KR101425041B1 - Outdoor heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

The outdoor heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention is an outdoor heat exchanger included in an air conditioner and serving as a condenser during a cooling operation and an evaporator during a heating operation, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger includes at least two or more And the heat exchanging unit in which the refrigerant having passed through the compressor in the cooling operation first passes through the heat exchanging unit is disposed at a position where the ambient temperature is relatively higher than the heat exchanging unit through which the refrigerant passing through the compressor passes later so that the refrigerant is sufficiently subcooled.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an outdoor heat exchanger,

The present invention relates to an outdoor heat exchanger, and more particularly, to an outdoor heat exchanger having improved heat exchanging ability.

Generally, the air conditioner is a device for cooling or heating the room by using a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger. A radiator for cooling the room, and a radiator for heating the room. And a cooling / heating air conditioner for cooling or heating the room.

And a four-way valve for changing the flow path of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor according to the cooling operation and the heating operation when the air conditioner is composed of the air conditioner and the air conditioner. That is, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor during the cooling operation flows through the four-way valve to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor heat exchanger serves as the condenser. The refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger is expanded in the expansion valve, and then flows into the indoor heat exchanger. At this time, the indoor heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, and the refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger passes through the four-way valve and flows into the compressor.

On the other hand, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor during the heating operation flows through the four-way valve to the indoor heat exchanger, and the indoor heat exchanger serves as the condenser. The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger is expanded in the expansion valve, and then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger. At this time, the outdoor heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, and the refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger passes through the four-way valve and flows into the compressor.

An object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor heat exchanger in which a refrigerant flow path is variable during cooling operation and during heating operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor heat exchanger that reduces heat exchange between refrigerant and air during heating operation and increases heat exchange between refrigerant and air during cooling operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor heat exchanger having improved heat exchange capacity.

In order to achieve the above object, an outdoor heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention is an outdoor heat exchanger included in an air conditioner and serving as a condenser during a cooling operation and an evaporator during a heating operation, Wherein the heat exchanging unit through which the refrigerant having passed through the compressor passes during the cooling operation is disposed at a position where the ambient temperature is relatively higher than the heat exchanging unit through which the refrigerant passing through the compressor passes later, Ensure that the refrigerant is sufficiently subcooled.

The outdoor heat exchanger of the present invention has one or more of the following effects.

There is an advantage that the refrigerant passing through the compressor can be sufficiently supercooled by heat exchange with the air at low temperature in the heat exchanging part passing the last of the heat exchanging parts.

In addition, the sufficient supercooling degree of the refrigerant improves the performance of the air conditioner and has an advantage of reducing the noise of the air conditioner.

Further, there is an advantage that the flow path of the refrigerant is variable during the cooling operation and during the heating operation.

In addition, there is also an advantage in that heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air is reduced during the heating operation, and heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air is extended during the cooling operation, thereby maximizing the efficiency.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a configuration diagram of an outdoor heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a graph showing the temperature of refrigerant and air flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger of FIG.
4 is an operation diagram showing the operation state of the outdoor heat exchanger of Fig. 2 during cooling operation.
5 is an operation diagram showing the operation state of the outdoor heat exchanger of Fig. 2 during the heating operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and the manner of achieving them, will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining an outdoor heat exchanger according to embodiments of the present invention.

1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit (OU) and an indoor unit (IU).

The outdoor unit (OU) includes a compressor (110), an outdoor heat exchanger (140), and a subcooler (180). The air conditioner may include one or a plurality of outdoor units (OU).

The compressor 110 compresses the introduced low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant into high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant. Various constructions can be applied to the compressor 110, and an inverter type compressor or a constant speed compressor can be employed. On the discharge pipe 161 of the compressor 110, a discharge temperature sensor 171 and a discharge pressure sensor 151 are provided. A suction temperature sensor 175 and a suction pressure sensor 154 are installed on the suction pipe 162 of the compressor 110.

The outdoor unit (OU) includes one compressor (110), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The outdoor unit (OU) may include a plurality of compressors, and may include an inverter type compressor and a constant speed compressor.

An accumulator 187 may be installed in the suction pipe 162 of the compressor 110 to prevent the liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor 110. An oil separator 113 may be installed in the discharge pipe 161 of the compressor 110 to recover oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110.

The four-way valve 160 is a flow-switching valve for switching the cooling / heating operation. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 is guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 140 during the cooling operation and guided to the indoor heat exchanger 120 during the heating operation. The four-way valve 160 is in the A state during the cooling operation and in the B state during the heating operation.

The outdoor heat exchanger (140) is disposed in the outdoor space, and the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger (140) exchanges heat with outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger 140 acts as a condenser during cooling operation and as an evaporator during heating operation.

The outdoor heat exchanger 140 is connected to the first inlet pipe 166 and is connected to the indoor unit IU through the liquid pipe 165. The outdoor heat exchanger (140) is connected to the second inflow pipe (167) and connected to the four-way valve (160).

The subcooler 180 includes a subcooling heat exchanger 184, a second bypass pipe 181, a subcooling expansion valve 182, and a discharge pipe 185. The subcooling heat exchanger 184 is disposed on the first inflow pipe 166. During the cooling operation, the second bypass pipe 181 functions to bypass the refrigerant discharged from the supercool heat exchanger 184 and to introduce the refrigerant to the supercooled expansion valve 182.

 The subcooling expansion valve 182 is disposed on the second bypass pipe 181 to throttle the liquid refrigerant flowing into the second bypass pipe 181 to lower the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, (184). Various types of subcooling expansion valve 182 may be used and a linear expansion valve may be used for ease of use. A subcooling temperature sensor 183 for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant throttled in the subcooling expansion valve 182 is provided on the second bypass pipe 181.

In the cooling operation, the condensed refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 140 is undercooled by the low-temperature refrigerant introduced through the second bypass pipe 181 in the subcooling heat exchanger 184, and then flows into the indoor unit IU do.

The refrigerant having passed through the second bypass pipe 181 is heat-exchanged in the supercool heat exchanger 184, and then flows into the accumulator 187 through the discharge pipe 185. A discharge pipe temperature sensor 178 is provided on the discharge pipe 185 for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the accumulator 187.

A liquid pipe temperature sensor 174 and a liquid pipe pressure sensor 156 are provided on a liquid pipe 165 connecting the subcooler 180 and the indoor unit IU.

The indoor unit IU includes the indoor heat exchanger 120, the indoor air blower 125, and the indoor expansion valve 131. The indoor heat exchanger 120, The air conditioner may include one or more indoor units (IU).

The indoor heat exchanger (120) is disposed in the indoor space, and the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger (120) exchanges heat with indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 120 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation and as a condenser during heating operation. The indoor heat exchanger (120) is provided with a room temperature sensor (176) for measuring the room temperature.

The indoor expansion valve 131 is a device for exchanging the refrigerant flowing in the cooling operation. The indoor expansion valve 131 is installed in the indoor inlet pipe 163 of the indoor unit IU. Various kinds of indoor expansion valves 131 may be used and a linear expansion valve may be used for convenience of use. It is preferable that the indoor expansion valve 131 is opened by the opening degree set during the cooling operation and is fully opened during the heating operation.

An indoor inlet pipe temperature sensor 173 is provided on the indoor inlet pipe 163. The indoor inlet pipe temperature sensor 173 may be installed between the indoor heat exchanger 120 and the indoor expansion valve 131. An indoor outlet pipe temperature sensor 172 is provided on the indoor outlet pipe 164.

The flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation of the above-mentioned air conditioner is as follows.

The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 140 through the second inlet pipe 167 via the four-way valve 160. In the outdoor heat exchanger (140), the refrigerant undergoes heat exchange with outdoor air and condenses. The refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger (140) flows into the supercooler (180) through the first inflow pipe (166). The introduced refrigerant is subcooled by the subcooling heat exchanger 184 and then flows into the indoor unit IU.

A part of the subcooled refrigerant in the subcooling heat exchanger 184 is throttled in the subcooling expansion valve 182 to subcool the refrigerant passing through the subcooling heat exchanger 184. The subcooled refrigerant in the subcooling heat exchanger 184 flows into the accumulator 187.

The refrigerant flowing into the indoor unit IU is throttled by the indoor expansion valve 131 opened by a predetermined opening degree, and then is heat-exchanged with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 120 to be evaporated. The evaporated refrigerant flows into the compressor 110 through the four-way valve 160 and the accumulator 187.

The flow of the refrigerant during the above-described heating operation of the air conditioner is as follows.

The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor (110) flows into the indoor unit (IU) through the four-way valve (160). The indoor expansion valves 131 of the indoor unit IU are fully opened. The refrigerant flowing out from the indoor unit IU flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 140 through the first inlet pipe 166 and is heat-exchanged with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 140 to evaporate. The evaporated refrigerant flows into the suction pipe 162 of the compressor 110 through the second inlet pipe 167 and the four-way valve 160 and the accumulator 187.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an outdoor heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating a temperature of refrigerant and air flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger of FIG.

2 and 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least two heat exchangers 143a, 143b, and 143c for exchanging heat between air and refrigerant.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 140 is provided with heat exchangers 143a, 143b, and 143c therein, and external air is in contact with the heat exchangers 143a, 143b, and 143c And can have a structure having a certain space.

In the embodiment, the heat exchange unit in which the refrigerant passing through the compressor 110 passes first in the cooling operation is disposed at a position where the ambient temperature is relatively higher than the heat exchange unit in which the refrigerant passing through the compressor 110 passes later, To be subcooled.

Here, the ambient temperature means the temperature around the heat exchangers 143a, 143b, and 143c. The ambient temperature means the temperature after the air conditioner has operated for a certain period of time.

The outdoor heat exchanger 140 may be installed inside the outdoor unit OU.

The outdoor heat exchanger 140 is provided with an air inflow portion for sucking outside air into the outdoor heat exchanger 140 or for circulating air around the heat exchanging portions 143a, 143b, 143c Exchanged air with the heat exchanging portions 143a, 143b and 143c in the outdoor heat exchanger 140 and the air outflow portion 194 and the air outflow portion 194 from the air inflow portion 193 The air flow generating unit may further include an air flow generating unit for generating a flow of air flowing in the direction of the arrow.

The air outlet 194 and the air inlet 193 may be openings formed on one side of the housing 195. The housing 195 provides a space in which the outside air and the heat exchanging parts 143a, 143b, and 143c are in contact with each other. The housing 195 may be a casing of the outdoor unit (OU).

The air inflow portion 193 and the air outflow portion 194 are not limited in position, but may be arranged in, for example, a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. Here, the vertical direction means a direction perpendicular to the earth's surface, and the horizontal direction means a direction parallel to the earth's surface. That is, in the outdoor heat exchanger 140, the air outflow section 194 and the air inflow section 193 are arranged vertically or horizontally, so that the air introduced from the outside can be heat-exchanged in the outdoor heat exchanger 140, .

The ambient temperature of the heat exchanging parts 143a, 143b, and 143c increases as the air flows in from the air inflow part 193 toward the air outflow part 194. That is, the air temperature around the air outlet 194 is higher than the air temperature around the air inlet 193.

Preferably, the air outlet 194 may be disposed above the air inlet 193. That is, in order to improve the heat exchange efficiency in the large air conditioner, the air outflow portion 194 is usually disposed at the upper end and the air inflow portion 193 is disposed at the lower end side. In this case, a flow of air is formed as shown in Fig.

The air flow generating unit 190 is a device for generating a flow of air, and may include, for example, a fan 191 and a fan motor 192 for rotating the fan 191.

The air flow generating unit may be disposed adjacent to the air outlet 194. [ In this case, the air flow rate (flow velocity) of the outdoor heat exchanger 140 becomes larger as it is adjacent to the air flow generating portion.

The heat exchanging units 143a, 143b and 143c may include a first heat exchanging unit 143a, a second heat exchanging unit 143b and a third heat exchanging unit 143c, for example. However, the number of the heat exchanging portions is not limited thereto, and a person skilled in the art can select an appropriate number, but it is preferable that the number of heat exchanging portions is two to four, considering the effect on the manufacturing cost.

The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows into the first heat exchanging unit 143a during the cooling operation.

In the cooling operation, the second heat exchanger 143b receives the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 143a and performs heat exchange with the air.

During the cooling operation, the third heat exchanger 143c receives the refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchanger 143b and performs heat exchange with the air.

That is, the heat exchangers 143a, 143b, and 143c heat-exchange the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 during the cooling operation of the air conditioner through the first heat exchanger 143a, 143b and then through the third heat exchanging part 143c to be heat-exchanged.

In addition, heat exchange portions 143a, 143b, and 143c may be disposed along the air flow direction to improve heat exchange efficiency. That is, the heat exchanging parts 143a, 143b, and 143c may be disposed in the air inflow part 193 in the direction of the air outflow part 194. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and various arrangements can be made. The connection and arrangement of the heat exchanging parts 143a, 143b and 143c will be described later in detail.

The heat exchanging units 143a, 143b and 143c are devices for exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing in the heat exchanging units 143a, 143b and 143c and the outside air. The heat exchanging units 143a, 143b, and 143c may include a plurality of refrigerant tubes for exchanging heat with air while flowing, for example. The heat exchanging parts 143a, 143b and 143c are composed of a plurality of refrigerant tubes and a plurality of heat transfer fins, and the refrigerant and air are heat-exchanged.

The heat exchange unit in which the refrigerant passing through the compressor 110 passes first in the cooling operation mode is disposed adjacent to the air outlet portion 194 in comparison with the heat exchange unit in which the refrigerant passing through the compressor 110 passes later. In other words, the heat exchanger in which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 passes first is disposed adjacent to the air outlet 194 rather than the heat exchanger through which the refrigerant passes later. For example, the first heat exchanging portion 143a through which the refrigerant compressed first by the compressor 110 first passes is disposed adjacent to the air outlet portion 194 than the second heat exchanging portion 143b through which the refrigerant later passes, The second heat exchanger 143b through which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 first passes may be disposed adjacent to the air outlet 194 than the third heat exchanger 143c through which the refrigerant later passes.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 140 during the cooling operation will be described below.

The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 at the time of cooling operation is in a state of a high temperature and high pressure and the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 first passes through the heat exchanging portion (for example, the first heat exchanging portion 143a) The temperature is decreased under a certain pressure, the heat exchange with the surrounding air, the phase change under the constant pressure constant temperature state, and the heat exchange with the surrounding air. In the heat exchanging portion (for example, the third heat exchanging portion 143c) in which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 at the time of cooling operation passes later, the refrigerant undergoes a phase change under the constant pressure constant temperature state and performs heat exchange with the surrounding air, The temperature of the refrigerant is lowered while being supercooled. In other words, the temperature of the refrigerant passes through the heat exchangers 143a, 143b, and 143c, and is lowered except for the phase change section.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the temperature of the air flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 140 during the cooling operation will be described below.

During the cooling operation, the air sucked into the outdoor heat exchanger 140 is heat-exchanged with the heat exchangers 143a, 143b, and 143c, and the temperature gradually rises. That is, the temperature of the air increases as it moves from the air inflow portion 193 toward the air outflow portion 194.

Accordingly, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas compressed in the compressor 110 is heat-exchanged with the heat exchanging units 143a, 143b, and 143c to be heat-exchanged with the heated air, passes through the heat exchanging units 143a, 143b, and 143c The cooled refrigerant undergoes heat exchange with the low temperature air introduced from the air inlet 193. This is advantageous in that the refrigerant having passed through the compressor 110 can be sufficiently supercooled by heat exchange with air at low temperature in the heat exchanging part through which the refrigerant passes most later than the heat exchanging parts 143a, 143b and 143c. In addition, the sufficient supercooling degree of the refrigerant improves the performance of the air conditioner and has an advantage of reducing the noise of the air conditioner.

Since the temperature difference between the refrigerant and the air is maintained to be similar, there is an advantage that efficient heat exchange is possible.

The arrangement and connection relationship of the heat exchanging units 143a, 143b and 143c is such that the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 is discharged to the first heat exchanging unit 143a, the second heat exchanging unit 143b, (143c) in this order. The arrangement and connection relationship of the heat exchanging parts 143a, 143b and 143c are as follows.

The heat exchangers 143a, 143b and 143c are connected to the first header pipe 141a through which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows during the cooling operation and heat exchange units 143a and 143b heat- A second heat exchanging part 143b connected to the second header pipe 141b through which the refrigerant having passed through the first heat exchanging part 143a flows during the cooling operation so as to heat exchange the refrigerant with the air, And a third heat exchanger 143c connected to the third header pipe 141c through which the refrigerant having passed through the first header pipe 143b flows to heat-exchange the refrigerant with the air.

The outdoor heat exchanger 140 of the embodiment includes a first bypass pipe 144a for guiding the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the first heat exchanger 143a to the second header pipe 141b during the cooling operation, And a second bypass pipe 144b for guiding refrigerant heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger 143b to the third header pipe 141c.

That is, the outdoor heat exchanger 140 includes a first header pipe 141a connected to the compressor 110, a first heat exchanger 143a connected to the first header pipe 141a at one side and for exchanging the refrigerant with air, A first bypass pipe 144a connected to the other side of the first heat exchanging unit 143a, a first distribution pipe 148a connected to the other side of the first heat exchanging unit 143a, a first header pipe 141a A second header pipe 141b connected to the first bypass pipe 144a, a second heat exchanger 143b connected to the second header pipe 141b at one side and exchanging the refrigerant with air, A second header pipe 141b connected to the second header pipe 141b and a third header pipe 141c connected to the second bypass pipe 144b, A third heat exchanging part 143c connected to the third header pipe 141c for exchanging the refrigerant with the air and a second distributing pipe 143c connected to the other side of the third heat exchanging part 143c 148b.

One end of the first header pipe 141a is connected to the second inlet pipe 167 and connected to the compressor 110. The other end of the first header pipe 141a is connected to the first bypass pipe 144a and the second header pipe 141b. A first check valve 142a is disposed at the other end of the first header pipe 141a. The first check valve 142a prevents the refrigerant from flowing into the second header pipe 141b from the first header pipe 141a and prevents the refrigerant from flowing from the second header pipe 141b to the first header pipe 141a It is allowed to enter.

The first header pipe 141a is connected to one side of the first heat exchanger 143a. The first header pipe 141a is connected to the plurality of refrigerant tubes of the first heat exchanger 143a. That is, the first header pipe 141a is branched into a plurality of refrigerant tubes of the first heat exchanger 143a.

One side of the first heat exchanging part 143a is connected to the first header pipe 141a and the other side is connected to the first variable header pipe 146a. The first heat exchanging part 143a is composed of a plurality of refrigerant tubes through which refrigerant flows and a plurality of heat transfer fins, and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. One side of the plurality of refrigerant tubes of the first heat exchanger 143a is joined to the first header pipe 141a and the other side is joined to the first variable header pipe 146a.

The first variable header pipe 146a is connected to the other side of the first heat exchanger 143a and is connected to the first bypass pipe 144a and is connected to the first distributor 147a.

The first variable header pipe 146a is connected to a plurality of refrigerant tubes of the first heat exchanger 143a. That is, the first variable header pipe 146a is branched into a plurality of refrigerant tubes of the first heat exchanger 143a.

The first variable header pipe 146a is branched into a plurality of refrigerant pipes and connected to the first distributor 147a. The plurality of refrigerant tubes of the first heat exchanging part 143a are joined to the first variable header pipe 146a and then branched to the plurality of refrigerant pipes to be connected to the first distributor 147a. According to the embodiment, the first variable header pipe 146a may be omitted, and a plurality of refrigerant tubes of the first heat exchanger 143a may be connected to the first distributor 147a.

One end of the first variable header pipe 146a is connected to the first bypass pipe 144a. According to the embodiment, the first variable header pipe 146a may be omitted so that the first bypass pipe 144a is connected to the plurality of refrigerant tubes of the first heat exchanger 143a, or the first bypass pipe 144a And may be connected to the first distributor 147a or the first distribution pipe 148a.

The first distributor 147a connects the first variable header pipe 146a and the first distribution pipe 148a. The first distributor 147a couples the plurality of refrigerant pipes branched from the first variable header pipe 146a to the first distribution pipe 148a. According to the embodiment, the first distributor 147a couples a plurality of refrigerant tubes of the first heat exchanging part 143a to the first distribution pipe 148a.

The first distribution pipe 148a is connected to the other side of the first heat exchange unit 143a through the first distributor 147a and the first variable header pipe 146a. The first distribution pipe 148a is connected to the first inflow pipe 166. [

The first distribution pipe 148a is provided with a first expansion valve 149a for regulating the opening degree of the first distribution pipe 148a. The first expansion valve 149a can deflate, bypass or block the refrigerant passing through the first distribution pipe 148a.

The first bypass pipe 144a has one end connected to the first variable header pipe 146a and the other end connected to the second header pipe 141b. The first bypass pipe 144a is provided with a first intermittent valve 145a which is opened and closed to regulate the flow of the refrigerant. The first intermittent valve 145a is opened to allow the refrigerant to flow from the first variable header pipe 146a to the second header pipe 141b and to be closed from the second header pipe 141b to the first variable header pipe 146a ) It is possible to prevent the refrigerant from flowing.

One end of the second header pipe 141b is connected to the first bypass pipe 144a and the first header pipe 141a and the other end is connected to the second bypass pipe 144b and the third header pipe 141c do. And the second check valve 142b is disposed at the other end of the second header pipe 141b. The second check valve 142b prevents the refrigerant from flowing into the third header pipe 141c from the second header pipe 141b and prevents the refrigerant from flowing from the third header pipe 141c to the second header pipe 141b It is allowed to enter.

The second header pipe 141b is connected to one side of the second heat exchanger 143b. The second header pipe 141b is connected to the plurality of refrigerant tubes of the second heat exchanger 143b. That is, the second header pipe 141b is branched into a plurality of refrigerant tubes of the second heat exchanger 143b.

One side of the second heat exchanger 143b is connected to the second header pipe 141b, and the other side of the second heat exchanger 143b is connected to the second variable header pipe 146b. The second heat exchanger 143b is composed of a plurality of refrigerant tubes through which refrigerant flows and a plurality of heat transfer fins, and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. One side of the plurality of refrigerant tubes of the second heat exchanger 143b is joined to the second header pipe 141b and the other side thereof is joined to the second variable header pipe 146b.

The second variable header pipe 146b is connected to the other side of the second heat exchanger 143b, to the second bypass pipe 144b, and to the second distributor 147b.

The second variable header pipe 146b is connected to a plurality of refrigerant tubes of the second heat exchanger 143b. That is, the second variable header pipe 146b is branched into a plurality of refrigerant tubes of the second heat exchanger 143b.

One end of the second variable header pipe 146b is connected to the second bypass pipe 144b. According to the embodiment, the second variable header pipe 146b may be omitted, and the second bypass pipe 144b may be connected to the plurality of refrigerant tubes of the second heat exchanger 143b.

The second bypass pipe 144b has one end connected to the second variable header pipe 146b and the other end connected to the third header pipe 141c. The second bypass pipe 144b is provided with a second intermittent valve 145b which is opened and closed to regulate the flow of the refrigerant. The second intermittent valve 145b is opened to allow the refrigerant to flow from the second variable header pipe 146b to the third header pipe 141c and to be closed from the third header pipe 141c to the second variable header pipe 146b ) It is possible to prevent the refrigerant from flowing.

One end of the third header pipe 141c is connected to the second bypass pipe 144b and the second header pipe 141b. The third header pipe 141c is connected to one side of the third heat exchanging part 143c. The third header pipe 141c is connected to the plurality of refrigerant tubes of the third heat exchanger 143c. That is, the third header pipe 141c is branched into a plurality of refrigerant tubes of the third heat exchanger 143c.

One end of the third heat exchanging unit 143c is connected to the second header pipe 141b, and the other end of the third heat exchanging unit 143c is connected to the second distributor 147b. The third heat exchanging part 143c is composed of a plurality of refrigerant tubes through which refrigerant flows and a plurality of heat transfer fins, and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. One side of the plurality of refrigerant tubes of the third heat exchanger 143c is joined to the third header pipe 141c and the other side is joined to the second distributor 147b.

The second distributor 147b connects the third heat exchanger 143c and the second distribution pipe 148b. The second distributor 147b couples the plurality of refrigerant tubes branched from the third heat exchanger 143c to the second distribution pipe 148b.

The second distribution pipe 148b is connected to the other side of the third heat exchanger 143c through the second distributor 147b. And the second distribution pipe 148b is connected to the first inflow pipe 166. [

A second expansion valve 149b is provided in the second distribution pipe 148b to regulate the opening of the second distribution pipe 148b. The second expansion valve 149b can deflate, bypass or block the refrigerant passing through the second distribution pipe 148b.

The second heat exchanging portion 143b is disposed at the lower end of the first heat exchanging portion 143a and the third heat exchanging portion 143c is disposed at the lower end of the second heat exchanging portion 143b. That is, the first heat exchanging part 143a, the second heat exchanging part 143b, and the third heat exchanging part 143c may be vertically disposed to share a plurality of heat transfer fins.

The first header pipe 141a, the second header pipe 141b and the third header pipe 141c may be vertically connected to form one pipe.

According to the embodiment, the second header pipe 141b, the second heat exchanger 143b, and the second bypass pipe 144b may be connected in a plurality of ways and repeatedly connected as described above.

4 is an operation diagram showing the operation state of the outdoor heat exchanger of Fig. 2 during cooling operation.

Referring to FIG. 4, the flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation of the outdoor heat exchanger 140 is as follows.

The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 flows into the first header pipe 141a through the second inflow pipe 167. [ The refrigerant introduced into the first header pipe 141a is prevented from flowing into the second header pipe 141b by the first check valve 142a. The refrigerant flowing into the first header pipe 141a flows to the first heat exchanger 143a.

The refrigerant flowing into the first heat exchanging part 143a is heat-exchanged with air and condensed. The refrigerant condensed in the first heat exchanger 143a flows into the first variable header pipe 146a.

During the cooling operation, the first expansion valve 149a is closed and the refrigerant flowing into the first variable header pipe 146a can not flow into the first distributor 147a and the first distribution pipe 148a. During the cooling operation, the first intermittent valve 145a opens and the refrigerant flowing into the first variable header pipe 146a flows to the first bypass pipe 144a.

The refrigerant having passed through the first bypass piping 144a flows into the second header pipe 141b. The refrigerant flowing into the second header pipe 141b flows to the second heat exchanger 143b.

The refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger 143b is heat-exchanged with air and condensed again. The refrigerant condensed in the second heat exchanger 143b flows into the second variable header pipe 146b. During the cooling operation, the second intermittent valve 145b opens and the refrigerant flowing into the second variable header pipe 146b flows to the second bypass pipe 144b.

The refrigerant having passed through the second bypass piping 144b flows into the third header pipe 141c. The refrigerant flowing into the third header pipe 141c flows to the third heat exchanger 143c.

The refrigerant flowing into the third heat exchanging part 143c is heat-exchanged with air and is condensed again. The refrigerant condensed in the third heat exchanger 143c flows to the second distributor 147b. During the cooling operation, the second expansion valve 149b is fully opened and flows into the second distribution pipe 148b.

The refrigerant having passed through the second distribution pipe 148b flows into the first inflow pipe 166 and flows to the indoor unit IU through the liquid pipe 165. [

According to the embodiment, a plurality of the second header pipe 141b, the second heat exchanging part 143b, and the second bypass pipe 144b may be provided so that the refrigerant can be repeatedly condensed more. Also, the amount of heat exchange of the respective heat exchanging parts 143a, 143b, and 143c may be varied according to the flow rate of the outside air to increase the amount of heat exchange.

5 is an operation diagram showing the operation state of the outdoor heat exchanger of Fig. 2 during the heating operation.

Referring to FIG. 5, the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation of the outdoor heat exchanger 140 is as follows.

The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger (120) of the indoor unit (IU) flows to the first inflow pipe (166) through the liquid pipe (165). The refrigerant flowing into the first inlet pipe 166 flows into the first distribution pipe 148a and the second distribution pipe 148b, respectively.

The refrigerant that has flowed into the second distribution pipe 148b is expanded in the second expansion valve 149b whose opening degree is adjusted. The refrigerant expanded in the second expansion valve 149b flows through the second distributor 147b, (143c).

The refrigerant flowing into the third heat exchanging part 143c is heat-exchanged with air and evaporated. The refrigerant evaporated in the third heat exchanging part 143c flows into the third header pipe 141c.

During the heating operation, the second intermittent valve 145b is closed and the refrigerant flowing into the third header pipe 141c can not flow into the second bypass pipe 144b. The refrigerant flowing into the third header pipe 141c flows into the second header pipe 141b.

During the heating operation, the first intermittent valve 145a is closed so that the refrigerant flowing into the second header pipe 141b can not flow into the first bypass pipe 144a. The refrigerant flowing into the second header pipe 141b flows into the first header pipe 141a.

On the other hand, the refrigerant that has flowed into the first distribution pipe 148a is expanded in the first expansion valve 149a whose opening degree is adjusted. The refrigerant expanded in the first expansion valve 149a flows through the first distributor 147a and the first variable valve And flows to the header pipe 146a.

During the heating operation, the first intermittent valve 145a is closed so that the refrigerant flowing into the first variable header pipe 146a can not flow into the second header pipe 141b. The refrigerant flowing into the first variable header pipe 146a flows into the first heat exchanger 143a.

The refrigerant flowing into the first heat exchanging part 143a is heat-exchanged with air and evaporated. The refrigerant evaporated in the first heat exchanging part 143a flows into the first header pipe 141a.

The refrigerant evaporated in the first heat exchanging part 143a and the refrigerant having passed through the third header pipe 141c and the second header pipe 141b flows into the second inlet pipe 167 and flows to the compressor 110. [

Even if a plurality of the second header pipe 141b, the second heat exchanging unit 143b and the second bypass pipe 144b are provided, the refrigerant can flow through the first heat exchanging unit 143a and the third heat exchanging unit 143b, (143c).

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It should be understood that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. An outdoor heat exchanger included in an air conditioner and serving as a condenser during cooling operation and an evaporator during heating operation,
The outdoor heat exchanger (1)
And at least two heat exchanging units for exchanging heat between the air and the refrigerant,
The heat exchanging unit in which the refrigerant passing through the compressor passes first during the cooling operation is arranged at a position where the ambient temperature is relatively higher than that of the heat exchanging unit through which the refrigerant passing through the compressor passes later so that the refrigerant is subcooled,
The heat-
A first heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the refrigerant compressed by the compressor during the cooling operation;
A second heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchanger during the cooling operation; And
And a third heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchanger during the cooling operation,
A first header pipe for introducing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor during the cooling operation and guiding the introduced refrigerant to the first heat exchange unit;
A first bypass pipe through which the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the first heat exchanging unit passes during cooling operation;
A second header pipe for introducing the refrigerant passed through the first bypass pipe during the cooling operation and guiding the introduced refrigerant to the second heat exchange unit;
A second bypass pipe through which the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the second heat exchange unit passes during cooling operation;
A third header pipe for introducing the refrigerant that has passed through the second bypass pipe during the cooling operation and guiding the introduced refrigerant to the third heat exchange unit;
A first intermittent valve disposed in the first bypass pipe and opened and closed to regulate the flow of the refrigerant;
A second intermittent valve disposed in the second bypass pipe and opened and closed to regulate the flow of the refrigerant;
A first distribution pipe connected to the first heat exchange unit;
A second distribution pipe connected to the third heat exchange unit;
A first expansion valve disposed in the first distribution pipe to regulate the degree of opening; And
Further comprising a second expansion valve disposed in the second distribution pipe for regulating opening degree,
Wherein the first intermittent valve is opened during a cooling operation, the second intermittent valve is opened during a cooling operation, the first expansion valve is closed during a cooling operation, the second expansion valve is opened during a cooling operation, The second expansion valve expands the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger during the heating operation, and the third heat exchanger exchanges the refrigerant expanded in the second expansion valve with the air during the heating operation,
The third header pipe is connected to the third heat exchanger,
The first expansion valve expands the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger during the heating operation,
Wherein the first heat exchanging unit exchanges heat between the refrigerant expanded in the first expansion valve and the air during the heating operation,
Wherein the first header pipe is connected to the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the first heat exchange unit and the refrigerant passing through the third header pipe and the second header pipe.
The method according to claim 1,
The outdoor heat exchanger (1)
An air inflow portion into which outside air flows; And
And an air outlet portion through which the introduced air exchanges heat with the heat exchange portions,
The heat exchanging unit in which the refrigerant passing through the compressor passes first in the cooling operation mode is a heat exchanging unit in which the refrigerant passing through the compressor passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 3. The method of claim 2,
And the heat exchangers are arranged in the direction of the air outlet from the air inlet. 3. The method of claim 2,
And the air inflow portion is disposed at a lower level than the air outflow portion. 3. The method of claim 2,
The outdoor heat exchanger (1)
And an air flow generating unit for generating a flow of air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the air flow generating unit comprises:
And an outdoor heat exchanger disposed adjacent to the air outlet. delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first header pipe is connected to the second header pipe,
The second header pipe is connected to the third header pipe,
A first check valve disposed in the first header pipe and preventing refrigerant from flowing into the second header pipe from the first header pipe during a cooling operation; And
Further comprising a second check valve disposed in the second header pipe to prevent refrigerant from flowing into the third header pipe from the second header pipe during a cooling operation.


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