after integral conjunction of the first tube
section 66 and the second tube section 68. The first tube section
66 made of the same material as that of the radiation block 52 may
be joined to the radiation block 52. The first tube section 66 may
be joined at one end 66A thereof to the second tube section 68
through welding. The first tube section 66 may be fitted at the
other end 66B thereof in the refrigerant paths 55 and 56 to contact
the radiation block 52. Since the radiation block 52 and the first
tube section 66 are made of the same material, the radiation block
52 and the first tube section 66 may be joined to each other
through welding while minimizing corrosion at the contact area
therebetween.
[0073] The hybrid coupling tube parts 63 and 64 may include a
plurality of tube sections joined to the radiation block 52. One
hybrid coupling tube part 63 of the plurality of hybrid coupling
tube parts 63 and 64 may be connected to one refrigerant path 55 of
the plurality of refrigerant paths 55 and 56, and the other hybrid
coupling part 64 of the plurality of hybrid coupling tube parts 63
and 64 may be connected to the other refrigerant path 56 of the
plurality of refrigerant paths 55 and 56.
[0074] The radiation block 52 may be joined to the pair of hybrid
coupling tube parts 63 and 64. One of the pair of hybrid coupling
tube parts 63 and 64 may be an inlet tube section 63 for guiding
refrigerant into one refrigerant path 55 of the radiation block 52,
and the other of the pair of hybrid coupling tube parts 63 and 64
may be an outlet tube section 64 for guiding refrigerant flowing
from the other refrigerant path 56 of the radiation block 52.
[0075] The plurality of tube parts 63, 64 and 65 may include the
return tube section 65 for guiding refrigerant introduced through
one of the plurality of refrigerant paths 55 and 56 into the other
of the plurality of refrigerant paths 55 and 56.
[0076] The return tube part 65 may be joined to the radiation block
52. The return tube part 66 may be configured such that an inlet
end 65A at which refrigerant is introduced and an outlet end 65B
from which the refrigerant flows out are disposed parallel to each
other and the section between the inlet end 65A and the outlet end
65B is bent into a U shape. The inlet end 65A of the return tube
part 65 may be fitted in one 55 of the refrigerant paths of the
radiation block 52, and the outlet end 65B of the return tube part
65 may be fitted in the other refrigerant path 56 of the
refrigerant paths. The return tube part 65 may be spaced apart from
the heteroconjuction tube parts 63 and 64 with the refrigerant
paths 55 and 56 being disposed therebetween. The inlet end 65A of
the return tube part 65 may be spaced apart from the inlet side
tube part 63 with one refrigerant path 55 of the refrigerant paths
55 and 56 being disposed therebetween, and the outlet end 65B of
the return tube part 65 may be spaced apart from the outlet side
tube part 64 with the other refrigerant path 56 of the refrigerant
paths 55 and 56 being disposed therebetween.
[0077] The refrigerant tube 54 may be configured such that the
inlet side tube part 63 and the return tube part 65 are connected
to each other via the radiation block 52 with a spacing being
defined therebetween. Furthermore, the refrigerant tube 54 may be
configured such that the outlet side tube part 64 and the return
tube part 65 are connected to each other via the radiation block 52
with a spacing being defined therebetween. Accordingly, material
costs of the refrigerant tube 54 may be reduced by a portion
corresponding to the length between the inlet side tube part 63 and
the return tube part 65. Furthermore, material costs of the
refrigerant tube 54 may be reduced by a portion corresponding to
the length between the outlet side tube part 64 and the return tube
part 65.
[0078] The return tube part 65 may be welded to the radiation block
52 after the inlet side end 65A and the outlet side end 65B are
fitted in the radiation block 52. The return tube part 65 may be
made of the same material as that of the radiating block 52. When
the radiating block 52 is made of aluminum-based material, the
return tube part 65 may also be made of aluminum-based material.
Since the radiating block 52 and the return tube 65 are made of the
same material, the radiation block 52 and the return tube part 65
may be joined to each other through welding while minimizing
corrosion at the contact area therebetween.
[0079] When the pair of refrigerant paths 55 and 56 are formed in
the radiating block 52, the return tube part 65 may connect the
pair of refrigerant paths 55 and 56 to each other. The radiating
block 52 may be provided with an even number of refrigerant paths,
and one return tube part 65 may be provided for every two
refrigerant paths.
[0080] The refrigerant tube 54 may further include connecting tube
sections 80 and 82 connected to the hybrid coupling tube parts 63
and 64. The connecting tube sections 80 and 82 may be connected to
the lower temperature part of the refrigeration cycle circuit. The
connecting tube sections 80 and 82 may be connected to a
refrigerant pipe between the outdoor heat exchanger 6 and the
expansion device, or may be connected to a refrigerant pipe between
the expansion device and the indoor heat exchanger. The connecting
tube sections may be made of the same material as that of the
refrigerant pipe between the outdoor heat exchanger 6 and the
expansion device or that of the refrigerant pipe between the
expansion device and the indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant
pipe between the outdoor heat exchanger 6 and the expansion device
or the refrigerant pipe between the expansion device and the indoor
heat exchanger may be made of copper-based material, and the
connecting tube sections 80 and 82 may be made of copper-based
material. The connecting tube sections 80 and 82 may include a pair
of connecting tube sections. One connecting tube section 80 of the
pair of connecting tube sections may serve as an inlet side
connecting tube section connected to the inlet side tube part 63,
and the other connecting tube section 82 of the pair of connecting
tube sections may serve as an outlet side connecting tube section
connected to the outlet side tube part 64.
[0081] Since the second tube section 68 of the inlet side tube part
63 may be joined to the inlet side connecting tube section 80
through welding and may be made of the same copper-based material
as that of the inlet side connecting tube section 80, the second
tube section 68 may be joined to the inlet side connecting tube
section 80 through welding while minimizing corrosion at a contact
area therebetween.
[0082] Furthermore, since the second tube section 68 of the outlet
side tube part 64 may be joined to the outlet side connecting tube
section 82 through welding and may be made of the same copper-based
material as that of the outlet side connecting tube section 82, the
second tube section 68 may be joined to the outlet side connecting
tube section 82 through welding while minimizing corrosion at a
contact area therebetween.
[0083] Operations of the present invention will now be
described.
[0084] During operation of the air conditioner, the heat generating
element 28 and the printed circuit board 30 may control the air
conditioner, and the heat generating element 28 generates heat.
[0085] Refrigerant passing through the lower temperature part of
the refrigeration cycle circuit may be introduced into the
refrigerant tube 54. The refrigerant passing through the lower
temperature part of the refrigeration cycle circuit may be
introduced into the inlet side tube part 63 through the inlet side
connecting tube section 80 and then may pass through the inlet side
tube part 63. Subsequently, the refrigerant may be introduced into
one refrigerant path 55 of the refrigerant paths 55 and 56 of the
radiating block 52. The refrigerant may exchange heat with the
radiating block 52 to primarily absorb heat from the radiating
block 52 while passing through the one refrigerant path 55 of the
refrigerant paths 55 and 56. The refrigerant passed through the one
refrigerant path 55 of the refrigerant paths 55 and 56 may be
introduced into the return tube part 65, and then may be introduced
into the other refrigerant path 56 of the refrigerant paths 55 and
56 through the return tube part 65. The refrigerant may exchange
heat with the radiating block 52 to secondarily absorb heat from
the radiating block 52 while passing through the other 56 of the
refrigerant paths 55 and 56. The refrigerant passed through the
other refrigerant path 56 of the refrigerant paths 55 and 56 and
having an increased temperature may be introduced into the outlet
side tube part 64, and then may flow to the lower temperature part
of the refrigeration cycle circuit through the outlet side
connecting tube section 82.
[0086] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method
of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according
to the present invention.
[0087] The method of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner according to the present invention may include
operations of manufacturing the radiating module 50 for dissipating
heat from the heat generating element 28 and connecting the
radiating module 50 to the refrigerant pipe of the outdoor unit of
the air conditioner. Hereinafter, the operations of manufacturing
the radiating module 50 and connecting the radiating module 50 to
the refrigerant pipe of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner
will be described.
[0088] The method of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner includes an operation of extruding the radiating block
52 having the plurality of refrigerant paths 55 and 56 from
aluminum (S1: Extrusion of radiating block).
[0089] In the extrusion of the radiating block 52, the refrigerant
paths 55 and 56 may be longitudinally formed in the radiating block
52. The radiating block 52 may include a pair of refrigerant paths
55 and 56 disposed parallel to each other. The radiating block 52
may be configured into a plate shape having one side 57 and the
other side 58 both of which are flat. The radiating block 52 may be
configured to have an approximately rectangular shape.
[0090] In the method of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner, the radiating block 52, which has been prepared
through extrusion, may be connected to the return tube part 65 and
the hybrid coupling tube parts 63 and 64.
[0091] Here, the return tube part 65, which serves as a connecting
tube for connecting the plurality of refrigerant paths 55 and 56,
may be formed so as to guide refrigerant introduced through one of
the pair of refrigerant paths 55 and 56 to the other of the pair of
refrigerant paths 55 and 56. The return tube part 65 is preferably
made of aluminum-based material for the sake of compatibility with
the radiating tube 52 made of aluminum-based material.
[0092] The pair of hybrid coupling tube parts 63 and 64 may be
welded to the single radiating block 52. One 63 of the pair of
hybrid coupling tube parts 63 and 64 may be welded to the radiating
block 52 to communicate with one refrigerant path 55, and the other
64 of the pair of hybrid coupling tube parts 63 and 64 may be
welded to the radiating block 52 to communicate with the other
refrigerant path 56.
[0093] The method of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner includes an operation of welding the return tube part
65 made of aluminum-based material to the radiating block 52 such
that the return tube part 65 communicates with the refrigerant
paths 55 and 56 (S2), and an operation of welding the first tube
sections 66 of the hybrid coupling tube parts 63 and 64, which are
made of aluminum-based material and coupled to the second tube
sections 68 made of copper-based material, to the radiating block
52 such that the first tube sections 66 communicate with the
refrigerant paths 55 and 56, respectively (S3).
[0094] Briefly, the method of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the
air conditioner may include the operation S2 of welding the return
tube part 65 to the radiating block 52, and the operation S3 of
welding the heterojunction tube parts 63 and 64 to the radiating
block 52. The method of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner may be implemented in such a way that the operation S2
of welding the return tube part 65 to the radiating block 52 is
first performed and then the operation S3 of welding the hybrid
coupling tube parts 63 and 64 to the radiating block 52 is
performed. Conversely, the method of manufacturing the outdoor unit
of the air conditioner may be implemented in such a way that the
operation S3 of welding the hybrid coupling tube parts 63 and 64 to
the radiating block 52 is first performed and then the operation S2
of welding the return tube part 65 to the radiating block 52 is
performed. The method of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner may, of course, be implemented in such a way that the
operation S2 of welding the return tube part 65 to the radiating
block 52 and the operation S3 of welding the hybrid coupling tube
parts 63 and 64 to the radiating block 52 are concurrently
performed. Therefore, the sequence of the operations may be
variously selected depending on worker's needs without
limitation.
[0095] For the purpose of illustration, the operation S2 of welding
the return tube part 65 to the radiating block 52 will first be
described.
[0096] The aluminum return tube part 65 may be fitted in the pair
of refrigerant paths 55 and 56 in such a manner that the inlet end
65A of the return tube part 65, at which refrigerant is introduced,
is fitted in one refrigerant path 55 of the pair of refrigerant
paths 55 and 56 and the outlet end 65B of the return tube part 65,
at which the refrigerant flows out, is fitted in the other
refrigerant path 56 of the pair of refrigerant paths 55 and 56.
After fitting of the return tube part 65 in the refrigerant paths
55 and 56, the return tube part 65 may be welded to the radiating
block 52.
[0097] Next, the operation S3 of welding the hybrid coupling tube
parts 63 and 64 to the radiating block 52 will be described.
[0098] One hybrid coupling tube part 63 of the pair of hybrid
coupling tube parts 63 and 64 may be welded to the radiating block
52 after being fitted in the one refrigerant path 55, and the other
hybrid coupling tube part 64 of the pair of hybrid coupling tube
parts 63 and 64 may be welded to the radiating block 52 after being
fitted in the other refrigerant path 56.
[0099] The method of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner may also be implemented in such a manner that the
return tube part 65 and the pair of hybrid coupling tube parts 63
and 64 are concurrently welded to the radiating block 52 after the
return tube part 65 and the pair of hybrid coupling tube parts 63
and 64 are partially fitted in the radiating block 52.
[0100] By joining the return tube part 65 and the hybrid coupling
tube parts 63 and 64 to the radiating block 52 in the
above-described manner, the return tube part 65, the hybrid
coupling tube parts 63 and 64, and the radiating block 52 may be
integrated, thus providing the single radiating module 50. The
radiating module 50 in which the return tube part 65, the hybrid
coupling tube parts 63 and 64, and the radiating block 52 have been
incorporated may be installed at the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner.
[0101] The method of manufacturing the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner includes an operation of connecting the second tube
sections 68 to the refrigerant pipes of the outdoor unit of the air
conditioner (S4). The second tube sections 68 may be connected to
the refrigerant pipes of the outdoor unit after being joined to the
radiating block 52 via the first tube sections 66. A worker may
connect the second tube sections 68 to the refrigerant pipes
positioned at the outdoor unit of the refrigeration cycle circuit.
The worker may connect the second tube sections 68 to the
refrigerant pipes of the lower temperature part of the
refrigeration cycle circuit. The worker may connect the second tube
sections 68 to the refrigerant pipes between the outdoor heat
exchanger 6 and the expansion device or the refrigerant pipes
between the expansion device and the indoor heat exchanger. The
radiating block 52 may be connected to the refrigerant pipes of the
outdoor unit of the air conditioner via the heterojunction tube
parts 63 and 64. The refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle circuit
may partially flow into and out of the radiating block 52 through
the hybrid coupling tube parts 63 and 64.
[0102] The worker may mount the electric component box 40 on the
outdoor unit of the air conditioner after the radiating block 50 is
connected to the refrigeration cycle circuit in the above-described
manner. At this time, the worker may mount the electric component
box 40 in such a manner that the heat generating element 28 of the
printed circuit board 30 installed in the electric component box 40
comes into contact with one side 57 of the radiating block 52. When
the electric component box 40 is mounted in this manner, the
radiating block 52 may absorb heat from the heat generating element
28 and may transfer the heat to the refrigerant paths 55 and
56.
[0103] It will be appreciated that the present invention is not
limited to the above embodiments and may adopt a construction in
which the refrigerant tube part 54 is connected to a plurality
aluminum radiating plates and the refrigerant tube part 54 may
further include an aluminum connecting pipe connected to the
plurality of radiating plates. The present invention may, of
course, be implemented in various ways within the technical scope
thereof.
[0104] Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for
carrying out the invention.
[0105] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *