KR20070070391A - A heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat exchanger is provided to additionally mount a refrigerant return structure to an end of a header pipe by brazing for bearing internal pressure when refrigerant moves. A heat exchanger includes first and second header pipes(100,200) formed with a plurality of refrigerant paths(101,102,103,201,202,203) in the lengthwise direction, and arranged in parallel to each other with a predetermined distance. A plurality of tubes(300) are coupled with the first and second header pipes. A refrigerant return structure is joined to at least an end of each of the first and second header pipes by brazing for returning refrigerant flow introduced via a refrigerant inlet pipe(600) at the end. The refrigerant return structure includes return plates(400) and end caps(410), respectively formed of predetermined thickness.

Description

Heat exchanger

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a prior art header pipe used in a heat exchanger;

2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;

3 is an exploded perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an exploded perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an exploded perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an exploded perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

7 to 12 is a partial perspective view showing various coupling structures of the end cap and the return plate according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: first header pipe

101,102,103: refrigerant path

200: second header pipe

300 tube

600: refrigerant inlet pipe

610: refrigerant outlet pipe

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly, a structure for returning a refrigerant may be separately installed at either end of the header pipe to be brazed and bonded to withstand internal pressure during refrigerant flow and to reduce manufacturing costs. To one heat exchanger.

In general, a heat exchanger is a device in which a high temperature fluid and a low temperature fluid transfer heat from a high temperature to a low temperature through a heat exchanger wall surface to perform heat exchange.

Although HFC refrigerants have been mainly used as an operating medium of air conditioner systems having such heat exchangers, HFC refrigerants have been recognized as one of the main factors of global warming, and regulations on their use are gradually being expanded. Therefore, researches on carbon dioxide refrigerants are being actively conducted as next generation refrigerants to replace HFC refrigerants.

Carbon dioxide, the representative of such next-generation refrigerants, corresponds to about one-third of R134a, which is a representative HFC refrigerant with a global warming index (GWP), in addition, it has the following advantages as a refrigerant. In other words, the compression ratio is excellent due to the low operating compression ratio, and the heat transfer performance is very good so that the temperature difference between the inlet temperature of the secondary fluid air and the outlet temperature of the refrigerant can be much smaller than that of the conventional refrigerant. By using this advantage, heat can be extracted even at low warmth temperatures in winter, so it can be applied to heat pumps that perform cooling in summer and heating in winter.

In addition, the carbon dioxide has a volume cooling capacity (evaporative latent heat x gas density) of 7 to 8 times that of the conventional R134a, which can greatly reduce the capacity of the compressor. Because of its low viscosity and excellent heat transfer performance, it has excellent thermodynamic properties as a refrigerant. In addition, in terms of the refrigeration cycle, the gas cooling pressure is 6 to 8 times higher (about 90 to 130 bar) than the conventional one, and the loss caused by the pressure drop of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger is relatively smaller than that of the conventional refrigerant. For example, it is possible to use a microchannel heat exchanger tube which is known to have a large pressure drop but excellent heat transfer performance.

However, since the refrigeration cycle of carbon dioxide is a supercritical pressure cycle, not only the evaporation pressure but also the gas cooling pressure is 6 to 8 times higher (about 90 to 130 bar) than the conventional cycle. Therefore, in order to use carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, it is very important to first secure excellent pressure resistance characteristics.

Also, in order to increase the heat exchange efficiency in the heat exchanger, a multi-stage path is usually added to the flow of the refrigerant. Since the refrigerant is cooled, the temperature is continuously lowered without condensation in the heat exchanger. There is a problem that the heat exchange is made between the passages, reducing the heat exchange efficiency.

In the heat exchanger, there are technical problems such as reduction in weight and improvement in manufacturing and assembly according to development requirements.

As one of the prior arts of the heat exchanger described above, there is a heat exchanger of Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-92317, filed by the present applicant, and a schematic description thereof includes a first header pipe and a second header pipe each having a plurality of compartments. It has a header pipe, each header pipe being sealed at both ends thereof with a cap. The first header pipe and the second header pipe are provided with a refrigerant inlet tube through which the refrigerant is introduced and a refrigerant discharge tube through which the refrigerant is discharged, and a plurality of heat dissipation tubes are disposed between the first header pipe and the second header pipe. The refrigerant is circulated, and the heat dissipation fins are installed between the heat dissipation tubes so that the refrigerant flowing in the tube can perform heat exchange with the air that is the second heat exchange medium.

In the prior art structured as described above, a return hole is formed in the first header pipe and the second header pipe so that the refrigerant introduced from the refrigerant inlet pipe can flow to another neighboring compartment. This will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown in the drawing, the header pipe 20 includes a header 24 having a plurality of tube insertion holes 23 formed therein so that the tubes are inserted and joined, and the compartments 22a and 22b that are joined to the header 24. It consists of a tank 25 in which a compartment divider 27 is divided into 22c) and 22d. At least two return holes 28 are formed in the compartment partition 27 to communicate adjacent compartments with each other according to the flow of the refrigerant.

The portion between the compartment partition 27 of the tank 25 and each compartment of the header 24 is joined by an intermediate junction 26 so that the header 24 and the tank 25 configured as described above are joined as shown in FIG. 2. Do it. This intermediate junction 26 is temporarily joined by a coupling part 70, preferably a rivet 72, and the brazing of the header 24 and the tank 25 takes place in this temporary connection.

However, the above-described prior art has the following problems.

First, the intermediate junction 26 of the header 24 and the compartment partition 27 are bonded to each other in a state in which a plurality of return holes 28 are formed in the compartment partition 27 forming the compartment of the tank 25. When the return hole 28 is not bonded, the pressure resistance performance to withstand the internal pressure generated when the refrigerant flows is deteriorated.

Second, since a plurality of compartments 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are formed by the compartment partition 27 in the tank 25, a plurality of return holes 28 must be separately processed in the compartment partition 27. As a result, there was also a problem that the manufacturing cost of the tank 25 is increased.

The present invention has been created to solve the above problems, by separately installing a structure for returning the refrigerant to any one of the both ends of the header pipe to braze bonding to withstand the internal pressure during the refrigerant flow, manufacturing cost It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat exchanger that can reduce the cost.

The heat exchanger according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a first header pipe having a plurality of refrigerant passages in the longitudinal direction therein; A second header pipe having a plurality of refrigerant passages formed in the length direction and spaced apart from the first header pipe at a predetermined interval and arranged in parallel; A plurality of tubes having both ends coupled to the first and second header pipes in a length direction thereof so that the refrigerant flow paths of the first header pipe and the refrigerant flow paths of the second header pipe correspond to each other; A coolant inlet pipe formed in at least one of the first and second header pipes for introducing a coolant, and a coolant outlet pipe for allowing the coolant to flow out; Refrigerant return means is installed to be brazed to at least one end of the first and second header pipe so that the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant inlet pipe is returned from one end of the first and second header pipe. Characterized in that.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is an exploded perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a third embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 to 12 are partial perspective views illustrating various coupling structures of the end cap and the return plate according to the present invention. .

As shown in FIG. 3, the heat exchanger according to the present invention includes a first header pipe 100, a second header pipe 200, a plurality of tubes 300, a refrigerant inlet pipe 600, and a refrigerant outlet. It comprises a tube 610 and the refrigerant return means.

In the first header pipe 100, a plurality of refrigerant passages 101, 102, 103 are formed in the longitudinal direction, and both ends thereof are open.

The second header pipe 200 has a structure in which a plurality of refrigerant passages 201, 202, 203 are formed in a length direction, and both ends thereof are open, and from the first header pipe 100. It is arranged in parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined interval.

Both ends of the tube 300 correspond to the refrigerant passages of the first header pipe 100 and the refrigerant passages of the second header pipe 200 so as to communicate with each other, the first and second header pipes 100 and 200. ) Is installed coupled in the longitudinal direction.

The heat dissipation fin 500 for heat exchange with the outside is interposed between the tubes 300.

Here, the coolant flow paths 101 and 102 and 103 of the first header pipe 100 are illustrated with only three rows in the X-axis direction, for example, and the coolant flow paths 201 and 202 of the second header pipe 200 are illustrated. ) 203 shows only three rows in the X-axis direction, for example, the tube 300 is arranged in dozens of the Y-axis direction, and only three rows in the X-axis direction.

On the other hand, the refrigerant inlet tube 600 for introducing the refrigerant and the refrigerant outlet tube 610 for outflowing the coolant is formed in at least one of the first and second header pipes (100, 200), the present invention In the present invention, the refrigerant inlet pipe 600 is installed at the end of the first header pipe 100 corresponding to the refrigerant passage 101 of the first header pipe 100, and the refrigerant outlet pipe 610 is installed in the second header pipe 200. ) Is provided at an end portion of the second header pipe 200 corresponding to the refrigerant passage 203.

In addition, the installation positions of the coolant inlet pipe 600 and the coolant discharge pipe 610 are all provided in the same direction, that is, at one end of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200.

The refrigerant return means may include the first and second header pipes such that a flow direction of the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant inlet pipe 600 is returned at one end of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200. It is installed to be brazed at least one end of the 100) (200).

By installing the structure for returning the above refrigerant to any one of the both ends of the header pipe and brazing and joining, the header pipe that can withstand the internal pressure during the refrigerant flow is produced by extrusion method and the manufactured header pipe As conventionally, the header pipe can be used as it is without being processed so as to have a return structure more than necessary, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the refrigerant return means of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6.

First, the refrigerant return means shown in FIG. 3 includes return plates 400 (400a and 400b) of a predetermined thickness and end caps (410; 410a and 410b) of a predetermined thickness.

The return plates 400 and 400a and 400b have return holes 401 and 410a and 401b formed at both ends thereof so that at least two or more refrigerant passages of the plurality of refrigerant passages communicate with each other. It is in close contact with the ends of the header pipes 100 and 200 and brazed.

The end caps 410; 410a, 410b are in close contact with the other end surface of the return plate 400 and brazed to serve to prevent the refrigerant from leaking through the return hole 401.

Referring to the inflow and outflow of the refrigerant by the refrigerant return means shown in Figure 3 as described above are as follows.

First, when the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant inlet pipe 600, the refrigerant continues to flow along the refrigerant passage 101 of the first header pipe 100 in the Y-axis direction.

The refrigerant flowing in the Y-axis direction along the refrigerant passage 101 flows in the Z-axis direction along the first row tube 300a of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows, and then the second header pipe 200. The refrigerant flow path 201 is collected.

The refrigerant gathered in the refrigerant passage 201 of the second header pipe 200 flows in the Y-axis direction and is then returned from the return hole 401b of the return plate 400b, and then the neighboring refrigerant passage 202. Flows into.

Subsequently, the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 202 of the second header pipe 200 moves in the -Y axis direction and along the second column tube 300b of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows. Will be moved in the direction.

Next, the refrigerant flowing along the second row tube 300b of the tube 300 is collected in the refrigerant passage 102 of the first header pipe 100 and flows in the Y-axis direction, and then the return plate 400a. After returning from the return hole 401a, it flows to the adjacent refrigerant flow path 103.

The refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 103 flows in the −Z axis direction along the third row tube 300c of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows, and then the refrigerant passage 203 of the second header pipe 200. ), And the refrigerant collected in the refrigerant passage 203 flows in the -Y axis direction and finally flows out of the heat exchanger through the refrigerant outlet pipe 610.

On the other hand, the configuration of the refrigerant return means shown in Fig. 4, the refrigerant return means is partition wall (102a) for partitioning the refrigerant flow path at the end of the first and second header pipe (100, 200) ( Return grooves 102b and 201a formed in 201a to communicate adjacent refrigerant paths with each other; In order to prevent the refrigerant from leaking, end caps 410; 410a and 410b of a predetermined thickness are brazed and bonded closely to ends of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200.

Referring to the inflow and outflow of the refrigerant by the refrigerant return means shown in Figure 4 as described above are as follows.

First, when the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant inlet pipe 600, the refrigerant continues to flow along the refrigerant passage 101 of the first header pipe 100 in the Y-axis direction.

The refrigerant flowing in the Y-axis direction along the refrigerant passage 101 flows in the Z-axis direction along the first row tube 300a of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows, and then the second header pipe 200. The refrigerant flow path 201 is collected.

The refrigerant collected in the refrigerant passage 201 of the second header pipe 200 flows in the Y-axis direction, and then returns from the return groove 201b, and then flows into the neighboring refrigerant passage 202.

Subsequently, the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 202 of the second header pipe 200 moves in the -Y axis direction and along the second column tube 300b of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows. Will be moved in the direction.

Next, the refrigerant flowing along the second row tube 300b of the tube 300 is collected in the refrigerant passage 102 of the first header pipe 100 and flows in the Y-axis direction, and then the return groove 102b. After returning from the flow, the neighboring refrigerant flow path 103 is flowed.

The refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 103 flows in the -Z axis direction along the third row tube 300c of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows, and then the refrigerant passage 203 of the second header pipe 200. ), And the refrigerant collected in the refrigerant passage 203 flows in the -Y axis direction and finally flows out of the heat exchanger through the refrigerant outlet pipe 610.

Next, the structure of the refrigerant return means shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The refrigerant return means has its end side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200. An insertion groove 205 formed in a predetermined depth; Return plates 400 and 400a which are inserted into the insertion grooves 205 and brazed to each other, and return holes 401 and 410a and 410b are formed at both ends thereof so that at least two or more refrigerant passages of the plurality of refrigerant passages communicate with each other. 400b); In order to prevent the refrigerant from leaking, end caps 410; 410a and 410b of a predetermined thickness are brazed and bonded closely to ends of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200.

Referring to the inflow and outflow of the refrigerant by the refrigerant return means shown in Figure 4 as described above are as follows.

First, when the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant inlet pipe 600, the refrigerant continues to flow along the refrigerant passage 101 of the first header pipe 100 in the Y-axis direction.

The refrigerant flowing in the Y-axis direction along the refrigerant passage 101 flows in the Z-axis direction along the first row tube 300a of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows, and then the second header pipe 200. The refrigerant flow path 201 is collected.

The refrigerant gathered in the refrigerant passage 201 of the second header pipe 200 flows in the Y-axis direction and is then returned from the return hole 401b of the return plate 400b, and then the neighboring refrigerant passage 202. Flows into.

Subsequently, the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 202 of the second header pipe 200 moves in the -Y axis direction and along the second column tube 300b of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows. Will be moved in the direction.

Next, the refrigerant flowing along the second row tube 300b of the tube 300 is collected in the refrigerant passage 102 of the first header pipe 100 and flows in the Y-axis direction, and then the return plate 400a. After returning from the return hole 401a, it flows to the adjacent refrigerant flow path 103.

The refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 103 flows in the −Z axis direction along the third row tube 300c of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows, and then the refrigerant passage 203 of the second header pipe 200. ), And the refrigerant collected in the refrigerant passage 203 flows in the -Y axis direction and finally flows out of the heat exchanger through the refrigerant outlet pipe 610.

Lastly, the configuration of the refrigerant return means shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The refrigerant return means includes a plurality of refrigerant passages at end portions corresponding to ends of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200. Return grooves 410c and 410d having a predetermined depth are formed to communicate at least two refrigerant flow paths, and are in close contact with ends of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200 to prevent the refrigerant from leaking. It consists of end caps 410 (410a, 410b) of a predetermined thickness to be brazed.

Referring to the inflow and outflow of the refrigerant by the refrigerant return means shown in Figure 6 as described above are as follows.

First, when the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant inlet pipe 600, the refrigerant continues to flow along the refrigerant passage 101 of the first header pipe 100 in the Y-axis direction.

The refrigerant flowing in the Y-axis direction along the refrigerant passage 101 flows in the Z-axis direction along the first row tube 300a of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows, and then the second header pipe 200. The refrigerant flow path 201 is collected.

The refrigerant gathered in the refrigerant passage 201 of the second header pipe 200 flows in the Y-axis direction, then returns from the return groove 410d, and then flows into the neighboring refrigerant passage 202.

Subsequently, the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 202 of the second header pipe 200 moves in the -Y axis direction and along the second column tube 300b of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows. Will be moved in the direction.

Next, the refrigerant flowing along the second row tube 300b of the tube 300 is collected in the refrigerant passage 102 of the first header pipe 100 and flows in the Y-axis direction, and then the return groove 410c. After returning from the flow, the neighboring refrigerant flow path 103 is flowed.

The refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 103 flows in the −Z axis direction along the third row tube 300c of the tube 300 having a plurality of rows, and then the refrigerant passage 203 of the second header pipe 200. ), And the refrigerant collected in the refrigerant passage 203 flows in the -Y axis direction and finally flows out of the heat exchanger through the refrigerant outlet pipe 610.

So far, various configurations and operations of the refrigerant return means of the present invention have been described.

On the other hand, the present invention, in the configuration as described above, is coupled to surround each of the outer surfaces of the first and second header pipes (100, 200) brazing, both ends of the tube are coupled through, The reinforcing plate 700 may further include a reinforcement plate 700 extending from both ends of the first and second header pipes so as to protrude a predetermined length, and having a support part 710 supporting the braze return and supporting the refrigerant return means.

The reinforcement plate 700 is to act as a pressure-resistant reinforcement to ensure that the first header pipe 100 and the second header pipe 200 sufficiently withstand the high pressure of the refrigerant flowing.

The end caps of the reinforcing plate 700 and the first and second header pipes 100 and 200 of the end cap shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are illustrated in the embodiment shown in the present invention. Of course, it can be produced in a shape surrounding the outer surface of the end of.

On the other hand, the present invention is configured such that the return plate and the end cap constituting the refrigerant return means is coupled to the reinforcing plate 700 only by the method of brazing bonding, as shown in Figure 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, a plurality of tabs 720 are formed at the ends of the support portion 710 of the reinforcing plate 700 to bend the tabs 720 to form an end cap ( 410 can be more securely fixed, and the tab 430 is formed to protrude outwardly from the end cap 410 to bend the tab 430 so that the end cap 410 can be more securely fixed. .

As described above, the present invention according to the present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly, a structure for returning a refrigerant is separately installed at any one of both ends of the header pipe and brazed and joined to withstand internal pressure during refrigerant flow. It is possible to reduce the production cost.

Claims (6)

A first header pipe 100 having a plurality of refrigerant passages 101, 102, 103 formed therein in the longitudinal direction; A second header pipe 200 having a plurality of refrigerant passages 201, 202, 203 formed in the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from the first header pipe 100 by a predetermined distance in parallel; Both ends are connected to the first and second header pipes 100 and 200 in the length direction thereof so that the refrigerant passages of the first header pipe 100 and the refrigerant passages of the second header pipe 200 communicate with each other. A plurality of tubes 300 coupled to each other; A coolant inlet pipe (600) formed in at least one of the first and second header pipes (100, 200) for introducing a coolant, and a coolant outlet pipe (610) for allowing the coolant to flow out; The first and second header pipes 100 and 200 such that a flow direction of the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant inlet pipe 600 is returned from one end of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200. And a refrigerant return means installed to be brazed to at least one end of the heat exchanger. The method of claim 1, The refrigerant return means, Return holes 401 and 410a and 401b through which both ends penetrate so that at least two or more refrigerant flow paths of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths communicate with each other, and one end surface is formed at the end of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200. A return plate (400; 400a, 400b) having a predetermined thickness to be in close contact with the braze joint; Heat exchanger, characterized in that the end caps (410; 410a, 410b) of a predetermined thickness to be in close contact with the other end surface of the return plate 400 to be brazed to prevent the refrigerant leak through the return hole (401). The method of claim 1, The refrigerant return means, Return grooves 102b and 201a formed in the partition walls 102a and 201a for partitioning the coolant flow paths at the ends of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200 so as to communicate the coolant flow paths adjacent to each other. and; Heat exchange, characterized in that the end caps (410; 410a, 410b) of a predetermined thickness to be brazed closely to the ends of the first and second header pipes (100, 200) to prevent the refrigerant from leaking group. The method of claim 1, The refrigerant return means, An insertion groove 205 formed at a predetermined depth at an end side thereof in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200; Return plates 400 and 400a which are inserted into the insertion grooves 205 and brazed to each other, and return holes 401 and 410a and 410b are formed at both ends thereof so that at least two or more refrigerant passages of the plurality of refrigerant passages communicate with each other. 400b); Heat exchanger, characterized in that the end caps (410; 410a, 410b) of a predetermined thickness to be brazed closely to the ends of the first and second header pipes (100, 200) to prevent the refrigerant from leaking . The method of claim 1, The refrigerant return means, Return grooves 410c and 410d having a predetermined depth are formed at end portions corresponding to ends of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200 so that at least two or more refrigerant passages of the plurality of refrigerant passages communicate with each other. Heat exchanger, characterized in that the end cap (410; 410a, 410b) of a predetermined thickness to be brazed in close contact with the end of the first and second header pipe (100) (200) to prevent leakage. The method of claim 1, It is combined and brazed to surround respective outer surfaces of the first and second header pipes 100 and 200, and both ends of the tube are coupled through and predetermined from both ends of the first and second header pipes. And a reinforcing plate (700) having a support portion (710) which is extended to protrude in length and is brazed and bonded to the refrigerant return means.

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