Heat exchanger of air conditioner

Abstract

A heat exchanger of an air conditioner is provided, which may include a first heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, an introduction pipe, through which the refrigerant may be introduced, connected to the first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchanger being provided at an outside of the first heat exchanger, a discharge pipe, through which the refrigerant may be discharged, connected to the second heat exchanger, and a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger. The flat tubes forming the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may be provided to extend in horizontal direction. A plurality of heat exchangers may be stacked based on a cooling capacity of the heat exchanger. Even in a case in which a plurality of microchannel type heat exchangers is stacked, a pressure difference of the refrigerant between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may be small, whereby refrigerant may flow smoothly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger comprising:
 a first heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air;   an introduction pipe, through which the refrigerant is introduced, connected to the first heat exchanger;   a second heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchanger being provided at an outside of the first heat exchanger with respect to a central longitudinal axis of an air conditioner in which the heat exchanger is provided;   a discharge pipe through which the refrigerant is discharged, connected to the second heat exchanger; and   a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger, wherein the plurality of flat tubes forming the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are provided to extend in a horizontal direction.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flat tubes provided in the first heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of groups, the plurality of groups being disposed one on another, the first heat exchanger being configured to have a channel defined therein such that the refrigerant flows from a lower side to an upper side in the first heat exchanger, and wherein the plurality of flat tubes provided in the second heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of groups, the groups being provided one on another, the second heat exchanger being configured to have a channel defined therein such that the refrigerant flows from an upper side to a lower side in the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein a number of the plurality of groups of the second heat exchanger, which is disposed at the outside of the first heat exchanger, is greater than a number of the plurality of groups of the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of groups of the second heat exchanger is provided such that a number of the plurality of flat tubes is gradually reduced from the upper side to the lower side. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flat tubes provided in the first heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of groups the groups being disposed one on another, the first heat exchanger being configured to have a channel defined therein such that the refrigerant flows from an upper side to a lower side in the first heat exchanger, and wherein the plurality of flat tubes provided in the second heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of groups, the groups being disposed one on another, the second heat exchanger being configured to have a channel defined therein such that the refrigerant flows from an upper side to a lower side in the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger includes:
 the plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the plurality of flat tubes being provided to extend in the horizontal direction;   fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat;   a first header coupled to a first side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the first side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the first header;   second header coupled to a second side o the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the second header; and   a baffle provided in at least one of the first header or the second header to partition an interior of the at least of the first header or the second header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups.   
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger includes:
 the plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the plurality of flat tubes being provided to extend in a horizontal direction;   fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat;   a first header coupled to a first side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the first side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the first header;   a second header coupled to a second side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the second header; and   a first baffle provided in at least one of the first header or the second header to partition an interior of the at least one of the first header or the second header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups, and wherein the second heat exchanger includes:
 the plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein the plurality of flat tubes being provided to extend in the horizontal direction; 
 fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat; 
 a third header coupled to a first side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the first side of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the third header; 
 a fourth header coupled to a second side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the fourth header; and 
 a second baffle provided in at least one of the third header or the fourth header to partition an interior of the at least one of the third header or the fourth header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the second baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups. 
   
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 7 , wherein the first baffle of the first heat exchanger is provided in the second header to partition an interior of the second header into a 1-2 space, which is an upper space and a 1-1 space, which is a lower space, wherein the second baffle of the second heat exchanger includes at least two baffles, which are provided in the fourth header to partition an interior of the fourth header into a 3-1 space, which is an upper space, a 3-2 space, which is a middle space, and a 3-3 space, which is a lower space, and wherein the introduction pipe is connected to the second header of the first heat exchanger, the discharge pipe is connected to the fourth header of the second heat exchanger, and the connection pipe is connected between the second header and the fourth header. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the introduction pipe is connected to the 1-1 space, which, is the lower space, selected from between the 1-2 space and the 1-1 space, which are provided one on another, the connection pipe is connected between the 1-2 space and the 3-1 space, and the discharge pipe is connected to the 3-3 space, which is the lower space, selected from among the 3-1 space, the 3-2 space, and the 3-3 space, which are provided one on another. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 9 , wherein the introduction pipe is connected to an upper side of the 1-1 space. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 9 , wherein a first side of the connection pipe is connected to a lower side of the 1-2 space, and a second side of the connection pipe is connected to an upper side of the 3-1 space. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 9 , wherein the discharge pipe is connected to a lower side of the 3-3 space. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the introduction pipe is connected to the 1-2 space, which is the upper space, selected from between the 1-2 space and the 1-1 space, which are provided one on another, the connection pipe is connected between the 1-1 space and the 3-1 space, and the discharge pipe is connected to the 3-3 space, which is the lower space, selected from among the 3-1 space, the 3-2 space, and the 3-3 space, which are provided one on another. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 13 , wherein the introduction pipe is connected to an upper side of the 1-1 space. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 13 , wherein a first side of the connection pipe is connected to a lower side of the 1-2 space, and a second side of the connection pipe is connected to an upper side of the 3-1 space. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 13 , wherein the discharge pipe is connected to a lower side of the 3-3 space. 
     
     
         17 . An air conditioner including the heat exchanger according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger comprising:
 a first heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air;   an introduction pipe, through which the refrigerant is introduced, connected to the first heat exchanger;   a second heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchanger being provided at an outside of the first heat exchanger with respect to a central longitudinal axis of an air conditioner in which the heat exchanger is provided;   a discharge pipe, through which the refrigerant is discharged, connected to the second heat exchanger; and   a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger includes:
 the plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the plurality of flat tubes being provided to extend in a horizontal direction; 
 fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat; 
 a first header coupled to a first side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the first side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the first header; 
 a second header coupled to a second side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the second header; and 
 a first baffle provided in at least one of the first header or the second header to partition an interior of the at least one of the first header or the second header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups, and wherein the second heat exchanger includes:
 the plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the plurality of flat tubes being provided to extend in the horizontal direction; 
 fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat; 
 a third header coupled to a first side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the first side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the third header; 
 a fourth header coupled to a second side of the flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the fourth header; and 
 a second baffle provided in at least one of the third header or the fourth header to partition an interior of the at least one of the third left header or the fourth header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the second baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups, wherein the plurality of channels is configured such that the refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchanger through the introduction pipe flows from a lower side to an upper side in the first heat exchanger and such that the refrigerant supplied to the second heat exchanger through the connection pipe flows from an upper side to a lower side in the second heat exchanger. 
 
   
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 18 , wherein the first baffle of the first heat exchanger is provided in the second header to partition an interior of the second, header into a 1-2 space, which is,an upper space, and a 1-1 space, which is a lower space, wherein the second baffle of the second heat exchanger includes at least two baffles, which are provided in the fourth header to partition an interior of the fourth header into a 3-1 space, which is an upper space, a 3-2 space, which is a middle space, and a 3-3 space, which is a lower space, and wherein the introduction pipe is connected to the 1-1 space, which is the lower space, selected from between the 1-2 space and the 1-1 space, which are pro tided one on another, the connection pipe is connected between the 1-2 space and the 3-1 space, and the discharge pipe is connected to the 3-3 space, which is the lower space, selected from among the 3-1 space, the 3-2 space, and the 3-3 space, which are provided one on another. 
     
     
         20 . An air conditioner including the heat exchanger according to  claim 18 . 
     
     
         21 . A microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger comprising:
 a first heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and air;   an introduction pipe, through which the refrigerant is introduced, connected to the first heat exchanger;   a second heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchanger being provided at an outside of the first heat exchanger with respect to a central longitudinal axis of an air conditioner in which the heat exchanger is provided;   a discharge pipe, through which the refrigerant is discharged, connected to the second heat exchanger; and   a connection pipe connected bet teen the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger includes:
 the plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the plurality of flat tubes being provided to extend in a horizontal direction; 
 fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat; 
 a first header coupled to a first side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the first side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the first header; 
 a second header coupled to a second side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the second header; and 
 a first baffle provided in at least one of the first header or the second header to partition an interior of the at least one of the first header and the second header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the first baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups, wherein the second heat exchanger:
 the plurality of flat tubes having a plurality of channels defined therein, the plurality of flat tubes being provided to extend in the horizontal direction; 
 fins connected between the respective flat tubes to conduct heat; 
 a third header coupled to a first side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the first side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the third header; 
 a fourth header coupled to a second side of the plurality of flat tubes so as to communicate with the second side of the plurality of flat tubes such that the refrigerant flows in the fourth header; and 
 a second baffle provided in at least one of the third header or the fourth header to partition an interior of the at least one of the third header or the fourth header to block a flow of the refrigerant, the second baffle dividing the plurality of flat tubes into a plurality of groups, and wherein the plurality of channels is configured such that the refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchanger through the introduction pipe flows from an upper side to a lower side in the first heat exchanger and such that the refrigerant supplied to the second heat exchanger through the connection pipe flows from an upper side to a lower side in the second heat exchanger. 
 
   
     
     
         22 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 21 , wherein the first baffle of the first heat exchanger is provided in the second header to partition an interior of the second header into a 1-2 space, which is an upper space, and a 1-1 space, which is a lower space, wherein the second baffle of the second heat exchanger includes at least two baffles, which are provided in the fourth header, to partition an interior of the fourth header into a 3-1 space, which is an upper space, a 3-2 space, which is a middle space, and a 3-3 space, which is a lower space, the introduction pipe is connected to the 1-1 space, which is the lower space, selected from between the 1-2 space and the 1-1 space, which are provided one on another, and wherein the connection pipe is connected between the 1-1 space and the 3-1 space, and the discharge pipe is connected to the 3-3 space, which is the lower space, selected from among the 3-1 space, the 3-2 space, and the 3-3 space, which are provided one on another. 
     
     
         23 . An air conditioner including the heat exchanger according to  claim 21 . 
     
     
         24 . A microchannel type heat exchanger of an air conditioner, the heat exchanger comprising:
 a first heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, and a plurality of headers between which the plurality of flat tubes horizontally extend;   an introduction pipe, through which the refrigerant is introduced, connected to the first heat exchanger;   a second heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, the second heat exchanger being provided at an outside of the first heat exchanger with respect to a central longitudinal axis of an air conditioner in which the heat exchanger is provided, and a plurality of headers between which the plurality of flat tubes horizontally extend;   a discharge pipe, through which the refrigerant is discharged, connected to the second heat exchanger; and   a connection pipe connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger, wherein a plurality of baffles is provided ire respective ones of the plurality of headers of the first and second heat exchangers to control a direction of a flow of the refrigerant in the first and second heat exchangers.   
     
     
         25 . An air conditioner including the heat exchanger according to  claim 24 .