Heat exchanger, bent heat exchanger and air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger, a bent heat exchanger which is formed by bending the heat exchanger, and an air conditioning system including the heat exchanger or the bent heat exchanger.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger includes: a plurality of heat exchange pipe rows arranged side by side in a first direction; and a plurality of fins arranged side by side along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the plurality of fins includes a fin body, and a plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves formed in the fin body. In at least one heat exchange pipe groove out of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one fin out of the plurality of fins, the length in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction is larger than the size of the heat exchange pipe in the third direction of the heat exchange pipe row inserted therein, so a gap for passing water is formed at least in the one heat exchange pipe groove. Thereby, the performance of the heat exchanger, a bent heat exchanger and an air conditioning system can be improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a heat exchanger, a bent heat exchanger formed by bending the heat exchanger, and an air conditioning system including the heat exchanger or the bent heat exchanger. [Background technology]

[0002] The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange pipe and a fin. The fin has a heat exchange pipe groove. The heat exchange pipe groove is open on one side of the heat exchanger. Alternatively, the heat exchange pipe groove is open. The heat exchange pipe is inserted into the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger, a bent heat exchanger formed by bending the heat exchanger, and an air conditioning system equipped with the heat exchanger or the bent heat exchanger, thereby making it possible to improve the performance of, for example, the heat exchanger, the bent heat exchanger, and the air conditioning system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention provides a heat exchanger including a plurality of heat exchange pipe rows arranged along a first direction, each heat exchange pipe row being composed of one heat exchange pipe or a plurality of heat exchange pipes, and a plurality of fins arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the plurality of fins includes a fin body and a plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves formed in the fin body. The one heat exchange pipe or the plurality of heat exchange pipes in each of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are inserted into one of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves. In addition, at least one of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the plurality of fins has a length in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction that is larger than the size of the heat exchange pipe in the third direction of the heat exchange pipe row inserted therein, so that a gap for passing water is formed in the at least one heat exchange pipe groove. When a heat exchange pipe row is composed of one heat exchange pipe, the size of the heat exchange pipe is the size of the one heat exchange pipe in the third direction, and when a heat exchange pipe row is composed of multiple heat exchange pipes, the size of the heat exchange pipe is the sum of the sizes of the multiple heat exchange pipes in the third direction.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fins and the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchanger satisfy the following relationship:

[0006] TIFF2025058937000002.tif14170

[0007] W f is the width of the fin in the third direction. L f is the length of the fin in the first direction. W si is the length of the ith heat exchange pipe groove from one side of the heat exchanger to the other side in the first direction. T si is the width of the ith heat exchange pipe groove from one side of the heat exchanger to the other side in the first direction. P f is the fin spacing. T f is the thickness of the fin body of the fin. W tijis the size in the third direction of the jth heat exchange pipe in the ith heat exchange pipe groove from one side to the other side of the heat exchanger in the first direction, where j is the size in the third direction of the jth heat exchange pipe from the first side to the second side of the heat exchanger in the third direction, when the heat exchange pipe row is composed of one heat exchange pipe, j=1, and R is a predetermined value.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined value R is equal to 150.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one heat exchange pipe row is comprised of a plurality of heat exchange pipes, and has an air gap between at least two adjacent heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipes.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe includes a first pipe edge and a second pipe edge. The first pipe edge and the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe are located at the outermost side of the heat exchange pipe in the third direction. The heat exchanger has a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the third direction. In the third direction, the first pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe. The heat exchange pipe groove of the fin has a first groove edge and a second groove edge. The first groove edge and the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin are located at the outermost side of the heat exchange pipe groove in the third direction. In the third direction, the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin. Also, in the third direction, there is a gap between a first groove edge of at least one heat exchange pipe groove of at least one of the multiple fins and the one heat exchange pipe of the inserted heat exchange pipe row or a first pipe edge of one heat exchange pipe of the multiple heat exchange pipes that is closest to the first groove edge, and / or there is a gap between a second groove edge of at least one heat exchange pipe groove of at least one of the multiple fins and the one heat exchange pipe of the inserted heat exchange pipe row or a second pipe edge of one heat exchange pipe of the multiple heat exchange pipes that is closest to the second groove edge, in the third direction.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least in the central portion of the gap in the third direction, the size of the gap in the first direction is equal to the width of the heat exchange pipe groove, and / or the size of the gap in the third direction in at least one heat exchange pipe groove of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves is equal to or larger than the size in the third direction of the one heat exchange pipe of the heat exchange pipe row in the at least one heat exchange pipe groove or one heat exchange pipe of the plurality of heat exchange pipes.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe includes a first pipe edge and a second pipe edge. The first pipe edge and the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe are located at the outermost side of the heat exchange pipe in the third direction. The heat exchanger has a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the third direction. In the third direction, the first pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe. The heat exchange pipe groove of the fin has a first groove edge and a second groove edge. The first groove edge and the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin are located at the outermost side of the heat exchange pipe groove in the third direction. In the third direction, the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin. The heat exchange pipes of the multiple heat exchange pipe rows include multiple heat exchange pipe rows arranged in the third direction. Each of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes aligned in a first direction.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes of two adjacent heat exchange pipe rows are spaced apart in the third direction by their respective orthogonal projections in a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes of two adjacent heat exchange pipe rows are staggered in the third direction.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the heat exchange pipe grooves in at least some of the fins and the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchange pipe row inserted therein form a plurality of voids for drainage, the plurality of voids including a plurality of void rows aligned in a third direction, and each void row of the plurality of void rows including a plurality of voids aligned in the first direction.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voids in at least two adjacent heat exchange pipe grooves are staggered in the third direction.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are arranged in sequence from the first side to the second side of the heat exchanger in the third direction, and there is a gap in the third direction between the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove and the first pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe in the second heat exchange pipe row of the inserted plurality of heat exchange pipe rows.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the third direction, the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove and the first pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe in the first heat exchange pipe row among the multiple heat exchange pipe rows to be inserted are approximately aligned with each other.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are arranged in sequence from the second side to the first side of the heat exchanger in the third direction, and there is a gap in the third direction between the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove and the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe in the second heat exchange pipe row of the inserted plurality of heat exchange pipe rows.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the third direction, the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove and the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe in the first heat exchange pipe row among the multiple heat exchange pipe rows to be inserted are approximately aligned with each other.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are arranged in sequence from the first side to the second side of the heat exchanger in the third direction, and first groove edges of some heat exchange pipe grooves into which heat exchange pipes of a second heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are inserted are closer to the second side of the heat exchanger than first groove edges of some other heat exchange pipe grooves into which heat exchange pipes of a first heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are inserted.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of void rows are arranged in sequence from the second side to the first side of the heat exchanger in the third direction, the voids in the odd-numbered void rows are formed in some of the heat exchange pipe grooves, and the voids in the even-numbered void rows are formed in other of the heat exchange pipe grooves, and the some of the heat exchange pipe grooves and the other of the heat exchange pipe grooves are arranged alternately in the first direction.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes in the odd-numbered heat exchange pipe rows among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are arranged in some of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves, and the heat exchange pipes in the even-numbered heat exchange pipe rows among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are arranged in some other of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves, and the some of the heat exchange pipe grooves and the other some of the heat exchange pipe grooves are arranged alternately in a first direction.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the third direction, first pipe edges of heat exchange pipes in at least one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are substantially aligned with each other, and / or second pipe edges of heat exchange pipes in the at least one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are substantially aligned with each other.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes in at least one of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows have substantially the same size in the third direction.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe includes a first pipe edge and a second pipe edge. The first pipe edge and the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe are located at the outermost sides of the heat exchange pipe in the third direction. The heat exchanger has a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the third direction. In the third direction, the first pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe. In addition, the first pipe edge of the one heat exchange pipe or at least one heat exchange pipe of the plurality of heat exchange pipes in at least one heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipes and the first pipe edge of the one heat exchange pipe or at least one heat exchange pipe of the plurality of heat exchange pipes in at least another heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipes are staggered in the third direction. And / or, a second pipe edge of the one heat exchange pipe in the at least one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows or the at least one heat exchange pipe among the plurality of heat exchange pipes and a second pipe edge of the one heat exchange pipe in the at least one other heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows or the at least one heat exchange pipe among the plurality of heat exchange pipes are staggered in a third direction.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin has a first groove edge and a second groove edge. The first groove edge and the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin are located at the outermost sides of the heat exchange pipe groove in the third direction. In addition, in the third direction, the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin. In addition, the first groove edge of at least one of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the plurality of fins and the first groove edge of another at least one of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in the at least one of the plurality of fins are staggered in the third direction.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a second groove edge of the at least one heat exchange pipe groove among the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in the at least one fin among the plurality of fins and a second groove edge of the at least one other heat exchange pipe groove among the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in the at least one fin among the plurality of fins are staggered in a third direction.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a second groove edge of the at least one heat exchange pipe groove among the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in the at least one fin among the plurality of fins and a second groove edge of the at least one other heat exchange pipe groove among the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in the at least one fin among the plurality of fins are approximately aligned with each other in the third direction.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, first groove edges of the heat exchange pipe grooves of the multiple fins are approximately aligned with each other in the third direction, and second groove edges of the heat exchange pipe grooves of the multiple fins are approximately aligned with each other in the third direction.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe grooves of the multiple fins have approximately the same size in the third direction.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows include first ends located on one side of the heat exchange pipes in the second direction and second ends located on the other side of the heat exchange pipes in the second direction, and the heat exchanger further includes a first header pipe connected to the first ends of the heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with each other, and a second header pipe connected to the second ends of the heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with each other.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows include first ends located on one side of the heat exchange pipes in the second direction and second ends located on the other side of the heat exchange pipes in the second direction. The heat exchanger further includes a first header pipe connected to the first ends of the heat exchange pipes in the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with each other, and two second header pipes. One of the two second header pipes is connected to the second ends of the heat exchange pipes in at least one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with each other. The other of the two second header pipes is connected to the second ends of the heat exchange pipes in at least another heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with each other.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows include first ends located on one side of the heat exchange pipes in the second direction and second ends located on the other side of the heat exchange pipes in the second direction. The heat exchanger further includes a connection portion connecting the first ends of the heat exchange pipes in one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows to first ends of the heat exchange pipes in another heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and communicating a fluid therebetween, and two second header pipes. One of the two second header pipes is connected to the second ends of the heat exchange pipes in the one heat exchange pipe row and communicating a fluid therebetween, and the other of the two second header pipes is connected to the second ends of the heat exchange pipes in the other heat exchange pipe row and communicating a fluid therebetween.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connection part is a plurality of connecting pipes, through which first ends of the heat exchange pipes in the one heat exchange pipe row are respectively connected to first ends of the heat exchange pipes in the other heat exchange pipe row and are in fluid communication with each other.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes in one heat exchange pipe row, the connecting pipe, and the heat exchange pipes in another heat exchange pipe row, which are connected to each other, are formed by bending one pipe.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows include first ends located on one side of the heat exchange pipes in the second direction and second ends located on the other side of the heat exchange pipes in the second direction. The heat exchanger further includes two first header pipes and two second header pipes. One of the two first header pipes and one of the two second header pipes are respectively connected to the first and second ends of the heat exchange pipes in at least one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows, and are in fluid communication with each other. The other of the two first header pipes and the other of the two second header pipes are respectively connected to the first and second ends of the heat exchange pipes in at least another heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows, and are in fluid communication with each other.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the third direction, the heat exchange pipes in each heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are spaced apart from the heat exchange pipes in adjacent heat exchange pipe rows among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when viewed in the first direction, the fin bodies of the plurality of fins are inclined with respect to the third direction.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when viewed in the first direction, an included angle between the fin body of the plurality of fins and the third direction is less than or equal to 45 degrees.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin has a first groove edge and a second groove edge. The first groove edge and the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin are located at the outermost sides of the heat exchange pipe groove in the third direction. In addition, in the third direction, the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin. Each of the plurality of fins further includes a fin section extending from an edge of the fin body on the first side of the heat exchanger along the third direction.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least two of the heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the multiple fins have approximately the same size in a third direction, and the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchange pipe row inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves have approximately the same size in the third direction.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least two of the multiple heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the multiple fins have approximately the same size in the third direction, and the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchange pipe row inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves have different sizes in the third direction.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least two of the heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the multiple fins have different sizes in a third direction, and the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchange pipe row inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves have approximately the same size in the third direction.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least two of the multiple heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the multiple fins have different sizes in a third direction, and the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchange pipe row inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves have different sizes in the third direction.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin has a first groove edge and a second groove edge. The first groove edge and the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin are located at the outermost sides of the heat exchange pipe groove in the third direction. In addition, in the third direction, the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin. In addition, the heat exchange pipe grooves of the multiple fins open toward the second side of the heat exchanger.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the invention, in use, at least a portion of the heat exchange pipe extends substantially vertically.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the at least some fins is formed from a single plate.

[0049] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a bent heat exchanger, the bent heat exchanger being formed by bending the heat exchanger described above.

[0050] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an air conditioning system including the heat exchanger or flex heat exchanger described above. Effect of the Invention

[0051] By using a heat exchanger, a bent heat exchanger, and an air conditioning system equipped with the heat exchanger or the bent heat exchanger based on an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve the performance of the heat exchanger, the bent heat exchanger, and the air conditioning system, for example. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0052] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic right side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a schematic left side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic right side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic left side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic right side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic left side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic front view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic right side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic left side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic front view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic right side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a schematic left side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a schematic front view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Diagram 23]FIG. 23 is a schematic right side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a schematic left side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a schematic front view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a schematic right side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a schematic left side view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a schematic right side view of the fins of the heat exchanger shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21 and 25. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a schematic plan view of the fins of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a schematic right side view of a heat exchanger with only some heat exchange pipes and one fin remaining according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 32] 32 is a schematic cross-sectional bottom view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 31 taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 is a schematic right side view of a heat exchanger with only some heat exchange pipes and one fin remaining according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 34] 34 is a schematic cross-sectional bottom view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 33 taken along line BB in FIG. [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is a schematic right side view of a heat exchanger with only some heat exchange pipes and one fin remaining according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 36] 36 is a schematic cross-sectional bottom view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 35 taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a schematic right side view of a heat exchanger with only some heat exchange pipes and one fin remaining according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 38]FIG. 38 is a schematic cross-sectional bottom view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 37 taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a schematic right side view of a heat exchanger with only some heat exchange pipes and one fin remaining according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 40] 40 is a schematic cross-sectional bottom view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 39 taken along line EE in FIG. [Diagram 41] FIG. 41 is a schematic right side view of a heat exchanger with only some heat exchange pipes and one fin remaining according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 42] 42 is a schematic cross-sectional bottom view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 41 taken along line FF in FIG. [Diagram 43] FIG. 43 is a schematic right side view of a heat exchanger with only some heat exchange pipes and one fin remaining according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 44] FIG. 44 is a schematic cross-sectional bottom view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 43 taken along line GG in FIG. [Diagram 45] FIG. 45 is a schematic right side view of a heat exchanger with only some heat exchange pipes and one fin remaining according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 46] 46 is a bottom view of a schematic cross section of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 45 taken along line HH in FIG. 45. FIG. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 is a schematic right side view of a heat exchanger with only some heat exchange pipes and one fin remaining according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 48] 48 is a bottom view of a schematic cross section of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 47 taken along line II in FIG. 47. FIG. [Figure 49] FIG. 49 is a schematic right side view of a heat exchanger with only some heat exchange pipes and one fin remaining according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 50] 50 is a schematic cross-sectional bottom view of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 49 taken along line JJ in FIG. 49. FIG. [Figure 51]FIG. 51 is a schematic perspective view of a flex heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 52] FIG. 52 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the flex heat exchanger shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0053] The present invention will be further described below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0054] 1 to 50, a heat exchanger 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of heat exchange pipe rows arranged along a first direction D1, each heat exchange pipe row being composed of one heat exchange pipe 1 or a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1, and a plurality of fins 2 arranged along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. Each of the plurality of fins 2 includes a fin body 20 and a plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves 21 formed in the fin body 20. The one heat exchange pipe 1 or the plurality of heat exchange pipes 1 in each of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows is inserted into one of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves 21. In addition, at least one of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in at least one of the fins 2 has a length in a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 that is greater than the size of the heat exchange pipe in the third direction D3 of the heat exchange pipe row inserted therein, so that a gap 5 for passing water is formed in the at least one heat exchange pipe groove 21. When the heat exchange pipe row is composed of one heat exchange pipe 1, the size of the heat exchange pipe is the size of the one heat exchange pipe 1 in the third direction D3. On the other hand, when the heat exchange pipe row is composed of multiple heat exchange pipes 1, the size of the heat exchange pipe is the sum of the sizes of the multiple heat exchange pipes 1 in the third direction D3. For example, the gap 5 forms a drainage path, and defrost water can be quickly discharged through this drainage path, improving the performance of the heat exchanger in a frosted state.

[0055] 1 to 50, in the embodiment of the present invention, the defrost water generation volume V in the heat exchanger 100 described below is g and the volume V of the drainage path of the heat exchanger 100 p It is possible to obtain

[0056] TIFF2025058937000003.tif20170

[0057] W f is the width of the fin 2 in the third direction D3.

[0058] L f is the length of the fin 2 in the first direction D1.

[0059] W si is the length of the i-th heat exchange pipe groove 21 from one side to the other side of the heat exchanger 100 in the first direction D1.

[0060] T si is the width of the i-th heat exchange pipe groove 21 from one side to the other side of the heat exchanger 100 in the first direction D1.

[0061] P f is the spacing between fins 2.

[0062] T f is the thickness of the fin body 20 of the fin 2.

[0063] W tij is the size in the third direction D3 of the jth heat exchange pipe 1 from the first side S1 to the second side S2 of the heat exchanger 100 in the third direction D3 of the heat exchange pipe row in the i-th heat exchange pipe groove 21 from one side to the other side of the heat exchanger 100 in the first direction D1. When the heat exchange pipe row is composed of one heat exchange pipe 1, j=1.

[0064] h is the size of the area in which the multiple fins 2 are arranged along the second direction D2.

[0065] θ is the angle between the fin body 20 of the fin 2 and the third direction D3.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the volume V of defrost water produced in the heat exchanger 100 g and the volume V of the drainage path of the heat exchanger 100 p The ratio of may satisfy the following relationship:

[0067] TIFF2025058937000004.tif14170

[0068] R is a predetermined value. For example, R may be equal to 90, 110, 130, 150, 170, 190, 210, etc., or may be within a certain range, for example, within the range of 80 to 260.

[0069] Defrost water generation volume V in the heat exchanger 100 g and the volume V of the drainage path of the heat exchanger 100 p By substituting into the above equation, the following equation can be obtained:

[0070] TIFF2025058937000005.tif14170

[0071] When the fins 2 and the heat exchange pipes 1 of the heat exchanger 100 satisfy the above relational expression, an appropriate discharge flow rate of the defrost water can be reliably guaranteed. When the heat exchanger 100 is in use, the larger the volume of the generated defrost water and the smaller the volume of the drainage path, the slower the discharge of the defrost water. On the other hand, the smaller the volume of the generated defrost water and the larger the volume of the drainage path, the faster the discharge of the defrost water. In the embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of the volume of the generated defrost water to the volume of the drainage path is set smaller than a predetermined value, thereby reliably guaranteeing an appropriate discharge flow rate of the defrost water.

[0072] 1 to 50, during use, at least a part of the heat exchange pipe 1 may extend substantially vertically. For example, the heat exchange pipe 1 may extend substantially vertically. Also, at least a part of the heat exchange pipe 1 may extend substantially horizontally or inclined. For example, the heat exchange pipe 1 may extend substantially horizontally or inclined. In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one heat exchange pipe row is composed of a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1, and may have a gap 5 between at least two adjacent heat exchange pipes 1 among the plurality of heat exchange pipes 1. In an embodiment of the present invention, at least in the center of the gap 5 in the third direction D3, the size of the gap 5 in the first direction D1 is equal to the width of the heat exchange pipe groove 21. That is, at least in the center of the gap 5, the gap 5 occupies the entire width of the heat exchange pipe groove 21. This reliably ensures that water can pass through the gap 5. In addition, the gap 5 is not blocked or partially blocked by the welding material during the welding process, and a situation in which water cannot quickly pass through the gap 5 due to the gap 5 being too small or the presence of welding material in the gap 5 is prevented. In an embodiment of the present invention, the size of the gap 5 in at least one heat exchange pipe groove 21 among the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in the third direction D3 is equal to or larger than the size of the one heat exchange pipe 1 in the heat exchange pipe row in the at least one heat exchange pipe groove 21 or one heat exchange pipe 1 among the plurality of heat exchange pipes 1 in the third direction D3.

[0073] 1 to 50, in the embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe 1 includes a first pipe edge 11 and a second pipe edge 12. The first pipe edge 11 and the second pipe edge 12 of the heat exchange pipe 1 are located at the outermost side of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the third direction D3. The heat exchanger 100 has a first side S1 and a second side S2 opposed to each other in the third direction D3. In the third direction D3, the first pipe edge 11 of the heat exchange pipe 1 is closer to the first side S1 of the heat exchanger 100 than the second pipe edge 12 of the heat exchange pipe 1. The heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the fin 2 has a first groove edge 211 and a second groove edge 212. The first groove edge 211 and the second groove edge 212 of the heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the fin 2 are located at the outermost side of the heat exchange pipe groove 21 in the third direction D3. In addition, in the third direction D3, the first groove edge 211 of the heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the fin 2 is closer to the first side S1 of the heat exchanger 100 than the second groove edge 212 of the heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the fin 2. The heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the multiple fins 2 may open toward the second side S2 of the heat exchanger 100. Alternatively, the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the multiple fins 2 are closed heat exchange pipe grooves without openings. Also, each of at least some of the fins 2 may be formed of a single plate. For example, all of the fins 2 may be formed of a single plate.

[0074] 31 to 50, in an embodiment of the present invention, in the third direction D3, the one heat exchange pipe 1 or the plurality of heat exchange pipes 1 in the heat exchange pipe row may be located between a first groove edge 211 and a second groove edge 212 in the heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the fin 2. In the third direction D3, a gap 5 is provided between the first groove edge 211 of at least one heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in at least one fin 2 of the plurality of fins 2 and the first pipe edge 11 of the one heat exchange pipe 1 in the heat exchange pipe row to be inserted or one heat exchange pipe 1 among the plurality of heat exchange pipes 1 that is closest to the first groove edge 211. And / or, in the third direction D3, a gap 5 is provided between the second groove edge 212 of at least one of the multiple heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in the at least one fin 2 among the multiple fins 2 and the second pipe edge 12 of the one heat exchange pipe 1 in the inserted heat exchange pipe row or of the one heat exchange pipe 1 among the multiple heat exchange pipes 1 that is closest to the second groove edge 212.

[0075] 1 to 34 and 41 to 50, in an embodiment of the present invention, the one heat exchange pipe 1 or the plurality of heat exchange pipes 1 of the heat exchange pipe row may be located between the first groove edge 211 and the second groove edge 212 of the heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the fin 2 in the third direction D3. The heat exchange pipes 1 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows include a plurality of heat exchange pipe rows aligned in the third direction D3. Each heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1 aligned in the first direction D1. For example, the first heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1A, the second heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1B, the third heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1C, the fourth heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1D, and so on. According to one example of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes 1 of two adjacent heat exchange pipe rows are spaced apart in the third direction D3 by their orthogonal projections on a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1. According to another example of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes 1 of two adjacent heat exchange pipe rows are staggered in the third direction D3. The heat exchange pipes 1 in at least one heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows may have substantially the same size in the third direction D3. In the third direction D3, the heat exchange pipes 1 in each heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows may be spaced apart from the heat exchange pipes 1 in adjacent heat exchange pipe rows of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows.

[0076] 31 to 36 and 41 to 50, in an embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in at least some of the fins 2 and the heat exchange pipes 1 of the heat exchange pipe rows inserted therein form a plurality of gaps 5 for drainage. The plurality of gaps 5 includes a plurality of gap rows aligned in the third direction D3. Each of the plurality of gap rows includes a plurality of gaps 5 aligned in the first direction D1. According to the example of the present invention, the gaps 5 in at least two adjacent heat exchange pipe grooves 21 are staggered in the third direction D3.

[0077] 31-34, 41-44, 47-48, in the embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe rows are aligned in order from the first side S1 to the second side S2 of the heat exchanger 100 in the third direction D3. Also, in the third direction D3, there is a gap 5 between the first groove edge 211 of the heat exchange pipe groove 21 and the first pipe edge 11 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the second heat exchange pipe row of the inserted heat exchange pipe rows. According to the example of the present invention, in the third direction D3, the first groove edge 211 of the heat exchange pipe groove 21 and the first pipe edge 11 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the first heat exchange pipe row of the inserted heat exchange pipe rows are substantially aligned with each other. For example, the first heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1A, the second heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1B, the third heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1C, the fourth heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1D, etc.

[0078] 31-34 and 41-50, in the embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe rows are arranged in order from the second side S2 to the first side S1 of the heat exchanger 100 in the third direction D3. Also, in the third direction D3, there is a gap 5 between the second groove edge 212 of the heat exchange pipe groove 21 and the second pipe edge 12 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the second heat exchange pipe row of the inserted heat exchange pipe rows. According to the example of the present invention, in the third direction D3, the second groove edge 212 of the heat exchange pipe groove 21 and the second pipe edge 12 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the first heat exchange pipe row of the inserted heat exchange pipe rows are substantially aligned with each other. For example, the first heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1D, the second heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1C, the third heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1B, the fourth heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1A, and so on.

[0079] 31 to 34 and 41 to 50, in the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of gap rows are arranged in order from the second side S2 to the first side S1 of the heat exchanger 100 in the third direction D3. The gaps 5 in the odd-numbered gap rows among the plurality of gap rows are formed in some of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21, and the gaps 5 in the even-numbered gap rows among the plurality of gap rows are formed in other some of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21. Moreover, the some of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 and the other some of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 are arranged alternately in the first direction D1.

[0080] 45-46 and 49-50, in the embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe rows are arranged in order from the first side S1 to the second side S2 of the heat exchanger 100 in the third direction D3. Also, the first groove edges 211 of some heat exchange pipe grooves 21 into which the heat exchange pipes 1 in the second heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are inserted are closer to the second side S2 of the heat exchanger 100 than the first groove edges 211 of some other heat exchange pipe grooves 21 into which the heat exchange pipes 1 in the first heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are inserted. For example, the first heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1A, the second heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1B, the third heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1C, the fourth heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1D, and so on. Embodiments of the present invention improve the performance of the heat exchanger in frosting conditions by providing a larger surface area for the defrost water to flow over, as the surface tension of this continuous surface promotes more rapid flow of the defrost water.

[0081] 31 to 36 and 41 to 50, in an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes 1 in the odd-numbered heat exchange pipe rows among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are provided in some of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21, and the heat exchange pipes 1 in the even-numbered heat exchange pipe rows among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are provided in other some of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21. Moreover, the some heat exchange pipe grooves 21 and the other some heat exchange pipe grooves 21 are alternately arranged in the first direction D1. For example, the first heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1A, the second heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1B, the third heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1C, the fourth heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1D, and so on. Or, for example, the first heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1D, the second heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1C, the third heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1B, the fourth heat exchange pipe row includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes 1A, etc.

[0082] 31 to 34 and 41 to 50, in an embodiment of the present invention, in the third direction D3, the first pipe edges 11 of the heat exchange pipes 1 in at least one heat exchange pipe row among the multiple heat exchange pipe rows are approximately aligned with each other, and / or the second pipe edges 12 of the heat exchange pipes 1 in the at least one heat exchange pipe row among the multiple heat exchange pipe rows are approximately aligned with each other.

[0083] 1 to 50, in the embodiment of the present invention, a first pipe edge 11 of the one heat exchange pipe 1 or at least one heat exchange pipe 1 of the plurality of heat exchange pipes 1 in at least one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and a first pipe edge 11 of the one heat exchange pipe 1 or at least one heat exchange pipe 1 of the plurality of heat exchange pipes 1 in another at least one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are alternated in the third direction D3. And / or, a second pipe edge 12 of the one heat exchange pipe 1 or at least one heat exchange pipe 1 of the plurality of heat exchange pipes 1 in the at least one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and a second pipe edge 12 of the one heat exchange pipe 1 or at least one heat exchange pipe 1 of the plurality of heat exchange pipes 1 in the other at least one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are alternated in the third direction D3. For example, the first pipe edges 11 of at least some of the heat exchange pipes 1 in at least some of the heat exchange pipe rows are staggered in the third direction D3 with the first pipe edges 11 of at least some of the heat exchange pipes 1 in at least some other of the heat exchange pipe rows, and / or the second pipe edges 12 of the at least some of the heat exchange pipes 1 in the at least some of the heat exchange pipe rows are staggered in the third direction D3 with the second pipe edges 12 of the at least some of the heat exchange pipes 1 in the at least some other of the heat exchange pipe rows.

[0084] 37 to 40, 45 to 46, and 49 to 50, in the embodiment of the present invention, a first groove edge 211 of at least one heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in at least one fin 2 of the plurality of fins 2 and a first groove edge 211 of at least another heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in the at least one fin 2 of the plurality of fins 2 are staggered in the third direction D3. Also, a second groove edge 212 of the at least one heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in the at least one fin 2 of the plurality of fins 2 and a second groove edge 212 of the at least another heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in the at least one fin 2 of the plurality of fins 2 are substantially aligned with each other in the third direction D3. For example, when the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the fins 2 do not have an opening toward the second side S2 of the heat exchanger 100, that is, when the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 are closed heat exchange pipe grooves, the second groove edge 212 of the at least one heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the at least one fin 2 of the fins 2 and the second groove edge 212 of the at least another heat exchange pipe groove 21 of the at least one fin 2 of the fins 2 may be alternated in the third direction D3. Also, referring to Figs. 31 to 36, 41 to 44, and 47 to 50, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first groove edges 211 of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the fins 2 are substantially aligned with each other in the third direction D3, and the second groove edges 212 of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the fins 2 are substantially aligned with each other in the third direction D3. The heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the multiple fins 2 may have approximately the same size in the third direction D3.

[0085] 1 to 28, in an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipes 1 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows include a first end 18 located on one side of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the second direction D2 and a second end 19 located on the other side of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the second direction D2. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 13 to 20, the heat exchanger 100 further includes a first header pipe 31 connected to the first end 18 of the heat exchange pipes 1 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and communicating with a fluid, and a second header pipe 32 connected to the second end 19 of the heat exchange pipes 1 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and communicating with a fluid. One, two, three, four or more heat exchange pipes 1 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows may be arranged side by side to form a heat exchange pipe row. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 to 8, the heat exchanger 100 further includes a first header pipe 31 connected to a first end 18 of a heat exchange pipe 1 in the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with it, and two second header pipes 32. One of the two second header pipes 32 is connected to a second end 19 of a heat exchange pipe 1 in at least one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with it. The other of the two second header pipes 32 is connected to a second end 19 of a heat exchange pipe 1 in at least another heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with it. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 21 to 28, the heat exchanger 100 further includes two first header pipes 31 and two second header pipes 32. One of the two first header pipes 31 and one of the two second header pipes 32 are respectively connected to the first end 18 and the second end 19 of the heat exchange pipes 1 in at least one heat exchange pipe row among the multiple heat exchange pipe rows, and are in fluid communication with each other. In addition, the other of the two first header pipes 31 and the other of the two second header pipes 32 are respectively connected to the first end 18 and the second end 19 of the heat exchange pipes 1 in at least another one heat exchange pipe row among the multiple heat exchange pipe rows, and are in fluid communication with each other.21 to 24, the two first header pipes 31 can be connected to a refrigerant inlet connecting pipe or a refrigerant outlet connecting pipe, and the two second header pipes 32 can be connected to a refrigerant outlet connecting pipe or a refrigerant inlet connecting pipe. Also, with reference to FIGS. 25 to 28, the two first header pipes 31 can be connected to each other via a connecting pipe 7, and the two second header pipes 32 can be connected to a refrigerant inlet connecting pipe and a refrigerant outlet connecting pipe, respectively. Also, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the heat exchanger 100 further includes a connecting portion 6 that connects a first end portion 18 of a heat exchange pipe 1 in one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows to a first end portion 18 of a heat exchange pipe 1 in another heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows, and communicates fluids therebetween, and two second header pipes 32. One of the two second header pipes 32 is connected to the second end 19 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the one heat exchange pipe row and is in fluid communication with the other of the two second header pipes 32 and is connected to the second end 19 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the other heat exchange pipe row and is in fluid communication with the other. The connection unit 6 may be a plurality of connection pipes 60. The first end 18 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the one heat exchange pipe row is connected to the first end 18 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the other heat exchange pipe row via the plurality of connection pipes 60 and is in fluid communication with the other. The connection unit 6 connects the first end 18 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the one heat exchange pipe row to the first end 18 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the other heat exchange pipe row to communicate the fluid, but it is not necessary to connect the first end 18 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the one heat exchange pipe row to the first end 18 of the heat exchange pipe 1 in the other heat exchange pipe row in a one-to-one correspondence to communicate the fluid. The heat exchange pipes 1 and the connecting pipe 60 in one heat exchange pipe row, and the heat exchange pipes 1 in the other heat exchange pipe row, which are connected to each other, may be formed by bending a single pipe. Also, the two second header pipes 32 may be connected to a refrigerant inlet connecting pipe and a refrigerant outlet connecting pipe, respectively.

[0086] 1 to 50, in the embodiment of the present invention, when viewed in the first direction D1, the fin body 20 of the fins 2 is inclined with respect to the third direction D3. Also, the fin body 20 of the fin 2 may be parallel to the first direction D1. For example, when viewed in the first direction D1, the included angle between the fin body 20 of the fins 2 and the third direction D3 is 45 degrees or less. Each of the multiple fins 2 further includes a fin section 29 extending along the third direction D3 from the edge of the fin body 20 on the first side S1 of the heat exchanger 100. The fin section 29 may be parallel to the first direction D1. Also, when viewed in the first direction D1, the fin body 20 of the multiple fins 2 may be parallel to the third direction D3. In the embodiment of the present invention, the fin body 20 of the multiple fins 2 is inclined with respect to the third direction D3. In this way, the inclined fin body 20 can further promote rapid discharge of defrost water, thereby improving the performance of the heat exchanger in a frosting state.

[0087] 1 to 32 and 21 to 50, in an embodiment of the present invention, at least two of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in at least one fin 2 of the plurality of fins 2 have substantially the same size in the third direction D3, and the heat exchange pipes 1 of the heat exchange pipe rows inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves 21 have substantially the same size in the third direction D3. For example, the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the plurality of fins 2 have substantially the same size in the third direction D3, and the heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows have substantially the same size in the third direction D3. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the plurality of fins 2 open toward the second side S2 of the heat exchanger 100, making assembly easy. In addition, the gaps form drainage paths through which defrost water can be quickly discharged, improving performance in frost conditions. In addition, the fin bodies 20 of the plurality of fins 2 are inclined with respect to the third direction D3. In this manner, the angled fin body 20 may further promote rapid drainage of defrost water, thereby improving heat exchanger performance in frosting conditions.

[0088] 33 to 36, in an embodiment of the present invention, at least two of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in at least one fin 2 of the plurality of fins 2 have substantially the same size in the third direction D3, and the heat exchange pipes 1 of the heat exchange pipe rows inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves 21 have different sizes in the third direction D3. For example, the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the plurality of fins 2 have substantially the same size in the third direction D3, and the heat exchange pipes 1 of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows have different sizes in the third direction D3. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gaps form a drainage path through which defrost water can be quickly discharged, improving performance in a frosting state. In addition, by forming gaps of different sizes using heat exchange pipes of different widths, drainage paths of different sizes are formed. In this way, the performance of the heat exchanger in a frosting state is improved by managing the discharge path of defrost water more flexibly and effectively. In addition, the fin bodies 20 of the plurality of fins 2 are inclined with respect to the third direction D3. In this manner, the angled fin body 20 may further promote rapid drainage of defrost water, thereby improving heat exchanger performance in frosting conditions.

[0089] 37-38, in an embodiment of the present invention, at least two of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in at least one of the fins 2 have different sizes in the third direction D3, and the heat exchange pipes 1 of the heat exchange pipe rows inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves 21 have approximately the same size in the third direction D3. For example, the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the fins 2 have different sizes in the third direction D3, and the heat exchange pipes 1 of the heat exchange pipe rows have approximately the same size in the third direction D3. The first groove edges 211 of the heat exchange pipe grooves are staggered in the third direction D3, partially providing a larger surface for the defrost water to flow through. The surface tension of this continuous surface promotes a faster flow of the defrost water, thereby improving the performance of the heat exchanger in frost conditions. Also, the heat exchange pipe grooves of different lengths are used to form gaps of different sizes, thereby forming drainage paths of different sizes. In this way, the performance of the heat exchanger in a frosting state is improved by managing the discharge path of the defrost water more flexibly and effectively. Also, the fin body 20 of the plurality of fins 2 is inclined with respect to the third direction D3. In this way, the inclined fin body 20 can further promote the rapid discharge of the defrost water, thereby improving the performance of the heat exchanger in a frosting state.

[0090] 39-40, in an embodiment of the present invention, at least two of the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 in at least one of the fins 2 have different sizes in the third direction D3, and the heat exchange pipes 1 of the heat exchange pipe rows inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves 21 have different sizes in the third direction D3. For example, the heat exchange pipe grooves 21 of the fins 2 have different sizes in the third direction D3, and the heat exchange pipes 1 of the heat exchange pipe rows have different sizes in the third direction D3. The first groove edges 211 of the heat exchange pipe grooves are staggered in the third direction D3, and the first pipe edges 11 of the heat exchange pipes 1 are staggered in the third direction D3. This provides a larger surface area for the defrost water to flow through, and the surface tension of the continuous surface area promotes a faster flow of the defrost water, thereby improving the performance of the heat exchanger in frost conditions. Also, by using heat exchange pipe grooves of different lengths and heat exchange pipes of different widths to form gaps of different sizes, drainage paths of different sizes are formed. In this way, the defrost water discharge path is more flexibly and effectively managed, improving the performance of the heat exchanger in a frosting state. Also, the fin body 20 of the multiple fins 2 is inclined with respect to the third direction D3. In this way, the inclined fin body 20 can further promote the rapid discharge of defrost water, improving the performance of the heat exchanger in a frosting state.

[0091] In the embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange pipe 1 may be a flat tube or any heat exchange pipe having two planes substantially parallel to each other. The width or the size in the third direction of the heat exchange pipe 1 is larger than the thickness or the size in the first direction of the heat exchange pipe 1. In addition, the length or the size in the third direction of the heat exchange pipe groove 21 is larger than the width or the size in the first direction of the heat exchange pipe groove 21. The thickness of the heat exchange pipe 1 may be equal to or smaller than the width of the heat exchange pipe groove 21.

[0092] 51 and 52, the bent heat exchanger 100' according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed by bending the above-mentioned heat exchanger 100. For example, along a bending line parallel to the second direction of the center part in the first direction D1 of the heat exchanger 100, at least one of the two parts of the heat exchanger 100 on both sides of the bending line is bent toward the second side S2 of the heat exchanger 100, i.e., the opening side of the heat exchange pipe groove 21. The included angle between the two parts of the heat exchanger 100 may be any suitable angle.

[0093] 1, an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned heat exchanger 100 or the bent heat exchanger 100'. More specifically, the air conditioning system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion valve, etc. At least one of the condenser and the evaporator may be the above-mentioned heat exchanger 100 or the bent heat exchanger 100'.

[0094] By using a heat exchanger, a bent heat exchanger, and an air conditioning system including the heat exchanger or the bent heat exchanger based on the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to improve the performance of the heat exchanger and the air conditioning system, for example.

[0095] By using the heat exchanger or bent heat exchanger according to the embodiment of the present invention, the pipe edges of the heat exchange pipes are staggered in the third direction, or the groove edges of the heat exchange pipe grooves of the fins are staggered in the third direction, or the pipe edges of the heat exchange pipes are staggered in the third direction and the groove edges of the heat exchange pipe grooves of the fins are staggered in the third direction, the flow path of the defrost water can be flexibly controlled. In addition, the inclined structure of the fins is combined to accelerate the flow of the defrost water and further enhance the discharge of the defrost water, thereby improving the performance of the heat exchanger and the air conditioning system in frost conditions.

[0096] Although the above embodiments have been described, some features of the above embodiments and / or some features of the above embodiments may be combined to form a new embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 100 heat exchanger 100' flex heat exchanger 1 Heat exchange pipe 11 First pipe edge 12 Second Pipe Edge 18 First end 19 Second end 2 Fins 20 Fin body 21 Heat exchange pipe groove 211 Margin of the first sulcus 212 Margin of the second sulcus 31 First header pipe 32 No. 2 header pipe 5 void 6 Connection 60 Connecting Pipe D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction S1 First Side S2 Second side

Claims

1. a plurality of heat exchange pipe rows arranged along a first direction, each of the heat exchange pipe rows being composed of one heat exchange pipe or a plurality of heat exchange pipes; a plurality of fins arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; Each of the plurality of fins includes a fin body and a plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves formed in the fin body, and the one heat exchange pipe or the plurality of heat exchange pipes in each heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows is inserted into one heat exchange pipe groove among the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves; A heat exchanger in which at least one of a plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of a plurality of fins has a length in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions that is greater than the size of a heat exchange pipe in the third direction of a heat exchange pipe row inserted therein, so that a gap for allowing water to pass is formed in the at least one heat exchange pipe groove, and when the heat exchange pipe row is composed of one heat exchange pipe, the size of the heat exchange pipe is the size of the one heat exchange pipe in the third direction, and when the heat exchange pipe row is composed of multiple heat exchange pipes, the size of the heat exchange pipe is the sum of the sizes of the multiple heat exchange pipes in the third direction.

2. The fins and pipes of the heat exchanger must satisfy the following relationship: W ｆ is the width of the fin in the third direction, and L ｆ is the length of the fin in the first direction, and W ｓｉ is the length of the ith heat exchange pipe groove from one side to the other side of the heat exchanger in the first direction, and T ｓｉ is the width of the ith heat exchange pipe groove from one side to the other side of the heat exchanger in the first direction, P ｆ is the fin spacing, and T ｆ is the thickness of the fin body of the fin, and W ｔｉｊ is the size in the third direction of the jth heat exchange pipe in the ith heat exchange pipe groove from one side to the other side of the heat exchanger in the first direction, and j=1 when the heat exchange pipe row is composed of one heat exchange pipe, and R is a predetermined value.

3. 3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the predetermined value R is equal to 150.

4. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein at least one heat exchange pipe row is comprised of a plurality of heat exchange pipes, and at least two adjacent heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipes have an air gap between them.

5. the heat exchange pipes include first and second pipe edges, the first and second pipe edges of the heat exchange pipes being located at outermost positions of the heat exchange pipes in a third direction; the heat exchanger has first and second sides opposed in the third direction, and the first pipe edge of the heat exchange pipes is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipes in the third direction; the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin has a first groove edge and a second groove edge, the first groove edge and the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin are located at the outermost sides of the heat exchange pipe groove in the third direction, and the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin in the third direction; 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein in the third direction there is a gap between a first groove edge of at least one heat exchange pipe groove of at least one of the plurality of fins and a first pipe edge of the one heat exchange pipe of the heat exchange pipe row to be inserted or one of the plurality of heat exchange pipes that is closest to the first groove edge, and / or there is a gap between a second groove edge of at least one heat exchange pipe groove of at least one of the plurality of fins and a second pipe edge of the one heat exchange pipe of the heat exchange pipe row to be inserted or one of the plurality of heat exchange pipes that is closest to the second groove edge, in the third direction.

6. A heat exchanger as described in claim 1, wherein at least in the central portion of the gap in the third direction, the size of the gap in the first direction is equal to the width of the heat exchange pipe groove, and / or the size of the gap in the third direction in at least one of the multiple heat exchange pipe grooves is greater than or equal to the size in the third direction of the one heat exchange pipe of the heat exchange pipe row in the at least one heat exchange pipe groove, or one heat exchange pipe of the multiple heat exchange pipes.

7. the heat exchange pipes include first and second pipe edges, the first and second pipe edges of the heat exchange pipes being located at outermost positions of the heat exchange pipes in a third direction; the heat exchanger has first and second sides opposed in the third direction, and the first pipe edge of the heat exchange pipes is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipes in the third direction; the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin has a first groove edge and a second groove edge, the first groove edge and the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin are located at the outermost sides of the heat exchange pipe groove in the third direction, and the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin in the third direction; 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows include a plurality of heat exchange pipe rows arranged in a third direction, and each of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows includes a plurality of heat exchange pipes arranged in the first direction.

8. 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the heat exchange pipes of two adjacent heat exchange pipe rows are spaced apart in the third direction by their orthogonal projections in a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

9. 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the heat exchange pipes of two adjacent heat exchange pipe rows are staggered in the third direction.

10. 8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein at least some of the heat exchange pipe grooves in at least some of the fins and the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchange pipe rows inserted therein form a plurality of gaps for drainage, the plurality of gaps including a plurality of rows of gaps aligned in a third direction, and each row of gaps among the plurality of rows of gaps including a plurality of gaps aligned in the first direction.

11. 11. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the voids in at least two adjacent heat exchange pipe grooves are staggered in the third direction.

12. the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are arranged in sequence from the first side to the second side of the heat exchanger in the third direction; 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein in the third direction, there is a gap between the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove and the first pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe in the second heat exchange pipe row among the multiple heat exchange pipe rows to be inserted.

13. 13. The heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein in the third direction, a first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove and a first pipe edge of a heat exchange pipe in a first heat exchange pipe row of the inserted plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are substantially aligned with each other.

14. the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are arranged in sequence from the second side to the first side of the heat exchanger in the third direction; 8. A heat exchanger as described in claim 7, wherein in the third direction, there is a gap between the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove and the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe in the second heat exchange pipe row among the multiple heat exchange pipe rows to be inserted.

15. 15. The heat exchanger of claim 14, wherein in the third direction, the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove and the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipe in the first heat exchange pipe row of the inserted plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are substantially aligned with each other.

16. the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are arranged in sequence from the first side to the second side of the heat exchanger in the third direction; 8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein first groove edges of some heat exchange pipe grooves into which heat exchange pipes in a second heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are inserted are closer to the second side of the heat exchanger than first groove edges of some other heat exchange pipe grooves into which heat exchange pipes in a first heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are inserted.

17. the plurality of rows of voids are aligned in sequence from the second side to the first side of the heat exchanger in the third direction; the voids in the odd-numbered void rows among the plurality of void rows are formed in some of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves, and the voids in the even-numbered void rows among the plurality of void rows are formed in some other of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves; 11. The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the some of the heat exchange pipe grooves and the other some of the heat exchange pipe grooves are arranged alternately in a first direction.

18. heat exchange pipes in odd-numbered heat exchange pipe rows among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are provided in some of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves, and heat exchange pipes in even-numbered heat exchange pipe rows among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are provided in some other of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves; 17. The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein the first and second heat exchange pipe grooves alternate in a first direction.

19. 18. A heat exchanger as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 17, wherein in the third direction, first pipe edges of the heat exchange pipes in at least one heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are substantially aligned with each other, and / or second pipe edges of the heat exchange pipes in the at least one heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are substantially aligned with each other.

20. 18. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the heat exchange pipes in at least one of the plurality of rows of heat exchange pipes have substantially the same size in the third direction.

21. the heat exchange pipes include first and second pipe edges, the first and second pipe edges of the heat exchange pipes being located at outermost positions of the heat exchange pipes in a third direction; the heat exchanger has first and second sides opposed in the third direction, and the first pipe edge of the heat exchange pipes is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second pipe edge of the heat exchange pipes in the third direction; 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a first pipe edge of the one heat exchange pipe or at least one of the heat exchange pipes in at least one heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and a first pipe edge of the one heat exchange pipe or at least one of the heat exchange pipes in at least one other heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are staggered in a third direction, and / or a second pipe edge of the one heat exchange pipe or at least one of the heat exchange pipes in the at least one heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and a second pipe edge of the one heat exchange pipe or at least one of the heat exchange pipes in the at least one other heat exchange pipe row of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are staggered in the third direction.

22. the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin has a first groove edge and a second groove edge, the first groove edge and the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin are located at the outermost sides of the heat exchange pipe groove in the third direction, and the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin in the third direction; 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a first groove edge of at least one heat exchange pipe groove of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the plurality of fins and a first groove edge of at least one other heat exchange pipe groove of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in the at least one of the plurality of fins are staggered in a third direction.

23. 23. The heat exchanger of claim 22, wherein a second groove edge of the at least one heat exchange pipe groove of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in the at least one fin of the plurality of fins and a second groove edge of the at least one other heat exchange pipe groove of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in the at least one fin of the plurality of fins are staggered in a third direction.

24. 23. The heat exchanger of claim 22, wherein a second groove edge of the at least one heat exchange pipe groove of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in the at least one fin of the plurality of fins and a second groove edge of the at least one other heat exchange pipe groove of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in the at least one fin of the plurality of fins are substantially aligned with each other in a third direction.

25. 8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein first groove edges of the heat exchange pipe grooves of the plurality of fins are substantially aligned with each other in the third direction, and second groove edges of the heat exchange pipe grooves of the plurality of fins are substantially aligned with each other in the third direction.

26. 8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the heat exchange pipe grooves of the plurality of fins have approximately the same size in the third direction.

27. The heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows each include a first end located on one side of the heat exchange pipe in the second direction and a second end located on the other side of the heat exchange pipe in the second direction; 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 7, further comprising a first header pipe connected to first ends of the heat exchange pipes in the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and communicating with a fluid, and a second header pipe connected to second ends of the heat exchange pipes in the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and communicating with a fluid.

28. The heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows each include a first end located on one side of the heat exchange pipe in the second direction and a second end located on the other side of the heat exchange pipe in the second direction; 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, further comprising a first header pipe connected to first ends of heat exchange pipes in the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with each other, and two second header pipes, one of the two second header pipes being connected to second ends of heat exchange pipes in at least one other heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with each other, and the other of the two second header pipes being connected to second ends of heat exchange pipes in at least another one of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and in fluid communication with each other.

29. The heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows each include a first end located on one side of the heat exchange pipe in the second direction and a second end located on the other side of the heat exchange pipe in the second direction; 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, further comprising: a connection portion connecting first ends of heat exchange pipes in one heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows to first ends of heat exchange pipes in another heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and providing fluid communication therebetween; and two second header pipes, one of which is connected to second ends of heat exchange pipes in the one heat exchange pipe row and providing fluid communication therebetween, and the other of which is connected to second ends of heat exchange pipes in the other heat exchange pipe row and providing fluid communication therebetween.

30. 30. The heat exchanger of claim 29, wherein the connection portion is a plurality of connecting pipes, through which first ends of heat exchange pipes in one heat exchange pipe row are respectively connected to first ends of heat exchange pipes in another heat exchange pipe row, and fluid is communicated therewith.

31. 31. The heat exchanger according to claim 30, wherein the heat exchange pipes in one heat exchange pipe row, the connecting tube, and the heat exchange pipes in the other heat exchange pipe row that are connected to each other are formed by bending one pipe.

32. The heat exchange pipes of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows each include a first end located on one side of the heat exchange pipe in the second direction and a second end located on the other side of the heat exchange pipe in the second direction; 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, further comprising two first header pipes and two second header pipes, one of the two first header pipes and one of the two second header pipes being connected to first and second ends of heat exchange pipes in at least one other heat exchange pipe row among the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and communicating with a fluid, and the other of the two first header pipes and the other of the two second header pipes being connected to first and second ends of heat exchange pipes in at least another one of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows and communicating with a fluid.

33. 8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein in the third direction, the heat exchange pipes in each of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows are spaced apart from the heat exchange pipes in adjacent heat exchange pipe rows of the plurality of heat exchange pipe rows.

34. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein, when viewed in the first direction, the fin bodies of the plurality of fins are inclined with respect to the third direction.

35. 35. The heat exchanger of claim 34, wherein when viewed in the first direction, an included angle between a fin body of the plurality of fins and the third direction is less than or equal to 45 degrees.

36. the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin has a first groove edge and a second groove edge, the first groove edge and the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin are located at the outermost sides of the heat exchange pipe groove in the third direction, and the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin in the third direction; 35. The heat exchanger of claim 34, wherein each of the plurality of fins further comprises a fin section extending along a third direction from a peripheral edge of the fin body on the first side of the heat exchanger.

37. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the plurality of fins have approximately the same size in the third direction, and the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchange pipe row inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves have approximately the same size in the third direction.

38. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the plurality of fins have approximately the same size in the third direction, and the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchange pipe row inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves have different sizes in the third direction.

39. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the plurality of fins have different sizes in a third direction, and the heat exchange pipes of the heat exchange pipe row inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves have approximately the same size in the third direction.

40. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of heat exchange pipe grooves in at least one of the plurality of fins have different sizes in a third direction, and heat exchange pipes of a heat exchange pipe row inserted into the at least two heat exchange pipe grooves have different sizes in the third direction.

41. the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin has a first groove edge and a second groove edge, the first groove edge and the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin are located at the outermost sides of the heat exchange pipe groove in the third direction, and the first groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin is closer to the first side of the heat exchanger than the second groove edge of the heat exchange pipe groove of the fin in the third direction; 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the heat exchange pipe grooves of the plurality of fins are open toward the second side of the heat exchanger.

42. 2. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein, in use, at least a portion of the heat exchange pipes extend substantially vertically.

43. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein each of at least some of the fins are formed from a single plate.

44. A bent heat exchanger formed by bending the heat exchanger according to claim 1.

45. 45. An air conditioning system comprising a heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 43 or a flex heat exchanger according to claim 44.

Images