Heat exchanger module, assembly-type heat exchanger including heat exchanger module, and heat exchanger assembly system

A heat exchanger module includes a first heat exchanging body including at least one first through hole and a second heat exchanging body including at least one second through hole. The second heat exchanging body is configured to be coupled to the first heat exchanging body, and an accommodation hole is provided between the first heat exchanging body and the second heat exchanging body by the first heat exchanging body and the second heat exchanging body being coupled together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0168144, filed on Dec. 16, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heat exchange module, an assembly-type heat exchanger including the heat exchange module, and a heat exchanger assembly system.

2. Description of Related Art

Recently, there has been an increasing need for a heat exchanging device for cooling or heating a processed article to be used in a medical or biological application in a low-temperature operating device and research, etc. A heat exchanging medium material for cooling or heating a target may be used. For heat exchange between a heat exchanging medium material and a processed article, a position between a path through which a heat exchanging material flows and the processed article needs to be maintained constant.

As described above, there is an increasing demand for a heat exchanging device for use in various fields, and accordingly, the shape and state of the processed article are also diversified. When a different heat exchanging device is used depending on a different shape and state of a processed article, a large space may be occupied and cost and processing yield may increase. Moreover, in response to demands for automation systems, a need for a heat exchanging device that is automatically replaceable also increases with a change in the shape and state of a processed article.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a heat exchanger module is provided of which a shape may be changed according to a change in a shape and state of an article to be processed, and an assembly-type heat exchanger including the heat exchanger module is provided.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a heat exchanger module capable of adjusting a cooling capacity based on a change in a shape and state of an article to be processed is provided, and an assembly-type heat exchanger including the heat exchanger module is provided.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a heat exchanger assembly system in which an assembly-type heat exchanger is automatically assembled according to a change in a shape and state of an article to be processed is provided.

According to one or more embodiments, a heat exchanger module is provided. The heat exchanger module includes a first heat exchanging body including at least one first through hole; and a second heat exchanging body including at least one second through hole, the second heat exchanging body configured to be coupled to the first heat exchanging body, wherein an accommodation hole is provided between the first heat exchanging body and the second heat exchanging body by the first heat exchanging body and the second heat exchanging body being coupled together.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger module further includes: at least one first flow path body configured to provide at least one first flow path, the at least one first flow path body attachable to and detachable from the at least one first through hole; and at least one second flow path body configured to provide at least one second flow path, the at least one second flow path body attachable to and detachable from the at least one second through hole.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger module further includes at least one flow path body configured to provide at least one flow path, the at least one flow path body attachable to and detachable from the accommodation hole.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger module further includes at least one engagement body that is configured to couple the first heat exchanging body to the second heat exchanging body.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger module further includes heat exchanging fluid passing through the at least one flow path.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger module further includes heat exchanging fluid passing through any one from among the at least one first flow path and the at least one second flow path.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger module further includes a third heat exchanging body including at least one third through hole, the third heat exchanging body configured to be coupled to the first heat exchanging body and the second heat exchanging body, wherein the accommodation hole is provided between the first heat exchanging body, the second heat exchanging body, and the third heat exchanging body by the first heat exchanging body, the second heat exchanging body, and the third heat exchanging body being coupled together.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger module further includes at least one flow path body that is configured to provide at least one flow path, the at least one flow path body attachable to and detachable from the at least one third through hole.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger module further includes a fourth heat exchanging body including at least one fourth through hole, the fourth heat exchanging body configured to be coupled to two or more from among the first heat exchanging body, the second heat exchanging body, and the third heat exchanging body, wherein the accommodation hole is provided between the first heat exchanging body, the second heat exchanging body, the third heat exchanging body, and the fourth heat exchanging body by coupling among the first heat exchanging body, the second heat exchanging body, the third heat exchanging body, and the fourth heat exchanging body.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger module further includes at least one flow path body that is configured to provide at least one flow path, the at least one flow path body configured to be attachable to and detachable from the at least one fourth through hole.

According to one or more embodiments, an assembly-type heat exchanger is provided. The assembly-type heat exchanger includes: a plurality of heat exchanger modules; at least one first connector; and at least one second connector, wherein the at least one first connector is configured to connect the plurality of heat exchanger modules in a first direction, and the at least one second connector is configured to connect the plurality of heat exchanger modules in a second direction, different from the first direction, and wherein each of the plurality of heat exchanger modules includes: a first heat exchanging body including at least one first through hole; and a second heat exchanging body including at least one second through hole, the second heat exchanging body configured to be coupled to the first heat exchanging body, wherein an accommodation hole is provided between the first heat exchanging body and the second heat exchanging body by the first heat exchanging body and the second heat exchanging body being coupled together.

According to an embodiment, a first connector of the at least one first connector includes: at least one body configured to provide a connection flow path, the at least one body connected to the first through hole included in two of the plurality of heat exchanger modules; and at least one engagement body that fixes the two of the plurality of heat exchanger modules, relative to each other, in the first direction.

According to an embodiment, a second connector of the at least one second connector includes an engagement body that fixes two of the plurality of heat exchanger modules, relative to each other, in the second direction that is different from the first direction.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of heat exchanger modules includes: a first heat exchanger module; and a second heat exchanger module, wherein the first heat exchanger module and the second heat exchanger module are stacked such that the accommodation hole of the first heat exchanger module communicates with the accommodation hole of the second heat exchanger module.

According to an embodiment, the assembly-type heat exchanger further includes at least one engagement body that is configured to connect the first heat exchanger module to the second heat exchanger module in a direction in which the first heat exchanger module and the second heat exchanger module are stacked.

According to one or more embodiments, a heat exchanger assembly system for assembling a plurality of heat exchanger modules is provided, the heat exchanger assembly system includes: a plurality of identifiers arranged on each of the plurality of heat exchanger modules, respectively; a first communication module including at least one circuit, the first communication module configured to communication with a plurality of second communication modules; the plurality of second communication modules, the plurality of second communication modules including at least one circuit and arranged in each of the plurality of heat exchanger modules, respectively; and an assembly device including at least one actuated body configured to sequentially assemble the plurality of heat exchanger modules.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger assembly system further includes a transferring unit including at least one moveable body configured to transfer the plurality of heat exchanger modules.

According to an embodiment, the transferring unit further includes a third communication module including at least one circuit, the third communication module configured to communicate with the first communication module, and the transferring unit configured to transfer the plurality of heat exchanger modules to a determined position according to information received by the third communication module.

According to an embodiment, the at least one actuated body of the assembly device includes a robot arm.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger assembly system further includes the assembly device further includes a communication module including at least one circuit, the assembly device configured to communicate with the first communication module and assemble the plurality of heat exchanger modules at a determined position according to information received by the communication module of the assembly device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements, and each element may be exaggerated in size for clarity and convenience of a description. Meanwhile, the following embodiments are merely illustrative, and various modifications may be possible from the embodiments.

An expression such as “above” or “on” may include not only the meaning of “immediately on in a contact manner”, but also the meaning of “on in a non-contact manner”.

Terms such as first, second, and the like may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited to those terms. These terms may be used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element.

As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When it is assumed that a certain part includes a certain component, the term “including” means that a corresponding component may further include other components unless a specific meaning opposed to the corresponding component is written.

FIG.1is a perspective view of an assembly-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, an assembly-type heat exchanger1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of a heat exchanging module10, a first connection portion20(e.g. a connector) for connecting the plurality of the heat exchanger module10in a first direction X, a second connection portion30(e.g. a connector) for connecting the plurality of the heat exchanger module10in a second direction Y that is different from the first direction X, an injection portion71for injecting heat exchanging fluid to the plurality of the heat exchanger module10, and a discharge portion72. Herein, a processed article that may be heated or cooled by the assembly-type heat exchanger1may include not only a processed article accommodated in a processed article case B, but also the processed article that may be injected and discharged to and from the assembly-type heat exchanger1in the form of fluid. Moreover, the processed article case B or the processed article that may be arranged in the assembly-type heat exchanger1may have various shapes. The state of the processed article that may be arranged in the assembly-type heat exchanger1may be one or more of gas, liquid, and solid. Hereinafter, for convenience of a description, a form in which the processed article in the form of fluid is accommodated and closed in the processed article case B will be described first.

The plurality of the heat exchanger module10may be arranged to be connected with one another. The plurality of the heat exchanger module10according to an embodiment may be arranged adjacent to one another in a first direction, e.g., an X-axis direction. The plurality of the heat exchanger module10may also be arranged adjacent to one another in a second direction that is different from the first direction, e.g., a Y-axis direction. As the plurality of the heat exchanger module10are arranged in the first direction and the second direction as described above, the plurality of the heat exchanger module10may be arranged along a plane. In this case, the first connection portion20may connect the plurality of the heat exchanger module10arranged in the first direction to one another. The second connection portion30may connect the plurality of the heat exchanger module10arranged in the second direction to one another. The plurality of the heat exchanger module10according to an embodiment may be arranged as a three-dimensionally stacked structure, in which the plurality of the heat exchanger module10may be connected using a third connection portion40(e.g. a connector) (seeFIG.9). Details regarding the first connection portion20, the second connection portion30, and the third connection portion40for connecting the plurality of the heat exchanger module10to one another will be described with reference toFIGS.6AthroughFIG.8.

In the assembly-type heat exchanger1in which the plurality of the heat exchanger module10are coupled, a heat exchanging target, e.g., the processed article case B receiving the processed article may be arranged. The heat exchanging fluid may be injected through the injection portion71, may be circulated inside the assembly-type heat exchanger1, and then may be discharged through the discharge portion72. The heat exchanging fluid according to an example may include water, alcohol, oil, etc., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The heat exchanging fluid according to an example may include an arbitrary fluid material flowing through a flow path and an additive. Hereinbelow, the plurality of the heat exchanger module10constituting the assembly-type heat exchanger1will be described in more detail.

FIGS.2A and2Bare partial perspective views of a heat exchanger module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.3is a perspective view of a heat exchanger module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.2A through3, the heat exchanger module10according to an example may include a first heat exchanging portion100(e.g. a first heat exchanging body), a second heat exchanging portion200(e.g. a second heat exchanging body), a first flow path300, an accommodation portion400(e.g. an accommodation hole) formed by coupling the first heat exchanging portion100to the second heat exchanging portion200, and a second flow path500. According to embodiments, the first flow path300and the second flow path500may each be formed by a respective flow path body.

The first heat exchanging portion100may include a first base portion110in the shape of a housing, a first through portion120penetrating the first base portion110, a first coupling recessed groove130, and an identification portion140. The first base portion110according to an embodiment may be a support portion capable of supporting a processed article that is a heat exchanging target with the first flow path300to be described later. For example, the first base portion110may be provided in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped flat plate, and an engagement portion and a connection portion for connection with the second base portion210provided in the second heat exchanging portion200or with another heat exchanger module10may be arranged on four sides of the first base portion110.

For example, a first engagement portion115(e.g. an engagement body) for coupling the first heat exchanging portion100with the second heat exchanging portion200may be arranged on a first side111of the first base portion110. A third engagement portion117(e.g. an engagement body) for coupling with another heat exchanger module10that is adjacent in the second direction Y may be arranged on a second side112opposing the first side111. The first engagement portion115and the third engagement portion117according to an embodiment may be provided in the shape of a protrusion portion (e.g. a protrusion). A second engagement portion116(e.g. an engagement body) for coupling with another heat exchanger module10that is adjacent in the first direction X may be arranged on a third side113and a fourth side114. The second engagement portion116according to an embodiment may be provided as a magnet using a magnetic force.

The first engagement portion115through the third engagement portion117are provided as protrusion portions or magnets, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and an arbitrary engagement portion for coupling between two members may be arranged. The first engagement portion115through the third engagement portion117may be formed integrally into one shape with the first base portion110or may be formed as separate members separable from the first base portion110.

The first base portion110may include a material having high thermal conductivity, e.g., metal having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, etc., because the first base portion110may need to be capable of delivering heat between heat exchanging fluid passing through the first flow path300and a heat exchanging target and easily delivering the delivered heat to external air. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and depending on a need, the first base portion110may include various materials.

The first through portion120may be formed to pass through the first base portion110and may extend in a direction. For example, the first through portion120may extend in the first direction X and may be a support portion into which the first flow path300through which the heat exchanging fluid may pass may be inserted. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first flow path300may not be inserted into the first through portion120, and in this case, the heat exchanging fluid may flow along the first through portion120.

For example, the first through portion120may be provided as one or more portions. When a plurality of the first through portion120is provided, the number of the first flow path300inserted into the plurality of the first through portion120may be adjusted based on a heat exchanging capacity required for a processed article. For example, when the required heat exchanging capacity is small, the first flow path300may be inserted into the first through portion120and the heat exchanging fluid may pass through the first flow path300. On the other hand, when the required heat exchanging capacity is large, the first flow path300may be inserted into each of the plurality of the first through portion120and the heat exchanging fluid may pass through the plurality of the first flow path300.

The first coupling recessed groove130may form the accommodation portion400by being coupled to a coupling recessed groove230provided in the second heat exchanging portion200. The first coupling recessed groove130according to an example may be a processed article capable of exchanging heat with the heat exchanging fluid or a support portion in which the processed article case B may be arranged. For example, the first coupling recessed groove130may be provided to have a shape corresponding to a shape of the processed article or the processed article case B.

The identification portion140may be an identification member (e.g. an identifier) for identifying a form and a type of the first heat exchanging portion100. For example, as described above, the number of the first through portion120included in the first heat exchanging portion100may be greater than or equal to one. The shape of the first coupling recessed groove130may change with a shape of the processed article or the processed article case B arranged therein. Thus, the form and the type of the first heat exchanging portion100may be determined according to the shape of the processed article arranged in the assembly-type heat exchanger1according to an embodiment or the shape of the processed article case B, and the number of the first through portion120may be determined based on the cooling capacity of the processed article. The identification portion140according to an example may include information of the first coupling recessed groove130and information about the number of the first through portion120according to the shape of the processed article or the processed article case B. For example, the identification portion140may include a character, a number, a figure, etc., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The second heat exchanging portion200may include a second base portion210in the shape of a housing, a second through portion220penetrating the second base portion210, a second coupling recessed groove230, and an identification portion240. The second base portion210according to an embodiment may be a support portion capable of supporting a processed article that is a heat exchanging target with the second flow path500to be described later. For example, the second base portion210may be provided in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped flat plate, and an engagement portion and a connection portion for connection with the first base portion110provided in the first heat exchanging portion100or with another heat exchanger module10may be arranged on four sides of the second base portion210.

For example, the first engagement portion215, the second engagement portion216, and the third engagement portion217may be arranged in the second base portion210to correspond to the first engagement portion115through the third engagement portion117provided in the first base portion110. Functions and roles of the first engagement portion215through the third engagement portion217arranged in the second base portion210substantially correspond to the first engagement portion115through the third engagement portion117provided in the first base portion110and thus will not be described for convenience of a description.

The second base portion210according to an embodiment may include a material having high thermal conductivity, e.g., metal having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, etc., because the second base portion210may need to be capable of delivering heat between heat exchanging fluid passing through the second flow path500and a heat exchanging target and easily delivering the delivered heat to external air. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and depending on a need, the second base portion210may include various materials.

The second through portion220may be formed to pass through the second base portion210and may extend in a direction. For example, the second through portion220may extend in the first direction X and may be a support portion into which the second flow path500through which the heat exchanging fluid may pass may be inserted. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second flow path500may not be inserted into the second through portion220, and in this case, the heat exchanging fluid may flow along the second through portion220. For example, the second through portion220may be provided as one or more portions. A technical feature of adjusting a heat exchanging capacity with a plurality of the second through portion220is substantially the same as described with respect to the first through portion120and thus will not be further described.

The second coupling recessed groove230may form the accommodation portion400by being coupled to the first coupling recessed groove130provided in the first heat exchanging portion100. The second coupling recessed groove230according to an embodiment may be a processed article capable of exchanging heat with the heat exchanging fluid or a support portion in which the processed article case B may be arranged. For example, the second coupling recessed groove230may be provided to have a shape corresponding to a shape of the processed article or the processed article case B.

The identification portion240may be an identification member (e.g. an identifier) for identifying a form and a type of the second heat exchanging portion200. Details related to the identification portion240arranged in the second heat exchanging portion200are substantially the same as described with respect to the identification portion140arranged in the first heat exchanging portion100and thus will not be further described for convenience of description.

Referring toFIG.3, the heat exchanger module10according to an example may be formed by coupling the first heat exchanging portion100to the second heat exchanging portion200. For example, when the first heat exchanging portion100and the second heat exchanging portion200are coupled to each other, the accommodation portion400may be formed by coupling the first coupling recessed groove130to the second coupling recessed groove230. According to an embodiment, the processed article case B including the processed article may be arranged in the accommodation portion400, and a shape of a sidewall of the accommodation portion400may correspond to a shape of an outer wall of the processed article case B supported.

For example, the first flow path300and the second flow path500may be selectively arranged in the first through portion120and the second through portion220. For example, when a heat exchanging capacity for a processed article accommodated in the processed article case B is large, heat exchanging fluid may pass through both the first flow path300and the second flow path500. The number of the first through portion120and the second through portion220according to embodiments may be adjusted. Thus, the number of the first flow path300and the second flow path500arranged in the one or more of the first through portion120and the second through portion220may be further increased. By increasing the flow quantity of heat exchanging fluid passing through the increased number of the first flow path300and the second flow path500, a heat exchanging capacity may be increased. When a heat exchanging capacity for a processed article accommodated in the processed article case B is small, heat exchanging fluid may pass through any one of the first flow path300and the second flow path500.

In the foregoing embodiment, the first flow path300and the second flow path500have been described as a path through which the heat exchanging fluid passes, but when the first flow path300and the second flow path500are not arranged in the first through portion120and the second through portion220, the heat exchanging fluid may also pass through the first through portion120and the second through portion220. In this case, a heat exchanging capacity may be adjusted by controlling the number of the first through portion120and the second through portion220.

According to an embodiment, the heat exchanging fluid may pass through the first flow path300and the second flow path500arranged in the first through portion120and the second through portion220, and the processed article may be accommodated in the processed article case B arranged in the accommodation portion400, such that heat exchange occurs. According to another embodiment, a third flow path600may be arranged in the accommodation portion400. According to embodiments, the third flow path600may be formed by a flow path body. When the processed article that is a heat exchanging target is in the form of fluid, the heat exchanging target may flow in any one of the first flow path300through the third flow path600. For example, when the processed article passes through one or more of the first flow path300and the second flow path500, the heat exchanging fluid may exchange heat with the processed article by passing through the third flow path600. As described above, a path in which and a heat exchanging capacity with which the processed article and the heat exchanging fluid exchange heat may be freely determined according to a type and an assembly scheme of the first heat exchanging portion100and the second heat exchanging portion200, thus improving a degree of freedom in configuration of the heat exchanger module10.

FIG.4is a perspective view of a heat exchanger module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.5is a perspective view of a heat exchanger module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.3, the heat exchanger module10according to an embodiment may be formed by coupling two heat exchanging portions to each other. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the number of heat exchanging portions may be changed variously, for example, two or more.

Referring toFIG.4, a heat exchanger module70according to another embodiment may include three heat exchanging portions, e.g., a first heat exchanging portion710(e.g. a first heat exchanging body), a second heat exchanging portion720(e.g. a second heat exchanging body), and a third heat exchanging portion730(e.g. a third heat exchanging body) that are connected to one another. Each of the first heat exchanging portion710through the third heat exchanging portion730according to an embodiment may include one or more of a first through portion711, one or more of a second through portion721, and one or more of a third through portion731. A first flow path712, a second flow path722, and a third flow path732may be arranged in the first through portion711, the second through portion721, and the third through portion731. According to embodiments, the first flow path712through the third flow path732may each be formed by a respective flow path body. An accommodation portion741may be formed by coupling among the first heat exchanging portion710, the second heat exchanging portion720, and the third heat exchanging portion730according to an embodiment. In the accommodation portion741, the processed article case B or the third flow path600, as a fourth flow path, as shown inFIG.3may be arranged.

Referring toFIG.5, a heat exchanger module80according to another embodiment may include four heat exchanging portions, e.g., a first heat exchanging portion810(e.g. a first heat exchanging body), a second heat exchanging portion820(e.g. a second heat exchanging body), a third heat exchanging portion830(e.g. a third heat exchanging body), and a fourth heat exchanging portion840(e.g. a fourth heat exchanging body) that are connected to one another. Each of the first heat exchanging portion810through the fourth heat exchanging portion840according to an embodiment may include one or more of a first through portion811, one or more of a second through portion821, one or more of a third through portion831, and one or more of a fourth through portion841. A first flow path812, a second flow path822, a third flow path832, and a fourth flow path842may be arranged in the first through portion811, the second through portion821, the third through portion831, and the fourth through portion841. According to embodiments, the first flow path812through the fourth flow path842may each be formed by a respective flow path body. An accommodation portion851may be formed by coupling among the first heat exchanging portion810, the second heat exchanging portion820, the third heat exchanging portion830, and the fourth heat exchanging portion840according to an embodiment. In the accommodation portion851, the processed article case B or the third flow path600, as a fifth flow path, as shown inFIG.3may be arranged.

As described above, as the number of heat exchanging portions forming the heat exchanger modules (e.g. heat exchanger module10, heat exchanger module70, and heat exchanger module80) is changed, the shapes of the heat exchanger modules may be changed and the number of through holes and flow paths passing through the heat exchanging modules may be adjusted. Thus, a designer may select and assemble required heat exchanger modules according to the shape of a heat exchanging target and a heat exchanging capacity, thus improving the degree of freedom of configuration and reducing a manufacturing cost.

FIG.6is an exploded perspective view of an assembly-type heat exchanger according to an example.FIGS.7A and7Bare partial cross-sectional views of an assembly-type heat exchanger including a connection portion according to an example.

Referring toFIGS.1and6, the plurality of the heat exchanger module10are connected by the first connection portion20in the first direction X, and are connected by the second connection portion30in the second direction Y that is different from the first direction X. The first connection portion20according to an embodiment may include a connection flow path25for connection with the first through portion120or the second through portion220included in the plurality of the heat exchanger module10, and second engagement portion116and second engagement portion216for connecting the plurality of the heat exchanger module10in the first direction X. Details related to the connection flow path25for connection with the first through portion120or the second through portion220will be described later with reference toFIGS.7A and7B.

The second engagement portion116according to an embodiment may be arranged in the first heat exchanging portion100and couple an adjacent heat exchanger module10in the first direction X. The second engagement portion216provided in the second heat exchanging portion200may be arranged for coupling between the adjacent heat exchanger module10in the first direction X. For example, depending on an engagement strength, the second engagement portion116and the second engagement portion216may be arranged in one or more of the first heat exchanging portion100and the second heat exchanging portion200. The second engagement portion116and the second engagement portion216according to an embodiment may be provided as a magnet using a magnetic force, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The second connection portion30according to an embodiment may include one or more of a third engagement portion117and a third engagement portion217for connecting the plurality of the heat exchanger module10in the second direction Y. According to an example, the third engagement portion117may be arranged in the first heat exchanging portion100, and the third engagement portion217may be arranged in the second heat exchanging portion200. As the third engagement portion117arranged in a first heat exchanging portion100and the third engagement portion217arranged in a second heat exchanging portion200are coupled to each other, the first heat exchanging portion100and the second heat exchanging portion200may be connected in the second direction Y. Although not shown inFIGS.1and6, when a through hole through which heat exchanging fluid flows is arranged in the second direction Y, a separate connection flow path may be arranged (e.g. within adjacent ones of the heat exchanger module10in the second direction Y).

Referring toFIG.7A, the first connection portion20according to an embodiment may include the connection flow path25, a locking portion26, a sealing member27, and an elastic member28. The connection flow path25according to an embodiment may be arranged between a plurality of the first through portion120included in a plurality of the heat exchanger module10that are arranged adjacent in the first direction X, and may be in the form of a pipe to deliver heat exchanging fluid that flows along the first through portion120. A locking member251engageable with the locking portion26may be arranged in opposite end portions of the connection flow path25. The locking portion26according to an embodiment may be arranged in an end portion of the first through portion120, and may include an engagement structure261engageable with the locking member251and a spring structure262for restoration of the engagement structure261. The sealing member27according to an embodiment may be arranged between the locking member251and the engagement structure261. For example, the sealing member27may include a material capable of preventing leakage of heat exchanging fluid, e.g., a rubber material having an elastic force. Thus, the sealing member27may prevent heat exchanging fluid moving via the first through portion120and the connection flow path25from leaking outside. The elastic member28may be arranged between the plurality of the first through portion120and maintain an interval between the plurality of the first through portion120, thus improving a sealing force of the sealing member27. While the connection flow path25and the heat exchanger module10are formed as separate components in the foregoing embodiment, the connection flow path25and the heat exchanger module10may also be formed integrally.

Referring toFIG.7B, the connection flow path25according to an embodiment may be formed to extend from the end portion of the first through portion120arranged in a rear end, thus being formed integrally with the first through portion120arranged in the rear end. The locking member251may be arranged in a front end of the connection flow path25in such a way to be engaged with the engagement structure261. Details related to the locking portion26, the sealing member27, and the elastic member28are substantially the same as shown inFIG.7A, and thus will not be described further herein.

FIG.8is a perspective view of an assembly-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment.FIG.9is an exploded perspective view of an assembly-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment.

In the foregoing embodiment, the plurality of the heat exchanger module10may be arranged to be connected to one another along a two-dimensional plane. The plurality of the heat exchanger module10according to an embodiment may be arranged in a3D structure and may be connected to one another.

Referring toFIGS.8and9, an assembly-type heat exchanger2according to an embodiment may include a first heat exchanger module11and a second heat exchanger module12. Details related to a through hole included in the first heat exchanger module11and the second heat exchanger module12, to allow heat exchanging fluid to pass therethrough and an engagement portion connecting a first heat exchanging portion with a second heat exchanging portion are substantially the same as components as shown inFIG.3, and thus will not be further described herein.

According to an embodiment, the first heat exchanger module11and the second heat exchanger module12included in the assembly-type heat exchanger2may be arranged to be stacked in a third direction Z. A first accommodation portion400-1included in the first heat exchanger module11and a second accommodation portion400-2included in the second heat exchanger module12may be arranged to be connected to each other in the third direction Z. The processed article case B (seeFIG.3) that is a heat exchanging target or the third flow path600(seeFIG.3) may be supported via the first accommodation portion400-1and the second accommodation portion400-2.

According to an embodiment, the first heat exchanger module11and the second heat exchanger module12may include a fourth engagement portion170included in the third connection portion40. The fourth engagement portion170may be arranged in the first heat exchanger module11and the second heat exchanger module12, and fix the first heat exchanger module11and the second heat exchanger module12in the third direction Z. For example, the fourth engagement portion170may include a recessed groove and a protrusion portion that correspond to each other. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and an arbitrary engagement member for fixing the first heat exchanger module11and the second heat exchanger module12in the third direction Z may be used.

As described above, a plurality of heat exchanger modules (e.g. one or more heat exchanger module10, one or more first heat exchanger module11, and one or more second heat exchange module12) may be arranged to be connected with one another in one of the first direction X, the second direction Y, or the third direction Z. Thus, a designer may select the plurality of heat exchanger modules having various shapes and heat exchanging capacities based on the shape and type of the processed article that is a heat exchanging target, and arrange and assemble them in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional form. Therefore, the degree of freedom of configuration for an assembly-type heat exchanger may be improved, and various heat exchanger modules may be selectively used depending on a need. Hereinbelow, a system for assembling the assembly-type heat exchanger1including the plurality of the heat exchanger module10by using an automatization system will be described.

FIG.10is a block diagram of a heat exchanger assembly system according to an example.FIG.11is a schematic diagram of a transferring unit and a heat exchanger module according to an example.FIG.12is a schematic diagram of an assembly device and an assembly-type heat exchanger according to an example.FIG.13is a flowchart of a method of assembling a heat exchanger according to an example.

Referring toFIGS.2A,2B, and10, a heat exchanger assembly system1000according to an embodiment may include a plurality of the heat exchanger module10, a controller700, a first communication module910, a transferring unit900, and an assembly device950. The controller700according to an embodiment may control driving of the heat exchanger assembly system1000. For example, the controller700may receive information, stored in the identification portions140and240, about a shape of the heat exchanger module10, the number and position information of through portions, etc., and control operations of the transferring unit900and the assembly device950.

The first communication module910may transmit and receive information by communicating with a second communication module920, and a third communication module930, and a fourth communication module940included in the heat exchanger module10, the transferring unit900, and the assembly device950, respectively. For example, the first communication module910through the fourth communication module940may include arbitrary communication modules capable of transmitting and receiving information by using a wireless scheme. According to embodiments, the first communication module910through the fourth communication module940may each comprise at least one circuit configured to transmit and receive information by using a wireless scheme.

The transferring unit900may be a movable member (e.g. at least one moveable body) capable of moving the heat exchanger module10to a particular position. The transferring unit900may include the third communication module930, and may move the heat exchanger module10to a particular position according to a control signal delivered from the first communication module910as shown inFIG.10.

The assembly device950may connect and assemble the plurality of the heat exchanger module10. The assembly device950according to an embodiment may include at least one actuated body (e.g. a robot arm) capable of holding the plurality of the heat exchanger module10to connect the plurality of the heat exchanger module10to each other as shown inFIG.11. The assembly device950may include the fourth communication module940, receive information about positions and types of the heat exchanger module10through communication with the first communication module910, and then assemble the plurality of the heat exchanger module10at a particular position.

Referring toFIG.13, the controller700may receive information stored in an identification portion of the heat exchanger module10. In operation S110, for example, the controller700may receive information stored in the identification portion of the heat exchanger module10by using the first communication module910communicating with the second communication module920included in the heat exchanger module10. For example, information such as the shape of the exchanger module10, the number of through holes, and the position of the through holes may be stored in the identification portions140and240of the plurality of the heat exchanger module10.

Next, the controller700may transfer the heat exchanger module10to a particular position by using the transferring unit900. In operation S120, the controller700may determine the necessary heat exchanger module10by using the received information of the heat exchanger module10and then transfer the determined heat exchanger module10to the particular position. In this case, the controller700may transmit a control signal to the transferring unit900by using the first communication module910communicating with the third communication module930included in the transferring unit900. The transferring unit900may transfer the heat exchanger module10to the particular position based on the received control signal.

Next, the plurality of the heat exchanger module10may be assembled by using the assembly device950. In operation S130, the assembly device950according to an embodiment may assemble the plurality of the heat exchanger module10transferred to the particular position. In this case, the controller700may transfer a control signal regarding a position and a direction for assembly of the plurality of the heat exchanger module10to the fourth communication module940included in the assembly device950. The assembly device950according to an embodiment may assemble the plurality of the heat exchanger module10in the particular position by using a holding device such as a robot arm, etc.

As described above, the heat exchanger module replaceable based on the type and shape of the processed particle for heat exchange and the heat exchanging capacity may be selected, and the automatically selected heat exchanger module may be automatically transferred and assembled to achieve system automation.

While the heat exchanger module, the assembly-type heat exchanger, and an operation method of the heat exchanger assembly system according to embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown to help understanding of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications and variations may be made.

The heat exchanger module and the assembly-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may change shapes thereof based on a change in a shape and a state of a processed article.

Moreover, the heat exchanger module and the assembly-type heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may adjust a cooling capacity based on a change in a shape and a state of a processed article.

Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may automatically assemble the assembly-type heat exchanger based on a change in a shape and a state of a processed article.