OUTDOOR UNIT OF AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

An outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes: a base, a first heat exchanger in contact with the base, a second heat exchanger parallel to the first heat exchanger, in contact with the base, a third heat exchanger parallel to the first and the second heat exchangers and spaced apart from the base, a first holder supporting a side of the first heat exchanger, a second holder supporting a side of the second heat exchanger, a third holder supporting a side of the third heat exchanger, and a holder bracket connecting the first holder and the third holder. The second heat exchanger is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger. The first holder is coupled to the base. The second holder and the third holder is coupled to each other. The holder bracket is configured to fix the third holder to the first holder.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: a housing including a base; a first heat exchanger in contact with the base and supported by the base; a second heat exchanger positioned in parallel to the first heat exchanger, in contact with the base, and supported by the base; a third heat exchanger positioned in parallel to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and spaced apart from the base; a first holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the first heat exchanger; a second holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the second heat exchanger; a third holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the third heat exchanger; and a holder bracket connecting the first holder and the third holder, wherein the second heat exchanger is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger, the first holder is coupled to the base, the second holder and the third holder are coupled to each other, and the holder bracket is configured to fix the third holder to the first holder.

2. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the second heat exchanger is positioned in an outer direction of the housing relative to the first heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger is positioned in the outer direction of the housing relative to the second heat exchanger.

3. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the first holder comprises a first support plate in contact with the side of the first heat exchanger, and a first extension portion extending from a side of the first support plate, the second holder comprises a second support plate in contact with the side of the second heat exchanger, a second extension portion extending from a side of the second support plate adjacent to the first heat exchanger, and a third extension portion extending from another side of the second support plate adjacent to the third heat exchanger, and the third holder comprises a third support plate in contact with the side of the third heat exchanger, a fourth extension portion extending from a side of the third support plate adjacent to the second heat exchanger, and a fifth extension portion extending from another side of the third support plate.

4. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 3, wherein the holder bracket is coupled to the first extension portion and the fifth extension portion.

5. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the holder bracket comprises a first coupling portion in contact with the first extension portion and coupled to the first extension portion, a second coupling portion in contact with the fifth extension portion and coupled to the fifth extension portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.

6. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 5, wherein the first coupling portion is in contact with a surface of the first extension portion, facing outward from the housing, and the second coupling portion is in contact with a surface of the fifth extension portion, facing outward from the housing.

7. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 5, wherein the first coupling portion extends from the connecting portion toward a front direction of the housing, and the second coupling portion extends from the connecting portion toward a rear direction of the housing.

8. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 3, wherein the third extension portion and the fourth extension portion are in contact with each other and are coupled to each other.

9. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the holder bracket comprises a hook configured to be caught by and coupled to the third holder.

10. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 9, wherein the holder bracket comprises a holder contact portion in contact with a surface of the third holder, opposite to the first holder, and the hook extends from the holder contact portion to penetrate the third holder.

11. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a front frame positioned in front of the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger, and the first holder is coupled to the front frame.

12. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the first holder is positioned closer to a front side of the housing than the second holder and the third holder.

13. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising: a first end plate supporting another side of the first heat exchanger and another side of the second heat exchanger; and a second end plate supporting another side of the third heat exchanger, wherein the first end plate comprises a first end contact portion in contact with the another side of the first heat exchanger and the another side of the second heat exchanger, and the second end plate comprises a second end contact portion in contact with the another side of the third heat exchanger, and a plate coupling portion extending from the second end contact portion toward the first end contact portion and coupled to the first end contact portion.

14. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 13, wherein the first end plate further comprises an end plate extension portion extending from a side of the first end contact portion adjacent to the second end contact portion, and the plate coupling portion penetrates the end plate extension portion.

15. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein a lower end of the third heat exchanger is positioned at an upper location relative to a lower end of the first heat exchanger and a lower end of the second heat exchanger.

16. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: a housing including a base; a first heat exchanger supported by the base; a second heat exchanger positioned in an outer direction of the housing relative to the first heat exchanger and supported by the base; a third heat exchanger positioned in the outer direction of the housing relative to the second heat exchanger and spaced apart from the base; a first holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the first heat exchanger and coupled to the base; a second holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the second heat exchanger; a third holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the third heat exchanger and coupled to the second holder; and a holder bracket connecting the first holder and the third holder and coupled to the first holder and the third holder.

17. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 16, wherein the first holder comprises: a first support plate in contact with the side of the first heat exchanger; and a first extension portion extending from a side of the first support plate, wherein the second holder comprises: a second support plate in contact with the side of the second heat exchanger; a second extension portion extending from a side of the second support plate adjacent to the first heat exchanger; and a third extension portion extending from another side of the second support plate adjacent to the third heat exchanger, wherein the third holder comprises: a third support plate in contact with the side of the third heat exchanger; a fourth extension portion extending from a side of the third support plate adjacent to the second heat exchanger; and a fifth extension portion extending from another side of the third support plate.

18. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the holder bracket is coupled to the first extension portion and the fifth extension portion.

19. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 16, wherein the holder bracket comprises a hook configured to be coupled to the fifth extension portion by penetrating the fifth extension portion

20. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: a housing including a base; a first heat exchanger including a plurality of first refrigerant tubes arranged along a first column, and a plurality of first heat exchange fins in contact with the plurality of first refrigerant tubes, the first heat exchanger being in contact with the base; a second heat exchanger a second heat exchanger including a plurality of second refrigerant tubes arranged along a second column parallel to the first column, and a plurality of second heat exchange fins in contact with the plurality of second heat exchanger tubes, the second heat exchanger being in contact with the base; a third heat exchanger including a plurality of third refrigerant tubes arranged along a third column parallel to the first column and the second column and a plurality of third heat exchange fins in contact with the plurality of third refrigerant tubes, wherein a lower end of the third heat exchanger is positioned an upper location relative to a lower end of the first heat exchanger and a lower end of the second heat exchanger; a first holder comprising a support plate supporting the first heat exchanger at a side in a direction in which the plurality of first heat exchange fins are arranged, the first holder being coupled to the base; a second holder comprising a support plate supporting the second heat exchanger at a side in a direction in which the plurality of second heat exchange fins are arranged; a third holder comprising a support plate supporting the third heat exchanger at a side in a direction in which the plurality of third heat exchange fins are arranged, the third holder coupled to the second holder; and a holder bracket connecting the first holder and the third holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example air conditioner according to various embodiments

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a front side of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a rear side of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating various components, such as a heat exchanger, a base, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating various components, such as a heat exchanger, a base, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating front sides of various components, such as a base, a top cover, a heat exchanger, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view illustrating a coupled structure of a front frame and a first holder included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view illustrating a coupled structure of a base and a first holder included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view illustrating a first holder, a second holder, a third holder, and a holder bracket included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and a coupled structure of the third holder and a first side frame according to various embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating various components, such as a housing, a heat exchanger, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, taken in a horizontal direction according to various embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating various components, such as a base, a heat exchanger, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, in a side direction according to various embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view illustrating a first end plate and a second end plate included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of a second end plate and a second side frame included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example process of manufacturing a heat exchanger included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and illustrates a state before the heat exchanger is bent according to various embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example process of manufacturing a heat exchanger included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and illustrates a state after the heat exchanger is bent according to various embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example process of manufacturing a heat exchanger included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and illustrates an example operation of fixing a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger to each other according to various embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating various components, such as a heat exchanger, a base, a first holder, a second holder, a third holder, a holder bracket, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0034] FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating various components, such as a first holder, a second holder, a third holder, a holder bracket, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0035] FIG. 20 is a sectional perspective view illustrating a coupled state of a third holder and a holder bracket in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0036] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating various components, such as a housing, a heat exchanger, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, taken in a horizontal direction according to various embodiments;

[0037] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of a third holder in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0038] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of a holder bracket in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

[0039] FIG. 24 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which a holder bracket is separated from a first holder and a third holder in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments; and

[0040] FIG. 25 is a partial perspective view illustrating a first holder, a second holder, a third holder, and a holder bracket in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding elements and embodiments.

[0042] In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0043] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0044] In the disclosure, phrases, such as A or B, at least one of A and B, at least one of A or B, A, B or C, at least one of A, B and C, and at least one of A, B, or C may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0045] As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0046] Terms such as 1st, 2nd, primary, or secondary may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0047] When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being (functionally or communicatively) coupled or connected to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.

[0048] It will be understood that when the terms includes, comprises, including, and/or comprising are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0049] When a given element is referred to as being connected to, coupled to, supported by or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0050] It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being on another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

[0051] An air conditioner according to various embodiments may refer to a device that performs functions such as purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling or heating in an air conditioning space (hereinafter referred to as indoor space), and in particular a device having at least one of these functions.

[0052] According to an embodiment, an air conditioner may include a heat pump device to perform a cooling function or a heating function. The heat pump device may include a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor, a first heat exchanger, and an expansion device and a second heat exchanger. The components of the heat pump device may be embedded in a single housing forming an exterior of an air conditioner, which includes a window-type air conditioner or a portable air conditioner. On the other hand, some components of the heat pump device may be divided and embedded in a plurality of housings forming a single air conditioner, which includes a wall-mounted air conditioner, a stand-type air conditioner, and a system air conditioner.

[0053] The air conditioner including the plurality of housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoors and at least one indoor unit installed indoors. For example, the air conditioner may be provided such that a single outdoor unit and a single indoor unit are connected by a refrigerant pipe. The air conditioner may be provided such that a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units by a refrigerant pipe. The air conditioner may be provided such that two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected by a plurality of refrigerant pipes.

[0054] The outdoor unit may be electrically connected to the indoor unit. For example, information (or commands) for controlling the air conditioner may be received through an input interface provided in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to a user input.

[0055] The air conditioner may include an outdoor heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0056] The outdoor heat exchanger may be configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and air from outdoor through a phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may radiate heat to the outdoor air. While the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger evaporates, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the outdoor air.

[0057] The indoor unit is installed indoors. For example, according to the arrangement method of the indoor unit, the air conditioner may be classified into a ceiling-type indoor unit, a stand-type indoor unit, a wall-type indoor unit, and the like. For example, the ceiling-type indoor unit may be classified into a 4-way type indoor unit, a 1-way type indoor unit, a duct type indoor unit and the like according to a method of discharging air.

[0058] The indoor heat exchanger may be configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and outdoor air through a phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor unit, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the indoor air. The indoor space may be cooled by blowing the indoor air cooled through the cooled indoor heat exchanger. While the refrigerant is condensed in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may radiate heat to the indoor air. The indoor space may be heated by blowing the indoor air heated through the high-temperature indoor heat exchanger.

[0059] For example, the air conditioner may perform a cooling or heating function by a phase change process of a refrigerant circulated between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. To circulate the refrigerant, the air conditioner may include a compressor to compress the refrigerant. The compressor may draw refrigerant gas through an inlet and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor may discharge high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas through an outlet. The compressor may be disposed inside the outdoor unit.

[0060] Through the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be circulated sequentially through the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the indoor heat exchanger or sequentially circulated through the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0061] For example, in the air conditioner, when a single outdoor unit and a single indoor unit are directly connected through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be circulated between the single outdoor unit and the single indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.

[0062] For example, in the air conditioner, when a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may flow from the single outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units through branched refrigerant pipes. Refrigerant discharged from the plurality of indoor units may be combined and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, each of the plurality of indoor units may be directly connected in parallel to the single outdoor unit through a separate refrigerant pipe.

[0063] Each of the plurality of indoor units may be operated independently according to an operation mode set by a user. For example, some of the plurality of indoor units may be operated in a cooling mode while others of the plurality of indoor units are operated in a heating mode. The refrigerant may be selectively introduced into each indoor unit in a high-pressure state or a low-pressure state, discharged, and circulated to the outdoor unit along a circulation path that is designated through a flow path switching valve to be described later.

[0064] For example, in the air conditioner, when two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected by the plurality of refrigerant pipes, refrigerant discharged from the plurality of outdoor units may be combined and flow through one refrigerant pipe, and then diverged again at a certain point and introduced into the plurality of indoor units.

[0065] The plurality of outdoor units may be driven or at least some of the plurality of outdoor units may not be driven, in accordance with to a driving load corresponding to an operating amount of the plurality of indoor units. The refrigerant may be provided through a flow path switching valve to be introduced into and circulated to an outdoor unit that is selectively driven.

[0066] The air conditioner may include the expansion device to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be disposed inside the indoor unit or inside the outdoor unit, or disposed both inside the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

[0067] The expansion device may reduce the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant using a throttling effect. The expansion device may include an orifice configured to reduce a cross-sectional area of a flow path. A temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the orifice may be lowered.

[0068] For example, the expansion device may be implemented as an electronic expansion valve configured to adjust an opening ratio (a ratio of a cross-sectional area of a flow path of a valve in a partially opened state to a cross-sectional area of the flow path of the valve in a fully opened state). According to the opening ratio of the electronic expansion valve, the amount of refrigerant passing through the expansion device may be adjusted.

[0069] The air conditioner may further include a flow path switching valve disposed on the refrigerant circulation path. The flow path switching valve may include a 4-way valve. The flow path switching valve may determine a refrigerant circulation path depending on an operation mode of the indoor unit (e.g., cooling operation or heating operation). The flow path switching valve may be connected to the outlet of the compressor.

[0070] The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the inlet of the compressor. A low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, which is evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger, may flow into the accumulator.

[0071] When a refrigerant mixture of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas is introduced, the accumulator may separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas, and supply the refrigerant gas separated from the refrigerant liquid to the compressor.

[0072] An outdoor fan may be installed near the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor fan may blow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.

[0073] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include at least one sensor. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may be provided as an environmental sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be disposed at a given position of the inside or the outside of the outdoor unit. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may include a temperature sensor configured to detect an air temperature around the outdoor unit, an air humidity sensor configured to detect air humidity around the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant temperature sensor configured to detect a refrigerant temperature in a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor configured to detect a refrigerant pressure in a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit.

[0074] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may be configured to receive a control signal from an indoor unit controller of the air conditioner, which will be described in greater detail below. Based on a control signal received through the outdoor unit communication circuitry, the outdoor unit may control the operation of the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, the flow path switching valve, the accumulator, or the outdoor fan. The outdoor unit may transmit a measurement value detected by the outdoor unit sensor to the indoor unit controller through the outdoor unit communication circuitry.

[0075] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a housing, a blower configured to circulate air inside or outside the housing, and the indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air introduced into the housing.

[0076] The housing may include an inlet. Indoor air may flow into the housing through the inlet.

[0077] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a filter configured to filter out foreign substance in air that is introduced into the inside of the housing through the inlet.

[0078] The housing may include an outlet. Air flowing inside the housing may be discharged to the outside of the housing through the outlet.

[0079] An airflow guide configured to guide a direction of air discharged through the outlet may be provided in the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the airflow guide may include a blade positioned in the outlet. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for regulating an exhaust airflow, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the airflow guide may be omitted.

[0080] The indoor heat exchanger and the blower arranged on a flow path connecting the inlet and the outlet may be disposed inside the housing of the indoor unit.

[0081] The blower may include an indoor fan and a fan motor. For example, the indoor fan may include an axial fan, a mixed-flow fan, a cross-flow fan and a centrifugal fan.

[0082] The indoor heat exchanger may be arranged between the blower and the outlet or between the inlet and the blower. The indoor heat exchanger may absorb heat from air introduced through the inlet or transfer heat to air introduced through the inlet. The indoor heat exchanger may include a heat exchange tube through which refrigerant flows, and heat exchange fins in contact with the heat exchange tube to increase a heat transfer area.

[0083] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a drain tray disposed below the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger. The condensed water contained in the drain tray may be drained to the outside through a drain hose. The drain tray may be arranged to support the indoor heat exchanger.

[0084] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an input interface. The input interface may include any type of user input means including a button, a switch, a touch screen and/or a touch pad. A user can directly input setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, cooling/heating/dehumidifying/air cleaning operation mode setting, outlet selection setting, and/or air volume setting) through the input interface.

[0085] The input interface may be connected to an external input device. For example, the input interface may be electrically connected to a wired remote controller. The wired remote controller may be installed at a specific location (e.g., a part of a wall) in an indoor space. A user may input setting data related to the operation of the air conditioner by manipulating the wired remote controller. An electrical signal corresponding to the setting data obtained by the wired remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface. In addition, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. A user may remotely input the setting data for operating the air conditioner using a wireless remote controller. The setting data received by the wireless remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.

[0086] In addition, the input interface may include a microphone. A user's voice command may be obtained through the microphone. The microphone may convert a user's voice command into an electrical signal and transmit the converted electrical signal to the indoor unit controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the air conditioner to perform a function corresponding to the user's voice command. The setting data obtained through the input interface (e.g., desired indoor temperature, cooling/heating/dehumidifying/air cleaning operation mode setting, outlet selection setting, and/or air volume setting) may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller to be described later. For example, the setting data obtained through the input interface may be transmitted to the outside, that is, to the outdoor unit or a server through an indoor unit communication circuitry to be described later.

[0087] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a power module including a power supply. The power module may be connected to an external power source to supply power to components of the indoor unit.

[0088] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit sensor. The indoor unit sensor may be an environmental sensor disposed inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and/or humidity sensors disposed in a predetermined space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor configured to detect a refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor each configured to detect a temperature of an entrance, a middle portion and/or an exit of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor heat exchanger.

[0089] For example, each environmental information detected by the indoor unit sensor may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller to be described later or transmitted to the outside through the indoor unit communication circuitry to be described later.

[0090] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit communication circuitry. The indoor unit communication circuitry may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module. The indoor unit communication circuitry may include at least one antenna for wirelessly communicating with other devices. The outdoor unit may include the outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may also include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module.

[0091] The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0092] The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server in a mobile communication network.

[0093] The indoor unit communication circuitry may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN), to which an air conditioner or a user device is connected, to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The air conditioner or the user device may be connected to the server through the WAN. The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit controller configured to control components of the indoor unit including the blower. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit controller configured to control components of the outdoor unit including the compressor. The indoor unit controller may communicate with the outdoor unit controller through the indoor unit communication circuitry and the outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may transmit a control signal generated by the outdoor unit controller to the indoor unit communication circuitry, or transmit a control signal, which is transmitted from the indoor unit communication circuitry, to the outdoor unit controller. In other words, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may perform bi-directional communication. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit and receive various signals generated during the operation of the air conditioner.

[0094] The outdoor unit controller may be electrically connected to components of the outdoor unit and may control the operation of each component. For example, the outdoor unit controller may adjust a frequency of the compressor and control the flow path switching valve to change a circulation direction of the refrigerant. The outdoor unit controller may adjust a rotational speed of the outdoor fan. In addition, the outdoor unit controller may generate a control signal to adjust the opening degree of the expansion valve. Under the control of the outdoor unit controller, the refrigerant may be circulated along the refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow path switching valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0095] Various temperature sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit electrical signals corresponding to detected temperatures to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller. For example, the humidity sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may respectively transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected humidity to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller.

[0096] The indoor unit controller may obtain an input (e.g., a user input) from a user device including a mobile device through the indoor unit communication circuitry, or directly obtain a user input through the input interface or the remote controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the indoor unit including the blower in response to the received user input. The indoor unit controller may transmit information related to the received user input to the outdoor unit controller of the outdoor unit.

[0097] The outdoor unit controller may control components of the outdoor unit including the compressor based on the information related to the user input received from the indoor unit. For example, when a control signal corresponding to a user input for selecting an operation mode such as a cooling operation, a heating operation, a fan operation, a defrosting operation, or a dehumidifying operation is received from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit controller may control components of the outdoor unit to perform an operation of the air conditioner corresponding to the selected operation mode.

[0098] The outdoor unit controller and the indoor unit controller may include a processor and a memory, respectively. The indoor unit controller may include at least one a first processor and at least one a first memory, and the outdoor unit controller may include at least one a second processor and at least one a second memory.

[0099] The memory may record/store various types of information necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. The memory may store instructions, applications, data and/or programs necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. For example, the memory may store various programs for the cooling operation, the heating operation, the dehumidifying operation, and/or the defrosting operation of the air conditioner. The memory may include volatile memory, such as a static random access memory (S-RAM) and a dynamic random access memory (D-RAM) for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory may include a non-volatile memory, such as a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) for long-term storage of data.

[0100] The processor may include various processing circuitry and generate a control signal for controlling an operation of the air conditioner based on instructions, applications, data, and/or programs stored in the memory. The processor may be hardware and may include a logic circuit and an arithmetic circuit. The processor may process data according to a program and/or instructions provided from the memory, and may generate a control signal according to a processing result. The memory and the processor may be implemented as one control circuit or as a plurality of circuits.

[0101] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an output interface. The output interface may be electrically connected to the indoor unit controller, and output information related to the operation of the air conditioner under the control of the indoor unit controller. For example, the output interface may output information, such as an operation mode selected by a user input, a wind direction, a wind volume, and a temperature. In addition, the output interface may output sensing information obtained from the indoor unit sensor or the outdoor unit sensor, and output warning/error messages.

[0102] The output interface may include a display and a speaker. The speaker may be a sound device and configured to output various sounds. The display may display information, which is input by a user or provided to a user, as various graphic elements. For example, operational information of the air conditioner may be displayed as at least one of an image and text. In addition, the display may include an indicator that provides specific information. The display may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, a micro-LED panel, and/or a plurality of LEDs.

[0103] Hereinafter, various example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0104] In the following description, the terms upper, lower, front, rear, etc. are defined based on the drawings, and the shapes and positions of the components are not limited by the terms. For example, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an outdoor unit 10 of an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a direction which a front frame 110 and an outlet cover 120 face may be defined as a front direction (+X direction), and an opposite direction of the front direction may be defined as a rear direction (X direction). Also, in the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1, a vertical direction which a top cover 170 faces may be defined as an upper direction (+Z direction), and an opposite direction of the upper direction may be defined as a lower direction (Z direction). Also, in the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1, a direction in which a first side frame 130 is located may be defined as a left direction (Y direction), and an opposite direction of the left direction may be defined as a right direction (+Y direction).

[0105] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an indoor unit 20 positioned in an indoor space and the outdoor unit 10 positioned in an outdoor space.

[0107] To cool an air-conditioned space to be air-conditioned, for example, an indoor space, the air conditioner 1 may absorb heat from the indoor space through the indoor unit 20 and release heat to the outdoor space through the outdoor unit 10. To heat the indoor space, the air conditioner 1 may absorb heat from the outside space through the outdoor unit 10 and release heat to the indoor space through the indoor unit 20.

[0108] The outdoor unit 10 may be configured to exchange heat with outside air. The outdoor unit 10 may perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and outside air using a phase change (for example, evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, the outdoor unit 10 may discharge heat of a refrigerant to outside air using condensation of the refrigerant. Also, the outdoor unit 10 may absorb heat of outside air into a refrigerant using evaporation of the refrigerant.

[0109] The outdoor unit 10 may include an outdoor heat exchanger 200 (see FIG. 4) in which heat exchange between a refrigerant and outside air occurs, and a compressor 12 (see FIG. 4) that compresses a refrigerant gas.

[0110] A configuration of the outdoor unit 10 will be described in greater detail below.

[0111] The indoor unit 20 may be configured to exchange heat with indoor air. The indoor unit 20 may perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and indoor air using a phase change (for example, evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, the indoor unit 20 may cool an indoor space by absorbing heat of indoor air into a refrigerant using evaporation of the refrigerant. The indoor unit 10 may heat the indoor space by discharging heat of a refrigerant to indoor air using condensation of the refrigerant.

[0112] The indoor unit 20 may include an indoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange with indoor air, an indoor blow fan that sucks (e.g., takes in) and blows indoor air to cause the indoor air to pass through the indoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve unit that decompresses a refrigerant and expands the refrigerant.

[0113] The air conditioner 1 may include a connection pipe 30 connecting the indoor unit 20 to the outdoor unit 10. A refrigerant may flow between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 10 along the connection pipe 30.

[0114] FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which a single outdoor unit 10 is connected to a single indoor unit 20 through the connection pipe 30. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and a single outdoor unit 10 may be connected to two or more indoor units 20 through connection pipes 30. Two or more outdoor units 10 may be connected to a single indoor unit 20 through connection pipes 30, or two or more outdoor units 10 may be connected to two or more indoor units 20 through connection pipes 30.

[0115] The above-described air conditioner 1 may be an example of an air conditioner to which an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a concept of the disclosure, may be applied, and a concept of the disclosure is not limited to the air conditioner 1. An air conditioner to which the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, according to a concept of the disclosure, may be applied, and components, such as an indoor unit, etc., included in the air conditioner, may be various.

[0116] Hereinafter, an example configuration of the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 (which may be referred to as FIGS. 2 to 25).

[0117] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a front side of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a rear side of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0118] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 (which may be referred to as FIGS. 2 to 4), the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an outdoor heat exchanger 200 that performs heat exchange with outside air, a compressor 12 that compresses a refrigerant, an outdoor fan 13 that sucks (e.g., takes in) outside air and blows the outside air to pass the outside air through the outdoor heat exchanger 200, and a housing 100 forming an appearance of the outdoor unit 10.

[0119] The housing 100 may form an appearance of the outdoor unit 10. Various components, such as the outdoor heat exchanger 200, the compressor 12, the outdoor fan 13, etc., may be accommodated inside the housing 100.

[0120] The outdoor unit 10 may include a heat exchange room R1 formed inside the housing 100. Outside air may enter the heat exchange room R1, and the air may be again discharged to outside of the heat exchange room R1. In the heat exchange room R1, heat exchange between the outdoor heat exchanger 200 and air received from the outside may occur. In the heat exchange room R1, components, such as the outdoor heat exchanger 200, the outdoor fan 13, etc., may be positioned.

[0121] The housing 100 may include inlets 161 and 131 through which air flows into the housing 100, and an outlet 111 through which air is discharged from the housing 100. While the outdoor fan 13 rotates, outside air of the housing 100 may flow into the heat exchange room R1 through the inlets 161 and 131. The air may exchange heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 200 and then be discharged to the outside of the heat exchange room R1 through the outlet 111.

[0122] For example, the housing 100 may include a first inlet 161 through which air flows into the housing 100 in a first direction, and a second inlet 131 through which air flows into the housing 100 in a second direction that is different from the first direction. According to various embodiments shown in the drawings, the first direction may be a front direction (+X direction), and the second direction may be a right direction (+Y direction).

[0123] Inside air of the housing 100 may be discharged in the front direction (+X direction) through the outlet 111.

[0124] The outdoor unit 10 may include a machine room R2 formed inside the housing 100. In the machine room R2, components, such as the compressor 12, a control box 17, etc., may be positioned.

[0125] Inside the housing 100, the heat exchange room R1 may be partitioned from the machine room R2. The outdoor unit 10 may include a partition 16 for partitioning the heat exchange room R1 from the machine room R2. The partition 16 may be positioned between the heat exchange room R1 and the machine room R2. For example, the heat exchange room R1 and the machine room R2 may be arranged in a left-right direction (Y directions) in the drawings, and the partition 16 may extend in a front-rear direction (X directions) and a vertical direction (Z directions) in the drawings to partition the heat exchange room R1 from the machine room R2.

[0126] For example, the housing 100 may have substantially a box shape.

[0127] Hereinafter, an example of a configuration of the housing 100 will be described in greater detail.

[0128] The housing 100 may include a front frame 110. The front frame 110 may form a front surface of the outdoor unit 10. The front frame 110 may cover the machine room R2 in the front direction (+X direction). The front frame 110 may cover the heat exchange room R1 in the front direction (+X direction).

[0129] The outlet 111 may be formed in the front frame 110. The outlet 111 may be formed by penetrating a portion of the front frame 110 in the front-rear direction.

[0130] The front frame 110 may include a bell mouth 112 to guide a flow of air discharged through the outlet 111. The bell mouth 112 may be provided along a circumference of the outlet 111. The bell mouth 112 may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The bell mouth 112 may extend from a flat plate-shaped portion of the front frame 110 toward the rear direction (X direction) which is a direction toward inside of the heat exchange room R1.

[0131] The front frame 110 including the bell mouth 112 may be formed as one body. For example, the front frame 110 may include a soft metal material, and the bell mouth 112 of the front frame 110 may be formed through a process of drawing the soft metal material.

[0132] The front frame 110 may include an upper flange 113 provided at an upper portion. The upper flange 113 may be formed by bending an upper end of the flat plate-shaped portion of the front frame 110. The upper flange 113 may support the top cover 170 which will be described below. A front end portion of the top cover 170 may be rested on the upper flange 113.

[0133] The housing 100 may include an outlet cover 120. The outlet cover 120 may be positioned in front of the front frame 110 to cover the outlet 111. The outlet cover 120 may be coupled to the front frame 110. The outlet cover 120 may form a part of a front appearance of the outdoor unit 10.

[0134] The outlet cover 120 may be formed substantially in a grille shape to cover the outlet 11 and allow air to be discharged from the outlet 111.

[0135] The housing 100 may include a rear frame 160. The rear frame 160 may form a part of a rear appearance of the outdoor unit 10. The rear frame 160 may be positioned behind (X direction) the heat exchange room R1. In the rear frame 160, the first inlet 161 may be formed. The rear frame 160 may be opposite to the front frame 110.

[0136] For example, the rear frame 160 may be coupled to a first side frame 130 and a second side frame 140.

[0137] The housing 100 may include the first side frame 130. The first side frame 130 may form one side of the outdoor unit 10 in the left direction (Y direction).

[0138] The first side frame 130 may cover the heat exchange room R1. The first side frame 130 may cover the heat exchange room R1 in the left direction (Y direction). In the first side frame 130, the second inlet 131 may be formed.

[0139] The housing 100 may include the second side frame 140. The second side frame 140 may form one side of the outdoor unit 10 in the right direction (+Y direction).

[0140] The second side frame 140 may cover the machine room R2. The second side frame 140 may cover the machine room R2 in the right direction (+Y direction).

[0141] For example, the second side frame 140 may include a rear flange 141 forming a part of a rear surface of the outdoor unit 10. The rear flange 141 may cover the machine room R2 in the rear direction (X direction). For example, the rear frame 160 may be coupled to the rear flange 141 by a method such as fastening with a screw.

[0142] The second side frame 140 may be opposite to the first side frame 130.

[0143] The housing 100 may further include a machine room cover 150 coupled to the second side frame 140 to cover the machine room R2. For example, the connection pipe 30 (see FIG. 1) connected to the indoor unit 20 or a wire connected to the indoor unit 20 or an external power source may penetrate the second side frame 140 and be connected to components inside the machine room R2. The machine room cover 150 may be coupled to the second side frame 140 to protect the connection pipe 30 or the wire from an external impact.

[0144] The housing 100 may include the top cover 170. The top cover 170 may form an upper surface of the outdoor unit 10.

[0145] The top cover 170 may cover the heat exchange room R1 and the machine room R2 in the upper direction (+Z direction). The top cover 170 may cover various components of the outdoor unit 10, accommodated inside the housing 100, in the upper direction.

[0146] The top cover 170 may be coupled to upper portions of the front frame 110, the first side frame 130, and the second side frame 140.

[0147] The top cover 170 may have a substantially flat plate shape.

[0148] The housing 100 may include a base 180. The base 180 may form a lower surface of the outdoor unit 10. The base 180 may be positioned in one sides of the heat exchange room R1 and the machine room R2 in the lower direction (Z direction). The base 180 may support various components of the outdoor unit 10, accommodated inside the housing 100, in the lower direction. For example, the base 180 may support components, such as the outdoor heat exchanger 200, the compressor 12, a motor bracket 15, the partition 16, etc., in the lower direction.

[0149] The base 180 may be coupled to lower portions of the front frame 110, the rear frame 160, the first side frame 130, and the second side frame 140.

[0150] The base 180 may have a substantially flat plate shape. On edges of the base 180, an edge flange 181 formed along the edges of the base 180 and extending in a substantially vertical direction (Z directions) may be formed. The edge flange 181 may extend upward (+Z direction) from edges of a horizontal portion of the base 180. The front frame 110, the rear frame 160, the first side frame 130, the second side frame 140, etc. may be coupled to the edge flange 181.

[0151] The base 180 may be opposite to the top cover 170.

[0152] The components included in the housing 100 as described above may be separated from each other. At least some of the components of the housing 100 may be formed as one body.

[0153] The outdoor heat exchanger 200 may exchange heat with outside air. A refrigerant may flow through the outdoor heat exchanger 200. In the outdoor heat exchanger 200, heat exchange between a refrigerant and outside air may occur.

[0154] For example, while the air conditioner 1 operates in a cooling mode, a high-pressure and high-temperature refrigerant gas may be condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 200, and while the refrigerant is condensed, the refrigerant may discharge heat to outside air. While the air conditioner 1 performs a cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may discharge a refrigerant liquid. While the air conditioner 1 operates in a heating mode, a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant liquid may be evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 200, and while the refrigerant is evaporated, the refrigerant may absorb heat from outside air. During the heating operation of the air conditioner 1, the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may discharge a refrigerant gas.

[0155] The outdoor heat exchanger 200 may face the inlets 161 and 131 in the heat exchange room R1.

[0156] The outdoor heat exchanger 200 will be described in greater detail below.

[0157] The compressor 12 may compress a refrigerant gas and discharge a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas. For example, the compressor 12 may include a motor and a compression mechanism, and the compression mechanism may compress a refrigerant gas by a torque of the motor.

[0158] The outdoor unit 10 may include an outdoor fan 13 that moves air, and a fan motor 14 that generates a rotation force for rotating the outdoor fan 13.

[0159] For example, the outdoor unit 10 may include the motor bracket 15 that supports the outdoor fan 13 and the fan motor 14. The motor bracket 15 may be positioned in the heat exchange room R1. The motor bracket 15 may be coupled to the base 180. The motor bracket 15 may be coupled to the upper flange 113 of the front frame 110.

[0160] The outdoor unit 10 may include electronic components for controlling driving of various components of the outdoor unit 10, and a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PBA) on which the electronic components are mounted. The outdoor unit 10 may include the control box 17 in which the PBA is accommodated.

[0161] The above-described configuration of the outdoor unit 10 may simply illustrate an example of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to a concept of the disclosure, and a concept of the disclosure is not limited to the above-described configuration of the outdoor unit 10. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to a concept of the disclosure may include various configurations that enable outside air to flow into the outdoor unit through an inlet, exchange heat with an outdoor heat exchanger, and then be discharged to outside through an outlet.

[0162] Hereinafter, the outdoor heat exchanger 200 included in the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 25. For convenience of description, the outdoor heat exchanger 200 may, hereinafter, be referred to as a heat exchanger 200.

[0163] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating various components, such as a heat exchanger, a base, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating various components, such as a heat exchanger, a base, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0164] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the heat exchanger 200. The heat exchanger 200 may include a Fin Tube Heat Exchanger including a refrigerant tube and a heat exchange fin.

[0165] The heat exchanger 200 may include a plurality of refrigerant tubes that guide a flow of a refrigerant for heat exchange with outside air. In each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes, a flow path through which a refrigerant flows may be formed. Each of the plurality of refrigerant tubes may be formed in a shape of a tube having a hollow space to allow a refrigerant which is a fluid to flow therethrough.

[0166] The plurality of refrigerant tubes may form a refrigerant flow path by being connected to each other by a substantially U-shaped connecting tube coupled to each end of the plurality of refrigerant tubes. In the disclosure, it may be assumed that the refrigerant tubes of the refrigerant flow path are distinct configurations.

[0167] The heat exchanger 200 may include a plurality of heat exchange fins coupled to the plurality of refrigerant tubes. The plurality of heat exchange fins may be coupled to the plurality of refrigerant tubes to widen a heat transfer area between a refrigerant and outside air and improve heat exchange efficiency.

[0168] Each of the plurality of heat exchange fins may have a substantially flat plate shape. The plurality of heat exchange fins may be arranged along a direction in which the refrigerant tubes extend. For example, the plurality of heat exchange fins may be stacked along the direction in which the refrigerant tubes extend.

[0169] To improve heat exchange efficiency, widening a heat transfer area between the plurality of refrigerant tubes and the plurality of heat exchange fins and outside air may be done. However, in the case in which all of the refrigerant tubes and the heat exchange fins are arranged in one direction, an overall size of a product may become excessively large.

[0170] Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heat exchanger 200 may be configured with a plurality of columns. The heat exchanger 200 may include a first heat exchanger 210, a second heat exchanger 220, and a third heat exchanger 230. The first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 may be arranged in parallel to each other.

[0171] The first heat exchanger 210 may be positioned at an inner position of the housing 100. The first heat exchanger 210 may be positioned in an inner direction of the housing 100 than the base 180. The first heat exchanger 210 may be positioned at an inner location than the edges of the base 180. That is, the first heat exchanger 210 may be positioned in the inner direction relative to the edge flange 181 of the base 180.

[0172] The second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned in the inner direction of the housing 100 than the base 180. The second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned at an inner position relative to the edges of the base 180. For example, the second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned in the inner direction than the edge flange 181 of the base 180. The second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned in an outer direction of the housing 100 than the first heat exchanger 210. The second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned closer to the inlets 161 and 131 than the first heat exchanger 210. The second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned closer to the edges of the base 180 than the first heat exchanger 210.

[0173] The third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned in the outer direction of the housing 100 relative to the second heat exchanger 220. The third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned closer to the inlets 161 and 131 than the second heat exchanger 220.

[0174] The second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned between the first heat exchanger 210 and the third heat exchanger 230. The second heat exchanger 220 may be in contact with the first heat exchanger 210 and the third heat exchanger 230.

[0175] Here, the inner position of the housing 100 may refer, for example, to a side toward an inside space of the housing 100, that is, the heat exchange room R1, and the outer direction of the housing 100 may refer, for example to a direction toward outside of the housing 100, for example, the outside of the heat exchange room R1. For example, the outer direction of the housing 100 may be defined as a direction toward the outside of the housing 100 on a horizontal plane (X-Y plane). The outer direction of the housing 100 may be used as the same meaning as an outer direction of the heat exchange room R1, a direction toward outside of the inlets 161 and 131 of the housing 100 or the outer direction of the edges of the base 180. That the second heat exchanger 220 is positioned in the outer direction of the housing 100 than the first heat exchanger 210 may not refer, for example, to the second heat exchanger 220 being positioned outside the housing 100, and the second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned in the heat exchange room R1 at a position closer to the outside of the housing 100 than the first heat exchanger 210. That the third heat exchanger 230 is positioned in the outer direction of the housing 100 than the second heat exchanger 210 may not refer, for example, to the third heat exchanger 230 being positioned outside the housing 100, and the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned in the heat exchange room R1 at a position closer to the outside of the housing 100 than the second heat exchanger 220.

[0176] The first heat exchanger 210 may include a plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211 (see FIG. 11) and a plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 (see FIG. 11).

[0177] The plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211 may be arranged along a first column. The first column may be parallel to the vertical direction (Z directions) of the housing 100.

[0178] The plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 may be coupled to outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211. The plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 may be in contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211. The plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 may be penetrated by the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211. Therefore, the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 may widen a heat transfer area between the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211 and outside air. For example, the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211 may be positioned to penetrate the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 and then coupled to the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 through a tube expansion process of expanding each first refrigerant tube 211 outward by a tube expansion device.

[0179] Each of the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 may extend in a direction (the vertical direction Z) that is parallel to the first column.

[0180] The plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 may be arranged along a direction in which each of the first refrigerant tubes 211 extends. The first heat exchanger 210 may extend along the direction in which the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 are arranged.

[0181] The second heat exchanger 220 may include a plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221 (see FIG. 11) and a plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 (see FIG. 11).

[0182] The plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221 may be arranged along a second column that is parallel to the first column. That is, the second column may be parallel to the vertical direction (Z directions) of the housing 100.

[0183] The plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 may be coupled to outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. The plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 may be in contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. The plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 may be penetrated by the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. Therefore, the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 may widen a heat transfer area between the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221 and outside air. For example, the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221 may be positioned to penetrate the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 and then coupled to the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 through a tube expansion process of expanding each second refrigerant tube 221 outward by a tube expansion device.

[0184] Each of the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 may extend in a direction (the vertical direction Z) that is parallel to the second column.

[0185] The plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 may be arranged in a direction in which each of the second refrigerant tubes 211 extends. The second heat exchanger 220 may extend in the direction in which the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 are arranged.

[0186] The third heat exchanger 230 may include a plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231 (see FIG. 11) and a plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 (see FIG. 11).

[0187] The plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231 may be arranged along a third column that is parallel to the first and second columns. That is, the third column may be parallel to the vertical direction (Z directions) of the housing 100.

[0188] The plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 may be coupled to outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. The plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 may be in contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. The plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 may be penetrated by the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. Therefore, the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 may widen a heat transfer area between the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231 and outside air. For example, the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231 may be positioned to penetrate the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 and then coupled to the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 through a tube expansion process of expanding each third refrigerant tube 231 outward by a tube expansion device.

[0189] Each of the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 may extend in a direction (the vertical direction Z) that is parallel to the third column.

[0190] The plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 may be arranged in a direction in which each of the third refrigerant tubes 231 extends. The third heat exchanger 230 may extend in the direction in which the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 are arranged.

[0191] The heat exchanger 200 may face the first inlet 161 and the second inlet 131. The heat exchanger 200 may include a first portion positioned in parallel to the first inlet 161, and a second portion positioned in parallel to the second inlet 131. Air entered the heat exchanger 200 in the first direction through the first inlet 161 may exchange heat with the first portion of the heat exchanger 200. Air entered the heat exchanger 200 in the second direction through the second inlet 131 may exchange heat with the second portion of the heat exchanger 200.

[0192] For example, the first heat exchanger 210 may include a first part 210A positioned in parallel to the first inlet 161, and a second part 210B positioned in parallel to the second inlet 131. Air entered the first inlet 161 may pass through the first part 210A of the first heat exchanger 210, and air entered the second inlet 131 may pass through the second part 210B of the first heat exchanger 210. The first part 210A and the second part 210B of the first heat exchanger 210 may extend in different directions. The first heat exchanger 210 may include a bent part 210C provided between the first part 210A and the second part 210B. The bent part 210C may be formed by bending a part of the first heat exchanger 210.

[0193] A horizontal width of the first heat exchanger 210 may be substantially constant across the first part 210A, the bent part 210C, and the second part 210B. A vertical length of the first heat exchanger 210 may be substantially constant across the first part 210A, the bent part 210C, and the second part 210B.

[0194] The second heat exchanger 220 may include a first part 220A positioned in parallel to the first inlet 161, and a second part 220B positioned in parallel to the second inlet 131. Air entered the first inlet 161 may pass through the first part 220A of the second heat exchanger 220, and air entered the second inlet 131 may pass through the second part 220B of the second heat exchanger 220. The first part 220A and the second part 220B of the second heat exchanger 220 may extend in different directions. The second heat exchanger 220 may include a bent part 220C provided between the first part 220A and the second part 220B. The bent part 220C may be formed by bending a part of the second heat exchanger 220.

[0195] A horizontal width of the second heat exchanger 220 may be substantially constant across the first part 220A, the bent part 220C, and the second part 220B. A vertical length of the second heat exchanger 220 may be substantially constant across the first part 220A, the bent part 220C, and the second part 220B.

[0196] The third heat exchanger 230 may include a first part 230A positioned in parallel to the first inlet 161, and a second part 230B positioned in parallel to the second inlet 131. The first part 230A of the third heat exchanger 230 may face the first inlet 161, and the second part 230B of the third heat exchanger 230 may face the second inlet 131. Air entering the first inlet 161 may pass through the first part 230A of the third heat exchanger 230, and air entered the second inlet 131 may pass through the second part 230B of the third heat exchanger 230. The first part 230A and the second part 230B of the third heat exchanger 230 may extend in different directions. The third heat exchanger 230 may include a bent part 230C provided between the first part 230A and the second part 230B. The bent part 230C may be formed by bending a part of the third heat exchanger 230.

[0197] A horizontal width of the third heat exchanger 230 may be substantially constant across the first part 230A, the bent part 230C, and the second part 230B. A vertical length of the third heat exchanger 230 may be substantially constant across the first part 230A, the bent part 230C, and the second part 230B.

[0198] The first part 210A of the first heat exchanger 210 may be parallel to the first part 220A of the second heat exchanger 220. The first part 230A of the third heat exchanger 230 may be parallel to the first part 210A of the first heat exchanger 210 and the first part 220A of the second heat exchanger 220.

[0199] The second part 210B of the first heat exchanger 210 may be parallel to the second part 220B of the second heat exchanger 220. The second part 230B of the third heat exchanger 230 may be parallel to the second part 210B of the first heat exchanger 210 and the second part 220B of the second heat exchanger 220.

[0200] The bent part 210C of the first heat exchanger 210 may be parallel to the bent part 220C of the second heat exchanger 220. The bent part 230C of the third heat exchanger 230 may be parallel to the bent part 210C of the first heat exchanger 210 and the bent part 220C of the second heat exchanger 220.

[0201] As such, because the outdoor unit 10 includes the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 of three columns, a heat transfer area for heat exchange with outside air may increase, and heat exchange efficiency and energy consumption efficiency of the heat exchanger 20 may be improved.

[0202] Because the outdoor unit 10 includes the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 of three columns including the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230, a product size may increase. For example, a size and weight of the housing 110 may increase to accommodate all of the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230. There may be a case in which the outdoor unit 10 is supported at a location away from the ground by being mounted on an installation stand installed on an exterior wall of a building, according to an installation environment. In the case in which a size of the base 180 increases to accommodate the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 or a total weight of a product increases, a size of the installation stand may also increase and a weight applied to the installation stand may also increase, which may be restrictions on installing the outdoor unit 10 on the exterior wall of the building.

[0203] To address this problem, the third heat exchanger 230 may protrude in the outer direction of the housing 100 than the base 180. For example, at least a part of the third heat exchanger 230 may protrude in the outer direction of the housing 100 than the base 180. In other words, at least a part of the third heat exchanger 230 may protrude outward from the edges of the base 180. The at least a part of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned in the outer direction than the edge flange 181 of the base 180. The at least a part of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned in the outer direction of the housing 100 than the edges of the base 180.

[0204] The third heat exchanger 230 may protrude further toward the inlets 161 and 131 of the housing 100 than the base 180. The at least a part of the third heat exchanger 230 may protrude further toward the inlets 161 and 131 than the base 180. The at least a part of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned closer to the inlets 161 and 131 than the edges of the base 180.

[0205] For example, the first part 230A of the third heat exchanger 230 may protrude further toward the first inlet 161 than the base 180. At least a portion of the first part 230A of the third heat exchanger 230 may protrude further toward the first inlet 161 than the base 180. The at least a portion of the first part 230A of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned closer to the first inlet 161 than the edges of the base 180.

[0206] The second part 230B of the third heat exchanger 230 may protrude further toward the second inlet 131 than the base 180. At least a portion of the second part 230B of the third heat exchanger 230 may protrude further toward the second inlet 131 than the base 180. The at least a portion of the second part 230B of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned closer to the second inlet 131 than the edges of the base 180.

[0207] As such, because the third heat exchanger 230 protrudes further in the outer direction of the housing 100 than the base 180, a heat transfer area of the heat exchanger 200 may be improved without increasing a size of the base 180, thereby implementing miniaturization of a product. Therefore, the size and weight of the product may be reduced, convenience of product installation may be improved, and manufacturing and transportation costs of the product may be reduced.

[0208] A company that manufactures outdoor units may manufacture the outdoor unit 10 including the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 of three columns, as in an embodiment of the disclosure, or may manufacture an outdoor unit 10 including heat exchangers of one or two columns, such as the first heat exchanger 210 and the second heat exchanger 220. In this case, a design of a housing and various components used in the outdoor unit 10 including the heat exchangers of one or two columns may also be applied in the substantially same way to the outdoor unit 10 including the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 of three columns, Therefore, components of product models may be shared, and product manufacturing cost may be reduced.

[0209] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first heat exchanger 210 may be supported on the base 180. The first heat exchanger 210 may be in contact with the base 180 and supported on the base 180. The first heat exchanger 210 may be positioned vertically on the base 180.

[0210] The second heat exchanger 220 may be supported on the base 180. The second exchanger 220 may be in contact with the base 180 and supported on the base 180. The second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned vertically on the base 180.

[0211] A lower end of the first heat exchanger 210 and a lower end of the second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned in parallel to each other. Because the lower end of the first heat exchanger 210 and the lower end of the second heat exchanger 220 are in contact with the base 180, the lower end of the first heat exchanger 210 and the lower end of the second heat exchanger 220 may be positioned at the substantially same location (that is, the same height) in the vertical direction. Furthermore, for example, for convenience in manufacturing components and managing the components, a length (that is, a vertical height) of the first heat exchanger 210 in the vertical direction Z may be substantially equal to a length (that is, a vertical height) of the second heat exchanger 220 in the vertical direction Z. In this case, an upper end of the first heat exchanger 210 and an upper end of the second heat exchanger 220 may also be positioned at the substantially same location (that in, the same height) in the vertical direction Z.

[0212] In the case in which the third heat exchanger 230 protrudes outward from the base 180, as described above, when even a part of a lower end of the third heat exchanger 230 is in contact with the base 180, the third heat exchanger 230 may interfere with the edge flange 181 or other surrounding structures.

[0213] Accordingly, the third heat exchanger 230 may be spaced (e.g., spaced apart) from the base 180. The lower end of the third heat exchanger 230 may be spaced from the base 180. The lower end of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned at an upper location than the base 180. The lower end of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned at an upper location than an upper end of the edge flange 181.

[0214] The lower end of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned at an upper location with respect to the lower end of the first heat exchanger 210 and the lower end of the second heat exchanger 220. For example, a length (that is, a vertical height) of the third heat exchanger 230 in the vertical direction Z may be shorter than the length of the first heat exchanger 210 in the vertical direction Z and the length of the second heat exchanger 220 in the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, for example, an upper end of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned at a lower location than the upper end of the first heat exchanger 210 and the upper end of the second heat exchanger 220.

[0215] The lower end of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned at an upper location than the lower end of the first heat exchanger 210 and the lower end of the second heat exchanger 220, and the upper end of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned at the substantially same height as or at a higher location than the upper end of the first heat exchanger 210 and the upper end of the second heat exchanger 220.

[0216] For example, the lower end of the third heat exchanger 230 may be positioned at an upper location with respect to the lower end of the first heat exchanger 210 and the lower end of the second heat exchanger 220, and the length of the third heat exchanger 230 in the vertical direction Z may be substantially equal to the length of the first heat exchanger 210 in the vertical direction Z and the length of the second heat exchanger 220 in the vertical direction Z.

[0217] As such, because the third heat exchanger 230 is spaced from the base 180, the lower end of the third heat exchanger 230 may be prevented or inhibited from interfering with surrounding structures although the third heat exchanger 230 protrudes in the outer direction of the housing 100 than the base 180, and the third heat exchange fins 232 of the third heat exchanger 230 may be prevented and/or reduced from being damaged.

[0218] While the air conditioner 1 operates in a heating mode, a frosting phenomenon may occur in which outside air comes into contact with the heat exchanger 200 and water is condensed on a surface of the heat exchanger 200 to form frost. Such frost may be easily formed in the third heat exchanger 230 positioned close to the inlets 161 and 131. While the air conditioner 1 operates in the heating mode, water condensed on the surface of the third heat exchanger 230 may flow downward along the surface of the third heat exchanger 230, and accordingly, frost may be easily formed on a lower part of the third heat exchanger 230. By the above-described structure in which the lower end of the third heat exchanger 230 is spaced from the base 180 and the lower end of the third heat exchanger 230 is positioned at the upper location than the lower end of the first heat exchanger 210 and the lower end of the second heat exchanger 220, water condensed on the surface of the third heat exchanger 230 may be efficiently drained to a lower portion of the housing 100 to prevent and/or reduce frost formation on the lower part of the third heat exchanger 230.

[0219] According to an embodiment, a length of the first heat exchanger 210 may be substantially equal to a length of the second heat exchanger 220. For example, a length of the first heat exchanger 210 in the direction in which the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 are arranged may be substantially equal to a length of the second heat exchanger 220 in the direction in which the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 are arranged. For example, a length of the first heat exchanger 210 between a first holder 310 and a first end plate 410 may be substantially equal to a length of the second heat exchanger 220 between a second holder 320 and the first end plate 410. For example, a length of the first heat exchanger 210 in a horizontal direction may be substantially equal to a length of the second heat exchanger 220 in the horizontal direction. As such, in the case which the first heat exchanger 210 and the second heat exchanger 220 have the same length, convenience in manufacturing components and managing the components may be improved.

[0220] A front end of the second part 210B of the first heat exchanger 210 may be positioned in the front direction (+X direction) from a front end of the second part 220B of the second heat exchanger 220, and the first holder 310 may be positioned in the front direction (+X direction) from the second holder 320, as described above.

[0221] The first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the end plate 410 will be described in greater detail below.

[0222] According to an embodiment, a length of the third heat exchanger 230 may be longer than the length of the first heat exchanger 210 and the length of the second heat exchanger 220. For example, a length of the third heat exchanger 230 in the direction in which the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 are arranged may be longer than the length of the first heat exchanger 210 in which the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 are arranged and the length of the second heat exchanger 220 in the direction in which the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 are arranged. For example, a length of the third heat exchanger 230 between a third holder 330 and a second end plate 420 may be longer than the length of the first heat exchanger 210 between the first holder 310 and the first end plate 410 and the length of the second heat exchanger 220 between the second holder 320 and the first end plate 410. For example, a length of the third heat exchanger 230 in the horizontal direction may be longer than the length of the first heat exchanger 210 in the horizontal direction and the length of the second heat exchanger 220 in the horizontal direction.

[0223] Although the third heat exchanger 230 is positioned at the outer location of the housing 100 than the second heat exchanger 220 and a radius of the bent part 230C of the third heat exchanger 230 is greater than a radius of the bent part 220C of the second heat exchanger 220, a front end of the second part 230B of the third heat exchanger 230 may be substantially aligned with a front end of the second part 220B of the second heat exchanger 220 in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, the second holder 320 and the third holder 330 may be substantially aligned with each other in the left-right direction Y. Also, the first holder 310 may be positioned in the front direction (+X direction) from the third holder 330, as described above.

[0224] In this case, a heat transfer area of the second part 230B of the third heat exchanger 230 may increase.

[0225] The third holder 330 and the second end plate 420 will be described in greater detail below.

[0226] The plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 included in the outdoor unit 10 may need to have structures stably fixed to each other. In the case in which the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 are not fixed to each other, collision, interference, etc. of the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 may occur while the product of the outdoor unit 10 moves or while the product operates, which may damage the heat exchanger 200 or cause vibration or noise during use. This may be particularly problematic because the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 extend in the vertical direction Z of the outdoor unit 10 and thus easily move when the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 are not fixed properly.

[0227] In the case in which each of the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 has a bent shape including the first part, the second part, and the bent part, as described above, there may be high possibility in which the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 are in a more unstable state.

[0228] For example, because the third heat exchanger 230 is spaced from the base 180 unlike the first heat exchanger 210 and the second heat exchanger 220 being in contact with the base 180 and supported on the base 180, it may be more important to fix the third heat exchanger 230 to the first heat exchanger 210 and the second heat exchanger 220.

[0229] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating front sides of various components, such as a base, a top cover, a heat exchanger, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view illustrating a coupled structure of a front frame and a first holder included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view illustrating a coupled structure of a base and a first holder included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view illustrating a first holder, a second holder, a third holder, and a holder bracket included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and a coupled structure of the third holder and a first side frame according to various embodiments. FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating various components, such as a housing, a heat exchanger, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, taken in a horizontal direction according to various embodiments.

[0230] Referring to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 (which may be referred to as FIGS. 7 to 11), the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a structure that supports the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230.

[0231] The heat exchanger 200 may include the first holder 310 that supports a side of the first heat exchanger 210. The first holder 310 may support a side of the first heat exchanger 210 in the direction in which the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 are arranged. The first holder 310 may support a side of the second part 210B of the first heat exchanger 210. The first holder 310 may support the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211. The first holder 310 may be in contact with a first heat exchange fin 212 positioned at a side among the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212. The first holder 310 may be positioned in parallel to the first heat exchange fin 212 positioned at the side among the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212.

[0232] The first holder 310 may be coupled to the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211. The first holder 310 may be penetrated by the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211. For example, the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211 may be positioned to penetrate the first holder 310 and then coupled to the first holder 310 through a tube expansion process of expanding each first refrigerant tube 211 outward by a tube expansion device.

[0233] The first holder 310 may extend along the first column. The first holder 310 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0234] The first holder 310 may include a first support plate 311. The first support plate 311 may support a side of the first heat exchanger 210.

[0235] The first support plate 311 may support the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211. The first support plate 311 may be coupled to the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211. The first support plate 311 may be penetrated by the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211.

[0236] The first support plate 311 may be in contact with the side of the first heat exchanger 210. For example, the first support plate 311 may be in contact with the first heat exchange fin 212 positioned at the side in the direction in which the plurality of first beat exchange fins 212 are arranged, among the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212. The first support plate 311 may be positioned in parallel to the first heat exchange fin 212. The first support plate 311 may extend along the first column. The first support plate 311 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0237] For example, the first support plate 311 may have a substantially flat plate shape.

[0238] The first holder 310 may include a first extension portion 312 extending from the first support plate 311. The first extension portion 312 may extend from a side of the first support plate 311.

[0239] The first extension portion 312 may extend from a side of the first support plate 311 close to the second heat exchanger 220. The first extension portion 312 may extend from a side of the first support plate 311 close to the second holder 320 which will be described below. As shown in FIG. 7, the first extension portion 312 may extend from a left side (Y direction) of the first support plate 311.

[0240] A direction in which the first extension portion 312 extends from the first support plate 311 may be substantially orthogonal to a direction of the first column. The direction in which the first extension portion 312 extends from the first support plate 311 may be substantially parallel to the horizontal direction of the housing 100. For example, the first extension portion 312 may extend in the front direction (+X direction) from the first support plate 311.

[0241] The first extension portion 312 may extend in the direction that is parallel to the first column. The first extension portion 312 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0242] The first holder 310 may be supported by the base 180. The first holder 310 may be coupled to the base 180 and supported by the base 180.

[0243] For example, the first holder 310 may include a base coupling flange 313 coupled to the base 180. The base coupling flange 313 may be in contact with the base 180 and coupled to the base 180. The first holder 310 may be coupled to the base 180 by a coupling member (for example, a screw, etc.) that penetrates the base coupling flange 313 and a coupling hole 180h formed in the base 180 sequentially. In the base coupling flange 313, a hole corresponding to the coupling hole 180h of the base 180 may be formed.

[0244] The base coupling flange 313 may be connected to the first extension portion 312. The base coupling flange 313 may extend from a lower end of the first extension portion 312. The base coupling flange 313 may extend from the lower end of the first extension portion 312 in the horizontal direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the base coupling flange 313 may extend from the lower end of the first extension portion 312 in the right direction (+Y direction).

[0245] The base coupling flange 313 may extend from a lower end of the first support plate 311.

[0246] The first holder 310 may be fixed to the base 180 and supported by the base 180. Therefore, the first heat exchanger 210 may be supported by the base 180. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first holder 310 may include various structures coupled to the base 180 and supported by the base 180.

[0247] The first holder 310 may be supported by the front frame 110. The first holder 310 may be coupled to the front frame 110 and supported by the front frame 110. For example, the first holder 310 may be coupled to the upper flange 113 of the front frame 110.

[0248] For example, the first holder 310 may include a front frame coupling flange 314 coupled to the upper flange 113 of the front frame 110. The front frame coupling flange 314 may be in contact with the upper flange 113 and coupled to the upper flange 113. The first holder 310 may be coupled to the upper flange 113 by a coupling member (for example, a screw, etc.) that penetrates a coupling hole 113h formed in the upper flange 113 and the front frame coupling flange 314 sequentially. In the front frame coupling flange 314, a hole corresponding to the coupling hole 113h of the upper flange 114 may be formed.

[0249] The front frame coupling flange 314 may be connected to the first extension portion 312. The front frame coupling flange 314 may extend from an upper end of the first extension portion 312. The front frame coupling flange 314 may extend from the upper end of the first extension portion 312 in the horizontal direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the front frame coupling flange 314 may extend from the upper end of the first extension portion 312 in the left direction (Y direction).

[0250] The front frame coupling flange 314 may extend from an upper end of the first support plate 311.

[0251] The first holder 310 may be fixed to the front frame 110 and supported by the front frame 110. Therefore, the first heat exchanger 210 may be supported by the front frame 110. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first holder 310 may include various structures coupled to the front frame 110 and supported by the front frame 110. The first holder 310 may be coupled to the top cover 170 and supported by the top cover 170.

[0252] For example, the first holder 310 including the first support plate 311, the first extension portion 312, the base coupling flange 313, and the front frame coupling flange 314 may be formed as one body.

[0253] For example, the first holder 310 may include, but is not limited to, a metal material such as an iron alloy.

[0254] The heat exchanger 200 may include the second holder 320 that supports a side of the second heat exchanger 220. The second holder 320 may support a side of the second heat exchanger 220 in the direction in which the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 are arranged. The second holder 320 may support a side of the second part 220B of the second heat exchanger 220. The second holder 320 may be positioned to a side of the second heat exchanger 220 close to the first holder 310. The second holder 320 may support the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. The second holder 320 may be in contact with a second heat exchange fin 222 positioned at a side among the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222. The second holder 320 may be positioned in parallel to the second heat exchange fin 222 positioned at the side among the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222.

[0255] The second holder 320 may be coupled to the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. The second holder 320 may be penetrated by the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. For example, the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221 may be positioned to penetrate the second holder 320 and then coupled to the second holder 320 through a tube expansion process of expanding each second refrigerant tube 221 outward by a tube expansion device.

[0256] The second holder 320 may extend along the second column. The second holder 320 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0257] The second holder 320 may include a second support plate 321. The second support plate 321 may support a side of the second heat exchanger 220.

[0258] The second support plate 321 may support the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. The second support plate 321 may be coupled to the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. The second support plate 321 may be penetrated by the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221.

[0259] The second support plate 321 may be in contact with a side of the second heat exchanger 220. The second support plate 321 may be in contact with a side of the second heat exchanger 220 adjacent to the first support plate 311. The second support plate 321 may be in contact with a second heat exchange fin 222 positioned at a side in the direction in which the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 are arranged, among the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222. The second support plate 321 may be positioned in parallel to the second heat exchange fin 222. The second support plate 321 may extend along the second column. The second support plate 321 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0260] For example, the second support plate 321 may have a substantially flat plate shape.

[0261] The second holder 320 may include a second extension portion 322 extending from the second support plate 321. The second extension portion 322 may extend from a side of the second support plate 321.

[0262] The second extension portion 322 may extend from a side of the second support plate 321 close to the first heat exchanger 210. The second extension portion 322 may extend from a side of the second support plate 321 close to the first holder 320. As shown in FIG. 7, the second extension portion 322 may extend from a right side (+Y direction) of the second support plate 321.

[0263] A direction in which the second extension portion 322 extends from the second support plate 321 may be substantially orthogonal to a direction of the second column. The direction in which the second extension portion 322 extends from the second support plate 321 may be substantially parallel to the horizontal direction of the housing 100. For example, the second extension portion 322 may extend in the front direction (+X direction) from the second support plate 321.

[0264] The second extension portion 322 may extend in the direction that is parallel to the second column. The second extension portion 322 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0265] As shown in FIG. 10, the second extension portion 322 may be in contact with the first heat exchanger 210. The second extension portion 322 may be in contact with the heat exchange fin 212 of the first heat exchanger 210. Unlike this, the second extension portion 322 may be in contact with the first extension portion 312 of the first holder 310. Accordingly, the second holder 320 may be supported by the first heat exchanger 210 or the first holder 310.

[0266] The second holder 320 may include a third extension portion 323 extending from the second support plate 321. The third extension portion 323 may extend from another side of the second support plate 321. Here, another side of the second support plate 321 may be opposite to the side of the second support plate 321 from which the second extension portion 322 extends.

[0267] The third extension portion 323 may extend from a side of the second support plate 321 adjacent to the third heat exchanger 230. The third extension portion 323 may extend from a side of the second support plate 321 adjacent to the third holder 330. The third extension portion 323 may extend from an end of the second support plate 321 in an outward direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the third extension portion 323 may extend from a left side (Y direction) of the second support plate 321.

[0268] A direction in which the third extension portion 323 extends from the second support plate 321 may be substantially orthogonal to a direction of the second column. The direction in which the third extension portion 323 extends from the second support plate 321 may be substantially parallel to the horizontal direction of the housing 100. For example, the third extension portion 321 may extend in the front direction (+X direction) from the second support plate 321.

[0269] The third extension portion 323 may extend in the direction that is parallel to the second column. The third extension portion 323 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0270] The second extension portion 322 and the third extension portion 323 may extend in parallel to each other. The second extension portion 322 may face the third extension portion 323. The second extension portion 322 and the third extension portion 323 may face each other in the left-right direction (Y directions).

[0271] For example, the second holder 320 including the second support plate 321, the second extension portion 322, and the third extension portion 323 may be formed as one body.

[0272] For example, the second holder 320 may include, but is not limited to, a metal material such as an iron alloy.

[0273] The heat exchanger 200 may include the third holder 330 that supports a side of the third heat exchanger 230. The third holder 330 may support a side of the third heat exchanger 230 in the direction in which the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 are arranged. The third holder 330 may support a side of the third part 230B of the third heat exchanger 230. The third holder 330 may be positioned to a side of the third heat exchanger 230 adjacent to the first holder 310 and/or the second holder 320. The third holder 330 may support the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. The third holder 330 may be in contact with a third heat exchange fin 232 positioned at a side among the plurality of heat exchange fins 232. The third holder 330 may be positioned in parallel to the third heat exchange fin 232 positioned at the side among the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232.

[0274] The third holder 330 may be coupled to the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. The third holder 330 may be penetrated by the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. For example, the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 211 may be positioned to penetrate the third holder 330 and then coupled to the third holder 330 through a tube expansion process of expanding each third refrigerant tube 231 outward by a tube expansion device.

[0275] The third holder 330 may extend along the third column. The third holder 330 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0276] The third holder 330 may include a third support plate 331. The third support plate 331 may support a side of the third heat exchanger 230.

[0277] The third support plate 331 may support the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. The third support plate 331 may be coupled to the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. The third support plate 331 may be penetrated by the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231.

[0278] The third support plate 331 may be in contact with a side of the third heat exchanger 230. The third support plate 331 may be in contact with a side of the third heat exchanger 230 adjacent to the second support plate 321. The third support plate 331 may be in contact with a third heat exchange fin 232 positioned at a side in the direction in which the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 are arranged, among the plurality of heat exchange fins 232. The third support plate 331 may be positioned in parallel to the third heat exchange fin 232. The third support plate 331 may extend along the third column. The third support plate 331 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0279] For example, the third support plate 331 may have a substantially flat plate shape.

[0280] The third holder 330 may include a fourth extension portion 332 extending from the third support plate 331. The fourth extension portion 332 may extend from a side of the third support plate 331.

[0281] The fourth extension portion 332 may extend from a side of the third support plate 331 adjacent to the second heat exchanger 220. The fourth extension portion 332 may extend from a side of the third support plate 331 close to the second holder 320. As shown in FIG. 7, the fourth extension portion 332 may extend from a right side (+Y direction) of the third support plate 331.

[0282] A direction in which the fourth extension portion 332 extends from the third support plate 331 may be substantially orthogonal to a direction of the third column. The direction in which the fourth extension portion 332 extends from the third support plate 331 may be substantially parallel to the horizontal direction of the housing 100. For example, the fourth extension portion 332 may extend in the front direction (+X direction) from the third support plate 331.

[0283] The fourth extension portion 332 may extend in a direction parallel to the third column. The fourth extension portion 332 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0284] The third holder 330 may include a fifth extension portion 333 extending from the third support plate 331. The fifth extension portion 333 may extend from another side of the third support plate 331. Here, another side of the third support plate 331 may be opposite to the side of the third support plate 321 from which the fourth extension portion 332 extends.

[0285] The fifth extension portion 333 may extend from a side of the third support plate 331, which is opposite to the second heat exchanger 220. The fifth extension portion 333 may extend from a side that is opposite to the second holder 320. The fifth extension portion 333 may extend from an end of the third support plate 331 in the outward direction. The fifth extension portion 333 may extend from a side adjacent to the first side frame 130. As shown in FIG. 7, the fifth extension portion 333 may extend from a left side (Y direction) of the third support plate 331.

[0286] A direction in which the fifth extension portion 333 extends from the third support plate 331 may be substantially orthogonal to a direction of the third column. The direction in which the fifth extension portion 333 extends from the first support plate 331 may be substantially parallel to the horizontal direction of the housing 100. For example, the fifth extension portion 333 may extend in the front direction (+X direction) from the third support plate 331.

[0287] The fifth extension portion 333 may extend in the direction parallel to the third column. The fifth extension portion 333 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0288] The fourth extension portion 332 and the fifth extension portion 333 may extend in parallel to each other. The fourth extension portion 332 may face the fifth extension portion 333. The fourth extension portion 332 and the fifth extension portion 333 may face each other in the left-right direction (Y directions).

[0289] For example, the third holder 330 including the third support plate 331, the fourth extension portion 332, and the fifth extension portion 333 may be formed as one body.

[0290] For example, the third holder 330 may include, but is not limited to, a metal material such as an iron alloy.

[0291] The third holder 330 may be spaced from the base 180. For example, a lower end of the third holder 330 may be positioned at an upper location than a lower end of the first holder 310 and a lower end of the second holder 320. Also, for example, an upper end of the third holder 330 may be positioned at a lower location than an upper end of the first holder 310 and an upper end of the second holder 320.

[0292] Because both the third heat exchanger 230 and the third holder 330 coupled to the third heat exchanger 230 are spaced from the base 180, the heat exchanger 200 may include a structure for fixing the third holder 330 to stably fix the third heat exchanger 230, which will be described in greater detail below.

[0293] The heat exchanger 200 may include a holder bracket 500 connecting the third holder 330 to the first holder 310. The holder bracket 500 may fix the third holder 330 to the first holder 310.

[0294] The holder bracket 500 may be coupled to the first holder 310 and the third holder 330. More specifically, the holder bracket 500 may be coupled to the first extension portion 312 and the fifth extension portion 333.

[0295] The holder bracket 500 may include a first coupling portion 510, a second coupling portion 520, and a connecting portion 530 connecting the first coupling portion 510 and the second coupling portion 520. The first coupling portion 510 may extend from an end of the connecting portion 530, and the second coupling portion 520 may extend from another end of the connecting portion 530.

[0296] The first coupling portion 510 may be coupled to the first extension portion 312. The first coupling portion 510 may be in contact with the first extension portion 312 and coupled to the first extension portion 312. For example, the first coupling portion 510 may be positioned to be in contact with the first extension portion 312 and then coupled to the first extension portion 312 by a coupling member (for example, a screw, etc.) that penetrates the first coupling portion 510 and the first extension portion 312 sequentially. In the first coupling portion 510, a coupling hole 510a may be provided, and in the first extension portion 312, a first extension portion hole corresponding to the coupling hole 510a may be provided. The coupling member may couple the first coupling portion 510 to the first extension portion 312 by penetrating the coupling hole 510a and the first extension portion hole. For example, a size of the first coupling hole 510a may be larger than that of the first extension portion hole to facilitate coupling of the first coupling portion 510 and the first extension portion 312. For example, the coupling hole 510a may have a slit shape in which a length in one direction (for example, the front-rear direction (X directions)) is longer than that in another direction (for example, the vertical direction (Z directions)).

[0297] The first coupling portion 510 may be in contact with a surface of the first extension portion 312, facing outward from the housing 100. The first coupling portion 510 may be in contact with a surface of the first extension portion 312 close to the fifth extension portion 333. As shown in FIG. 10, the first coupling portion 510 may be in contact with a left surface (a surface toward the Y direction) of the first extension portion 312.

[0298] The second coupling portion 520 may be coupled to the fifth extension portion 333. The second coupling portion 520 may be in contact with the fifth extension portion 333 and coupled to the fifth extension portion 333. For example, the second coupling portion 520 may be positioned to be in contact with the fifth extension portion 333 and then coupled to the fifth extension portion 333 by a coupling member (for example, a screw, etc.) that penetrates the second coupling portion 520 and the fifth extension portion 333 sequentially.

[0299] The second coupling portion 520 may be in contact with a surface of the fifth extension portion 333, facing outward from the housing 100. The second coupling portion 520 may be in contact with a surface of the fifth extension portion 333, which is opposite to the first extension portion 312. Therefore, the second coupling portion 520 may support the third holder 330 in an opposite direction of a direction in which the first holder 310 is supported, and the second coupling portion 520 may prevent or inhibit the third holder 330 from being pressed toward the first holder 310 or from moving away from the first holder 310. Therefore, the third holder 330 and the third heat exchanger 230 may be stably supported. In addition, this may prevent and/or reduce a gap between the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 from widening, and heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 200 may be improved.

[0300] According to an embodiment, the first holder 310 may be positioned closer to the front side (+X direction) of the housing 100 than the second holder 320 and the third holder 330. Accordingly, the first coupling portion 510 may extend from the connecting portion 530 toward the front direction (+X direction) of the housing 100, and the second coupling portion 520 may extend toward the rear direction (X direction) of the housing 100 from the connecting portion 530. However, the first coupling portion 510 may extend from the connecting portion 530 toward the rear direction (X direction) of the housing 100, and the second coupling portion 520 may extend toward the front direction (+X direction) of the housing 100 from the connecting portion 530, depending on positions or extension lengths of the first extension portion 312 and the fifth extension portion 333, a shape of the holder bracket 500, etc.

[0301] For example, the first coupling portion 510 and the second coupling portion 520 may be positioned at the same height in the vertical direction Z. Unlike this, the first coupling portion 510 and the second coupling portion 520 may be positioned at different heights in the vertical direction Z.

[0302] The holder bracket 500 may further include a hook 522 caught by the third holder 330. The hook 522 may penetrate the third holder 330 to couple the holder bracket 500 to the third holder 330.

[0303] For example, the hook 522 may be provided in the second coupling portion 520. The hook 522 may be provided in the second coupling portion 520 and coupled to the fifth extension portion 333. The hook 522 may penetrate the fifth extension portion 333 and be coupled to the fifth extension portion 333. The fifth extension portion 333 may include a hook hole 333a. The hook 522 may be fitted into the hook hole 333a. The hook 522 may penetrate the hook hole 333a and be caught by the fifth extension portion 333.

[0304] The second coupling portion 520 may include a holder contact portion 521 that is in contact with the third holder 330. The hook 522 may extend from the holder contact portion 521 and penetrate the third holder 330. The holder contact portion 521 may be in contact with the fifth extension portion 333, and the hook 522 may extend from the holder contact portion 521 to penetrate the fifth extension portion 333. By this structure, the hook 522 may be caught by the fifth extension portion 333.

[0305] The holder contact portion 521 may be in contact with a surface of the third holder 330, which is opposite to another surface facing the first holder 310. The holder contact portion 521 may be in contact with a surface of the third holder 330 in an outward direction of the housing 100. That is, the holder contact portion 521 may be in contact with a surface of the fifth extension portion 333, which is opposite to another surface facing the first holder 310. The hook 522 may penetrate the fifth extension portion 333 by extending from a surface of the fifth extension portion 333, which is opposite to another surface facing the first holder 310, toward the first holder 310.

[0306] By the structure in which the holder contact portion 521 is in contact with a surface of the third holder 330 which is opposite to another surface facing the first holder 310 and the hook 522 penetrates the third holder 330 by extending from the holder contact portion 521, the third holder 330 may be prevented or inhibited from being pressed toward the first holder 310 or moving away from the first holder 310. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the hook 522 may pull the third holder 330 in the front direction (+X direction) which is a direction toward the first holder 310 and in the right direction (+Y direction). Therefore, the third holder 330 and the third heat exchanger 230 may be stably supported. Also, this may prevent and/or reduce a gap between the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 from widening, and heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 200 may be improved.

[0307] For example, the holder bracket 500 including the first coupling portion 510, the second coupling portion 520, and the connecting portion 530 may be formed as one body.

[0308] For example, the holder bracket 500 may include, but is not limited to, a metal material such as an iron alloy.

[0309] For example, a plurality of holder brackets 500 may be provided. The plurality of holder brackets 500 may be spaced from each other and connect the first holder 310 and the third holder 330. For example, the plurality of holder brackets 500 may be arranged in the vertical direction Z. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the heat exchanger 200 includes two holder brackets 500. However, the number of the holder brackets 500 is not limited thereto.

[0310] By the holder bracket 500, the third holder 330 may be supported to the first holder 310, and also, the third heat exchanger 230 may be supported to the first holder 310. The structure that fixes the first holder 310 and the third holder 330 to each other by the holder bracket 500 is not limited to the above-described structure, and the holder bracket 500 may include various structures. For example, the holder bracket 500 may be coupled to various portions of the first holder 310 except for the first extension portion 312 and coupled to the first holder 310 by various methods. For example, the holder bracket 500 may be coupled to various portions of the third holder 330 except for the fifth extension portion 333 and coupled to the third holder 330 by various methods.

[0311] The second holder 320 and the third holder 330 may be coupled to each other. As shown in FIG. 10, the third extension portion 323 and the fourth extension portion 332 may be coupled to each other. The third extension portion 323 and the fourth extension portion 332 may be in contact with each other and coupled to each other, and the second holder 320 and the third holder 330 may be coupled to each other. For example, the second holder 320 and the third holder 330 may be coupled to each other by a coupling member (for example, a screw, etc.) that penetrates the fourth extension portion 332 and the third extension portion 323 sequentially. Therefore, the second holder 320 and the third holder 330 may be fixed and supported to each other.

[0312] The third holder 330 may be supported by the first side frame 130. The third holder 330 may be coupled to the first side frame 130. For example, the third holder 330 may be coupled to the first frame 130 by a coupling member (for example, a screw, etc.) that penetrates a coupling hole 130h formed in the first side frame 130 and the fifth extension portion 333 sequentially. In the fifth extension portion 333, a hole corresponding to the coupling hole 130h of the first side frame 130 may be formed.

[0313] By this structure, the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330 may be firmly fixed to each other.

[0314] As described above, because the heat exchanger 200 includes the first holder 310, the second holder 320, the third holder 330, and the holder bracket 500, the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 may be stably supported to each other. Also, by this fixing structure, the heat exchange fins may be prevented and/or reduced from being damaged in a process of fixing the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 to each other, and deterioration of heat exchange efficiency of the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230, which may cause in the case in which the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 are covered by additional fixing portions, may be prevented and/or reduced.

[0315] Using the holder bracket 500, the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330 may be fixed to each other, and the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 may be fixed to each other, thereby enhancing convenience and efficiency in manufacturing a product.

[0316] As described above, the holder bracket 500 may be coupled to the third holder 330 by the hook 522 penetrating the hook hole 333a of the fifth extension portion 333 and caught by the fifth extension portion 333. In this case, the second coupling portion 520 may achieve rotational equilibrium with respect to the fifth extension portion 333 even before the first coupling portion 510 is coupled to the first extension portion 312, and the holder bracket 500 may be prevented or blocked from rotating. Therefore, the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330 may be more stably fixed to each other. In addition, using the holder bracket 500, convenience and efficiency of a process of fixing the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330 to each other may be further improved. Furthermore, automation of a manufacturing process may be implemented.

[0317] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating various components, such as a base, a heat exchanger, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, in a side direction according to various embodiments. FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view illustrating a first end plate and a second end plate included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of a second end plate and a second side frame included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0318] Referring to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the heat exchanger 200 included in the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an end plate that supports other sides of the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230. Herein, other sides of the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 may be defined as sides that are opposite to the sides of the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 supported by the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330.

[0319] For example, the heat exchanger 200 may include a first end plate 410 that supports another side of the first heat exchanger 210 and another side of the second heat exchanger 220. The first end plate 410 may support a side of the first part 210A of the first heat exchanger 210 and a side of the first part 220A of the second heat exchanger 220.

[0320] The first end plate 410 may support the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211 and the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. The first end plate 410 may be coupled to the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211 and the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. The first end plate 410 may be penetrated by the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211 and the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221. For example, the plurality of first refrigerant tubes 211 and the plurality of second refrigerant tubes 221 may be positioned to penetrate the first end plate 410 and then coupled to the first end plate 410 through a tube expansion process of expanding each first refrigerant tube 211 and each second refrigerant tube 221 outward by a tube expansion device.

[0321] The first end plate 410 may extend along the first column and the second column. The first end plate 410 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0322] The first end plate 410 may include a first end contact portion 411. The first end contact portion 411 may be in contact with the other side of the first heat exchanger 410. The first end contact portion 411 may be in contact with a first heat exchange fin 212 positioned at a side that is opposite to the first holder 310 in the direction in which the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212 are arranged, among the plurality of first heat exchange fins 212. The first end contact portion 411 may be in contact with the other side of the second heat exchanger 220. The first end contact portion 411 may be in contact with a second heat exchange fin 222 positioned at a side that is opposite to the second holder 320 in the direction in which the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222 are arranged, among the plurality of second heat exchange fins 222. The first end contact portion 411 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0323] For example, the first end contact portion 411 may have a substantially flat plate shape.

[0324] The first end plate 410 may include an end plate extension portion 412 extending from the first end contact portion 411. The end plate extension portion 412 may extend from a side of the first end contact portion 411 adjacent to a second end contact portion 421 which will be described in greater detail below. The end plate extension portion 412 may extend from a side of the first end contact portion 411 adjacent to the rear frame 160 or the rear flange 141. The end plate extension portion 412 may extend from a rear end of the first end contact portion 411.

[0325] The end plate extension portion 412 may protrude from the first end contact portion 411 in a direction that is different from an extension direction of the first end contact portion 411. For example, the end plate extension portion 412 may protrude from the first end contact portion 411 in the right direction (+Y direction) which is a direction toward the second side frame 140.

[0326] The first end plate 410 may be supported by the base 180. The first end plate 410 may be coupled to the base 180. For example, the first end plate 410 may be coupled to the base 180 by coupling the end plate extension portion 412 to the edge flange 181 by a coupling member (for example, a screw, etc.).

[0327] For example, the first end plate 410 including the first end contact portion 411 and the end plate extension portion 412 may be formed as one body.

[0328] For example, the first end plate 410 may include, but is not limited to, a metal material such as an iron alloy.

[0329] The heat exchanger 200 may include the second end plate 420 that supports another side of the third heat exchanger 230. The second end plate 420 may support a side of the first part 230A of the third heat exchanger 230.

[0330] The second end plate 420 may support the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. The second end plate 420 may be coupled to the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. The second end plate 420 may be penetrated by the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231. For example, the plurality of third refrigerant tubes 231 may be positioned to penetrate the second end plate 420 and then coupled to the second end plate 410 through a tube expansion process of expanding each third refrigerant tube 211 outward by a tube expansion device.

[0331] The second end plate 420 may extend along the third column. The second end plate 420 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0332] The second end plate 420 may include the second end contact portion 421. The second end contact portion 421 may be in contact with another side of the third heat exchanger 230. The second end contact portion 421 may be in contact with a third heat exchange fin 232 positioned at a side that is opposite to the third holder 330 in the direction in which the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232 are arranged, among the plurality of third heat exchange fins 232. The second end contact portion 421 may extend along the third column. The second end contact portion 421 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the housing 100.

[0333] For example, the second end contact portion 421 may have a substantially flat plate shape.

[0334] The second end plate 420 may be spaced from the base 180. For example, a lower end of the second end plate 420 may be positioned at an upper location than a lower end of the first end plate 410. Also, for example, an upper end of the second end plate 420 may be positioned at a lower location than an upper end of the first end plate 410.

[0335] Because both the third heat exchanger 230 and the second end plate 420 coupled to the third heat exchanger 230 are spaced from the base 180, the second end plate 420 may be coupled to the first end plate 410 to stably support the third heat exchanger 230.

[0336] The second end plate 420 may include a plate coupling portion 422 coupled to the first end plate 410.

[0337] The plate coupling portion 422 may extend from the second end contact portion 421 toward the first end contact portion 411. The plate coupling portion 422 may be coupled to the first end contact portion 411. The plate coupling portion 422 may be in contact with the first end contact portion 411 and coupled to the first end contact portion 411. For example, the plate coupling portion 422 may be coupled to the first end contact portion 411 by a coupling member (for example, a screw, etc.) that penetrates the plate coupling portion 422 and the first end contact portion 411 sequentially, and therefore, the second end plate 420 may be fixed to the first end plate 410.

[0338] The plate coupling portion 422 may penetrate the end plate extension portion 412. For example, the end plate extension portion 412 provided in the first end plate 410 may include a plurality of end plate extension portions 412 spaced from each other, and a groove 412a may be formed between a pair of neighboring end plate extension portions 412 among the plurality of end plate extension portions 412. The plate coupling portion 422 may penetrate the groove 412a. The plate coupling portion 422 may extend from the second end contact portion 421, penetrate the groove 412a, and extend toward the first end contact portion 411. A coupling position of the plate coupling portion 422 may be guided by the end plate extension portion 412 and the groove 412a formed in the end plate extension portion 412, and convenience and efficiency in a manufacturing process of coupling the third heat exchanger 230 to the first heat exchanger 210 and the second heat exchanger 220 may be improved.

[0339] By this structure, the second end plate 420 and the third heat exchanger 230 may be firmly fixed to the first end plate 410, the first heat exchanger 210, and the second heat exchanger 220.

[0340] The second end plate 420 may be coupled to the second side frame 140. For example, the second end plate 420 may be coupled to the rear flange 141 of the second side frame 140. For example, the second end plate 420 may be fixed to the second side frame 140 by a coupling member (for example, a screw, etc.) that penetrates a coupling hole 141h formed in the rear flange 141 and a coupling hole 420h formed in the second end plate 420 sequentially.

[0341] The second end plate 420 may be coupled to the rear frame 160.

[0342] By this structure, the second end plate 420 and the third heat exchanger 230 may be firmly fixed to the housing 100.

[0343] For example, the second end plate 420 including the second end contact portion 421 and the plate coupling portion 422 may be formed as one body.

[0344] For example, the second end plate 420 may include, but is not limited to, a metal material such as an iron alloy.

[0345] In addition, the heat exchanger 200 may include a cross pipe 251 connecting the second refrigerant tubes 221 included in the second heat exchanger 220 to the third refrigerant tubes 231 included in the third heat exchanger 230. The cross pipe 251 may function to connect a refrigerant flow path inside the second refrigerant tubes 221 to a refrigerant flow path inside the third refrigerant tubes 231.

[0346] As shown in FIG. 12, the cross pipe 251 may be coupled to the first end plate 410 and the second end plate 420. The cross pipe 251 may be connected to the second refrigerant tubes 221 by penetrating the first end plate 410, and connected to the third refrigerant tubes 231 by penetrating the second end plate 420.

[0347] Accordingly, the cross pipe 251 may fix the first end plate 410 and the second end plate 420 to each other, and the second end plate 410 and the third heat exchanger 230 may be more stably supported by the cross pipe 251.

[0348] FIG. 15 is a is a diagram illustrating an example process of manufacturing a heat exchanger included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and illustrates a state before the heat exchanger is bent according to various embodiments. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example process of manufacturing a heat exchanger included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and illustrates a state after the heat exchanger is bent according to various embodiments. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example process of manufacturing a heat exchanger included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and illustrates an example operation of fixing a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger to each other according to various embodiments.

[0349] An example of a method of manufacturing the heat exchanger 200 included in the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 15, 16 and 17.

[0350] As shown in FIG. 15, before the heat exchanger 200 is bent, each of the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 may be prepared in a flat plate shape extending linearly. At this time, the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330 may not be fixed to each other. For example, the first holder 310 and the third holder 330 may not be connected to each other by the holder bracket 500, and the second holder 320 and the third holder 330 may not be coupled to each other. The first end plate 410 and the second end plate 420 may be coupled and fixed to each other.

[0351] By a process of bending the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 each having a flat plate shape, the heat exchanger 200 may be formed in a bent shape, as shown in FIG. 16. In the process, the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 may be bent together.

[0352] As such, through the process of bending the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 together, manufacturing convenience and manufacturing efficiency of the heat exchanger 200 may be improved. In a process of bending the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 individually and then coupling the heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 to each other, or a process of bending the first heat exchanger 210 and the second heat exchanger 220 together, bending the third heat exchanger 230 separately, and coupling the third heat exchanger 230 to the second heat exchanger 220, the heat exchange fins may be easily damaged during an operation of arranging the bent heat exchangers parallel to each other and coupling the heat exchangers to each other. Accordingly, by bending the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 together, the heat exchange fins of the heat exchanger 200 may be prevented and/or reduced from being damaged.

[0353] For example, after the process of bending the heat exchanger 200 is completed, a leak test may be performed on the refrigerant tubes. For example, a leak test on the refrigerant tubes may be performed by injecting a gas (for example, helium (He)) into the refrigerant tubes with preset pressure and checking whether the injected gas leaks from the refrigerant tubes.

[0354] After the process of bending the heat exchanger 200 is completed, a process of coupling the second holder 320 to the third holder 330 through fastening with a screw, and a process of coupling the holder bracket 500 to the first holder 310 and the third holder 330 by methods such as coupling with the hook 522 and fastening with a screw to fix the first holder 310 and the third holder 330 may be performed as shown in FIG. 17. By the coupling process, the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330 may be fixed to each other, and the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 may be stably fixed to each other.

[0355] FIG. 18 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating various components, such as a heat exchanger, a base, a first holder, a second holder, a third holder, a holder bracket, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 19 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating various components, such as a first holder, a second holder, a third holder, a holder bracket, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 20 is a sectional perspective view illustrating a coupled state of a third holder and a holder bracket in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating various components, such as a housing, a heat exchanger, etc., included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, taken in a horizontal direction according to various embodiments. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of a third holder in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion of a holder bracket in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 24 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which a holder bracket is separated from a first holder and a third holder in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 25 is a partial perspective view illustrating a first holder, a second holder, a third holder, and a holder bracket in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0356] In the following description of various components of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments of the disclosure with reference to FIGS. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 (which may be referred to as FIGS. 18 to 25), the same components as those in the various embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 17 may be assigned like reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof may not be repeated here.

[0357] Referring to FIGS. 18 to 25, the heat exchanger 200 included in the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a holder bracket 600 connecting the first holder 310 and the third holder 330. The holder bracket 600 may fix the third holder 330 to the first holder 310.

[0358] The holder bracket 600 may be coupled to the first holder 310 and the third holder 330. For example, the holder bracket 600 may be coupled to the first extension portion 312 and the fifth extension portion 333.

[0359] For example, a plurality of holder brackets 600 may be provided. The plurality of holder brackets 600 may be spaced from each other to connect the third holder 330 to the first holder 310. For example, the plurality of holder brackets 600 may be arranged in the vertical direction Z. FIG. 18 illustrates an example in which the heat exchanger 200 includes two holder brackets 600. However, the number of the holder brackets 600 is not limited thereto.

[0360] For example, the holder bracket 600 may include, but is not limited to, a metal material such as an iron alloy.

[0361] The holder bracket 600 may include a first coupling portion 610, a second coupling portion 620, and a connecting portion 630 connecting the first coupling portion 610 and the second coupling portion 620. The first coupling portion 610 may extend from an end of the connecting portion 630, and the second coupling portion 620 may extend from another end of the connecting portion 630.

[0362] For example, the holder bracket 600 including the first coupling portion 610, the second coupling portion 620, and the connecting portion 630 may be formed as one body.

[0363] The first coupling portion 610 may be coupled to the first extension portion 312. The first coupling portion 610 may be in contact with the first extension portion 312 and coupled to the first extension portion 312. For example, the first coupling portion 610 may be positioned to be in contact with the first extension portion 610 and then coupled to the first extension portion 312 by a coupling member (for example, a screw, etc.) that penetrates the first coupling portion 610 and the first extension portion 312 sequentially. In the first coupling portion 610, a coupling hole 610a may be provided, and in the first extension portion 612, a first extension portion hole corresponding to the coupling hole 610a may be provided. The coupling member may couple the first coupling portion 610 to the first extension portion 312 by penetrating the coupling hole 610a and the first extension portion hole. For example, a size of the first coupling hole 610a may be larger than that of the first extension portion hole to facilitate coupling of the first coupling portion 610 and the first extension portion 312. For example, the coupling hole 610a may have a slit shape in which a length in one direction (for example, the front-rear direction (X directions)) is longer than that in another direction (for example, the vertical direction (Z directions)).

[0364] The first coupling portion 610 may be in contact with a surface of the first extension portion 312, facing outward from the housing 100. The first coupling portion 610 may be in contact with a surface of the first extension portion 312 close to the fifth extension portion 333. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the first coupling portion 610 may be in contact with a left surface (a surface toward the Y direction) of the first extension portion 312.

[0365] The second coupling portion 620 may be coupled to the fifth extension portion 333. The second coupling portion 620 may be in contact with the fifth extension portion 333 and coupled to the fifth extension portion 333.

[0366] The second coupling portion 620 may be in contact with a surface of the fifth extension portion 333, facing outward from the housing 100. The second coupling portion 620 may be in contact with a surface of the fifth extension portion 333, which is opposite to the first extension portion 312. Therefore, the second coupling portion 620 may support the third holder 330 in an opposite direction of a direction in which the first holder 310 is supported, and the second coupling portion 620 may prevent or block the third holder 330 from being pressed toward the first holder 310 or from moving away from the first holder 310. Accordingly, the third holder 330 and the third heat exchanger 230 may be stably supported. In addition, this may prevent and/or reduce the gap between the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 from widening, and heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 200 may be improved.

[0367] The first coupling portion 610 may extend from the connecting portion 630 toward the front direction (+X direction) of the housing 100, and the second coupling portion 620 may extend toward the rear direction (X direction) of the housing 100 from the connecting portion 530. Unlike this, the first coupling portion 610 may extend from the connecting portion 630 toward the rear direction (X direction) of the housing 100, and the second coupling portion 620 may extend toward the front direction (+X direction) of the housing 100 from the connecting portion 530, depending on positions or extension lengths of the first extension portion 312 and the fifth extension portion 333, a shape of the holder bracket 600, etc.

[0368] For example, the first coupling portion 610 and the second coupling portion 620 may be positioned at the substantially same height in the vertical direction Z. Unlike this, the first coupling portion 610 and the second coupling portion 620 may be positioned at different heights in the vertical direction Z.

[0369] The holder bracket 600 may further include a hook 622 coupled to the third holder 330. The hook 622 may be provided in the second coupling portion 620. The hook 522 may be provided in the second coupling portion 620 and coupled to the fifth extension portion 333. The hook 622 may couple the second coupling portion 620 to the fifth extension portion 333 by being caught by the fifth extension portion 333.

[0370] The fifth extension portion 333 may include a hook groove 333b. The hook 622 may be inserted into the hook groove 333b. The hook 622 may penetrate the hook groove 333b. The hook 622 may be fitted into the hooker groove 333b. The hook 622 may be fixed to the hook groove 333b. The hook 622 may be engaged with the fifth extension portion 333 through the hook groove 33b.

[0371] The holder bracket 600 may include a plurality of hooks 622. The fifth extension portion 333 may include a plurality of hook grooves 333b corresponding to the plurality of hooks 622. The plurality of hooks 622 may be respectively engaged with the plurality of hook grooves 333b. Therefore, the second coupling portion 620 may be more firmly fixed to the fifth extension portion 333.

[0372] For example, the plurality of hooks 622 may have the substantially same shape. For example, the plurality of hook grooves 333 may have the substantially same shape.

[0373] In the shown embodiment, the holder bracket 600 may include a pair of hooks 622, and the fifth extension portion 333 may include a pair of hook grooves 333b. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and in various embodiments of the disclosure, the number of the hooks 622 and the number of the hook grooves 333b may be various. In various embodiments, the holder bracket 600 may include a single hook 622. In various embodiments, the fifth extension portion 333 may include a single hook groove 333b.

[0374] The hook groove 333b may be formed by being depressed from an end of the fifth extension portion 333. The hook groove 333b may be formed by being depressed from the end of the fifth extension portion 333 in a direction extending from the third support plate 331 toward the third support plate 331. For example, the hook groove 333b may be formed by being depressed backward from a front end of the fifth extension portion 333.

[0375] The hook groove 333b may be depressed from a first end 333ba toward a second end 333bb. The hook groove 333b may extend between the first end 333ba and the second end 333bb. The first end 333ba of the hook groove 333b may be provided in an end of the fifth extension portion 333 in the direction extending from the third support plate 331. For example, the first end 333ba of the hook groove 333b may be a front end of the hook groove 333b. For example, the second end 333b of the hook groove 333b may be a rear end of the hook groove 333b.

[0376] For example, while the hook 622 is inserted into the hook groove 333b, the hook 622 may enter the hook groove 333b through the first end 333ba of the hook groove 333b, and move until the hook 622 contacts the second end 333b of the hook groove 333b to be engaged with the hook groove 333b. For the hook 622 to be easily inserted into the first end 333ba of the hook groove 333b and firmly fixed to the hook groove 333b after the hook 622 is inserted into the hook groove 333b, a width of the first end 333ba of the hook groove 333b may be larger than that of the second end 333bb of the hook groove 333b. The width of the first end 333ba of the hook groove 333b may be larger than a thickness of the hook 622. The width of the second end 333bb of the hook groove 333b may substantially correspond to the thickness of the hook 622. In the disclosure, the width of the hook groove 333b and the thickness of the hook 622 may be lengths measured in a direction parallel to each other, and for example, the width of the hook groove 333b and the thickness of the hook 622 shown in the drawings may be lengths measured in the vertical direction Z.

[0377] The hook groove 333b may include a hook guide 333bc that guides insertion of the hook 622. The hook guide 333bc may be positioned between the first end 333ba and the second end 333bb of the hook groove 333b. The hook guide 333bc may extend from the first end 333ba of the hook groove 333b toward the second end 333bb. The hook guide 333bc may have a smaller width at a part farther from the first end 333ba. For example, the hook guide 333bc may extend obliquely with respect to the front-rear direction X.

[0378] The hook groove 333b may include a linear portion 333bd positioned between the hook guide 333bc and the second end 333bb. The linear portion 333ba may extend from the hook guide 333bc toward the second end 333bb of the hook groove 333b. The linear portion 333ba may extend linearly. The hook guide 333bc described above may be inclined at a preset angle with respect to the linear portion 333bd. For example, the hook guide 333bc may extend substantially in the front-rear direction X. The linear portion 333bd may have a substantially constant width in the extension direction. For example, the width of the linear portion 333bd may substantially correspond to the thickness of the hook 622. The hook 622 may be fixed to the fifth extension portion 333 by being fitted into the linear portion 333bd.

[0379] However, according to various embodiments, the shape of the hook groove 333b is not limited to the above-described shape. For example, an entire of the hook groove 333b may have a constant width.

[0380] The second coupling portion 620 may include a holder contact portion 621 that is in contact with the third holder 330. For example, the holder contact portion 621 may be in contact with a surface of the third holder 330 which is opposite to another surface facing the first holder 310. The holder contact portion 621 may be in contact with a surface of the third holder 330, facing outward from the housing 100. That is, the holder contact portion 621 may be in contact with a surface of the fifth extension portion 333 which is opposite to another surface facing the first holder 310.

[0381] The hook 622 may extend from the holder contact portion 621. The hook 622 may extend from a surface of the fifth extension portion 333 which is opposite to another surface facing the first holder 310, toward the first holder 310, thereby penetrating the fifth extension portion 333.

[0382] The hook 622 may extend from an edge of the holder contact portion 621. For example, the plurality of hooks 622 may extend from both opposite edges of the holder contact portion 621. For example, the plurality of hooks 622 may extend from upper and lower edges of the holder contact portion 621. However, a position of the hook 622 is not limited thereto, and in various embodiments, the hook 622 may extend from various parts of the holder contact portion 621. For example, the hook 622 may extend from a surface of the holder contact portion 621, which is in contact with the fifth extension portion 333.

[0383] The hook 622 may include a penetrating portion 622a penetrating the hook groove 333b. The penetrating portion 622a may be inserted into the hook groove 333b. The penetrating portion 622a may be fitted into the hook groove 333b. For example, the penetrating portion 622a may penetrate the linear portion 333bd. A thickness of the penetrating portion 622a may substantially correspond to the width of the linear portion 333bd. The penetrating portion 622a may be fixed by being fitted into the linear portion 333bd.

[0384] The penetrating portion 622a may be connected from the holder contact portion 621. The penetrating portion 622a may extend from the holder contact portion 621. For example, the penetrating portion 622a may extend from the holder contact portion 621 in a direction toward the fourth extension portion 332 or in a direction toward the first holder portion 310. For example, the penetrating portion 622a may extend from the holder contact portion 621 in the right direction (+Y direction).

[0385] The hook 622 may include a fixing portion 622b connected to the penetrating portion 622a. The fixing portion 622b may extend from the penetrating portion 622a. A direction in which the penetrating portion 622a extends from the holder contact portion 621 may be different from a direction in which the fixing portion 622b extends from the penetrating portion 622a. For example, the fixing portion 622b may extend from the penetrating portion 622a in a direction that is opposite to the first end 333ba of the hook groove 333b. For example, the fixing portion 622b may extend from the penetrating portion 622a in the rear direction (X direction).

[0386] However, the direction in which the fixing portion 622b extends is not limited thereto. In various embodiments, the fixing portion 622b may extend in various directions in which the fixing portion 622b is capable of being engaged with the first extension portion 333. For example, the fixing portion 622b may extend from the penetrating portion 622a in a width direction (in the drawings, the vertical direction Z) of the hook groove 333b.

[0387] The fixing portion 622b may be in contact with the fifth extension portion 333. A surface of the fifth extension portion 333 may be in contact with the holder contact portion 621, and another surface of the fifth extension portion 333 may be in contact with the fixing portion 622b. The fifth extension portion 333 may be fitted between the holder contact portion 621 and the fixing portion 622b. Therefore, the second coupling portion 620 may be stably supported and fixed to the fifth extension portion 333.

[0388] The fixing portion 622b may include an inclined portion 622c. The inclined portion 622c may be provided at a side of the fixing portion 622a, facing the fifth extension portion 333. The inclined portion 622c may extend from an end that is opposite to the penetrating portion 622a. The inclined portion 622c may be inclined to have a shorter distance to the fifth extension portion 333 at a part farther from the end that is opposite to the penetrating portion 622a. By the inclined portion 622c, the hook 622 may be more easily fitted into the hook groove 333b.

[0389] Hereinafter, a process of coupling the holder bracket 600 to the first holder 310 and the third holder 330 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25.

[0390] After the process of bending the heat exchanger 200 and the process of fixing the second holder 320 and the third holder 330 through fastening with a screw are completed as described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, a process of fixing the first holder 310 and the third holder 330 to each other using the holder bracket 600 may be performed. The process of fixing the first holder 310 and the third holder 330 to each other may be performed by coupling the first coupling portion 610 of the holder bracket 600 to the first holder 310 and coupling the second coupling portion 620 to the third holder 330.

[0391] For convenience of a manufacturing process, in the process of fixing the first holder 310 and the third holder 330 to each other, a process of inserting the hook 622 of the holder bracket 600 into the hook groove 333b of the fifth extension portion 333 to couple the second coupling portion 620 to the fifth extension portion 333 may be first performed. By inserting the hook 622 into the hook groove 333b, the second coupling portion 620 may be fixed to the fifth extension portion 333, and the holder bracket 600 may be prevented or inhibited from rotating with respect to the first holder 310 or the third holder 330.

[0392] After the second coupling portion 620 is coupled to the fifth extension portion 333, a process of coupling the first coupling portion 610 to the first extension portion 312 by a coupling member such a screw may be performed. The process of coupling the first coupling portion 610 to the first extension portion 312 may be performed by a process of causing a screw to penetrate the coupling hole 610a and the first extension portion 312 to couple the first coupling portion 610 to the first extension portion 312.

[0393] By the process, the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330 may be firmly fixed to each other by the holder bracket 600. In various embodiments, the above-described process may be performed by an automation system.

[0394] As described above, because the heat exchanger 200 includes the first holder 310, the second holder 320, the third holder 330, and the holder bracket 600, the first heat exchanger 210, the second heat exchanger 220, and the third heat exchanger 230 may be stably supported to each other. Also, by this fixing structure, the heat exchange fins may be prevented and/or reduced from being damaged during the process of fixing the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230, and, deterioration of heat exchange efficiency that may cause in the case in which the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 are covered by additional fixing components may be prevented and/or reduced.

[0395] Because the holder bracket 600 is used to fix the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330 to each other and fix the plurality of heat exchangers 210, 220, and 230 to each other, manufacturing convenience and manufacturing efficiency of the product may be improved.

[0396] As described above, the holder bracket 600 may be coupled to the third holder 330 through the hook 622 inserted into the hook groove 333b of the fifth extension portion 333 and caught by the fifth extension portion 333. In this case, the second coupling portion 620 may achieve rotational equilibrium with respect to the fifth extension portion 333 even before the first coupling portion 610 is coupled to the first extension portion 312, and the holder bracket 600 may be prevented and/or inhibited from rotating. Therefore, the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330 may be more stably fixed to each other. In addition, using the holder bracket 600, convenience and efficiency of the process of fixing the first holder 310, the second holder 320, and the third holder 330 to each other may be further improved. Furthermore, based on this, automation of the manufacturing process may be implemented.

[0397] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an example embodiment of the disclosure may include: a housing including a base, a first heat exchanger in contact with the base and supported by the base, a second heat exchanger positioned in parallel to the first heat exchanger, in contact with the base, and supported by the base, a third heat exchanger positioned in parallel to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and spaced apart from the base, a first holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the first heat exchanger, a second holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the second heat exchanger, a third holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the third heat exchanger, and a holder bracket connecting the first holder and the third holder. The second heat exchanger may be positioned between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger. The first holder may be coupled to the base. The second holder and the third holder may be coupled to each other. The holder bracket may be configured to fix the third holder to the first holder.

[0398] The second heat exchanger may be positioned in an outer direction of the housing relative to the first heat exchanger. The third heat exchanger may be positioned in the outer direction of the housing relative to the second heat exchanger.

[0399] The first holder may include a first support plate in contact with the side of the first heat exchanger, and a first extension portion extending from a side of the first support plate. The second holder may include a second support plate in contact with the side of the second heat exchanger, a second extension portion extending from a side of the second support plate adjacent to the first heat exchanger, and a third extension portion extending from another side of the second support plate adjacent to the third heat exchanger. The third holder may include a third support plate in contact with the side of the third heat exchanger, a fourth extension portion extending from a side of the third support plate adjacent to the second heat exchanger, and a fifth extension portion extending from another side of the third support plate.

[0400] The holder bracket may be coupled to the first extension portion and the fifth extension portion.

[0401] The holder bracket may include a first coupling portion in contact with the first extension portion and coupled to the first extension portion, a second coupling portion in contact with the fifth extension portion and coupled to the fifth extension portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.

[0402] The first coupling portion may be in contact with a surface of the first extension portion, facing outward from the housing. The second coupling portion may be in contact with a surface of the fifth extension portion, facing outward from the housing.

[0403] The first coupling portion may extend from the connecting portion toward a front direction of the housing. The second coupling portion may extend from the connecting portion toward a rear direction of the housing.

[0404] The third extension portion and the fourth extension portion may be in contact with each other and coupled to each other.

[0405] The holder bracket may include a hook configured to be caught by and coupled to the third holder.

[0406] The holder bracket may include a holder contact portion in contact with a surface of the third holder, opposite to the first holder. The hook may extend from the holder contact portion to penetrate the third holder.

[0407] The housing may further include a front frame positioned in front of the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger. The first holder may be coupled to the front frame.

[0408] The first holder may be positioned closer to a front side of the housing than the second holder and the third holder.

[0409] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may further include a first end plate supporting another side of the first heat exchanger and another side of the second heat exchanger, and a second end plate supporting another side of the third heat exchanger. The first end plate may include a first end contact portion in contact with the other side of the first heat exchanger and the another side of the second heat exchanger. The second end plate may include a second end contact portion in contact with the another side of the third heat exchanger, and a plate coupling portion extending from the second end contact portion toward the first end contact portion and coupled to the first end contact portion.

[0410] The first end plate may further include an end plate extension portion extending from a side of the first end contact portion adjacent to the second end contact portion. The plate coupling portion may penetrate the end plate extension portion.

[0411] A lower end of the third heat exchanger may be positioned at an upper location than a lower end of the first heat exchanger and a lower end of the second heat exchanger.

[0412] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an example embodiment of the disclosure may include: a housing including a base, a first heat exchanger supported by the base, a second heat exchanger positioned in an outer direction of the housing relative to the first heat exchanger and supported by the base, a third heat exchanger positioned in the outer direction of the housing relative to the second heat exchanger and spaced apart from the base, a first holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the first heat exchanger and coupled to the base, a second holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the second heat exchanger, a third holder comprising a support plate supporting a side of the third heat exchanger and coupled to the second holder, and a holder bracket connecting the first holder and the third holder and coupled to the first holder and the third holder.

[0413] The first holder may include a first support plate in contact with the side of the first heat exchanger, and a first extension portion extending from a side of the first support plate. The second holder may include a second support plate in contact with the side of the second heat exchanger, a second extension portion extending from a side of the second support plate adjacent to the first heat exchanger, and a third extension portion extending from another side of the second support plate adjacent to the third heat exchanger. The third holder may include a third support plate in contact with the side of the third heat exchanger, a fourth extension portion extending from a side of the third support plate adjacent to the second heat exchanger, and a fifth extension portion extending from another side of the third support plate.

[0414] The holder bracket may be coupled to the first extension portion and the fifth extension portion.

[0415] The holder bracket may include a hook coupled to the fifth extension portion by penetrating the fifth extension portion.

[0416] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an example embodiment of the disclosure may include: a housing including a base, a first heat exchanger including a plurality of first refrigerant tubes arranged along a first column, and a plurality of first heat exchange fins in contact with the plurality of first refrigerant tubes, the first heat exchanger being in contact with the base, a second heat exchanger including a plurality of second refrigerant tubes arranged along a second column parallel to the first column, and a plurality of second heat exchange fins in contact with the plurality of second heat exchanger tubes, the second heat exchanger being in contact with the base, a third heat exchanger including a plurality of third refrigerant tubes arranged along a third column parallel to the first column and the second column and a plurality of third heat exchange fins in contact with the plurality of third refrigerant tubes, wherein a lower end of the third heat exchanger is positioned an upper location relative to a lower end of the first heat exchanger and a lower end of the second heat exchanger, a first holder comprising a support plate supporting the first heat exchanger at a side in a direction in which the plurality of first heat exchange fins are arranged, the first holder being coupled to the base, a second holder comprising a support plate supporting the second heat exchanger at a side in a direction in which the plurality of second heat exchange fins are arranged, a third holder comprising a support plate supporting the third heat exchanger at a side in a direction in which the plurality of third heat exchange fins are arranged, the third holder being coupled to the second holder, and a holder bracket connecting the first holder and the third holder.

[0417] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner may improve heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger by including the heat exchangers of three columns.

[0418] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner may stably fix the heat exchanger by including the first holder, the second holder, the third holder, and the holder bracket for supporting the heat exchangers of three columns.

[0419] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner may fix the first holder, the second holder, and the third holder to each other using the holder bracket and prevent and/or reduce the plurality of heat exchangers from moving away from each other, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency.

[0420] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner may enhance convenience and efficiency in manufacturing a product by fixing the third heat exchanger to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger with the holder bracket.

[0421] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, because the holder bracket is coupled to the third holder with a simple hook structure, the first holder, the second holder, and the third holder may be stably fixed to each other, convenience and efficiency in manufacturing a product may be improved, and automation of a manufacturing process may be possible.

[0422] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, because the holder bracket is coupled to the third holder with a hook structure to achieve rotational equilibrium, the first holder, the second holder, and the third holder may be stably fixed to each other, convenience and efficiency in manufacturing a product may be improved, and automation of a manufacturing process may be implemented.

[0423] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the heat exchangers of three columns included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner may be fixed by the first holder, the second holder, and the third holder, thereby preventing/reducing the heat exchange fins from being damaged.

[0424] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the plurality of heat exchangers included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner may be supported by the first end plate and the second end plate, and the first end plate and the second end plate may be coupled to each other, thereby stably fixing the heat exchanger.

[0425] Effects that may be achieved by various embodiments the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the disclosure belongs.

[0426] While various example embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that the various embodiments are intended to be illustrative, not limiting and the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. It should be understood that various modifications may be made by one skilled in the art to which the disclosure belongs, without deviating from the gist of the technical concept of the disclosure, including the following claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.