EP2985549B1

EP2985549B1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: EP2985549B1
Application number: EP15173344.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eunjun Cho; Beomsoo Seo; Kiwoong Park
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2014-08-14
Filing date: 2015-06-23
Publication date: 2017-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2035-06-23
Also published as: EP2985549A1; US20160047581A1; CN105371533A; KR101550550B1; CN105371533B

Description

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.
Air conditioners are apparatuses that maintain air within a predetermined space to the most proper state according to use and purpose thereof. In general, such an air conditioner includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and evaporator. Thus, the air conditioner has a refrigerant cycle in which compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of a refrigerant are performed. Thus, the air conditioner may heat or cool a predetermined space.
The predetermined space may be variously provided according to a place at which the air conditioner is used. For example, when the air conditioner is disposed in a home or office, the predetermined space may be an indoor space of a house or building. On the other hand, when the air conditioner is disposed in a vehicle, the predetermined space may be a boarding space in which a person is boarded.
When the air conditioner performs a cooling operation, an outdoor heat-exchanger provided in an outdoor unit may serve as a condenser, and an indoor heat-exchanger provided in an indoor unit may serve as an evaporator. On the other hand, when the air conditioner performs a heating operation, the indoor heat-exchanger may serve as the condenser, and the outdoor heat-exchanger may serve as the evaporator.
Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a heat exchanger and a variation in speed of wind passing through the heat exchanger according to a related art.
Referring to Figs. 1A, a heat exchanger 1 according to the related art includes a plurality of refrigerant tubes 2 arranged in a plurality of rows, a coupling plate 3 coupled to ends of the refrigerant tubes 2 to support the refrigerant tubes 2, and a head 4 for dividing a refrigerant into the refrigerant tubes 2 or mixing the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant tubes 2.
The head 4 lengthily extends in one direction along the arranged direction of the refrigerant tubes 2. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the head 4 may extend vertically.
The heat exchanger 1 further includes a distributor 6. The distributor 6 may divide the refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger 1 into the plurality of refrigerant tubes 2 through a plurality of branch tubes 5 or mix the refrigerants passing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes 2 with each other through the plurality of branch tubes 5.
Each of the branch tubes 5 may include a capillary tube.
The heat exchanger 1 further includes a distributor connection tube 7 for introducing the refrigerant into the distributor 6 and an inlet/outlet tube 8 for guiding the refrigerant into the heat exchanger 1.
In the above-described heat exchanger 1, the refrigerant may flow in directions opposite to each other when the cooling or heating operations are performed. Hereinafter, a case in which the heat exchanger 1 is an "outdoor heat exchanger" will be described as an example.
When the air conditioner performs the cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may serve as a condenser. In detail, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced into the head 4 and then divided into the plurality of refrigerant tubes 2. Then, the refrigerant is heat-exchanged with outdoor air while flowing into the plurality of refrigerant tubes 2. The heat-exchanged refrigerants are mixed with each other in the distributor 6 via the plurality of branch tubes 5 to flow into the indoor unit.
On the other hand, when the air conditioner performs the heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may serve as an evaporator. In detail, the refrigerant passing through the indoor unit is introduced into the distributor 6 through the distributor connection tube 7. Also, the refrigerant may be introduced into the refrigerant tube 2 through the plurality of branch tubes 5 connected to the distributor 6, and the refrigerant heat-exchanged with the refrigerant tube 2 may be mixed in the head 4 to flow toward the compressor.
Referring to Figs. 1B, a variation in speed of wind passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 1 according to positions of the outdoor heat exchanger 1 is illustrated. A blower fan for blowing external air may be disposed on a side of the outdoor heat exchanger 1. The external air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may vary in wind speed or amount according to installation positions of the blower fan or arrangements of structures around the outdoor heat exchanger.
For example, Fig. 1B illustrates a state in which an upper wind speed of the outdoor heat exchanger 1 is greater than a lower wind speed of the outdoor heat exchanger 1. In detail, when the blower fan is disposed at an upper portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 1, a wind speed at a portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 1 that is adjacent to the blower fan, for example, at the upper portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may be greater than that at a lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 1.
In this case, the refrigerant of the refrigerant tube 2 disposed in the upper portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may have relatively superior heat-exchange efficiency. However, the refrigerant of the refrigerant tube 2 disposed in the lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may be deteriorated in heat-exchange efficiency. To solve the above-described limitation, the branch tube 5 extending toward an upper side of the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may have a length less than that of the branch tube 5 extending toward a lower side of the outdoor heat exchanger 1. In this case, an amount of refrigerant flowing into the branch tube 5 extending toward the upper side of the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may be greater than that of refrigerant flowing into the branch tube 5 extending toward the lower side of the outdoor heat exchanger 1.
When the plurality of branch tubes 5 are disposed or designed in length, the plurality of branch tubes 5 may be designed in consideration of a case in which the outdoor heat exchanger 1 serves as the evaporator. In this case, when the air conditioner performs a heating operation, an amount of refrigerant divided and introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may be optimized to improve evaporation performance.
On the other hand, when the air conditioner performs the cooling operation to allow the outdoor heat exchanger 1 to serve as the condenser, a deviation of an outlet temperature (an outlet temperature of the condenser) of the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 1 may occur to deteriorate condensation performance.
This limitation may also occur in an indoor heat exchanger that serves as the condenser or evaporator according to an operation mode of the air conditioner as well as the heat exchanger 1 that is the outdoor heat exchanger.
Document EP 1 757 877 A2 discloses an air conditioner having the features specified in the preamble of claim 1.
It is an object to provide an air conditioner having improved characteristics.
This object is achieved by an air conditioner having the features of claim 1.
Embodiments provide an air conditioner having improved heat-exchange efficiency and operation performance.
In one embodiment, the branch tube may include: a first branch part guiding a refrigerant passing through the one refrigerant tube to the capillary tube; and a second branch part guiding the refrigerant passing through the one refrigerant tube to the bypass tube.
The air conditioner may further include: a distributor connection tube connected to the distributor to introduce the refrigerant into the distributor during a heating operation; and a connection tube extending from the bypass tube to the distributor connection tube.
The air conditioner may further include a check valve disposed in the connection tube to guide the refrigerant in the connection tube in one direction.
The check valve may restrict a flow of the refrigerant from the distributor connection tube toward the bypass tube when the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator.
The heat exchanger may include an outdoor heat exchanger.
The air conditioner may further include a main expansion valve disposed on one side of the outdoor heat exchanger, wherein the distributor connection tube may be disposed between the main expansion valve and the distributor.
The air conditioner may further include a combination tank disposed on the connection tube and in which the refrigerant passing through the bypass tube is mixed.
The bypass tube may be connected to one side of the refrigerant tube, in which a speed of external air passing through the heat exchanger is greater than a preset wind speed, of the plurality of refrigerant tubes disposed in the heat exchanger.
The air conditioner may further include a blower fan disposed above the heat exchanger to blow the external air, wherein the heat exchanger may extend in a vertical direction, and the refrigerant tube in which the speed of the external air is greater than the preset wind speed may be disposed in an upper portion of the heat exchanger.
The air conditioner may further include a storage tank disposed on the connection tube to store a liquid refrigerant condensed in the heat exchanger.
The check valve may be disposed between the connection tube and the combination tank.
The bypass tube may be provided in plurality.
The heat exchanger may include an indoor heat exchanger, and the air conditioner further may include a turbo fan for blowing indoor air toward the indoor heat exchanger.
In another embodiment, an air conditioner include: a heat exchanger including a plurality of refrigerant tubes; a distributor dividing a refrigerant to introduce the divided refrigerant into the heat exchanger during a heating operation; a distributor connection tube disposed on an inlet-side of the distributor; a plurality of capillary tubes extending from the distributor to the plurality of refrigerant tubes; a branch tube including a first branch part connected to the plurality of capillary tubes; a bypass tube connected to a second branch part of the branch tube; and a connection tube extending from the distributor connection tube to the bypass tube.
The air conditioner may further include a check valve connected in the connection tube to restrict a flow of the refrigerant in the connection tube.
The bypass tube may be provided in plurality, and a combination tank mixing the refrigerants flowing through the plurality of bypass tubes with each other may be disposed on the connection tube.
The air conditioner may further include a storage tank disposed on the connection tube, wherein the storage tank may be disposed at a position corresponding to the refrigerant tube disposed in a lower portion of the heat exchanger.
The heat exchanger may include an outdoor heat exchanger or an indoor heat exchanger.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a heat exchanger and a variation in speed of wind passing through the heat exchanger according to a related art.
Fig. 2 is a system view of an air conditioner according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 3 is a view of an outdoor heat exchanger and peripheral components according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the air conditioner performs a heating operation according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when the air conditioner performs a cooling operation according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 6 is a view of an outdoor heat exchanger and peripheral components according to a second embodiment.
Fig. 7 is a view of an outdoor heat exchanger and peripheral components according to a third embodiment.
Fig. 8 is a view of an indoor unit according to a fourth embodiment.
Fig. 9 is a view of an indoor heat exchanger and peripheral components according to a fourth embodiment.

DETAINED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, that alternate embodiments included in other retrogressive inventions or falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Fig. 2 is a system view of an air conditioner according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a view of an outdoor heat exchanger and peripheral components according to the first embodiment.
Referring to Fig. 2, an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment includes an outdoor unit disposed in an outer space and an indoor unit disposed in an inner space. The indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger heat-exchanged with air of the indoor space. Fig. 2 illustrates the outdoor unit.
The air conditioner 10 includes a plurality of compressors 110 and 112 and the oil separators 120 and 122 respectivley disposed on outlet-sides of the plurality of compressors 110 and 112 to separate oil from a refrigerant discharged from the plurality of compressors 110 and 112.
The plurality of compressors 110 and 112 include a compressor 110 and a second compressor 112, which are connected in parallel to each other. A discharge temperature sensor 114 for detecting a temperature of the compressed refrigerant may be disposed on an outlet-side of each of the first and second compressors 110 and 112.
Also, the oil separators 120 and 122 include a first oil separator 120 disposed on the outlet-side of the first compressor 110 and a second oil separator 122 disposed on the outlet-side of the second compressor 112.
The air conditioner 10 includes a collection passage 116 for collecting the oil from the oil separators 120 and 122 into the compressors 110 and 112. The collection passage 116 may extend from each of the outlet-sides of the first and second oil separators 120 and then combined with each other. Here, the combined passage may be connected to the inlet-side tube of each of the first and second compressors 110 and 112.
A dryer 127 and a capillary 128 may be disposed in the collection passage 116.
A high-pressure sensor 125 for detecting a discharge pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressors 110 and 112 and a flow switching part 130 for guiding the refrigerant passing through the high-pressure sensor 125 to the outdoor heat exchanger 200 or the indoor unit are disposed on the outlet-sides of the oil separators 120 and 122. For example, the flow switching part 130 may include a four-way valve.
When the air conditioner performs a cooling operation, the refrigerant may be introduced from the flow switching part 130 into the outdoor heat exchanger 200 via a first inlet/outlet tube 141. The first inlet/outlet tube 141 may be understood as a tube extending from the flow switching part 130 to the outdoor heat exchanger 200.
On the other hand, when the air conditioner operates in a heating mode, the refrigerant may flows from the flow switching part 130 into an indoor heat exchange-side of the indoor unit (not shown).
When the air conditioner operates the cooling mode, the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 passes through a main expansion valve 260 (electronic expansion valve) via a second inlet/outlet tube 145. Here, the main expansion valve 260 is fully opened so that the refrigerant is not decompressed. That is, the main expansion valve 260 may be disposed in an outlet-side of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 when the cooling operation is performed. Also, the second inlet/outlet tube 145 may be understood as a tube extending from the outdoor heat exchanger 200 to the main expansion valve 260.
The refrigerant passing through the main expansion valve 260 passes through a heatsink plate 265. The heatsink plate 265 may be disposed on an electronic unit including a heating component.
For example, the heat generation component may include an intelligent power module (IPM). The IPM may be understood as a driving circuit of a power device such as a power MOSFET or IGBT and a protection circuit having a self protection function.
The refrigerant tube guiding a flow of the condensed refrigerant may be coupled to the heatsink plate 265 to cool the heat generation component.
The air conditioner 10 further includes a supercooling heat exchanger 270 in which the refrigerant passing through the heat-sink plate 265 is introduced and a supercooling distributor 271 disposed on an inlet-side of the supercooling heat exchanger 270 to divide the refrigerant flow. The supercooling heat exchanger 270 may serve as an intermediate heat exchanger in which a first refrigerant circulated into the system and a portion (a second refrigerant) of the first refrigerant are heat-exchanged with each other after the refrigerant is branched.
Here, the first refrigerant may be a refrigerant that is introduced into the supercooling heat exchanger 270 via the supercooling distributor 271 and thus be supercooled by the second refrigerant. On the other hand, the second refrigerant may absorb heat from the first refrigerant.
The air conditioner 10 may includes a supercooling passage 273 disposed on an outlet-side of the supercooling heat exchanger 270 to branch the second refrigerant from the first refrigerant. Also, a supercooling expansion device 275 for decompressing the second refrigerant may be disposed in the supercooling passage 273. The supercooling expansion device 275 may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV).
The second refrigerant of the supercooling passage 273 may be introduced into the supercooling heat exchanger 270 and then be heat-exchanged with the first refrigerant to flow toward an inlet-side of the gas/liquid separator 280. The air conditioner 10 further includes a supercooling discharge temperature sensor 276 for detecting a temperature of the second refrigerant passing through the supercooling heat exchanger 270.
The gas/liquid separator 280 may be configured to separate a gaseous refrigerant from the refrigerant before the refrigerant is introduced into the compressors 110 and 112. The separated gaseous refrigerant may be introduced into the compressors 110 and 112.
While the refrigeration cycle is driven, the evaporated refrigerant may be introduced into the gas/liquid separator 280 via the flow switching part 130. Here, the evaporated refrigerant may be mixed with the second refrigerant passing through the supercooling heat exchanger 270 and then be introduced into the gas/liquid separator 280.
A suction temperature sensor 282 for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant to be suctioned into the compressors 110 and 112 may be disposed on the inlet-side of the gas/liquid separator 280.
The first refrigerant passing through the supercooling heat exchanger 270 may be introduced into the indoor unit through an indoor unit connection tube 279. The indoor connection tube 279 includes a first connection tube 279a connected to one side of the indoor heat exchanger 300 and a second connection tube 279b connected to the other side of the indoor heat exchanger 300. The refrigerant introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 300 through the first connection tube 279a flows into the second connection tube 279b after being heat-exchanged with the indoor heat exchanger 300.
The air conditioner 10 further includes a liquid tube temperature sensor 278 disposed on the outlet-side of the supercooling heat exchanger 270 to detect a temperature of the first refrigerant passing through the supercooling heat exchanger 270, i.e., a temperature of the supercooled refrigerant.
Hereinafter, constitutions of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 and peripheral components thereof will be described.
The air conditioner 10 includes the first inlet/outlet tube 141 extending from the flow switching part 120 to one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 and the second inlet/outlet tube 145 extending from the other side of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 to the main expansion device 260.
For example, the first inlet/outlet tube 141 may be connected to an upper portion of a head 205, and the second inlet/outlet tube 145 may be connected to the distributor 230 for dividing the refrigerant into the outdoor heat exchanger 200.
When the air conditioner performs the cooling operation, the refrigerant is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 200 through the first inlet/outlet tube 141 and is discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 200 through the second inlet/outlet tube 145.
On the other hand, when the air conditioner 10 performs the heating operation, the refrigerant is introduced into the distributor 230 through the second inlet/outlet tube 145 and is divided into a plurality of paths at the distributor 230 and then introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 200. Also, the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 is discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 200 through the first inlet/outlet tube 141.
The outdoor heat exchanger 200 includes a refrigerant tube 202 having a plurality of rows and stages. For example, the refrigerant tube 202 may be provided in plurality so that the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 are arranged in three rows in a horizontal direction and stepped in plural stages in a vertical direction. The plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other.
The plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may be bent to lengthily extend. For example, in Fig. 3, the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may extend again forward after extending backward from the ground. In this case, each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may have a U shape.
The outdoor heat exchanger 200 further includes a coupling plate 203 supporting the refrigerant tube 202. The coupling plate 203 may be provided in plurality to support one side and the other side of each of the refrigerant tube 202 each of which has the bent shape. Fig. 3 illustrates one coupling plate 203 supporting one side of the refrigerant tube 202. The coupling plate 203 may lengthily extend in a vertical direction.
The outdoor heat exchanger 200 further includes a return tube 204 coupled to an end of each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 to guide the refrigerant flowing in one refrigerant tube 202 into the other refrigerant tube 202. The return tube 204 may be provided in plurality and be coupled to the coupling plate 203.
The outdoor heat exchanger 200 further includes the head 205 defining a flow space for the refrigerant. The head 205 may be configured to divide the refrigerant and introduce the divided refrigerant into the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 according to the cooling or heating operation of the air conditioner 10 or mix the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the plurality of refrigerant tube 202. The head 205 may lengthily extend in a vertical direction to correspond to the extension direction of the coupling plate 203.
A plurality of refrigerant inflow tubes 206 extend between the head 205 and the coupling plate 203. The plurality of refrigerant inflow tubes 206 extend from the head 205 and then are connected to the refrigerant tube 202 supported by the coupling plate 203. Also, the plurality of refrigerant inflow tubes 206 may be vertically spaced apart from each other.
When the air conditioner performs the cooling operation, the refrigerant of the head 205 may be introduced into the refrigerant tube 202 through the plurality of refrigerant inflow tubes 206. On the other hand, when the air conditioner performs the heating operation, the refrigerant of the refrigerant tube 202 may be introduced into the head 205 through the plurality of refrigerant inflow tubes 206.
The air conditioner 10 further includes the distributor 230 for dividing the refrigerant to introduce the divided refrigerant into the outdoor heat exchanger 200 and the distributor connection tube 235 guiding the refrigerant into the distributor 230. The distributor connection tube 235 is coupled to the second inlet/outlet tube 145 to extend to an inlet-side of the distributor 230. Here, the "inflow side" of the distributor 230 may represent a direction in which the refrigerant is introduced into the distributor 230 when the air conditioner performs the heating operation. That is, the distributor connection tube 235 and the second inlet/outlet tube 145 may be disposed between the main expansion valve 260 and the distributor 230.
The air conditioner 10 further includes a plurality of capillary tubes 207 extending from the distributor 230 to the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 as "branch tubes". When the air conditioner 10 performs the heating operation, the refrigerant may be divided to the distributor 230 to flow into the refrigerant tube 202 through the plurality of capillary tubes 207.
The air conditioner 10 further includes a branch tube 208 connecting the plurality of capillary tubes 207 to the refrigerant tube 202. The branch tube 208 may divide the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 in two directions to allow the refrigerant to flow into the capillary tube 207 and the bypass tube 210.
In detail, the branch tube 208 may include a first branch part 208a connected to the capillary tube 207 and a second branch part 208b connected to the bypass tube 210. For example, the branch tube 208 may have a Y shape due to the first and second branch parts 208a and 208b. At least one branch tube 208 may be provided to correspond to the number of bypass tubes 210.
When the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation, at least a portion of the refrigerant heat-exchanged while flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may flow into the first branch part 208a of the branch tube 208, and the other refrigerant may flow into the second branch part 208b of the branch tube 208.
When the air conditioner performs the cooling operation, the bypass tube 210 may be understood as a guide tube that allows the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant tube 202 to bypass the distributor 230 so that the refrigerant flows into the distributor connection tube 235. At least one bypass tube 210 may be provided in consideration of installation conditions, i.e., external environments of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 and wind speed conditions of external air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger. As described above, the bypass tube 210 may be connected to the second branch part 208b of the branch tube 208.
For example, as illustrated in Fig. 3, 10 capillary tubes 207 extending from the distributor 230 to the refrigerant tube 202 may be provided.
The air conditioner 10 may further include a blower fan 300 disposed above the outdoor heat exchanger 200 to blow external air. Thus, a speed of external air passing through the upper refrigerant tube of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may be relatively high.
Also, one bypass tube 210 may be provided to extend from an upper portion of the head 205. In this case, one branch tube 208 may be provided on an upper portion of the head 205. That is, one of 10 capillary tubes 207 may be connected to the branch tube 208, and 9 capillary tubes 207 may be directly connected to the refrigerant tube 202.
Although one bypass tube 210 is provided in Fig. 3, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, minimum 2 to maximum 10 bypass tubes 210 may be provided. Also, the number of branch tubes 208 may correspond to that of bypass tubes 210.
The air conditioner 10 further includes a connection tube 225 extending from the bypass tube 210 to the distributor connection tube 235 and a combination tank 220 coupled to the connection tube 225 to store the refrigerant flowing through the bypass tube 210.
The refrigerant flowing through the bypass tube 210 via the second branch part 208b of the branch tube 208 may be stored in the combination tank 220.
When the bypass tube 210 is provided in plurality, the refrigerants flowing through the plurality of bypass tubes 210 may be mixed with each other and stored in the combination tank 220. On the other hand, when one bypass tube 210 is provided, the combination tank 220 may not be provided, and one bypass tube 210 may be directly connected to the connection tube 225.
When the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation, the refrigerant stored in the combination tank 220 may flow to the distributor connection tube 235 via the connection tube 225. Then, the refrigerant may be mixed with the refrigerant passing through the distributor 230 via the plurality of capillary tubes 207 to flow into the second inlet/outlet tube 145.
The air conditioner 10 further includes a check valve 227 disposed in the connection tube 225 to guide a flow of the refrigerant flowing through the connection tube 225 in one direction. The check valve 227 may allow the refrigerant to flow from the bypass tube 210 toward the distributor connection tube 235 when the air conditioner performs the cooling operation and prevent the refrigerant from flowing from the distributor connection tube 235 toward the bypass tube 210 when the air conditioner performs the heating operation.
Hereinafter, a flow of the refrigerant in the air conditioner 10 when the air conditioner performs the heating operation and the cooling operation will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a flow of the refrigerant when the air conditioner performs the heating operation according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a flow of the refrigerant when the air conditioner performs the cooling operation according to the first embodiment.
Referring to Fig. 4, when the air conditioner performs the heating operation, a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the first and second compressors 110 and 112 may separate oil while passing through the first and second oil separators 120 and 122, and then the separated oil may return to the first and second compressors 110 and 112 through the collection passage 116. Also, the refrigerant from which the oil is separated may flow toward the indoor unit via the flow switching part 130.
The refrigerant introduced into the indoor unit may be condensed in the indoor heat exchanger, and the condensed refrigerant may be introduced into the supercooling heat exchanger 270 through the indoor unit connection tube 279. Here, a portion of the refrigerant may be divided from the supercooling passage 273 and decompressed in the supercooling expansion device 275 and then be introduced into the supercooling heat exchanger 270.
The condensed refrigerant and the refrigerant flowing through the supercooling passage 273 may be heat-exchanged with each other in the supercooling heat exchanger 270 to supercool the condensed refrigerant.
The supercooled refrigerant passing through the supercooling heat exchanger 270 may cool the heating components of the electronic unit while passing through the heatsink plate 265 and then be decompressed in the main expansion valve 260.
The decompressed refrigerant may be introduced into the distributor 230 via the second inlet/outlet tube 145 and the distributor tube 235. Also, the refrigerant may be divided in the distributor 230 to flow through the plurality of capillary tubes 207 and then be introduced into the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202. The refrigerant may be evaporated while flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202, and the evaporated refrigerant may be discharged to the first inlet/outlet tube 141 via the head 205.
The refrigerant of the first inlet/outlet tube 141 may be introduced into the gas/liquid separator 280 via the flow switching part 130, and the separated gas refrigerant may be suctioned into the first and second compressors 110 and 112.
A flow of the refrigerant of the distributor tube 235 into the connection tube 225 may be restricted by the check valve 227. Thus, a flow of the refrigerant into the bypass tube 210 may not occur.
As described above, when the air conditioner performs the heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 200 functions as the evaporator. Also, the refrigerant may be introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 200 through the distributor 230. On the other hand, the flow of the refrigerant into the bypass tube 210 may be restricted.
When the outdoor heat exchanger 200 is designed according to the current embodiment, the dispositions of the distributor 230 and the capillary tube 207 may be designed so that the evaporation performance is sufficiently secured through only the refrigerant flow through the plurality of capillary tubes 207.
Referring to Fig. 5, when the air conditioner performs the cooling operation, a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the first and second compressors 110 and 112 may separate oil while passing through the first and second oil separators 120 and 122, and then the separated oil may return to the first and second compressors 110 and 112 through the collection passage 116. Also, the refrigerant from which the oil is separated may flow into the first inlet/outlet tube 141 via the flow switching part 130 and then be introduced into the head 205 of the outdoor heat exchanger 200.
The refrigerant introduced into the head 205 may be introduced into the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 via the refrigerant inflow tube 206. The refrigerant of the refrigerant tube 202 may be condensed while being heat-exchanged. Here, a portion of the condensed refrigerant may be discharged to the first branch part 208a of the branch tube 208 to flow into the capillary tube 207. The rest portion of the condensed refrigerant may be discharged to the second branch part 208b of the branch tube 208 to flow into the bypass tube 210.
Of cause, all of the refrigerant may flow into the capillary tube 207 at a side of the refrigerant tube 202 that is not connected to the bypass tube 210.
The refrigerant of the plurality of capillary tubes 207 may be introduced into the distributor 230 and then discharged to the distributor tube 235. Also, the refrigerant of the bypass tube 210 may flow into the distributor tube 235 via the combination tank 220 and the connection tube 225. Here, the check valve 227 guides a flow of the refrigerant in the connection tube 225.
That is, the refrigerant of the plurality of capillary tubes 207 and the refrigerant of the bypass tube 210 may be mixed with each other in the distributor tube 235.
The refrigerant mixed in the distributor tube 235 may flow through the second inlet/outlet passage 145 to pass through the main expansion device 260. Then, the refrigerant may pass through the heatsink plate 265 and the supercooling heat exchanger 270 to flow toward the indoor unit. The refrigerant may be expanded and evaporated in the indoor unit and then suctioned into the first and second compressors 110 and 120 via the flow switching part 130 and the gas/liquid separator 280. This cycle may be repeatedly performed.
As described above, when the air conditioner performs the cooing operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 200 functions as the condenser. Also, a portion of the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may flow into the plurality of capillary tubes 207, and the rest portion of the refrigerant may flow toward the distributor tube 235 through the bypass tube 210.
As described above, when the outdoor heat exchanger functions as the condenser, a refrigerant path may be additionally secured to reduce a deviation of an outlet temperature of the refrigerant passing through the condenser.
In detail, in case of the air conditioner, in which the bypass tube 210 is not provided, according to the related art, a portion of the refrigerant condensed in the plurality of refrigerant tubes may have a supercooling degree greater than that of the refrigerant condensed in the other refrigerant tube.
Particularly, a portion at which a speed of external air is greater than a preset wind speed, for example, an upper portion of the outdoor heat exchanger may have a heat exchange amount greater than that of a lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger. Thus, the refrigerant passing though the upper portion of the heat exchanger may have a supercooling degree greater than that of the refrigerant passing through the lower portion of the heat exchanger.
If a deviation of the supercooling degree of the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger is high, heat-exchange performance of the air conditioner may be deteriorated.
Thus, in the current embodiment, the bypass tube may be disposed at the refrigerant tube having a low output temperature of the condenser, i.e., the refrigerant tube having a high supercooling degree to increase an amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant tube and also reduce the supercooling degree. As a result, a deviation of the output temperature of the refrigerant passing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes, i.e., a deviation of the supercooling degree may be reduced.
Hereinafter, the second and third embodiments will be described. Since the embodiments are the same as the first embodiment except for only portions of the constitutions, different points therebetween will be described principally, and descriptions of the same parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions of the first embodiment.
Fig. 6 is a view of an outdoor heat exchanger and peripheral components according to a second embodiment.
Referring to Fig. 6, an air conditioner according to a second embodiment further includes a storage tank 250 coupled to a connection tube 225.
When the air conditioner performs a cooling operation, a refrigerant condensed in an outdoor heat exchanger 200 may be unnecessarily excessive. For example, if an indoor load for the cooling operation is not large, the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 200, i.e., a liquid refrigerant may be accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 200. If the liquid refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 is unnecessarily excessive, condensation performance of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may be deteriorated.
Thus, the air conditioner according to the current embodiment may be characterized in that a storage tank 250 for storing the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 is installed on the connection tube 225.
The storage tank 250 may be disposed at a position corresponding to a height of a lower or the lowermost refrigerant tube 202 of a plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 so that the liquid refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 is introduced into the storage tank 250. That is, the connection tube 225 and the storage tank 250 may be disposed at positions corresponding to a lower or the lowermost portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 200.
The storage tank 250 may be disposed at an inflow-side or discharge-side of a check valve 227 of the connection tube 225. Here, the "inflow side" may represent a direction in which the refrigerant is introduced into the check valve 227 when the air conditioner performs the cooling operation. That is to say, the check valve 227 may be disposed between the storage tank 250 and a combination tube 220, or the storage tank 250 may be disposed between the check valve 227 and the combination tank 220.
Fig. 7 is a view of an outdoor heat exchanger and peripheral components according to a third embodiment.
Referring to Fig. 7, an air conditioner according to a third embodiment includes a plurality of bypass tubes 210 connected to a plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 of an outdoor heat exchanger 200.
For example, the plurality of bypass tubes 210 may be provided in number corresponding to that of capillary tubes 207. That is, as illustrated in Fig. 7, 10 capillary tubes 207 and 10 bypass tubes 210 may be provided.
Of cause, it is unnecessary that the number of plurality of bypass tubes 210 corresponds to that of capillary tubes 207. The plurality of bypass tubes 210 may be selectively provided to a side of a refrigerant tube in which the outdoor heat exchanger has an outlet temperature less than a preset temperature when the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser. For example, two to nine bypass tubes 210 may be provided.
Also, the air conditioner includes a plurality of branch tubes 208 connected to the plurality of bypass tubes 210. The number of plurality of branch tubes 208 may correspond to that of plurality of bypass tubes 210.
In summary, the plurality of capillary tubes 207 may be connected to a first branch part 208a of the branch tube 208, and the plurality of bypass tubes 210 may be connected to a second branch part 208a of the branch tube 208.
When the air conditioner performs a cooling operation, a refrigerant condensed in the plurality of refrigerant tubes 202 may be divided into the capillary tubes 207 and the bypass tubes 210 through the plurality of branch tubes 208. Also, the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of bypass tubes 210 may be mixed in a combination tank 220 and then flow into a distributor tube 235 via the connection tube 225.
Hereinafter, descriptions will be made according to a further embodiment. This embodiment has main features in a distributor and bypass tube, which are connected to an indoor heat exchanger instead of an outdoor heat exchanger. Thus, different points with respect to the foregoing embodiments will be mainly described, and the same part will be quoted from the description and reference numeral of the foregoing embodiments.
Fig. 8 is a view of an indoor unit according to a fourth embodiment, and Fig. 9 is a view of an indoor heat exchanger and peripheral components according to a fourth embodiment.
Referring to Fig. 8, an indoor unit 30 according to a fourth embodiment includes a cabinet 31 defining an exterior thereof, a case 32 inserted into the cabinet 31 to protect inner components, an indoor heat exchanger 300 disposed in the case 32 and mounted to be spaced inward from the case 32, fan assemblies 37 and 38 disposed in the indoor heat exchanger 300, a drain pan 35 seated on an upper portion of the indoor heat exchanger 300 to receive condensate water formed on a surface of the indoor heat exchanger 300, a shroud disposed in the drain pan 35 to guide suction of indoor air, and a front panel 39 seated on an upper portion of the drain pan 35 to cover the case 32.
The fan assemblies include a fan motor 37 and a blower fan 38 connected to a rotation shaft of the fan motor 37 to rotate, thereby suctioning the indoor air. Also, a centrifugal fan that suctions air in an axial direction to discharge the suctioned air in a radius direction, particularly, a turbo fan may be used as the blower fan 38. Also, the fan motor 37 is fixed and mounted on a base 33 by a motor mount.
Also, a suction grille 39a for suctioning the indoor air is mounted on the front panel 39, and a filter 42 for filtering the suctioned indoor air is mounted on a bottom surface of the suction grille 39a. Also, discharge holes 35 through which the suctioned indoor air is discharged are defined in four edge surfaces of the front panel 39, and each of the discharge holes 45 is selectively opened or closed by a louver.
A recess part 40 in which a lower end of the indoor heat exchanger 300 is accommodated is defined in a lower portion of the drain pan 35. In detail, the recess part 40 provides a space in which the condensate water generated on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 300 drops down and collected. A drain pump (not shown) for draining the condensate water is mounted in the recess part 40.
Also, an orifice 36 bent at a predetermine curvature to minimize flow resistance while the indoor air is suctioned may be disposed inside the shroud. The orifice 36 extends in a cylindrical shape toward the blower fan 38.
Referring to Fig. 9, the indoor heat exchanger 300 according to the fourth embodiment further includes a plurality of refrigerant tubes 302 and a coupling plate 303 supporting the refrigerant tubes 302. The coupling plate 303 may be provided in plurality to support one side and the other side of each of the refrigerant tube 302 each of which has the bent shape.
The indoor heat exchanger 300 further include a return tube 304 coupled to an end of each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 302 to guide the refrigerant flowing in one refrigerant tube 302 into the other refrigerant tube 302.
In the indoor heat exchanger 300, a head 305 defining a flow space for the refrigerant and a plurality of refrigerant inflow tubes 306 disposed between the head 305 and the coupling plate 303 extend.
The distributor 230, the capillary tube 207, the branch tube 208, the bypass tube 210, the combination tank 220, and the check valve 227, which are described in the foregoing embodiment, may be disposed on one side of the indoor heat exchanger 300. Descriptions of the above-described components will be quoted from those of the foregoing embodiment.
A first connection tube 279a of first and second connection tubes 279a and 279b is connected to the head 305, and a second connection tube 279b is connected to the distributor 230.
When an air conditioner performs a cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 300 serves as an evaporator. In detail, the refrigerant is introduced into the distributor 230 through the second connection tube 279b and also is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 300 through the plurality of capillary tubes 207. Here, a flow of the refrigerant into the bypass tube 210 may be restricted by the check valve 227.
On the other hand, when the air conditioner performs a heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 300 serves as a condenser. In detail, the refrigerant is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 300 through the first connection tube 279a and also is introduced into the distributor 300 through the plurality of capillary tubes 207. Also, at least a portion of the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 300 may flow through the bypass tube 210.
As described above, when the indoor heat exchanger functions as the evaporator, a flow of the refrigerant in the bypass tube may be restricted. When the indoor heat exchanger functions as the condenser, a flow of the refrigerant in the bypass tube may be allowable.
According to the embodiments, the connection structure of the tube extending from the distributor to the heat exchanger may be improved to improve the evaporation performance and condensation performance when the heat exchanger functions as the evaporator or condenser.
Particularly, when the heat exchanger functions as the evaporator, the plurality of branch tubes for guiding the flow of the refrigerant form the distributor to the heat exchanger may be provided. Also, when the heat exchanger functions as the condenser, the at least one bypass tube for guiding the flow of the refrigerant from the heat exchanger to the distributor connection tube may be provided. Thus, when the refrigerant is condensed or evaporated, the flow path of the refrigerant may be different.
Also, since the connection tube for guiding the refrigerant flowing through the bypass tube into the distributor connection tube and the check valve installed in the connection tube are provided, when the heat exchanger functions as the evaporator, the refrigerant flow through the connection tube may be restricted. When the heat exchanger functions as the condenser, the refrigerant flow through the connection tube may be guided.
Thus, even though an amount of refrigerant that can pass through the heat exchanger is designed in consideration of the evaporator, when the heat exchanger functions as the condenser, an amount of refrigerant that can pass through the heat exchanger may be additionally secured. As a result, the deviation of the outlet temperature of the evaporator when the heat exchanger functions as the evaporator and the deviation of the outlet temperature of the evaporator when the heat exchanger functions as the condenser may be reduced.
Also, since the storage tank is provided on the connection tube, when the heat exchanger functions as the condenser, the condensed liquid refrigerant may be stored so that an excessive refrigerant does not exist in the condenser.
Also, the tube connection part connected to the branch tube and the bypass tube may be provided in the head of the heat exchanger. In the process of installing the heat exchanger, since the plurality of tube connection parts corresponding to the number of bypass tubes are provided, the optimum heat exchanger according to the installation environment may be enabled.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

An air conditioner comprising:
a heat exchanger (200) comprising a plurality of refrigerant tubes (202);

a distributor (230) disposed on one side of the heat exchanger (200) to divide a refrigerant into a plurality of flow paths; and

a plurality of capillary tubes (207) extending from the distributor (230) toward the plurality of refrigerant tubes (202); and a bypass tube (210) extending from the plurality of refrigerant tubes (202), the bypass tube (210) allowing the refrigerant to bypass the distributor (230), thereby guiding a flow of the refrigerant toward an outlet of the distributor (230), characterized in that the air conditioner further comprises
a branch tube (208) connected to one capillary tube of the plurality of capillary tubes (207) and the bypass tube (210),

wherein the branch tube (208) divides a refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes (202) in two directions to allow the refrigerant to flow into the capillary tube (207) and the bypass tube (210).
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the branch tube (208) comprises:
a first branch part (208a) guiding the refrigerant passing through the one refrigerant tube (202) to the capillary tube (207); and

a second branch part (208b) guiding the refrigerant passing through the one refrigerant tube (202) to the bypass tube (210).
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a distributor connection tube (235) connected to the distributor (230) to introduce the refrigerant into the distributor (230) during a heating operation; and

a connection tube (225) extending from the bypass tube (210) to the distributor connection tube (235).
The air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising a check valve (227) disposed in the connection tube (225) to guide the refrigerant in the connection tube (225) in one direction.
The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the check valve (227) restricts a flow of the refrigerant from the distributor connection tube (235) toward the bypass tube (210) when the heat exchanger (200) functions as an evaporator.
The air conditioner according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heat exchanger (200) comprises an outdoor heat exchanger (200).
The air conditioner according to any of claims 3 to 6, further comprising a main expansion valve (260) disposed on one side of the outdoor heat exchanger (200),
wherein the distributor connection tube (235) is disposed between the main expansion valve (260) and the distributor (230).
The air conditioner according to any of claims 3 to 7, further comprising a combination tank (220) disposed on the connection tube (225) and in which the refrigerant passing through the bypass tube (210) is mixed.
The air conditioner according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bypass tube (210) is connected to one side of the refrigerant tube (202), in which a speed of external air passing through the heat exchanger (200) is greater than a predetermined wind speed, of the plurality of refrigerant tubes (202) disposed in the heat exchanger (200).
The air conditioner according to claim 9, further comprising a blower fan (300) disposed above the heat exchanger (200) to blow the external air,
wherein the heat exchanger (200) extends in a vertical direction, and
the refrigerant tube (202) in which the speed of the external air is greater than the predetermined wind speed is disposed in an upper portion of the heat exchanger (200).
The air conditioner according to any of claims 4 to 10, further comprising a storage tank (250) disposed on the connection tube (225) to store a liquid refrigerant condensed in the heat exchanger (200).
The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the check valve (227) is disposed between the connection tube (225) and the combination tank (220).
The air conditioner according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bypass tube (210) is provided in plurality.
The air conditioner according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the heat exchanger (200) comprises an indoor heat exchanger (300), and
the air conditioner further comprises a turbo fan for blowing indoor air toward the indoor heat exchanger (300).