Composite heat exchanger

Abstract

Disclosed is a composite heat exchanger. The composite heat exchanger includes a cooling core unit including a front cooling core arranged on a front side and a rear cooling core arranged on a rear side based on an air flow direction, each of the front cooling core and the rear cooling core including a plurality of tubes and a plurality of fins. The front cooling core includes a front upper core and a front lower core configured to allow different working fluids to independently flow through the front upper core and the front lower core; the rear cooling core includes a rear upper core and a rear lower core configured to allow different working fluids to independently flow through the rear upper core and the rear lower core. The front lower core and the rear upper core are in fluid communication with each other to allow a first working fluid to flow therein.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a composite heat exchanger, and more specifically, to a composite heat exchanger capable of improving heat exchange efficiency. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, the cooling system of an internal combustion engine vehicle includes a cooling module comprising a radiator, a condenser, and a blower fan configured to force-blow outside air toward the radiator and condenser. Within this cooling module, a radiator is positioned through which coolant for cooling the engine flows. A condenser is located in front of the radiator through which refrigerant for the interior air conditioning flows. A blower fan is located behind the radiator, configured to use forced-air cooling of the radiator and condenser when the vehicle is stationary. Therefore, outside air undergoes one heat exchange as it flows through the condenser, and the air that has already undergone one heat exchange undergoes further heat exchange as it flows through the radiator.

[0003] In the case of internal combustion engine vehicles, the coolant temperature at the radiator inlet is relatively high (e.g., about 120°C), while the refrigerant temperature at the condenser inlet is relatively low. Therefore, heat exchange efficiency is improved when outside air (e.g., about 50°C) flows through the condenser first. If the radiator is positioned in front of the condenser, the outside air may be heated to a temperature higher than the condenser inlet temperature as it flows through the hot radiator, potentially resulting in insufficient cooling of the refrigerant in the condenser. Therefore, heat exchange efficiency is improved when the introduced outside air (e.g., about 50°C) first cools the lower-temperature refrigerant in the condenser and then the higher-temperature coolant in the radiator.

[0004] However, in the case of electric vehicles, the radiator inlet temperature may be lower (e.g., around 65°C) than the condenser inlet temperature (e.g., around 100°C). Therefore, if the cooling module from an internal combustion engine vehicle is directly applied to an electric vehicle, the outside air flowing through the high-temperature condenser may be heated to a temperature higher than the radiator inlet temperature. In this case, the outside air may not be able to cool the refrigerant in the radiator, resulting in a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the coolant and the condensation and heat absorption efficiency of the refrigerant.

[0005] Therefore, continuous research is needed to improve the efficiency of cooling systems in electric vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure is made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and one aspect of this disclosure is to provide a composite heat exchanger with a novel structure that can improve the heat exchange efficiency of cooling modules used in electric vehicles.

[0007] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, a composite heat exchanger for achieving the above-mentioned objective includes a cooling core unit comprising a front cooling core arranged on the front side based on the airflow direction and a rear cooling core arranged on the rear side. Each of the front and rear cooling cores includes multiple tubes and multiple fins. The front cooling core includes a front upper core and a front lower core, configured to allow different working fluids to flow independently through the front upper core and the front lower core. The rear cooling core includes a rear upper core and a rear lower core, configured to allow different working fluids to flow independently through the rear upper core and the rear lower core. Furthermore, the front lower core and the rear upper core are in fluid communication with each other to allow a first working fluid to flow through the front lower core and the rear upper core.

[0008] The upper front core and the lower rear core are in fluid communication with each other to allow a second working fluid to flow through the upper front core and the lower rear core.

[0009] The composite heat exchanger may further include: a pair of manifolds disposed at each lateral end of the cooling core unit; a first water tank disposed at each lateral end of the cooling core unit and configured to seal and cover a portion of each lateral end of the cooling core unit; and a second water tank disposed at each lateral end of the cooling core unit and configured to seal and cover the entire area of ​​each lateral end of the cooling core unit.

[0010] The pair of manifolds may include: a first manifold disposed at one lateral end in the width direction of the cooling core unit and configured to support one lateral end of the front cooling core and the rear cooling core respectively; and a second manifold disposed at the other lateral end in the width direction of the cooling core unit and configured to support the other lateral end of the front cooling core and the rear cooling core respectively.

[0011] The first water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, can seal and cover the other lateral ends of the front lower core and the rear upper core respectively, to allow the first working fluid flowing through the other lateral ends of the front lower core and the rear upper core to flow through the first water tank; the second water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, can cover the upper surface of the first water tank and be spaced apart from the upper surface of the first water tank, to allow the second working fluid flowing through the other lateral ends of the front upper core and the rear lower core to flow through the second water tank.

[0012] The first water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, may include a first lower water tank configured to cover the front lower core and a first upper water tank configured to cover the rear upper core. The first lower water tank and the first upper water tank may be spatially separated from each other and fluidly connected to each other via fluid conduits.

[0013] The upper front core and the lower rear core can be arranged such that the lower part of the upper front core overlaps with the upper part of the lower rear core.

[0014] The first water tank disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit may include: a first lower water tank configured to cover the front lower core, a first upper water tank configured to cover the rear upper core, and a connecting water tank configured to interconnect the upper end of the first lower water tank and the lower end of the first upper water tank to provide fluid communication between the first lower water tank and the first upper water tank. The first lower water tank, the first upper water tank, and the connecting water tank may be spatially integrated with each other, and the first lower water tank and the first upper water tank may be in fluid communication with each other through the connecting water tank.

[0015] The connecting water tank can cover the end of the pipe located at the corresponding position at the upper end of the first lower water tank and the end of the pipe located at the corresponding position at the lower end of the first upper water tank. The first working fluid can move between the other lateral end of the front lower core and the other lateral end of the rear upper core through the connecting water tank.

[0016] At the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, the second working fluid can flow through a gap defined between the upper surface of the first water tank and the lower surface of the second water tank, and can move through the gap between the other lateral end of the front upper core and the other lateral end of the rear lower core.

[0017] The second water tank, located at one side end of the cooling core unit, may be provided with a first pipe and a second pipe for the inflow and outflow of the first working fluid, and a third pipe and a fourth pipe for the inflow and outflow of the second working fluid.

[0018] The first water tank, disposed at one lateral end of the cooling core unit, may include a first baffle wall formed inside the first water tank to prevent the first working fluid from flowing between the front lower core and the rear upper core.

[0019] The second water tank, disposed at one lateral end of the cooling core unit, may include a second baffle wall formed inside the second water tank to prevent the second working fluid from flowing between the front upper core and the rear lower core.

[0020] The upper front core and the lower rear core may not be in fluid communication with each other. The lower rear core may be configured to allow a second working fluid to flow through it, and the upper front core may be configured to allow a third working fluid to flow through it.

[0021] The composite heat exchanger may further include: a pair of manifolds disposed at each lateral end of the cooling core unit; a first water tank disposed at each lateral end of the cooling core unit and configured to seal and cover a portion of each lateral end of the cooling core unit; and a second water tank disposed at each lateral end of the cooling core unit and configured to seal and cover the entire area of ​​each lateral end of the cooling core unit.

[0022] The first water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, can seal and cover the other lateral ends of the front lower core and the rear upper core respectively, to allow the first working fluid flowing through the other lateral ends of the front lower core and the rear upper core to flow through the first water tank; the second water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, can cover the upper surface of the first water tank, and its lower surface is in surface contact with the upper surface of the first water tank to prevent the third working fluid flowing through the other lateral end of the front upper core and the second working fluid flowing through the other lateral end of the rear lower core from mixing with each other.

[0023] The first water tank disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit may include: a first lower water tank configured to cover the front lower core, a first upper water tank configured to cover the rear upper core, and a connecting water tank configured to interconnect the upper end of the first lower water tank and the lower end of the first upper water tank to provide fluid communication between the first lower water tank and the first upper water tank. The first lower water tank, the first upper water tank, and the connecting water tank may be spatially integrated with each other, and the first lower water tank and the first upper water tank may be in fluid communication with each other through the connecting water tank.

[0024] The second water tank arranged at one side end of the cooling core unit may be provided with a first pipe and a second pipe for the inflow and outflow of the first working fluid, a third pipe for the inflow or outflow of the second working fluid, and a fourth pipe for the inflow or outflow of the third working fluid; the second water tank arranged at the other side end of the cooling core unit may be provided with a fifth pipe for the outflow or inflow of the second working fluid and a sixth pipe for the outflow or inflow of the third working fluid.

[0025] The composite heat exchanger may further include an air duct configured to guide the flow of external air introduced into the composite heat exchanger. The air duct may include an external air inlet having a predetermined area and length and a vertical guide extending from the external air inlet, and the lower front core may be arranged at a position corresponding to the external air inlet.

[0026] The vertical guide portion may include an inclined plate extending from the external air inlet to be inclined upward in the direction of external airflow, and the front upper core may be arranged at a position corresponding to the inclined plate.

[0027] The lower front core can be configured to allow the first working fluid to flow through the lower front core.

[0028] The first working fluid may be a refrigerant, and the second working fluid may be a coolant.

[0029] The first working fluid may be a refrigerant, and the second working fluid may be a cryogenic coolant. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The accompanying drawings included in this specification illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, serve to further illustrate the technical concepts of this disclosure. This disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the content shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a composite heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded 3D diagram;

[0033] Figure 3A This is a conceptual diagram showing the arrangement of the first and second water tanks at another lateral end of the cooling core unit;

[0034] Figure 3B This is a conceptual diagram showing the arrangement of the first and second water tanks at another lateral end of the cooling core unit;

[0035] Figure 4A This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a composite heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 4B This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the composite heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of this disclosure;

[0037] Figure 5 A partial perspective view and a cross-sectional view are shown of the structure of the first water tank and the second water tank installed at another lateral end of the cooling core unit in the composite heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a composite heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 7A This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a composite heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 7B This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a composite heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 8 A partial perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the structure of the first and second water tanks in the composite heat exchanger according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, installed at another lateral end of the cooling core unit, are shown; and

[0042] Figure 9 This is a conceptual diagram of a cooling module that includes air ducts arranged in front of the composite heat exchanger. Detailed Implementation

[0043] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of this disclosure are provided to more fully illustrate the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Various other modifications may be made to the following embodiments, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. These embodiments are provided to make this disclosure more faithful and complete, and to fully convey the concept of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0044] In the following figures, for ease of description and clarity, the thickness or dimensions of each layer are shown enlarged, and the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any of the listed items and any combination of one or more of them. As used herein, the term "connection" refers not only to a direct connection between component A and component B, but also to an indirect connection between component A and component B through which component C is inserted. The terminology used in this specification is intended to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the singular form may include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are intended to specify the presence of the stated figures, numbers, steps, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other figures, numbers, steps, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof.

[0045] Although terms such as “first” and “second” are used herein to describe various components, parts, regions, layers, and / or portions, these components, parts, regions, layers, and / or portions are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component, part, region, layer, or portion from another component, part, region, layer, or portion. Therefore, the first component, first part, first region, first layer, or first portion described below may refer to a second component, second part, second region, second layer, or second portion without departing from the teachings of this disclosure.

[0046] Spatial terms such as “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” and “higher” are used to facilitate understanding of the distinction between one element or feature shown in the accompanying drawings and another. The spatial terms are intended to facilitate understanding of the contents of this disclosure in various processes or states of use and are not intended to limit the disclosure. For example, if an element or feature in the figure is flipped, an element or feature described as “below” or “under” becomes “above” or “higher.” Therefore, “below” is a concept that includes “above” or “lower.”

[0047] [First Embodiment]

[0048] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a composite heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Decomposed 3D diagram, Figure 3A and Figure 3B This is a conceptual diagram showing the arrangement of the first and second water tanks at another lateral end of the cooling core unit. Figure 4A This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a composite heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4B This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the composite heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 5 A partial perspective view and a cross-sectional view are shown of the structure of the first water tank and the second water tank installed at another lateral end of the cooling core unit in a composite heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The composite heat exchanger 1000 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] The composite heat exchanger 1000 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure is a heat exchanger installed in a cooling module, including a cooling core unit 1100, which includes a front cooling core 1110 and a rear cooling core 1130. As will be described later, the cooling module includes an air duct 1500 disposed in front of the composite heat exchanger 1000 (see...). Figure 9 The system guides the flow of external air to the cooling core unit 1100 and a blower fan (not shown) located behind the composite heat exchanger 1000. External air is introduced through the duct 1500, undergoes heat exchange as it flows through the composite heat exchanger 1000, and is then discharged to the outside by the blower fan. In the following text, based on the airflow direction within the cooling module, the air inflow side is referred to as the front side, and the air outlet side as the rear side.

[0050] The front cooling core 1110 and the rear cooling core 1130 are arranged on the front and rear sides of the cooling module, respectively, based on the airflow direction. Therefore, the outside air that has passed through the air duct 1500 undergoes a heat exchange once when it flows through the front cooling core 1110, and then a second heat exchange when it flows through the rear cooling core 1130.

[0051] The front cooling core 1110 and the rear cooling core 1130 have the same structure. For example, multiple tubes T are arranged at intervals along a predetermined direction, and fins P are inserted between two adjacent tubes T. Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary structure is shown with multiple tubes T arranged vertically. Working fluid flows through each of the multiple tubes T, and external air flows between multiple fins P, thereby achieving heat exchange between the working fluid and the external air. Side plates 1600 may be arranged at various ends of the cooling core unit 1100 in the height direction to cover the front cooling core 1110 and the rear cooling core 1130.

[0052] Manifolds 1210 and 1220 are arranged at respective lateral ends of a cooling core unit 1100, which includes a front cooling core 1110 and a rear cooling core 1130. A first manifold 1210 is arranged at one lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100 in the width direction to support one lateral end of each of the front cooling core 1110 and the rear cooling core 1130, and a second manifold 1220 is arranged at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100 in the width direction to support the other lateral end of each of the front cooling core 1110 and the rear cooling core 1130. Figure 2 As shown, the first manifold 1210 can be formed as a frame structure, surrounding / closing one side end of the cooling core unit 1100, and the second manifold 1220 can be formed as a frame structure, surrounding / closing the other side end of the cooling core unit 1100. The first water tank 1310 and the second water tank 1320, which will be described later, are connected to the first manifold 1210 and the second manifold 1220.

[0053] Water tanks 1310 and 1320 are arranged at each of the two opposite lateral ends of the cooling core unit 1100. The first water tank 1310 is arranged at each of one and the other lateral ends of the cooling core unit 1100, and seals and covers a portion of each lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100. For this purpose, as... Figure 2 As shown, the first water tank 1310 can be formed with a planar shape corresponding to the portion to be covered in each lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100. The second water tank 1320 is arranged at each of one and the other lateral ends of the cooling core unit 1100, and seals and covers the entire area of ​​each lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100. For this purpose, the second water tank 1320 can be formed with a planar shape corresponding to either the first manifold 1210 or the second manifold 1220.

[0054] The specific structural features of the first water tank 1310 and the second water tank 1320 will be described together with the following description of the technical features of the cooling core unit 1100.

[0055] The front cooling core 1110 of the cooling core unit 1100 may include a front upper core 1111 and a front lower core 1112, with different working fluids flowing independently through the front upper core 1111 and the front lower core 1112; the rear cooling core 1130 of the cooling core unit 1100 may include a rear upper core 1131 and a rear lower core 1132, with different working fluids flowing independently through the rear upper core 1131 and the rear lower core 1132. For reference, the front upper core 1111 and the front lower core 1112 are distinguished because they use different working fluids, but their structures are the same. Similarly, the rear upper core 1131 and the rear lower core 1132 have the same structure, but they use different working fluids.

[0056] According to a first embodiment of this disclosure, the lower front core 1112 and the upper rear core 1131 are in fluid communication with each other, allowing a first working fluid to flow therein; the upper front core 1111 and the lower rear core 1132 are also in fluid communication with each other, allowing a second working fluid to flow therein. In one example, the first working fluid may be a refrigerant, and the second working fluid may be a coolant.

[0057] The independent flow of these two different working fluids can be achieved through the structural features of the first water tank 1310 and the second water tank 1320.

[0058] According to a first embodiment of this disclosure, a second water tank 1320 disposed at a lateral end of a cooling core unit 1100 is provided with a first pipe 1410 and a second pipe 1420 for the inflow and outflow of a first working fluid, and a third pipe 1430 and a fourth pipe 1440 for the inflow and outflow of a second working fluid. The first pipe 1410 and the second pipe 1420 are configured to communicate with the internal space of the first water tank 1310. For this purpose, the first water tank 1310 disposed at a lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100 may include a through-hole (not shown) through which the first pipe 1410 and the second pipe 1420 pass. The third pipe 1430 and the fourth pipe 1440 are configured to communicate with the internal space of the second water tank 1320.

[0059] In the first embodiment, at one lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, a first working fluid flows in and out through a first pipe 1410 and a second pipe 1420; at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, the first working fluid flows between the front lower core 1112 and the rear upper core 1131. At one lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, a second working fluid flows in and out through a third pipe 1430 and a fourth pipe 1440; at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, the second working fluid flows between the front upper core 1111 and the rear lower core 1132.

[0060] Therefore, at one lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, it is necessary to prevent the working fluid from flowing between the lower front core 1112 and the upper rear core 1131. Thus, the first water tank 1310 is configured to independently seal each of the lower front core 1112 and the upper rear core 1131. For example, as... Figure 2 As shown, the first water tank 1310 is implemented as two independent components, respectively configured to seal the lower front core 1112 and the upper rear core 1131. Specifically, the first water tank 1310 includes a planar portion having a shape corresponding to one lateral end of the lower front core 1112, and a sidewall portion formed along the periphery of the planar portion, with the flow space of the working fluid confined within the sidewall portion. A seal can be inserted between the sidewall portion and the pipe T to achieve a fluid seal. If the first water tank 1310 is installed at one lateral end of the lower front core 1112 of the cooling core unit 1100, the sidewall portion of the first water tank 1310 encloses one lateral end of the lower front core 1112, thereby isolating the end of the pipe from the outside. Alternatively, the first water tank 1310 disposed at one lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100 can also be implemented as a single integral component, similar to the first water tank 1310 disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, as described later. In this case, a first baffle wall can be installed inside the first water tank 1310 to prevent the first working fluid from flowing between the front lower core 1112 and the rear upper core 1131.

[0061] A first water tank 1310, located at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, seals and covers the other lateral ends of the front lower core 1112 and the rear upper core 1131, while allowing the first working fluid flowing through the other lateral ends of the front lower core 1112 and the rear upper core 1131 to flow through the first water tank 1310.

[0062] Therefore, such as Figure 3AAs shown, a first water tank 1310 disposed at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 1110 may include a first lower water tank 1311 covering the front lower core 1112 and a first upper water tank 1312 covering the rear upper core 1131, the first lower water tank 1311 and the first upper water tank 1312 being spatially separable from each other. Separate fluid lines (not shown) may be installed to fluidly interconnect the first lower water tank 1311 and the first upper water tank 1312, thereby allowing a first working fluid to flow between the first lower water tank 1311 and the first upper water tank 1312 through these fluid lines.

[0063] Or, such as Figure 3B As shown, the first water tank 1310, located at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 1110, can be implemented as a single integral component. For example, the first water tank 1310 may include a first lower water tank 1311 covering the front lower core 1112, a first upper water tank 1312 covering the rear upper core 1131, and a connecting water tank 1313 interconnecting the upper end of the first lower water tank 1311 and the lower end of the first upper water tank 1312 to provide fluid communication between the first lower water tank 1311 and the first upper water tank 1312. The first lower water tank 1311, the first upper water tank 1312, and the connecting water tank 1313 are spatially integrated with each other. For reference, if using... Figure 3B The first water tank 1310 of the illustrated structure has an overlapping region OL, in which at least one pipe T located below the front upper core 1111 overlaps with at least one pipe T located above the rear lower core 1132. A connecting water tank 1313 covers this overlapping region OL, namely the ends of at least one pipe T located at the upper end of the first lower water tank 1311 and at least one pipe T located at the lower end of the first upper water tank 1312. With this structure, the first working fluid flowing into the first lower water tank 1311 can flow to the first upper water tank 1312 via the connecting water tank 1313 (reverse flow is also possible), and the first working fluid can move between another lateral end of the front lower core 1112 and another lateral end of the rear upper core 1131 via the connecting water tank 1313.

[0064] A first water tank 1310 (which can be implemented in one of the two forms described above) disposed at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100 includes a planar portion having a shape corresponding to the portion to be covered in the cooling core unit 1100, and a sidewall portion formed along the periphery of the planar portion, the flow space of the working fluid being confined within the sidewall portion. If the first water tank 1310 is installed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, the sidewall portion of the first water tank 1310 encloses a portion of the end of the tube T of the lower front core 1112 and a portion of the end of the tube T of the upper rear core 1131. A seal can be inserted between the sidewall portion and the tube T to achieve a fluid seal. Therefore, the first water tank 1310 encloses the lower front core 1112 and the upper rear core 1131, thereby isolating the end of the tube T from the outside while allowing fluid to flow between the lower front core 1112 and the upper rear core 1131.

[0065] At one lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, it is necessary to prevent the working fluid from flowing between the upper front core 1111 and the lower rear core 1132; therefore, the second water tank 1320 is configured to independently seal each of the upper front core 1111 and the lower rear core 1132. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the second water tank 1320 is implemented as two independent components, respectively configured as a sealing upper core 1111 and a sealing lower core 1132. Specifically, as Figure 2 As shown, the second water tank 1320 may include a flat portion having a shape corresponding to one lateral end of the front upper core 1111 and the rear upper core 1131, and a sidewall portion formed along its periphery; and a water tank including a flat portion having a shape corresponding to one lateral end of the front lower core 1112 and the rear lower core 1132, and a sidewall portion formed along its periphery. The flow space of the working fluid is defined within the interior of each sidewall portion. A seal may be inserted between the sidewall portion and the pipe T to achieve a fluid seal. If the second water tank 1320 configured as described above is installed at the upper and lower parts of one lateral end of the cooling core unit, one lateral end of the front upper core 1111 and one lateral end of the rear lower core 1132 are sealed and separated. Alternatively, the second water tank 1320, located at one lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, may also be implemented as a single integral component (similar to the first water tank 1310), with a second baffle wall installed inside the second water tank 1320 to prevent the second working fluid from flowing between the front upper core 1111 and the rear lower core 1132.

[0066] A second water tank 1320, located at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, seals and covers the entire area of ​​that other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, allowing the flow of second working fluid through the other lateral ends of the front upper core 1111 and the rear lower core 1132 to pass through the second water tank 1320. For this purpose, the second water tank 1320 located at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100 includes a planar portion having a shape corresponding to the entire area of ​​the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, and a sidewall portion formed along the periphery of the planar portion, the flow space of the working fluid being defined within the sidewall portion. If the second water tank 1320 is installed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, the second water tank 1320 surrounds the entire end of the tube T exposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100. A seal can be inserted between the sidewall portion and the tube T to achieve a fluid seal.

[0067] like Figure 5 As shown, a second water tank 1320, located at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, is designed to cover and be spaced apart from the upper surface of the first water tank 1310. More specifically, refer to... Figure 5 In section AA of the first water tank 1310, the first water tank 1310 fluid-tightly encloses the tube T at the other lateral end of each of the front lower core 1112 and the rear upper core 1131, thus preventing the first working fluid from flowing outside the first water tank 1310. In this state, if the second water tank is installed to enclose the entire surface of the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, the second water tank 1320 is arranged above the first water tank 1310 and spaced apart from the upper surface of the first water tank 1310, thereby defining a gap C between the first water tank 1310 and the second water tank 1320. Since the tube T at the other lateral end of each of the front lower core 1112 and the rear upper core 1131 is fluid-tightly enclosed by the first water tank 1310, the other lateral end of the rear lower core 1132 and the other lateral end of the front upper core 1111 (excluding the other lateral ends of the front lower core 1112 and the rear upper core 1131) are in fluid communication with each other through the gap C. With this structure, the second working fluid flows through the tube T at the other lateral end of the lower core 1132 and the other lateral end of the upper core 1111.

[0068] Therefore, at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, the second working fluid flows through the gap C between the upper surface of the first water tank 1310 and the lower surface of the second water tank 1320. Through this gap C, the second working fluid flowing through the other lateral end of the front upper core 1111 and the other lateral end of the rear lower core 1132 can move within the second water tank 1320 between the other lateral end of the front upper core 1111 and the other lateral end of the rear lower core 1132.

[0069] The flow of the first working fluid and the second working fluid in the composite heat exchanger 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0070] Figure 4A This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a composite heat exchanger 1000 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] A second water tank 1320, located at a lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100, is provided with a first pipe 1410 and a second pipe 1420 for the inflow and outflow of a first working fluid, and a third pipe 1430 and a fourth pipe 1440 for the inflow and outflow of a second working fluid. In a first embodiment, the first pipe 1410 is the inlet pipe for the first working fluid, the second pipe 1420 is the outlet pipe for the first working fluid, the third pipe 1430 is the inlet pipe for the second working fluid, and the fourth pipe 1440 is the outlet pipe for the second working fluid.

[0072] The first working fluid is introduced into the upper end of the first water tank 1310 through the first pipe 1410. The introduced first working fluid enters one lateral end of the upper rear core 1131, flows through the pipe T of the upper rear core 1131 from one lateral end to the other lateral end, and then reaches the internal space of the first water tank 1310 located at the other lateral end of the upper rear core 1131. The first working fluid flows from the upper region of the first water tank 1310 corresponding to the upper rear core 1131 (i.e., the first upper water tank 1312) to the lower region of the first water tank 1310 corresponding to the lower front core 1112 (i.e., the first lower water tank 1311) (see...). Figure 3A and Figure 5 Subsequently, the first working fluid flows from one side end of the front lower core 1112 through the pipe T of the front lower core 1112 to one side end, reaches the internal space of the first water tank 1310 arranged at one side end of the front lower core 1112, and is then discharged through the second pipe 1420.

[0073] The second working fluid is introduced through the third pipe 1430 to the lower end of the second water tank 1320 located at one lateral end of the cooling core unit 1100. The introduced second working fluid enters one lateral end of the rear lower core 1132. During this process, the second water tank 1320 located at one lateral end of the rear lower core 1132 is filled with the second working fluid. Subsequently, the second working fluid flows from one lateral end of the rear lower core 1132 to the other lateral end through the pipe T of the rear lower core 1132, and then reaches the internal space of the second water tank 1320 located at the other lateral end of the rear lower core 1132. The second working fluid flows from the lower region of the second water tank 1320 corresponding to the rear lower core 1132 to the upper region of the second water tank 1320 corresponding to the front upper core 1111 (see...). Figure 5Specifically, the second working fluid moves through the gap C between the upper surface of the first water tank 1310 and the lower surface of the second water tank 1320 to the upper region of the second water tank 1320. Thereafter, the second working fluid flows from one lateral end of the front upper core 1111 through the pipe T of the front upper core 1111 to one lateral end, reaching the internal space of the second water tank 1320 located at one lateral end of the front upper core 1111, and then exits through the fourth pipe 1440. In one example, the first working fluid may be a refrigerant, and the second working fluid may be a coolant.

[0074] According to the flow of the working fluid, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the lower front core is lower than the temperature of the coolant flowing through the lower rear core located behind the lower front core, and the temperature of the coolant flowing through the upper front core is lower than the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the upper rear core located behind the upper front core.

[0075] Specifically, high-temperature coolant (e.g., about 65°C) flows through the lower core 1132, and low-temperature coolant, whose temperature is lowered by heat exchange in the lower core 1132, flows through the upper core 1111. High-temperature refrigerant (e.g., about 100°C) flows through the upper core 1131, and low-temperature refrigerant (e.g., about 60°C), whose temperature is lowered by heat exchange in the upper core 1131, flows through the lower core 1112. In this state, if external air (e.g., about 50°C) is introduced, the introduced external air flows sequentially through the lower core 1112 (where the low-temperature refrigerant flows) and the lower core 1132 (where the high-temperature coolant flows) in the lower part of the composite heat exchanger 1000, and sequentially through the upper core 1111 (where the low-temperature coolant flows) and the upper core 1131 (where the high-temperature refrigerant flows) in the upper part of the composite heat exchanger 1000. Therefore, in the lower and upper parts of the composite heat exchanger 1000, the relatively cooler working fluid first exchanges heat with the outside air, thereby preventing a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.

[0076] Figure 4B This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the composite heat exchanger 1000 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0077] In the second embodiment, the first pipe 1410 is the inlet pipe for the first working fluid, and the second pipe 1420 is the outlet pipe for the first working fluid. The flow of the first working fluid is the same as in the first embodiment. In one example, the first working fluid may be a refrigerant.

[0078] The third pipe 1430 and the fourth pipe 1440 are pipes for the inflow and outflow of the second working fluid. The fourth pipe 1440 is the inlet pipe for the second working fluid, and the third pipe 1430 is the outlet pipe for the second working fluid. The second working fluid is introduced through the fourth pipe 1440 to the upper end of the second water tank 1320 arranged at one side end of the cooling core unit 1100. The introduced second working fluid enters one side end of the front upper core 1111. During this process, the second water tank 1320 arranged at one side end of the front upper core 1111 is filled with the second working fluid. Thereafter, the second working fluid flows from one side end of the front upper core 1111 to the other side end through the pipe T of the front upper core 1111, and then reaches the internal space of the second water tank 1320 arranged at the other side end of the front upper core 1111. The second working fluid flows from the upper region of the second water tank 1320 corresponding to the front upper core 1111 to the lower region of the second water tank 1320 corresponding to the rear lower core 1132 (see...). Figure 5 Specifically, the second working fluid moves through the gap C between the upper surface of the first water tank 1310 and the lower surface of the second water tank 1320 to the lower region of the second water tank 1320. Thereafter, the second working fluid flows from one lateral end of the lower rear core 1132 through the tube T of the lower rear core 1132 to one lateral end, reaching the internal space of the second water tank 1320 located at one lateral end of the lower rear core 1132, and then exits through the third tube 1430. In one example, the first working fluid may be a refrigerant, and the second working fluid may be a coolant.

[0079] According to the flow of the working fluid, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the lower front core is lower than the temperature of the coolant flowing through the lower rear core located behind the lower front core, and the temperature of the coolant flowing through the upper front core is lower than the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the upper rear core located behind the upper front core.

[0080] Specifically, a high-temperature refrigerant (e.g., about 100°C) flows through the upper rear core 1131, while a low-temperature refrigerant (e.g., about 60°C), whose temperature decreases due to heat exchange in the upper rear core 1131, flows through the lower front core 1112. A high-temperature coolant (e.g., about 65°C) flows through the upper front core 1111, while a low-temperature coolant, whose temperature decreases due to heat exchange in the upper front core 1111, flows through the lower rear core 1132. In this state, if external air (e.g., about 50°C) is introduced, the introduced external air flows sequentially through the lower front core 1112 (where the low-temperature refrigerant flows) and the lower rear core 1132 (where the low-temperature coolant flows) in the lower part of the composite heat exchanger 1000, and sequentially through the upper front core 1111 (where the high-temperature coolant flows) and the upper rear core 1131 (where the high-temperature refrigerant flows) in the upper part of the composite heat exchanger 1000.

[0081] The temperature of the high-temperature coolant in the upper front core 1111 can be lower than the temperature of the high-temperature refrigerant in the upper rear core 1131, and the temperature of the low-temperature refrigerant in the lower front core 1112 can be lower than or close to the temperature of the low-temperature coolant in the lower rear core 1132. Therefore, in the lower and upper parts of the composite heat exchanger 1000, the relatively cooler working fluids first exchange heat with the outside air, thereby preventing a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.

[0082] [Second Embodiment]

[0083] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a composite heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7A This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a composite heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7B This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a composite heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 Partial perspective and cross-sectional views of the structure of the first water tank 2310 and the second water tank 2320 installed at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100 in a composite heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. The composite heat exchanger 2000 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0084] The composite heat exchanger 2000 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a cooling core unit 2100, which includes a front cooling core 2110 and a rear cooling core 2130; a first manifold 2210 and a second manifold 2220 disposed at each of the lateral ends of the cooling core unit 2100; a first water tank 2310 disposed at each of one lateral end and the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100 and configured to seal and cover a portion of each of the lateral ends of the cooling core unit 2100; and a second water tank 2320 disposed at each of one lateral end and the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100 and configured to seal and cover the entire area of ​​each of the lateral ends of the cooling core unit 2100. The front cooling core 2110 includes an upper front core 2111 and a lower front core 2112, with different working fluids flowing independently through them; the rear cooling core 2130 includes an upper rear core 2131 and a lower rear core 2132, with different working fluids flowing independently through them. This configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. For a description of this configuration, please refer to the first embodiment.

[0085] In the second embodiment, the lower front core 2112 and the upper rear core 2131 are in fluid communication with each other, allowing a first working fluid to flow therethrough. This configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. Specifically, at one lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100, the lower front core 2112 and the upper rear core 2131 are each independently sealed by a first water tank 2310; at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100, the lower front core 2112 and the upper rear core 2131 are in fluid communication with each other through the first water tank 2310. For this purpose, similar to the first embodiment described above, the first water tank 2310, located at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100, may be provided with a separate fluid conduit (not shown) to fluidly interconnect the lower front water tank and the upper rear water tank, allowing the first working fluid to flow between the lower front water tank and the upper rear water tank through this fluid conduit. Alternatively, the first water tank 2310 disposed at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100 may include a first lower water tank covering the front lower core 2112, a first upper water tank covering the rear upper core 2131, and a connecting water tank interconnecting the upper end of the first lower water tank and the lower end of the first upper water tank to provide fluid communication between the first lower water tank and the first upper water tank. The first lower water tank, the first upper water tank, and the connecting water tank may be spatially integrated with each other. In this configuration, the first lower water tank and the first upper water tank are in fluid communication with each other through the connecting water tank. Refer to the description of the first embodiment for details on this configuration.

[0086] As described above, in the first embodiment, the upper front core 1111 and the lower rear core 1132 are fluidly connected to each other, allowing a working fluid to flow therein. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the upper front core 1111 and the lower rear core 2132 are not fluidly connected to each other, allowing different working fluids to flow therein. Specifically, in the second embodiment, only a second working fluid can flow through the lower rear core 2132, and only a third working fluid can flow through the upper front core 2111.

[0087] In order to allow different working fluids to flow independently through the lower rear core 2132 and the upper front core 2111, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the connection structure of the first water tank 2310 and the second water tank 2320 at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100.

[0088] Specifically, a first water tank 2310, located at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100, seals and covers the other lateral ends of the lower front core 2112 and the upper rear core 2131, while allowing a first working fluid flowing through the other lateral ends of the lower front core 2112 and the upper rear core 2131 to flow through the first water tank 2310. For this purpose, similar to the first embodiment, the first water tank 2310 may include a planar portion having a shape corresponding to the other lateral end of the lower front core 2112, and a sidewall portion formed along the periphery of the planar portion. If the first water tank 2310 is installed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100, the sidewall portion of the first water tank 2310 encloses the ends of a portion of the tube T of the lower front core 2112 and the ends of a portion of the tube T of the upper rear core 2131. Therefore, the first water tank 2310 encloses the lower front core 2112 and the upper rear core 2131, thereby isolating the end of the pipe T from the outside while allowing fluid to flow between the lower front core 2112 and the upper rear core 2131.

[0089] like Figure 8 As shown, a second water tank 2320, located at another lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100, is arranged to cover the upper surface of the first water tank 2310. Furthermore, the lower surface of the second water tank 2320 is in surface contact with the upper surface of the first water tank 2310. Since the second water tank 2320 is designed to be in surface contact with rather than spaced apart from the upper surface of the first water tank 2310, the gap C included in the first embodiment is absent in the second embodiment. Therefore, fluid flow between the front upper core 2111 and the rear lower core 2132 is prevented, and the third working fluid flowing through the other lateral end of the front upper core 2111 and the second working fluid flowing through the other lateral end of the rear lower core 2132 do not mix with each other.

[0090] In the second embodiment, a second water tank 2320 disposed at one lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100 is provided with a first pipe 2410, a second pipe 2420, a third pipe 2430, and a fourth pipe 2440 for the inflow and outflow of working fluid. This configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. However, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a fifth pipe 2450 and a sixth pipe 2460 for the inflow and outflow of working fluid are additionally provided on the second water tank 2320 disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100.

[0091] The first pipe 2410 and the second pipe 2420 are pipes for the inflow and outflow of the first working fluid. The first pipe 2410 and the second pipe 2420 are configured to communicate with the internal space of the first water tank 2310. For this purpose, the first water tank 2310, located at a lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100, may include a through hole (not shown) through which the first pipe 2410 and the second pipe 2420 pass. This configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0092] The third pipe 2430 and the fifth pipe 2450 are arranged for the inflow and outflow of the second working fluid. The third pipe 2430 is mounted on the second water tank 2320 arranged at one side end of the cooling core unit 2100 and is configured to communicate with the rear lower core 2132 through the internal space of the second water tank 2320; the fifth pipe 2450 is mounted on the second water tank 2320 arranged at the other side end of the cooling core unit 2100 and is configured to communicate with the rear lower core 2132 through the internal space of the second water tank 2320. Therefore, the flow path is defined by the third pipe 2430, the rear lower core 2132, and the fifth pipe 2450, through which the second working fluid flows in and out.

[0093] The fourth pipe 2440 and the sixth pipe 2460 are arranged for the inflow and outflow of the third working fluid. The fourth pipe 2440 is mounted on the second water tank 2320 arranged at one lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100 and is configured to communicate with the front upper core 2111 through the internal space of the second water tank 2320; the sixth pipe 2460 is mounted on the second water tank 2320 arranged at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit 2100 and is configured to communicate with the front upper core 2111 through the internal space of the second water tank 2320. Therefore, the flow path is defined by the fourth pipe 2440, the front upper core 2111, and the sixth pipe 2460, through which the third working fluid flows in and out.

[0094] The flow of the first working fluid, the second working fluid, and the third working fluid in the composite heat exchanger 2000 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0095] Figure 7A This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a composite heat exchanger 2000 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] In the first embodiment, the first pipe 2410 is the inlet pipe for the first working fluid, and the second pipe 2420 is the outlet pipe for the first working fluid. The first working fluid is introduced into the upper end of the first water tank 2310 through the first pipe 2410. The introduced first working fluid enters one side end of the upper rear core 2131, flows through the pipe T of the upper rear core 2131 from one side end to the other side end, and then reaches the internal space of the first water tank 2310 arranged at the other side end of the upper rear core 2131. The first working fluid flows from the upper region (first upper water tank) of the first water tank 2310 corresponding to the upper rear core 2131 to the lower region (first lower water tank) of the first water tank 2310 corresponding to the lower front core 2112 (see...). Figure 8Subsequently, the first working fluid flows through the tube T of the lower front core 2112 from one side end to the other, reaching the interior space of the first water tank 2310 located at one side end of the lower front core 2112, and then is discharged through the second tube 2420. In one example, the first working fluid may be a refrigerant.

[0097] The third pipe 2430 and the fifth pipe 2450 are pipes for the inflow and outflow of the second working fluid. The third pipe 2430 is the inlet pipe for the second working fluid, and the fifth pipe 2450 is the outlet pipe for the second working fluid. The second working fluid is introduced into the lower end of the second water tank 2320 through the third pipe 2430. The introduced second working fluid enters one side end of the lower rear core 2132. During this process, the second water tank 2320 is filled with the second working fluid. Thereafter, the second working fluid flows from one side end of the lower rear core 2132 to the other side end through the pipe T of the lower rear core 2132, and then reaches the internal space of the second water tank 2320 arranged at the other side end of the lower rear core 2132. Since the second water tank 2320 arranged at the other side end of the lower rear core 2132 prevents fluid from flowing from the lower rear core 2132 to the upper front core 2111, the second working fluid is discharged directly through the fifth pipe 2450. In one example, the second working fluid may be a high-temperature coolant.

[0098] The fourth pipe 2440 and the sixth pipe 2460 are for the inflow and outflow of the third working fluid. The sixth pipe 2460 is the inlet pipe for the third working fluid, and the fourth pipe 2440 is the outlet pipe for the third working fluid. The third working fluid is introduced into the lower end of the second water tank 2320 through the sixth pipe 2460. The introduced third working fluid enters another lateral end of the upper front core 2111. During this process, the second water tank 2320 is filled with the third working fluid. Subsequently, the third working fluid flows from the other lateral end of the upper front core 2111 through pipe T of the upper front core 2111 to one lateral end, and then reaches the internal space of the second water tank 2320 arranged at one lateral end of the upper front core 2111. Then, the third working fluid is discharged directly through the fourth pipe 2440. In one example, the third working fluid may be a cryogenic coolant.

[0099] According to the flow of the working fluid, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the lower front core is lower than the temperature of the coolant (high-temperature coolant) flowing through the lower rear core arranged behind the lower front core, and the temperature of the coolant (low-temperature coolant) flowing through the upper front core is lower than the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the upper rear core arranged behind the upper front core.

[0100] Specifically, a high-temperature refrigerant (e.g., approximately 100°C) flows through the upper rear core 2131, while a low-temperature refrigerant (e.g., approximately 60°C), cooled by heat exchange in the upper rear core 2131, flows through the lower front core 2112. High-temperature coolant flows through the lower rear core 2132, and low-temperature coolant flows through the upper front core 2111. In this state, if external air (e.g., approximately 50°C) is introduced, it flows sequentially through the lower front core 2112 (where the low-temperature refrigerant flows) and the lower rear core 2132 (where the high-temperature coolant flows) in the lower part of the composite heat exchanger 2000, and sequentially through the upper front core 2111 (where the low-temperature coolant flows) and the upper rear core 2131 (where the high-temperature refrigerant flows) in the upper part of the composite heat exchanger 2000. Therefore, in the lower and upper parts of the composite heat exchanger 2000, the relatively cooler working fluid first exchanges heat with the external air, thereby preventing a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.

[0101] Figure 7B This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a composite heat exchanger 2000 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] In the second embodiment, the first pipe 2410 is the inlet pipe for the first working fluid, and the second pipe 2420 is the outlet pipe for the first working fluid. The flow of the first working fluid is the same as in the first embodiment. In one example, the first working fluid may be a refrigerant.

[0103] The third pipe 2430 and the fifth pipe 2450 are pipes for the inflow and outflow of the second working fluid. The third pipe 2430 is the inlet pipe for the second working fluid, and the fifth pipe 2450 is the outlet pipe for the second working fluid. The flow of the second working fluid is the same as in the first embodiment. In one example, the second working fluid may be a cryogenic coolant.

[0104] The fourth pipe 2440 and the sixth pipe 2460 are pipes for the inflow and outflow of the third working fluid. The sixth pipe 2460 is the inlet pipe for the third working fluid, and the fourth pipe 2440 is the outlet pipe for the third working fluid. The flow of the third working fluid is the same as in the first embodiment. In one example, the third working fluid may be a high-temperature coolant.

[0105] According to the flow of the working fluid, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the lower front core is lower than the temperature of the coolant (low-temperature coolant) flowing through the lower rear core arranged behind the lower front core, and the temperature of the coolant (high-temperature coolant) flowing through the upper front core is lower than the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the upper rear core arranged behind the upper front core.

[0106] Specifically, a high-temperature refrigerant (e.g., about 100°C) flows through the upper rear core 2131, while a low-temperature refrigerant (e.g., about 60°C), whose temperature is lowered by heat exchange in the upper rear core 2131, flows through the lower front core 2112. Low-temperature coolant flows through the lower rear core 2132, and high-temperature coolant flows through the upper front core 2111. In this state, if external air (e.g., about 50°C) is introduced, the introduced external air flows sequentially through the lower front core 2112 (where the low-temperature refrigerant flows) and the lower rear core 2132 (where the low-temperature coolant flows) in the lower part of the composite heat exchanger 2000, and sequentially through the upper front core 2111 (where the high-temperature coolant flows) and the upper rear core 2131 (where the high-temperature refrigerant flows) in the upper part of the composite heat exchanger 2000. The temperature of the high-temperature coolant in the upper front core 2111 can be lower than the temperature of the high-temperature refrigerant in the upper rear core 2131, and the temperature of the low-temperature refrigerant in the lower front core 2112 can be lower than or close to the temperature of the low-temperature coolant in the lower rear core 2132. Therefore, in the lower and upper parts of the composite heat exchanger 2000, the relatively lower-temperature working fluid first exchanges heat with the outside air, thereby preventing a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.

[0107] The composite heat exchanger 1000 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure or the composite heat exchanger 2000 according to the second embodiment is a component constituting a cooling module. The cooling module further includes an air duct 1500 configured to guide external airflow to the cooling core unit 1100 or 2100 in front of the composite heat exchanger 1000 or 2000, and a blower fan arranged behind the composite heat exchanger 1000 or 2000.

[0108] Reference Figure 9 The air duct 1500 includes an external air inlet 1510 and a vertical guide 1530. The external air inlet 1510 includes an air inlet with a predetermined area, and the vertical guide 1530 includes an inclined plate 1531 extending rearward from the external air inlet 1510, the inclined plate 1531 being inclined upward in the direction of external air flow. The vertical guide 1530 is configured such that its cross-sectional area gradually increases in the direction of external air flow due to the upward inclination of the inclined plate 1531. Therefore, if external air is introduced through the air inlet of the air duct 1500, the external air can be gradually diffused and distributed across the entire surface of the composite heat exchanger 1000 or 2000.

[0109] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the lower front core 1112 or 2112 of the front cooling core 1110 or 2110 is arranged at a position corresponding to the air inlet, and the upper front core 1111 or 2111 of the front cooling core 1110 or 2110 is arranged at a position corresponding to the inclined plate 1531. With this configuration, external air passing through the air inlet directly impacts the lower front core 1112 or 2112, while the upper front core 1111 or 2111 is exposed to diffused external air and thus receives less direct air impact. Embodiments of this disclosure are configured such that a first working fluid flows through the lower front core 1112 or 2112, and a second working fluid flows through the upper front core 1111 or 2111. In this case, the first working fluid is a refrigerant, and the second working fluid is a coolant. Generally, it is known that radiators are more susceptible to damage from external impacts than condensers. Therefore, if a foreign object impacts the radiator, the radiator may be damaged or cracked. In this disclosure, the refrigerant, as the first working fluid, flows through the lower front core 1112 or 2112 impacted by a foreign object, causing the lower front core 1112 or 2112 to function as a condenser. As described above, the composite heat exchanger according to embodiments of this disclosure is designed such that different working fluids flow through the upper front core, lower front core, upper rear core, and lower rear core in opposite directions, and that the lower front core acts as a condenser for the refrigerant flow, thereby preventing or minimizing damage or breakage of the composite heat exchanger due to foreign object impact, and improving the durability of the composite heat exchanger.

[0110] As can be clearly seen from the above description, the embodiments of this disclosure are configured such that the relatively low-temperature working fluid first exchanges heat with the outside air in the lower and upper parts of the composite heat exchanger, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0111] Furthermore, the composite heat exchanger according to embodiments of this disclosure is designed such that the refrigerant, as the working fluid, flows through the lower front core, thereby preventing or minimizing damage or breakage of the cooling core unit due to external air impact.

[0112] The above is merely one embodiment for implementing the composite heat exchanger according to the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A composite heat exchanger, comprising a cooling core unit, the cooling core unit including a front cooling core arranged at the front side based on the airflow direction and a rear cooling core arranged at the rear side, each of the front cooling core and the rear cooling core including multiple tubes and multiple fins. in, The front cooling core includes an upper front core and a lower front core, the upper front core and the lower front core being configured to allow different working fluids to flow independently through the upper front core and the lower front core. The aftercooler core includes an upper rear core and a lower rear core, the upper rear core and the lower rear core being configured to allow different working fluids to flow independently through the upper rear core and the lower rear core, and The lower front core and the upper rear core are fluidly connected to each other to allow a first working fluid to flow through the lower front core and the upper rear core.

2. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein, The upper front core and the lower rear core are fluidly connected to each other to allow a second working fluid to flow through the upper front core and the lower rear core.

3. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 2 further includes: A pair of manifolds arranged at each lateral end of the cooling core unit; A first water tank is disposed at each lateral end of the cooling core unit, the first water tank being configured to seal and cover a portion of each lateral end of the cooling core unit; as well as A second water tank is disposed at each lateral end of the cooling core unit, the second water tank being configured to seal and cover the entire area of ​​each lateral end of the cooling core unit.

4. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein, The pair of manifolds includes: A first manifold, disposed at a lateral end in the width direction of the cooling core unit, is configured to support a lateral end of both the front and rear cooling cores; and A second manifold is disposed at another lateral end in the width direction of the cooling core unit, and the second manifold is configured to support another lateral end of the front cooling core and the rear cooling core, respectively.

5. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein, The first water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, seals and covers the other lateral ends of the lower front core and the upper rear core respectively, to allow the first working fluid flowing through the other lateral ends of the lower front core and the upper rear core to flow through the first water tank. The second water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, covers the upper surface of the first water tank and is spaced apart from the upper surface of the first water tank, so as to allow the second working fluid flowing through the other lateral ends of the front upper core and the rear lower core to flow through the second water tank.

6. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein, The first water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, comprises: The first lower water tank is configured to cover the front lower core; and Configured to cover the first water tank of the rear core, The first lower water tank and the first upper water tank are spatially separated but fluidly connected to each other via fluid pipelines. The upper front core and the lower rear core are arranged such that the lower part of the upper front core overlaps with the upper part of the lower rear core.

7. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein, The first water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, comprises: The first water tank is configured to cover the front lower core; The first water tank is configured to cover the rear core; and The water tanks are connected and configured to interconnect the upper end of the first lower water tank and the lower end of the first upper water tank to provide fluid communication between the first lower water tank and the first upper water tank. The first lower water tank, the first upper water tank, and the connecting water tank are spatially integrated, and The first lower water tank and the first upper water tank are fluidly connected to each other through the connecting water tank.

8. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein, The connecting water tank covers the end of the pipe located at the corresponding position on the upper end of the first lower water tank and the end of the pipe located at the corresponding position on the lower end of the first upper water tank, and The first working fluid moves between the other lateral end of the lower front core and the other lateral end of the upper rear core via the connecting water tank.

9. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 5, wherein, At the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, the second working fluid flows through a gap defined between the upper surface of the first water tank and the lower surface of the second water tank, and moves through the gap between the other lateral end of the front upper core and the other lateral end of the rear lower core.

10. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein, The second water tank, located at one side end of the cooling core unit, is provided with a first pipe and a second pipe for the inflow and outflow of the first working fluid, and a third pipe and a fourth pipe for the inflow and outflow of the second working fluid.

11. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein, The first water tank, disposed at a lateral end of the cooling core unit, includes a first baffle wall formed inside the first water tank to prevent the first working fluid from flowing between the front lower core and the rear upper core.

12. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein, The second water tank, disposed at one lateral end of the cooling core unit, includes a second baffle wall formed inside the second water tank to prevent the second working fluid from flowing between the front upper core and the rear lower core.

13. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein, The upper front core and the lower rear core are not in fluid communication with each other. Wherein, the lower rear core is configured to allow the second working fluid to flow through the lower rear core, and The upper front core is configured to allow a third working fluid to flow through it.

14. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 13, further comprising: A pair of manifolds arranged at each lateral end of the cooling core unit; A first water tank is disposed at each lateral end of the cooling core unit, the first water tank being configured to seal and cover a portion of each lateral end of the cooling core unit; as well as A second water tank is disposed at each lateral end of the cooling core unit, the second water tank being configured to seal and cover the entire area of ​​each lateral end of the cooling core unit.

15. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein, The first water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, seals and covers the other lateral ends of the lower front core and the upper rear core respectively, to allow the first working fluid flowing through the other lateral ends of the lower front core and the upper rear core to flow through the first water tank. The second water tank, located at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, covers the upper surface of the first water tank, and its lower surface is in surface contact with the upper surface of the first water tank to prevent the third working fluid flowing through the other lateral end of the front upper core and the second working fluid flowing through the other lateral end of the rear lower core from mixing with each other.

16. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 15, wherein, The first water tank, disposed at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, comprises: The first water tank is configured to cover the front lower core; The first water tank is configured to cover the rear core; and The water tanks are connected and configured to interconnect the upper end of the first lower water tank and the lower end of the first upper water tank to provide fluid communication between the first lower water tank and the first upper water tank. The first lower water tank, the first upper water tank, and the connecting water tank are spatially integrated. The first lower water tank and the first upper water tank are fluidly connected to each other via the connecting water tank. The second water tank, located at one side end of the cooling core unit, is provided with a first pipe and a second pipe for the inflow and outflow of the first working fluid, a third pipe for the inflow or outflow of the second working fluid, and a fourth pipe for the inflow or outflow of the third working fluid. The second water tank, located at the other lateral end of the cooling core unit, is provided with a fifth pipe for the outflow or inflow of the second working fluid and a sixth pipe for the outflow or inflow of the third working fluid.

17. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 1, further comprising an air duct configured to guide the flow of external air introduced into the composite heat exchanger. in, The air duct includes: An external air inlet having a predetermined area and length; and A vertical guide extending from the external air inlet. The lower front core is positioned at a location corresponding to the external air inlet.

18. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 17, wherein, The vertical guide includes an inclined plate extending from the external air inlet to be inclined upward in the direction of external airflow. The upper front core is positioned corresponding to the inclined plate, and The lower front core is configured to allow the first working fluid to flow through it.

19. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein, The first working fluid is a refrigerant, and the second working fluid is a coolant.

20. The composite heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein, The first working fluid is a refrigerant, and the second working fluid is a cryogenic coolant.

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