BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0001] Embodiments relate to an air conditioner having a refrigeration cycle system.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] An air conditioner is an apparatus to control, e.g., the temperature or humidity
of air through transfer of heat generated during evaporation or condensation of a
refrigerant.
[0003] Generally, a refrigeration cycle system of an air conditioner includes a compressor,
a condenser, an expander, an evaporator, and pipes connecting the above mentioned
elements to one another. In circulation of a refrigerant through the pipes, the refrigerant
is compressed to a high pressure by the compressor and then, is introduced into the
condenser. The refrigerant is condensed via heat emission while passing through the
condenser. The condensed refrigerant is introduced into the expander so as to be expanded
to a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant. As the expanded liquid-phase refrigerant
is introduced into the expander, the refrigerant is evaporated upon receiving heat
from the surrounding air while passing through the evaporator.
[0004] The performance of the air conditioner may be estimated in terms of cooling/heating
capability and energy efficiency. To enhance the cooling/heating capability and energy
efficiency of the air conditioner, it may be necessary to increase heat transfer ability
and efficiency of the condenser.
SUMMARY
[0005] Therefore, it is an aspect to provide an air conditioner having an improved refrigeration
cycle system to enhance air-conditioning performance and an outdoor unit thereof.
[0006] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and,
in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
[0007] In accordance with one aspect, an air conditioner includes a compressor to compress
a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger arranged to undergo heat exchange with the surrounding
air and connected to the compressor through a first connection pipe so as to condense
the gas-phase refrigerant compressed by the compressor, a second heat exchanger arranged
to undergo heat exchange with the surrounding air and connected to the first heat
exchanger through a second connection pipe so as to super-cool the refrigerant condensed
by the first heat exchanger, the super-cooled refrigerant being discharged through
a third connection pipe, and a blower arranged to generate air flow toward the first
heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger includes
a first header in communication with the first connection pipe for introduction of
the refrigerant, a plurality of tubes each having one end in communication with the
first header, and a second header in communication with the other end of each of the
plurality of tubes, and wherein the second heat exchanger includes a heat exchange
pipe that is bent plural times between the second connection pipe and the third connection
pipe.
[0008] The second heat exchanger may be arranged upstream of the first heat exchanger in
a blowing direction of the blower.
[0009] The first heat exchanger may include a plurality of baffles arranged in the first
header and the second header to divide the plurality of tubes into a plurality of
groups, each of the groups may include the plurality of tubes, and the refrigerant
of the first heat exchanger may flow in the same direction through the tubes of the
same group.
[0010] Some of the plurality of groups arranged downstream in a refrigerant flow direction
may include a lower number of tubes than others arranged upstream in the refrigerant
flow direction.
[0011] The second connection pipe may be connected to the first header at one side of the
first heat exchanger, and may be connected to the second heat exchanger at one side
of the second heat exchanger corresponding to the side of the first heat exchanger.
[0012] The first heat exchanger may include a first heat exchange region defined between
the first header and the second header, the second heat exchanger may include a first
bent portion and a second bent portion arranged at opposite sides, and a second heat
exchange region defined between the first bent portion and the second bent portion,
and the first heat exchange region and the second heat exchange region may overlap
each other.
[0013] The first heat exchange region and the second heat exchange region may have the same
shape.
[0014] A distance between the first bent portion and the second bent portion of the second
heat exchanger may be substantially equal to a distance between the first header and
the second header of the first heat exchanger.
[0015] A height of the first heat exchange region may be substantially equal to a height
of the second heat exchange region.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes
a compressor to compress a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger connected to the compressor
so as to condense the gas-phase refrigerant compressed by the compressor and including
a first header, a second header and a plurality of tubes arranged between the first
header and the second header to define a first heat exchange region, a second heat
exchanger connected to the first heat exchanger so as to super-cool the refrigerant
condensed by the first heat exchanger and including a heat exchange pipe that is bent
plural times to define a second heat exchange region, and a blower arranged to generate
air flow passing through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein
the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged parallel to each
other in a blowing direction of the blower.
[0017] The blower may include an axial flow fan, and the second heat exchanger, the first
heat exchanger and the axial flow fan may be arranged sequentially in the blowing
direction.
[0018] The first heat exchange region and the second heat exchange region may have substantially
the same shape and size.
[0019] The first heat exchanger may include a plurality of baffles arranged in the first
header and the second header to divide the plurality of tubes into a plurality of
groups, each of the groups may include the plurality of tubes, and the refrigerant
of the first heat exchanger may flow in the same given direction when passing through
the tubes of the same group, and may flow in different directions when passing through
the tubes of the neighboring two groups.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from
the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings of which:
FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an outdoor unit of the air conditioner according
to an embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a fan, a first heat exchanger and a second
heat exchanger included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an
embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the first heat exchanger; and
FIG. 5 is a front view of the second heat exchanger.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout. FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating an air conditioner according
to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an outdoor unit of
the air conditioner according to an embodiment.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor
unit 3. Constituent elements of a refrigeration cycle system are mounted in the indoor
unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3. These constituent elements are connected to one another
via a refrigerant line 4.
[0023] The indoor unit 2 is arranged in an indoor space of a building to cool or heat indoor
air. The outdoor unit 3 is arranged outdoors to enable heat exchange between a refrigerant
circulating through the refrigerant line 4 and outdoor air. The indoor unit 2 and
the outdoor unit 3 may be separated from or integrated with each other.
[0024] In one example in which an indoor unit functions as a cooler, the indoor unit 2 includes
an evaporator 10. As a fan 14 is driven by a motor 12, indoor air is fed toward the
evaporator 10. A refrigerant passing through the evaporator 10 is evaporated by absorbing
heat from the indoor air fed by the fan 14, and the high-temperature indoor air is
cooled and is discharged into an indoor space.
[0025] The outdoor unit 3 includes a compressor 20, a first heat exchanger 40, a second
heat exchanger 60, and a blower 80.
[0026] The compressor 20 is connected to the evaporator 10 via a refrigerant pipe 4a and
compresses the evaporated refrigerant from the evaporator 10, generating a high-temperature
and high-pressure refrigerant.
[0027] The first exchanger 40 is arranged to undergo heat exchange with the surrounding
air and is connected to the compressor 20 via a first connection pipe 4b. The compressed
gas-phase refrigerant generated in the compressor 20 is introduced into the first
heat exchanger 40 and is condensed by emitting heat to the surrounding air while passing
through the first heat exchanger 40.
[0028] The second heat exchanger 60 is connected to the first heat exchanger 40 via a second
connection pipe 4c. The second heat exchanger 60 undergoes heat exchange with the
surrounding air, to super-cool the refrigerant condensed by the first heat exchanger
40.
[0029] When the refrigerant is condensed and cooled by the sequentially arranged first and
second heat exchangers 40 and 60, the air conditioner 1 may achieve enhanced refrigerant
super-cooling performance and thus, enhanced cooling capability thereof. In addition,
since the second heat exchanger 60 has an interior space to accommodate a liquid-phase
refrigerant therein, the refrigerant line 4 may be filled with a great quantity of
refrigerant. This may enhance the cooling capability of the air conditioner 1 and
the super-cooling efficiency of the refrigerant without a significant increase in
condensation pressure or evaporation pressure of the refrigerant.
[0030] The blower 80 generates air flow toward the first heat exchanger 40 and the second
heat exchanger 60 as a fan 84 is rotated by a motor 82. The second heat exchanger
60 may be arranged upstream of the first heat exchanger 40 in a blowing direction
F of the blower 80.
[0031] The above described configuration raises the overall efficiency of the first heat
exchanger 40 and the second heat exchanger 60. Specifically, since the refrigerant
inside the second heat exchanger 60 has a lower temperature than that of the refrigerant
inside the first heat exchanger 40, it may be possible to raise the efficiency of
the second heat exchanger 60 when the second heat exchanger 60 first undergoes heat
exchange with the blown air. Also, even if a temperature of the blown air increases
due to heat transferred from the second heat exchanger 60, the refrigerant inside
the first heat exchanger 40 having a relatively higher temperature may efficiently
undergo heat exchange with the increased temperature of air.
[0032] The super-cooled refrigerant, having passed through the second heat exchanger 60,
is discharged from the second heat exchanger 60 through a third connection pipe 4d.
The discharged super-cooled refrigerant is introduced into the expander 100 thus being
lowered in pressure and then, is fed into the evaporator 10 through a refrigerant
pipe 4e.
[0033] Although FIG. 1 illustrates the expander 100 provided in the outdoor unit 3, the
expander 100 may be provided in the indoor unit 2.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 3 includes a box-shaped case 120. The case 120
is formed by coupling a front plate 122, a rear plate 124, both lateral plates 126
and 128, a top plate 130 and a bottom plate 132. The rear plate 124 and one lateral
plate 126 may be formed of a single right-angled panel. The rear plate 124 has a suction
grill 125 for suction of outdoor air.
[0035] The other lateral plate 128 has an opening (not shown) for passage of the refrigerant
pipes and electric wires for power supply. A cover 134 is coupled to the opening.
[0036] The front plate 122 has a discharge hole 123 to discharge air out of the case 120.
A fan guard 136 is coupled to the discharge hole 123 to prevent external impurities
from entering the outdoor unit 3.
[0037] The compressor 20, the first heat exchanger 40, the second heat exchanger 60 and
the blower 80 are arranged inside the case 120.
[0038] The blower 80 may include the axial flow fan 84 and the motor 82 to drive the axial
flow fan 84. The blower 80 is fixed to a supporting member 86 and in turn, upper and
lower ends of the supporting member 86 are coupled respectively to the top plate 130
and the bottom plate 132 so as to be coupled to the case 120.
[0039] The axial flow fan 84 includes a hub 84a coupled to a rotating shaft of the motor
82, and blades 84b extending from the hub 84a in a radial direction and arranged in
a circumferential direction of the hub 84a. When the axial flow fan 84 is rotated
by the motor 82, an air stream in an axial direction F is generated.
[0040] A partition 138 is used to separate a space for installation of the compressor 20
from a space for installation of the axial flow fan 84. An electric box 140, in which
a variety of electric elements are accommodated, is arranged in an upper region of
the space for installation of the compressor 20.
[0041] The first heat exchanger 40 and the second heat exchanger 60 are arranged between
the suction grill 125 and the axial flown fan 84 in the blowing direction F of the
blower 80. Outdoor air suctioned through the suction grill 125 absorbs heat from the
first heat exchanger 40 and the second heat exchanger 60 thus acting to cool the refrigerant
and then, is discharged out of the case 120 through the discharge hole 123.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a fan, a first heat exchanger and a second
heat exchanger included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an
embodiment, FIG. 4 is a front view of the first heat exchanger, and FIG. 5 is a front
view of the second heat exchanger.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first heat exchanger 40 is a so-called parallel flow
heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger 40 includes a first header 42 and a second
header 44 each defining a space therein, and a plurality of tubes 46 connecting the
first header 42 and the second header 44 to each other. The first header 42, the second
header 44 and the tubes 46 may be made of aluminum materials having superior heat
transfer characteristics.
[0044] The first header 42 and the second header 44 extend vertically and are horizontally
spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance on the drawing. The first
connection pipe 4b and the second connection pipe 4c are connected respectively to
upper and lower positions of the first header 42. The positions of the first connection
pipe 4b and the second connection pipe 4c may be reversed.
[0045] The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor 20
is introduced into the first heat exchanger 40 through the first connection pipe 4b.
Also, the condensed refrigerant having passed through the first heat exchanger 40
is fed into the second heat exchanger 60 through the second connection pipe 4c.
[0046] One end of each of the tubes 46 is in communication with the first header 42, and
the other opposite end of each of the tubes 46 is in communication with the second
header 44. Air paths 48 are defined between the respective tubes 46 to enable air
passage.
[0047] The first heat exchanger 40 has a first heat exchange region 50 in which the refrigerant
inside the first heat exchanger 40 undergoes heat exchange with the air stream. The
first heat exchange region 50 may be defined between the first header 42 and the second
header 44 in consideration of the fact that most heat exchange occurs in the air paths
48 and the tubes 46 located between the first header 42 and the second header 44.
[0048] Fins 52 to facilitate heat exchange are arranged in the air paths 48. The fins 52
may be made of aluminum materials, and may be soldered to the neighboring tubes 46.
Although FIG. 4 illustrates waveform-shaped fins 52 extending between the first header
42 and the second header 44, the shape of the fins 52 may be changed.
[0049] Baffles 54a, 54b and 54c are arranged in the first header 42 and the second header
44. The baffles 54a, 54b and 54c divide the tubes 46 of the first heat exchanger 40
into a plurality of groups. A first group G1 is divided by the baffle 54a arranged
upstream in a refrigerant flow direction inside the first header 42. A second group
G2 is defined between the baffle 54a and the baffle 54b arranged in the second header
44. A third group G3 is defined between the baffle 54b inside the second header 44
and the baffle 54c arranged downstream of the first header 42. A fourth group G4 is
divided by the baffle 54c arranged downstream of the first header 42.
[0050] When the refrigerant passes through the first heat exchanger 40, the refrigerant
flows in the same given direction when passing through the tubes of the same group,
but flows in different directions when passing through the tubes of the neighboring
two groups.
[0051] More specifically, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, introduced
into the first header 42 through the first connection pipe 4b, undergoes heat exchange
with the surrounding air while flowing to the second header 44 through the tubes 46
of the first group G1. The refrigerant, having passed through the tubes 46 of the
first group G1, is merged into the second header 44 and thereafter, is distributed
into the tubes 46 of the second group G2. The distributed refrigerant undergoes heat
exchange with the surrounding air while flowing to the first header 44 through the
tubes 46 of the second group G2. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows to the second header
44 through the tubes 46 of the third group G3 and returns to the first header 42 through
the tubes 46 of the fourth group G4, thereby being discharged through the second connection
pipe 4c.
[0052] Of the first to fourth groups G1, G2, G3 and G4, some of the groups arranged farther
downstream than the other groups in the refrigerant flow direction may include a lower
number of the tubes 46 than the other upstream groups. FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment
in which the first to fourth groups G1, G2, G3 and G4 include 6, 5, 3 and 2 tubes
respectively.
[0053] The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant present upstream of the first
heat exchanger 40 shows a relatively faster flow rate, whereas the condensed refrigerant
present downstream of the first heat exchanger 40 shows a relatively slower flow rate.
Accordingly, when the refrigerant flows through a great number of tubes upstream of
the first heat exchanger 40, heat exchange ability and efficiency may be enhanced.
[0054] Although FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which the three baffles 54a, 54b and
54c divide the tubes into the four groups G1, G2, G3 and G4, the number of the baffles
may be changed according to the number of groups to be divided.
[0055] The refrigerant introduced into the second heat exchanger 60 through the second connection
pipe 4c is super-cooled while passing through the second heat exchanger 60, and is
discharged out of the second heat exchanger 60 through the third connection pipe 4d.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the second heat exchanger 60 includes a serpentine heat
exchange pipe 62 that is bent plural times between the second connection pipe 4c and
the third connection pipe 4d. The heat exchange pipe 62 has a first bent portion 64
and a second bent portion 66 arranged at opposite sides.
[0057] The refrigerant having passed through the first bent portion 64 flows to the second
bent portion 66, and the flow direction of the refrigerant is reversed at the second
bent portion 66. The refrigerant having passed through the second bent portion 66
flows to the first bent portion 64 and the flow direction of the refrigerant is again
reversed at the first bent portion 64 so as to flow to the second bent portion 66.
[0058] The second heat exchanger 60 has a second heat exchange region 70 in which the refrigerant
inside the second heat exchanger 60 undergoes heat exchange with the air stream. The
second heat exchange region 70 may be defined between the first bent portion 64 and
the second bent portion 66 in consideration of the fact that most heat exchange occurs
in the heat exchange pipe 62 between the first bent portion 64 and the second bent
portion 66.
[0059] Fins 68 to facilitate heat exchange are coupled to the heat exchange pipe 62. The
fins 68 may be press-fitted into the heat exchange pipe 62. The fins 68 are made of
thin metal plates having superior heat transfer characteristics and may be arranged
between the first bent portion 64 and the second bent portion 66.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, the second heat exchanger 60, the first heat exchanger 40 and
the axial flow fan 84 are arranged sequentially in the blowing direction F. To allow
the air blown by the axial flow fan 84 to pass through the second heat exchanger 60
and the first heat exchanger 40 in sequence, the first heat exchange region 50 of
the first heat exchanger 40 and the second heat exchange region 70 of the second heat
exchanger 60 may overlap each other. This arrangement may provide the outdoor unit
3 with compactness and the second heat exchanger 60 with enhanced efficiency, causing
enhanced super-cooling performance and cooling capability of the air conditioner 1.
[0061] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first heat exchange region 50 and the second heat
exchange region 70 may have substantially the same shape and size. A distance D1 between
the first header 42 and the second header 44 of the first heat exchanger 40 may be
substantially equal to a distance D2 between the first bent portion 64 and the second
bent portion 66 of the second heat exchanger 60. Also, a distance H1 between the uppermost
and lowermost tubes of the first heat exchanger 40 (i.e. a height of the first heat
exchange region 50) may be substantially equal to a distance H2 between upper and
lower ends of the heat exchange pipe 62 of the second heat exchanger 60 (i.e. a height
of the second heat exchange region 70).
[0062] In the meantime, as shown in FIG. 2, the second connection pipe 4c may be connected
to the first header 42 at one side of the first heat exchanger 40 and also, may be
connected to the second heat exchanger 60 at one side of the second heat exchanger
60 corresponding to the side of the first heat exchanger 40. This configuration simplifies
piping between the first heat exchanger 40 and the second heat exchanger 60, realizing
compactness of the outdoor unit 3.
[0063] As apparent from the above description, the air conditioner according to the embodiment
having the above described configuration may exhibit enhanced capability and efficiency,
resulting in excellent performance without using a large size outdoor unit.
[0064] Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated
by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined
in the claims and their equivalents.
1. An air conditioner, comprising:
a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant;
a first heat exchanger arranged to exchange heat with the surrounding air and
connected to the compressor through a first connection pipe so as to condense the
gas-phase refrigerant compressed by the compressor;
a second heat exchanger arranged to exchange heat with the surrounding air and
connected to the first heat exchanger through a second connection pipe so as to super-cool
the refrigerant condensed by the first heat exchanger, the super-cooled refrigerant
being discharged through a third connection pipe; and
a blower arranged to generate air flow toward the first heat exchanger and the second
heat exchanger,
wherein the first heat exchanger includes a first header in communication with the
first connection pipe for introduction of the refrigerant, a plurality of tubes each
having one end in communication with the first header, and a second header in communication
with the other end of each of the plurality of tubes, and
wherein the second heat exchanger includes a heat exchange pipe that is bent plural
times between the second connection pipe and the third connection pipe.
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the second heat exchanger is arranged
upstream of the first heat exchanger in a blowing direction of the blower.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:
the first heat exchanger includes a plurality of baffles arranged in the first header
and the second header to divide the plurality of tubes into a plurality of groups;
each of the groups includes the plurality of tubes; and
the refrigerant of the first heat exchanger flows in the same direction through the
tubes of the same group.
4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the refrigerant of the first heat
exchanger flows in different directions when passing through the tubes of the neighboring
two groups.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein some of the plurality of groups
arranged downstream in a refrigerant flow direction include a lower number of tubes
than others arranged upstream in the refrigerant flow direction.
6. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second connection
pipe is connected to the first header at one side of the first heat exchanger, and
is connected to the second heat exchanger at one side of the second heat exchanger
corresponding to the side of the first heat exchanger.
7. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:
the first heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange region defined between the
first header and the second header;
the second heat exchanger includes a first bent portion and a second bent portion
arranged at opposite sides, and a second heat exchange region defined between the
first bent portion and the second bent portion; and
the first heat exchange region and the second heat exchange region overlap each other.
8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the first heat exchange region and
the second heat exchange region have the same shape.
9. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein a distance between the first bent
portion and the second bent portion of the second heat exchanger is substantially
equal to a distance between the first header and the second header of the first heat
exchanger.
10. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein a height of the first heat exchange
region is substantially equal to a height of the second heat exchange region.
11. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein:
the blower includes an axial flow fan; and
the second heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger and the axial flow fan are arranged
sequentially in the blowing direction.