HEAT EXCHANGER

Disclosed herein is a heat exchanger including a plurality of tubes configured to enable refrigerant to flow therein, the plurality of tubes arranged along one direction and divided into a first row and a second row, a header coupled to ends of the plurality of tubes and including a first chamber to supply refrigerant to the first row of tubes and a second chamber to be supplied with refrigerant from the second row of tubes, wherein the first chamber includes a first region defined in the one direction between two tubes disposed at opposite ends of the first row of tubes, and the second chamber includes a second region defined in the one direction between two tubes disposed at opposite ends of the second row of tubes, an inlet pipe communicating with the first chamber within the first region to supply refrigerant to the first chamber, and an outlet pipe communicating with the second chamber within the second region to discharge refrigerant of the second chamber.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly to a heat exchanger having an improved structure to increase a heat exchange area.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, a heat exchanger is a device that exchanges refrigerant with outdoor air, and includes a tube through which refrigerant flows and exchanges heat with external air, heat exchange fins in contact with the tube to increase the heat dissipation area, and a header through which opposite ends of the tube communicate. The heat exchanger may include an evaporator or condenser, and may form a refrigeration cycle device with a compressor to compress the refrigerant and an expansion valve to expand the refrigerant.

Such a heat exchanger may include an inlet pipe through which refrigerant from the outside flows in, and an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant is discharged to the outside. The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are connected to the header and may supply refrigerant to the tube or receive refrigerant from the tube.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a heat exchanger having an improved structure such that the heat exchange efficiency is increased relative to the area of the header.

Further, the present disclosure is directed to a heat exchanger having a structure such that the distribution of refrigerant flowing into a header is improved.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes configured to enable refrigerant to flow therein, the plurality of tubes arranged along one direction and divided into a first row and a second row, a header coupled to ends of the plurality of tubes and including a first chamber configured to supply refrigerant to the first row of tubes and a second chamber configured to receive refrigerant from the second row of tubes, wherein the first chamber includes a first region defined in the one direction between two tubes disposed at opposite ends of the first row of tubes, and the second chamber includes a second region defined in the one direction between two tubes disposed at opposite ends of the second row of tubes, an inlet pipe configured to communicate with the first chamber within the first region to supply refrigerant to the first chamber, and an outlet pipe configured to communicate with the second chamber within the second region to discharge refrigerant of the second chamber.

The first chamber may include a first chamber inlet in communication with the inlet pipe and located in the first region to be supplied with refrigerant from the inlet pipe.

The header may further include a distribution pipe provided in the first chamber, including a distribution pipe inlet configured to communicate with the first chamber inlet and a plurality of distribution holes provided to discharge the refrigerant flowing in through the distribution pipe inlet into the first chamber, and the distribution pipe inlet may be located in the first region of the first chamber corresponding to the first chamber inlet.

The distribution pipe inlet may be located between the plurality of distribution holes in the one direction.

The distribution pipe may further include caps provided at opposite ends of the distribution pipe to close opposite ends of a flow path formed inside the distribution pipe.

The distribution pipe may further include an outer wall extending between the caps provided at opposite ends of the distribution pipe to form the flow path, and the distribution holes and the distribution pipe inlet are formed on the outer wall.

The header may further include a header body defining at least a portion of the first chamber and including the first chamber inlet, and a connector including a connection hole configured to communicate with the distribution pipe inlet and the first chamber inlet, and disposed between the distribution pipe and the header body.

The connection hole of the connector may be located in the first region of the first chamber corresponding to the distribution pipe inlet and the first chamber inlet.

The connector may further include a connection body configured to cover the distribution pipe to seal around the distribution pipe inlet, and a protrusion protruding from the connection body toward the first chamber inlet to contact the first chamber inlet.

The distribution pipe inlet may be formed in a lower portion of the distribution pipe, the connector may be disposed on a lower portion of the distribution pipe inlet, and the first chamber inlet may be formed in a lower portion of the first chamber.

The refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe may flow into the distribution pipe through the first chamber inlet, the connection hole, and the distribution pipe inlet, and flows into the first chamber through the distribution holes.

The header may further include a distribution baffle disposed in a flow path formed by the first chamber to impart resistance to a flow of the refrigerant discharged from the distribution holes of the distribution pipe.

The distribution baffle may include a through hole portion through which the refrigerant may pass, and a blocking portion contacting an inner surface of the first chamber to reduce the area of the flow path formed by the first chamber.

The distribution baffle may be located between the distribution pipe inlet and the distribution hole in the one direction.

The first chamber may form a single flow path including the first region, and the second chamber may form a single flow path including the second region.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes configured to enable refrigerant to flow therein, arranged along one direction and divided into a first row and a second row, a header coupled to ends of the plurality of tubes and including a first chamber configured to supply refrigerant to the tubes in the first row and a second chamber configured to receive refrigerant from the tubes in the second row, wherein the first chamber includes a first region defined in one direction between two tubes disposed at opposite ends of the tubes in the first row, and the second chamber includes a second region defined in the one direction between two tubes disposed at opposite ends of the tubes in the second row, an inlet pipe configured to communicate with a first chamber inlet formed in the first chamber within the first region to supply refrigerant to the first chamber, an outlet pipe configured to communicate with a second chamber outlet formed in the second chamber within the second region to discharge the refrigerant of the second chamber, and a distribution pipe provided in the first chamber, and including a distribution pipe inlet configured to communicate with the first chamber inlet and a plurality of distribution holes configured to discharge the refrigerant flowing in through the distribution pipe inlet into the first chamber.

The distribution pipe inlet of the distribution pipe may be located within the first region of the first chamber corresponding to the first chamber inlet.

The header may further include a header body defining at least a portion of the first chamber and including the first chamber inlet, and a connector including a connection hole configure to communicate with the distribution pipe inlet and the first chamber inlet, and disposed between the distribution pipe and the header body.

The connection hole of the connector may be located in the first region of the first chamber corresponding to the distribution pipe inlet and the first chamber inlet.

The first chamber may form a single flow path including the first region, and the second chamber may form a single flow path including the second region.

Advantageous Effects

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger may couple tubes over the entire area of the header, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the configuration of the distribution pipe may allow refrigerant to be uniformly distributed in the chamber.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the configuration of the distribution baffle may allow refrigerant to be uniformly distributed in the chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described in the disclosure and configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the disclosure and may be used in various different ways at the time of filing of the present application to replace the embodiments and drawings of the disclosure.

In addition, the same reference numerals or signs shown in the drawings of the disclosure indicate elements or components performing substantially the same function.

Also, the terms used herein are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, figures, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, figures, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, “primary”, “secondary”, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

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

FIG.1is a perspective view showing the appearance of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a heat exchanger1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of tubes10through which a refrigerant flows therein and exchanges heat with external air, heat exchange fins (not shown) that contact the tubes to increase a heat transfer area with the external air, a first header50and a second header90through which the plurality of tubes10respectively communicate, an inlet pipe100through which refrigerant from the outside flows in, and an outlet pipe200through which refrigerant flows out to the outside, and flanges150and250that secure the inlet pipe100and the outlet pipe200to the first header50.

The plurality of tubes10may have a plurality of micro-channels formed therein to allow refrigerant to flow. The plurality of tubes10may be formed flat. The plurality of tubes10may be arranged in a vertical direction. The plurality of tubes10may be extrusion molded from aluminum.

The heat exchange fins (not shown) may be disposed between the plurality of tubes10, and may also be disposed to contact outer walls of the tubes10. The heat exchange fins (not shown) may be provided in various shapes known in the art, and may have louvers to improve heat transfer and drainage performance. The heat exchange fins (not shown) may be formed from an aluminum material and may be coupled to the tubes10by brazing.

The plurality of tubes10may be arranged along a direction. The plurality of tubes10may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other at a given interval along a direction. The plurality of tubes10may be arranged along the X-axis, which is a left-to-right direction of the heat exchanger1. The plurality of tubes10may be arranged along a first direction.

The plurality of tubes10may be arranged in two rows, a front row and a rear row. The plurality of tubes10may be arranged along the Y-axis, which is a front-to-back direction of the heat exchanger1. The plurality of tubes10may be arranged along a second direction. The second direction may be perpendicular to the first direction.

In other words, the plurality of tubes10may be divided into a first row of tubes20and a second row of tubes30. The first row of tubes20and the second row of tubes30may each be arranged along a direction (X-axis direction).

The header may include the first header50and the second header90. The first header50and the second header90are arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a given interval, and the plurality of tubes10may be arranged between the first header50and the second header90. The first header50may be positioned on a lower portion of the plurality of tubes10, and the second header90may be positioned on an upper portion of the plurality of tubes10. The first header50and the second header90may each be coupled to ends of the plurality of tubes10.

The first header50may include a first chamber51and a second chamber54. The first chamber51and the second chamber54may be arranged in two rows, a front row and a rear row. The first chamber51and the second chamber54may be arranged along the Y-axis, which is the front-to-back direction of the heat exchanger1. The first chamber51and the second chamber54may be arranged parallel to each other.

The first row of tubes20may be coupled to the first chamber51. The first chamber51may supply refrigerant to the first row of tubes20.

The second row of tubes30may be coupled to the second chamber54. The second chamber54may receive refrigerant from the second row of tubes30.

The second header90may include a third chamber91and a fourth chamber92. The third chamber91and the fourth chamber92may be arranged in two rows, a front row and a rear row. The third chamber91and the fourth chamber92may be arranged along the Y-axis, which is the front-to-back direction of the heat exchanger1. The third chamber91and the fourth chamber92may be arranged parallel to each other.

The first row of tubes20may be coupled to the third chamber91. The third chamber91may receive refrigerant from the first row of tubes20.

The second row of tubes30may be coupled to the fourth chamber92. The fourth chamber92may supply refrigerant to the second row of tubes30.

The inlet pipe100may be in communication with the first chamber51. Refrigerant may flow into the first chamber51of the first header50via the inlet pipe100.

The outlet pipe200may be in communication with the second chamber54. Refrigerant in the second chamber54of the first header50may be discharged to the outside via the outlet pipe200.

The diameter of the inlet pipe100may be smaller than the diameter of the outlet pipe200. A low temperature, low pressure liquid or gaseous refrigerant that has passed through an expansion valve (not shown) may flow into the inlet pipe100. The refrigerant flowing into the inlet pipe100may absorb heat from the outside as it passes through the tubes10to be evaporated, and then flow out to the outside through the outlet pipe200. Accordingly, in such a refrigeration cycle, the heat exchanger1may serve as an evaporator.

FIG.2is a side cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger shown inFIG.1from the front.

The tubes20in the first row may include a first tube21and a second tube22provided at opposite ends. The first row of tubes20may include a plurality of tubes disposed between the first tube21and the second tube22. In other words, the first row of tubes20may be provided with a plurality of tubes spaced apart from each other at certain intervals from the first tube21to the second tube22.

The first chamber51may include a first region56. The first region56may be a region defined in a direction between the two tubes21and22located at opposite ends of the first row of tubes20. In other words, the first region56may be a region defined in the X-axis direction between the first tube21and the second tube22.

The first region56may be a region in which the first row of tubes20are disposed. The first region56may be a region in which all of the first row of tubes20are disposed.

A length of the first region56in one direction may correspond to a length of the first row of tubes20disposed in one direction. The length along the X-axis of the first region56may correspond to the length at which the first row of tubes20are arranged along the X-axis. The first tube21and the second tube22may be disposed at opposite ends of the first region56.

The inlet pipe100may communicate with the first chamber51within the first region56.

The first chamber51may include a first chamber inlet53. The first chamber inlet53may communicate with the inlet pipe100. The first chamber51may be supplied with refrigerant from the inlet pipe100via the first chamber inlet53.

The first chamber inlet53may be located within the first region56. The first chamber inlet53may be located between the first row of tubes20. The first chamber inlet53may be located between the first tube21and the second tube22. The first chamber inlet53may be provided at the center of the first chamber51.

The first header50may include a distribution pipe300disposed in the first chamber51. The distribution pipe300may include a distribution pipe inlet310that communicates with the inlet pipe100. The distribution pipe inlet310may be located within the first region56. The distribution pipe inlet310may be provided at a position corresponding to the first chamber inlet53.

The refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe100may flow into the distribution pipe300via the first chamber inlet53and the distribution pipe inlet310, and then into the first chamber51via distribution holes311and312. The refrigerant flowing into the first chamber51may be supplied to the first row of the tubes20. This will be described later.

FIG.3is a side cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger shown inFIG.1from the rear.

The tubes30in the second row may include a third tube31and a fourth tube32provided at opposite ends. The second row of tubes30may include a plurality of tubes disposed between the third tube31and the fourth tube32. In other words, the second row of the tubes30may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals from the third tube31to the fourth tube32.

The second chamber54may include a second region57. The second region57may be a region defined in a direction between the two tubes31and32located at opposite ends of the second row of tubes30. In other words, the second region57may be a region defined in the X-axis direction between the third tube31and the fourth tube32.

The second region57may be a region in which the second row of tubes30are disposed. The second region57may be a region in which all of the second row of tubes30are disposed.

A length of the second region57in one direction may correspond to a length of the second row of tubes30arranged in one direction. The length along the X-axis of the second region57may correspond to the length at which the second row of tubes30are arranged along the X-axis. The third tube31and the fourth tube32may be disposed at opposite ends of the second region57.

The outlet pipe200may communicate with the second chamber54within the second region57.

The second chamber54may include a second chamber outlet55. The second chamber outlet55may communicate with the outlet pipe200. The second chamber54may discharge refrigerant to the outlet pipe200via the second chamber outlet55.

The second chamber outlet55may be located within the second region57. The second chamber outlet55may be located between the second row of tubes30. The second chamber outlet55may be located between the third tube31and the fourth tube32. The second chamber outlet55may be arranged to be spaced apart from the first chamber inlet53along a direction (X-axis direction).

FIG.4is a perspective view showing the first header and pipes connected to the first header of the heat exchanger shown inFIG.1

The first header50may include a header cover60, a header body70, cover baffles80and81, and a distribution baffle500.

The header cover60may include tube holes64into which the plurality of tubes10are inserted. The plurality of tube holes64may be arranged in a direction on the header cover60. The plurality of tube holes64may be arranged to be spaced apart from one end to the other end of the header cover60at regular intervals.

The pipes may include the inlet pipe100and the outlet pipe200. The pipes may communicate with the first header50within the first region56or the second region57. In other words, the inlet pipe100may communicate with the first chamber51within the first region56, and the outlet pipe200may communicate with the second chamber54within the second region57.

Conventionally, pipes can be installed on a side portion of the first header. In particular, the first header includes a separate installation space for connecting the pipes, and because the pipes communicate with the installation space, tubes are unable to be coupled thereto. As a result, the area in which the tubes are disposed is small compared to the area of the header, thereby reducing the efficiency of the heat exchange.

According to the present disclosure, the pipes may communicate with the header within the region where the plurality of tubes are located, i.e., within the first region or the second region, so that the header does not need to include a separate installation space for connecting the pipes. As a result, the tubes may be coupled from one end to the other end of the header, thereby maximizing the area in which the tubes are installed in the header. In other words, the efficiency of the heat exchange may be maximized relative to the volume of the heat exchanger.

In this case, the refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe100may flow directly into a main chamber without flowing into a separate sub-chamber and then moving into the main chamber to which the tubes are coupled. In other words, the refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe100may flow directly into the first chamber51.

The inlet pipe100and the outlet pipe200may be spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the first header50and connected to the first header50.

While one inlet pipe100and one outlet pipe200are shown in the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When the inlet pipe100communicates with the first chamber51within the first region56and the outlet pipe200communicates with the second chamber54within the second region57, the inlet pipe100and/or the outlet pipe200may be provided in a plurality.

FIG.5is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of the heat exchanger shown inFIG.1.

The heat exchanger1may include the tubes10, the first header50, the pipes100and200, the flanges150and250, solder rings151, and rivets152.

The header cover60may be coupled to an upper portion of the header body70. The coupling of the header body70and the header cover60may allow the first chamber51and the second chamber54to be divided based on a central partition73. The cover baffles80and81may be coupled to opposite ends of the header body70. The first chamber51and the second chamber54, which are open at opposite ends, may be closed by the cover baffles80and81.

The header cover60may include cover baffle holes65into which the cover baffles80and81are inserted. The cover baffle holes65may be provided at opposite ends of the header cover60.

The header cover60may include one or more distribution baffle holes65into which the one or more distribution baffles500are inserted.

The first chamber51may be provided with the distribution pipe300. A connector400may be disposed between the first chamber51and the distribution pipe300. A protrusion405of the connector400may be inserted into the first chamber inlet53.

The pipes100and200may be coupled to the header body70. The inlet pipe100may include an inlet pipe port101for supplying refrigerant supplied from the outside to the first chamber51. The outlet pipe200may include an outlet pipe port201for discharging the refrigerant supplied from the second chamber54to the outside.

The inlet pipe port101may be inserted into the inlet flange hole153of the inlet flange150. The outlet pipe port201may be inserted into the outlet flange hole253of the outlet flange250. The solder rings151may be inserted into the inlet flange hole153and the outlet flange hole253, respectively, so that the inlet pipe100and the outlet pipe200may be easily coupled thereto.

The inlet flange150and the outlet flange250may include flange rivet holes154and254. The rivets152may each be coupled to the flange rivet holes154and254.

The respective rivets152may penetrate the flange rivet holes154and254and the header body rivet holes75. The rivet152may securely couple the pipes100and200to the header body70. The rivet152may firmly couple the flanges150and250into which the inlet pipe port101and the outlet pipe port201are inserted to the header body70.

FIG.6is a view showing the header body.FIG.7is a view showing the header cover coupled to the header body.

The header body70may define at least a portion of the first chamber51and/or the second chamber54. The header cover60may be coupled to the header body70to form the first chamber51and/or the second chamber54.

The header body70may include a bottom portion71. The bottom portion may include a coupling groove72formed in the bottom portion71. An end of the side wall62of the header cover60may be inserted into the coupling groove72, so that the header cover60may be coupled to the header body70.

The first chamber inlet53and the second chamber outlet55may be formed in the bottom portion71. The header body rivet holes75may be formed in the bottom portion71.

The header body70may include the central partition73protruding from the center of the bottom portion71. The first chamber51and the second chamber54may be partitioned by the central partition73. The first chamber inlet53and the second chamber outlet55may be provided on both sides based on the central partition73.

Referring toFIG.5, the header cover60may include an upper wall61and the side walls62extending from both sides of the upper wall61. Through holes63extending in a direction may be formed in the upper wall61. The respective through holes63may be formed in the center of the upper wall61. A through protrusion74formed on the central partition73of the header body70may be inserted into the through hole63.

Referring toFIG.7, the header body70and the header cover60may be coupled to form the first chamber51and the second chamber54. Both sides of the first chamber51and the second chamber54may be open. The first chamber51and the second chamber54may each form a single flow path.

The cover baffles80and81may be coupled to both ends of the first header50to cover both open sides of the first chamber51and the second chamber54. The cover baffles80and81may be coupled to the first header50by being inserted into the cover baffle holes82formed in the header body70and the header cover60, respectively. The cover baffles80and81may be coupled to the first header50by brazing.

FIG.8is a view showing the distribution pipe.

The distribution pipe300may include an outer wall301that has a tubular shape with both sides open. The outer wall301may extend between caps302to form a flow path. The distribution pipe inlet310and the distribution holes311and312may be formed on the outer wall301of the distribution pipe300. In other words, the distribution pipe inlet310may not be formed at an end of the flow path of the distribution pipe300, but may be formed together with the distribution holes311and312on the outer wall301.

The distribution holes311and312may be provided in a plurality. The distribution holes311and312may be formed in two, spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The distribution holes311and312may be arranged to face the central partition73.

The plurality of distribution holes311and312may be formed of the same size and shape as each other. The plurality of distribution holes311and312may be arranged symmetrically about the distribution pipe inlet310.

The distribution pipe inlet310may be formed in a lower portion of the outer wall301. The distribution pipe inlet310may be formed at the center of the distribution pipe300. The distribution pipe inlet310may be formed between the plurality of distribution holes311and312in a direction. The distribution pipe inlet310may be formed at the center of the plurality of distribution holes311and312to allow refrigerant to be discharged uniformly into the plurality of distribution holes311and312.

The caps302may be coupled to both open sides of the outer wall301of the distribution pipe300. The cap302may close both sides of the distribution pipe300. The outer wall301and the cap302may form an interior space of the distribution pipe300. Both ends of the flow path formed inside the distribution pipe300may be closed by the caps302, and thus the refrigerant in the distribution pipe300may be discharged to the outside through the distribution holes311and312.

Both the distribution pipe300and the caps302may be formed of aluminum, and the distribution pipe300and the caps302may be coupled by brazing.

The distribution pipe300may include a plurality of ribs303,304,305, and306protruding from the outer wall301.

The plurality of ribs303,304,305, and306may include the support ribs303,304, and305protruding from the outer wall301so as to space the outer wall301from an inner surface of the first header50and supported on the inner surface of the first header50, and the stopper rib306capable of limiting an insertion depth of the tubes10.

The support ribs303,304, and305may include the lower support rib303protruding toward a lower side of the outer wall301, the left support rib304protruding toward the left side of the outer wall301, and the right support rib305protruding toward the right of the outer wall301, depending on a direction in which they protrude.

The stopper rib306may protrude from an upper portion of the outer wall301and may prevent the tubes10from being over-inserted into the interior of the first chamber51.

It may be most advantages for the refrigerant to flow if the outer wall301of the distribution pipe300and the inner surface of the first header50are spaced apart by approximately 1 mm or more.

With such a structure, the refrigerant flowing into the first chamber51through the distribution holes311and312of the distribution pipe300may easily flow in the first chamber51and be distributed to the first row of tubes20.

FIG.9is a view showing the connector.

The connector400may be disposed between the distribution pipe300and the header body70. The connector400may be arranged to cover around the distribution pipe inlet310to prevent refrigerant through the first chamber inlet53from leaking into the first chamber51during a process of flowing into the distribution pipe inlet310. The connector400may be formed to be larger than the area of the distribution pipe inlet310.

The connector400may include a connecting body401and a protrusion405. The connection body401may cover the distribution pipe300. The connection body401may include a plate shape. The connection body401may include a curved shape corresponding to the shape of the lower portion of the outer wall301of the distribution pipe300.

The protrusion405may be inserted into the first chamber inlet53. The protrusion405may contact an inner surface of the first chamber inlet53to prevent leakage of refrigerant flowing into the first chamber inlet53. The protrusion405may protrude from the connection body401toward the first chamber inlet53. The protrusion405may have a cylindrical shape protruding downwardly from the connection body401.

The protrusion405may include a connection hole407. The connection hole407may communicate with the distribution pipe inlet310and the first chamber inlet53. The connection hole407may be disposed to correspond to the positions of the distribution pipe inlet310and the first chamber inlet53. The connection hole407may pass through the protrusion405.

The connector400may be formed including a cladding material. In particular, an outer surface of the connector400may be formed of a cladding material to be coupled between the distribution pipe300and the header body70by brazing, so that a gap may be easily sealed.

FIG.10is a view showing the distribution pipe and the distribution pipe connector arranged in the first chamber.FIG.11is a cross-sectional view of the inlet pipe port shown inFIG.10.FIG.12is a cross-sectional view of the distribution holes of the distribution pipe shown inFIG.10.

The distribution pipe inlet310may be formed in a lower portion of the distribution pipe300. The connector400may be disposed on a lower portion of the distribution pipe inlet310. The first chamber inlet53may be formed in a lower portion of the first chamber51. As a result, refrigerant may flow into the distribution pipe300through the first chamber inlet53, the connection hole407of the connector400, and the distribution pipe inlet310.

The inlet pipe100may be connected within the first chamber51and the first region56. The inlet pipe port101, the first chamber inlet53, the connection hole407, and the distribution pipe inlet310may be arranged in a straight line, and refrigerant may flow into the first chamber51therethrough.

Refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe100may flow directly into the distribution pipe300via the first chamber inlet53and the distribution pipe inlet310.

Referring toFIG.12, the refrigerant flowing into the distribution pipe300may flow into the first chamber51through the distribution hole312. In other words, refrigerant may be supplied to the first row of the tubes20through a dual structure formed by the distribution pipe300and the first chamber51.

FIG.13is a view showing the distribution pipe, distribution pipe connector, and distribution baffles arranged in the first chamber.FIG.14is a cross-sectional view ofFIG.13.FIG.15is a view showing the distribution baffle.FIG.16is a side cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger shown inFIG.1from the front.

Referring toFIG.13, the distribution baffle500may be provided in the first chamber51. The distribution baffle500may contact an inner wall of the first chamber51to reduce the area of the flow path formed by the first chamber51. Referring toFIG.16, the distribution baffle500may be disposed between the plurality of distribution holes311and312of the distribution pipe300. The refrigerant discharged from the plurality of distribution holes311and312may flow toward the center of the first chamber51, and at this time, the area of the flow path may be reduced by the distribution baffle500, resulting in resistance to the flow. Accordingly, the distribution baffle500may prevent the refrigerant discharged from the distribution holes311and312from being concentrated toward the center of the first chamber51and may help to ensure that the refrigerant is uniformly distributed within the first chamber51.

Referring toFIGS.14and15, the distribution baffle500may include a blocking portion520and a through hole portion510. The blocking portion520may contact the inner surface of the first chamber51to reduce the area of the flow path formed by the first chamber51. The blocking portion520may have a plate shape.

The through hole portion510may be provided to allow the refrigerant flowing within the first chamber51to pass therethrough. In other words, the blocking portion520may impart resistance to the flow of the refrigerant, but the refrigerant may flow through the through hole portion510.

Referring toFIG.16, the first chamber51may form a single flow path including the first region56. The first row of tubes20may be coupled to the single flow path formed by the first chamber51. The refrigerant flowing in from the inlet pipe100may be supplied to the first row of tubes20along the single flow path formed by the first chamber51.

The second chamber54may also form a single flow path including the second region57. The second row of tubes30may be coupled to the single flow path formed by the second chamber54. The refrigerant supplied from the second row of tubes30may be discharged to the outlet pipe200along the single flow path formed by the second chamber54(seeFIG.3).

FIG.17is a view showing a flow of the refrigerant within the heat exchanger shown inFIG.1.

The refrigerant may flow into the first chamber51of the first header50via the inlet pipe100. The refrigerant may exchange heat with external air while passing through the first row of tubes20, flow to the third chamber91of the second header90and the fourth chamber92of the second header90, and then flow back through the second row of tubes30to exchange heat with external air. The refrigerant may then be discharged to the outside through the second chamber54of the first header50and the outlet pipe200.