KR20150103579A - Heat exchanger and air conditional having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner having the same, enabling a refrigerant to variably flow with respect to an air-conditioning mode. The heat exchanger comprises: a plurality of refrigerant tubes; a first header and a second header coupled to both ends of the refrigerant tubes; at least one flow pipe connected to one of the first header and the second heater for enabling the refrigerant to bypass the refrigerant tubes; and a solenoid valve installed on at least one flow pipe for controlling flow of the refrigerant which flows through the refrigerant tubes. The heat exchanger can have optimal performance and efficiency in each driving mode by varying a flow path of the refrigerant with respect to the driving mode of the air conditioner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner having the heat exchanger. More particularly, the present invention relates to a heat exchanger for variably flowing a refrigerant according to a cooling / heating mode and an air conditioner having the same.

Generally, the air conditioner uses a refrigeration cycle to control the temperature, humidity, airflow, distribution, etc. suitable for human activity and to remove dust and the like in the air. Compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion valves, ventilation fans, etc., are the main components of the refrigeration cycle.

The air conditioner may be divided into a separate type air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are separated and an integrated type air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are installed together in a single cabinet. The indoor unit of the separate type air conditioner includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the air sucked into the panel, and a blowing fan for sucking indoor air into the panel and blowing the sucked air back into the room.

The heat exchanger constitutes an air conditioner and can serve as a condenser or an evaporator. The heat exchanger is provided with a refrigerant tube for guiding the refrigerant, and the refrigerant tube can be combined with a plurality of heat exchange fins to increase heat exchange efficiency.

A heat exchanger having a microchannel refrigerant tube is known to be superior in heat transfer characteristics to other types of heat exchangers and is used as a heat exchanger of an air conditioner. However, there is a problem that the refrigerant is not evenly distributed to the microchannel refrigerant tube due to the phase change refrigerant. Particularly, as the dryness of the refrigerant increases, the refrigerant distribution from the header to the microchannel refrigerant tube becomes disadvantageous.

In the case of a combined air conditioner, the heat exchanger is used as a condenser and an evaporator depending on the operating mode. When used as a condenser, the longer the flow path of the refrigerant, the better the performance and efficiency. On the other hand, when the refrigerant is used as an evaporator, the longer the refrigerant flow path becomes, the higher the dryness of the refrigerant increases and the performance and efficiency become worse. The flow path of the heat exchanger is designed in the same way when it is used as an evaporator and a condenser and thus has a problem in that it can not have an optimum efficiency.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat exchanger for varying a flow path of a refrigerant according to an operation mode so that a plurality of refrigerant tubes can heat-exchange effectively, and an air conditioner having the heat exchanger.

Further, there is provided a heat exchanger including a flow pipe which is connected to one side of a header and bypasses a refrigerant, and an air conditioner having the same.

The heat exchanger according to the present invention includes a plurality of refrigerant tubes, a first header and a second header coupled to both ends of the plurality of refrigerant tubes, At least one flow pipe connected to one of the second headers, and a solenoid valve installed in the flow pipe to control the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes.

At least one baffle mounted in the header to divide the plurality of refrigerant tubes into a plurality of groups adjacent to each other and flowing refrigerant in the same direction, Both ends of the at least one flow tube may be connected to one of the first header and the second header such that the baffle is located.

The first header may include at least one connection tube connected to one side, and one end of the at least one flow tube may be connected to the at least one connection tube.

The at least one connection pipe may include a first connection pipe through which refrigerant gas flows and a second connection pipe through which the refrigerant flows, and the at least one flow pipe may be connected to the first connection pipe.

Wherein the at least one flow tube includes a first flow tube connected to the first header, and a second flow tube connected to the second header, wherein the solenoid valve includes a first flow tube connected to the first flow tube, 1 solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve.

Wherein the at least one flow tube includes a first flow tube installed in the first header and a second flow tube installed in the second header, and in order to block the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the first flow tube, the solenoid valve And a check valve installed in the first flow tube and installed in the second flow tube to determine the direction of the coolant flowing through the second flow tube.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat exchanger including a plurality of refrigerant tubes, a header coupled to both ends of the plurality of refrigerant tubes, and a plurality of groups adjacent to each other and flowing refrigerant in the same direction At least one baffle installed in the header, the at least one baffle including at least one blocking baffle for blocking the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the header, And at least one flow baffle installed to flow.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner including a compressor for compressing a refrigerant gas and an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant liquid, the air conditioner comprising: a plurality of refrigerant tubes; And a solenoid valve installed to control the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes.

At least one flow conduit to which both ends are connected to one of the pair of headers, and the solenoid valve may be installed in the at least one flow conduit.

At least one baffle interrupting a longitudinal flow of the refrigerant flowing through the header, wherein the at least one flow tube may be installed such that the at least one baffle is positioned between both ends.

And a controller for controlling the four-way valve and the solenoid valve according to an operation mode of the air conditioner.

The flow path of the refrigerant is varied according to the operation mode of the air conditioner so that the heat exchanger can have optimal performance and efficiency in each operation mode.

Further, the four-way valve for changing the operation mode and the solenoid valve for varying the flow path of the refrigerant can be simultaneously controlled by one control unit.

1 is a view illustrating a refrigerant cycle of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a case where a heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used as a condenser. FIG.
3 is a view showing a case where a heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used as an evaporator.
4 is a view showing a case where a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention is used as a condenser.
5 is a view showing a case where a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention is used as an evaporator.
6 is a view showing a case where a heat exchanger according to a third embodiment of the present invention is used as an evaporator.
7 is a view showing a case where a heat exchanger according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is used as an evaporator.

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

1 is a view showing a refrigerant cycle of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The refrigerant cycle constituting the air conditioner 1 is composed of a compressor 7, a condenser, an expansion valve 3, and an evaporator. The air conditioner 1 can heat the refrigerant circulating in a series of processes consisting of compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation and air to supply conditioned air to the indoor space.

The compressor (7) compresses and discharges the refrigerant gas in a state of high temperature and high pressure, and the discharged refrigerant gas flows into the condenser. The condenser condenses the compressed refrigerant into a liquid phase, releases heat to the surroundings through the condensation process, and achieves a heating effect.

The expansion valve (3) expands the liquid refrigerant in the high temperature and high pressure state condensed in the condenser to the liquid refrigerant in the low pressure state. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve (3) and returns the low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant gas to the compressor (7). The evaporator can achieve the freezing effect by heat exchange with the object to be cooled by using the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant. Through the refrigerant cycle, the air conditioner 1 can adjust the air temperature of the indoor space.

The outdoor unit 200a of the air conditioner 1 refers to a portion including the compressor 7 and the outdoor heat exchanger 5 during the refrigeration cycle. The expansion valve 3 may be located in either the indoor unit 200b or the outdoor unit 200a and the indoor heat exchanger 9 may be provided in the indoor unit 200b of the air conditioner 1. [

The indoor heat exchanger 9 and the outdoor heat exchanger 5 may be provided with the same type of heat exchanger 10 (FIG. 2). When the heat exchanger 10 is used as a condenser, gaseous refrigerant is introduced and discharged in a liquid state, and when used as an evaporator, refrigerant in a liquid state can be discharged in a gaseous state.

The outdoor heat exchanger (5) and the indoor heat exchanger (9) can be used either as a condenser or an evaporator. The indoor heat exchanger 9 serves as an evaporator when the outdoor heat exchanger 5 serves as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger 9 serves as a condenser when the outdoor heat exchanger 5 serves as an evaporator.

The refrigerant cycle shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 represents a cooling cycle for cooling an indoor space. The outdoor heat exchanger 5 serves as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger 9 serves as an evaporator. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 7 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 5, and the outdoor heat exchanger 5 condenses the refrigerant gas into refrigerant liquid to discharge heat to the outdoor air. The refrigerant liquid exiting the outdoor heat exchanger (5) expands at the expansion valve (3) and flows into the indoor heat exchanger (9). The indoor heat exchanger (9) evaporates the refrigerant liquid into the refrigerant gas and can take the heat of the room air to cool the indoor space.

The refrigerant cycle shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1 represents a heating cycle for heating the indoor space. The outdoor heat exchanger 5 serves as an evaporator and the indoor heat exchanger 9 serves as a condenser. The refrigerant moves in a direction opposite to the cooling cycle indicated by the solid line described above. The refrigerant gas from the compressor 7 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 9 and the indoor heat exchanger 9 can heat the room by releasing heat to the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 9 condenses the refrigerant gas into a refrigerant liquid and sends it to the expansion valve 3, and the refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve 3 is changed into the refrigerant gas in the outdoor heat exchanger 5.

The four-way valve 60 can change the direction of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant cycle can be used as a heating cycle and a cooling cycle. The four-way valve 60 allows the refrigerant to flow clockwise or counterclockwise, and the air conditioner 1 can be used as a cooling / heating air conditioner 1 capable of cooling or heating indoor air.

The four-way valve (60) may be located between the compressor (7) and the outdoor heat exchanger (5). The four-way valve 60 is installed adjacent to the compressor 7 having the greatest influence among the refrigerant cycles constituting the air conditioner 1, so that the direction of the refrigerant can be more easily changed.

In the present invention, the heat exchanger 10 can be used as a condenser or an evaporator, and can be used as an indoor heat exchanger 9 or an outdoor heat exchanger 5. [

FIG. 2 is a view showing a case where a heat exchanger 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used as a condenser. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a heat exchanger 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig.

The heat exchanger 10 includes a plurality of refrigerant tubes 20 and a pair of headers 41 and 42 coupled to both ends of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 20. The header pipes 41 and 42 are connected to one side of the compressor 7 and the expansion valve 3 so that the refrigerant pipes 43 and 44 can be connected to each other.

The headers 41 and 42 may include a first header 41 and a second header 42 that are coupled to both ends of the plurality of refrigerant tubes 20, respectively. The refrigerant can flow through the plurality of refrigerant tubes 20 through the first header 41 and the second header 42. For convenience, the header provided with the connecting pipes 43 and 44 in FIGS. 2 and 3 is referred to as a first header 41, and the remainder is referred to as a second header 42.

A plurality of refrigerant tubes (20) are provided extending in the longitudinal direction and are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals. The refrigerant tube 20 may be formed by hollowing the inside of the refrigerant tube 20 so that the refrigerant can flow. The refrigerant tube 20 may be a microchannel refrigerant tube, usually a tube with a hydraulic diameter of 3 mm or less. The hydraulic diameter can be obtained by dividing the cross-sectional area of the tube by the circumference of the tube.

The connection pipes 43 and 44 may include a first connection pipe 43 connected to the compressor 7 and a second connection pipe 44 connected to the expansion valve 3. 2, when the refrigerant enters through the first connection pipe 43 and the refrigerant exits through the second connection pipe 44, the heat exchanger 10 may function as a condenser.

Conversely, when refrigerant enters through the second connection pipe 44 and refrigerant flows through the first connection pipe 43, the heat exchanger 10 can function as an evaporator. 3 shows a heat exchanger 10 used as an evaporator in which the refrigerant enters the second connection pipe 44 and performs heat exchange and escapes to the first connection pipe 43.

The refrigerant tube 20 is preferably formed as long as possible to widen the heat exchange area between the refrigerant and the outside air. Accordingly, the first header 41 and the second header 42 may include baffles 50, 52, and 54 so as to change a flow direction of the refrigerant.

At least one baffle 50, 52, 54 may be provided to block longitudinal flow of the refrigerant flowing in the header 41, 42. The baffles 50, 52, and 54 may be installed within the first header 41 and the second header 42 at an arbitrary interval. The baffles 50, 52 and 54 alternate with the first header 41 and the second header 42 so that they can pass through the heat exchanger 10 along the refrigerant tube 20 while changing the direction in which the refrigerant flows .

2 and 3 illustrate the first baffle 50 and the third baffle 54 installed in the first header 41 and the second baffle 52 installed in the second header 42. As shown in FIG. Due to the first baffle 50, the second baffle 52 and the third baffle 54, the plurality of refrigerant tubes 20 can be divided into a plurality of mutually adjacent groups for flowing the refrigerant in the same direction.

The first direction A is a direction in which the refrigerant flows from the second header 42 toward the first header 41 and the second direction B is a direction in which the refrigerant flows from the first header 41 to the second header 42 ).

2, the refrigerant introduced from the first connection pipe 43 passes through the refrigerant tube 20 and flows in the second direction B. As shown in FIG. The refrigerant does not flow to the lower portion of the first header 41 due to the third baffle 54 positioned in the first header 41 and can move in the second direction B along the refrigerant tube 20. [

The refrigerant moved to the second header 42 along the second direction B moves to the lower portion of the second header 42 by the pressure. The refrigerant having a predetermined movement flows again in the first direction (A) along the refrigerant tube by the second baffle (52) located inside the second header (42).

The refrigerant which has moved in the first direction A moves back into the first header 41 and flows along the refrigerant tube 20 by the first baffle 50 arranged at a predetermined interval in the second direction B ). The refrigerant which has moved in the second direction B again changes direction in the second header 42 and moves in the first direction A and exits the heat exchanger 10 through the second connection pipe 44.

2, the refrigerant tube 20 of the heat exchanger 10 can be divided into four groups flowing in the first direction A and the second direction B due to the baffles 50, 52 and 54 . The refrigerant introduced into the first connection pipe 43 passes through the refrigerant tubes of the first group (a), the second group (b), the third group (c) and the fourth group (d) ).

Therefore, in FIG. 2, the refrigerant can perform heat exchange through a relatively long movement path. When the heat exchanger 10 is used as a condenser, a sufficient subcooling degree can be ensured if the path of the refrigerant is long. So that the performance and efficiency of the heat exchanger 10 can be improved.

However, when the heat exchanger 10 is used as an evaporator, the movement path of the refrigerant that is too long may raise the quality of the refrigerant. The pressure drop becomes large and the refrigerant distribution to the refrigerant tube 20 becomes unstable, so that the performance and efficiency of the heat exchanger 10 may be deteriorated.

Therefore, when the heat exchanger 10 shown in FIG. 3 is used as an evaporator, the heat exchanger 10 shown in FIG. 2 has a relatively short refrigerant flow path as compared with the case where the heat exchanger 10 is used as a condenser. To this end, the heat exchanger 10 may include at least one flow conduit 60, 62 connected to one of the first header 41 and the second header 42.

At least one flow pipe (60, 62) bypasses the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes (20) to have different refrigerant flow paths according to the operation mode of the air conditioner (1). At least one of the flow tubes (60, 62) may be connected at either end to one of the first header (41) and the second header (42). Also, the at least one flow conduit 60, 62 may be installed such that at least one baffle 50, 52, 54 is located between the two ends.

The at least one flow tube 60 and 62 includes a first flow tube 60 connected to the first header 41 and a second flow tube 62 connected to the second header 42. One end of the first flow tube 60 may be connected to the first connection pipe 43 and the other end may be positioned between the first baffle 50 and the third baffle 54. The second flow tube (62) can be coupled to the second header (42) at one end and the other end with the second baffle (52) in between.

The first flow tube (60) and the second flow tube (62) may be provided with solenoid valves (70, 72) for controlling the flow of refrigerant. The solenoid valves 70 and 72 may include a first solenoid valve 70 installed in the first flow tube 60 and a second solenoid valve 72 installed in the second flow tube 62. The first solenoid valve 70 and the second solenoid valve 72 are opened and closed according to the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 and the flow of the refrigerant can be controlled by the first flow pipe 60 and the second flow pipe 62 have.

2, the solenoid valves 70 and 72 are closed so that the refrigerant does not flow into the first flow tube 60 and the second flow tube 62. [ In FIG. 3, the solenoid valves 70 and 72 are opened so that the refrigerant can flow into the first flow tube 60 and the second flow tube 62.

3, the refrigerant entering the first header 41 through the second connection pipe 44 moves along the refrigerant tube 20 in the second direction B. As shown in FIG. A part of the refrigerant moved to the second header 42 is moved to the first header 41 along the refrigerant tube 20 in the first direction A by the second baffle 52, And moves along the flow tube 62.

The refrigerant that has moved along the second flow tube 62 is again discharged to the second header 42 and moves to the first header 41 along the refrigerant tube 20 in the first direction A. [ A part of the refrigerant which has moved to the first header 41 passes through the first connection pipe 43 and the other part flows to the first flow pipe 60. The refrigerant traveling along the first flow tube (60) can escape to the first connection pipe (43).

3, the refrigerant may enter the second connection pipe 42 and pass through the refrigerant tube 20 of the first group a and the second group b to the first connection pipe 41. Compared with the refrigerant flow path in FIG. 2, the refrigerant can pass through the heat exchanger 10 in a relatively short travel path.

When the heat exchanger 10 is used as the outdoor heat exchanger 5, in the cooling mode, the solenoid valves 70 and 72 are closed to have a relatively long travel path as shown in FIG. In the heating mode, the solenoid valves 70 and 72 are opened to have a relatively short travel path as shown in FIG.

The air conditioner 1 may include a controller (not shown) for controlling the operation of the solenoid valves 70 and 72. The control unit (not shown) can control the four-way valve 60 that changes the circulation direction of the refrigerant according to the operation mode, and the four-way valve 60 and the solenoid valves 70 and 72 can be controlled together.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a case where a heat exchanger 10a according to a second embodiment of the present invention is used as a condenser, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a heat exchanger 10a according to a second embodiment of the present invention, And FIG. 6 is a view showing a case where the heat exchanger 10b according to the third embodiment of the present invention is used as an evaporator.

4 to 6 include check valves 74 and 74a for determining the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow tubes 62a and 62b. The check valves 74 and 74a allow the refrigerant to flow only in one direction and not in the opposite direction. The check valves 74 and 74a provided in the second flow tubes 62a and 62b are opened when the heat exchangers 10a and 10b are used as evaporators and refrigerant can flow through the second flow tubes 62a and 62b.

Figs. 4 to 5 show the structure in which three baffles 50a, 52a and 54a are installed as shown in Figs. 2 to 3, and have the same refrigerant moving path. In FIG. 4, the first solenoid valve 70a is closed and the refrigerant does not flow into the first flow tube 60a. In addition, the check valve 74 is provided to pass only the flow of the refrigerant flowing from the lower part to the upper part, so that the refrigerant can not flow into the second flow pipe 62a. The refrigerant thus enters the first connection pipe 43a and flows through the refrigerant tube 20a of the first group (a), the second group (b), the third group (c) and the fourth group (d) 2 connection pipe 44a.

In FIG. 5, the first solenoid valve 70a is opened and the refrigerant can flow into the first flow tube 60a. In addition, the check valve 74 can pass the flow of the refrigerant flowing from the lower part to the upper part, and the refrigerant can flow into the second flow pipe 62a. The refrigerant may enter the second connection pipe 44a and pass through the refrigerant tube 20a of the first group a and the second group b to the first connection pipe 43a.

6 shows a structure in which five baffles 50b, 52b, 54b, 56 and 58 are installed. In the first header 41b, a first baffle 50b, a third baffle 54b and a fifth baffle 58 are installed And a second baffle 52b and a fourth baffle 56 are installed in the second header 42b. One end of the first flow tube 60b is connected to the first connection tube 43b and the other end is divided into the auxiliary flow tubes 61 and 63 to be coupled to one side of the first header 41b. One end of the second flow tube 62b is coupled to the second header 42b and the other end is divided into auxiliary flow tubes 65 and 67 to be coupled to the second header 42b.

To be more specific, the first flow tube 60b includes a first auxiliary tube 61 and a second auxiliary tube 63 which are coupled to the first header 41b. The first auxiliary pipe 61 is located between the first baffle 50b and the third baffle 54b and the second auxiliary pipe 63 is located between the third baffle 54b and the fifth baffle 58 Located. The first auxiliary pipe 61 and the second auxiliary pipe 63 may include a solenoid valve 70b, respectively.

One end of the second flow tube 62b is located below the second baffle 52b and the other end is divided into a third auxiliary pipe 65 and a fourth auxiliary pipe 67. The third auxiliary pipe 65 may be located between the second baffle 52b and the fourth baffle 56 and the fourth auxiliary pipe 67 may be located above the fourth baffle 56. [ The third auxiliary pipe 65 and the fourth auxiliary pipe 67 may each include a check valve 74a.

6 is a heat exchanger 10b used as an evaporator, in which the solenoid valve 70b is opened and the refrigerant can pass through the first flow tube 60b. The refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger 10b through the second connection pipe 44b is guided by the first baffle 50b in the second direction B ). At this time, the refrigerant tube 20 through which the refrigerant passes is referred to as a first group (a).

The refrigerant that has moved to the second header 42b along the second direction B moves in the first direction A or moves along the second flow tube 62b. The check valve 74a provided in the third auxiliary pipe 67 is installed so that the refrigerant flows from the upper part to the lower part and the check valve 74a provided in the fourth auxiliary pipe 65 is installed so that the refrigerant flows from the lower part to the upper part. do. Therefore, the refrigerant which has moved to the second flow pipe 62b can be divided into the third auxiliary pipe 65 and the fourth auxiliary pipe 67, and then can be put back into the second header 42b. The refrigerant introduced into the second header 42b can move in the first direction A.

The refrigerant which has moved to the first header 41b passes through the first flow pipe 60b along the first auxiliary pipe 61 and the second auxiliary pipe 63 and moves to the first connection pipe 43b, 1 connection pipe 63b. That is, the refrigerant entering the heat exchanger 10b through the second connection pipe 44b passes through the refrigerant tube of the first group (a) and the second group (b) to the first connection pipe 43b.

When the heat exchanger 10b is used as a condenser, the refrigerant can not pass through the flow tubes 60b and 62b by the solenoid valve 70b and the check valve 74a. The refrigerant that has entered the heat exchanger 10b through the first connection pipe 43b passes through the refrigerant tube 20 divided into the first to sixth groups by the baffles 50b, 52b, 54b, 56, So that it can escape to the second connection pipe 44b.

7 is a view showing a case where the heat exchanger 10c according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is used as an evaporator.

7 is a heat exchanger 10c provided with three baffles 50c, 80, and 82, and has a refrigerant moving path as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. 7, the baffles 50c, 80 and 82 include at least one blocking baffle 50c for blocking the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the headers 41c and 42c and a refrigerant flowing through the header 41c and 42c in one direction And at least one flow baffle 80, The blocking baffle 50c is the same baffle as the baffle shown in Figs. 2-6.

The second header 42c includes a first flow baffle 80 and the first header 41c includes a blocking baffle 50c and a second flow baffle 82. [ The flow baffles 80 and 82 may block the flow of refrigerant when the refrigerant flows from the top to the bottom and may be arranged to flow when the refrigerant flows from the bottom to the top. For example, the flow baffles 80 and 82 may be provided in the form of a hood, a spring, or the like with one side coupled thereto.

When the heat exchanger 10c is used as a condenser, the refrigerant flows from the first header 41c and the second header 42c to the first header pipe 41c and the second header pipe 42c in order to enter the first connection pipe 43c and exit to the second connection pipe 44c. And flows downward. Thus, the flow baffles 80, 82 can block the movement of the refrigerant and perform the same function as the blocking baffle 50c. That is, when the heat exchanger 10c is used as a condenser, it has a refrigerant flow path as shown in Figs.

7, when the heat exchanger 10c is used as an evaporator, the refrigerant enters the second connection pipe 44c and moves to the second header 42c along the second direction B as shown in FIG. The first flow baffle 80 installed in the second header 42c does not interfere with the movement of the refrigerant and the refrigerant passes through the second header 42c and flows into the first header 41c in the first direction A Can be moved. The refrigerant which has moved to the first header 41c can escape to the first connection pipe 43c without being disturbed by the second flow baffle 82. [ That is, the refrigerant entering the heat exchanger 10c through the second connection pipe 44c passes through the refrigerant tube of the first group (a) and the second group (b) to the first connection pipe 43c.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1: air conditioner 10: heat exchanger
20: refrigerant tube 41, 42: header
43, 44: connection pipe 50, 52, 54: baffle
60, 62: Flow tube 70, 72: Solenoid valve
74: Check valve 80, 82: Flow baffle

Claims (11)

A plurality of refrigerant tubes;
A first header and a second header coupled to both ends of the plurality of refrigerant tubes;
At least one flow conduit connected to one of the first header and the second header to bypass a refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes;
A solenoid valve installed in the at least one flow pipe to control the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes;
≪ / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
At least one baffle installed in the header to divide the plurality of refrigerant tubes into a plurality of groups adjacent to each other and flowing refrigerant in the same direction,
Wherein both ends of the at least one flow tube are connected to one of the first header and the second header such that the at least one baffle is positioned between opposite ends of the at least one flow tube. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first header includes at least one connection tube connected to one side,
Wherein one end of the at least one flow conduit is connected to the at least one connection conduit. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the at least one connection pipe includes a first connection pipe through which refrigerant gas flows and a second connection pipe through which the refrigerant flows,
Wherein said at least one flow conduit is connected to said first connection tube. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one flow tube includes a first flow tube connected to the first header and a second flow tube connected to the second header,
Wherein the solenoid valve includes a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve respectively installed in the first flow tube and the second flow tube. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one flow tube includes a first flow tube installed in the first header and a second flow tube installed in the second header,
Wherein the solenoid valve is installed in the first flow tube to block the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the first flow tube,
And a check valve installed in the second flow tube to determine the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow tube. A plurality of refrigerant tubes;
A header coupled to both ends of the plurality of refrigerant tubes;
At least one baffle installed in the header to divide the plurality of refrigerant tubes into a plurality of groups adjacent to each other and flowing refrigerant in the same direction,
Wherein the at least one baffle comprises at least one blocking baffle for blocking the flow of refrigerant flowing through the header and at least one flow baffle for allowing the refrigerant flowing in the header to flow in one direction. . 1. An air conditioner comprising: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant gas; and an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant liquid,
A heat exchanger including a plurality of refrigerant tubes and a pair of headers coupled to both ends of the plurality of refrigerant tubes;
A solenoid valve installed to control the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant tubes;
And an air conditioner. 9. The method of claim 8,
And at least one flow tube to which both ends are connected to one of the pair of headers,
Wherein the solenoid valve is installed in the at least one flow pipe. 10. The method of claim 9,
At least one baffle for blocking longitudinal flow of refrigerant flowing through the header,
Wherein the at least one flow conduit is installed such that the at least one baffle is positioned between the two ends. 9. The method of claim 8,
A four-way valve for changing the flow direction of the refrigerant,
And a controller for controlling the four-way valve and the solenoid valve according to an operation mode of the air conditioner.

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