Heat Exchanger for Vehicle

Abstract

A heat exchanger for a vehicle is provided on the air-conditioning pipe between a compressor and an expansion valve in an air conditioning system, and may include: a heat exchanger unit alternately formed with first and second flow paths in an inner portion in which a refrigerant is condensed through a heat exchange of a refrigerant and a working fluid; first and second inlets formed to flow in the refrigerant and the working fluid into the inner portion; first and second outlets each formed on another side of the heat exchanger unit to exhaust the refrigerant and the working fluid; and a noise reducing unit provided on one side of the heat exchanger unit to reduce noise and vibration generated when the refrigerant supplied from the compressor is moved.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority of Korean Patent Application Number 10-2012-0110928 filed Oct. 5, 2012, the entire contents of which application is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for a vehicle to condense a refrigerant through a heat exchange with working fluid.

2. Description of Related Art

An air conditioning system includes a compressor to compress a refrigerant, a condenser to condense and liquefy the compressed refrigerant in the compressor, an expansion valve to expand rapidly the condensed and liquefied refrigerant in the condenser, an evaporator to evaporate the expanded refrigerant in the expansion valve, and the like.

Here, the refrigerant used in the air conditioning system is moved through an air conditioning pipe by which the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator are is interconnected to one another.

However, in the air conditioning system of the related art as described above, a noise and vibration are generated in the air conditioning pipe.

In order to prevent this, a method in which a muffler is mounted on the pipe has been used, but the layout is complex and costs are increased.

The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention provide for to a heat exchanger for a vehicle having advantages of reducing a noise and vibration generated in the air conditioning pipe. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to provide a heat exchanger for a vehicle to reduce a noise and vibration generated by moving a refrigerant.

Various aspects of the present invention provide for a heat exchanger for a vehicle that is interconnected through an air-conditioning pipe and provided on the air-conditioning pipe between a compressor and an expansion valve in an air conditioning system in which a refrigerant is circulated, including: a heat exchanger unit alternately formed with a first flow path and a second flow path in an inner portion in which a refrigerant is condensed through a heat exchange of a refrigerant passing the first flow path and a working fluid passing the second flow path; first and second inlets formed on one side of the heat exchanger nit to flow in the refrigerant and the working fluid into the inner portion, respectively and each connected to the first and second flow paths; first and second outlets each formed on another side of the heat exchanger unit by corresponding to the first and second inlets and interconnected to the first and second flow paths to exhaust the refrigerant and the working fluid that has passed the heat exchanger unit and; a noise reducing unit provided on one side of the heat exchanger unit by corresponding to the first inlet in which the refrigerant flows to reduce noise and vibration generated when the refrigerant supplied from the compressor is moved.

The noise reducing unit may include a cover unit having one end mounted to cover an upper portion of the first inlet from a location corresponding to the first inlet, at the one side of the heat exchanger unit, and another end mounted in a diagonal direction toward a corner portion of the heat exchanger unit from the first inlet to form the refrigerant moving path between of the one side of the heat exchanger unit, an interconnection hole formed on the other end of the cover unit such that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant moving path, a partition wall formed to be protruded toward the one side of the heat exchanger unit along a longitudinal direction of the cover portion on both side of an inner side of the refrigerant moving path to form a separate space on both sides of the inner portion, and a reduction hole formed between the one side of the heat exchanger unit and an end of the partition wall to interconnect the refrigerant moving path and the space.

The reduction hole may be formed along a longitudinal direction of the partition wall such that the refrigerant passing the refrigerant moving path flows in the space.

The reduction hole may be formed to have a plurality of holes at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall between of one side of the heat exchanger unit.

Various aspects of the present invention provide for a noise reducing unit in the heat exchanger for a vehicle that may include a cover plate mounted on one side of the heat exchanger unit and, formed to be protruded toward the corner portion of the heat exchanger unit from a location corresponding to the first inlet to form the refrigerant moving path in the protrusion, an interconnection hole formed on the protrusion from the opposite side of the first inlet such that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant moving path, a partition wall formed to be protruded forward the one side of the heat exchanger unit on both side of the inner side of the refrigerant moving path to form a separate space on both sides of the inner portion of the refrigerant moving path, and a reduction hole formed between the one side of the heat exchanger unit and an end of the partition wall to interconnect the refrigerant moving path and the space.

The cover plate may be formed with a hole interconnected to the first and second inlets, respectively, by corresponding to the first inlet and the second inlet, formed and be formed as the same appearance as that of the plate, such that it may be stacked on one side of the heat exchanger unit.

Various aspects of the present invention provide for a noise reducing unit in the heat exchanger for a vehicle that may include a cover plate mounted on one side of the heat exchanger unit and, formed to be protruded toward the corner portion of the heat exchanger unit from a location corresponding to the first inlet to form the refrigerant moving path in the protrusion, an interconnection hole formed on the protrusion from the opposite side of the first inlet such that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant moving path, an upper cover mounted on the upper portion of the protrusion in the longitudinal direction to form a space between of the protrusion, and a reduction hole formed in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion by corresponding to the upper cover to interconnect the refrigerant moving path and the space.

The cover plate may be formed with a hole interconnected to the first and second inlets, respectively, by corresponding to the first inlet and the second inlet, formed and be formed as the same appearance as that of the plate, such that it may be stacked on one side of the heat exchanger unit.

The heat exchanger unit may be formed in a plate type with a plurality of stacked plates the heat exchanger unit.

As described above, according to various aspects of the present invention, the noise and vibration generated while the refrigerant is moved can be reduced, thereby capable of preventing noise and vibration from being transmitted to the interior of the vehicle.

In addition, since the noise and vibration generated while the refrigerant is moved can be reduced, without mounting a separate muffler, space utilization can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating an exemplary heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a reducing hole applied to a noise reducing unit in an exemplary heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a reducing hole applied to an exemplary noise reducing unit in a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective and rear perspective views illustrating a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a reducing hole applied to a noise reducing unit in a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, according to various embodiments of the present invention, a heat exchanger 100 for a vehicle 100 has a structure in which a refrigerant used in an air conditioning system of the vehicle can be condensed through a heat exchange with a working fluid, and noise and vibration generated when the refrigerant is moved can be reduced.

Here, the heat exchanger 100 for vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention is provided on the air-conditioning pipe between a compressor and an expansion valve in which a refrigerant is condensed through a heat exchange of the refrigerant and a working fluid.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat exchanger 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention is configured to include a heat exchanger unit 110, first and second inlets 118a and 118b, first and second outlets 119a and 119b, and a noise reducing unit 120, and each configuration for the components will be described in more detail as follows.

First of all, the heat exchanger unit 110 is alternately formed with a first flow path 114 and a second flow path 116 in an inner portion in which a refrigerant is condensed through a heat exchange of a refrigerant passing the first flow path 114 and a working fluid passing the second flow path 116.

The heat exchanger unit 110 that has such a configuration may be formed in a plate shape (or, referred to as a ‘plate type’) with a plurality of stacked plates 112.

Here, the working fluid may be a coolant that has been cooled through a radiator in a vehicle cooling system.

In various embodiments, the first inlet 118a and the second inlet 118b is formed on one side of the heat exchanger unit 110 such that the refrigerant and the working fluid flow in the inner portion, and each connected to the first and second flow paths 114 and 116.

In addition, the first and second outlets 119a and 119b are each formed on another side of the heat exchanger unit 110 by corresponding to the first and second inlets 118a and 119b and interconnected to the first and second flow paths 114 and 116 such that the working fluid and the refrigerant passing the heat exchanger unit 110 may be exhausted.

Meanwhile, in various embodiments, even if the heat exchanger unit 110 is described that formed with two flow paths, two inlets and two outlets as an exemplary embodiment, however, one will appreciate that other suitable configurations may be utilized.

In addition, in various embodiments, even if the working fluid is described that configured as a coolant as an exemplary embodiment, however, one will appreciate that other suitable configurations may be utilized.

In addition, the noise reducing nit 120 is provided on one side of the heat exchanger unit 110 by corresponding to the first inlet 118a in which the refrigerant flows to reduce noise and vibration generated when the refrigerant supplied from the compressor is moved.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the noise reducing unit 120 is configured to include a cover unit 122, an interconnection hole 123, a partition wall 126 and a reduction hole 128 and each configuration for the components will be described in more detail as follows.

First of all, the cover unit 122 is mounted to cover an upper portion of the first inlet 118a by one end of the cover unit 122 in the one side of the heat exchanger unit 110.

Another end of the cover unit 122 is extended in a diagonal direction toward a corner portion of the heat exchanger unit 110 from the first inlet 118a, such that a refrigerant moving path 124 is formed between of the heat exchanger unit 110.

Here, the cover unit 122 may be mounted on one side of the heat exchanger unit 110 by means of welding or the like.

In various embodiments, the interconnection hole 123 is formed on an upper side of the other end portion of the cover unit 122, and the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant moving path 124.

Here, the refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant moving path 124 is passed through the first flow path 114 of the heat exchanger unit 110 via the first inflow hole 118a and flows in the second inflow hole 118b, such that the refrigerant is condensed through a heat exchange with a coolant, which is a working fluid passing the second flow path 116, in the inner portion of the heat exchange unit 110.

The partition wall 126 is formed to be protruded on both sides of an interior surface of the cover unit 122 and extended along a longitudinal direction of the cover unit 122, and a separate space S is formed on both sides of the inner portion of the refrigerant moving path 124 by means of the partition wall.

In addition, the reduction hole 128 is formed between the one side of the heat exchanger unit 110 and the partition wall 126, such that the refrigerant moving path 124 and the space S are interconnected.

Here, the reduction hole 128 may be formed along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 126 such that the refrigerant passing the refrigerant moving path 124 can flow in the space S, or may be formed at intervals as shown in FIG. 4.

Meanwhile, in various embodiments, even if the reduction hole 128 is described that formed into a quadrangle shape as various embodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and the shape may be formed as a polygon shape that contains a circle or a quadrangle.

When the refrigerant flows through the interconnection hole 123 and is moved along the refrigerant moving path 124, the refrigerant flows through the reduction hole 128 in the space S that is each formed on both sides of the cover unit 122 through the partition wall 126.

Then, the refrigerant will cause an inverted frequency of the noise and vibration frequency generated when the refrigerant flows in the space S through the reduction hole 128 and is moved along the refrigerant moving path 124.

The inverted frequency will offset standing waves due to the noise and vibration generated while moving along the refrigerant moving path 124, thereby capable of reducing the vibration and noise.

Due to the noise and vibration generated While fluid is moved along the moving path, the standing waves are introduced into a closed and sealed space connected through a small entrance or hole formed on the moving path. At this time, the noise and vibration of the inverted frequency of the standing wave is generated, wherein the noise of a specific frequency band (mainly, high frequency domain) will be offset by the inverted frequency.

That is, in various embodiments of the present invention, the noise reducing unit 120 is integrally configured to the heat exchanger 110, such that the noise and vibration can be reduced when the refrigerant is moved.

Accordingly, the refrigerant used in the air conditioning system of the vehicle can be condensed through heat exchange with the working fluid, and the noise and vibration generated while the refrigerant is moved can be reduced through the noise reducing unit 120 at the same time, thereby capable of improving overall NVH performance of the vehicle.

In addition, since the noise and vibration generated while the refrigerant is moved can be reduced through the noise reducing unit 120 that is integrally configured in the heat exchanger 100, without mounting a separate muffler, space utilization can be improved by simplifying a layout in a narrow engine room.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a reducing hole applied to a noise reducing unit in a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the heat exchanger 200 according to various embodiments of the present invention is configured to include a heat exchanger unit 210, first and second inlets 218a and 218b, first and second outlets 219a and 219b (see FIG. 2), and a noise reducing unit 220, as shown in FIG. 5 and each configuration for the components will be described in more detail as follows.

First of all, the heat exchanger unit 210 is alternately formed with a first flow path 214 and a second flow path 216 in an inner portion in which a refrigerant is condensed through a heat exchange of a refrigerant passing the first flow path 214 and a working fluid passing the second flow path 216.

The heat exchanger unit 210 that has such a configuration may be formed in a plate shape (or, referred to as a ‘plate type’) with a plurality of stacked plates 212.

Here, the working fluid may be a coolant that has been cooled through a radiator in a vehicle cooling system.

In various embodiments, the first inlet 218a and the second inlet 218b is formed on one side of the heat exchanger unit 210 such that the refrigerant and the working fluid flow in the inner portion, and each connected to the first and second flow paths 214 and 216.

In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 2 above, the first and second outlets 219a and 219b are each formed on another side of the heat exchanger unit 210 by corresponding to the first and second inlets 218a and 219b and interconnected to the first and second flow paths 214 and 216 such that the working fluid and the refrigerant passing the heat exchanger unit 110 may be exhausted.

On the other hand, in various embodiments, even if the heat exchanger unit 210 is described that formed with two flow paths, two inlets and two outlets as various embodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

In addition, in various embodiments, even if the working fluid is described that configured as a coolant as various embodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and it is may be applied by changing the working fluid.

In addition, the noise reducing unit 220 is provided on one side of the heat exchanger unit 210 by corresponding to the first inlet 218a in which the refrigerant flows to reduce noise and vibration generated when the refrigerant supplied from the compressor is moved.

The noise reducing unit 220 according to various embodiments of the present invention may be configured to include a cover plate 221, an interconnection hole 223, a partition wall 226 and a reduction hole 228, as shown in FIG. 6, and each configuration for the components will be described in more detail as follows.

First, the cover plate 221 is mounted on one side of the heat exchanger unit 210 and a protrusion 222 is formed on the one side thereof.

The protrusion 222 is extended in a diagonal direction of the first inlet 218a toward a corner portion of the heat exchanger unit 210 from a location corresponding to the first inlet 218a, such that a refrigerant moving path 224 is formed between of the one side of the heat exchanger unit 210 in the inner portion thereof.

Here, the cover plate 221 is formed with a hole interconnected to the first and second inlets 218a and 218b by corresponding to the first inlet 218a and the second inlet 218b, and is formed as the same appearance as that of the plate 212, such that it may be stacked on one side of the heat exchanger unit 210.

In various embodiments, the interconnection hole 223 is formed on the protrusion 222 from the opposite side of the first inlet 218a, and the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant moving path 224.

Here, the refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant moving path 224 is passed through the first flow path 214 of the heat exchanger unit 210 via the first inflow hole 218a and flows in the second inflow hole 218b, such that the refrigerant is condensed through a heat exchange with a coolant, which is a working fluid passing the second flow path 216, in the inner portion of the heat exchanger unit 210.

The partition wall 226 is formed to be protruded on both sides of an interior surface of the protrusion 222 and extended along a longitudinal direction of the protrusion 222. The partition wall 226 forms a separate space S on both sides of the inner portion of the refrigerant moving path 124.

In addition, the reduction hole 228 is formed between the one side of the cover plate 221 and the partition wall 226, such that the refrigerant moving path 224 and the space S are interconnected.

Here, the reduction hole 228 may be formed along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 226 such that the refrigerant passing the refrigerant moving path 224 can flow in the space S, or may be formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 226 as shown in FIG. 7.

Meanwhile, in various embodiments, even if the reduction hole 228 is described that formed into a quadrangle shape as various embodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and the shape may be formed as a polygon shape that contains a circle or a quadrangle.

In the noise reducing unit 220 configured as described above, when the refrigerant flows through the interconnection hole 223 and is moved along the refrigerant moving path 224, the refrigerant flows through the reduction hole 228 in the space S that is each formed on both sides of the inner portion of the protrusion 222 through the partition wall 126.

Then, the refrigerant will cause an inverted frequency of the noise and vibration frequency generated when the refrigerant flows in the space S through the reduction hole 228 and is moved along the refrigerant moving path 224.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the noise reducing unit 220 is integrally configured to the heat exchanger 210, such that there is no need that the air conditioning pipe is set to be longer, or a separate muffler is mounted, in order to reduce the noise and vibration when the refrigerant is moved.

Accordingly, the refrigerant used in the air conditioning system of the vehicle can be condensed through heat exchange with the working fluid, and the noise and vibration generated while the refrigerant is moved can be reduced through the noise reducing unit 220 at the same time, thereby capable of preventing noise and vibration from being transmitted to the interior of the vehicle.

In addition, since the noise and vibration generated while the refrigerant is moved can be reduced through the noise reducing unit 220 that is integrally configured in the heat exchanger 200, without setting the air conditioning pipe or mounting a separate muffler, thereby capable of simplifying a layout in a narrow engine room.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the heat exchanger 200 according to various embodiments of the present invention is configured to include a heat exchanger unit 310, first and second inlets 318a and 318b, first and second. outlets 319a and 319b (see FIG. 2), and a noise reducing unit 320, as shown in FIG. 8 and each configuration for the components will be described in more detail as follows.

First of all, the heat exchanger unit 310 is alternately formed first flow path 314 and a second flow path 316 in an inner portion in which a refrigerant is condensed through a heat exchange of a refrigerant passing the first flow path 314 and a working fluid passing the second flow path 316.

The heat exchanger unit 310 that has such a configuration may be formed in a plate shape (or, referred to as a ‘plate type’) with a plurality of stacked plates 312.

Here, the working fluid may be a coolant that has been cooled through a radiator in a vehicle cooling system.

In various embodiments, the first inlet 318a and the second inlet 318b is formed on one side of the heat exchanger unit 310 such that the refrigerant and the working fluid flow in the inner portion, and each connected to the first and second flow paths 314 and 316.

In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 2 above, the first and second outlets 319a and 319b are each formed on another side of the heat exchanger unit 310 by corresponding to the first and second inlets 318a and 319b and interconnected to the first and second flow paths 314 and 316 such that the working fluid and the refrigerant passing the heat exchanger unit 310 may be exhausted.

Meanwhile, in various embodiments, even if the heat exchanger unit 310 is described that formed with two flow paths, two inlets and two outlets as various embodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

In addition, in various embodiments, even if the working fluid is described that configured as a coolant as various embodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

In addition, the noise reducing unit 320 is provided on one side of the heat exchanger unit 310 by corresponding to the first inlet 318a in which the refrigerant flows to reduce noise and vibration generated when the refrigerant supplied from the compressor is moved.

The noise reducing unit 320 according to various embodiments of the present invention may be configured to include a cover plate 321, an interconnection hole 323, an upper cover 226 and a reduction hole 228, as shown in FIG. 6, and each configuration for the components will be described in more detail as follows.

First, the cover plate 321 is mounted on one side of the heat exchanger unit 210 and a protrusion 222 is formed on the one side thereof.

The protrusion 222 is extended in a diagonal direction of the first inlet 318a toward a corner portion of the heat exchanger unit 310 from a location corresponding to the first inlet 318a, such that a refrigerant moving path 224 is formed between of the one side of the heat exchanger unit 310 in the inner portion thereof.

Here, the cover plate 321 is formed with a hole interconnected to the first and second inlets 318a and 318b by corresponding to the first inlet 318a and the second inlet 318b, and is formed as the same appearance as that of the plate 312, such that it may be stacked on one side of the heat exchanger unit 310.

In various embodiments, the interconnection hole 323 is formed on the protrusion 322 from the opposite side of the first inlet 318a, and the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant moving path 324.

Here, the refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant moving path 324 is passed through the first flow path 314 of the heat exchanger unit 310 via the first inflow hole 318a and flows in the second inflow hole 318b, such that the refrigerant is condensed through a heat exchange with a coolant, which is a working fluid passing the second flow path 316, in the inner portion of the heat exchanger unit 310.

The upper cover 326 is mounted in the longitudinal direction on the upper portion of the protrusion 322 to form the space S between of the protrusion 322.

The upper cover 326 may be mounted on the upper portion of the protrusion 322 by means of welding or the like.

In addition, the reduction hole 328 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 322 by corresponding to the upper cover 326, such that the refrigerant moving path 324 and the space S are interconnected.

Here, the reduction hole 328 may be formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 322 such that the refrigerant passing the refrigerant moving path 324 can flow in the space S.

Meanwhile, in various embodiments, even if the reduction hole 328 is described that formed into a circle shape as various embodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and the shape may be formed as a polygon shape.

In the noise reducing unit 320 configured as described above, when the refrigerant flows through the interconnection hole 323 and is moved along the refrigerant moving path 324, the refrigerant flows in the space S formed between the protrusion 322 and the upper cover 326 through the reduction hole 328 formed on the upper portion of the protrusion 222.

Then, the refrigerant will cause an inverted frequency of the noise and vibration frequency generated when the refrigerant flows in the space S through the reduction hole 328 and is moved along the refrigerant moving path 324.

The inverted frequency will offset standing waves due to the noise and vibration generated While moving along the refrigerant moving path 324, thereby capable of reducing the vibration and noise of the refrigerant generated from the refrigerant moving path 324.

That is, in various embodiments of the present invention, the noise reducing unit 320 is integrally configured to the heat exchanger 310, as a resonance-type muffler using the principle of a Helmholtz resonator, such that there is no need that the air conditioning pipe is set to be longer, or a separate muffler is mounted, in order to reduce the noise and vibration generated when the refrigerant is moved.

The refrigerant used in the air conditioning system of the vehicle can be condensed through heat exchange with the working fluid, and the noise and vibration generated while the refrigerant is moved can be reduced through the noise reducing unit 320 at the same time, thereby capable of preventing noise and vibration from being transmitted to the interior of the vehicle.

In addition, since the noise and vibration generated while the refrigerant is moved can be reduced through the noise reducing unit 320 that is integrally configured in the heat exchanger 300, without setting the air conditioning pipe or mounting a separate muffler, thereby capable of simplifying a layout in a narrow engine room.

Meanwhile, even if the heat exchanger 300 according to various embodiments of the present invention is described that the upper cover 326 is mounted on the upper portion of the protrusion 322 from the cover plate 321 that is integrally and/or monolithically formed with the protrusion 322, as various embodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. For example, instead of the cover plate 321, the cover unit 122 may be mounted on the first inlet 318a formed on the heat exchanger unit 310 and the reduction hole is formed on the cover unit 122, thereby capable of mounting the upper cover, as described in the aforementioned embodiments.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms upper, rear, and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger for a vehicle provided between a compressor and an expansion valve in an air conditioning system in which a refrigerant is circulated, comprising:

a heat exchanger unit including a first flow path and a second flow path in an inner portion in Which the refrigerant is condensed through a heat exchange of a refrigerant passing through the first flow path and a working fluid passing through the second flow path;

first and second inlets formed on one side of the heat exchanger unit to receive the refrigerant and the working fluid into the inner portion, respectively, and each connected to the first and second flow paths, respectively;

first and second outlets formed on another side of the heat exchanger unit and interconnected to the first and second flow paths to exhaust the refrigerant and the working fluid, respectively, that has passed through the heat exchanger unit; and

a noise reducing unit provided on one side of the heat exchanger unit by corresponding to the first inlet in which the refrigerant flows to reduce noise and vibration generated when the refrigerant supplied from the compressor is moved.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the noise reducing unit includes:

a cover unit having one end mounted to cover an upper portion of the first inlet from a location corresponding to the first inlet, and an other end extended in a diagonal direction toward a corner portion of the heat exchanger unit from the first inlet to form the refrigerant moving path;

an interconnection hole formed on the other end of the cover unit such that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant moving path;

a partition wall formed to be protruded toward the one side of the heat exchanger unit from an inner side of the refrigerant moving path to form a separate space on both sides of the inner portion; and

a reduction hole to interconnect the refrigerant moving path and the space;

3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the reduction hole is formed along a longitudinal direction of the partition wall such that the refrigerant passing the refrigerant moving path flows in the space.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the reduction hole is formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the noise reducing unit includes:

a cover plate mounted on one side of the heat exchanger unit and, formed to be protruded toward the corner portion of the heat exchanger unit from a location corresponding to the first inlet to form the refrigerant moving path in the protrusion;

an interconnection hole formed on the protrusion from the opposite side of the first inlet such that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant moving path; and

a partition wall formed to be protruded forward the one side of the heat exchanger unit on both side of the inner side of the refrigerant moving path to form a separate space on both sides of the inner portion of the refrigerant moving path; and

wherein the partition wall is formed with a reduction hole that interconnects the refrigerant moving path and the space.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein the cover plate is formed with a hole interconnected to the first and second inlets, respectively, by corresponding to the first inlet and the second inlet, and stacked on the one side of the heat exchanger unit.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the noise reducing unit includes:

a cover plate mounted on one side of the heat exchanger unit and, formed to be protruded toward the corner portion of the heat exchanger unit from a location corresponding to the first inlet to form the refrigerant moving path in the protrusion;

an interconnection hole formed on the protrusion from the opposite side of the first inlet such that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant moving path; and

an upper cover mounted on the upper portion of the protrusion in the longitudinal direction to form a space between of the protrusion; and

wherein the protrusion is formed with a reduction hole that interconnects the refrigerant moving path and the space.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the cover plate is formed with a hole interconnected with the first and second inlets, respectively, by corresponding to the first inlet and the second inlet, and stacked on the one side of the heat exchanger unit.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger unit is formed in a plate type with a plurality of stacked plates.