[0001] The present invention relates to stacked-type multi-flow heat exchangers for use
in an air conditioner for vehicles.
[0002] Stacked-type multi-flow heat exchangers for use in an air conditioner for vehicles,
which include a plurality of heat transfer tubes and a plurality of fins, stacked
alternately, are known in the art. Such known stacked-type multi-flow heat exchangers
may be used as evaporators in air conditioners for vehicles. In vehicle air conditioners
there has been high demand to decrease the space of installation of the air conditioner.
Therefore, thinning the depth dimension,
i.e., the dimension of the direction for the passing of air, of a evaporator, and in
order to decrease the space of the installation of the evaporator, providing connection
portions for introducing or discharging refrigerant on one side surface of the evaporator
are desirable. Moreover equalizing the air temperature passing through the evaporator
is also desirable to produce a high performance air conditioner.
[0003] Therefore, in order to thin the depth dimension of the evaporator, and decrease the
space of the installation of the evaporator, heat exchangers are proposed in Japanese
Utility Model (Unexamined) Publication No. H7-12778 shown in Fig. 9, and Japanese
Patent (Unexamined) Publication No. H9-17850 shown in Fig. 10.
[0004] As shown in Fig. 9, a heat exchanger 100 has an upper tank 102 and a lower tank 103.
Upper tank 102 and lower tank 103 are communicated by a group of tubes 101. Upper
tank 103 includes an upstream tank 104 and a downstream tank 105 with respect to their
flow direction A', respectively. Upstream tank 104 has an inner space divided by a
partitioning plate 106 into chambers 107 and 108. Likewise, downstream tank 105 has
an inner space divided by a partitioning plate 109 into chambers 110 and 111. Chamber
108 of upstream tank 104 and chamber 111 of downstream tank 105 are communicated by
a communicating path 112. Lower tank 103 includes an upstream tank 113 and a downstream
tank 114 with respect to the air flow direction A', respectively.
[0005] In heat exchanger 100, the heat exchange medium introduced through a fluid inlet
portion 115 provided at chamber 107 of upstream tank 104 passes through heat exchanger
100 as illustrated in Fig. 9, and is discharged from a fluid outlet portion 116 provided
at chamber 110 of downstream tank 105.
[0006] In addition, as shown in Fig. 10, a heat exchanger 117 has an upper tank 118 and
a lower tank 119. Upper tank 118 and lower tank 119 are communicated by a group of
5 tubes 120. Upper tank 118 includes an upstream tank 121 and a downstream tank 122
with respect to the air flow direction A", respectively. Upstream tank 121 has an
inner space divided by a partitioning plate 123 into chambers 124 and 125. Moreover,
lower tank 119 includes an upstream tank 126 and a downstream tank 127. Downstream
tank 127 has an inner space divided by a partitioning plate 128 into chambers 129
and 130. Chamber 125 of upstream tank 121 and chamber 130 of downstream tank 127 are
communicated by a communicating path 131.
[0007] In heat exchanger 117, the heat exchange medium introduced through a fluid inlet
portion 132 provided at chamber 129 of downstream tank 127 passes through heat exchanger
117 as illustrated in Fig. 10, and is discharged from a fluid outlet portion 133 provided
at chamber 124 of upstream tank 121. In heat exchanger 117, communicating path 131
projecting in the direction of the laminated group of tubes 120, and fluid inlet portion
132 and fluid outlet portion 133 are provided at one side surface of heat exchanger
117, so that the space of the installion of heat exchanger 117 is decreased. Moreover,
heat exchanger 117 has a structure that does not overlap a part of the group of tubes
120, easily introducing vapor phase refrigerant due to inertial force of a vapor-liquid
refrigerant and another part of the group of tubes 120 easily introducing liquid phase
refrigerant in the air flow direction A". Therefore, the air temperature passing through
heat exchanger 117 is equalized in an entire of the group of tubes 120.
[0008] Nevertheless, there is a demand further to achieve a thin-profile,
i.e. to decrease the depth dimension of the heat exchangers (for example, decrease the
depth dimension to less than or equal to 40mm).
[0009] However, if the depth dimension of heat exchanger 100 shown in Fig. 9 or' heat exchanger
117 shown in Fig. 10, both of which have four refrigerant flow paths, is directly
decreased, problems may arise. If the depth dimension of heat exchanger 100 or heat
exchanger 117 is decreased, the cross-sectional area of a flow path of each tube is
also decreased, and pressure loss of refrigerant increases. As a result, quantity
of refrigerant in circulation may be reduced or the temperature of refrigerant at
the introduction to heat exchanger 100 or heat exchanger 117 may be increased, and
the efficiency of heat exchange may be reduced. On the other hand, if one of partitioning
plates is removed from heat exchanger 100 or heat exchanger 117 and refrigerant flow
paths are reduced to suppress the pressure loss, the air temperature passing through
heat exchanger 100 or heat exchanger 117 may not be equalized. For example, referring
to Fig. 9, if partitioning plate 109 is removed, refrigerant flowing from communicating
path 112 should flow into all tubes equally. Nevertheless, the refrigerant flow path
in the width direction of the tanks is lengthened equally, and flow of the refrigerant
into all of the tubes is difficult due to a difference between inertial force of a
vapor a refrigerant and incrutial force of a liquid refrigerant.
[0010] In addition, heat exchanger 100 shown in Fig. 9 or heat exchanger 117 shown in Fig.
10 include a communicating path having a smaller cross-sectional area along the refrigerant
flow path, and the refrigerant is concentrated into the communicating path. Therefore,
pressure loss is more likely to arise. Moreover, the communicating path hardly contributes
to the heat exchange. Further, communicating path 131 of heat exchanger 117 shown
in Fig. 10 is projected in the width direction. Therefore, in heat exchangers having
a side tank for introducing or discharging the heat exchange medium in the width direction,
the dimension of the width direction of heat exchangers may increase.
[0011] Therefore, a need has arisen for stacked-type multi-flow heat exchangers for use
in vehicle air conditioners that overcome these and other shortcomings of the related
art. A technical advantage of the present invention is to suppress the pressure loss
of refrigerant, to equalize the air temperature passing through the heat exchanger,
and to achieve the reduced size, especially the thin-profile of the heat exchanger,
in the stacked-type multi flow heat exchangers.
[0012] According to the present invention, there is provided a heat exchanger having a tube
group communicating between a first tank and a second tank, the exchanger comprising:
a first heat exchange portion, wherein said first heat exchange portion is disposed
at a downstream side of air passing through said heat exchanger and has a first group
of tubes, which form a first route of a heat exchange medium;
a second heat exchange portion, wherein said second heat exchange portion is disposed
at an upstream side of the air passing through said heat exchanger and at a back side
of said first heat exchange portion, and said second heat exchange portion has a second
group of tubes, which form a second route of said heat exchange medium; and
a third heat exchange portion, wherein said third heat exchange portion is disposed
at both said upstream and said downstream sides of the air passing through said heat
exchanger and a adjacent to said first heat exchange portion and said second heat
exchange portion, and said third heat exchange portion has a third group of tubes,
which form a third route of said heat exchange medium.
[0013] Also according to the present invention there is provided a heat exchanger having
a tube group communicating between a first tank and a second tank, comprising:
a first heat exchange portion, wherein said first heat exchange portion is disposed
at a downstream side of air passing through said heat exchanger and has a first group
of tubes, which form a first route of a heat exchange medium;
a second heat exchange portion, wherein said second heat exchange portion is disposed
at the downstream side of the air passing through said heat exchanger and adjacent
to said first heat exchange portion, and said second heat exchange portion has a second
group of tubes, which form a second route of said heat exchange medium;
a third heat exchange portion, wherein said third heat exchange portion is disposed
at both said upstream and said downstream sides of the air passing through said heat
exchanger and adjacent to said first heat exchange portion and said second heat exchange
portion, and said third heat exchange portion has a third group of tubes, which form
a third route of said heat exchange medium;
a fourth heat exchange portion, wherein said fourth heat exchange portion is disposed
at an upstream side of the air passing through said heat exchanger and at a back side
of said second heat exchanger, and said fourth heat exchange portion has a fourth
group of tubes, which form a fourth route of said heat exchange medium; and
a fifth heat exchange portion, wherein said fifth heat exchange portion is disposed
at the upstream side of the air passing through said heat exchanger and at a back
side of said first heat exchange portion, and said fifth heat exchange portion has
a fifth group of tubes, which form a fifth route of said heat exchange medium.
[0014] The present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stacked-type multi-flow heat exchanger, according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view of the stacked-type multi-flow heat exchanger depicted in Fig.
1;
Fig. 3 is a top view of the stacked-type multi-flow heat exchanger depicted in Fig.
1;
Fig. 4 is a plan view of a first tube plate, a pair of which form a heat transfer
tube for a first heat exchange portion and a third heat exchange portion of the stacked-type
multi-flow heat exchanger depicted in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a second tube plate, a pair of which form a heat transfer
tube for a second heat exchange portion of the stacked-type multi-flow heat exchanger
depicted in Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a flow of a heat exchange medium in the stacked-type
multi-flow heat exchanger depicted in Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a side view of the stacked-type multi-flow heat exchanger depicted in Fig.1;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing flow of a heat exchange medium in a stacked-type
multi-flow heat exchanger, which corresponds to Fig. 6, according to a second embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing flow of a heat exchange medium in a known stacked-type
multi-flow heat exchanger; and
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing flow of a heat exchange medium in another known
stacked-type multi-flow hear exchanger.
[0015] Referring to Figs. 1-7, a stacked-type multi-flow heat exchanger according to a first
embodiment is described. As shown in Figs. 1-3, a stacked-type multi-flow heat exchanger
1 includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes 2 and a plurality of fins 3 stacked
alternately. Stacked heat transfer tubes 2 and fins 3 form heat exchanger core la.
A side tank 4 is provided on the one side of heat exchanger core la, and an end plate
5 is provided on the other side of heat exchanger core la.
[0016] A group of tubes 6 comprising the plurality of heat transfer tubes 2 includes a first
group of tubes 7 and a second group of tubes 8. First group of tubes 7 is stacked
by the plurality of heat transfer tubes 2, and each of heat transfer tubes 2 are formed
by a pair of tube plates 9 connected to each other. As shown in Fig. 4, tube plate
9 has concave portions 10 and 11 in the longitudinal direction. Concave portions 10
and 11 are partitioned by a wall 12. Projecting hollow portions 13, 14, 15, and 16
are formed on the respective corner portions of tube plate 9. By connecting the pair
of tube plates 9, a pair of refrigerant routes 17 and 18 are formed in heat transfer
tubes 2, as shown in Fig. 6. In addition, referring again to Fig. 4, a number of bosses
19, which project toward refrigerant flow routes 17 and 18, are formed on concave
portion 10 and 11 of tube plate 9. When the pair of tube plates 9 are connected, the
bosses 19 abut each other. The number of bosses 19 may increase the heat exchange
efficiency and strengthen withstanding of the pressure of refrigerant. In this embodiment
of the present invention, the pair of tube plates 9 are connected, and they are stacked
alternately. As a result, the group of tubes 7, a first upstream tank 33, a first
downstream tank 34, a second upstream tank 37, and a second downstream tank 38 are
constituted. Moreover, in this embodiment, inner fins having a wave shaped cross-section
may be provided in refrigerant flow routes 17 and 18 instead of bosses 19.
[0017] A second group of tubes 8 is stacked by the plurality of heat transfer tubes 2, and
each of heat transfer tubes 2 are formed by a pair of tube plates 20 connected to
each other. As shown in Fig. 5, tube plate 20 has concave portions 21 and 22 in the
longitudinal direction. Concave portions 21 and 22 are partitioned by a wall 23. Projecting
hollow portions 24, 25, 26, and 27 are formed on the respective corner portions of
tube plate 20. Projecting hollow portions 24 and 26, and projecting hollow portions
25 and 27 communicate with each other respectively. By connecting the pair of tube
plates 20, a pair of refrigerant flow routes 28 and 29 are formed in heat transfer
tubes 2, as shown in Fig. 6. Nevertheless, because projecting hollow portions 24 and
26, and projecting hollow portions 25 and 27 communicate with each other, respectively,
the heat exchange medium flows in the same direction in refrigerant flow routes 28
and 29. In addition, referring again to Fig. 5, a number of bosses 30, which project
toward refrigerant flow routes 28 and 29, are formed on concave portion 21 and 22
of tube plate 20. When the pair of tube plates 20 are connected, the bosses 30 abut
each other. The number of bosses 30 may increase the heat exchange efficiency and
strengthen withstanding of the pressure of refrigerant. In this embodiment of the
present invention, the pair of tube plates 20 are connected, and they are stacked
alternately. As a result, the second group of tubes 8, an upper communicating tank
35, and a lower communicating tank 39 are constituted. Moreover, in this embodiment,
inner fins having a wave shaped cross-section may be provided in refrigerant flow
routes 28 and 29 instead of bosses 30.
[0018] As shown in Figs 1-3, and 6, an upper tank 31 is provided on an upper portion of
the group of tubes 6 and a lower tank 32 is provided on a lower portion of the group
of tubes 6. In this specification, "upper" or "lower" is described for the purpose
of understanding the invention. Therefore, "upper" or "lower" may be reversed in the
present invention. Upper tank 31 includes first upstream tank 33, first downstream
tank 34, and upper communicating tank 35. First upstream tank 33 and first downstream
tank 34 are provided with respect to the air flow direction A, respectively. Upper
communicating tank 35 communicates with first downstream tank 34. A partitioning plate
36 is provided between first upstream tank 33 and upper communicating tank 35.
[0019] Lower tank 32, which communicates with upper tank 31 via the group of tubes 6, includes
second upstream tank 37, second downstream tank 38, and lower communicating tank 39.
Second upstream tank 37 and second downstream tank 38 are provided with respect to
the air flow direction A, respectively. Lower communicating tank 39 is communicated
with second upstream tank 37. A partitioning plate 40 is provided between second downstream
tank 38 and lower communicating tank 39.
[0020] A heat exchange medium introducing route 41 and a heat exchange medium discharging
route 42 are formed in side tank 4, which is provided on one side of heat exchanger
1. Introducing route 41 is communicated with second downstream tank 38. Discharging
route 42 communicates with first upstream tank 33. As shown in Figs. 1 and 7, a flange
43 is attached to side tank 4 and is connected to an expansion valve (not shown).
A heat exchange medium inlet port 44 and a heat exchange medium outlet port 45 are
provided at flange 43.
[0021] Referring to Fig. 6, a heat exchange medium route in heat exchanger 1 is 3 described.
A heat exchange medium, for example refrigerant, is introduced into introducing route
41 from inlet port 44, and flows into second downstream tank 38. Subsequently, the
heat exchange medium flows into first downstream tank 34 via refrigerant flow route
17 of the first group of tubes 7. Refrigerant flow route 17 between second downstream
tank 38 and first downstream tank 34 constitutes a first heat exchange portion 46.
The heat exchange medium flowing out of first downstream tank 34 flows into upper
communicating tank 35, and flows into lower communicating tank 39 via refrigerant
flow routes 28 and 29 of the second group of tubes 8. Refrigerant flow routes 28 and
29 between upper communicating tank 35 and lower communicating tank 39 constitute
a second heat exchange portion 47. Moreover, the heat exchange medium flowing out
of lower communicating tank 39 flows into second upstream tank 37, and flows into
first upstream tank 33 via refrigerant flow route 18 of the first group of tubes 7.
Refrigerant flow route 18 between second upstream tank 37 and first upstream tank
33 constitutes a third heat exchange portion 48. The heat exchange medium flowing
out of first upstream tank 33 is discharged from outlet port 45 via discharging route
42. Specifically, in heat exchanger 1, first heat exchange portion 46 is provided
at the downstream side of the air flow direction A, and third heat exchange portion
48 is provided at the upstream side of the air flow direction A. Moreover, second
heat exchange portion 47 communicating between first heat exchange portion 46 and
third heat exchange portion 48 is provided opposite side of inlet port 44 and outlet
port 45 and adjacent to first heat exchange portion 46 and third heat exchange portion
48.
[0022] In the first embodiment of the present invention, refrigerant flow route 17 provided
at the downstream side of the air flow direction A constitutes first heat exchange
portion 46, and refrigerant flow route 18 provided at the upstream side of the air
flow direction A constitutes third heat exchange portion 48. Moreover, refrigerant
flow routes 28 and 29 constitute second heat exchange portion 47. In this embodiment,
even if heat exchanger 1 is of thin-profile, at least three heat exchange portions
are provided. Therefore, while a cross-sectional area of the refrigerant route per
one heat exchanger portion is ensured, the length of the refrigerant route in each
tank in the longitudinal direction is reduced. Consequently, the pressure loss of
the heat exchange medium flowing in heat exchanger 1 may be reduced or eliminated,
and occurrence of the temperature differential of the heat exchange medium between
each tube constituting each heat exchanger portion may be reduced or eliminated. In
addition, in heat exchanger 1, second heat exchange portion 47 functions as a communicating
portion between third heat exchange portion 48 at the upstream side of the air flow
direction A and first heat exchange portion 46 at the downstream side of the air flow
direction A. As a result, reduction of the pressure loss at the communicating portion,
second heat exchange portion 47, may be achieved, and the dimension of the width direction
of heat exchanger 1 may be reduced without decreasing the heat exchange performance.
[0023] In addition, the refrigerant flow route in heat exchanger 1 is formed of first heat
exchange portion 46, second heat exchange portion 47, and third heat exchange portion
48, and is arranged in this order. Therefore, the heat exchange medium having a higher
temperature may flow into third heat exchange portion 48 compared with that flowing
into other heat exchange portions. Nevertheless, the heat exchange medium having a
lower temperature flows into first heat exchange portion 46 and first heat exchange
portion 46 is provided at the downstream side of the air flow direction A, at the
back side of third heat exchange portion 48. Therefore, if the air passing through
third heat exchange medium 48 is not sufficiently heat-exchanged, the air may pass
through first heat exchange portion 46, and the air may be sufficiently heat-exchanged
at first heat exchange portion 46. Consequently, the occurrence of the temperature
differential of the air passing through heat exchanger 1 maybe reduced or eliminated.
[0024] Moreover, in heat exchanger 1, if the heat exchange medium is introduced from upper
tank 31, the heat exchange medium is discharged from lower tank 32, as a necessity.
On the contrary, if the heat exchange medium is introduced from lower tank 32, the
heat exchange medium is discharged from upper tank 31. Specifically, heat exchange
medium introducing route 41 and heat exchange medium discharging route 42 at side
tank 4 may be disposed in relation to the vertical position. Therefore, if heat exchanger
1 is of thin profile, each cross-sectional area of introducing route 41 and discharging
route 42 at side tank 4 may be sufficiently ensured, and the pressure loss of the
heat exchange medium in side tank 4 may be reduced or eliminated.
[0025] Referring to Fig. 8, a stacked-type multi-flow heat exchanger 50 according to a second
embodiment is described. In the following explanation, the same reference numbers
are used to represent the same parts of stacked-type multi-flow heat exchanger 1 as
shown in Figs. 1-7, and the explanation of the same parts is omitted. As shown in
Fig. 8, in the second embodiment of the present invention, a partitioning plate 51
is disposed in first downstream tank 34, and a partitioning plate 52 is disposed in
second upstream tank 37.
[0026] Therefore, a refrigerant flow route is formed in heat exchanger 50, as follows. In
heat exchanger 50, the heat exchange medium introducing heat exchange medium introducing
route 41 flows into second downstream tank 38, and flows into first downstream tank
34 via a refrigerant flow route 17a of the first group of tubes 7. Refrigerant flow
route 17a between second downstream tank 38 and first downstream tank 34 constitutes
first heat exchange portion 53. Moreover, because a partitioning plate 51 is disposed
in first downstream tank 34 and partitions upper communicating tank 35 and first downstream
tank 34, the heat exchange medium flowing out of first downstream tank 34 flows into
second downstream tank 38 via refrigerant flow route 17b. Refrigerant flow route 17b
between first downstream tank 34 and second downstream tank 38 constitutes a second
heat exchange portion 54. Subsequently, the heat exchange medium flowing out of lower
tank 32 flows into lower communicating tank 39, and flows into upper communicating
tank 35 via refrigerant flow routes 28 and 29. Refrigerant flow routes 28 and 29 between
lower communicating tank 39 and upper communicating tank 35 constitute a third heat
exchange portion 55.
[0027] Subsequently, the heat exchange medium flowing out of upper communicating tank 35
flows into an area of first upstream tank 33 at an opposite side of inlet port 44
and outlet port 45 that is partitioned by partitioning plate 36, and flows into second
upstream tank 37 via a refrigerant flow route 18a. Refrigerant flow route 18a between
first upstream tank 33 and second upstream tank 37 constitutes a fourth heat exchange
portion 56. Moreover, the heat exchange medium flown out of second upstream tank 37
flows into an area of first upstream tank 33 at a side of inlet port 44 and outlet
port 45 that is partitioned by partitioning plate 36 via a refrigerant flow route
18b. Refrigerant flow route 18b between second upstream tank 37 and first upstream
tank 33 constitutes a fifth heat exchange portion 57. The heat exchange medium flowing
out of first upstream tank 33 discharged from heat exchanger I through discharging
route 42.
[0028] In the second embodiment of the present invention, similar to the function of the
first embodiment, the pressure loss of the heat exchange medium in heat exchanger
may be reduced or eliminated, and the occurrence of temperature differential of the
air between heat transfer tubes constituting each heat exchange portion of heat exchanger
1 may be reduced or eliminated, In addition, heat exchange medium having a higher
temperature flows into fourth heat exchange portion 56 and fifth heat exchange portion
57. Nevertheless, the heat exchange medium having a lower temperature flows into second
heat exchange portion 54 and first heat exchange portion 53 relatively adjacent to
inlet port 44 is provided at the downstream side of the air flow direction A,
i.e. at the back side of fourth heat exchange portion 56 and fifth heat exchange portion
57. Consequently, the occurrence of temperature differential of the air passing through
heat exchanger 1 may be suppressed or eliminated.
[0029] As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, if heat
exchanger 1 is of thin profile, at least three heat exchange portions are provided.
Therefore, while a cross-sectional area of the refrigerant route per one heat exchanger
portion is ensured, the length of the refrigerant route in each tank in the longitudinal
direction is reduced. Consequently, the pressure loss of the heat exchange medium
flowing in heat exchanger 1 may be reduced or eliminated, and occurrence of the different
temperature of the heat exchange medium between each heat transfer tube constituting
each heat exchanger portion may be reduced or eliminated.
1. A heat exchanger having a tube group communicating between a first tank and a second
tank, the exchanger comprising:
a first heat exchange portion, wherein said first heat exchange portion is disposed
at a downstream side of air passing through said heat exchanger and has a first group
of tubes, which form a first route of a heat exchange medium;
a second heat exchange portion, wherein said second heat exchange portion is disposed
at an upstream side of the air passing through said heat exchanger and at a back side
of said first heat exchange portion, and said second heat exchange portion has a second
group of tubes, which form a second route of said heat exchange medium; and
a third heat exchange portion, wherein said third heat exchange portion is disposed
at both said upstream and said downstream sides of the air passing through said heat
exchanger and a adjacent to said first heat exchange portion and said second heat
exchange portion, and said third heat exchange portion has a third group of tubes,
which form a third route of said heat exchange medium.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein said first heat exchange portion and said second
heat exchange portion are provided at a heat exchange medium inlet and outlet side,
and said third heat exchange portion is provided at an opposite side of said heat
exchange medium inlet and outlet side, and wherein the heat exchange flow route of
said heat exchanger is formed of said first route of said first heat exchange portion,
said third route of said third heat exchange portion, and said second route of said
second heat exchange portion, in this order.
3. A heat exchanger having a tube group communicating between a first tank and a second
tank, comprising:
a first heat exchange portion, wherein said first heat exchange portion is disposed
at a downstream side of air passing through said heat exchanger and has a first group
of tubes, which form a first route of a heat exchange medium;
a second heat exchange portion, wherein said second heat exchange portion is disposed
at the downstream side of the air passing through said heat exchanger and adjacent
to said first heat exchange portion, and said second heat exchange portion has a second
group of tubes, which form a second route of said heat exchange medium;
a third heat exchange portion, wherein said third heat exchange portion is disposed
at both said upstream and said downstream sides of the air passing through said heat
exchanger and adjacent to said first heat exchange portion and said second heat exchange
portion, and said third heat exchange portion has a third group of tubes, which form
a third route of said heat exchange medium;
a fourth heat exchange portion, wherein said fourth heat exchange portion is disposed
at an upstream side of the air passing through said heat exchanger and at a back side
of said second heat exchanger, and said fourth heat exchange portion has a fourth
group of tubes, which form a fourth route of said heat exchange medium; and
a fifth heat exchange portion, wherein said fifth heat exchange portion is disposed
at the upstream side of the air passing through said heat exchanger and at a back
side of said first heat exchange portion, and said fifth heat exchange portion has
a fifth group of tubes, which form a fifth route of said heat exchange medium.
4. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein said first heat exchange portion and said fifth
heat exchange portion are provided at a heat exchange medium inlet and outlet side,
and said third heat exchange portion is provided at an opposite side of said heat
exchange medium inlet and outlet side, and wherein the heat exchange flow route of
said heat exchanger is formed of said first route of said first heat exchange portion,
said second route of said second heat exchange portion, said third route of said third
heat exchange portion, said fourth route of said fourth heat exchange portion, and
said fifth route of said fifth heat exchange portion, in that order.