CN113544454A

CN113544454A - Distributor, heat exchanger unit and air conditioner

Info

Publication number: CN113544454A
Application number: CN202080018705.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李相武; 金铉永; 齐藤真辉; 高桥正敏; 高原岳; 徐康台; 田岛一繁; 伊野波亮; 清水努
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-06
Filing date: 2020-03-04
Publication date: 2021-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-04
Also published as: JP2021050901A; CN113544454B

Abstract

An air conditioner includes a distributor configured to distribute a fluid to a heat exchanger. The dispenser includes: a main pipe; a divider defining a plurality of distribution paths in the main tube; a first branch pipe inserted into the main pipe by a first length, coupled to a first distribution path among the plurality of distribution paths, and connected to a first portion of the heat exchanger; and a second branch pipe inserted into the main pipe by a second length different from the first length, coupled to the first distribution path, and connected to a second portion of the heat exchanger. The flow rate of the air exchanging heat at the first portion of the heat exchanger is faster than the flow rate of the air exchanging heat at the second portion of the heat exchanger. The first length is shorter than the second length.

Description

Distributor, heat exchanger unit and air conditioner

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a distributor, a heat exchanger, and an air conditioner.

Background

There is known a distributor having a main pipe through which a fluid flows installed upstream of a main body of the distributor and a plurality of outflow pipes installed downstream, wherein the main pipe includes: a distributor installed at an inlet through which a fluid flows; an inner tube coupled to the dispenser; a partition member forming as many distribution paths as the number of the outflow tubes; and an outer tube that surrounds the inner tube and forms a reservoir joined to each distribution path in the inner tube, each outflow tube being joined to the reservoir corresponding to the main tube (for example, see patent document 1).

There is known a refrigerant distributor for distributing refrigerant to a plurality of refrigerant paths, in which a distributor body is defined by a vertically long barrel-shaped member having a refrigerant inlet coupled with a refrigerant pipe and an opposite refrigerant outlet, and the plurality of distributor paths from the refrigerant inlet to the refrigerant outlet are partitioned and formed in the distributor body (for example, see patent document 2).

(patent document 1) JP 2730299B 2

(patent document 2) JP1992-302964A

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

When the distributor is formed to have a plurality of branch pipes each joined to one of a plurality of distribution paths (which are connected to portions between adjacent partitions of the main pipe), the distributor may not be compact as the number of branch pipes increases.

When the distributor is formed to have a single branch pipe connected to each of a plurality of distribution paths defined in the main pipe, an increase in the number of branch pipes may result in an increase in the number of distribution paths, which may not make the distributor compact.

For a dispenser having a plurality of reservoirs surrounding and coupled to a plurality of distribution paths, when a structure is employed in which each of a plurality of branch pipes is connected to a reservoir, fluid flowing into the plurality of distribution paths may be unevenly distributed, which may deteriorate flow rate distribution characteristics.

With a dispenser made by inserting a plurality of partitions in a dispenser main body, when a structure is adopted in which the dispenser main body and the plurality of partition members are integrally joined, fluid leakage may occur between the outer tube and the plurality of partitions or between the inner shaft and the plurality of partitions, which may deteriorate flow rate distribution characteristics.

An object of the present disclosure is to keep a distributor compact even when the number of branch pipes to be connected to a main pipe increases.

Another object of the present disclosure is to reduce the possibility of deteriorating fluid distribution characteristics when fluid flowing into a plurality of distribution paths is unevenly distributed.

It is still another object of the present invention to reduce the possibility of deterioration of fluid distribution characteristics due to fluid leakage occurring between the outer tube and the plurality of partitions or between the inner shaft and the plurality of partitions.

Technical scheme

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a dispenser includes: a barrel-shaped main tube; a plurality of dividers mounted along an axis of the main pipe to define a plurality of distribution paths in the main pipe; and a plurality of branch pipes, each branch pipe connected to one of a plurality of distribution paths, wherein first and second branch pipes of the plurality of branch pipes are connected to first and second distribution paths of the plurality of distribution paths with at least one of the plurality of dividers therebetween.

The first and second branch pipes may be adjacent branch pipes, and the first and second distribution paths may have at least one of the plurality of partitions therebetween.

The plurality of branch pipes may include at least two branch pipes connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths. In this case, the at least two branch pipes may be formed such that at least one of an inner diameter of the axial portion and an insertion length to one distribution path is different between the at least two branch pipes. The plurality of spacers may be mounted at a torsion angle with respect to an axis of the main pipe.

The dispenser may further include a spacer plate having a plurality of spacer holes corresponding to the plurality of dispensing paths, and the plurality of spacer holes may have different inner diameters. In this case, the dispenser may further include a position matching tool for fitting the plurality of dispensing paths into the plurality of spacer holes.

The plurality of partitions may form a plurality of distribution paths such that cross-sectional areas at specific cutting planes of the plurality of distribution paths may be different.

The dispenser may comprise two dispenser elements, each dispenser element may comprise: a main pipe; a plurality of separators; and a plurality of branch pipes, wherein first and second branch pipes of the plurality of branch pipes may be connected to first and second distribution paths of the plurality of distribution paths with at least one of the plurality of partitions therebetween.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a dispenser includes: a barrel-shaped main tube; a plurality of partitions integrally installed with the main pipe along an axis of the main pipe to define a plurality of distribution paths in the main pipe; and a plurality of branch pipes, each branch pipe being connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths, wherein the plurality of branch pipes may include at least two branch pipes connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths.

First and second branch pipes of the plurality of branch pipes may be connected to first and second distribution paths of the plurality of distribution paths, the first and second distribution paths having at least one of a plurality of partitions therebetween. In this case, the first and second branch pipes may be adjacent branch pipes, and the first and second distribution paths may have at least one of the plurality of partitions therebetween.

The at least two branch pipes may be formed such that at least one of an inner diameter of the axial portion and an insertion length to one distribution path is different between the at least two branch pipes.

The plurality of spacers may be installed to form a certain torsion angle with the axis of the main pipe.

The dispenser may include a spacer plate having a plurality of spacer holes corresponding to the plurality of dispensing paths, and the spacer plate may include a plurality of protrusions respectively inserted into the plurality of dispensing paths. In this case, a brazing sheet may be provided between the main tube and the spacer plate.

The dispenser may include a cap at an end of the main tube to seal all of the plurality of dispensing paths, and the cap may include a plurality of protrusions respectively inserted into the plurality of dispensing paths. In this case, a brazing sheet may be provided between the main pipe and the cap.

The distributor may include at least one cover on an outer circumference of the main pipe, and the at least one cover may include a plurality of burring holes into which the plurality of branch pipes are inserted.

The main pipe may include a plurality of burring holes into which the branch pipes are inserted.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a dispenser includes: a barrel-shaped main tube; a plurality of dividers mounted along an axis of the main pipe to define a plurality of distribution paths in the main pipe; and a plurality of branches, each branch being connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths, wherein the plurality of partitions may be two adjacent partitions, each of the two adjacent partitions may include at least one step to support one branch of the plurality of branches connected to the distribution path defined by the two partitions.

The plurality of branch pipes may include at least two branch pipes connected to one distribution path. In this case, each of the two partitions may have a plurality of steps, and at least two branch pipes are supported by different steps of the plurality of steps such that at least one of an inner diameter of the axial portion or an insertion length into the distribution path is different between the branch pipes. The plurality of spacers may be mounted at a torsion angle with respect to an axis of the main pipe.

Each of the two partitions may have a specific step at a shallow position not deeper than a half of a depth of the distribution path among the at least one step, and the branch pipe connected to the distribution path may be supported by the specific step such that an insertion length to the distribution path is shorter than the half of the depth.

The main tube and the member including the plurality of partitions may be joined by contracting the main tube and expanding the member.

Each of the plurality of dividers may include an overwhelmed rib portion at the front portion, which is collapsed and deformed by contact with the main tube.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a dispenser includes: a barrel-shaped outer tube; an inner shaft mounted in the outer tube; a plurality of partitions defining a plurality of distribution paths between the outer tube and the inner shaft; and a plurality of branch pipes each connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths, wherein the plurality of spacers are integrally mounted with the inner shaft, or integrally mounted with a member joined to the outer tube with a substance different from the spacers and the outer tube, or integrally mounted with a member joined to the inner shaft with a substance different from the spacers and the inner shaft.

The dispenser may be formed such that at the first position of the open end of the outer tube, a convex portion may be formed in the plurality of dispensing paths and a concave portion may be formed on the outer surface. In this case, the dispenser may comprise a spacer plate at a second position beyond the end of the outer member.

The dispenser may include a spacer plate at a first position of the open end of the outer tube, and may be formed such that at a second position outside the end of the outer tube, convex portions may be formed in the plurality of dispensing paths and concave portions may be formed on the outer surface.

The plurality of spacers may be installed to form a certain torsion angle with respect to an axis of the outer tube. In this case, the plurality of spacers may be installed to form a first torsion angle with respect to the axis of the outer tube in a first range in the axial direction of the outer tube and to form a second torsion angle with respect to the axis of the outer tube in a second range in the axial direction of the outer tube.

The plurality of spacers may not rib-process a surface in the first range in the axial direction of the outer tube, and may rib-process a surface in the second range in the axial direction of the tube.

The plurality of spacers have a first thickness at a first position in the axial direction of the outer tube and a second thickness at a second position in the axial direction of the outer tube.

The plurality of branch pipes may include at least two branch pipes connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths. In this case, the at least two branch pipes may have holes of different diameters formed on one side of the portion inserted into the distribution path.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger unit includes: a dispenser to dispense fluid passing internally; a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the fluid and the air distributed by the distributor, wherein the distributor includes: a barrel-shaped main tube; a plurality of dividers mounted along an axis of the main pipe to define a plurality of distribution paths in the main pipe; and a plurality of branch pipes, each branch pipe connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths, wherein first and second branch pipes of the plurality of branch pipes are connected to first and second distribution paths of the plurality of distribution paths with at least one of the plurality of dividers therebetween.

The distributor may be shorter than the length of the parallel arrangement of the plurality of fluid tubes in which the fluid distributed by the distributor flows.

The plurality of branch pipes may include at least two branch pipes connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths. In this case, the at least two branch pipes may be formed such that at least one of an inner diameter of the axial portion and an insertion length to one distribution path is different between the at least two branch pipes. The at least two branch pipes may be arranged such that an inner diameter of an axial portion of the branch pipe through which the fluid allocated to the fast air flow part of the heat exchanger passes is greater than an inner diameter of an axial portion of the branch pipe through which the fluid allocated to the slow air flow part of the heat exchanger passes, and an insertion length of the branch pipe through which the fluid allocated to the fast air flow part of the heat exchanger passes to the distribution path is shorter than an insertion length of the branch pipe through which the fluid allocated to the slow air flow part of the heat exchanger passes to the distribution path.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger unit includes: a dispenser to dispense fluid passing internally; and a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the fluid flowing in the plurality of fluid tubes and the air, wherein the distributor includes: a barrel-shaped main tube; a plurality of partitions integrally mounted with the main pipe along an axis of the main pipe to define a plurality of distribution paths in the main pipe; and a plurality of branch pipes, each branch pipe connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths, wherein the plurality of branch pipes includes at least two branch pipes connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger unit includes: a dispenser to dispense fluid passing internally; and a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the fluid flowing in the plurality of fluid tubes and the air, wherein the distributor includes: a barrel-shaped main tube; a plurality of dividers mounted along an axis of the main pipe to define a plurality of distribution paths in the main pipe; and a plurality of branch pipes, each branch pipe being connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths and one of the plurality of fluid pipes, wherein the plurality of partitions are two adjacent partitions, each of the two adjacent partitions including at least one step supporting one branch pipe of the plurality of branch pipes connected to a distribution path defined by the two partitions.

The plurality of branch pipes may include at least two branch pipes connected to one distribution path. In this case, each of the two partitions may have a plurality of steps, and at least two branch pipes are supported by different steps of the plurality of steps such that at least one of an inner diameter of the axial portion or an insertion length into the distribution path is different between the branch pipes.

At least one of the plurality of branch pipes may be branched into a plurality of branch pipes, and each of the plurality of branch pipes may be connected to one of the plurality of fluid pipes.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger unit includes: a dispenser to dispense fluid passing internally; and a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the fluid flowing in the plurality of fluid tubes and the air, wherein the distributor includes: a barrel-shaped outer tube; an inner shaft mounted in the outer tube; a plurality of spacers mounted between the outer tube and the inner shaft to define a plurality of distribution paths; and a plurality of branch pipes each connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths, and wherein the plurality of spacers may be integrally mounted with the inner shaft, or integrally mounted with a member joined to the outer tube with a substance different from the spacers and the outer tube, or integrally mounted with a member joined to the inner shaft with a substance different from the spacers and the inner shaft.

Before proceeding with the following detailed description, 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," and derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with … …, contain, be included within, connect to … … or connect with … …, be coupled to … … or with … …, be communicable with … …, cooperate with … …, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be incorporated into … … or with … …, have the properties of … …, and 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.

Advantageous effects

According to the present disclosure, the distributor can be kept compact even when the number of branch pipes connected to the main pipe is increased.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the possibility of deterioration of fluid distribution characteristics due to uneven distribution of fluid to a plurality of distribution paths.

Further, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the possibility of deterioration of fluid distribution characteristics due to fluid leakage occurring between the outer tube and the plurality of partitions or between the inner shaft and the plurality of partitions.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers represent like parts:

fig. 1 illustrates an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 shows the overall structure of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view A-A of the dispenser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a first modification to the A-A cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5A shows a second modification to the A-A cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5B shows a second modification to the A-A cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5C shows a second modification to the A-A cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows, for each branch pipe in the heat exchanger, the relationship between the wind speed at the level of the refrigerant pipe connected to the branch pipe and the refrigerant flow rate suitable for flowing into the branch pipe;

fig. 7 shows the overall structure of a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a close-up view of a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged partial view of a dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional A-A view of a dispenser according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 12 shows an overall structure of a heat exchange unit including a distributor and a heat exchanger according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 shows an enlarged partial view of a dispenser according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 14 is an overall structural view showing a dispenser according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional A-A view of the dispenser of FIG. 14;

fig. 16 shows the overall structure of a dispenser according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 17 shows a partial enlarged view of a dispenser according to a tenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 shows an enlarged partial view of a dispenser according to an eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 19 shows a perspective view of an outer cover according to a twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 shows an enlarged partial view of a dispenser according to a twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 21 shows an overall structure of a heat exchange unit including a distributor and a heat exchanger according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 22 shows the overall structure of a dispenser according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional A-A view of the dispenser of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 shows a cross-sectional A-A view of the dispenser of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional A-A view of the dispenser of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 shows a graph that shows the reason why the insertion length of a desired branch tube is less than half the depth of the dispensing path;

FIG. 27 shows a cross-sectional A-A view of the dispenser of FIG. 22;

fig. 28 shows an overall structure of a dispenser according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 29 shows a partially enlarged view of a dispenser according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 shows an enlarged partial view of a dispenser according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 31 shows an overall structure of a heat exchange unit including a distributor and a heat exchanger according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 32 shows the overall structure of a dispenser according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 33A shows a first example of the dispenser of FIG. 32;

FIG. 33B shows a first example of the dispenser of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34A shows a second example of the dispenser of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34B shows a second example of the dispenser of FIG. 32;

fig. 35 shows the overall structure of a dispenser according to a twentieth embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 36A shows a cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 36B shows a cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 37 shows the overall structure of a dispenser according to a twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 38A shows a close-up view of a dispenser according to a twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 38B shows a partial enlarged view of a dispenser according to a twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 39A shows a cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a twenty-third embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 39B shows a cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a twenty-third embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 40A shows a cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a twenty-fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 40B shows a cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a twenty-fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 41 shows an a-a cross-sectional view of a dispenser according to a twenty-fifth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 42 shows an overall structure of a heat exchange unit including a distributor and a heat exchanger according to a twenty-sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 through 42, 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 system or device.

Referring to fig. 1, an air conditioner 90 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an outdoor unit 91 and an indoor unit 92. In the air conditioner 90, the outdoor unit 91 and the indoor unit 92 may be connected to each other through a pipe provided to allow a refrigerant to flow in the pipe.

Although fig. 1 shows a single outdoor unit 91, the outdoor unit 91 may be provided in plurality. The outdoor unit 91 may perform both a heat pump cycle and a heat recovery cycle.

Although fig. 1 shows a single indoor unit 92, the indoor unit 92 may be provided in plurality. The indoor unit 92 may be driven in a cooling mode or a heating mode.

A heat exchange unit, which will be described later, may be provided in the outdoor unit 91 and/or the indoor unit 92.

Fig. 2 shows the overall structure of the dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor 1 is used to distribute a refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 1. Further, as shown in fig. 1, the distributor 1 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a partition plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having the shape of a cylinder as an example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 1 may include an inlet 30 welded to a refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, for example, and a cap 50 welded to an end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end, for example. The inlet 30 is installed outside the spacer sheet 40, so that the spacer sheet 40 is not visible from the outside even though the spacer sheet 40 is shown in fig. 2. Further, the distributor 1 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

In fig. 2, the internal structure of the inner tube 20 is shown by removing the front portion of the outer tube 10. As shown in fig. 2, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner tube 20, and accordingly, a plurality of distribution paths 22 are defined. In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in parallel with the central axis of the inner tube 20. In fig. 2, when viewed from the front, partition plates 21a to 21c (specifically, end portions of partition plates 21a to 21c on the outer tube 10 side) of the plurality of partition plates 21 are shown, and distribution paths 22a to 22d of the plurality of distribution paths 22 are shown. Although it is assumed here that the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in parallel with the central axis of the inner pipe 20, they may be installed along the axis of the inner pipe 20, in which case the plurality of partition plates 21 are an example of a plurality of partitions installed along the axis of the main pipe.

Further, the spacer plate 40 may have a plurality of spacer holes 401 (see, for example, fig. 9) to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the spacer holes.

Multiple branch lines 60 may be coupled to multiple distribution paths 22. Fig. 2 shows branch pipes 60e to 60g respectively coupled to distribution paths 22e to 22g, in addition to branch pipes 60a to 60d respectively coupled to distribution paths 22a to 22 d.

This structure may be understood as an example of a structure in which adjacent first and second branch pipes of the plurality of branch pipes are connected to first and second distribution paths of the plurality of distribution paths, the first and second distribution paths having one of the plurality of partitions therebetween. In this case, by taking the

branch pipes

60a and 60b as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

22a and 22b correspond to the first and second distribution paths and the partition plate 21a corresponds to the one of the plurality of partitions.

Further, in this structure, the first and second branch pipes may not be adjacent to each other, and the first and second distribution paths may have at least one of the plurality of partitions therebetween. In this case, by taking the

branch pipes

60a and 60c as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

22a and 22c correspond to the first and second distribution paths, and the

partition plates

21a and 21b correspond to the at least one of the plurality of partitions.

Further, as shown in fig. 2, in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the branch pipe 60a may directly extend rightward from the distribution path 22 a. The branch pipes 60b to 60d may first extend forward from the distribution paths 22b to 22d, then be bent and extend rightward. The branch pipes 60e to 60g may first extend from the distribution paths 22e to 22g to the opposite side, and then be bent and extend rightward.

There may be one set of branch pipes 60a to 60g, although in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a plurality of sets of branch pipes 60a to 60g installed in parallel. The structure in the first embodiment of the present disclosure may be understood as an example of a structure including at least two branch pipes connected to one of a plurality of distribution paths.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view a-a of the dispenser 1 of figure 2. Referring to fig. 3, partition plates 21a to 21g may be installed in the inner tube 20, thereby defining a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The partition plates 21 connect the outside of the inner tube 20 to the central portion of the inner tube 20 such that the width of the distribution path 22 between the partition plates 21 decreases as it goes from the outside to the central portion of the inner tube 20. In fig. 3, branch pipe 60a joined and fixed to distribution path 22a is interposed between

partition plates

21a and 21g defining distribution path 22 a. Further, in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62a differs among the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 2). The axial portion 62a may be a reduced cross-section (vena contcta) portion 62 a. Further, in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the insertion length L is different among the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 2). Although the branch pipe 60a coupled to the distribution path 22a is illustrated because fig. 3 is an a-a sectional view of the distributor 1 of fig. 2, the above description about the branch pipe 60a may be equally applied to the other branch pipes 60b to 60g coupled to the distribution paths 22a to 22 g. Therefore, the refrigerant flow resistance in the single distribution path 22 can be changed, so that the refrigerant flow distribution can be adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Next, a modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

Figure 4 shows a first modification to the a-a cross-section of the dispenser 1 of figure 2. Although the axial portion 62a of the branch pipe 60a has a shape having an inclination from the main body 61a of the branch pipe 60a in fig. 3, it may have a straight line form having a step from the main body 61a as shown in fig. 4 to adjust the flow rate (flow) of the refrigerant passage.

Further, the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60a is adjusted by installing the beading portion 63a in fig. 3 and 4, but is not limited thereto. In the second modification, the insertion length L may be adjusted by the outer diameter Do of the axial portion 62 a. Specifically, the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60a may be determined by inserting the branch pipe 60a until the outer diameter Do of the axial portion 62a matches the width between the

partition plates

21a and 21 g.

Fig. 5A to 5C show a second modification of the a-a cross-sectional view of the dispenser 1 of fig. 2. The cross-section of the distribution paths 22a to 22g may have a trapezoidal form as shown in fig. 5A, a triangular form as shown in fig. 5B, and a combined form of a trapezoid and a rectangle as shown in fig. 5C.

Next, a specific example of a plurality of branch pipes 60 having different inner diameters Di of the axial portions 62 and different insertion lengths L will be described. Fig. 6 shows the relationship between the wind speed at the height of the refrigerant pipe connected to the branch pipe 60 and the flow of refrigerant adapted to flow into the branch pipe 60 for each branch pipe 60 in the heat exchanger. Referring to fig. 6, it can be seen that at higher altitudes, the wind speed increases, and thus more refrigerant flow may be required. For more refrigerant flow, the inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62 may be increased and the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60 may be decreased.

For example, in fig. 6, it is assumed that 6 branch pipes 60 are joined to each of 7 distribution paths 22 so that refrigerant flows into a total of 42 branch pipes 60.

In this case, when the refrigerant equally flows into the 7 distribution paths, among the 42 branch pipes 60, the branch pipe connected to the refrigerant pipe at a higher level of the heat exchanger may have an axial portion 62 having a larger inner diameter Di and have a shorter insertion length L.

On the other hand, when the refrigerant flows into the 7 distribution paths unequally, among the 6 branch pipes 60 joined to each distribution path 22, the branch pipe connected to the refrigerant pipe at a higher level of the heat exchanger may have an axial portion 62 having a larger inner diameter Di and a shorter insertion length L.

In this example, the refrigerant tubes connected to the branch tubes 60 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction of the heat exchanger, and thus the insertion length L and the inner diameter of the axial portion 62 may be different depending on the position in the vertical direction of the heat exchanger, but are not limited thereto.

With regard to the inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62, the above-described structure can be understood as an example of a structure in which the inner diameter of the axial portion of one of at least two branch pipes through which the fluid assigned to the fast-gas-flow portion of the heat exchanger passes is larger than the inner diameter of the axial portion of the other branch pipe through which the fluid assigned to the slow-gas-flow portion of the heat exchanger passes.

Further, with respect to the insertion length L of the branch pipes 60, the above-described structure may be understood as an example of a structure in which the insertion length of one of at least two branch pipes (through which the fluid assigned to the fast-airflow portion of the heat exchanger passes) to the distribution path is shorter than the insertion length of the other branch pipe (through which the fluid assigned to the slow-airflow portion of the heat exchanger passes) to the distribution path.

Meanwhile, although the inner diameter Di and the insertion length L of the axial portion 62 are different among the plurality of branch pipes 60 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, they will not be limited thereto. At least one of the inner diameter or the insertion length L of the axial portion 62 may be different among the plurality of branch pipes 60.

Fig. 7 shows the overall structure of a dispenser 2 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor 2 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 2. Further, as shown in fig. 7, the distributor 2 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a partition plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape as an example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 2 may include an inlet 30, for example, welded to a refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, and a cap 50, for example, welded to an end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end. The inlet 30 is installed outside the spacer sheet 40, so that the spacer sheet 40 is not visible from the outside even though the spacer sheet 40 is shown in fig. 7. Further, the distributor 2 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

In fig. 7, the internal structure of the inner tube 20 is shown by removing the front portion of the outer tube 10. As shown in fig. 7, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner tube 20, and accordingly, a plurality of distribution paths 22 are defined. In the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of partition plates 21 are attached at a certain twist angle with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 20. In fig. 7, partition plates 21a to 21g (specifically, end portions of partition plates 21a to 21g on the outer tube 10 side) of the plurality of partition plates 21 are shown, and distribution paths 22a to 22g of the plurality of distribution paths 22 are shown. Although it is assumed here that the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed at a twisted angle with respect to the central axis of the inner pipe 20, they may be said to be installed along the axis of the inner pipe 20, in which case the plurality of partition plates 21 are an example of a plurality of partitions installed along the axis of the main pipe.

Further, in fig. 7, the spacer plate 40 may have a plurality of spacer holes 401 (see, for example, fig. 9) to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the spacer holes.

Multiple branch lines 60 may be coupled to multiple distribution paths 22. Fig. 7 shows the branch pipes 60a to 60g coupled to the distribution paths 22a to 22g as a plurality of branch pipes 60.

branch pipes

60a and 60b as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

branch pipes

60a and 60c as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

22a and 22c correspond to the first and second distribution paths, and the

partition plates

21a and 21b correspond to the at least one of the plurality of partitions.

Further, as shown in fig. 7, in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the distribution paths 22a to 22g are defined to have a certain torsion angle with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 20, and thus all the distribution paths 22a to 22g may rotate once around the inner tube 20 and pass through the right side of the inner tube 20. Accordingly, the branch pipes 60a to 60g may be entirely extended rightward by being joined to the portion at the right side where the distribution paths 22a to 22g pass through the inner pipe 20. This structure may be understood as an example of a structure in which a plurality of spacers are installed at a certain torsion angle to the axis of the main pipe.

There may be one set of branch pipes 60a to 60g, although in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a plurality of sets of branch pipes 60a to 60g installed in parallel. The structure in the second embodiment of the present disclosure may be understood as an example of a structure including at least two branch pipes connected to one of a plurality of distribution paths.

The cross-sectional view a-a of the dispenser 2 of fig. 7 is similar to that shown in fig. 3. Even in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62a differs among the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 7). Further, in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the insertion length L is different between the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 7). This also applies to the branch pipes 60b to 60g connected to the distribution paths 22b to 22 g.

Fig. 8 shows a partially enlarged view of the dispenser 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 8, partition plate 21 is formed to have a twist angle θ between outer pipe 10 and inner pipe 20 with respect to the central axis of inner pipe 20. Accordingly, the centrifugal force of the refrigerant in the distribution path 22 may be changed, and thus the refrigerant flow distribution may be adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

The specific embodiment in which the insertion length L and the inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62 may be different between the plurality of branch pipes 60 may be considered to be the same as those in the first embodiment.

Meanwhile, although in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the insertion length L and the inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62 are different between the plurality of branch pipes 60, it will not be limited thereto. The inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62 and the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60 may be maintained the same between the plurality of branch pipes 60.

The overall structure of the dispenser 3 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser in fig. 2 or 7. The distributor 3 is also used to distribute the refrigerant as an example of the fluid passing in the distributor 3. Further, the distributor 3 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 3 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

A plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner tube 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22.

Fig. 9 shows a partially enlarged view of a dispenser 3 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 9, the partition plate 40 may have a plurality of partition holes 401 to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the partition holes 401. In fig. 9, as the plurality of spacer holes 401, spacer holes 401a to 401g are shown to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22g through the spacer holes 401a to 401g, respectively. The spacer holes 401a to 401g are examples of a plurality of spacer holes corresponding to a plurality of distribution paths. In the third embodiment of the present disclosure, the aperture Dh differs between a plurality of spacer holes 401. Therefore, the refrigerant flow distribution to the plurality of distribution paths 22 can be adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

The sheet thickness of the spacer sheet 40 may be equal to or greater than, for example, about 1 mm.

The overall structure of the dispenser 4 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser in fig. 2 or 7. The distributor 4 is also used to distribute the refrigerant as an example of the fluid passing in the distributor 4. Further, the distributor 4 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 4 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view a-a of a distributor 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 10, partition plates 21a to 21g may be installed in the inner tube 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The branch pipe 60a joined and fixed to the distribution path 22a is interposed between the

partition plates

21a and 21g defining the distribution path 22 a. In the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of distribution paths 22 differ in cross-sectional area therebetween. This structure may be understood as an example of a structure in which a plurality of partitions define a plurality of distribution paths so that sectional areas of the plurality of distribution paths cut across a specific plane may be different. Therefore, the refrigerant flow distribution to the plurality of distribution paths 22 can be adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a dispenser 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 11, the dispenser 5 is divided into a first dispenser 71 and a second dispenser 72. The first and second distributors 71 and 72 are examples of two distributor elements. The distributor 5 may include a pipe 70 to distribute the refrigerant to the second distributor 72 before the refrigerant flows into the first distributor 71.

The general structure of the first and second distributors 71 and 72 is similar to that of the distributor in fig. 2 or 7. The first and second distributors 71 and 72 are also used to distribute the refrigerant as an example of the fluid passing in the first and second distributors 71 and 72. Further, the first and second distributors 71 and 72 may each include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the first and second distributors 71 and 72 may each include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

For each of the first and second distributors 71 and 72, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner pipe 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22.

Again, in the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, the distributor 5 is divided into the first and second distributors 71 and 72. Accordingly, the refrigerant flow distribution to the plurality of distribution paths 22 can be adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Fig. 12 shows the overall structure of a heat exchange unit including the distributor 6 and the heat exchanger 8 according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

The overall structure of the distributor 6 included in the heat exchange unit according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the distributor in fig. 2 or 7. The distributor 6 is also used to distribute the refrigerant as an example of the fluid passing in the distributor 6. Further, the distributor 6 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 6 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger 8 included in the heat exchange unit in the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure performs heat exchange between refrigerant, which is an example of the fluid distributed by the distributor 6, and air. The heat exchanger 8 may include a plurality of fins 81 vertically arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, a plurality of refrigerant tubes 82 installed in parallel to pass through holes of the fins 81, a header 83 where refrigerant flowing out of each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 82 is combined, and an external connection pipe 84 through which the refrigerant is discharged from the header 83.

The plurality of branch pipes 60 of the distributor 6 may be connected to the plurality of refrigerant pipes 82 of the heat exchanger 8 one-to-one.

In the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the distributor 6 is lower than the height of the heat exchanger 8. With the distributor 6 having the structure shown in fig. 2, this can be achieved by densely arranging the branch pipes 60 extending in parallel from the distributor 6. Further, with the distributor 6 having the structure shown in fig. 7, this can be achieved by forming a large torsion angle between the plurality of partition plates 21 and the central axis of the inner pipe 20, which enables the branch pipes 60 extending in parallel from the distributor 6 to be densely arranged. Therefore, the refrigerant flow distribution to the plurality of distribution paths 22 can be adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Meanwhile, in the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, since the distributor 6 and the heat exchanger 8 are installed long in the vertical direction, the distributor 6 and the heat exchanger 8 may be compared in height, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, any comparison may be made as long as the length across which the branch pipes 60 of the distributor 6 are arranged in parallel and the length across which the refrigerant pipes 82 of the heat exchanger 8 are arranged in parallel can be compared with each other. That is, the structure in which the height of the distributor 6 is lower than the height of the heat exchanger 8 is an example of a structure in which the length of the distributor is shorter than the length across which the plurality of fluid pipes of the heat exchanger, in which the fluid distributed by the distributor flows, are arranged in parallel.

The overall structure of the dispenser 7 according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser of fig. 2 or 7. The distributor 7 is also used to distribute the refrigerant as an example of the fluid passing in the distributor 7. Further, the distributor 7 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 7 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

Fig. 13 shows a partially enlarged view of a dispenser 7 according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor 7 may also include an outer tube 10, an inner tube 20, and a spacer plate 40. In the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure, a position matching tool for fitting the plurality of distribution paths 22 into the plurality of spacer holes 401 may be installed. Specifically, the convex portions 47 may be formed on the partition plate 40 and the concave portions 27 may be formed on the corresponding one of the plurality of partition plates 21. By fitting the convex portion 47 into the concave portion 27, each of the plurality of spacer holes 401 is fitted to each of the plurality of distribution paths 22.

Accordingly, the refrigerant flow distribution to the plurality of distribution paths 22 can be adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Fig. 14 shows the overall structure of a dispenser 101 according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor 101 serves to distribute refrigerant as an example of fluid passing in the distributor 101. Further, as shown in fig. 14, the dispenser 101 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder and an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may also have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube.

In fig. 14, the internal structure of the inner tube 20 is shown by removing the front portion of the outer tube 10. As shown in fig. 14, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner tube 20, and accordingly, a plurality of distribution paths 22 are defined. In the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in parallel to the central axis of the inner pipe 20. In fig. 14, when viewed from the front, partition plates 21a to 21c (specifically, end portions of partition plates 21a to 21c on the outer tube 10 side) of the plurality of partition plates 21 are shown, and distribution paths 22a to 22d of the plurality of distribution paths 22 are shown. Although it is assumed here that the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed parallel to the central axis of the inner pipe 20, they may be installed along the axis of the inner pipe 20, in which case the plurality of partition plates 21 are an example of a plurality of partitions installed along the axis of the main pipe.

In the dispenser 101, the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 are integrated into one unit. That is, the plurality of partition plates 21 are examples of a plurality of partitions integrally mounted with the main pipe.

Further, the distributor 101 may include, for example, an inlet 30 welded to the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, a spacer plate 40 installed at the refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20, and a cap 50 welded, for example, to the end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end. The inlet 30 is installed outside the spacer sheet 40 so that the spacer sheet 40 is not visible from the outside even though the spacer sheet 40 is shown in fig. 14. Further, in fig. 14, the partition plate 40 may have a plurality of partition holes 411 (see fig. 17) to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the plurality of partition holes 411. The cap 50 is used to seal all of the plurality of dispensing paths 22.

Further, the distributor 101 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

Multiple branch lines 60 may be coupled to multiple distribution paths 22. Fig. 14 shows branch pipes 60e to 60g respectively coupled to the distribution paths 22e to 22g, in addition to the branch pipes 60a to 60d respectively coupled to the distribution paths 22a to 22 d.

branch pipes

60a and 60b as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

branch pipes

60a and 60c as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

22a and 22c correspond to the first and second distribution paths and the

partition plates

21a and 21b correspond to the at least one of the plurality of partitions.

Further, as shown in fig. 14, in the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, the branch pipe 60a may directly extend rightward from the distribution path 22 a. The branch pipes 60b to 60d may first extend forward from the distribution paths 22b to 22d, then be bent and extend rightward. The branch pipes 60e to 60g may first extend from the distribution paths 22e to 22g to the opposite side, and then be bent and extend rightward.

There may be one set of branch pipes 60a to 60g, although in the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a plurality of sets of branch pipes 60a to 60g installed in parallel. The structure in the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure may be understood as an example of a structure including at least two branch pipes connected to one of a plurality of distribution paths.

Fig. 15 shows a cross-sectional view a-a of the dispenser 101 of fig. 14. Referring to fig. 15, in the dispenser 101, the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 are integrated into one unit. Partition plates 21a to 21g may be installed in the inner tube 20, thereby defining a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The partition plate 21 connects the central portion of the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 such that the width of the distribution path 22 between the partition plates 21 decreases from the outside of the inner tube 20 to the central portion. In fig. 15, branch pipe 60a joined and fixed to distribution path 22a is interposed between

partition plates

21a and 21g defining distribution path 22 a. Even in the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62a differs among the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 14). Further, in the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, the insertion length L is different between the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 14). Although the branch pipe 60a coupled to the distribution path 22a is illustrated because fig. 15 is an a-a sectional view of the distributor 101 of fig. 14, the above description about the branch pipe 60a may be equally applied to the other branch pipes 60b to 60g coupled to the distribution paths 22a to 22 g.

Meanwhile, although in the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, the insertion length L and the inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62 are different between the plurality of branch pipes 60, it will not be limited thereto. At least one of the insertion length L or the inner diameter of the axial portion 62 may be different among the plurality of branch pipes 60.

As described above, in the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, when the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 are integrated into one unit, the refrigerant flow resistance is changed in the single distribution path 22. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the refrigerant flow distribution while preventing the refrigerant leakage, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Fig. 16 shows the overall structure of a dispenser 102 according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor 102 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 102. Further, as shown in fig. 14, the dispenser 102 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder and an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube.

In fig. 16, the internal structure of the inner tube 20 is shown by removing the front portion of the outer tube 10. As shown in fig. 16, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner tube 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22. In the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed at a twisted angle with respect to the central axis of the inner pipe 20. In fig. 16, partition plates 21a to 21g (specifically, end portions of partition plates 21a to 21g on the outer tube 10 side) of the plurality of partition plates 21 are shown, and distribution paths 22a to 22g of the plurality of distribution paths 22 are shown. Although it is assumed here that the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed at a twisted angle with respect to the central axis of the inner pipe 20, they may be said to be installed along the axis of the inner pipe 20, in which case the plurality of partition plates 21 are an example of a plurality of partitions installed along the axis of the main pipe.

In the dispenser 102, the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 are integrated into one unit. That is, the plurality of partition plates 21 are examples of a plurality of partitions integrally mounted with the main pipe.

Further, the distributor 102 may include, for example, an inlet 30 welded to the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, a spacer plate 40 installed at the refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20, and a cap 50 welded, for example, to the end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end. The inlet 30 is installed outside the spacer sheet 40 so that the spacer sheet 40 is not visible from the outside even though the spacer sheet 40 is shown in fig. 14. Further, in fig. 16, the partition plate 40 may have a plurality of partition holes 411 (see fig. 17) to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the partition holes 411. The cap 50 is used to seal all of the plurality of dispensing paths 22.

Further, the distributor 102 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

Multiple branch lines 60 may be coupled to multiple distribution paths 22. Fig. 16 shows the branch pipes 60a to 60g joined to the distribution paths 22a to 22g as a plurality of branch pipes 60.

branch pipes

60a and 60b as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

branch pipes

60a and 60c as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

22a and 22c correspond to the first and second distribution paths, and the

partition plates

21a and 21b correspond to the at least one of the plurality of partitions.

Further, as shown in fig. 16, in the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure, the distribution paths 22a to 22g are defined to have a certain torsion angle with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 20, and thus all the distribution paths 22a to 22g may rotate once around the inner tube 20 and pass through the right side of the inner tube 20. Accordingly, the branch pipes 60a to 60g may be entirely extended rightward by being joined to a portion where the distribution paths 22a to 22g pass through the right side of the inner pipe 20. This structure may be understood as an example of a structure in which a plurality of spacers are installed to have a certain torsion angle with respect to the axis of the main pipe.

There may be one set of branch pipes 60a to 60g, although in the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a plurality of sets of branch pipes 60a to 60g installed in parallel. The structure in the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure may be understood as an example of a structure including at least two branch pipes connected to one of a plurality of distribution paths.

The cross-sectional view a-a of the dispenser 102 of fig. 16 is similar to the cross-sectional view a-a of the dispenser shown in fig. 15. Even in the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62a differs among the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 16). Further, in the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure, the insertion length L is different between the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 16). This also applies to the branch pipes 60b to 60g connected to the distribution paths 22b to 22 g.

Meanwhile, although in the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure, the insertion length L and the inner diameter Di of the axial portion 62 are different between the plurality of branch pipes 60, it will not be limited thereto. At least one of the insertion length L or the inner diameter of the axial portion 62 may be different among the plurality of branch pipes 60.

As described above, in the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure, when the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 are integrated into one unit, the refrigerant flow resistance is changed in the single distribution path 22. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the refrigerant flow distribution while preventing the refrigerant leakage, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

The overall structure of the dispenser 103 according to the tenth embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser of fig. 14 or 16. The distributor 103 is also used to distribute the refrigerant as an example of the fluid passing in the distributor 103. Further, the dispenser 103 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder and an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube.

In the dispenser 103, the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 are integrated into one unit. That is, the plurality of partition plates 21 are examples of a plurality of partitions integrally mounted with the main pipe.

Further, the distributor 103 may include, for example, an inlet 30 welded to the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, a spacer plate 40 installed at the refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20, and a cap 50 welded, for example, to the end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end.

Further, the distributor 103 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

Fig. 17 shows a partially enlarged view of the dispenser 103 according to a tenth embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 17, in the distributor 103, the spacer plates 40 correspond to the protruding spacer plates 41, and the brazing sheet 42 is installed between the protruding spacer plates 41 and the outer tube 10.

The protruding shim plate 41 may have a plurality of shim holes 411 to allow refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the shim holes 411. Specifically, in fig. 17, the plurality of tab holes 411 may include tab holes 411a to 411g to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22g through the tab holes 411a to 411g, respectively. The protruding spacer sheet 41 may further include a plurality of protrusions 412 inserted into the plurality of dispensing paths 22. Specifically, in fig. 17, the plurality of protrusions 412 may include protrusions 412a to 412g inserted into the distribution paths 22a to 22g, respectively. Each of the plurality of protrusions 412 may have a through-hole at the center to allow the refrigerant flowing from the corresponding spacer hole 411 to flow into the corresponding distribution path 22 therethrough.

When the plurality of projections 412 of the projecting spacer sheet 41 are inserted into the plurality of distribution paths 22 of the outer tube 10, the brazing sheet 42 serves to closely join the plurality of projections 412 of the projecting spacer sheet 41 to the plurality of distribution paths 22 of the outer tube 10. The brazing sheet 42 may include a plurality of sheet holes 421, and the plurality of protrusions 412 are inserted into the sheet holes 421. The brazing sheet 42 may also include a plurality of projections 422 for insertion into the plurality of dispensing paths 22. Each of the plurality of protrusions 422 may have a through hole at the center to allow the refrigerant flowing from the corresponding chip hole 421 to flow into the corresponding distribution path 22 through the through hole.

However, the mounting of the brazing sheet 42 is not essential. Instead of mounting the brazing sheet 42, a brazing sheet may be applied to the joint portion between the protruding spacer plates 41 and the outer tube 10 when the plurality of protrusions 412 of the protruding spacer plates 41 are inserted into the plurality of distribution paths 22 of the outer tube 10.

As described above, in the tenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the spacer sheet 40 is provided as the protruding spacer sheet 41 having the protruding portions 412 inserted into the plurality of distribution paths 22. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the refrigerant flow distribution while preventing the refrigerant from leaking from the joint portion between the partition plate 40 and the outer tube 10, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

The overall structure of the dispenser 104 according to the eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser of fig. 14 or 16. Distributor 104 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing through distributor 104. Further, the distributor 104 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder and an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube.

In the distributor 104, the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 are integrated into one unit. That is, the plurality of partition plates 21 are examples of a plurality of partitions integrally mounted with the main pipe.

Further, the distributor 104 may include, for example, an inlet 30 welded to the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, a spacer plate 40 installed at the refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20, and a cap 50 welded, for example, to the end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end.

Further, the distributor 104 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

Fig. 18 shows a partial enlarged view of the distributor 104 according to the eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 18, in the dispenser 104, the cap 50 corresponds to the protrusion cap 51, and the brazing sheet 52 is installed between the protrusion cap 51 and the outer tube 10.

The projection cap 51 may also include a plurality of projections 512 that are inserted into the plurality of dispensing paths 22. Specifically, in fig. 18, the plurality of protrusions 512 may include protrusions 512a to 512g inserted into the distribution paths 22a to 22g, respectively. The plurality of projections 512 are hidden in the cap 50 and are not visible at the angle as in fig. 18, but they are shown in phantom as if seen through the cap 50.

When the plurality of protrusions 512 of the protrusion cap 51 are inserted into the plurality of distribution paths 22 of the outer tube 10, the brazing sheet 52 serves to closely join the plurality of protrusions 512 of the protrusion cap 51 to the plurality of distribution paths 22 of the outer tube 10. The brazing sheet 52 may include a plurality of sheet holes 521, and the plurality of protrusions 512 are inserted into the sheet holes 521. The brazing sheet 52 may also include a plurality of projections 522 inserted into the plurality of dispensing paths 22.

However, the mounting of the brazing sheet 52 is not essential. Instead of mounting the brazing sheet 52, a brazing sheet may be applied to a joint portion between the protrusion cap 51 and the outer tube 10 when the plurality of protrusions 512 of the protrusion cap 51 are inserted into the plurality of distribution paths 22 of the outer tube 10.

As described above, in the eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure, the cap 50 may be provided as the protrusion cap 51 having the protrusion 512 inserted into the plurality of distribution paths 22. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the refrigerant flow distribution while preventing the refrigerant from leaking from the joint portion between the cap 50 and the outer tube 10, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

The overall structure of the dispenser 105 according to the twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser of fig. 14 or 16. The distributor 105 is also used to distribute the refrigerant as an example of the fluid passing in the distributor 105. Further, the dispenser 105 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder and an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube.

In the dispenser 105, the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 are integrated into one unit. That is, the plurality of partition plates 21 are examples of a plurality of partitions integrally mounted with the main pipe.

Further, the distributor 105 may include, for example, an inlet 30 welded to the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, a spacer plate 40 installed at the refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20, and a cap 50 welded, for example, to the end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end.

Further, the distributor 105 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

Fig. 19 shows a perspective view of the outer cap 12 according to a twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 19, the outer lid 12 may include a plurality of burring holes 13. The plurality of branch pipes 60 may be connected to the outer cap 12 by being inserted into the plurality of burring holes 13, respectively. The outer cap 12 used here is an example of a cap mounted on the outer periphery of the main tube.

Fig. 20 shows a partially enlarged view of the dispenser 105 according to the twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure. For the dispenser 105 having the same structure as that of fig. 16, the branch pipes 60 are connected from one direction so that a single outer cap 12 can be attached to the outer tube 10. However, it is assumed here that in the distributor 105 having the same structure as that of fig. 14, the branch pipes 60 are connected from a plurality of directions. Therefore, the outer tube 10 as shown in fig. 20 has an outer cap 12a with a burring hole 13a and an outer cap 12b with a burring hole 13b attached to the outer tube 10 to face different directions. In this case, the outer cap 12a may be fixed to the outer tube 10 by bending the catch 14a at the end thereof in the direction indicated by the arrow Da, as shown in fig. 20. The outer cap 12b may be fixed to the outer tube 10 by bending the catch 14b at its end in the direction indicated by the arrow Db. Alternatively, instead of fixing the

outer caps

12a and 12b to the outer tube 10 by bending the

snaps

14a and 14b at the ends thereof, the

outer caps

12a and 12b may be fixed to the outer tube 10 by winding a steel wire all around the outer tube 10 and the

outer caps

12a and 12b while the

outer caps

12a and 12b are attached to the outer tube 10.

Although there are two outer caps 12 attached to the outer tube 10 in fig. 20, three or more outer caps 12 may be attached to the outer tube 10.

Further, although the burring hole 13 is formed at the outer cap 12 to attach the outer cap 12 to the outer tube 10, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the burring holes 13 may be directly formed at the outer tube 10.

As described above, in the twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of branch pipes 60 are inserted into the plurality of burring holes 13. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the refrigerant flow distribution while preventing the refrigerant from leaking from the joint portion between the branch pipe 60 and the outer pipe 10, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Fig. 21 shows the overall structure of a heat exchange unit including a distributor 106 and a heat exchanger 8 according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure.

The overall structure of the distributor 106 included in the heat exchange unit according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the distributor of fig. 14 or 16. Distributor 106 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing through distributor 106. Further, the distributor 106 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder and an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube.

In the distributor 106, the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 are integrated into one unit. That is, the plurality of partition plates 21 are examples of a plurality of partitions integrally mounted with the main pipe.

Further, the distributor 106 may include, for example, an inlet 30 welded to the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, a spacer plate 40 installed at the refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20, and a cap 50 welded, for example, to the end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end.

Further, the distributor 106 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes 82 of the heat exchanger 8, which will be described later.

The heat exchanger 8 included in the heat exchange unit in the thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure performs heat exchange between the refrigerant, which is an example of the fluid distributed by the distributor 106, and air. The heat exchanger 8 may include a plurality of fins 81 vertically arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, a plurality of refrigerant tubes 82 as an example of a plurality of fluid tubes installed in parallel to pass through holes of the fins 81, a header 83 where refrigerant flowing from each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 82 is merged, and an external connection pipe 84 through which the refrigerant is discharged from the header 83.

The plurality of branch pipes 60 of the distributor 106 may be connected to the plurality of refrigerant pipes 82 of the heat exchanger 8 one-to-one.

As described above, in the thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, when the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 are integrated into one unit, the refrigerant flow resistance is changed in the single distribution path 22. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the refrigerant flow distribution while preventing the refrigerant leakage, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Fig. 22 shows the overall structure of a dispenser 201 according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor 201 serves to distribute refrigerant as an example of fluid passing in the distributor 201. Further, as shown in fig. 22, the distributor 201 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 201 may include an inlet 30 welded to a refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, for example, and a cap 50 welded to an end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end, for example. The inlet 30 is installed outside the spacer sheet 40, so that even though the spacer sheet 40 is shown in fig. 22, the spacer sheet 40 is not visible from the outside. Further, the distributor 201 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

In fig. 22, the internal structure of the inner tube 20 is shown by removing the front portion of the outer tube 10. As shown in fig. 22, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner tube 20, and accordingly, a plurality of distribution paths 22 are defined. In the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in parallel to the central axis of the inner tube 20. In fig. 22, when viewed from the front, partition plates 21a to 21c (specifically, end portions of partition plates 21a to 21c on the outer tube 10 side) of the plurality of partition plates 21 are shown, and distribution paths 22a to 22d of the plurality of distribution paths 22 are shown. Although it is assumed here that the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed parallel to the central axis of the inner pipe 20, they may be installed along the axis of the inner pipe 20, in which case the plurality of partition plates 21 are an example of a plurality of partitions installed along the axis of the main pipe.

Further, in fig. 22, the spacer plate 40 may have a plurality of spacer holes to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the spacer holes.

Multiple branch lines 60 may be coupled to multiple distribution paths 22. Fig. 22 shows branch pipes 60e to 60g respectively linked to distribution paths 22e to 22g, in addition to branch pipes 60a to 60d respectively linked to distribution paths 22a to 22 d.

branch pipes

60a and 60b as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

branch pipes

60a and 60c as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

22a and 22c correspond to the first and second distribution paths, and the

partition plates

21a and 21b correspond to the at least one of the plurality of partitions.

Further, as shown in fig. 22, in the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the branch pipe 60a may directly extend rightward from the distribution path 22 a. The branch pipes 60b to 60d may first extend forward from the distribution paths 22b to 22d, then be bent and extend rightward. The branch pipes 60e to 60g may first extend from the distribution paths 22e to 22g to the opposite side, and then be bent and extend rightward.

There may be one set of branch pipes 60a to 60g, although in the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a plurality of sets of branch pipes 60a to 60g installed in parallel. The structure in the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure may be understood as an example of a structure including at least two branch pipes connected to one of a plurality of distribution paths.

Fig. 23 to 25 are sectional views along line a-a of the dispenser 201 of fig. 22. Referring to fig. 23 to 25, partition plates 21a to 21g may be installed in the inner tube 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The partition plate 21 connects the central portion of the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 such that the width of the distribution path 22 between the partition plates 21 decreases from the outside of the inner tube 20 to the central portion. A step portion 23a to 23g may be formed on each of the partition plates 21a to 21 g. Further, branch pipe 60a joined and fixed to distribution path 22a is inserted between

partition plates

21a and 21g defining distribution path 22a and is supported by

step portions

23a and 23 g. In this case, assuming that

partition plates

21a and 21g are examples of two adjacent partitions, distribution path 22a corresponds to a distribution path defined by the two partitions, branch pipe 60a corresponds to a branch pipe connected to the distribution path among the plurality of branch pipes, and

step portions

23a and 23g correspond to at least one step portion supporting the branch pipe.

In fig. 23 to 25, the step portions 23a to 23g each include two steps, but are not limited thereto. For example, the step portions 23a to 23g may each include one step or three or more steps. For example, when the

step parts

23a and 23g each include two or more steps, the branch pipe 60a may be put in until reaching the second step or more outer steps of the

step parts

23a and 23g from the central portion of the inner pipe 20. This makes a step at the refrigerant inlet side of the branch pipe 60, enabling to change the fluid resistance of the refrigerant and to adjust the refrigerant flow distribution.

Further, in the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, among the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 22), the difference in the step positions of the

step portions

23a and 23g supporting the branch pipes 60a may make the inner diameters D of the axial portions 62a different. This structure is an example of a structure in which the inner diameters of the axial portions are different because the branch pipes are supported by different steps of the plurality of steps.

Further, in the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the insertion length L of the branch pipes 60a may be made different as shown in fig. 24 by the difference in the step positions of the

step portions

23a and 23g for supporting the branch pipes 60a among the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 22). This structure is an example of a structure in which the insertion length to the distribution path is different because the branch pipe is supported by different steps among the plurality of steps.

Further, in the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 25, the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60a may be set to be less than half the depth H of the distribution path 22 a. In this case, the step portions 23a to 23g may include steps to support the branch pipes 60a at positions more outside than half of the depth H of the distribution paths 22a to 22 g.

Fig. 26 shows a graph representing the reason why it is desirable that the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60 is smaller than half the depth H of the distribution path 22. In the graph, the horizontal axis represents the insertion length tolerance. The insertion length tolerance represents a positive error toward the shorter insertion length L and a negative error toward the longer insertion length L with reference to half the depth H. As can be seen from the graph, the percentage of flow distribution changes rapidly with respect to the deviation of the insertion length tolerance when the insertion length L is long, and the percentage of flow distribution changes slowly and stabilizes with respect to the deviation of the insertion length tolerance when the insertion length L is short. Accordingly, it is desirable that the insertion length L of the manifold 60 be less than half the depth H of the dispensing path 22.

The structure here is an example of a structure in which the insertion length to the distribution path is made smaller than half the depth of the distribution path by supporting the branch pipe at a shallow position not deeper than half the depth of the distribution path in a specific step. In this case, the specific step may correspond to a step more outside than half the depth H of the distribution paths 22a to 22 b.

Although the branch pipe 60a coupled to the distribution path 22a is shown since fig. 23 to 25 are a-a sectional views of the distributor 201 of fig. 22, the above description about the branch pipe 60a may be equally applied to the other branch pipes 60b to 60g coupled to the distribution paths 22a to 22 g.

As described above, in the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner diameter D of the axial portion of the branch pipe 60 or the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60 is different between the plurality of branch pipes 60, or the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60 may be set to be less than half the depth H of the distribution path 22. Accordingly, the refrigerant flow distribution can be adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Fig. 27 shows a cross-sectional view a-a of the dispenser 201 of fig. 22. Referring to fig. 27, partition plates 21a to 21g may be installed in the inner tube 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The partition plate 21 connects the central portion of the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 such that the width of the distribution path 22 between the partition plates 21 decreases from the outside of the inner tube 20 to the central portion. A step portion 23a to 23g may be formed on each of the partition plates 21a to 21 g. Further, branch pipe 60a joined and fixed to distribution path 22a is inserted between

partition plates

21a and 21g defining distribution path 22a and is supported by

step portions

23a and 23 g. In this case, assuming that

partition plates

step portions

23a and 23g correspond to at least one step portion supporting the branch pipe.

In fig. 27, the step portions 23a to 23g each include a step, but are not limited thereto. For example, the step portions 23a to 23g may each include two or more steps.

In the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerant inflow area S1 at the leading end of the branch pipe 60a occupying a portion more inside than the step of the

step portions

23a and 23g supporting the branch pipe 60a may be different from the refrigerant passing area S2 around the branch pipe 60a occupying a portion more outside than the step of the supporting branch pipe 60 a. As described above, the variation of the ratio between the refrigerant inflow area S1 at the front end of the branch pipe 60a and the refrigerant passing area S2 around the branch pipe 60a may achieve the adjustment of the refrigerant flow distribution, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Although the branch pipe 60a coupled to the distribution path 22a is shown since fig. 27 is an a-a sectional view of the distributor 201 of fig. 22, the above description about the branch pipe 60a may be equally applied to the other branch pipes 60b to 60g coupled to the distribution paths 22a to 22 g.

Fig. 28 shows the overall structure of a dispenser 202 according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor 202 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 202. Further, as shown in fig. 28, the distributor 202 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 202 may include an inlet 30 welded to a refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, for example, and a cap 50 welded to an end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end, for example. The inlet 30 is installed outside the spacer sheet 40, so that even though the spacer sheet 40 is shown in fig. 22, the spacer sheet 40 is not visible from the outside. Further, the distributor 202 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

In fig. 28, the internal structure of the inner tube 20 is shown by removing the front portion of the outer tube 10. As shown in fig. 22, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner tube 20, and accordingly, a plurality of distribution paths 22 are defined. In the fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed at a twisted angle with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 20. In fig. 28, partition plates 21a to 21g (specifically, end portions of partition plates 21a to 21g on the outer tube 10 side) of the plurality of partition plates 21 are shown, and distribution paths 22a to 22g of the plurality of distribution paths 22 are shown. Although it is assumed here that the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed at a twisted angle with respect to the central axis of the inner pipe 20, they may be said to be installed along the axis of the inner pipe 20, in which case the plurality of partition plates 21 are an example of a plurality of partitions installed along the axis of the main pipe.

Further, in fig. 28, the spacer plate 40 may have a plurality of spacer holes to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the spacer holes.

Multiple branch lines 60 may be coupled to multiple distribution paths 22. In fig. 28, the branch pipes 60a to 60g joined to the distribution paths 22a to 22g are shown as a plurality of branch pipes 60.

branch pipes

60a and 60b as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

branch pipes

60a and 60c as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

22a and 22c correspond to the first and second distribution paths, and the

partition plates

21a and 21b correspond to the at least one of the plurality of partitions.

Further, as shown in fig. 28, in the fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the distribution paths 22a to 22g are defined to have a certain torsion angle with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 20, and thus all the distribution paths 22a to 22g can be rotated once around the inner tube 20 and pass through the right side of the inner tube 20. Accordingly, the branch pipes 60a to 60g may be entirely extended rightward by being joined to a portion where the distribution paths 22a to 22g pass through the right side of the inner pipe 20. This structure may be understood as an example of a structure in which a plurality of spacers are installed to form a certain torsion angle with respect to the axis of the main pipe.

There may be one set of branch pipes 60a to 60g, although in the fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a plurality of sets of branch pipes 60a to 60g installed in parallel. The structure in the fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure may be understood as an example of a structure including at least two branch pipes connected to one of a plurality of distribution paths.

The a-a cross-sectional view of the dispenser 202 of fig. 28 is similar to the a-a cross-sectional view of the dispenser shown in fig. 23-25. Further, in the fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the difference in the step positions of the

step portions

23a and 23g of the support branch pipes 60a may make the inner diameters D of the constricted sections 62a different among the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 28). This structure is an example of a structure in which the inner diameters of the axial portions are different because the branch pipes are supported by different steps of the plurality of steps. Further, in the fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, among a plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 28), the difference in the step positions of the

step portions

23a and 23g supporting the branch pipes 60a may cause the insertion lengths L of the branch pipes 60a to be different. This structure is an example of a structure in which the insertion length to the distribution path is different because the branch pipe is supported by different steps among the plurality of steps. Further, in the fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60a may be set to be less than half the depth H of the distribution path 22 a. The structure here is an example of a structure in which the insertion length to the distribution path is made smaller than half the depth of the distribution path by supporting the branch pipe at a shallow position not deeper than half the depth of the distribution path in a specific step. This also applies to the branch pipes 60b to 60g connected to the distribution paths 22b to 22 g.

As described above, in the fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner diameter D of the axial portion of the branch pipe 60 or the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60 is different between the plurality of branch pipes 60, or the insertion length L of the branch pipe 60 may be set to be less than half the depth H of the distribution path 22. Accordingly, the refrigerant flow distribution can be adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

The a-a cross-sectional view of the dispenser 202 of fig. 28 is similar to the a-a cross-sectional view of the dispenser shown in fig. 27. In the fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerant inflow area S1 at the leading end of the branch pipe 60a occupying a portion more inside than the step of the

step portions

23a and 23g supporting the branch pipe 60a may be different from the refrigerant passing area S2 around the branch pipe 60a occupying a portion more outside than the step of the supporting branch pipe 60 a. As described above, the variation of the ratio between the refrigerant inflow area S1 at the front end of the branch pipe 60a and the refrigerant passing area S2 around the branch pipe 60a may achieve the adjustment of the refrigerant flow distribution, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity. This also applies to the branch pipes 60b to 60g connected to the distribution paths 22b to 22 g.

The overall structure of the dispenser 203 according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser in fig. 22 or 28. The distributor 203 is also used to distribute the refrigerant as an example of the fluid passing in the distributor 203. Further, the distributor 203 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 203 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

A plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner tube 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22. The inner tube 20 is an example of a member including a plurality of partitions.

Fig. 29 shows a partially enlarged view of a distributor 203 according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the dispenser 203 having the structure as shown in fig. 28 is taken as an example. In the sixteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the distributor 203 may be manufactured by joining the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 by contraction of the outer tube 10 or expansion of the inner tube 20.

In other words, in the sixteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer pipe 10 and the inner pipe 20, which are separately prepared, may be joined together by contraction of the outer pipe 10 or expansion of the inner pipe 20. Therefore, in the distributor 203 having the structure as in fig. 22, the number of partition plates 21 may be arbitrarily changed based on the capacity of the heat exchanger. In addition to this, the distributor 203 having the structure as shown in fig. 28 may allow the twist angle θ as shown in fig. 29 to be arbitrarily changed according to the capacity of the heat exchanger.

The overall structure of the dispenser 204 according to the seventeenth embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser in fig. 22 or 28. The distributor 204 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 204. Further, the distributor 204 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 204 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

Fig. 30 shows a partially enlarged view of a dispenser 204 according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the dispenser 204 having the structure as shown in fig. 28 is taken as an example. Referring to fig. 20, the distributor 204 may have deformation ribs 24 which are collapsed and deformed by contacting the outer tube 10 installed at the front end of the partition plate 21 of the inner tube 20. The deformed rib 24 may be a pressed-down rib 24.

That is, in the seventeenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the crush ribs 24 may be formed at the front end of the partition plate 21 of the inner tube 20. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the refrigerant flow distribution while preventing the refrigerant leakage, thereby increasing the heat exchange capacity.

Fig. 31 shows the overall structure of a heat exchange unit including a distributor 205 and a heat exchanger 8 according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure.

The overall structure of the distributor 205 included in the heat exchange unit according to the eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the distributor in fig. 22 or 28. The distributor 205 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 205. Further, the distributor 205 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. Further, the distributor 205 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes 82 of a heat exchanger 8, which will be described later.

The heat exchanger 8 included in the heat exchange unit in the eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure performs heat exchange between refrigerant, which is an example of the fluid distributed by the distributor 205, and air. The heat exchanger 8 may include a plurality of fins 81 vertically arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, a plurality of refrigerant tubes 82 as an example of a plurality of fluid tubes installed in parallel to pass through holes of the fins 81, a header 83 where refrigerant flowing from each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 82 is merged, and an external connection pipe 84 through which the refrigerant is discharged from the header 83.

The plurality of branch pipes 60 of the distributor 205 may be connected to the plurality of refrigerant pipes 82 of the heat exchanger 8.

In the eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 31, the plurality of branch pipes 60 of the distributor 205 may not necessarily be connected to the plurality of refrigerant pipes 82 one to one. At least one of the plurality of branch pipes 60 may have a Y-branch portion 64 on the downstream side, and two branch pipes 65 before one Y-branch portion 64 may be connected to two refrigerant pipes 82 one-to-one.

This will be described by way of specific examples.

What is shown in fig. 31 is an example of the heat exchanger 8 that requires more refrigerant to flow to the refrigerant tubes 82 in the upper region R1 of the heat exchanger 8 and less refrigerant to flow to the refrigerant tubes 82 in the lower region R2 of the heat exchanger 8.

When the branch pipes 60 are connected to the refrigerant tubes 82 in the upper region R1 one-to-one, the insertion length L may be shorter so that more refrigerant flows to the refrigerant tubes 82 in the upper region R1. Having a short insertion length L is desirable even with small changes in the percentage of flow distribution for deviations in insertion length L, as described above with reference to the graph of fig. 26.

When the branch pipes 60 are connected to the refrigerant tubes 82 in the upper region R1 one-to-one, the insertion length L may be longer so that less refrigerant flows to the refrigerant tubes 82 in the lower region R1. However, a long insertion length L results in a large change in the percentage of the offset flow distribution for the insertion length L, and in this regard, it is desirable that the branch pipe 60 be connected to the distributor 205 with a short insertion length L. Therefore, in the eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, instead of connecting the refrigerant pipes 82 to the branch pipes 60 one-to-one, one branch pipe 60 may be connected to two refrigerant pipes 82, in which case the insertion length L may be short. Therefore, initially more refrigerant flows into the branch pipes 60, but thereafter, less refrigerant flows into each branch pipe 65 due to the Y-branch portion 64.

Meanwhile, although the Y branch portion 64 is installed at the branch pipe 60 connected to the refrigerant pipe 82 in the lower region of the heat exchanger 8, the installation of the Y branch portion 64 is not limited thereto. For example, the Y-branch portion 64 may be installed at the branch pipe 60 connected to the refrigerant pipe 82 in both the upper and lower regions of the heat exchanger 8, and may not be installed at the branch pipe 60 connected to the refrigerant pipe 82 in the middle region of the heat exchanger 8. Alternatively, the Y-branch portion 64 may be installed at the branch pipe 60 connected to the refrigerant pipe 82 in the entire region of the heat exchanger 8.

Further, although the Y-branch portion 64 that divides into two branch pipes 65 is installed on the downstream side of the branch pipe 60 of the distributor 205, it is not limited thereto. For example, a branch portion that is divided into three or more branch pipes 65 may be installed on the downstream side of the branch pipe 60 of the distributor 205.

As described above, in the eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the plurality of branch pipes 60 may have a branch portion that is divided into the plurality of branch pipes 65 installed at the downstream side of the branch pipe 60, and the plurality of branch pipes 54 may be connected to the plurality of refrigerant pipes 82 one to one. Therefore, the refrigerant flow distribution to the refrigerant tubes 82 can be stably adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Fig. 32 shows the overall structure of a dispenser 301 according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor 301 serves to distribute the refrigerant as an example of the fluid passing through the distributor 301. Further, as shown in fig. 32, the distributor 301 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. The inner tube 20 is also shown as having a cylindrical shape, but it may not have a hollow, in which case the inner tube 20 is an example of an inner shaft mounted in the outer tube 10. Further, the distributor 301 may include an inlet 30, for example, welded to the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, and a cap 50, for example, welded to the end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end. The inlet 30 is installed outside the spacer sheet 40, so that even though the spacer sheet 40 is shown in fig. 32, the spacer sheet 40 is not visible from the outside. Further, the distributor 301 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

In fig. 32, the internal structure of the outer tube 10 is shown by removing the front portion of the outer tube 10. As shown in fig. 32, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner or

outer pipe

20 or 10, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22. In the nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in parallel to the central axis of the inner pipe 20. In fig. 32, when viewed from the front, partition plates 21a to 21c (specifically, end portions of partition plates 21a to 21c on the outer tube 10 side) of the plurality of partition plates 21 are shown, and distribution paths 22a to 22d of the plurality of distribution paths 22 are shown. Although it is assumed here that the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed parallel to the central axis of the inner pipe 20, they may be installed along the axis of the inner pipe 20 (i.e., the axis of the outer pipe 10), in which case the plurality of partition plates 21 are an example of a plurality of partitions installed along the axis of the outer pipe 10. Alternatively, it is an example of a plurality of partitions defining a plurality of distribution paths between the outer tube and the inner tube.

Further, in fig. 32, the spacer plate 40 may have a plurality of spacer holes to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the spacer holes.

Multiple branch lines 60 may be coupled to multiple distribution paths 22. Fig. 32 shows branch pipes 60e to 60g respectively linked to the distribution paths 22e to 22g, in addition to the branch pipes 60a to 60d respectively linked to the distribution paths 22a to 22 d.

branch pipes

60a and 60b as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

branch pipes

60a and 60c as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

22a and 22c correspond to the first and second distribution paths and the

partition plates

21a and 21b correspond to the at least one of the plurality of partitions.

Further, as shown in fig. 32, in a nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the branch pipe 60a may directly extend rightward from the distribution path 22 a. The branch pipes 60b to 60d may first extend forward from the distribution paths 22b to 22d, then be bent and extend rightward. The branch pipes 60e to 60g may first extend from the distribution paths 22e to 22g to the opposite side, and then be bent and extend rightward.

There may be one set of branch pipes 60a to 60g, although in the nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a plurality of sets of branch pipes 60a to 60g installed in parallel. The structure in the nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure may be understood as an example of a structure including at least two branch pipes connected to one of a plurality of distribution paths.

Fig. 33A and 33B illustrate a first example of the dispenser 301 of fig. 32. Fig. 33A shows a first example of a perspective view of the refrigerant upstream end of the distributor 301 of fig. 32, and fig. 33B shows a first example of a B-B sectional view of the distributor 301 of fig. 32. Which corresponds to a cross-sectional view cut along a dotted line on the surface of the outer tube 10 of fig. 33A. Partition plates 21a to 21g may be integrally installed with the inner tube 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The partition plate 21 connects the outside of the inner tube 20 and the central portion of the inner tube 20 such that the width of the distribution path 22 between the partition plates 21 decreases from the outside to the central portion of the inner tube 20. Further, partition plates 21a to 21g may be joined to outer tube 10 with substances 25a to 25 g. The substances 25a to 25g may be, for example, an adhesive, but are not limited thereto. The substances 25a to 25g may be any heterogeneous material different from the material(s) of the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20. In addition, in the nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer tube 10 is subjected to the recessing process at positions corresponding to the distribution paths 22a to 22g on the imaginary line of the refrigerant upstream end. Accordingly, the depressions 11a to 11g (i.e., concave portions) may be formed from the outer surface of the outer tube 10, and may serve as protrusions (i.e., convex portions) into the distribution paths 22a to 22 g. Positions on the broken line of the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 corresponding to the distribution paths 22a to 22g are examples of the first position of the open end, and may include any position from the inlet of the distribution path 22 to the branch tubes 60 on the most upstream side of the refrigerant.

Fig. 34A and 34B show a second example of the dispenser 301 of fig. 32. Fig. 34A shows a second example of a perspective view of the refrigerant upstream end of the distributor 301 of fig. 32, and fig. 34B shows a second example of a B-B sectional view of the distributor 301 of fig. 32. Which corresponds to a cross-sectional view cut along a dotted line on the surface of the outer tube 10 of fig. 34A. The partition plates 21a to 21g may be integrally mounted with the outer tube 10, and accordingly define a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The partition plate 21 connects the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube 10 and the inside of the outer tube 10 such that the width of the distribution path 22 between the partition plates 21 decreases from the outer circumferential surface to the inside of the outer tube 10. Further, partition plates 21a to 21g may be joined to inner tube 20 with substances 25a to 25 g. The substances 25a to 25g may be, for example, an adhesive, but are not limited thereto. The substances 25a to 25g may be any heterogeneous material different from the material(s) of the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20. Further, in the nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer tube 10 may be subjected to a recessing process at positions corresponding to the distribution paths 22a to 22g on the imaginary line of the refrigerant upstream end. Accordingly, the depressions 11a to 11g (i.e., concave portions) may be formed from the outer surface of the outer tube 10, and may serve as protrusions (i.e., convex portions) into the distribution paths 22a to 22 g. Positions on the broken line of the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 corresponding to the distribution paths 22a to 22g are examples of the first position of the open end, and may include any position from the inlet of the distribution path 22 to the branch tubes 60 on the most upstream side of the refrigerant.

As described above, in the nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the substances 25a to 25g may be interposed between the partition plates 21a to 21g integrally mounted with the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 or between the partition plates 21a to 21g integrally mounted with the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent leakage of refrigerant between outer tube 10 and partition plates 21a to 21g or between inner tube 20 and partition plates 21a to 21g, which enables adjustment of the refrigerant flow to each distribution path 22.

Further, in the nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer tube 10 may be subjected to a recessing process to form a protrusion into the dispensing path 22. Therefore, the heat exchange capacity can be improved by changing the partial area of the distribution path 22 and adjusting the flow of the refrigerant to each distribution path 22.

Fig. 35 shows the overall structure of a dispenser 302 according to a twentieth embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor 302 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 302. Further, as shown in fig. 35, the distributor 302 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. The inner tube 20 is also shown as having a cylindrical shape, but it may not have a hollow, in which case the inner tube 20 is an example of an inner shaft mounted in the outer tube 10. Further, the distributor 302 may include, for example, an inlet 30 welded to the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, and, for example, a cap 50 welded to the end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end. The inlet 30 is installed outside the spacer sheet 40, so that even though the spacer sheet 40 is shown in fig. 35, the spacer sheet 40 is not visible from the outside. Further, the distributor 302 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

In fig. 35, the internal structure of the outer tube 10 is shown by removing the front portion of the outer tube 10. As shown in fig. 35, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner or

outer tube

20 or 10, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22. In the twentieth embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of partition plates 21 may be installed at a twisted angle with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 20. In fig. 35, partition plates 21a to 21g (specifically, end portions of partition plates 21a to 21g on the outer tube 10 side) of the plurality of partition plates 21 are shown, and distribution paths 22a to 22g of the plurality of distribution paths 22 are shown. Although it is assumed here that the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed at a twisted angle with respect to the central axis of the inner pipe 20, they may also be said to be installed along the axis of the inner pipe 20 (i.e., the axis of the outer pipe 10), in which case the plurality of partition plates 21 are an example of a plurality of partitions installed along the axis of the outer pipe. Alternatively, it is an example of a plurality of partitions defining a plurality of distribution paths between the outer tube and the inner tube.

Further, in fig. 35, the spacer plate 40 may have a plurality of spacer holes to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the spacer holes.

Multiple branch lines 60 may be coupled to multiple distribution paths 22. In fig. 35, the branch pipes 60a to 60g joined to the distribution paths 22a to 22g are shown as a plurality of branch pipes 60.

branch pipes

60a and 60b as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

branch pipes

60a and 60c as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

22a and 22c correspond to the first and second distribution paths, and the

partition plates

21a and 21b correspond to the at least one of the plurality of partitions.

Further, as shown in fig. 35, in the twentieth embodiment of the present disclosure, the distribution paths 22a to 22g are defined to have a certain twist angle with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 20, and thus all the distribution paths 22a to 22g may be rotated once around the inner tube 20 and pass through the right side of the inner tube 20. Accordingly, the branch pipes 60a to 60g may be entirely extended rightward by being joined to a portion where the distribution paths 22a to 22g pass through the right side of the inner pipe 20. This structure may be understood as an example of a structure in which a plurality of spacers are installed at a certain torsion angle to the axis of the outer tube.

There may be one set of branch pipes 60a to 60g, although in the twentieth embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a plurality of sets of branch pipes 60a to 60g installed in parallel. The structure in the twentieth embodiment of the present disclosure may be understood as an example of a structure including at least two branch pipes connected to one of the plurality of distribution paths.

The perspective view of the refrigerant upstream end of the distributor 302 in fig. 35 is similar to that of fig. 33A or fig. 34A. The B-B cross-sectional view of the dispenser 302 of fig. 35 is similar to the B-B cross-sectional view of the dispenser of fig. 33B or fig. 34B.

The overall structure of the dispenser 303 according to the twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser in fig. 32 or 35. The distributor 303 is also used to distribute the refrigerant as an example of the fluid passing in the distributor 303. Further, the distributor 303 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a shim plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. The inner tube 20 is also shown as having a cylindrical shape, but it may not have a hollow, in which case the inner tube 20 is an example of an inner shaft mounted in the outer tube 10. Further, the distributor 303 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

A plurality of partition plates 21 may be installed in the inner or

outer tube

20 or 10, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22.

Fig. 36A and 36B are cross-sectional views of a dispenser 303 according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure. The sectional view shows a case where a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner pipe 20.

Fig. 36A shows a B-B cross-sectional view of a dispenser 303 according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure. Partition plates 21a to 21g may be integrally installed with the inner tube 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The partition plate 21 connects the outside of the inner tube 20 and the central portion of the inner tube 20 such that the width of the distribution path 22 between the partition plates 21 decreases from the outside to the central portion of the inner tube 20. Further, partition plates 21a to 21g are joined to outer tube 10 with substances 25a to 25 g. The substances 25a to 25g may be, for example, an adhesive, but are not limited thereto. The substances 25a to 25g may be any heterogeneous material different from the material(s) of the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20. Further, in the twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer tube 10 is subjected to a recessing process at a position corresponding to the distribution paths 22a to 22g on the imaginary line of the refrigerant upstream end. Accordingly, the depressions 11a to 11g (i.e., concave portions) may be formed from the outer surface of the outer tube 10, and may serve as protrusions (i.e., convex portions) into the distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The B-B line (or B-B position) is an example of the first position of the open end of the outer tube, and may include any position from the inlet of the distribution path 22 to the branch tube 60 on the most upstream side of the refrigerant.

Fig. 36B shows a C-C cross-sectional view of a dispenser 303 according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 36B, the spacer plate 43 may be installed along the C-C line (or C-C position) of the distributor 303, which may have a plurality of spacer holes 431 to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the spacer holes 431. In fig. 36B, as the plurality of partition holes 431, partition holes 431a to 431g are shown to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22g through the partition holes 431a to 431g, respectively. The spacer holes 431a to 431g are examples of a plurality of spacer holes corresponding to a plurality of distribution paths. The C-C line is an example of the second position of the portion other than the end of the outer tube, and the second position may include any position between the branch tube 60 on the refrigerant most downstream side among the branch tubes 60 included in one group and the branch tube 60 on the refrigerant most upstream side among the branch tubes 60 included in one group adjacent to the preceding group on the downstream side. Alternatively, a plurality of positions at which the spacer plates 43 are mounted or a recess process is performed may be selected.

In a twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure, the dispenser 303 may have the separator plate 43 shown in fig. 36B installed along line B-B, and may be subjected to a debossing process as shown in fig. 36A along line C-C. The B-B line is an example of the first position of the open end of the outer tube, and may include any position from the inlet of the distribution path 22 to the branch tube 60 on the most upstream side of the refrigerant. Further, the C-C line is an example of the second position of the portion other than the end portion of the outer tube, and the second position may include any position between the branch tube 60 on the refrigerant most downstream side among the branch tubes 60 included in one group and the branch tube 60 on the refrigerant most upstream side among the branch tubes 60 included in one group adjacent to the preceding group on the downstream side. Alternatively, a plurality of positions at which the spacer plates 43 are mounted or a recess process is performed may be selected.

Even in the twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of partition plates 21 may be integrally mounted with the outer tube 10. In this case, the sectional view at the position of the dispenser 303 where the recess process is performed is similar to that of fig. 34B.

As described above, in the twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure, the recessing process may be performed at the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10, and the spacer plates 40 may be installed on the distribution path 22 on the refrigerant downstream side. Alternatively, the partition plate 40 may be installed at the refrigerant upstream end of the distribution path 22, and the recessing process may be performed on the outer tube 10 on the refrigerant downstream side. Therefore, the heat exchange capacity can be improved by adjusting the refrigerant flow in the distribution path 22.

Fig. 37 shows the overall structure of a dispenser 304 according to a twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor 304 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 304. Further, as shown in fig. 37, the distributor 304 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. The inner tube 20 is also shown as having a cylindrical shape, but it may not have a hollow, in which case the inner tube 20 is an example of an inner shaft mounted in the outer tube 10. Further, the distributor 304 may include, for example, an inlet 30 welded to the refrigerant upstream end of the outer tube 10 to guide the refrigerant, and, for example, a cap 50 welded to the end of the outer tube 10 opposite to the refrigerant upstream end. The inlet 30 is installed outside the spacer sheet 40, so that even though the spacer sheet 40 is shown in fig. 37, the spacer sheet 40 is not visible from the outside. Further, the distributor 304 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

In fig. 37, the internal structure of the inner tube 20 is shown by removing the front portion of the outer tube 10. As shown in fig. 37, a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner or

outer tube

20 or 10, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22. In the twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of partition plates 21 may be formed to have a small torsion angle with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 20 in the refrigerant upstream range R5, and to have a large torsion angle with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 20 in the refrigerant downstream range R6. In fig. 37, partition plates 21a to 21g (specifically, end portions of partition plates 21a to 21g on the outer tube 10 side) of the plurality of partition plates 21 are shown, and distribution paths 22a to 22g of the plurality of distribution paths 22 are shown. Although it is assumed here that the plurality of partition plates 21 are installed at a twisted angle with respect to the central axis of the outer pipe 10, they may be said to be installed along the axis of the inner pipe 20 (i.e., the axis of the outer pipe 10), in which case the plurality of partition plates 21 are examples of a plurality of partitions installed along the axis of the outer pipe. Alternatively, it is an example of a plurality of partitions defining a plurality of distribution paths between the outer tube and the inner tube.

Further, in fig. 37, the spacer plate 40 may have a plurality of spacer holes to allow the refrigerant to flow into the plurality of distribution paths 22 through the spacer holes.

Multiple branch lines 60 may be coupled to multiple distribution paths 22. In fig. 37, the branch pipes 60a to 60g joined to the distribution paths 22a to 22g are shown as a plurality of branch pipes 60.

branch pipes

60a and 60b as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

branch pipes

60a and 60c as, for example, the first and second branch pipes, the

distribution paths

22a and 22c correspond to the first and second distribution paths, and the

partition plates

21a and 21b correspond to the at least one of the plurality of partitions.

Further, as shown in fig. 35, in the twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure, the distribution paths 22a to 22g are defined to have a twist angle with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 20, and thus all the distribution paths 22a to 22g may be rotated once around the inner tube 20 and pass through the right side of the inner tube 20. Accordingly, the branch pipes 60a to 60g may be entirely extended rightward by being joined to a portion where the distribution paths 22a to 22g pass through the right side of the inner pipe 20. This structure may be understood as an example of a structure in which a plurality of spacers are installed to form a twist angle with the shaft of the outer pipe.

There may be one set of branch pipes 60a to 60g, although in the twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a plurality of sets of branch pipes 60a to 60g installed in parallel. The structure in the twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure may be understood as an example of a structure including at least two branch pipes connected to one of a plurality of distribution paths.

Fig. 38A and 38B are partially enlarged views of a dispenser 304 according to a twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure.

In fig. 38A, an enlarged view of a part of the range R5 of fig. 37 is shown. In the enlarged view, the partition plate 21 is formed at a torsion angle θ 1 with respect to the inner pipe 20. In fig. 38B, an enlarged view of a part of the range R6 of fig. 37 is shown. In the enlarged view, the partition plate 21 is formed at a torsion angle θ 2(θ 1 < θ 2) with respect to the inner pipe 20.

Although the torsion angle in the range R5 of fig. 37 is θ 1 and the torsion angle in the range R6 of fig. 37 is θ 1(θ 1 < θ 2), they are not limited thereto.

For example, when more refrigerant flow is required to flow into the branch pipe 60 on the refrigerant upstream side, the torsion angle θ 1 in the range R5 of fig. 37 and the torsion angle θ 2 in the range R6 of fig. 37 may satisfy the condition of θ 1> θ 2. That is, the torsion angles θ 1 and θ 2 may have different values. Assuming that the ranges R5 and R6 correspond to first and second ranges in the axial direction of the outer tube, respectively, the torsion angles θ 1 and θ 2 correspond to examples of the first and second torsion angles, respectively.

Further, even in the twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure, when partition plates 21a to 21g are mounted integrally with inner tube 20, partition plates 21a to 21g may be joined to outer tube 10 with substances 25a to 25 g. Alternatively, when partition plates 21a to 21g are mounted integrally with outer pipe 10, partition plates 21a to 21g may be joined to inner pipe 20 with substances 25a to 25 g.

As described above, in the twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure, the twist angle of partition plate 21 with respect to inner tube 20 differs between the refrigerant upstream side and the refrigerant downstream side. Therefore, it is possible to improve the heat exchange capacity by changing the refrigerant pressure loss of the distribution path 22 and adjusting the refrigerant flow in the distribution path 22.

The overall structure of the dispenser 305 according to the twenty-third embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser in fig. 32 or fig. 35. The distributor 305 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 305. Further, the distributor 305 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. The inner tube 20 is also shown as having a cylindrical shape, but it may not have a hollow, in which case the inner tube 20 is an example of an inner shaft mounted in the outer tube 10. Further, the distributor 305 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

A plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner or

outer tube

20 or 10, respectively, defining a plurality of distribution paths 22.

Fig. 39A and 39B are sectional views of a dispenser 305 according to a twenty-third embodiment of the present disclosure. The sectional view shows a case where a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner pipe 20. In a twenty-third embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 39A shows a B-B sectional view of the dispenser 305, and fig. 39B shows a C-C sectional view of the dispenser 305. Partition plates 21a to 21g may be integrally installed with the inner tube 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The partition plate 21 connects the outside of the inner tube 20 and the central portion of the inner tube 20 such that the width of the distribution path 22 between the partition plates 21 decreases from the outside to the central portion of the inner tube 20. Further, partition plates 21a to 21g are joined to outer tube 10 with substances 25a to 25 g. The substances 25a to 25g may be, for example, an adhesive, but are not limited thereto. The substances 25a to 25g may be any heterogeneous material different from the material(s) of the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20. Although in fig. 39A, the partition plates 21a to 21g have not been subjected to rib processing on their surfaces and thus have no ribs, in fig. 39B, the partition plates 21a to 21g have been subjected to rib processing on their surfaces and have ribs 26a to 26 g.

In other words, no ribs are formed on the partitions 21a to 21g along the line B-B of fig. 32 or fig. 35, and the ribs 26a to 26g are formed on the partitions 21a to 21g along the line C-C of fig. 32 or fig. 35, but not limited thereto.

For example, no ribs may be formed on the partition plates 21a to 21g at any position within the range R3 of fig. 32 or fig. 35, but the ribs 26a to 26g may be formed on the partition plates 21a to 21g at any position within the range R4 of fig. 32 or fig. 35. Range R3 is an example of a first range and range R4 is an example of a second range.

In another example, when it is necessary for more refrigerant to flow into the branch pipe 60 on the refrigerant upstream side, the ribs 26a to 26g may be formed on the partition plates 21a to 21g in the range R3 of fig. 32 or fig. 35 and no rib may be formed on the partition plates 21a to 21g in the range R4 of fig. 32 or fig. 35.

Although the partition plates 21a to 21g are integrally installed with the inner pipe 20 in the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, it is not limited thereto. For example, partition plates 21a to 21g may be mounted integrally with outer pipe 10. In this case, partition plates 21a to 21g may be joined to inner tube 20 with substances 25a to 25 g.

As described above, in the twenty-third embodiment of the present disclosure, the partition plates 21a to 21g have a portion in which the ribs 26a to 26g are formed and another portion without ribs. The ribs 26a to 26g formed in the distribution paths 22a to 22g may contribute to gas-liquid mixing. Therefore, the heat exchange capacity can be improved by uniformly distributing the gas-liquid refrigerant into the plurality of branch pipes 60.

The overall structure of the dispenser 306 according to the twenty-fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser in fig. 32 or 35. The distributor 306 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 306. Further, the distributor 306 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped main tube. The inner tube 20 is also shown as having a cylindrical shape, but it may not have a hollow, in which case the inner tube 20 is an example of an inner shaft mounted in the outer tube 10. Further, the distributor 306 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

A plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner or

outer tube

20 or 10, respectively, defining a plurality of distribution paths 22.

Fig. 40A and 40B are cross-sectional views of a dispenser 306 according to a twenty-fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The sectional view shows a case where a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner pipe 20. In a twenty-fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 40A shows a B-B cross-sectional view of the dispenser 306, and fig. 40B shows a C-C cross-sectional view of the dispenser 306. Partition plates 21a to 21g may be integrally installed with the inner tube 20, respectively defining a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The partition plate 21 connects the outside of the inner tube 20 and the central portion of the inner tube 20 such that the width of the distribution path 22 between the partition plates 21 decreases from the outside to the central portion of the inner tube 20. Further, partition plates 21a to 21g are joined to outer tube 10 with substances 25a to 25 g. The substances 25a to 25g may be, for example, an adhesive, but are not limited thereto. The substances 25a to 25g may be any heterogeneous material different from the material(s) of the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20. Partition plates 21a to 21g have a plate thickness of t1 in fig. 40A, but have a plate thickness of t2(t1 < t2) in fig. 40B.

In other words, partition plates 21a to 21g have a plate thickness of t1 along line B-B of FIG. 32 or FIG. 35 and a plate thickness of t2(t1 < t2) along line C-C of FIG. 32 or FIG. 35, but are not limited thereto.

In other words, partition plates 21a to 21g have a plate thickness of t1 at any position within range R3 of fig. 32 or fig. 35, and have a plate thickness of t2(t1 < t2) at any position within range R4 of fig. 32 or fig. 35, but are not limited thereto. In still another example, a plurality of ranges may be set for the corresponding groups of the branch pipes 60, and the partition plates 21a to 21g in each range may have plate thicknesses that increase stepwise from the refrigerant upstream side to the refrigerant downstream side. Further, the plate thicknesses of the partition plates 21a to 21g may be continuously increased from the refrigerant upstream side to the refrigerant downstream side.

Alternatively, when more refrigerant is required to flow into the branch pipes 60 on the refrigerant upstream side, the plate thicknesses t1 of the partition plates 21a to 21g along the line B-B of fig. 32 or fig. 35 and the plate thicknesses t2 of the partition plates 21a to 21g along the line C-C of fig. 32 or fig. 35 may satisfy the condition of t1> t 2. That is, the plate thicknesses t1 and t2 may have different values. Assuming that the lines B-B and C-C are examples of the first and second positions in the axial direction of the outer tube, the plate thickness t1 corresponds to the first thickness and the plate thickness t2 corresponds to the second thickness. Even in this case, the plate thicknesses of partition plates 21a to 21g may be changed stepwise or continuously.

As described above, in the twenty-fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, the plate thickness of partition plate 21 differs between the refrigerant upstream side and the refrigerant downstream side. For example, the plate thickness of partition plate 21 may be thin on the refrigerant upstream side and thick on the refrigerant upstream side. The refrigerant flow slows down in the distribution path 22 downstream of the refrigerant, but since the gas-liquid refrigerant is uniformly distributed to the branch pipes 60 on the refrigerant downstream side without decreasing the fluid velocity, the heat exchange capacity can be improved.

The overall structure of the dispenser 307 according to the twenty-fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the dispenser in fig. 32 or 35. The distributor 307 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 307. Further, the distributor 307 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10, and a spacer plate 40 installed at a refrigerant upstream end of the inner tube 20. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped outer tube. The inner tube 20 is also shown as having a cylindrical shape, but it may not have a hollow, in which case the inner tube 20 is an example of an inner shaft mounted in the outer tube 10. Further, the distributor 307 may include a plurality of branch pipes 60 fixed downstream of the refrigerant and connected to refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger.

A plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner or

outer tube

20 or 10, respectively, defining a plurality of distribution paths 22.

Fig. 41 shows a cross-sectional view along line a-a of a dispenser 307 according to a twenty-fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The sectional view shows a case where a plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner pipe 20. The partition plates 21a to 21g may be integrally installed with the inner tube 20, thereby defining a plurality of distribution paths 22a to 22 g. The partition plate 21 connects the outside of the inner tube 20 and the central portion of the inner tube 20 such that the width of the distribution path 22 between the partition plates 21 decreases from the outside to the central portion of the inner tube 20. Further, partition plates 21a to 21g are joined to outer tube 10 with substances 25a to 25 g. The substances 25a to 25g may be, for example, an adhesive, but are not limited thereto. The substances 25a to 25g may be any heterogeneous material different from the material(s) of the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20. In fig. 41, branch pipe 60a joined and fixed to distribution path 22a is inserted between

partition plates

21a and 21g defining distribution path 22 a. In this embodiment of the present disclosure,

side holes

66a and 67a, through which refrigerant is allowed to flow, may be formed at the branch pipe 60 a. Further, in the twenty-fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, the diameters of the side holes 66a and 67a may be different between the plurality of branch pipes 60a (three branch pipes 60a in fig. 32 or 35). Although the branch pipe 60a coupled to the distribution path 22a is shown because fig. 41 is the a-a sectional view of fig. 32 or 35, the above description about the branch pipe 60a may be equally applied to the other branch pipes 60b to 60g coupled to the distribution paths 22a to 22 g.

The branch pipe 60a has

side holes

66a and 67a formed thereon, but is not limited thereto. For example, a front hole through which the refrigerant is allowed to flow may be formed at the branch pipe 60a on the front in the direction of insertion into the distribution path 22 a. The front hole is different from the hole at the axial portion 62a in the first or second embodiment of the present disclosure in that the front hole is formed without constricting the branch pipe 60 a. The side holes 66a and 67a and the front hole are examples of holes formed on either side of a portion inserted into one dispensing path.

As described above, in the twenty-fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, a hole (or a plurality of holes) allowing the refrigerant to flow therethrough may be formed on one side of the portion of the distributor 307 inserted into the distribution path 22, and the diameter of the hole is different between the refrigerant upstream side and the refrigerant downstream side. Accordingly, the refrigerant flow distribution can be adjusted, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

Fig. 42 shows the overall structure of a heat exchange unit including a distributor 308 and a heat exchanger 8 according to a twenty-sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

The overall structure of the distributor 308 included in the heat exchange unit according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure is similar to that of the distributor in fig. 32 or 35. The distributor 308 is also used to distribute refrigerant as an example of a fluid passing in the distributor 308. Further, the distributor 308 may include an outer tube 10 in the form of a cylinder, and an inner tube 20 installed in the outer tube 10. The outer tube 10 is shown as having a cylindrical shape by way of example, but it may have the form of a barrel, in which case the outer tube 10 is an example of a barrel-shaped outer tube. The inner tube 20 is also shown as having a cylindrical shape, but it may not have a hollow, in which case the inner tube 20 is an example of an inner shaft mounted in the outer tube 10.

A plurality of partition plates 21 are installed in the inner or

outer tube

20 or 10, respectively, defining a plurality of distribution paths 22.

The heat exchanger 8 included in the heat exchange unit in the twenty-sixth embodiment of the present disclosure exchanges heat between refrigerant, which is an example of the fluid distributed by the distributor 308, and air. The heat exchanger 8 may include a plurality of fins 81 vertically arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, a plurality of refrigerant tubes 82 as an example of a plurality of fluid tubes installed in parallel to pass through holes of the fins 81, a header 83 where refrigerant flowing from each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 82 is merged, and an external connection pipe 84 through which the refrigerant is discharged from the header 83.

The plurality of branch pipes 60 of the distributor 308 may be connected to the plurality of refrigerant pipes 82 of the heat exchanger 8 one-to-one.

As described above, in the twenty-sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerant flow resistance in the single distribution path 22 may be changed while the plurality of partition plates 21 are integrated with the inner tube 20 or the outer tube 10. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the refrigerant flow distribution while preventing the refrigerant leakage, thereby improving the heat exchange capacity.

While the present disclosure has been described in terms of various embodiments, various alterations and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. The present disclosure is intended to embrace such alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner (90) comprising:

a distributor (1-7, 101, 106, 201, 205, 301, 308) configured to distribute a fluid passing inside the distributor; and

a heat exchanger (8) including a plurality of refrigerant tubes in which the fluid distributed by the distributor flows, and configured to exchange heat with air,

wherein the dispenser comprises:

a main pipe;

a divider defining a plurality of distribution paths in the main tube;

a first branch pipe inserted into the main pipe by a first length to become the first branch pipe coupled to a first distribution path of the plurality of distribution paths, and connected to a first portion of the heat exchanger; and

a second branch pipe inserted into the main pipe by a second length different from the first length to become the second branch pipe joined to the first distribution path, the second branch pipe being connected to a second portion of the heat exchanger,

wherein a flow rate of air exchanging heat at the first portion of the heat exchanger is faster than a flow rate of air exchanging heat at the second portion of the heat exchanger, an

Wherein the first length is shorter than the second length.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a size of an opening of an axial portion of the first branch pipe coupled to the first distribution path is different from a size of an opening of an axial portion of the second branch pipe coupled to the first distribution path.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the partition is arranged to extend in an inclined direction at an angle with respect to an axial direction of the main pipe.

4. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the partition includes a deformation rib arranged to be in close contact with the main pipe while being deformed when the partition is coupled to the main pipe.

5. The air conditioner of claim 3, wherein:

the partition extends in an inclined direction at a first angle with respect to the axial direction of the main pipe upstream of a direction in which the refrigerant flows, and

the partition extends in an oblique direction at a second angle larger than the first angle with respect to the axial direction of the main pipe downstream of the direction in which the refrigerant flows.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a partition plate disposed at an upstream end of a direction in which the refrigerant flows in the main pipe,

wherein the partition plate includes a plurality of partition holes to guide the refrigerant into the plurality of distribution paths, an

Wherein the plurality of spacer apertures includes a first spacer aperture and a second spacer aperture, the second spacer aperture having a different size than the first spacer aperture.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the distributor has a length shorter than that of the heat exchanger.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a partition plate disposed at an upstream end of a direction in which the refrigerant flows in the main pipe,

wherein the spacer plate comprises a convex portion, an

Wherein the partition includes a recess formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion to allow the protrusion to be inserted into the recess.

9. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising:

a partition plate arranged at an upstream end of a direction in which the refrigerant flows in the main pipe, the partition plate including a plurality of protrusions inserted into the plurality of distribution paths, and

a brazing sheet disposed between the main tube and the spacer sheet.

10. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising:

a cap coupled to an opposite end upstream of a direction in which refrigerant flows in the main pipe, the cap including a plurality of protrusions inserted into the plurality of distribution paths, and

a brazing sheet disposed between the main tube and the cap.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising an outer cover coupled to a circumferential surface of the main pipe,

wherein the outer cover includes a plurality of burring holes formed such that at least one of the first branch pipe or the second branch pipe is inserted therein.

12. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partition includes a stepped portion formed to support at least one of the first branch pipe or the second branch pipe.

13. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a substance different from the main pipe and the partition provided between the main pipe and the partition.

14. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the partition has a size or shape of a cross section of an upstream portion of the refrigerant in a direction in which the refrigerant flows in the main pipe, which is different from a size or shape of a cross section of a downstream portion of the refrigerant in the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the main pipe.

15. A heat exchanger unit comprising:

a distributor (1-7, 101, 106, 201, 205, 301, 308) for distributing the fluid passing through the inside; and

a heat exchanger (8) including a plurality of refrigerant tubes in which the fluid distributed by the distributor flows and exchanges heat with air,

wherein the dispenser comprises:

a main pipe;

a divider defining a plurality of distribution paths in the main tube;

a first branch pipe inserted into the main pipe by a first length, the first branch pipe being coupled to a first distribution path of the plurality of distribution paths, the first branch pipe being connected to a first portion of the heat exchanger; and

a second branch pipe inserted into the main pipe by a second length different from the first length, the second branch pipe being coupled to the first distribution path, the second branch pipe being connected to a second portion of the heat exchanger,

Wherein the first length is shorter than the second length.