HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a heat exchanger according to the spirit of the present disclosure which includes an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe and a connection pipe configured to connect a first header with a second header. In the heat exchanger, since a refrigerant exchanges heat while flowing in only one of an upward direction and a downward direction, circulation of the refrigerant may be improved, and since each of the first header and the second header includes a plurality of divided chambers formed therein, and the refrigerant may be repeatedly distributed according to a flow of the refrigerant passing through each chamber, distribution and mixing of the refrigerant may be improved.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is related to and claims benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0009492, filed on Jan. 20, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heat exchanger, and more particularly, to a heat exchanger having an improved circulation and distribution structure of a refrigerant.

BACKGROUND

In general, a heat exchanger is a device including a tube in which a refrigerant flows and which exchanges heat with external air, a heat exchanger fin which is in contact with the tube so as to increase a heat sink area, and a header with which both ends of the tube are in communication, and thus the refrigerant exchanges heat with the external air. The heat exchanger includes an evaporator or a condenser, and forms a refrigeration cycle apparatus together with a compressor which compresses the refrigerant and an expansion valve which expands the refrigerant.

The heat exchanger may have an inlet pipe through which an external refrigerant is introduced, and the refrigerant introduced through the inlet pipe may be distributed to a plurality of tubes via the header. To increase heat exchange efficiency, the plurality of tubes may be provided in two rows. In a cooling operation, a flow of the refrigerant includes an upward flow (against a direction of gravity) and a downward flow (in the direction of gravity), and even in a warming operation, the upward flow and the downward flow coexist in directions opposite to those in the cooling operation.

However, in the case of the upward flow in the warming operation, a condensate is generated in the tube, and an increase in viscosity and density of the refrigerant due to the condensate serves as resistance against the upward flow of the refrigerant, and obstructs the distribution of the refrigerant in a distributor, and degrades performance. Therefore, a new structure which allows only the downward flow of the refrigerant in the tube during the warming operation and thus enhances and improves the heat exchange efficiency and the circulation and distribution of the refrigerant is required.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary object to provide a heat exchanger which improves circulation of a refrigerant so that the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows in only one of an upward direction and a downward direction.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a heat exchanger which improves the circulation of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows only in a direction of gravity when the refrigerant is under a condensation condition, and flows only against the direction of gravity when the refrigerant is under an evaporation condition. It is still another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a heat exchanger in which a distribution structure of the refrigerant in a header is improved. Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger includes tubes in which a refrigerant flows and exchanges heat with external air, and which are arranged in a plurality of rows having a first row and a second row; a first header connected to one ends of the tubes; a second header connected to the other ends of the tubes; an inlet pipe through which the refrigerant is introduced into the first header from an outside; an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant is discharged from the second header to the outside; and a connection pipe provided to enable the refrigerant to bypass the tubes and to flow from the second header to the first header.

The first header may include a first chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the first row, a second chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the second row, a third chamber which distributes the refrigerant to the first chamber, and a fourth chamber which distributes the refrigerant to the second chamber. The first chamber may include a first sub-chamber in which the refrigerant is introduced from the inlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber in which the refrigerant is introduced from the third chamber and which enables the refrigerant to flow to the tubes in the first row, and the second chamber may include a first sub-chamber in which the refrigerant is introduced from the connection pipe, and a second sub-chamber in which the refrigerant is introduced from the fourth chamber and which enables the refrigerant to flow to the tubes in the second row.

The third chamber may include a through-hole through which the refrigerant is introduced from the first sub-chamber of the first chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the third chamber and to distribute the refrigerant to the second sub-chamber of the first chamber, and the fourth chamber may include a through-hole through which the refrigerant is introduced from the first sub-chamber of the second chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the fourth chamber and to distribute the refrigerant to the second sub-chamber of the second chamber.

Each of the distribution holes of the third chamber and the fourth chamber may be formed so that a length thereof in a lengthwise direction of the first header is longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the first header. Each of the third chamber and the fourth chamber may have three distribution holes. Each of the distribution holes of the third chamber may be formed so that a length thereof in a lengthwise direction of the third chamber is longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the third chamber, and the distribution holes of the fourth chamber may be formed so that a diameter of the distribution hole located at a side of the through-hole is smaller than a diameter of the distribution hole located at another side.

Each of the third chamber and the fourth chamber may have two distribution holes, and the distribution hole of the fourth chamber which is located at the side of the through-hole may have a diameter of 5 mm or less. The first header may include cover baffles which are coupled to both ends of the first header to seal both opened ends of the first chamber and the second chamber.

The first header may include caps which are coupled to both ends of the first header to seal both opened ends of the third chamber and the fourth chamber. The first header may include a partition baffle which divides the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber of the first chamber, and a partition baffle which divides the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber of the second chamber. The first header may include a first chamber which is in communication with the inlet pipe and the tubes in the first row, a second chamber which is in communication with the connection pipe and the tubes in the second row, a third chamber which is in communication with the first chamber, and a fourth chamber which is in communication with the second chamber, and the second header may include a fifth chamber which is in communication with the connection pipe and the tubes in the first row, a sixth chamber which is in communication with the outlet pipe and the tubes in the second row, a seventh chamber which is in communication with the fifth chamber, and an eighth chamber which is in communication with the sixth chamber.

The first chamber may include a first sub-chamber which is in communication with the inlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber which is in communication with the tubes in the first row, and the second chamber may include a first sub-chamber which is in communication with the connection pipe, and a second sub-chamber which is in communication with the tubes in the second row, and the fifth chamber may include a first sub-chamber which is in communication with the connection pipe, and a second sub-chamber which is in communication with the tubes in the first row, and the sixth chamber may include a first sub-chamber which is in communication with the outlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber which is in communication with the tubes in the second row.

The third chamber may include a through-hole which is in communication with the first sub-chamber of the first chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the first header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber of the first chamber, and the fourth chamber may include a through-hole which is in communication with the first sub-chamber of the second chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in the lengthwise direction of the first header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber of the second chamber, and the seventh chamber may include a through-hole which is in communication with the first sub-chamber of the fifth chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the second header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber of the fifth chamber, and the eighth chamber may include a through-hole which is in communication with the first sub-chamber of the sixth chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in the lengthwise direction of the second header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber of the sixth chamber.

Each of the distribution holes of the third chamber and the fourth chamber may be formed so that a length thereof in the lengthwise direction of the first header is longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the first header, and each of the distribution holes of the seventh chamber may be formed so that a length thereof in a lengthwise direction of the seventh chamber is longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the seventh chamber, and the distribution holes of the eighth chamber may be formed so that a diameter of the distribution hole located at a side of the through-hole is smaller than a diameter of the distribution hole located at another side.

The first header may include a body and a cover, and the cover may be coupled with the body, and may form a first chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the first row and a second chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the second row, and the body may include a third chamber which distributes the refrigerant to the first chamber and a fourth chamber which distributes the refrigerant to the second chamber. The body may include a central partition wall which divides the first chamber and the second chamber, and the cover may include a coupling hole through which a part of the central partition wall passes. The body of the first header may include a wall which forms an internal space, and a tube stopper which protrudes from the wall toward the tubes so as to restrict an insertion depth of the tubes. The body of the first header may be formed of an extruded material of aluminum, and the cover of the first header may be formed of a clad material of aluminum, and the cover may be bonded to the body by brazing.

The cover may include a first cover which forms the first chamber, and a second cover which forms the second chamber. In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger includes tubes in which a refrigerant flows and exchanges heat with external air, and which are arranged in a plurality of rows having a first row and a second row; a first header connected to one ends of the tubes and including a plurality of chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant; a second header connected to the other ends of the tubes and including a plurality of chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant; an inlet pipe through which the refrigerant is introduced into the first header from an outside; and an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant is discharged from the second header to the outside. Each of the first header and the second header may include divided four chambers.

The first header and the second header may be connected with each other by a connection pipe provided to enable the refrigerant to bypass the tubes, and the first header may include a first chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the inlet pipe and the tubes in the first row, a second chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the connection pipe and the tubes in the second row, a third chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the first chamber, and a fourth chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the second chamber, and the second header may include a fifth chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the connection pipe and the tubes in the first row, a sixth chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the outlet pipe and the tubes in the second row, a seventh chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the third chamber, and an eighth chamber which enables the refrigerant to flow through the fourth chamber.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger includes tubes arranged in a plurality of rows having a first row and a second row and in which a refrigerant in the tubes in the first row and the tubes in the second row flows in the same direction and exchanges heat with external air; a first header connected to one ends of the tubes and including a plurality of chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant; a second header connected to the other ends of the tubes and including a plurality of chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant; an inlet pipe through which the refrigerant is introduced into the first header from an outside; and an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant is discharged from the second header to the outside.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an external appearance of a body of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header illustrating a coupling structure between an inlet pipe and a connection pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the first header illustrating a periphery of the inlet pipe and the connection pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an perspective view illustrating a structure of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating an external appearance of a body of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of a header of a heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a flow of a refrigerant in a warming cycle of the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant in a cooling cycle of the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 16, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged heat exchanger. Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of tubes 10 which has a refrigerant flowing therein and exchanges heat with external air, a first header 100 and a second header 200 with each of which the plurality of tubes 10 are in communication, an inlet pipe 300 through which the refrigerant is introduced from an outside when a warming cycle is driven, and discharged to the outside when a cooling cycle is driven, an outlet pipe 400 through which the refrigerant is discharged to the outside when the warming cycle is driven, and introduced from the outside when the cooling cycle is driven, a connection pipe 500 which connects the first header 100 with the second header 200, a flange 600 which fixes the inlet pipe 300 and the connection pipe 500 to the first header 100, a flange 600 which fixes the outlet pipe 400 and the connection pipe 500 to the second header 200, an inlet connection tube 310 which connects the inlet pipe 300 with the flange 600, an outlet connection tube 410 which connects the outlet pipe 400 with the flange 600, and a connection pipe connection tube 510 which connects the connection pipe 500 with the flange 600.

The tubes 10 may have a plurality of micro-channels formed therein to enable the refrigerant to flow. The tubes 10 may be formed flat. The tubes 10 may be arranged in two rows of a front row 11 and a rear row 12. The tubes 10 may be vertically arranged. The tubes 10 may be extruded of an aluminum material.

Although not shown in the drawing, a heat exchanger fin which is in contact with the tubes to increase a heat transfer area with external air may be disposed between the tubes 10. The heat exchanger fin may be disposed to be in contact with walls of the tubes 10. The heat exchanger fin may be provided in various well-known types such as a corrugated fin, and may have a louver for enhancing heat transfer and drain performance. The heat exchanger fin may be formed of an aluminum material and may be bonded to the tubes 10 by brazing.

The first header 100 and the second header 200 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other, and the tubes 10 may be disposed between the first header 100 and the second header 200. The first header 100 may be disposed at upper portions of the tubes 10, and the second header 200 may be disposed at lower portions of the tubes 10.

One inlet pipe 300, one outlet pipe 400 and one connection pipe 500 may be provided. The refrigerant may be introduced into the first header 100 through the inlet pipe 300, and the refrigerant may be discharged from the second header 200 to an outside through the outlet pipe 400. Also, the refrigerant may be discharged to the connection pipe 500 without passing through the tubes 10, and then may be introduced again into the first header 100.

A diameter of the inlet pipe 300 may be provided larger than that of the connection pipe 500, and a diameter of the outlet pipe 400 may be provided smaller than that of the connection pipe 500. A high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant passed through a compressor may be introduced into the inlet pipe 300. The refrigerant introduced into the inlet pipe 300 passes through the tubes 10, and is condensed due to a loss of heat to the outside, and the condensed refrigerant may be discharged to the outside through the outlet pipe 400. Therefore, in such a warming cycle, the heat exchanger 1 may serve as a condenser.

On the contrary to this, a low temperature and low pressure liquid or gaseous refrigerant passed through an expansion valve is introduced through the outlet pipe 400, and evaporated by absorbing external heat while passing through the tubes 10, and the evaporated refrigerant may be discharged to the outside through the inlet pipe 300. Therefore, in such a cooling cycle, the heat exchanger 1 may serve as an evaporator.

Hereinafter, the case in which the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is used as the condenser will be mainly described. However, it is natural that, when the refrigerant is circulated in the reverse cycle as described above, the heat exchanger should serve as the evaporator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an external appearance of a body of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view taken along a line which passes through a center of the inlet pipe of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6, the first header 100 of the heat exchanger 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body 110, a cover 120 which is coupled to the body 110, and chambers 160, 170, 180 and 190 which are provided inside the body 110 and the cover 120 and in which the refrigerant flows. The body 110 includes a wall 112, and a central partition wall 111 which protrudes from a center of the wall 112. The cover 120 includes a lower wall 121, and side walls 122 which extend from both sides of the lower wall 121.

Coupling grooves 113 may be formed at the wall 112, and ends of the side walls 122 of the cover 120 are inserted into the coupling groove 113, respectively, and thus the body 110 and the cover 120 may be firmly coupled to each other. All of the body 110 and the cover 120 may be formed of an aluminum material, or the body 110 may be formed of an extruded material, and the cover 120 may be formed of a clad material, and the body 110 and the cover 120 may be bonded to each other by brazing.

The chambers 160, 170, 180 and 190 may be divided into a first chamber 160 and a second chamber 170 by the central partition wall 111 and the cover 120, and may also be divided into a third chamber 180 and a fourth chamber 190 in an internal space formed by the wall 112 of the body 110. The first chamber 160 may be connected with the tubes 10 in a first row 11, and the second chamber 170 may be connected with the tubes 10 in a second row 12. Also, the refrigerant may be introduced into the first chamber 160 through the inlet pipe 300, and the refrigerant may also be introduced into the second chamber 170 through the connection pipe 500.

A coupling hole 123 may be formed at a center of the lower wall 121, and a coupling protrusion 111a which passes through the coupling hole 123 may be formed at a lower end of the central partition wall 111, and thus the first chamber 160 and the second chamber 170 may be fundamentally isolated from each other by passing the coupling protrusion 111a through the coupling hole 123.

Both surfaces of each of the first chamber 160 and the second chamber 170 are opened, and cover baffles 130 may be coupled to both ends of the first header 100 to cover the opened surfaces. The cover baffles 130 may be inserted into cover baffle holes 114 and 127 which are formed at the body 110 and the cover 120, respectively, and thus may be coupled to the first header 100. The cover baffles 130 may be bonded to the first header 100 by brazing. All of the cover baffles 130 may have the same shape, and may perform the same function.

Tube holes 124 in which the tubes 10 are inserted may be formed at the cover 120. An inlet hole 125 through which the refrigerant introduced through the inlet pipe 300 passes and a connection pipe hole 126 through which the refrigerant flows to the connection pipe 500 may be formed at the cover 120. Also, the body 110 may include a tube stopper 116 which restricts an insertion depth of the tubes 10. The tube stopper 116 may protrude from an outside of a lower portion of the wall 112, and may prevent the tubes 10 from being excessively inserted into the first chamber 160 and the second chamber 170. Meanwhile, the first chamber 160 is divided into a first sub-chamber 161 and a second sub-chamber 162. The first chamber 160 may be divided into the first sub-chamber 161 and the second sub-chamber 162 by a partition baffle 150 which is coupled to the first header 100. The partition baffle 150 may be inserted into a partition baffle hole 115 formed at the body 110, and may be coupled to the first header 100. The partition baffle 150 may be bonded to the first header 100 by brazing.

Therefore, the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160 and the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 may be formed by the partition baffle 150, the cover baffle 130, the body 110 and the cover 120. At this time, the refrigerant may be introduced into the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160 through the inlet pipe 300, and the tubes 10 in the first row 11 may be connected to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160. The refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160 may flow to the third chamber 180 through a through-hole 117, and the refrigerant introduced into the third chamber 180 may flow to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 through a distribution hole 118. That is, by the partition baffle 150, the first chamber 160 is divided into the first sub-chamber 161 in which the refrigerant is introduced, and the second sub-chamber 162 in which the refrigerant in the third chamber 180 is introduced and which is connected with the tubes 10 in the first row 11.

Like the first chamber 160, the second chamber 170 is divided into a first sub-chamber 171 and a second sub-chamber 172. The second chamber 170 may be divided into the first sub-chamber 171 and the second sub-chamber 172 by the partition baffle 150 which is coupled to the first header 100. Therefore, the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 and the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170 may also be formed by the partition baffle 150, the cover baffle 130, the body 110 and the cover 120.

At this time, the refrigerant may be introduced into the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 through the connection pipe 500, and the tubes 10 in the second row 12 may be connected to the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170. The refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 may flow to the fourth chamber 190 through the through-hole 117, and the refrigerant introduced into the fourth chamber 190 may flow to the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170 through the distribution hole 118. That is, by the partition baffle 150, the second chamber 170 is divided into the first sub-chamber 171 in which the refrigerant is introduced, and the second sub-chamber 172 in which the refrigerant in the fourth chamber 190 is introduced and which is connected with the tubes 10 in the second row 12.

Meanwhile, the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190 formed by the wall 112 of the body 110 are arranged in lengthwise directions of the first chamber 160 and the second chamber 170 so that the refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160 and the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 flows to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 and the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170, respectively. The third chamber 180 may serve to equally distribute the refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160 to the tubes 10 of the first row 11, and the fourth chamber 190 may serve to equally distribute the refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 to the tubes 10 of the second row 12.

As a result, the partition baffle 150, the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190 form a warming distributor in which, when the warming cycle is driven, the refrigerant introduced into the first chamber 160 through the inlet pipe 300 and the refrigerant introduced into the second chamber 170 through the connection pipe 500 are equally distributed to the tubes 10. Both surfaces of each of the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190 are opened, and caps 140 may be inserted into both ends of the body 110 to cover the opened surfaces and thus may be coupled to the first header 100. The caps 140 may be bonded to the first header 100 by brazing. All of the caps 140 have the same shape and perform the same function.

Each of the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190 may have at least one distribution hole 118 located at a position which is spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the partition baffle 150 toward the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 and the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170, such that the refrigerant in the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160 and the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 which is introduced through each through-hole 117 flows to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 and the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170.

Therefore, the refrigerant in the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160 and the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 which is introduced through each through-hole 117 may pass, in turn, through each internal space and each distribution hole 118 of the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190, and may flow to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 and the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170.

As illustrated well in FIG. 5, each length of the through-holes 117 and the distribution holes 118 of the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190 in a lengthwise direction of the first header 100 may be formed longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the first header 100, and may be formed downward to be directed to the first chamber 160 and the second chamber 170. Also, each of the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190 may have one through-hole 117, and each of the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190 may have three distribution holes 118 which are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals.

As illustrated well in FIG. 6, the refrigerant introduced into the internal space of the third chamber 180 may flow to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 through the distribution hole 118, and then may be equally distributed to the tubes 10 in the first row 11. In FIG. 6, a solid line indicates the flow of the refrigerant in the warming cycle, and a dotted line indicates the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling cycle. By such a structure, the refrigerant introduced into the internal space of the fourth chamber 190 may flow to the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170 through the distribution hole 118, and then may be equally distributed to the tubes 10 in the second row 12.

As a result, the refrigerant introduced into the first chamber 160 through the inlet pipe 300 may be equally dispersed and may be distributed to the tubes 10 in the first row 11, and the refrigerant introduced into the second chamber 170 through the connection pipe 500 may be equally dispersed and may be distributed to the tubes 10 in the second row 12. In addition, the refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160 and the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 may be autonomously mixed and stabilized in the first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160 and the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170, before flowing to the internal spaces of the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190. Therefore, distribution of the refrigerant and heat exchange efficiency may be increased.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header illustrating a coupling structure between the inlet pipe and the connection pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the first header illustrating a periphery of the inlet pipe and the connection pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inlet pipe 300 may be firmly coupled to the first header 100 through the inlet connection tube 310 and the flange 600. The connection pipe 500 may be firmly coupled to the first header 100 through the connection pipe connection tube 510 and the flange 600. The inlet connection tube 310 and the connection pipe connection tube 510 are formed of a stainless material, and thus may prevent corrosion due to the bonding between different materials, i.e., the inlet pipe 300 and the connection pipe 500 formed of a copper material and the first header 100 and the flange 600 formed of an aluminum material.

As illustrated well in FIG. 7, the inlet pipe 300 and the connection pipe 500 are fitted into and brazing-bonded to an expanded part 311 of the inlet connection tube 310 and an expanded part 511 of the connection pipe connection tube 510. The inlet connection tube 310 and the connection pipe connection tube 510 may be bonded to the flange 600 by brazing. At this time, a solder ring coupling groove 113 is formed at an outer side surface of the flange 600, and solder rings 320 and 520 are inserted into the solder ring coupling groove 113, and thus the inlet connection tube 310 and the connection pipe connection tube 510 may be easily bonded to the flange 600 by brazing.

The flange 600 may be bonded to an outer side surface of the first header 100 by brazing. Also, the flange 600 may be fastened to the first header 100 by a rivet to reinforce a bonding force. To this end, rivet holes 620 and 128 may be formed at the flange 600 and the first header 100, respectively. At this time, an insertion groove 530 in which the coupling protrusion 111a of the central partition wall 111 of the first header 100 is inserted may be formed at an upper portion of the flange 600. As described above, the coupling protrusion 111a serves to fundamentally isolate the first chamber 160 and the second chamber 170 of the first header 100 from each other.

By such a structure, the external refrigerant may pass, in turn, through the inlet pipe 300, the inlet connection tube 310, the flange 600 and the inlet hole 125, and may be introduced into the first chamber 160, and the refrigerant introduced from the second header 200 through the connection pipe 500 may pass, in turn, through the connection pipe connection tube 510, the flange 600 and the connection pipe hole 126, and then may be introduced into the second chamber 170.

In the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, like the structure in which the inlet pipe 300 and the connection pipe 500 are connected to the first header 100, the outlet pipe 400 may be firmly coupled to the second header 200 through the outlet connection tube 410 and the flange 600, and the connection pipe 500 may be firmly coupled to the second header 200 through the connection pipe connection tube 510 and the flange 600. The outlet connection tube 410 and the connection pipe connection tube 510 may be formed of a stainless material, and thus may prevent corrosion due to the bonding between different materials, i.e., the outlet pipe 400 and the connection pipe 500 formed of a copper material and the second header 200 and the flange 600 formed of an aluminum material.

The outlet pipe 400 and the connection pipe 500 are fitted into and brazing-bonded to an expanded part 411 of the outlet connection tube 410 and the expanded part 511 of the connection pipe connection tube 510. The outlet connection tube 410 and the connection pipe connection tube 510 may be bonded to the flange 600 by brazing. At this time, the solder ring coupling groove 113 is formed at the outer side surface of the flange 600, and solder rings 420 and 520 are inserted into the solder ring coupling groove 113, and thus the outlet connection tube 410 and the connection pipe connection tube 510 may be easily bonded to the flange 600 by brazing. The flange 600 may be bonded to an outer side surface of the second header 200 by brazing. Also, the flange 600 may be fastened to the second header 200 by a rivet to reinforce a bonding force. To this end, the rivet holes 620 and 128 may be formed at the flange 600 and the second header 200, respectively.

At this time, an insertion groove 630 in which the coupling protrusion 111a of the central partition wall 111 of the second header 200 is inserted may be formed at a lower portion of the flange 600. As described above, the coupling protrusion 111a serves to fundamentally isolate a fifth chamber 260 and a sixth chamber 270 of the second header 200 from each other. As such a structure, the refrigerant passing through the tubes 10 in the first row 11 may pass, in turn, through the fifth chamber 260, the connection pipe hole 126, the flange 600, the connection pipe connection tube 510 and the connection pipe 500, and then may be introduced into the first header 100, and the refrigerant passing through the tubes 10 in the second row 12 may pass, in turn, through the sixth chamber 270, an outlet pipe hole 225, the flange 600, the outlet connection tube 410 and the outlet pipe 400, and then may be discharged to the outside.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating an external appearance of a body of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, and FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13, the second header 200 of the heat exchanger 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body 210, a cover 220 which is coupled to the body 210, and chambers 260, 270, 280 and 290 which are provided inside the body 210 and the cover 220 and in which the refrigerant flows. The body 210 of the second header 200 includes a wall 112, and a central partition wall 111 which protrudes from a center of the wall 112. The cover 220 includes an upper wall 121, and side walls 122 which extend from both sides of the upper wall 121. Coupling grooves 113 may be formed at the wall 112, and ends of the side walls 122 of the cover 220 are inserted into the coupling groove 113, respectively, and thus the body 210 and the cover 220 may be firmly coupled to each other. All of the body 210 and the cover 220 may be formed of an aluminum material, or the body 210 may be formed of an extruded material, and the cover 220 may be formed of a clad material, and the body 210 and the cover 220 may be bonded to each other by brazing.

The chambers 260, 270, 280 and 290 may be divided into a fifth chamber 260 and a sixth chamber 270 by the central partition wall 111 and the cover 220, and may also be divided into a seventh chamber 280 and an eighth chamber 290 in an internal space formed by the wall 112 of the body 210. The fifth chamber 260 may be connected with the tubes 10 in the first row 11, and the sixth chamber 270 may be connected with the tubes 10 in the second row 12. Also, the refrigerant may flow from the fifth chamber 260 through the connection pipe 500, and the refrigerant may be discharged from the sixth chamber 270 through the outlet pipe 400. A coupling hole 123 may be formed at a center of the upper wall 121, and a coupling protrusion 111a which passes through the coupling hole 123 may be formed at an upper end of the central partition wall 111, and thus the fifth chamber 260 and the sixth chamber 270 may be fundamentally isolated from each other by passing the coupling protrusion 111a through the coupling hole 123.

Both surfaces of each of the fifth chamber 260 and the sixth chamber 270 are opened, and cover baffles 130 may be coupled to both ends of the second header 200 to cover the opened surfaces. The cover baffles 130 may be inserted into cover baffle holes 114 and 127 which are formed at the body 210 and the cover 220, respectively, and thus may be coupled to the second header 200. The cover baffles 130 may be bonded to the second header 200 by brazing. All of the cover baffles 130 may have the same shape, and may perform the same function.

Tube holes 124 in which the tubes 10 are inserted may be formed at the cover 220. An outlet pipe hole 225 through which the refrigerant discharged through the outlet pipe 400 passes and a connection pipe hole 126 through which the refrigerant flows to the connection pipe 500 may be formed at the cover 220. Also, the body 210 may include a tube stopper 116 which restricts an insertion depth of the tubes 10. The tube stopper 116 may protrude from an outside of a lower portion of the wall 112, and may prevent the tubes 10 from being excessively inserted into the fifth chamber 260 and the sixth chamber 270.

Meanwhile, the fifth chamber 260 is divided into a first sub-chamber 261 and a second sub-chamber 262. The fifth chamber 260 may be divided into the first sub-chamber 261 and the second sub-chamber 262 by a partition baffle 150 which is coupled to the second header 200. The partition baffle 150 may be inserted into a partition baffle hole 115 formed at the body 210, and may be coupled to the second header 200. The partition baffle 150 may be bonded to the second header 200 by brazing.

Therefore, the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 and the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 may be formed by the partition baffle 150, the cover baffle 130, the body 210 and the cover 220. At this time, the refrigerant may be discharged from the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 through the connection pipe 500, and the tubes 10 in the first row 11 may be connected to the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260. The refrigerant introduced into the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 may flow to the seventh chamber 280 through distribution holes 218a and 218b, and the refrigerant introduced into the seventh chamber 280 may flow to the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 through a through-hole 117. That is, by the partition baffle 150, the fifth chamber 260 is divided into the second sub-chamber 262 which is connected with the tubes 10 in the first row 11, and the first sub-chamber 261 in which the refrigerant in the seventh chamber 280 is introduced and from which the refrigerant is introduced to the connection pipe 500.

Like the fifth chamber 260, the sixth chamber 270 is divided into a first sub-chamber 271 and a second sub-chamber 272. The sixth chamber 270 may be divided into the first sub-chamber 271 and the second sub-chamber 272 by the partition baffle 150 which is coupled to the second header 200. Therefore, the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270 and the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 may also be formed by the partition baffle 150, the cover baffle 130, the body 210 and the cover 220.

At this time, the refrigerant may be discharged from the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270 through the outlet pipe 400, and the tubes 10 in the second row 12 may be connected to the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270. The refrigerant introduced into the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 may flow to the eighth chamber 290 through distribution holes 219a and 219b, and the refrigerant introduced into the eighth chamber 290 may flow to the firth sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270 through the through-hole 117. That is, by the partition baffle 150, the sixth chamber 270 is divided into the second sub-chamber 272 which is connected with the tubes 10 in the second row 12, and the first sub-chamber 271 in which the refrigerant in the eighth chamber 290 is introduced and from which the refrigerant is discharged to the outlet pipe 400.

Meanwhile, the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 formed by the wall 112 of the body 210 are arranged in lengthwise directions of the fifth chamber 260 and the sixth chamber 270 so that the refrigerant introduced into the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 and the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 flows to the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270, respectively. The seventh chamber 280 may serve to equally distribute and accommodate the refrigerant introduced from the tubes 10 in the first row 11 into the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 and then to flow the refrigerant toward the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260, and the eighth chamber 290 may serve to equally distribute and accommodate the refrigerant introduced from the tubes 10 in the second row 12 into the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 and then to flow the refrigerant toward the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270.

As a result, the partition baffle 150, the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 form a warming distributor in which, when the warming cycle is driven, the refrigerant introduced into the fifth chamber 260 through the tubes 10 in the first row 11 and the refrigerant introduced into the sixth chamber 270 through the tubes 10 in the second row 12 are equally distributed and accommodated, and thus the refrigerant in the tubes 10 is equally discharged to the connection pipe 500 and the outlet pipe 400. Both surfaces of each of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 are opened, and caps 140 may be inserted into the both ends of the body 210 to cover the opened surfaces and thus may be coupled to the second header 200. The caps 140 may be bonded to the second header 200 by brazing. All of the caps 140 have the same shape and perform the same function.

Each of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 may have at least one distribution hole 218, 219a, 219b located at a position which is spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the partition baffle 150 toward the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 and the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270, such that the refrigerant in the tubes 10, which is introduced into the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 and the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270, is equally distributed and accommodated. Also, each of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 may have the through-hole 117 so that the refrigerant introduced from the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 and the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 flows to the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270.

Therefore, the refrigerant in the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 and the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 which is introduced through each of the distribution holes 218, 219a and 219b may pass, in turn, through each internal space and each through-hole 117 of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290, and may flow to the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270.

As illustrated well in FIG. 12, each length of the through-holes 117 of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 in a lengthwise direction of the second header 200 may be formed longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the second header 200. Also, each length of the distribution holes 218 of the seventh chamber 280 in the lengthwise direction of the second header 200 may be formed longer than a length thereof in the width direction of the second header 200, and the distribution hole 218 may be formed upward to be directed to the fifth chamber 260. Meanwhile, the distribution holes 219a and 219b of the eighth chamber 290 may be formed so that a diameter of the distribution hole 219a located at a side of the through-hole 117 is formed smaller than that of the distribution hole 219b located at another side, and may be formed upward to be directed to the sixth chamber 270.

Also, each of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 may have one through-hole 117, and each of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 may have two distribution holes which are spaced a predetermined distance from each other. In the flow of the refrigerant which will be described below, the refrigerant passing through the distribution holes 218 (such as 218a and 218b), 219a and 219b of the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 may be a liquid refrigerant, and the distribution holes 218, 219a and 219b having different sizes from each other may be effective in distribution of the liquid refrigerant.

As illustrated well in FIG. 13, the refrigerant introduced from the tubes 10 of the first row 11 into the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 may be equally introduced into the internal space of the seventh chamber 280 through the distribution holes 218, may flow to the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260, and may be discharged to the connection pipe 500. In FIG. 13, a solid line indicates the flow of the refrigerant in the warming cycle, and a dotted line indicates the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling cycle.

By such a structure, the refrigerant introduced from the tubes 10 in the second row 12 into the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 may be equally introduced into the internal space of the eighth chamber 290 through the distribution holes 219a and 219b, may flow to the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270, and may be discharged to the outlet pipe 400.

As a result, the refrigerant introduced into the fifth chamber 260 through the tubes 10 in the first row 11 may be equally dispersed and may be discharged to the connection pipe 500, and the refrigerant introduced into the sixth chamber 270 through the tubes 10 in the second row 12 may be equally dispersed and may be discharged to the outlet pipe 400.

In addition, the refrigerant introduced into the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290 may be autonomously mixed and stabilized in the seventh chamber 280 and the eighth chamber 290, before flowing to the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270. Also, the refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270 may be autonomously mixed and stabilized once again in the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 and the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270, before being discharged to the connection pipe 500 and the outlet pipe 400. Therefore, circulation of the refrigerant and heat exchange efficiency may be increased.

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of a header of a heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The drawing illustrates a header which is provided at the upper portions of the tubes 10. However, the header may be a header which is provided at the lower portions of the tubes 10, due to a top and bottom symmetrical structure. The same elements as those in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 14, a header 100 of a heat exchanger 1 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body 110, a first cover 120a and a second cover 120b which are coupled to the body 110, and chambers 160, 170, 180 and 190 which are provided inside the body 110, the first cover 120a and the second cover 120b and in which the refrigerant flows. The first cover 120a and the second cover 120b each include lower walls 121a and 121b and side walls 122a and 122b extending from both sides of the lower walls 121a and 121b. A first chamber 160 may be formed by a wall 112 of the body 110 and the first cover 120a, and a second chamber 170 may be formed by the wall 112 of the body 110 and the second cover 120b. An internal space formed by the wall 112 of the body 110 may be divided into a third chamber 180 and a fourth chamber 190.

Tube holes 124 in which the tubes 10 in the first row 11 are inserted and an inlet hole 125 through which the refrigerant introduced through an inlet pipe 300 passes may be formed at the first cover 120a. Tube holes 124 in which the tubes 10 in the second row 12 are inserted and a connection pipe hole 126 through which the refrigerant flows to the connection pipe 500 may be formed at the second cover 120b. Hereinafter, the flow of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present disclosure having the above-described structure will be described.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant in the warming cycle of the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 16 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling cycle of the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the first header 100 having the first chamber 160, the second chamber 170, the third chamber 180 and the fourth chamber 190, a second header 200 having a fifth chamber 260, a sixth chamber 270, a seventh chamber 280 and an eighth chamber 290, and the tubes 10 which are arranged in two rows of the first row 11 and the second row 12. The heat exchanger may further include a heat exchanger fin which is disposed between the tubes 10. Also, the inlet pipe 300 which is in communication with an outside of the heat exchanger 1 is connected to the first chamber 160, and the third chamber 180 and the fifth chamber 260 are connected to each other through a connection pipe 500, and an outlet pipe 400 which is in communication with the outside is connected to the seventh chamber 280.

The refrigerant introduced into the first chamber 160 of the first header 100 through the inlet pipe 300 may be primarily mixed and stabilized in a first sub-chamber 161 of the first chamber 160, and then may flow to the third chamber 180 through a through-hole 117. The refrigerant flowed to the third chamber 180 may be distributed to a second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 through a distribution hole 118, and the refrigerant flowed to the second sub-chamber 162 of the first chamber 160 may be equally distributed to the tubes 10 in the first row 11. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the external air, while passing through the tubes 10 in the first row 11, and is then introduced in to a second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260. The refrigerant flowed to the second sub-chamber 262 of the fifth chamber 260 is distributed through the distribution hole 118, and introduced into the seventh chamber 280, and thus the refrigerant passing through the tubes 10 in the first row 11 flows equally. The refrigerant may be secondarily mixed and stabilized in the seventh chamber 280.

The refrigerant in the seventh chamber 280 may flow to a first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 through the through-hole 117, and the refrigerant flowed to the first sub-chamber 261 of the fifth chamber 260 may be mixed and stabilized again, and then may flow to a first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 of the first header 100 through the connection pipe 500 without heat exchanging. The refrigerant introduced into the first sub-chamber 171 of the second chamber 170 through the connection pipe 500 is mixed and stabilized, and then flows to the fourth chamber 190 through the through-hole 117. The refrigerant flowed to the fourth chamber 190 may be distributed to a second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170 through the distribution hole 118, and the refrigerant flowed to the second sub-chamber 172 of the second chamber 170 may be equally distributed to the tubes 10 in the second row 12.

The refrigerant exchanges heat with the external air once again, while passing through the tubes 10 in the second row 12, and is introduced into a second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 disposed in the second header 200. The refrigerant flowed to the second sub-chamber 272 of the sixth chamber 270 is distributed through distribution holes 219a and 219b, and introduced into the eighth chamber 290, and thus the refrigerant passing through the tubes 10 in the second row 12 equally flows. The refrigerant may be mixed and stabilized again in the eighth chamber 290. The refrigerant in the eighth chamber 290 flows to a first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270, and the refrigerant flowed to the first sub-chamber 271 of the sixth chamber 270 is mixed and stabilized again, and then discharged to an outside of the heat exchanger 1 through the outlet pipe 400.

The flow of the refrigerant as described above corresponds to the case in which the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is used as the condenser, i.e., driven in the warming cycle. When the heat exchanger is used as a condenser, the refrigerant may be a high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant loses heat to the outside and thus is condensed. As illustrated well in FIG. 15, the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may enable the refrigerant, which flows in the direction of gravity, exchanges heat and then is partially condensed, to flow to the first header 100 provided at the upper portions of the tubes 10 through the connection pipe 500, to flow again in the direction of gravity through the tubes 10 and to exchange heat. Accordingly, an increase in viscosity and density due to condensation of the refrigerant does not serve as resistance against the flow of the refrigerant.

Also, since the headers which are provided at the upper and lower portions of the tubes 10 include the plurality of divided chambers, and the refrigerant is distributed, mixed and stabilized, whenever passing through each chamber, the circulation of the refrigerant may be improved, and the heat exchange efficiency may be increased. Meanwhile, in the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the refrigerant is circulated in the reverse cycle, the heat exchanger may be used as an evaporator, and thus may be driven in the cooling cycle. When the heat exchanger is used as the evaporator, a low temperature and low pressure liquid refrigerant may be introduced through the outlet pipe 400. The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside and is evaporated, while passing through the tubes 10. As illustrated well in FIG. 16, when the heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is driven in the cooling cycle, the refrigerant in all of the tubes in the first and second rows 11 and 12 flows against the direction of gravity, and thus the evaporated refrigerant may be easily circulated in the heat exchanger.

Also, like the warming cycle, since the refrigerant is distributed, mixed and stabilized whenever passing through the plurality of divided chambers of the headers provided at the upper and lower portions of the tubes 10, the circulation of the refrigerant may be improved, and the heat exchange efficiency may be increased. According to the spirit of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger includes the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe and the connection pipe which connects the first header with the second header. When the warming cycle is driven, the refrigerant introduced into the first header may exchange heat, while flowing through the tubes in the direction of gravity, and then may be introduced into the first header through the connection pipe, and may exchange heat again, while flowing through the tubes in the direction of gravity.

Since the refrigerant flows only in the direction of gravity when the warming cycle is driven, the resistance against the flow of the refrigerant may be reduced, and the heat exchange efficiency may be increased. Also, since each of the first header and the second header includes the body and the cover, and the plurality of divided chambers are provided in the headers, and the refrigerant can be repeatedly distributed according to the flow of the refrigerant flowing through each chamber, the distribution of the refrigerant can be improved. Also, since the body of each of the first header and the second header is formed of the extruded material, and the cover thereof is formed of the clad material, and the cover and the body are bonded to each other by brazing, the header can be easily assembled, and the bonding force can be ensured.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, the scope of rights of the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising: tubes configured to permit a flow of refrigerant and to permit the refrigerant to exchange heat with external air, wherein the tubes are arranged in a plurality of rows having a first row and a second row;a first header connected to one end of each of the tubes;a second header connected to another end of each of the tubes;an inlet pipe configured to introduce the refrigerant into the first header from an outside;an outlet pipe configured to discharge the refrigerant from the second header to the outside; anda connection pipe configured to permit the refrigerant to bypass the tubes and flow from the second header to the first header.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first header comprises a first chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the first row, a second chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the second row, a third chamber configured to distribute the refrigerant to the first chamber, and a fourth chamber configured to distribute the refrigerant to the second chamber.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the first chamber comprises a first sub-chamber configured to introduce the refrigerant from the inlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber configured to introduce the refrigerant from the third chamber and configured to enable the refrigerant to flow to the tubes in the first row, and the second chamber comprises a first sub-chamber configured to introduce the refrigerant from the connection pipe, and a second sub-chamber configured to introduce the refrigerant from the fourth chamber and configured to enable the refrigerant to flow to the tubes in the second row.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the third chamber comprises a through-hole through configured to introduce the refrigerant from the first sub-chamber of the first chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the third chamber and configured to distribute the refrigerant to the second sub-chamber of the first chamber, and the fourth chamber comprises a through-hole configured to introduce the refrigerant from the first sub-chamber of the second chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the fourth chamber and configured to distribute the refrigerant to the second sub-chamber of the second chamber.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein each of the distribution holes of the third chamber and the fourth chamber is formed so that a length thereof in a lengthwise direction of the first header is longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the first header.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein each of the third chamber and the fourth chamber has three distribution holes.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein each of the distribution holes of the third chamber is formed so that a length thereof in a lengthwise direction of the third chamber is longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the third chamber, and the distribution holes of the fourth chamber are formed so that a diameter of the distribution hole located at a side of the through-hole is smaller than a diameter of the distribution hole located at another side.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein each of the third chamber and the fourth chamber has two distribution holes, and the distribution hole of the fourth chamber which is located at the side of the through-hole has a diameter of 5 mm or less.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the first header comprises cover baffles which are coupled to both ends of the first header to seal both opened ends of the first chamber and the second chamber.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the first header comprises caps which are coupled to both ends of the first header to seal both opened ends of the third chamber and the fourth chamber.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the first header comprises a partition baffle which divides the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber of the first chamber, and a partition baffle which divides the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber of the second chamber.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first header comprises a first chamber which is in communication with the inlet pipe and the tubes in the first row, a second chamber which is in communication with the connection pipe and the tubes in the second row, a third chamber which is in communication with the first chamber, and a fourth chamber which is in communication with the second chamber, and the second header comprises a fifth chamber which is in communication with the connection pipe and the tubes in the first row, a sixth chamber which is in communication with the outlet pipe and the tubes in the second row, a seventh chamber which is in communication with the fifth chamber, and an eighth chamber which is in communication with the sixth chamber.

13. The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein the first chamber comprises a first sub-chamber which is in communication with the inlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber which is in communication with the tubes in the first row, the second chamber comprises a first sub-chamber which is in communication with the connection pipe, and a second sub-chamber which is in communication with the tubes in the second row, and the fifth chamber comprises a first sub-chamber which is in communication with the connection pipe, anda second sub-chamber which is in communication with the tubes in the first row, and the sixth chamber comprises a first sub-chamber which is in communication with the outlet pipe, and a second sub-chamber which is in communication with the tubes in the second row.

14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the third chamber comprises a through-hole which is in communication with the first sub-chamber of the first chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the first header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber of the first chamber, the fourth chamber comprises a through-hole which is in communication with the first sub-chamber of the second chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in the lengthwise direction of the first header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber of the second chamber,the seventh chamber comprises a through-hole which is in communication with the first sub-chamber of the fifth chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the second header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber of the fifth chamber, andthe eighth chamber comprises a through-hole which is in communication with the first sub-chamber of the sixth chamber, and a plurality of distribution holes which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in the lengthwise direction of the second header, and are in communication with the second sub-chamber of the sixth chamber.

15. The heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein each of the distribution holes of the third chamber and the fourth chamber is formed so that a length thereof in the lengthwise direction of the first header is longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the first header, each of the distribution holes of the seventh chamber is formed so that a length thereof in a lengthwise direction of the seventh chamber is longer than a length thereof in a width direction of the seventh chamber, andthe distribution holes of the eighth chamber are formed so that a diameter of the distribution hole located at a side of the through-hole is smaller than a diameter of the distribution hole located at another side.

16. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first header comprises a body and a cover, the cover is coupled with the body, and forms a first chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the first row and a second chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the tubes in the second row, andthe body comprises a third chamber configured to distribute the refrigerant to the first chamber, and a fourth chamber that distributes the refrigerant to the second chamber.

17. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the body comprises a central partition wall which divides the first chamber and the second chamber, and the cover comprises a coupling hole through which a part of the central partition wall passes.

18. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the body of the first header comprises a wall which forms an internal space, and a tube stopper which protrudes from the wall toward the tubes so as to restrict an insertion depth of the tubes.

19. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the body of the first header is formed of an extruded material of aluminum, the cover of the first header is formed of a clad material of aluminum, andthe cover is bonded to the body by brazing.

20. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the cover comprises a first cover which forms the first chamber, and a second cover which forms the second chamber.

21. A heat exchanger comprising: tubes configured to permit a flow of refrigerant and to permit the refrigerant to exchange heat with external air, and wherein the tubes are arranged in a plurality of rows having a first row and a second row;a first header connected to one end of each of the tubes and includes a plurality of chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant;a second header connected to another end of each of the tubes and includes a plurality of chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant;an inlet pipe configured to introduce the refrigerant into the first header from an outside; andan outlet pipe configured to discharge the refrigerant from the second header to the outside.

22. The heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein each of the first header and the second header is divided into four chambers.

23. The heat exchanger according to claim 22, wherein the first header and the second header are connected with each other by a connection pipe provided to enable the refrigerant to bypass the tubes, the first header comprises a first chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the inlet pipe and the tubes in the first row, a second chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the connection pipe and the tubes in the second row, a third chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the first chamber, and a fourth chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the second chamber, andthe second header comprises a fifth chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the connection pipe and the tubes in the first row, a sixth chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the outlet pipe and the tubes in the second row, a seventh chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the third chamber, and an eighth chamber configured to enable the refrigerant to flow through the fourth chamber.

24. A heat exchanger comprising: tubes arranged in a plurality of rows having a first row and a second row and configured to permit a flow of refrigerant in the tubes in the first row and the tubes in the second row in a same direction and to permit the exchange of heat with external air;a first header connected to one end of each of the tubes and including a plurality of chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant;a second header connected to the other end of each of the tubes and including a plurality of chambers which are divided to distribute the refrigerant;an inlet pipe configured to introduce the refrigerant into the first header from an outside; andan outlet pipe configured to discharge the refrigerant from the second header to the outside.