Heat exchanger with flat tubes of two columns

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly to an improved heat exchanger with flat tubes of two columns for enchancing operational efficiency by improving structure and sectional shape of the flat tube.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic diagrams of a conventional condensor, wherein FIG. 1A is a top view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1C is a right-sided view, respectively.

[0006] Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the conventional includes a first header 4 having an fluid inlet 1 where a refrigerant gas is introduced, an outlet 2 where condensing liquid is drawn off, and a diaphragm 3 established therein, a second header 6 corresponding to the first header 4, a plurality of flat tubes 5 coupled between the first header 4 and second header 6, for transferring the refrigerant gas each other, the plurality of flat tubes being coupled to holes of the first header 4 and second header 6 spaced apart at predetermined intervals, and a fold plate 7 established between two adjacent flat tubes, for easily exchanging heat with exterior air.

[0007] In cooling operation of the above-mentioned condenser, the refrigerant is introduced into the first header 4 from the fluid inlet 1, and is then transferred to a flat tube 5′ at the highest place among the plurality of flat tubes 5 by means of the diaphragm 3a. The refrigerant moves to the second header 6 via the flat tube 5′. The moved refrigerant returns to the first header 4 via a second flat tube 5″ being right below the flat tub 5′ by means of a diaphragm 3bof the second header 6.

[0008] Through the above-mentioned periodic circulation of the refrigerant, heat exchange is performed, whereby condensing liquid is drawn off the outlet 2 established below the first header 6.

[0009] In the conventional condensor performing heat exchange by the above-mentioned circulation procedure, while the refrigerant exchanges heat by the air flow, heat transfer with the exterior air is actively performed at the fluid inlet portion A but heat transfer is not actively performed at the outlet portion B, to thereby show a low heat transfer efficiency. The reason is that the outlet portion B has an smaller exposed area than the inlet portion A.

[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved heat exchanger with flat tubes of two columns for enchancing operational efficiency by improving structure and sectional shape of the flat tube.

[0011] According to the present invention, a heat exchanger with flat tubes of two columns, includes a first header having a plurality of connecting grooves formed at a zigzag arrangement of two columns; a second header having a plurality of connecting grooves formed at the corresponding positions of the first header; and a plurality of flat tubes coupled to the plurality of connecting grooves of the first and second headers, for transferring a refrigerant, wherein a first flat tubes at a first column are placed at fluid inlet side of air, and a second flat tubes at a second column are placed at outlet side of the air.

[0012] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

[0013] In the drawings:

[0014] FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic diagrams of a conventional heat exchanger, FIG. 1A being a top view, FIG. 1B a front view, and FIG. 1C a right-sided view, respectively;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a flat tube of FIG. 1B;

[0016] FIGS. 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams of a heat exchanger according to the present invention, FIG. 3A being a top view, FIG. 3B a front view, and FIG. 3C a right-sided view, respectively;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the first and second header of FIG. 3B;

[0018] FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a flat tube coupled to the first column of the first and second headers; and

[0019] FIG. 5B is a sectional view of a flat tube coupled to the second column of the first and second headers.

[0020] Hereinbelow, one specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to enclosed drawings.

[0021] FIGS. 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams of a heat exchanger according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A is a top view, FIG. 3B is a front view, and FIG. 3C is a right-sided view, respectively.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, a heat exchanger with flat tubes of two columns, includes a first header 104 and a second header 105, each of which have a plurality of connecting grooves 107 to couple a plurality of flat tube 106 to the plurality of connecting grooves 107, respectively spaced apart at predetermined intervals at a zigzag arrangement. The plurality of connecting grooves 107 are formed at two column arrangements such that the corresponding plurality of flat tubes 106 are coupled to the first and second headers 104 and 105 at two parallel columns. A fold plate 108 is established between two adjacent flat tubes 106, for easily exchanging heat with exterior air. A dividing diaphragm 109 is also provided at the second header 105, in order to move a refrigerant into respective flat tubes at divided state of two column. Non-descriptive reference numeral 102 in the drawings, is a outlet.

[0023] In cooling operation of the above-mentioned condensor, the refrigerant is introduced into the first header 104 from the fluid inlet 101, and is then transferred to a flat tube 106′ positioned at the highest place among the plurality of flat tubes 106 by means of a diaphragm 103a. The refrigerant moves to the second header 105 via the flat tube 106′. The moved refrigerant is divided into two transfer paths by a diaphragm 103band the dividing diaphragm 109, both of them being formed at the second header 105, and is introduced into a first column flat tube 106aand a second column flat tube 106b, and returns to the first header 104. Through the above-mentioned periodic circulation of the refrigerant, heat exchange is performed, whereby condensing liquid is drawn off the outlet 102 established below the first header 104.

[0024] The condenser performing heat exchange by the above-mentioned circulation procedure, shows an improved heat exchange effect at the same air flow condition with the conventional art because the plurality of flat tubes 106 at zigzag arrangement has much front side areas where heat exchange is actively performed due to collision of the generated air flow.

[0025] In addition, the flat tube 106bof the second column has a low heat exchange capability compared with the flat tube 106aof the first column because of its bad positioned condition. In order to compensate this bad positioned condition, first and second flat tubes 106aand 106bhaving a different width and hole number from each other are applied to the condenser of the present invention. In other words, a width W2 of the second flat tube 106bis smaller than a width W1 of the first flat tube 106a, and a hole number of the second flat tube 106bis also smaller than that of the first flat tube 106aas shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Through the above-mentioned structure alteration, optimum condition in width and hole number of the first and second flat tubes are determined, to thereby enhance efficiency in heat exchange to the hight degree.

[0026] In addition, the present heat exchanger can decrease the volume of the condenser in comparision with the conventional condenser under identical cooling condition, and the decrease in volume makes the installation of the heat exchanger to be easily.

[0027] Other features, advantages and embodiments of the invention disclosed herein will be readily apparent to those exercising ordinary skill after reading the foregoing disclosures. In this regard, while specific embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail, variations and modifications of these embodiments can be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described and claimed.