Heat exchanger and air conditioner using same

Abstract

The present invention provides a heat exchanger and an air conditioner which can be easily cleaned.　A heat exchanger 20 comprises a refrigerant pipe 21 that is for conveying a refrigerant, and a fin unit 30 that has a plurality of fin parts 31 and that is detachably attached to the refrigerant pipe 21.

Description

Heat exchanger and air conditioner using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner using the same.

[0002] Conventionally, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger composed of thin plate-shaped fins and refrigerant pipes, and an air conditioner using the same, are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In an indoor unit of this type of air conditioner, during cooling operation, the fins are cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipes of the heat exchanger. As a result, indoor air is drawn in and cooled by the fins, and then the cooled air is blown out of the air outlet to cool the indoor air. In this case, the indoor unit collects condensed water generated by the heat exchanger in a drain pan and discharges the collected condensed water to the outside as drain water, thereby reducing indoor humidity.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-278953

[0004] However, in air conditioners using the above-mentioned conventional technology, condensation on the heat exchanger can cause mold to grow, and indoor odors can adhere to the heat exchanger, causing a foul odor in the air blown into the room from the air outlet.

[0005] For this reason, air conditioners are known that perform fan or heating operations after cooling operations to dry condensation water that has adhered to the heat exchanger, or that perform frost cleaning operations after cooling operations to form frost on the heat exchanger, thereby loosening dirt that has adhered to the heat exchanger, and then discharging the frost as drain water. However, when these air conditioners perform fan or heating operations after cooling operations or frost cleaning operations, they blow out very humid or warm air into the room, which can be uncomfortable for users, especially in the summer.

[0006] In addition, because the inside of the drain pan is not dried or cleaned, condensation in the drain pan can cause mold to grow, resulting in a foul odor.However, because the heat exchanger is positioned to block the top opening of the drain pan, cleaning the inside of the drain pan is difficult.

[0007] Furthermore, since the opening of the housing of the air conditioner is blocked by the heat exchanger, it is difficult to clean the inner surface of the housing.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger and an air conditioner that are easy to clean and that solve the problems associated with the conventional techniques.

[0009] The present invention is characterized in that a heat exchanger includes a refrigerant pipe for flowing a refrigerant, and a fin unit having a plurality of fin portions and removably attached to the refrigerant pipe.

[0010] In this case, the fin unit may have a mount portion detachably attached to the refrigerant pipe, and the fin portion may be provided on the mount portion so as to extend from the mount portion. The refrigerant pipe may have a main pipe and a branch pipe fluidly connected to the main pipe and protruding from the main pipe, the branch pipe having a first flow path extending from a base end to a tip end and a second flow path extending from the tip end to the base end along the first flow path, the first flow path and the second flow path being fluidly connected at the tip end, and the fin unit may be attached to the branch pipe slidably along the first flow path and the second flow path. The branch pipe may protrude from the main pipe in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the main pipe. The branch pipe may have a constant thickness from the base end to the tip end. The branch pipe may be narrower at the tip end than at the base end. The tip end of the branch pipe may have a tapered portion formed to be tapered. The branch pipe may have a constant thickness from the base end to just before the tapered portion. The branch pipe may be narrower before the tapered portion than the base end. The first flow path and the second flow path may be formed back to back. One end of the mount portion may protrude from the fin portion. The fin unit may have at least a portion of the fin portion covered by a protective case. The mount portion may pass through the protective case. When attached to the branch pipe, the fin portion of the fin unit may widen along the extension direction of the main pipe. The fin portion may be formed in a plate shape and configured to guide an incoming fluid upward when the fin unit is attached to the refrigerant pipe. The fin portion may be formed in a plate shape and configured to guide an incoming fluid downward when the fin unit is attached to the refrigerant pipe. When the fin unit is attached to the refrigerant pipe, the upstream edge of the fin portion, into which the fluid flows, may be lower than the downstream edge of the fin portion, into which the fluid flows out. The upstream edge of the fin portion may have a partially protruding shape.When the fin unit is attached to the refrigerant pipe so that the multiple fin portions are arranged vertically, the lower end of the upper fin portion may be located directly above the lower fin portion.

[0011] The present invention also provides an air conditioner comprising any one of the heat exchangers described above.

[0012] In this case, the inflowing fluid may flow directly into the fin unit without passing through a filter. The branch pipe may extend forward.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in an air conditioner equipped with the above-mentioned heat exchanger, an opening for removing the fin unit is formed in the housing, and the branch pipe is arranged to extend toward the opening.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in an air conditioner equipped with the above-mentioned heat exchanger, the first branch pipe and the second branch pipe are adjacent to each other vertically, and the first fin unit attached to the first branch pipe is stacked in a direction along the second branch pipe so as to overlap a portion of the second fin unit attached to the second branch pipe.

[0015] In this case, the lower end of the fin portion of the first fin unit attached to the first branch pipe may be located directly above the second fin unit attached to the second branch pipe. The first fin unit may have an opening or a notch formed in the fin portion to avoid the second branch pipe. The fan may include a plurality of fans rotating on the same axis, and each of the fans may be individually detachable. The fan may be exposed on the air inlet side when the fin unit is removed. The fan may include a double-shaft motor that drives the fans, and adjacent fans may be connected via the double-shaft motor. The fan may include a rotating shaft that holds the fan, and a support part that rotatably supports the rotating shaft. The support part may be slidable along the axis of the fan. The rotating shaft may connect adjacent fans.

[0016] The present invention can provide a heat exchanger and an air conditioner that are easy to clean.

[0017] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a front view of a heat exchanger. FIG. 3 shows a side view of a fin unit attached to a refrigerant pipe. FIG. 4 shows a top view of a fin unit. FIG. 5 shows a front view of a refrigerant pipe and a branch pipe. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a branch pipe. FIG. 7 shows a connection portion of a refrigerant pipe with a branch pipe. FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a branch pipe. FIG. 9 shows a side view of a fin unit removed from a refrigerant pipe. FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an indoor unit with a fan, an air inlet panel, an air outlet panel, and a fin unit removed. FIG. 11 shows a front view of a heat exchanger according to a modified embodiment. FIG. 12 shows a side view of a heat exchanger according to a modified embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a side view of a fin unit according to a modified embodiment removed from a refrigerant pipe. FIG. 14 shows a top view of a fin unit with a protective case attached. FIG. 15 shows a side view of a fin unit with a protective case attached. FIG. 16 shows a schematic view of the interior of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment as seen from the front. FIG. 17 shows a schematic view of removing an outer fan. FIG. 18 shows a schematic view of removing an inner fan. FIG. 19 shows a top view of a fin unit according to a modified embodiment. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a branch pipe according to a modified example; FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a branch pipe according to a modified example; FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a refrigerant pipe according to a modified example; FIG. 4 shows a top view of a heat exchanger according to a modified example; and FIG. 5 shows a top view of the heat exchanger according to the modified example with a fin unit removed from between the refrigerants.

[0018] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 shows a front view of a heat exchanger, Fig. 3 shows a side view of a fin unit attached to a refrigerant pipe, Fig. 4 shows a top view of the fin unit, Fig. 5 shows a front view of a refrigerant pipe and a branch pipe, Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a branch pipe, Fig. 7 shows a connection portion of a refrigerant pipe with a branch pipe, Fig. 8 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a branch pipe, and Fig. 9 shows a side view of a fin unit removed from a refrigerant pipe. Note that all of the drawings are schematic for ease of understanding.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner 100 includes an indoor unit 10. This indoor unit 10 is connected to an outdoor unit (not shown) by a refrigerant pipe 21. During cooling operation, the air conditioner 100 supplies refrigerant cooled in the outdoor unit to the indoor unit 10, thereby cooling the indoor air in the indoor unit 10, and during heating operation, supplies refrigerant heated in the outdoor unit to the indoor unit 10, thereby heating the indoor air in the indoor unit 10.

[0020] The indoor unit 10 according to this embodiment is fixed to a wall surface inside a room and includes a fan 11, a louver 12, and a heat exchanger 20. In this embodiment, air flowing in from inside the room flows directly into the heat exchanger 20 without passing through a filtration filter, thereby reducing pressure loss in the intake air.

[0021] The fan 11 is a crossflow fan that is removably attached between a heat exchanger 20 provided near the air inlet 16 of the indoor unit 10 and a louver 12 provided at the air outlet 17 of the indoor unit 10. When the fan 11 rotates, the indoor unit 10 flows air from the air inlet 16 side toward the air outlet 17 side. As a result, the indoor unit 10 causes air that flows in from the air inlet 16 to flow into the fan 11 through the heat exchanger 20, and then flows the air that flows into the fan 11 toward the air outlet 17 and blows it out into the room from the air outlet 17.

[0022] The louver 12 is removably attached to the air outlet 17. The louver 12 is swingable under the control of a control unit (not shown), and adjusts the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 17 according to the swing angle.

[0023] In the indoor unit 10 according to this embodiment, a removably attached air outlet panel 14 is provided below the fan 11 and defines a flow path extending to the air outlet 17. As a result, by removing the louver 12 and the air outlet panel 14, the fan 11 is largely exposed, and the fan 11 can be easily removed in the direction indicated by arrow A in the figure.

[0024] The heat exchanger 20 includes a refrigerant pipe 21 through which the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit flows, and a fin unit 30 that exchanges heat by coming into contact with the indoor air. The heat exchanger 20 is disposed so as to close the upper opening of the drain pan 19. The refrigerant pipe 21 includes a plurality of main pipes 22 and branch pipes 23 that communicate with the main pipes 22 and branch off from the main pipes 22. The main pipes 22 and branch pipes 23 are formed of an aluminum alloy by, for example, diffusion bonding.

[0025] 2, a plurality of fin units 30 are arranged and attached to the heat exchanger 20. In this embodiment, a total of 18 fin units 30 are attached in three rows and six columns.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3 , each fin unit 30 has five thin fin sections 31 and one mount section 32 that penetrates through the five fin sections 31. Note that corrugated fins may be incorporated between adjacent fin sections 31. The mount section 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a rectangular cross section and is adapted to be detachably fitted to a branch pipe 23 that has a smaller rectangular cross section than the mount section 32. Because the mount section 32 supports the five fin sections 31 in a substantially parallel arrangement and is detachably attached to the branch pipe 23, it is formed thicker than the fin sections 31 and has higher rigidity than the fin section 31. Although the fin section 31 and the mount 32 according to this embodiment are each formed as separate bodies from an aluminum alloy, they may also be formed as a single unit.

[0027] The fin section 31 is provided so that, when the fin unit 30 is attached to the branch pipe 23, the upstream edge 33 into which the air flows is lower than the downstream edge 34. This allows the fin unit 30 to guide the air flowing into the heat exchanger 20 upward. As a result, condensation water adhering to the fin section 31 drips from the lower end 35 of the upstream edge 33 and is not blown away toward the downstream fan 11 along with the flowing air.

[0028] When the fin unit 30 is attached to the branch pipe 23 and fitted, the lower fin 31 of two adjacent fins 31 protrudes horizontally more than the upper fin 31. That is, an imaginary line B passing through the upstream edge 33 of each fin 31 is aligned with a vertical line C passing through the upstream edge 33 of the uppermost fin 31, and the lower the fin 31, the further the upstream edge 33 of the fin 31 protrudes from the vertical line C. As a result, the lower end of the upper fin 31 is located directly above the lower fin 31. Therefore, condensation water dripping from the lower end 35 of the upstream edge 33 of the upper fin 31 drips onto the lower fin 31, gradually dripping gradually rather than all the way to the drain pan 19 (see FIG. 1 ), thereby reducing noise and splashing caused by dripping.

[0029] 1, the first branch pipe 23 (see FIG. 10) and the second branch pipe 23 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are stacked in a direction along the second branch pipe 23 so that the first fin unit 30 attached to the first branch pipe 23 overlaps a portion of the second fin unit 30 attached to the second branch pipe 23. In this case, the lower end 35 (see FIG. 3) of the fin portion 31 of the first fin unit 30 attached to the first branch pipe 23 is located directly above the second fin unit 30 attached to the second branch pipe 23, and condensation water dripping from the lower end 35 of the first fin unit 30 drips onto the second fin unit 30.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, in the fin unit 30, the distance between the downstream edge 34 of each fin section 31 and the mount section 32 is approximately the same. That is, an imaginary line D passing through the downstream edge 34 of each fin section 31 is approximately parallel to the direction in which the mount section 32 extends and the direction in which the mount section 32 slides relative to the branch pipe 23 (see Fig. 9). This prevents the downstream edge 34 of each fin section 31 from hitting the upper open end 16a of the suction port 16 (see Fig. 1) or the branch pipe 23 and main pipe 22 to which the next upper fin unit 30 is attached when the fin unit 30 is pulled out of the branch pipe 23.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4 , each fin portion 31 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and extends from the mount portion 32 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mount portion 32, i.e., along the extension direction of the main pipe 22 (see FIG. 5 ). The fin portion 31 has a shape in which the upstream edge 33, which is on the lower side when attached to the branch pipe 23, protrudes at the lower end 35. In this embodiment, the upstream edge 33 of the fin portion 31 is curved so that the center protrudes, forming the lower end 35. The lower end 35 is positioned so that it is aligned with the mount portion 32 along the flow line of air as it flows. This allows condensation water adhering to the fin portion 31 to drip off at a location where the flow velocity of the air is slow.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 5, the branch pipe 23 branches off from the main pipe 22 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the main pipe 22. The tip 23a of this branch pipe 23 has a tapered portion 24 formed to taper, and the diameter is constant at least from the base end 23b to just before the tapered portion 24. Note that Fig. 5 shows the main pipe 22 and branch pipe 23 as viewed along the direction of air flow through the fin unit 30. As shown in Fig. 6, the branch pipe 23 has an elongated rectangular cross section, and has two feed-side flow paths (first flow paths) 25a, 25b and two return-side flow paths (second flow paths) 26a, 26b, each defined by a rectangular flow path cross section.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 7, two upstream flow paths 27a, 27b are formed inside the main pipe 22 upstream of the branch pipe 23 shown by the dashed line, and two downstream flow paths 28a, 28b are formed inside the main pipe 22 downstream of the branch pipe 23. Fig. 7 shows a view perpendicular to Fig. 5, i.e., the same direction as Fig. 6, and is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main pipe 22 as viewed from the tip 23a toward the base 23b of the branch pipe 23. The upstream flow path 27a in the upper right of the figure has a flow path width that is halved where it overlaps with the branch pipe 23, and this half portion communicates with the feed flow path 25a of the branch pipe 23. Similarly, the upstream flow path 27b in the lower right of the figure has a flow path width that is halved where it overlaps with the branch pipe 23, and this half portion communicates with the feed flow path 25b of the branch pipe 23. On the other hand, downstream flow path 28b in the upper left of the figure has a flow path width that is halved where it overlaps branch pipe 23, and is connected to return flow path 26b of branch pipe 23 at this halved portion, while downstream flow path 28a in the lower left has a flow path width that is halved where it overlaps branch pipe 23, and is connected to return flow path 26a of branch pipe 23 at this halved portion. In other words, upstream flow paths 27a, 27b and downstream flow paths 28a, 28b of main pipe 22 each communicate with different flow paths 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b of branch pipe 23, respectively.

[0034] 8 , in the branch pipe 23, an outer feed flow path 25a and an outer return flow path 26a, which are positioned symmetrically, are connected to each other by a tapered portion 24, and an inner feed flow path 25b and an inner return flow path 26a, which are positioned symmetrically, are connected to each other by a tapered portion 24. That is, the refrigerant flowing through the upstream flow path 27a of the main pipe 22 flows through the feed flow path 25a of the branch pipe 23 toward the tip 23a, turns back at the tapered portion 24, flows through the return flow path 26a of the branch pipe 23 toward the base end 23b, and then flows into the downstream flow path 28a of the main pipe 23. Similarly, the refrigerant flowing through the upstream flow path 27b of the main pipe 22 flows through the feed flow path 25b of the branch pipe 23 toward the tip 23a, turns back at the tapered portion 24, and flows through the return flow path 26b of the branch pipe 23 toward the base end 23b, and then flows into the downstream flow path 28b of the main pipe 23.

[0035] 9, the fin unit 30 is detachably attached to the branch pipe 23 by fitting the mount 32 into the branch pipe 23 so as to be slidable along the feed flow paths 25a, 25b and the return flow paths 26a, 26b of the branch pipe 23. One end of the mount 32 of the fin unit 30 projects beyond the fin section 31 and is provided with a knob 32a. This allows the user to easily attach and detach the fin unit 30 to and from the branch pipe 23 by pinching the knob 32a with their fingers.

[0036] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 10 with the fan 11, air inlet panel 13, air outlet panel 14, and fin unit 30 removed. As shown in Figure 10, the indoor unit 10 is designed so that the opening 18 is completely exposed when the air inlet panel 13 is removed. The branch pipe 23 is arranged to extend forward toward the opening 18, and the fin unit 30 can be removed to the outside of the housing 10a through the opening 18.

[0037] The air conditioner 100 according to this embodiment includes a refrigerant pipe 21 for flowing a refrigerant, and a fin unit 30 having a plurality of fin portions 31 and removably attached to the refrigerant pipe 21. This allows the fin unit 30 to be removed and washed with water, and since the drain pan 19 and the back side of the refrigerant pipe 21 are exposed when the fin unit 30 is removed, workers can easily perform cleaning.

[0038] Furthermore, since the fin unit 30 has the fin portion 31 attached to the branch pipe 23 of the refrigerant pipe 21 via the mount portion 32, it can be smoothly attached and detached from the branch pipe 23 without generating abnormal noise or the like.

[0039] Furthermore, because the fin unit 30 and the inside of the housing 10a of the air conditioner 100 can be easily cleaned, there is no need to worry about dust adhering to the filter unit 30, etc. This eliminates the need to provide a filter for filtering out dust on the front surface of the heat exchanger 10, and not providing a filter reduces flow resistance on the intake side, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0040] (Second embodiment) Figure 16 shows a schematic view of the interior of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment as seen from the front, Figure 17 shows a schematic view of removing the outer fan, and Figure 18 shows a schematic view of removing the inner fan.

[0041] In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 16, the air conditioner 200 according to the second embodiment differs from the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment in that it is equipped with a split fan 111.

[0042] The fan 111 includes two first fans 111a and two second fans 111b that rotate coaxially with each other. Each of the first fans 111a and second fans 111b is attached so as to be independently detachable.

[0043] The fan 111 is attached to a double-shaft motor 112, two first supports 113, and two second supports 114. The double-shaft motor 112, the two first supports 113, and the two second supports 114 are attached to the rear panel of the indoor unit 10. As a result, the fan 111 is exposed on the air inlet 16 (see FIG. 1) side when the fin unit 30 (see FIG. 1) is removed.

[0044] The dual-shaft motor 112 is fixed to the rear panel of the indoor unit 10 and has a single output shaft 112a that protrudes to the left and right and penetrates the motor body. That is, the output shaft 112a of the dual-shaft motor 112 is driven coaxially with the portion protruding to the left and the portion protruding to the right. The output shaft 112a is formed, for example, with a hexagonal cross section, so that the driving force of the attached first fan 111a is appropriately transmitted without slipping. As a result, two adjacent first fans 111a are connected via the output shaft 112a of the dual-shaft motor 112 and rotate when the dual-shaft motor 112 is driven.

[0045] The two first support portions 113 are disposed on the left and right sides of the dual-shaft motor 112 with a gap between them. These first support portions 113 are attached to the rear panel of the indoor unit 10 so as to be slidable along the rotation axis of the fan 111 while a biasing force is applied to the dual-shaft motor 112 by a spring (not shown).

[0046] Each of the first support portions 113 rotatably supports a rotating shaft 113a via bearings, which holds one end of the first fan 111a and the second fan 111b. The rotating shaft 113a penetrates the first support portion 113 and protrudes to the left and right sides of the first support portion 113. The rotating shaft 113a connects the adjacent first fan 111a and second fan 112a and rotates coaxially with the output shaft 112a of the dual-shaft motor 112. The rotating shaft 113a has, for example, a hexagonal cross section, so that the driving force is appropriately transmitted between the attached first fan 111a and second fan 111b without slippage. As a result, when the first fan 111a rotates, the second fan 111b rotates at the same rotational speed as the first fan 111a.

[0047] The two second support portions 114 are each disposed outside the first support portion 113 with a gap therebetween. These second support portions 114 are attached to the rear panel of the indoor unit 10 so as to be slidable along the rotation axis of the fan 111 while a biasing force is applied toward the first support portions 113 by a spring (not shown).

[0048] Each second support portion 114 rotatably supports a rotating shaft 114a via a bearing, which holds one end of the second fan 111b. The rotating shaft 114a protrudes toward the first support portion 113. The rotating shaft 114a rotates coaxially with the output shaft 112a of the dual-shaft motor 112 and the rotating shaft 113a of the second support portion 114. The rotating shaft 114a has, for example, a circular cross section, and the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 114a may be any angle, making it easy to attach the second fan 11b. In this embodiment, the output shaft 112a of the dual-shaft motor 112, the rotating shaft 113a of the first support portion 113, and the rotating shaft 114a of the second support portion 114 have different dimensions and shapes, so that the first fan 111a and the second fan 111b are attached in the correct positions and orientations.

[0049] The following describes the procedure for removing the fan 111. When removing the fan 111, first, as shown in Figure 17(a), the second support part 114 is slid away from the dual-shaft motor 112 to widen the gap between the first support part 113 and the second support part 114.

[0050] When the distance between the second support portion 114 and the first support portion 113 is widened, the second fan 111b is slid away from the double-shaft motor 112, as shown in FIG. 17(b), and the second fan 111b is pulled out from the rotating shaft 113a of the first support portion 113.

[0051] After the second fan 111b is pulled out from the rotation shaft 113a of the first support portion 113, the second fan 111b is moved downward and removed, as shown in FIG. 17(c).

[0052] When the second fan 111 is moved downward and removed, the first support portion 113 is slid away from the double-shaft motor 112, as shown in Figure 18 (a), thereby widening the gap between the double-shaft motor 112 and the first support portion 113.

[0053] When the distance between the dual-shaft motor 112 and the first support portion 113 is widened, the first fan 111a is slid away from the dual-shaft motor 112, as shown in Figure 18 (b), and the first fan 111a is pulled out from the output shaft 112a of the dual-shaft motor 112.

[0054] After the first fan 111a is pulled out from the output shaft 112a of the double-shaft motor 112, the first fan 111a is moved downward and removed, as shown in FIG. 18(c).

[0055] The air conditioner 200 according to this embodiment includes a first fan 111a and a second fan 111b that rotate on the same axis. Each of the first fan 111a and the second fan 111b can be attached or detached independently. This shortens the overall length of each fan, making it less likely to lose balance. Even when the first fan 111a and the second fan 111b are attached or detached, the balance is less likely to be lost, eliminating the need for balance adjustments. This allows the first fan 111a and the second fan 111b to be easily cleaned.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. In the above exemplary embodiments, the refrigerant pipe 21 includes a branch pipe 23, and the fin unit 30 is detachably attached to the branch pipe 23. However, this is not limiting. As long as the fin unit is detachably attached to the refrigerant pipe, a fin unit 130 that is detachable from the main pipe 21 may be used, as shown in FIG. 11 . In this case, as shown in FIG. 12 , a mount portion 132 that fits onto the main pipe 21 may have a U-shaped cross section, and multiple fins 131 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the main pipe 21. Furthermore, the fin unit 130 may have a frame 136 extending from the mount portion 132 in the direction in which the fin unit 130 is attached or detached, and a handle portion 137 provided at the tip of the frame 136 for a user to grasp with his or her hand. In this way, the fin unit 130 can be removed from the main pipe 21 simply by grasping and pulling the handle portion 137, as shown in FIG. 13 .

[0057] In the above embodiment, one fin unit 30 is provided with one mount portion 32, but this is not limited to this. As long as the fin unit is detachable from the refrigerant pipe, one fin unit may be provided with multiple mount portions.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fin portion 31 of the fin unit 30 has a substantially rectangular shape, but is not limited to this. The fin portion may have openings or cutouts formed therein to avoid the mount portion of an adjacent fin unit or the branch pipes of the refrigerant pipes.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the branch pipe 23 has a constant thickness from the base end 23b to just before the tapered portion 24, but this is not limited to this. As long as the mount portion of the fin unit can be slid and removed, the branch pipe may have a constant thickness from the base end to the tip. Also, the branch portion may be thinner at the tip than at the base end, or thinner just before the tapered portion than at the base end.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the fin portion 31 of the fin unit 30 is entirely exposed, but this is not limited to this. As long as the fin unit allows fluid to pass through, as shown in FIG. 14 , at least a portion of the fin portion 31 may be covered with a protective case 38 to make it difficult for an operator to touch the fin portion 31. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15 , the protective case 38 has an upstream opening 38a through which the upstream edge 33 (see FIG. 14 ) of the fin unit 30 is exposed, and a downstream opening 38b through which the downstream edge 34 (see FIG. 14 ) of the fin unit 30 is exposed. In addition, the mount portion 32 may pass through the protective case 38, exposing the knob portion 32a.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fin unit 30 is provided to guide the air flowing into the heat exchanger 20 upward, but this is not limiting. As long as the fin portion is formed in a plate shape, it may be provided to guide the flowing fluid downward when the fin unit is attached to the branch pipe.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the upstream edge 33 of the fin portion 31 has a curved shape with a protruding center, but is not limited to this. As long as condensation water adhering to the fin portion can drip off, other positions, such as both ends 127a and 127b of the edge 127, may protrude as shown in Figure 19.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the branch pipe 23 has an elongated rectangular cross section, but is not limited thereto. The branch pipe 23 may have any other cross-sectional shape as long as it has the supply flow paths 25a, 25b for flowing the refrigerant from the base end 23b to the tip 24 and the return flow paths 26a, 26b for flowing the refrigerant from the tip 24 to the base end 23b. For example, the branch pipe may be a branch pipe 123 formed to have an H-shaped cross section as shown in Fig. 20, or a branch pipe 223 formed to have a cross-shaped cross section as shown in Fig. 21.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the branch pipe 23 has the feed flow paths 25a, 25b for flowing the refrigerant from the base end 23b toward the tip 24, and the return flow paths 26a, 26b for flowing the refrigerant from the tip 24 toward the base end 23b, aligned in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the main pipe 22, but is not limited to this. As long as the branch pipe 23 has a feed flow path and a return flow path, it may be a branch pipe 223 in which a feed flow path 125 and a return flow path 126 are aligned along the extension direction of the main pipe 22, as shown in Figure 22.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fin unit 30 of the heat exchanger 20 has the branch pipes 23 extending forward and the surfaces of all of the fin portions 31 facing the same direction, but this is not limited to this. As long as the fin units are detachable from the refrigerant pipes, the heat exchanger 220 may have, for example, a heat exchanger in which a partition wall 10b separates the fin unit 230 from the main pipe 222, so that the fluid that has passed through the adjacent fin unit 230 flows behind the partition wall 10b, as shown in FIG. 23 . More specifically, the two fin units 230 on the left side or the two fin units 230 on the right side in the figure are arranged substantially parallel to each other, but one fin unit 230 is offset toward the base end 23b of the other fin unit 230 along the direction in which the branch pipes 23 extend. The fin portion 231 provided at the outermost position of one fin unit 230, i.e., the position farthest from the partition wall 10b, is positioned approximately in a straight line with the partition wall 10b on the side of the other fin unit 230. As a result, in one fin unit 230, fluid that passes between the outermost fin portion 231 and the partition wall 10b flows to the fan 12 (see FIG. 1) through the back side of the partition wall 10b of the other fin unit 230, as shown by arrow D in the figure. As a result, in the heat exchanger 220, the fin unit 230 is detachable, and fluid can flow in from the side of the fin unit 230, as shown in FIG.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the heat exchanger 20 according to the present invention is provided in the indoor unit 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. The heat exchanger according to the present invention may be used as a heat exchanger for other devices, such as an outdoor unit or a heat exchanger for a vehicle.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the outer surface of the branch pipe 23 and the inner surface of the mount portion 32 are flat surfaces, but this is not limiting. In order to reduce the thermal resistance between the branch pipe 23 and the mount portion 32, the outer surface of the branch pipe 23 may be formed with peaks and valleys extending along the longitudinal direction of the branch pipe 23, making the outer surface jagged, and the inner surface of the mount portion 32 may be formed with peaks and valleys extending along the longitudinal direction of the mount portion 32 so as to fit closely to the peaks and valleys formed on the branch portion 23.

[0068] Furthermore, although the second embodiment uses the air conditioner 200 equipped with the fin unit 30, the present invention is not limited to this. The fan according to the second embodiment may be applied to an air conditioner that does not have a fin unit as long as the fan is a split type.

[0069] In the second embodiment, two fans, the first fan 111a and the second fan 111b, are provided on each side of the dual-shaft motor 112, but this is not limiting. If a split fan is used, for example, only one fan may be attached to each side of the dual-shaft motor, or two fans, the first fan and the second fan, may be provided on one side of a non-dual-shaft motor.

[0070] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 indoor unit 10a housing 10b partition wall 11 fan 12 louver 13 suction port panel 14 outlet panel 16 suction port 16a upper open end 17 outlet 18 opening 19 drain pan 20 heat exchanger 21 refrigerant pipe 22 main pipe 23 branch pipe 23a tip 23b base end 24 tapered portion 25a, 25b supply side flow path (first flow path) 26a, 26b return side flow path (second flow path) 27a, 27b upstream side flow path 28a, 28b downstream side flow path 30 fin unit 31 fin portion 32 mount portion 32a knob portion 33 upstream side edge portion 34 downstream side edge portion 35 lower end 38 protective case 100 air conditioner 111 Fan 111a First fan 111b Second fan 112 Double-shaft motor 112a Output shaft 113 First support portion 113a Rotating shaft 114 Second support portion 114a Rotating shaft 120 Heat exchanger 125 Feed-side flow path 126 Return-side flow path 127 Upstream edge portion 127a, 127b End portion 130 Fin unit 131 Fin portion 132 Mount portion 136 Frame 137 Handle portion 200 Air conditioner 220 Heat exchanger 222 Main pipe 230 Fin unit 231 Fin portion

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising: a refrigerant pipe for flowing a refrigerant; and a fin unit having a plurality of fin portions and removably attached to the refrigerant pipe.

2. A heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that the fin unit has a mount portion that can be detachably attached to the refrigerant pipe, and the fin portion is provided on the mount portion so as to extend from the mount portion.

3. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerant pipes have a main pipe and a branch pipe that is fluidly connected to the main pipe and protrudes from the main pipe, the branch pipe has a first flow path extending from its base end to its tip, and a second flow path that extends from the tip to the base end along the first flow path, the first flow path and the second flow path being fluidly connected at the tip, and the fin unit is attached to the branch pipe so as to be slidable along the first flow path and the second flow path.

4. A heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that the branch pipes protrude from the main pipe in a direction intersecting the direction in which the main pipe extends.

5. A heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the branch pipe has a constant diameter from the base end to the tip end.

6. A heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the branch pipes are narrower at the tip end than at the base end.

7. A heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that the tip of the branch pipe has a tapered portion formed to taper.

8. A heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the branch pipe has a constant diameter from the base end to just before the tapered portion.

9. A heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the branch pipe is narrower before the tapered portion than at the base end.

10. A heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are formed back to back.

11. A heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein one end of said mount portion protrudes from said fin portion.

12. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fin portion of the fin unit is covered with a protective case.

13. A heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein the protective case is penetrated by the mount portion.

14. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that when the fin unit is attached to the branch pipe, the fin portion extends in the direction in which the main pipe extends.

15. A heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that the fin portion is formed in a plate shape and is arranged to guide the inflowing fluid upward when the fin unit is attached to the refrigerant pipe.

16. A heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that the fin portion is formed in a plate shape and is arranged to guide the inflowing fluid downward when the fin unit is attached to the refrigerant pipe.

17. A heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the fin unit is attached to the refrigerant pipe, the upstream edge of the fin portion, through which the fluid flows in, is lower than the downstream edge of the fin portion, through which the fluid flows out.

18. A heat exchanger according to claim 17, characterized in that the upstream edge of the fin portion has a partially protruding shape.

19. A heat exchanger as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the fin unit is attached to the refrigerant pipe so that the multiple fin portions are arranged vertically, the lower end of the upper fin portion is located directly above the lower fin portion.

20. An air conditioner comprising a heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. An air conditioner according to claim 20, wherein the inflowing fluid flows directly into the fin unit without passing through a filter.

22. An air conditioner equipped with a heat exchanger as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the branch pipe extends forward.

23. An air conditioner equipped with the heat exchanger described in claim 3, characterized in that an opening for removing the fin unit is formed in the housing, and the branch pipe is arranged to extend toward the opening.

24. An air conditioner equipped with a heat exchanger as described in claim 3, characterized in that the first branch pipe and the second branch pipe are adjacent to each other vertically, and the first fin unit attached to the first branch pipe is stacked in a direction along the second branch pipe so as to overlap a portion of the second fin unit attached to the second branch pipe.

25. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the lower end of the fin portion of the first fin unit attached to the first branch pipe is located directly above the second fin unit attached to the second branch pipe.

26. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the first fin unit has openings or cuts formed in the fin portion to avoid the second branch pipe.

27. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 20, comprising a plurality of fans that rotate on the same shaft, each of which is individually detachable.

28. An air conditioner as set forth in claim 27, wherein the fan is exposed on the air inlet side when the fin unit is removed.

29. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 27, further comprising a double-shaft motor for driving the fans, and adjacent fans are connected via the double-shaft motor.

30. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that it comprises: a rotating shaft that holds the fan; and a support part that rotatably supports the rotating shaft.

31. An air conditioner as set forth in claim 30, wherein the support portion is slidable along the axis of the fan.

32. An air conditioner according to claim 30, wherein the rotary shaft connects adjacent fans.

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