HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

A heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger of the present disclosure includes a first heat exchanger into or from which a first fluid flows or is discharged, and a second heat exchanger into or from which a second fluid flows or is discharged, the second heat exchanger being adjacent to the first heat exchanger, and the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are rolled together in a roll shape, are alternately disposed in a radial direction, and are in contact with each other.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0108570, filed on Aug. 27, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger in which heat exchange is performed in a non-contact manner between different types of fluids, heat transfer performance is improved as pipes through which the fluids flow come in contact or in close contact with each other without bonding such as welding, and the fluids are prevented from being mixed even when the pipes are ruptured.

Related Art

In general, a heat pump refers to a device that cools or heats an indoor space through refrigerant compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes. When an outdoor heat exchanger of the heat pump functions as a condenser and an indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the indoor space may be cooled. On the other hand, when the indoor heat exchanger of the heat pump functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the indoor space may be heated.

In this case, the heat pump may be an air-to-water heat pump (AWHP) using water as a medium for heat exchange with a refrigerant. In this case, a temperature of water stored in a water tank can be increased using water heated through heat exchange with the refrigerant and hot water can be supplied to the indoor space. Alternatively, an indoor space may be heated as water heated through heat exchange with the refrigerant flows through a water pipe installed in the indoor space.

For example, in a heat pump of KR 10-2008-0006122 (Jan. 16, 2008), a refrigerant and water can exchange heat while passing through a plate heat exchanger. Here, the plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked on each other, and the refrigerant and the water flowing into the plate heat exchanger flow along a flow path formed between the plurality of heat transfer plates, and can exchange heat in a non-contact manner.

However, when the plate heat exchanger is damaged due to freezing or external shock, water flows into a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant circulates, damaging a compressor or the like, and the refrigerant flows into a water pipe through which water circulates, polluting the water.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An object of the present disclosure is to solve the above and other problems.

Another object of the present disclosure may be to provide a heat exchanger in which heat exchange between different types of fluids can be performed in a non-contact manner.

Yet another object of the present disclosure may be to provide a heat exchanger in which fluids can be prevented from being mixed even when any one of heat exchange pipes through which different types of fluids flow is frozen or ruptured.

Yet another object of the present disclosure may be to provide a heat exchanger in which a state in which heat exchange pipes through which different types of respective fluids flow are in contact with or in close contact with each other is maintained so that excellent heat transfer performance can be secured.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above or other object, provided is a heat exchanger including: a first heat exchanger into or from which a first fluid flows or is discharged; and a second heat exchanger into or from which a second fluid flows or is discharged, the second heat exchanger being adjacent to the first heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are rolled together in a roll shape, are alternately disposed in a radial direction, and are in contact with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a heat pump and a flow of refrigerant or water in a hot water supply operation or cold water supply operation mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of a first heat exchanger of a heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a configuration of a second heat exchanger of the heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state before the heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is rolled in a roll shape.

FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a state in which the heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is rolled in a roll shape.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a cross section taken along A-A′ in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference signs regardless of reference signs, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

Component suffixes “module” and “part” used in the following description are given or mixed together only in consideration of the ease of creating the specification, and have no meanings or roles that are distinguished from each other by themselves.

Further, in describing embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that detailed description of a well-known related art may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure should be understood to be included.

Terms including an ordinal number such as first or second may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

When a component is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another component, the component may be directly connected or coupled to the other component, but it should be understood that other components may exist therebetween. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another component, it should be understood that the other component does not exist therebetween.

A singular expression includes a plural expression unless otherwise stated by the context.

It should be understood that, in the present application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to designate that a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification exists, but do not exclude a possibility of existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, in a heat pump 1, a refrigerant pipe P in which a refrigerant circulates may be installed on one side (for example, on the left side) of a heat exchanger 10, and a water pipe Q in which water circulates may be installed on the other side (for example, on the right). In this case, heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water may be performed in the heat exchanger 10. Meanwhile, the heat pump 1 may be referred to as an air-to-water heat pump (AWHP), and the heat exchanger 10 may be referred to as a water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger.

The heat pump 1 may include a compressor 2, a switching valve 3, a heat exchanger 10, an expansion valve 5, an outdoor heat exchanger 6, and an accumulator 7 connected to each other by a refrigerant pipe P. Further, the heat pump 1 may include a pump 9, a heat exchanger 10, and a water tank 8 connected to each other by a water pipe Q.

The compressor 2 may compress a refrigerant flowing from an accumulator 7 to discharge the refrigerant of a high temperature and high pressure. In this case, the accumulator 7 may provide a gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 2 through a first pipe P1. Meanwhile, a second pipe P2 may be installed between the compressor 2 and a switching valve 3 to provide a flow path for the refrigerant from the compressor 2 to the switching valve 3.

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 and passing through the second pipe P2 may flow into the switching valve 3. The switching valve 3 may switch between flow paths depending on an operation mode of the heat pump 1 to selectively guide the refrigerant flowing into the switching valve 3 to the heat exchanger 10 or the outdoor heat exchanger 6. For example, the switching valve 3 may be a four-way valve. Meanwhile, a sixth pipe P6 may be installed between the switching valve 3 and the accumulator 7 to provide a flow path for the refrigerant from the switching valve 3 to the accumulator 7.

The heat exchanger 10 may cause heat exchange between a refrigerant and a heat transfer medium. A heat transfer direction between the refrigerant and the heat transfer medium in the heat exchanger 10 may vary depending on the operation mode of the heat pump 1. Meanwhile, a third pipe P3 may be installed between the switching valve 3 and the heat exchanger 10 to provide a refrigerant flow path connecting the switching valve 3 and the heat exchanger 10.

For example, the heat transfer medium is water flowing through a flow path for the water pipe Q, and heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water in the heat exchanger 10 may be performed in a non-contact manner.

For example, the water passing through the heat exchanger 10 may be used to heat or cool water stored in the water tank 8 and supply hot or cold water to an indoor space. Here, the water tank 8 may receive and store water supplied from a water supply source (not illustrated) and provide the water to each use place in the indoor space. Specifically, the water tank 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, and an inlet 8a through which the water provided from the water supply source flows in, and an outlet 8b through which the water is discharged to each use place in the indoor space may be formed on the side of the water tank 8. A coil Qc may be wound around at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the water tank 8 a plurality of times. In this case, the water passing through the heat exchanger 10 may flow into one end of the coil Qc, and the water may be discharged from the other end of the coil Qc and provided to the pump 9. Accordingly, heat exchange between the water stored in the water tank 8 and the water flowing through the coil Qc may be performed in a non-contact manner.

As another example, the water passing through the heat exchanger 10 may be supplied to a radiator (not illustrated), a water pipe installed in an indoor floor, a fan coil unit (FCU), or the like, and used to heat or cool an indoor space.

Meanwhile, the heat pump 1 may include a pump 9 and water pipes (Q: Q1, Q2, and Q3) through which water circulates. In this case, the first water pipe Q1 may be installed between the pump 9 and the heat exchanger 10 to provide a flow path for water from the pump 9 to the heat exchanger 10. A second water pipe Q2 may be installed between the heat exchanger 10 and the water tank 8 to provide a flow path of the water from the heat exchanger 10 to the water tank 8. Further, a third water pipe Q3 may be installed between the water tank 8 and the pump 9 to provide a flow path of the water from the water tank 8 to the pump 9.

The outdoor heat exchanger 6 can cause heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transfer medium. A heat transfer direction between the refrigerant and the heat transfer medium in the outdoor heat exchanger 6 may vary depending on the operation mode of the heat pump 1.

For example, the heat transfer medium may be outdoor air, and heat exchange may be performed between the refrigerant and the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 6. In this case, an outdoor fan 6a may be disposed on one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 to control an amount of air provided to the outdoor heat exchanger 6. Meanwhile, a fifth pipe P5 may be installed between the switching valve 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 6 to provide a flow path for the refrigerant connecting the switching valve 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 6.

he expansion valve 5 may be installed in the fourth pipe P4 to expand the refrigerant flowing through a flow path for the fourth pipe P4. Here, the fourth pipe P4 may be installed between the heat exchanger 10 and the outdoor heat exchanger 6 to provide a refrigerant flow path connecting the heat exchanger 10 and the outdoor heat exchanger 6. For example, the expansion valve 5 may be an electronic expansion valve (EEV).

The control unit (C, not illustrated) may control the operation of the heat pump 1. The control unit C may be electrically connected to each component of the heat pump 1. The control unit C may control an operation of each configuration of the heat pump 1 depending on the operation mode of the heat pump 1.

<Hot Water Supply Ooperation Mode of Heat Pump>

Referring to a left figure of FIG. 1, when a hot water supply operation signal is received in the heat pump 1, the control unit C may perform a hot water supply operation of the heat pump 1. For example, the hot water supply operation signal may be a signal arbitrarily input by a user. As another example, the hot water supply operation signal may be a signal that a temperature sensor included in the water tank 8 provides to the controller C when a temperature of the water stored in the water tank 8 sensed by the temperature sensor is lower than a target temperature by a certain level or more.

Specifically, a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flowing into the compressor 2 from the accumulator 7 through the first pipe P1 may be compressed in the compressor 2 and discharged in a high-temperature and high-pressure state. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 may pass through the second pipe P2, the switching valve 3, and the third pipe P3 in order and flow into the heat exchanger 10.

When heat energy is transferred from the refrigerant to the water in the heat exchanger 10, the refrigerant may be condensed. In this case, the heat exchanger 10 may function as a condenser. According to the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water, a temperature of the water flowing into the heat exchanger 10 from the pump 9 through the first water pipe Q1 may be increased. The water heated through the heat exchanger 10 may flow into the water tank 8 through the second water pipe Q2 to heat the water stored in the water tank 8. Accordingly, water Wi flowing into the water tank 8 through the inlet 8a may be discharged from the water tank 8 through the outlet 8b and provided as hot water Wh to each use place in the indoor space. On the other hand, water passing through the water tank 8 and having a lowered temperature may return to the pump 9 through the third water pipe Q3.

The refrigerant condensed while passing through the heat exchanger 10 can pass through the expansion valve 5 in the fourth pipe P4 and be expanded to a low temperature and low pressure state. The refrigerant expanded through the expansion valve 5 may flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 6.

When heat energy of outdoor air is transferred to the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 6, the refrigerant may be evaporated. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 6 may function as an evaporator. The refrigerant evaporated while passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 6 may pass through the fifth pipe P5, the switching valve 3, the sixth pipe P6, the accumulator 7, and the first pipe P1 in order and flow into the compressor 2. Accordingly, a cycle of the refrigerant and the water for the hot water supply operation of the heat pump 1 described above can be completed.

<Cold Water Supply Operation Mode of Heat Pump>

Referring to a right figure of FIG. 1, when a cold water supply operation signal is received in the heat pump 1, the controller C may perform a cold water supply operation of the heat pump 1. For example, the cold water supply operation signal may be a signal arbitrarily input by the user. As another example, the cold water supply operation signal may be a signal that the temperature sensor included in the water tank 8 provides to the controller C when the temperature of the water stored in the water tank 8 sensed by the temperature sensor is higher than the target temperature by a certain level or more.

Specifically, a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flowing into the compressor 2 from the accumulator 7 through the first pipe P1 may be compressed in the compressor 2 and discharged in a high-temperature and high-pressure state. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 may pass through the second pipe P2, the switching valve 3, and the fifth pipe P5 in order and flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 6.

When heat energy is transferred from the refrigerant to the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 6, the refrigerant may be condensed. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 6 may function as a condenser.

The refrigerant condensed while passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 6 can pass through the expansion valve 5 in the fourth pipe P4 and be expanded to a low temperature and low pressure state. The refrigerant expanded through the expansion valve 5 may flow into the heat exchanger 10.

When heat energy of water is transferred to the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 10, the refrigerant may be evaporated. In this case, the heat exchanger 10 may function as an evaporator. According to the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water, a temperature of the water flowing into the heat exchanger 10 from the pump 9 through the first water pipe Q1 may be decreased. The water cooled through the heat exchanger 10 may flow into the water tank 8 through the second water pipe Q2 to cool the water stored in the water tank 8. Accordingly, water Wi flowing into the water tank 8 through the inlet 8a may be discharged from the water tank 8 through the outlet 8b and provided as cold water We to each use place in the indoor space. On the other hand, water passing through the water tank 8 and having an increased temperature may return to the pump 9 through the third water pipe Q3.

The refrigerant evaporated while passing through the heat exchanger 10 may pass through the third pipe P3, the switching valve 3, the sixth pipe P6, the accumulator 7, and the first pipe P1 in order and flow into the compressor 2. Accordingly, a cycle of the refrigerant and the water for the cold water supply operation of the heat pump 1 can be completed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat exchanger 10 may include a first heat exchanger 11. Water passing through the first water pipe Q1 flows into the first heat exchanger 11 (see Win), and the first heat exchanger 11 provides a flow path for the water flowing into the first heat exchanger 11. The water passing through the first heat exchanger 11 may be discharged to the second water pipe Q2 (see Wout).

Specifically, the first heat exchanger 11 may include a first inner header 111, a first outer header 112, and a first heat exchange pipe 113. In this case, the first inner header 111 may be spaced apart from the first outer header 112, and the first heat exchange pipe 113 may be disposed between the first inner header 111 and the first outer header 112.

The first inner header 111 may be formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. For example, the first inner header 111 may elongate in a vertical direction. For example, a first inlet 111a into which the water passing through the first water pipe Q1 flows may be formed at an upper end of the first inner header 111. In this case, a lower end 111b of the first inner header 111 may be closed. A flow path through which water can flow may be formed in an inner space of the first inner header 111. On the other hand, the first inlet into which the water passing through the first water pipe Q1 flows may be formed at the lower end of the first inner header 111, and the upper end of the first inner header 111 may be closed.

The first outer header 112 may be formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. For example, the first outer header 112 may elongate in a vertical direction. For example, a first outlet 112b that discharges water through the second water pipe Q2 may be formed at a lower end of the first outer header 112. In this case, an upper end 112a of the first outer header 112 may be closed. A flow path through which water can flow may be formed in an inner space of the first outer header 112. On the other hand, the first outlet that discharges water through the second water pipe Q2 may be formed at the upper end of the first outer header 112, and the lower end of the first outer header 112 is closed.

The first heat exchange pipe 113 may elongate in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the first inner header 111 or a longitudinal direction of the first outer header 112. For example, the first heat exchange pipe 113 may elongate in left and right directions. In this case, one end of the first heat exchange pipe 113 may communicate with the inner space of the first inner header 111, and the other end of the first heat exchange pipe 113 may communicate with the inner space of the first outer header 112. A flow path through which water can flow may be formed in an inner space of the first heat exchange pipe 113. Accordingly, the water flowing into the first inner header 111 may flow into the first outer header 112 through the first heat exchange pipe 113.

The first heat exchange pipe 113 may be formed in a flat tube shape as a whole. In this case, the first heat exchange pipe 113 may have a cross section of an ellipse, a rectangle, or a rectangle with rounded corners. For example, the first heat exchange pipe 113 may include a first side part 1131 formed to be flat and a first end part 1132 having a curvature. In this case, the first end part 1132 may form an upper end and a lower end of the first heat exchange pipe 113, and the first side part 1131 may form a side of the first heat exchange pipe 113 between the upper end and the lower end of the first heat exchange pipe 113.

Meanwhile, a plurality of first heat exchange pipes 113 may be included. For example, the first heat exchange pipe 113 may include a (1-1)th heat exchange pipe 113a, a (1-2)th heat exchange pipe 113b, a (1-3)th heat exchange pipe 113c, and a (1-4)th heat exchange pipe 113d arranged in a vertical direction. For example, the plurality of first heat exchange pipes 113 may be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. A single flow path through which water can flow may be formed in the inner space of each of the plurality of first heat exchange pipes 113.

Accordingly, water flowing into the first inner header 111 from the first water pipe Q1 through the first inlet 111a may be distributed to each of the plurality of first heat exchange pipes 113. The water passing through each of the plurality of first heat exchange pipes 113 may flow into the first outer header 112 and be discharged to the second water pipe Q2 through the first outlet 112b.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the heat exchanger 10 may include a second heat exchanger 12.

In the hot water supply operation mode of the heat pump described above, the refrigerant passing through the third pipe P3 flows into the second heat exchanger 12 (see Rin), and the second heat exchanger 12 may provide a flow path for the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger 12. The refrigerant passing through the second heat exchanger 12 may be discharged to the fourth pipe P4 (see Rout).

In the cold water supply operation mode of the heat pump described above, the refrigerant passing through the fourth pipe P4 flows into the second heat exchanger 12, and the second heat exchanger 12 may provide a flow path for the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger 12. The refrigerant passing through the second heat exchanger 12 may be discharged to the third pipe P3.

Hereinafter, the second heat exchanger 12 will be briefly described based on the hot water supply operation mode of the heat pump described above.

Specifically, the second heat exchanger 12 may include a second inner header 121, a second outer header 122, and a second heat exchange pipe 123. In this case, the second inner header 121 may be spaced apart from the second outer header 122, and the second heat exchange pipe 123 may be disposed between the second inner header 121 and the second outer header 122.

The second inner header 121 may be formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. For example, the second inner header 121 may elongate in a vertical direction. For example, a second outlet 121a that discharges a refrigerant to the fourth pipe P4 may be formed at an upper end of the second inner header 121. In this case, a lower end 121b of the second inner header 121 may be closed. A flow path through which the refrigerant can flow may be formed in an inner space of the second inner header 121. On the other hand, a second outlet that discharges the refrigerant to the fourth pipe P4 may be formed at the lower end of the second inner header 121, and the upper end of the second inner header 121 may be closed.

The second heat exchange pipe 123 may elongate in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the second inner header 121 or a longitudinal direction of the second outer header 122. For example, the second heat exchange pipe 123 may elongate in left and right directions. In this case, one end of the second heat exchange pipe 123 may communicate with the inner space of the second inner header 121, and the other end of the second heat exchange pipe 123 may communicate with the inner space of the second outer header 122. A flow path through which water can flow may be formed in an inner space of the second heat exchange pipe 123. Accordingly, the water flowing into the second outer header 122 may flow into the second inner header 121 through the second heat exchange pipe 123.

The second heat exchange pipe 123 may be formed in a flat tube shape as a whole. In this case, the second heat exchange pipe 123 may have a cross section of an ellipse, a rectangle, or a rectangle with rounded corners. For example, the second heat exchange pipe 123 may include a second side part (not denoted by a reference sign) formed to be flat and a second end part (not denoted by a reference sign) having a curvature. In this case, the second end part 1232 may form an upper end and a lower end of the second heat exchange pipe 123, and the second side part 1231 may form a side of the second heat exchange pipe 123 between the upper end and the lower end of the second heat exchange pipe 123.

The second heat exchange pipe 123 may be formed in a flat tube shape as a whole. In this case, the second heat exchange pipe 123 may have a cross section of an ellipse, a rectangle, or a rectangle with rounded corners. For example, the second heat exchange pipe 123 may include a second side part (not denoted by a reference sign) formed to be flat, and a second end part (not denoted by a reference sign) having a curvature. In this case, the second end part 1232 may form the upper end and the lower end of the second heat exchange pipe 123, and the second side part 1231 may form a side of the second heat exchange pipe 123 between the upper end and the lower end of the second heat exchange pipe 123.

Meanwhile, a plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123 may be included. For example, the second heat exchange pipe 123 may include a (2-1)th heat exchange pipe 123a, a (2-2)th heat exchange pipe 123b, a (2-3)th heat exchange pipe 123c, and a (2-4)th heat exchange pipe 123d arranged in a vertical direction. For example, the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123 may be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. A flow path through which the refrigerant can flow may be formed in an inner space of each of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123.

For example, each of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123 may include at least one partition plate 124. In this case, the partition plate 124 may elongate in a longitudinal direction of the second heat exchange pipe 123 to partition one inner space of the second heat exchange pipe 123 into two spaces.

The partition plate 124 may include n partition plates 124 spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. In this case, the n partition plates 124 may partition one inner space of the second heat exchange pipe 123 into n+1 spaces. For example, the partition plate 124 may include a first partition plate 124a, a second partition plate 124b, a third partition plate 124c, and a fourth partition plate 124d spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. In this case, the first partition plate 124a, the second partition plate 124b, the third partition plate 124c, and the fourth partition plate 124d may divide one inner space of the second heat exchange pipe 123 into five spaces, and a flow path through which the refrigerant can flow may be formed in each of the five spaces.

Accordingly, the refrigerant flowing into the second outer header 122 from the third pipe P3 through the second inlet 122b may be distributed to each of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123. The refrigerant may flow along a plurality of flow paths formed in the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123. The refrigerant passing through each of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123 may flow into the second inner header 121 and be discharged to the fourth pipe P4 through the second outlet 121a.

On the other hand, even when a high-pressure refrigerant flows into each of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123, the flow path of each of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes 123 is formed as multiple flow paths so that a pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchange pipe 123 can be lowered. This can prevent the second heat exchange pipe 123 from being damaged or deformed due to the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchange pipe 123.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 12 of the heat exchanger 10 are disposed adjacent to each other, and the first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 12 may be rolled together in a roll shape.

For example, before the first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 12 are rolled in a roll shape, the first heat exchanger 11 may be disposed in front of the second heat exchanger 12. The first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 12 may be rolled together in one direction (CW) around the first inner header 111 and the second inner header 121.

In this case, the heat exchanger 10 is formed in a roll shape as a whole, and the first inner header 111 and the second inner header 121 form a part of an inner circumferential surface of the heat exchanger 10, whereas the first outer header 112 and the second outer header 122 may form a part of an outer circumferential surface of the heat exchanger 10.

The first heat exchange pipe 113 of the first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchange pipe 123 of the second heat exchanger 12 may be alternately disposed in a radial direction of the heat exchanger 10.

Accordingly, the water may move while drawing a spiral trajectory along the flow path formed in the first heat exchange pipe 113. The refrigerant may move while drawing a spiral path parallel to a movement path of the water along the flow path formed in the second heat exchange pipe 123.

Meanwhile, the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second heat exchange pipe 123 may include a metallic material having elasticity. In this case, when the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second heat exchange pipe 123 are rolled together in a roll shape, a restoring force may be generated so that the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second heat exchange pipe 123 are restored to a flat state.

In this case, a shape of the heat exchanger 10 can be maintained by a cable or strap (not illustrated) that extends along an outer circumference of the roll-shaped heat exchanger 10 and is coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the heat exchanger 10.

Accordingly, the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second heat exchange pipe 123 may come in contact or in close contact with each other due to the restoring force in a state in which the roll shape of the heat exchanger 10 is maintained. As a result, heat transfer performance between the water passing through the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchange pipe 123 can be improved.

Further, the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second heat exchange pipe 123 only come in contact with each other and are not bonded as an integral body by welding or the like such that, even when any one of the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second heat exchange pipe 123 is frozen or ruptured, a fluid (water or refrigerant) may not flow into the other. In other words, a fluid leaking from ruptured one of the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second heat exchange pipe 123 is emitted to the outside along a contact surface of the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second heat exchange pipe 123.

Accordingly, a non-contact state between the water passing through the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchange pipe 123 can be maintained so that the water can be prevented from flowing into the refrigerant pipe P or the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing into the water pipe Q. As a result, the water stored in the water tank 8 and the water passing through the water pipe Q exchange heat with each other in a contact manner, so that heat transfer performance can be improved.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first side part 1131 of the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the second side part 1231 of the second heat exchange pipe 123 can face each other in the radial direction of the heat exchanger 10.

On the other hand, when the first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231 are formed to have a curvature before the first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 12 are rolled in a roll shape, unlike the above description with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231 may come in line contact with each other in the roll-shaped heat exchanger 10.

On the other hand, when the first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231 is formed to be flat before the first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 12 are rolled in a roll shape as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231 may come in surface contact with each other in the roll-shaped heat exchanger 10.

That is, in the roll-shaped heat exchanger 10, when the first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231 come in surface contact with each other, heat transfer performance between the water passing through the first heat exchange pipe 113 and the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchange pipe 123 can be improved, as compared to the case in which the first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231 come in line contact with each other.

Meanwhile, a thermal grease 13 may be positioned between the first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231. The thermal grease 13 is a heat transfer fluid, and can fill a fine space between the first side part 1131 and the second side part 1231 to improve thermal conductivity. Meanwhile, the thermal grease 13 may be referred to as a thermal compound.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, provided is a heat exchanger including: a first heat exchanger into or from which a first fluid flows or is discharged; and a second heat exchanger into or from which a second fluid flows or is discharged, the second heat exchanger being adjacent to the first heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are rolled together in a roll shape, are alternately disposed in a radial direction, and are in contact with each other.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first heat exchanger may include: a first inner header having a first inlet into which the first fluid flows; a first outer header having a first outlet from which the first fluid is discharged and being spaced apart from the first inner header; and a first heat exchange pipe configured to provide a flow path for the first fluid between the first inner header and the first outer header, the flow path connecting the first inner header and the first outer header.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the second heat exchanger may include: a second outer header having a second inlet into which the second fluid flows; a second inner header having a second outlet from which the second fluid is discharged and being spaced apart from the second outer header; and a second heat exchange pipe configured to provide a flow path for the second fluid between the second outer header and the second inner header, the flow path connecting the second outer header and the second inner header.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a flow path for the first fluid may be formed in an internal space of the first inner header, the flow path of the first fluid may be formed in an inner space of the first outer header, a flow path for the first heat exchange pipe may include one end communicating with the inner space of the first inner header, and the other end communicating with the inner space of the first outer header, a flow path for the second fluid may be formed in the inner space of the second inner header, the flow path of the second fluid may be formed in the inner space of the second outer header, and a flow path for the second heat exchange pipe may include one end communicating with the inner space of the second inner header, and the other end communicating with the inner space of the second outer header.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first fluid may move while drawing a spiral trajectory along the flow path for the first heat exchange pipe, and the second fluid may move while drawing a spiral trajectory parallel to the movement trajectory of the first fluid along the flow path for the second heat exchange pipe.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first inner header and the first outer header may elongate in the same direction, the first heat exchange pipe may include a plurality of first heat exchange pipes, each of the first heat exchange pipes including a first internal space forming the flow path for the first fluid and the first heat exchange pipes being sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction of the first inner header, the second inner header and the second outer header may elongate in the longitudinal direction of the first inner header, and the second heat exchange pipe may include a plurality of second heat exchange pipes, each of the second heat exchange pipes including a second internal space forming the flow path for the second fluid and the second heat exchange pipes being sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction of the second inner header.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes may further include at least one partition plate configured to partition the second inner space into at least two spaces.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first heat exchange pipe may come in surface contact with the second heat exchange pipe.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first heat exchange pipe and the second heat exchange pipe may include a metallic material having elasticity.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger may further include a thermal grease positioned between the first heat exchange pipe and the second heat exchange pipe.

Effects of the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure will be described as follows.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger in which heat exchange between different types of fluids can be performed in a non-contact manner.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger in which fluids can be prevented from being mixed even when any one of heat exchange pipes through which different types of respective fluids flow is frozen or ruptured.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat exchanger in which a state in which heat exchange pipes through which different types of respective fluids flow are in contact with or in close contact with each other is maintained so that excellent heat transfer performance can be secured.

Any or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. In any of the embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above, respective configurations or functions may be used together or combined.

For example, it means that configuration A described in a specific embodiment and/or drawing may be combined with configuration B described in another embodiment and/or drawing. That is, even when a combination between components is not directly described, it means that the combination is possible except for a case in which it is described that the combination is impossible.

The above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in all respects and should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising:

a first heat exchanger into or from which a first fluid flows or is discharged; and

a second heat exchanger into or from which a second fluid flows or is discharged, the second heat exchanger being adjacent to the first heat exchanger,

wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are rolled together in a roll shape, are alternately disposed in a radial direction, and are in contact with each other.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger further comprises:

a first inner header having a first inlet into which the first fluid flows;

a first outer header having a first outlet from which the first fluid is discharged and being spaced apart from the first inner header; and

a first heat exchange pipe configured to provide a flow path for the first fluid between the first inner header and the first outer header, the flow path connecting the first inner header and the first outer header.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the second heat exchanger further comprises:

a second outer header having a second inlet into which the second fluid flows;

a second inner header having a second outlet from which the second fluid is discharged and being spaced apart from the second outer header; and

a second heat exchange pipe configured to provide a flow path for the second fluid between the second outer header and the second inner header, the flow path connecting the second outer header and the second inner header.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein a flow path for the first fluid is formed in an internal space of the first inner header,

the flow path of the first fluid is formed in an inner space of the first outer header,

a flow path for the first heat exchange pipe includes one end communicating with the inner space of the first inner header, and the other end communicating with the inner space of the first outer header,

a flow path for the second fluid is formed in the inner space of the second inner header,

the flow path of the second fluid is formed in the inner space of the second outer header, and

a flow path for the second heat exchange pipe includes one end communicating with the inner space of the second inner header, and the other end communicating with the inner space of the second outer header.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the first fluid moves while drawing a spiral trajectory along the flow path for the first heat exchange pipe, and

the second fluid moves while drawing a spiral trajectory parallel to the movement trajectory of the first fluid along the flow path for the second heat exchange pipe.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the first inner header and the first outer header elongate in the same direction,

the first heat exchange pipe comprises a plurality of first heat exchange pipes, each of the first heat exchange pipes including a first internal space forming the flow path for the first fluid and the first heat exchange pipes being sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction of the first inner header,

the second inner header and the second outer header elongate in the longitudinal direction of the first inner header, and

the second heat exchange pipe comprises a plurality of second heat exchange pipes, each of the second heat exchange pipes including a second internal space forming the flow path for the second fluid and the second heat exchange pipes being sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction of the second inner header.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of second heat exchange pipes further comprises at least one partition plate configured to partition the second inner space into at least two spaces.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the first heat exchange pipe comes in surface contact with the second heat exchange pipe.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the first heat exchange pipe and the second heat exchange pipe comprise a metallic material having elasticity.

10. The heat exchanger of claim 8, further comprising a thermal grease positioned between the first heat exchange pipe and the second heat exchange pipe.