KR102426975B1 - Air conditioner and its operation method - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes an air conditioning module including a plurality of stacked fins and a plurality of tubes passing through the plurality of fins, wherein a first flow path is defined between the stacked plurality of fins, and inside the plurality of tubes A second flow path is defined, and the fluid flowing in the first flow path and the fluid flowing in the second flow path indirectly contact each other to exchange heat.

Description

Air conditioner and its operation method {Air conditioner and its operation method}

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to an air conditioner for cooling or heating through heat exchange between a fluid flowing in a first flow path and a fluid flowing in a second flow path, and an operating method thereof.

Air conditioning refers to maintaining the conditions such as temperature, humidity, airflow, bacteria, dust, and harmful gases in the best condition for people or articles in the room. & Heating) in addition to dehumidification, humidification, purification, ventilation, and aroma, and performs functions such as antigen and constant humidity to keep temperature and humidity constant.

Due to the various functions of the air conditioner, various studies related to the air conditioner are being conducted. For example, in the Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1599298 (application number: 10-2014-0037099, patent holder: Breath Co., Ltd.), a ventilation port formed on one side and an air supply port formed on the other side, an internal space communicating with the ventilation port and the air supply port A housing having a housing, which is installed in the inner space to divide the inner space into an intake space communicating with the ventilation port and an air supply space communicating with the air supply port, and having a communication port communicating the intake space and the air supply space 1 bulkhead; The air supply space is divided into first and second air supply spaces, and the second air supply space is installed in a second bulkhead communicating with the air supply port, the intake space, and an outlet is connected to the communication port, and through the exhaust port an intake fan for discharging the sucked air to the air supply space through the communication port; An air supply fan installed in the second air supply space, an outlet is connected to the air supply port, and an air supply fan for discharging air in the second air space through the air supply port, and is formed in the housing to communicate with the first air supply space. It is installed on the exhaust port and the outdoor port communicating with the second air supply space, and includes a heat exchange media and a support frame on which the heat exchange media is mounted, and the heat exchange media is alternately disposed on the exhaust port side and the outdoor port side by rotation. A new renewable air conditioner including a heat exchange unit is disclosed.

Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1599298

One technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioner having a reduced installation area and an operating method thereof.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of both cooling and heating and an operating method thereof.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of cooling without a change in absolute humidity and an operating method thereof.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an air conditioner.

According to an embodiment, the air conditioner includes an air conditioning module including a plurality of stacked fins and a plurality of tubes passing through the plurality of fins, wherein a first flow path is defined between the stacked plurality of fins, A second flow path is defined inside the plurality of tubes, and the fluid flowing in the first flow path and the fluid flowing in the second flow path are indirectly contacted to exchange heat.

According to an embodiment, when the air conditioning module operates in the cooling mode, outside air flows in the first flow path, and the bet branched from the outside air at the end of the first flow path flows into the second flow path, and the It may include cooling the outside air by

According to one embodiment, the inside of the tube is provided with a fluid flowing along the inner wall of the tube, the fluid is evaporated into the bet flowing through the second flow path inside the tube, and the fluid is evaporated by the The tube is cooled, and the temperature of the outside air flowing through the first flow path is reduced by the cooled tube.

According to an embodiment, the outdoor air cooled by the bet may include a constant absolute humidity.

According to an embodiment, when the air conditioning module operates in the heating mode, it may include that an external heat source flows through the first flow path, outside air flows through the second flow path, and the outside air is heated by the external heat source. have.

According to an embodiment, the tube may be heated by the external heat source flowing through the first flow path, and the temperature of the outside air flowing through the second flow path may include increasing by the heated tube.

According to an embodiment, a fluid flowing along an inner wall of the tube is provided inside the tube, and the fluid is evaporated to the outside air flowing through the second flow path inside the tube by the heated tube, and evaporated By the fluid, the absolute humidity of the outside air may include an increase.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of tubes includes an upper end protruding upward from the fin disposed at the top of the stacked plurality of fins, and the fluid is provided on the fin disposed at the top of the stacked plurality of fins. may include being

According to one embodiment, a hydrophilic material is provided on the outer wall of the upper end of the plurality of tubes and on the inner wall of the tube, so that the fluid flows along the hydrophilic material, past the outer wall of the upper end of the plurality of tubes, It may include being provided as the inner wall of the plurality of tubes.

In order to solve the above-described technical problems, the present invention provides a method of operating an air conditioner.

According to an embodiment, a first flow path is defined between a plurality of stacked fins, a second flow path is defined in a plurality of tubes passing through the stacked plurality of fins, and the air conditioner is operated in a cooling mode or a heating mode. In the operating method, in the operating method of the air conditioner, in a cooling mode, outside air flows along the first flow path and fluid flows along the second flow path, and the plurality of tubes are cooled by evaporation of the fluid. The outside air is cooled, and in the heating mode, the outside air and the fluid flow along the second flow path, and an external heat source is provided to the first flow path, so that the plurality of tubes are heated by the external heat source, and the plurality of heated It may include that the fluid is evaporated to the outside air by a tube and the outside air is heated and humidified.

According to one embodiment, the cooling mode, the step of introducing the outside air into the first flow path, the step of providing the fluid in the plurality of tubes, the bet gas branched from the outside air at the end of the first flow path, It may include the steps of introducing into the second flow path, and exchanging the bet introduced into the second flow path with the outside air introduced into the first flow path.

According to an embodiment, the step of exchanging heat between the bet introduced into the second flow path and the outside air introduced into the first flow path includes evaporating the fluid into the bet introduced into the second flow path, the fluid It may include cooling the tube by evaporation, and reducing the temperature of the outside air in the first flow path by the cooled tube.

According to an embodiment, the heating mode may include introducing the external heat source into the first flow path, providing the fluid in the plurality of tubes, introducing the outside air into the second flow path, and the and exchanging heat with the external heat introduced into the second flow path and the external heat source introduced into the first flow path.

According to an embodiment, the step of exchanging heat with the external heat introduced into the second flow path and the external heat source introduced into the first flow path may include heating the plurality of tubes by the external heat source introduced into the first flow path. a step of evaporating the fluid into the outside air introduced into the second flow path by the heated tubes, and the temperature and absolute temperature of the outside air introduced into the second flow path by evaporation of the fluid It may include a step of increasing the humidity.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an air conditioning module including a plurality of stacked fins and a plurality of tubes passing through the plurality of fins, wherein a first flow path is defined between the stacked plurality of fins and , a second flow path is defined inside the plurality of tubes, and the fluid flowing in the first flow path and the fluid flowing in the second flow path are indirectly contacted to exchange heat. Accordingly, an air conditioner capable of not only cooling but also heating may be provided.

1 is a view showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing in more detail a fin and a tube included in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view of FIG. 2 ;
4 is a view showing a first flow path in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view showing a tube provided with a hydrophilic material.
6 is a view showing a state in which water is provided into the tube along the hydrophilic material.
7 is a view showing a second flow path in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view showing in more detail a fin and a tube included in the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a perspective view of FIG. 8 .
10 is a view showing a heat exchanger included in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a diagram illustrating an operation in a cooling mode of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a diagram comparing the operation of valves in a cooling mode.
13 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 11 .
14 is a graph illustrating changes in temperature and humidity of outside air flowing through a first flow path during a cooling mode operation.
15 is a diagram illustrating a heating mode operation of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
16 is a diagram comparing the operation of valves in a heating mode.
FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 15 .
18 is a graph illustrating changes in temperature and humidity of external air flowing through a second flow path during a heating mode operation.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided so that the disclosed content may be thorough and complete, and the spirit of the present invention may be sufficiently conveyed to those skilled in the art.

In this specification, when a component is referred to as being on another component, it may be directly formed on the other component or a third component may be interposed therebetween. In addition, in the drawings, the thicknesses of the films and regions are exaggerated for effective description of technical contents.

Also, in various embodiments of the present specification, terms such as first, second, third, etc. are used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, what is referred to as a first component in one embodiment may be referred to as a second component in another embodiment. Each embodiment described and illustrated herein also includes a complementary embodiment thereof. In addition, in this specification, 'and/or' is used in the sense of including at least one of the elements listed before and after.

In the specification, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate that a feature, number, step, element, or a combination thereof described in the specification exists, and one or more other features, numbers, steps, or configurations It should not be construed as excluding the possibility of the presence or addition of elements or combinations thereof. In addition, in this specification, "connection" is used in a sense including both indirectly connecting a plurality of components and directly connecting a plurality of components.

In addition, in the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related well-known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in the following description of the present invention, the term 'indirectly contacted' is used to mean that it is not directly contacted, but is contacted through an arbitrary medium.

1 is a view showing an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing a fin and a tube included in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention in more detail, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 2; 4 is a view showing a first flow path in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view showing a tube provided with a hydrophilic material, and FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which water is provided into the tube along the hydrophilic material 7 is a view showing a second flow path in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a view showing in more detail the fins and tubes included in the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a view showing a heat exchanger included in the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 7 , the air conditioner according to the embodiment includes a housing 10 , first and second tube fins 110 and 140 , first and second baffles 120 and 130 , and first to second 4 tubes (210, 220, 230, 240), first to fourth dampers (310, 320, 330, 340), fluid circulation valve 350, first and second heat source valves (410, 420), heat exchanger 500 , a fluid recoverer 600 , and a fluid pump 700 . Hereinafter, each configuration will be described.

An air conditioning module may be disposed inside the housing 10 . According to an embodiment, the air conditioning module includes the first and second tube fins 110 and 140 , first and second baffles 120 and 130 , and first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 and 240 . ) may be included. That is, the first and second tube fins 110 and 140 , the first and second baffles 120 and 130 , and the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 and 240 are formed in the housing 10 . ) can be placed inside. The number of the plurality of fins and the plurality of tubes is not limited.

The first and second tube fins 110 and 140 and the first and second baffles 120 and 130 may extend in a first direction. For example, the first direction may be the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 2 . In addition, the first and second tube fins 110 and 140 and the first and second baffles 120 and 130 may have a stacked structure spaced apart from each other in the second direction. The second direction may be a direction perpendicular to the first direction. For example, the second direction may be the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 2 . According to an embodiment, the first and second tube fins 110 and 140 may be omitted. Hereinafter, the first and second tube fins 110 and 140 and the first and second baffles 120 and 130 will be described in more detail.

One end of the first tube fin 110 is in contact with the first sidewall 11 of the housing 10 , and the other end of the first tube fin 110 is a second sidewall 12 of the housing 10 . may come into contact with The first sidewall 11 and the second sidewall 12 may be sidewalls facing each other. As described above, as the first tube fin 110 is disposed to be in contact with the first sidewall 11 and the second sidewall 12, the inside of the housing 10 is the first tube fin ( 110) can be divided into an upper region and a lower region.

In this case, the upper region of the first tube fin 110 may be defined as the fluid region WS. On the other hand, the lower region of the first tube fin 110 may be defined as the outdoor air region OS. Outside air OA or an external heat source OH may be provided to the outside air region OS. For example, the outdoor air OA may be air. Alternatively, the external heat source OH may be a heated atmosphere. The fluid W or the outside air OA may be provided to the fluid region WS. For example, the fluid W may be water. According to an embodiment, the fluid W may be provided on the first tube fin 110 in the fluid region WS.

The external air OA or the external heat source OH may be selectively provided. That is, when the outside air OA is provided to the outside air region OS, the external heat source OH may not be provided. Alternatively, when the external heat source OH is provided to the outside air region OS, the outside air OA may not be provided. The selective provision of the external air OA or the external heat source OH will be described in more detail in a cooling mode and a heating mode to be described later.

The first baffle 120 may be disposed in the outside air region OS, and may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first tube fin 110 in the second direction (Y-axis direction). According to an embodiment, one end of the first baffle 120 may be in contact with the first sidewall 11 of the housing 10 . On the other hand, the other end of the first baffle 120 may not contact the second sidewall 12 of the housing 10 . Accordingly, an empty space may be formed between the other end of the first baffle 120 and the second sidewall 12 .

The second baffle 130 may be disposed in the outside air region OS, and may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first baffle 120 in the second direction (Y-axis direction). According to an embodiment, one end of the second baffle 130 may be in contact with the second sidewall 12 of the housing 10 . On the other hand, the other end of the second baffle 130 may not contact the first sidewall 11 of the housing 10 . Accordingly, an empty space may be formed between the other end of the second baffle 130 and the first sidewall 11 .

The second tube fin 140 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the second baffle 130 in the second direction (Y-axis direction). According to an embodiment, one end of the second tube fin 140 is in contact with the first sidewall 11 of the housing 10 , and the other end of the second tube fin 140 is the housing 10 . may be in contact with the second sidewall 12 of Accordingly, the interior of the housing 10 may be divided into an upper region and a lower region based on the second tube fin 140 . In this case, the upper region of the second tube fin 140 may be the outdoor air region OS. On the other hand, the lower region of the second tube fin 140 may be defined as the betting region IS. A bet IA, which will be described later, may be provided in the betting area IS. According to an embodiment, the second tube fin 140 may include an opening 140a. The opening 140a may communicate with the betting area IS. Accordingly, the outside air area OS and the betting area IS may communicate with each other through the opening 140a.

As a result, the inside of the housing 10 may be divided into the fluid area WS, the outside air area OS, and the betting area IS. In this case, the fluid area WS and the outside air area OS may be divided by the first tube fin 110 . On the other hand, the outside air area OS and the bet area IS may be divided by the second tube fin 140 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , a flow path may be formed in the outside air region OS by the first and second tube fins 110 and 140 and the first and second baffles 120 and 130 . A flow path formed by the first and second tube fins 110 and 140 and the first and second baffles 120 and 130 in the outside air region OS may be defined as a first flow path R ₁ . can The external air OA or the external heat source OH may flow through the first flow path R ₁ . More specifically, the outdoor air (OA) introduced into the housing 10 through an outdoor air inlet (10a) to be described later flows along the first flow path (R ₁ ), and then the outdoor air outlet (10c) to be described later through the housing 10 may be discharged to the outside. On the other hand, the external heat source OH introduced into the housing 10 through a heat source inlet 10f to be described later flows along the first flow path R ₁ , and then through a heat source outlet 10g to be described later. It may flow out of the housing 10 .

As described above, an empty space is formed between the first baffle 120 and the second sidewall 12 , and an empty space is formed between the second baffle 130 and the first sidewall 11 . In this case, the external air OA or the external heat source OH flowing along the first flow path R ₁ may have improved contact efficiency with the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , 240 to be described later. can More specifically, when the first baffle 120 and the second baffle 130 have different sidewalls and empty spaces, the outside air OA flowing along the first flow path R ₁ or the outside The heat source (OH) may flow in a zig-zag form. Accordingly, the external air OA or the external heat source OH flowing along the first flow path R ₁ may be in full contact with the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 to be described later. .

At the end of the first flow path R ₁ , as shown in FIG. 2 , the outside air OA flowing through the first flow path R ₁ may be branched. More specifically, the outdoor air OA flowing through the first flow path R ₁ may be branched by the opening 140a of the second tube fin 140 . In this case, the branched outdoor air OA may be defined as a bet IA. The bet IA may be provided to the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , 240 to be described later after being moved to the betting area IS.

The first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 may extend in the second direction (Y-axis direction). The first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 may pass through all of the first and second tube fins 110 and 140 and the first and second baffles 120 and 130 , respectively. . According to an embodiment, a plurality of the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 may be respectively disposed in a third direction. The third direction may be a direction perpendicular to the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction). For example, the third direction may be the (Z-axis direction) shown in FIG. 2 .

The upper ends of the first to fourth tubes 210, 220, 230, 240 pass through the first and second tube fins 110 and 140, and the first and second baffles 120 and 130, It may protrude from the first tube fin 110 . According to an embodiment, a hydrophilic material is formed on the outer wall of the upper end of the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 and 240 and on the inner wall of the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , 240 . (HM) may be provided. Accordingly, when the fluid W is provided on the first tube fin 110, as shown in FIG. Four tubes (210, 220, 230, 240) through the outer wall of the upper end, may be provided as the inner wall.

7 , the inside of the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 may be defined as a second flow path R ₂ . The bet IA may flow in the second flow path R ₂ . That is, the bet (IA) branched from the outside air (OA) at the end of the first flow path (R ₁ ) is provided to the first to fourth tubes (210, 220, 230, 240), the first 2 may flow along the flow path (R ₂ ). In addition, the outside air OA may flow through the second flow path R ₂ . The outdoor air OA provided to the fluid region WS through a second outdoor air inlet 10b to be described later flows into the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 and 240 , and the second flow path (R ₂ ) can flow.

The bet IA or the outdoor air OA may be selectively provided to the second flow path R ₂ . That is, when the bet IA is provided in the second flow path R ₂ , the outside air OA may not be provided. Alternatively, when the outdoor air OA is provided to the second flow path R ₂ , the bet IA may not be provided.

When the bet IA is provided to the second flow path R ₂ , the outside air OA may be provided to the first flow path R ₁ . The bet IA flowing along the second flow path R ₂ and the outside air OA flowing along the first flow path R ₁ may indirectly contact each other. That is, the bet (IA) flowing along the second flow path (R ₂ ) and the outside air (OA) flowing along the first flow path (R ₁ ) are the first to fourth tubes (210, 220, 230, 240) can be contacted. When the bet (IA) flowing along the second flow path (R ₂ ) and the outside air (OA) flowing along the first flow path (R ₁ ) come into indirect contact with each other, the bet (IA) and the outside air (OA) ), heat exchange occurs between them, and the temperature of the outside air OA may be reduced.

More specifically, when the bet IA is provided in the second flow path R ₂ , the fluid W flowing along the inner wall of the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , 240 is , can be evaporated to the bet (IA). In this case, as the fluid W evaporates, the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 may be cooled. In addition, when the first to fourth tubes (210, 220, 230, 240) are cooled, the first to fourth tubes (210, 220, 230, 240) around the first flow path (R ₁ ) The temperature of the flowing outside air OA may be decreased by the cooled first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 . That is, the outside air OA flowing along the first flow path R ₁ may be indirectly cooled. Accordingly, the outside air OA may be cooled without a change in absolute humidity.

Alternatively, when the external air OA is provided to the second flow path R ₂ , the external heat source OH may be provided to the first flow path R ₁ . The external air OA flowing along the second flow path R ₂ and the external heat source OH flowing along the first flow path R ₁ may indirectly contact each other. That is, the external air OA flowing along the second flow path R ₂ and the external heat source OH flowing along the first flow path R ₁ are the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 . , 240) can be contacted. When the outside air OA flowing along the second flow path R ₂ and the external heat source OH flowing along the first flow path R ₁ are in indirect contact with each other, the outside air OA and the external heat source Heat exchange is generated between (OH), and the temperature of the outside air (OA) may be increased.

More specifically, when the external heat source OH is provided to the first flow path R ₁ , the first to fourth channels disposed in the first flow path R ₁ by the external heat source OH Tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , 240 may be heated. In addition, as the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 and 240 are heated, the fluid W in the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , 240 is It may be evaporated into the outdoor air OA flowing through the second flow path R ₂ . Accordingly, the outdoor air OA flowing through the second flow path R ₂ may be heated and humidified.

8 and 9 , the air conditioning module included in the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a plurality of sub fins 112 , 114 , 122 , 124 , 132 , and 134 . For example, the air conditioning module may further include first to sixth sub fins 112 , 114 , 122 , 124 , 132 and 134 .

The first and second sub-fins 112 and 114 may be disposed between the first tube fin 110 and the first baffle 120 . The first and second sub-fins 112 and 114 may have a stacked shape spaced apart from each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction). Alternatively, the third and fourth sub-fins 122 and 124 may be disposed between the first baffle 120 and the first baffle 130 . The second and third sub-fins 122 and 124 may have a stacked shape spaced apart from each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction). Alternatively, the fifth and sixth sub fins 132 and 134 may be disposed between the second baffle 130 and the second tube fin 140 . The fifth and sixth sub-fins 132 and 134 may have a stacked shape spaced apart from each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

Referring back to FIGS. 1 to 3 , the housing 10 may include a plurality of inlets and outlets connected to the inside of the housing 10 . According to an embodiment, the housing 10 includes a first outdoor air inlet 10a, a second outdoor air inlet 10b, an outdoor air outlet 10c, a first fluid inlet 10d, and a second fluid inlet 10e. , a heat source inlet 10f, a heat source outlet 10g, and a fluid outlet 10h.

According to an embodiment, the first outdoor air inlet 10a may be disposed on the upper end of the first sidewall 11 of the housing 10 . Alternatively, the second outdoor air inlet 10b may be disposed on the upper wall of the housing 10 . Alternatively, the outdoor air outlet 10c may be disposed at the lower end of the second sidewall 12 of the housing 10 . The first sidewall 11 and the second sidewall 12 of the housing 10 may be opposite sidewalls. The positions of the first outdoor air inlet 10a, the second outdoor air inlet 10b, and the outdoor air outlet 10c are not limited.

The first outdoor air inlet 10a and the second outdoor air inlet 10b may be connected to the outdoor air inlet line 21 . The outside air OA may be introduced into the outside air inlet line 21 . Accordingly, the outdoor air OA introduced into the outdoor air inlet line 21 may be introduced into the housing 10 through the first outdoor air inlet 10a or the second outdoor air inlet 10b. have.

The outdoor air outlet 10c may be connected to the outdoor air outlet line 22 . The outdoor air OA introduced into the housing 10 through the outdoor air outlet line 22 may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 . That is, the outdoor air OA introduced into the housing 10 may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the outdoor air outlet 10c and the outdoor air outlet line 22 sequentially.

According to an embodiment, the outdoor air inlet line 21 may include a first outdoor air inlet line 21a and a second outdoor air inlet line 21b. The first outdoor air inlet line 21a may be connected to the first outdoor air inlet 10a. On the other hand, the second outdoor air inlet line 21b is branched from the first outdoor air inlet line 21a and may be connected to the second outdoor air inlet 10b.

A first damper 310 and a second damper 320 may be disposed on the outside air inlet line 21 . According to an embodiment, the first damper 310 may be disposed on the first outdoor air inlet line 21a. Alternatively, the second damper 320 may be disposed on the second outdoor air inlet line 21b. The path of the outside air OA flowing into the housing 10 may be controlled by the first damper 310 and the second damper 320 . According to an embodiment, when the first damper 310 is opened and the second damper 320 is closed, the outside air OA flows into the housing 10 through the first outside air inlet 10a. can be The outdoor air OA introduced through the first outdoor air inlet 10a may be introduced into the first flow path R ₁ . Alternatively, when the first damper 310 is closed and the second damper 320 is opened, the outside air OA may be introduced into the housing 10 through the second outside air inlet 10b. . The outdoor air OA introduced through the second outdoor air inlet 10b may be introduced into the second flow path R ₂ through the fluid region WS.

According to an embodiment, an opening 140a may be formed at one side of the outdoor air outlet line 22 . The opening 140a formed in the outdoor air outlet line 22 may be the same as the opening 140a included in the second tube fin 140 . Accordingly, the outdoor air OA discharged to the outdoor air outlet line 22 may be branched through the opening 140a before being discharged to the outside of the housing 10 .

A third damper 330 and a fourth damper 340 may be disposed on the outdoor air outlet line 22 . According to an embodiment, the third damper 330 may be disposed at a connection point between the outdoor air outlet 10c and the outdoor air outlet line 22 . Alternatively, the fourth damper 340 may be disposed in the opening 140a of the outdoor air outlet line 22 .

According to an embodiment, the opening 140a of the outdoor air outlet line 22 may be opened and closed by the fourth damper 340 . For example, when the fourth damper 340 is opened, the opening 140a may be opened. Accordingly, a portion of the outdoor air OA flowing out through the outdoor air outlet line 22 may be branched. Branched outdoor air may be defined as a bet. The bet may be introduced into the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , 240 as described above.

Alternatively, when the fourth damper 340 is closed, the opening 140a may be closed. Accordingly, the outdoor air OA discharged through the outdoor air outlet 10c may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 along the outdoor air outlet line 22 without being branched.

According to an embodiment, the first fluid inlet 10d may be disposed at an upper end of the first sidewall 11 of the housing 10 . The first fluid inlet 10d may be divided by the first outdoor air inlet 10a and the first tube fin 110 . Alternatively, the second fluid inlet 10e may be disposed at an upper end of the second sidewall 12 of the housing 10 . The positions of the first fluid inlet 10d and the second fluid inlet 10e are not limited.

The first fluid inlet 10d may be connected to the first fluid inlet line 31 . The fluid W may be introduced into the first fluid inlet line 31 . Accordingly, the fluid W introduced into the first fluid inlet line 31 may be introduced into the housing 10 through the first fluid inlet 10d. The fluid W introduced into the housing 10 may be provided on the first tube fin 110 in the fluid region WS as described above.

The second fluid inlet 10e may be connected to the second fluid inlet line 32 . The fluid W may be introduced into the second fluid inlet line 32 . Accordingly, the fluid W introduced into the second fluid inlet line 32 may be introduced into the housing 10 through the second fluid inlet 10e. The fluid W introduced into the housing 10 may be provided on the first tube fin 110 in the fluid region WS as described above.

According to an embodiment, the second fluid inlet line 32 may be connected to the fluid recovery unit 600 . That is, one end of the second fluid inlet line 32 may be connected to the fluid recovery device 600 , and the other end of the second fluid inlet line 32 may be connected to the second fluid inlet 10e. have.

The fluid recovery unit 600 may recover the evaporated fluid W discharged from the inside of the housing 10 . More specifically, the fluid W provided on the inner wall of the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , ₂₄₀ is the bet IA or the It may be evaporated by the external heat source OH flowing along the first flow path R ₁ . In this case, the evaporated fluid W may be provided to the fluid recovery unit 600 through the second outdoor air inlet 10b.

The fluid recovery unit 600 may convert the evaporated fluid (W) into the fluid (W). Thereafter, the converted fluid W may be provided back into the housing 10 through the second fluid inlet line 32 . That is, the fluid W may be circulated and supplied through the fluid recovery unit 600 .

According to an embodiment, the fluid circulation valve 350 may be disposed between the second fluid inlet 10b and the fluid recovery unit 600 . Accordingly, the supply of the evaporated fluid W provided to the fluid recovery device 600 may be controlled by the fluid circulation valve 350 .

According to an embodiment, the heat source inlet 10f may be disposed on the upper end of the second sidewall 12 of the housing 10 . The heat source inlet 10f may be divided by the second fluid inlet 10e and the first tube fin 110 . Alternatively, the fluid outlet 10g may be disposed at a lower end of the first sidewall 11 of the housing 10 . The positions of the heat source inlet 10f and the heat source outlet 10g are not limited.

The heat source inlet 10f may be connected to the heat source inlet line 41 . An external heat source (OH) may be introduced into the heat source inlet line 41 . Accordingly, the external heat source OH introduced into the heat source inlet line 41 may be introduced into the housing 10 through the heat source inlet 10f. According to an embodiment, the first heat source valve 410 may be disposed in the heat source inlet line 41 . Accordingly, the external heat source OH flowing into the housing 10 may be controlled.

The heat source outlet 10g may be connected to the heat source outlet line 42 . The external heat source OH introduced into the housing 10 through the heat source outlet line 42 may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 . That is, the external heat source OH introduced into the housing 10 may sequentially pass through the heat source outlet 10g and the heat source outlet line 42 , and may flow out of the housing 10 . . According to an embodiment, the second heat source valve 420 may be disposed in the heat source outlet line 42 . Accordingly, the external heat source OH discharged from the inside of the housing 10 may be controlled.

According to an embodiment, the fluid outlet 10h may be disposed on a lower wall of the housing 10 . The fluid W may be provided to the fluid outlet 10h. More specifically, the fluid (W) provided in the first to fourth tubes (210, 220, 230, 240) flows along the inner wall of the first to fourth tubes (210, 220, 230, 240), It may be provided as the betting space (IS). In this case, the fluid W provided to the betting space may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the fluid outlet 10h.

The fluid outlet 10h may be connected to the first fluid inlet line 31 . Also, as described above, the first fluid inlet line 31 may be connected to the first fluid inlet 10d. That is, one end of the first fluid inlet line 31 may be connected to the fluid outlet 10h, and the other end of the first fluid inlet line 31 may be connected to the first fluid inlet 10d. Accordingly, the fluid W discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the fluid outlet 10h may be provided back into the housing 10 through the first fluid inlet 10d. . That is, the fluid W may be circulated and provided. According to an embodiment, the fluid pump 700 may be disposed in the first fluid inlet line 31 . Accordingly, the circulation of the fluid W may be performed more smoothly.

1 and 10 , the heat exchanger 500 may provide the external heat source OH to the inside of the housing 10 . According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger 500 may recover the external heat source OH discharged from the housing 10 . Also, the heat exchanger 500 may heat the recovered external heat source OH by performing heat exchange between the recovered external heat source OH and the internal heat source. The heated external heat source OH may be provided back into the housing 10 . That is, the external heat source OH provided to the inside of the housing 10 may be circulated and supplied by the heat exchanger 500 . For example, the internal heat source may be district heating waste heat or renewable energy.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger 500 may include a first outlet 500a, a first inlet 500b, a second outlet 500c, and a second inlet 500d. The first outlet 500a of the heat exchanger 500 may be connected to the heat source inlet line 41 . The external heat source OA heated through the heat exchanger 500 may be provided to the first outlet 500a. That is, the external heat source OA heated through the heat exchanger 500 is provided to the heat source inlet line 41 through the first outlet 500a, and then through the heat source inlet 10f to the housing (10) can be introduced into the interior. The first inlet 500b of the heat exchanger 500 may be connected to the heat source outlet line 42 . Accordingly, the external heat source OH discharged from the housing 10 may be provided to the heat exchanger 500 through the first inlet 500b.

The second inlet 500d may be connected to the internal heat source inlet line 43 . The internal heat source inlet line 43 may be provided with an internal heat source. That is, an internal heat source may be provided to the heat exchanger 500 through the internal heat source inlet line 43 and the second inlet 500d. The second outlet 500c may be connected to the internal heat source outlet line 44 . The internal heat source in the heat exchanger 500 may be discharged to the outside of the heat exchanger 500 through the second outlet 500c and the internal heat source outlet line 44 .

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an air conditioning module including a plurality of stacked fins and a plurality of tubes passing through the plurality of fins, wherein a first flow path is defined between the stacked plurality of fins and , a second flow path is defined inside the plurality of tubes, and the fluid flowing in the first flow path and the fluid flowing in the second flow path are indirectly contacted to exchange heat. Accordingly, an air conditioner capable of not only cooling but also heating may be provided.

Above, an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described. The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention may be operated in a cooling mode or a heating mode. Hereinafter, a method of operating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 18 .

cooling mode

11 is a view showing an operation in a cooling mode of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a view comparing the operation of valves in a cooling mode, and FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 11 , FIG. 14 is a graph showing changes in the temperature and humidity of the outside air flowing through the first flow path during the cooling mode operation.

11 to 14 , when the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention operates in the cooling mode, the outside air OA is introduced into the first flow path R ₁ , and the second flow path R ₂ ) may be introduced into the bet (IA).

More specifically, in order to introduce the outside air OA into the first flow path R ₁ , the first damper 310 may be opened and the second damper 320 may be closed. In this case, the outside air OA may be provided into the first flow path R ₁ through the first outside air inlet line 21a and the first outside air inlet 10a.

The outdoor air OA provided into the first flow path R ₁ may flow along the first flow path R ₁ , and may be branched from an end of the first flow path R ₁ . As described above, the fluid branched from the outside air OA may be defined as the bet IA. According to an embodiment, by the fourth damper 340 disposed at the end of the first flow path R ₁ , the outside air OA may be branched into the bet IA. The bet IA may be provided to the second flow path R ₂ in the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , 240 after being moved to the betting space IS.

The fluid W may be provided on the inner walls of the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 . In a state in which the fluid W is provided on the inner walls of the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 , when the bet IA is provided in the second flow path R ₂ , the The fluid W may be evaporated to the bet IA. In this case, as the fluid W evaporates, the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 may be cooled. In addition, when the first to fourth tubes (210, 220, 230, 240) are cooled, the first to fourth tubes (210, 220, 230, 240) around the first flow path (R ₁ ) The temperature of the outdoor air OA flowing along may be reduced by the cooled first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 . That is, the outside air OA flowing along the first flow path R ₁ may be indirectly cooled. Accordingly, the outside air OA flowing through the first flow path R ₁ may be cooled without a change in absolute humidity as shown in FIG. 14 . As a result, when the air conditioner is operated in the cooling mode, the air conditioner installation area can be cooled without changing the absolute humidity.

When the air conditioner is operated in the cooling mode, the first heat source valve 410 and the second heat source valve 420 may be closed. Accordingly, the external heat source OA may not be provided into the first flow path R ₁ .

Also, when the air conditioner is operated in a cooling mode, the fluid circulation valve 350 may be opened. Accordingly, the fluid W evaporated in the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 may be provided to the fluid recovery unit 600 through the second outdoor air inlet 10b. have. Due to this, the circulating supply of the fluid W through the fluid recovery device 600 may be performed.

heating mode

15 is a view showing the operation of the heating mode of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a view comparing the operation of the valves in the heating mode, FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 15, and FIG. 18 is a graph showing changes in the temperature and humidity of the outside air flowing through the second flow path during the heating mode operation.

15 to 18 , when the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention operates in a heating mode, the outside air OA is introduced into the second flow path R ₂ , and the first flow path R ₁ . ) may be introduced into the external heat source (OH). In addition, the fluid W may be provided on the inner walls of the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 .

More specifically, in order to introduce the outside air OA into the second flow path R ₂ , the first damper 310 and the fluid circulation valve 350 are closed, and the second damper 320 is opened. can In this case, the outside air OA may be provided into the second flow path R ₂ through the second outside air inlet line 21b and the second outside air inlet 10b.

In order to introduce the external heat source OH into the first flow path R ₁ , the first heat source valve 410 may be opened. In this case, the external heat source OH supplied from the heat exchanger 500 may be provided into the first flow path R ₁ through the heat source inlet line 41 and the heat source inlet 10f.

When the external heat source OH is provided to the first flow path R ₁ , the first to fourth tubes 210 disposed in the first flow path R ₁ by the external heat source OH; 220, 230, 240) may be heated. In addition, as the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , and 240 are heated, the fluid W in the first to fourth tubes 210 , 220 , 230 , 240 becomes the second 2 may be evaporated to the outside air (OA) flowing through the flow path (R ₂ ). For this reason, the outdoor air OA flowing through the second flow path R ₂ may be heated and humidified as shown in FIG. 18 . As a result, when the air conditioner is operated in the heating mode, the air conditioner installation area may be heated and humidified.

According to an embodiment, when the external heat source OH is supplied into the first flow path R ₁ , the third damper 330 may be closed. Accordingly, the first flow path R ₁ may be sealed, and the external heat source OH may fill the first flow path R ₁ .

As mentioned above, although the present invention has been described in detail using preferred embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not limited to specific embodiments and should be construed according to the appended claims. In addition, those skilled in the art should understand that many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

10: housing
110, 140: first and second tube bent
120, 130: first and second baffles
210, 220, 230, 240: first to fourth tubes
310, 320, 330, 340: first to fourth dampers
350: fluid circulation valve
410, 420: first and second heat source valves
500: heat exchanger
600: fluid recovery
700: fluid pump

Claims (14)

Including a plurality of stacked fins, and an air conditioning module including a plurality of tubes passing through the plurality of fins,
A first flow path is defined between the plurality of fins stacked,
A second flow path is defined inside the plurality of tubes,
The fluid flowing in the first flow path and the fluid flowing in the second flow path indirectly contact and heat exchange,
When the air conditioning module operates in the cooling mode,
The air conditioner comprising outside air flowing in the first flow path, the bet branched from the outside air at the end of the first flow path flowing in the second flow path, and the outside air being cooled by the bet.
delete The method of claim 1,
The inside of the tube is provided with a fluid flowing along the inner wall of the tube,
The fluid is evaporated into the bet flowing through the second flow path inside the tube,
the tube is cooled by evaporation of the fluid,
By the cooled tube, the air conditioner comprising a decrease in the temperature of the outside air flowing through the first flow path.
The method of claim 1,
The outdoor air cooled by the bet air conditioner comprising a constant absolute humidity.
Including a plurality of stacked fins, and an air conditioning module including a plurality of tubes passing through the plurality of fins,
A first flow path is defined between the plurality of fins stacked,
A second flow path is defined inside the plurality of tubes,
The fluid flowing in the first flow path and the fluid flowing in the second flow path indirectly contact and heat exchange,
When the air conditioning module operates in a heating mode,
The air conditioner comprising an external heat source flowing through the first flow path, outside air flowing through the second flow path, and heating the outside air by the external heat source.
6. The method of claim 5,
The tube is heated by the external heat source flowing through the first flow path,
Air conditioner comprising an increase in the temperature of the outside air flowing through the second flow path by the heated tube.
6. The method of claim 5,
The inside of the tube is provided with a fluid flowing along the inner wall of the tube,
By the heated tube, the fluid is evaporated to the outside air flowing through the second flow path inside the tube,
By the evaporated fluid, the air conditioner comprising an increase in the absolute humidity of the outside air.
Including a plurality of stacked fins, and an air conditioning module including a plurality of tubes passing through the plurality of fins,
A first flow path is defined between the plurality of fins stacked,
A second flow path is defined inside the plurality of tubes,
The fluid flowing in the first flow path and the fluid flowing in the second flow path indirectly contact and heat exchange,
The plurality of tubes includes an upper end protruding upward from the fin disposed at the top of the stacked plurality of fins,
Air conditioner comprising a fluid provided on the fins disposed at the top of the stacked plurality of fins.
9. The method of claim 8,
A hydrophilic material is provided on the outer wall of the upper end of the plurality of tubes and on the inner wall of the tube,
and the fluid is provided along the hydrophilic material, past the outer wall of the upper end of the plurality of tubes, and to the inner wall of the plurality of tubes.
In the operating method of an air conditioner in which a first flow path is defined between a plurality of stacked fins, a second flow path is defined in a plurality of tubes passing through the plurality of stacked fins, and is operated in a cooling mode or a heating mode,
In the cooling mode, the outside air flows along the first flow path and the fluid flows along the second flow path, and the outside air is cooled by the plurality of tubes cooled by evaporation of the fluid,
In the heating mode, outside air and fluid flow along the second flow path, an external heat source is provided to the first flow path, so that the plurality of tubes are heated by the external heat source, and the fluid is heated by the plurality of tubes is evaporated to the outside air, the operating method of the air conditioner comprising the heating and humidification of the outside air.
11. The method of claim 10,
The cooling mode is
introducing the outside air into the first flow path;
providing the fluid within the plurality of tubes;
At the end of the first flow path, the bet air branched from the outside air is introduced into the second flow path; and
and exchanging heat with the bet introduced into the second flow path and the outside air introduced into the first flow path.
12. The method of claim 11,
The step of exchanging heat with the bet introduced into the second flow path and the outside air introduced into the first flow path,
evaporating the fluid into the bet introduced into the second flow path;
cooling the tube by evaporation of the fluid; and
and reducing the temperature of the outside air in the first flow path by the cooled tube.
11. The method of claim 10,
The heating mode is
introducing the external heat source into the first flow path;
providing the fluid within the plurality of tubes;
introducing the outside air into the second flow path; and
and exchanging heat with the external heat introduced into the second flow path and the external heat source introduced into the first flow path.
14. The method of claim 13,
The step of exchanging heat with the external heat introduced into the second flow path and the external heat source introduced into the first flow path,
heating the plurality of tubes by the external heat source introduced into the first flow path;
evaporating the fluid to the outside air introduced into the second flow path by the plurality of heated tubes; and
and increasing the temperature and absolute humidity of the outside air introduced into the second flow path by evaporation of the fluid.

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