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Title:
A SECTIONAL TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER OF VENTILATING SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2009/031765
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
The invention concerns a counterflow heat exchanger assembly in which each of hexahedronal support frames is stacked alternately with heat exchange plates and the room air discharged from a room to the outside and the air introduced from the outside to the room is cross-distributed above/below the heat exchange plates to achieve heat exchange between the room air and the air from the outside, wherein the support frames are formed and assembled to comprise air dis¬ tribution support bars formed with air distribution openings uniformly spaced inside and on the outer side, closing bars and corner connections, each of the heat exchange plates is formed with a corrugated portion in the center thereof, and each corner of the support frames and the heat exchange plates alternately stacked is coupled with long bolts and nuts to enable them to be assembled and disassembled. In the invention, each of the support frames stacked alternately with the heat exchange plates comprises inner air distribution support bars and outer air dis¬ tribution support bars uniformly spaced, separate closing bars and corner connections, re¬ spectively. Each corner of the support frames stacked alternately with the heat exchange plates is coupled with long bolts and nuts for easy assembling and disassembling.

Inventors:
KIM YEONG-SUK (KR)
Application Number:
PCT/KR2008/004683
Publication Date:
April 23, 2009
Filing Date:
August 12, 2008
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
KIM YEONG-SUK (KR)
International Classes:
F28F3/00
Foreign References:
JP2004293862A2004-10-21
JP2003130571A2003-05-08
JPH08145588A1996-06-07
JPH1163860A1999-03-05
JP2006071150A2006-03-16
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KIM, Byung-Joo (648-1 Yeoksam-1dong Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-911, KR)
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Claims:

Claims

[1] A counterflow heat exchanger assembly, in which hexahedronal support frames

(20) are stacked alternately with heat exchange plates (30), the support frames (30) being arranged above and below each of the heat exchange plates, respectively, and performing heat exchange between room air (RA) and outdoor air (OA) by separately distributing room air (RA) discharged from a room to the outside and the outdoor air (OA) introduced from the outside to the room to be cross-distributed each other above and below the heat exchange plates (20), characterized in that it comprises: support frames, each comprising: a pair of air distribution support bars (31) formed with air distribution openings (33) uniformly spaced and connected to closing bars (40-2) to be at right angles, respectively; a pair of air distribution support bars (36) formed with air distribution openings (37) uniformly spaced, arranged adjacent to closing support bars (40-1) on the outer side of the air distribution support bars (31) and facing each other, closing bars (40) equipped to connect the respective air distribution support bars (36) arranged in parallel; and corner connections (50) for connecting each end of the air distribution support bars (31)(36) and the closing support bars (40); a corrugate portion (23) formed in the center of each of the heat exchange plates (20); and long bolts (13) and nuts (14) for coupling each corner of the heat exchange plats (20) and the support frame (30) alternately stacked with the plates (20).

[2] The heat exchanger assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each of the support frames (30) further comprises: a distribution compartment (30-2) formed by combining divided coupling means (53) of the corner connections (50) with coupling openings (34) of coupling means (32) formed on both ends of the air distribution support bars (31) on an indented portion (35), respectively, and by combining the closing bars (40-2) between the pair of the air distribution support bars (31) combined with the corner connections (50) at their ends and the divided coupling means (53) protruding to the outer side of the coupling means (32), the pair of the air distribution support bars (31) being spaced; an inlet compartment (30-1) formed on one side of the distribution compartment (30-2) by combining an integrated coupling means (52) of each of the corner connections (50) coupled at both ends of the air distribution support bars (31) on

one side with each end of the air distribution supports (36) and the closing bars (40-1), respectively, and by combining the integrated coupling means (52) and the divided coupling means (53) of each of the corner connections (50) with respective other ends of the adjacent air distribution support bars (36) and the closing bars (40-1); and an outlet compartment (30-3) formed on the other side of the distribution compartment (30-2) by combining the integrated coupling means (52) of each of the corner connections (50) coupled to both ends of the air distribution support bars (31) on the other side with the air distribution support bars (36) and the closing bars (40-1) to face the air distribution support bars (36) and the closing bars (40-1) in the inlet compartment (30-1), and by combining the integrated coupling means (52) and the divided coupling means (53) of each of the corner connections (50) with the other end of each of the adjacent air distribution support bars (36) and the closing bars (40-1), respectively.

[3] The heat exchanger assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the air distribution support bars (31) arranged in the frame comprises: a distribution support bar (31-1) formed in an elongated hexahedron shape; air distribution openings (33) formed equidistantly in the distribution support bar (31-1); and coupling means (32) shorter in width than the distribution support bars (31-1) and formed on both ends of the distribution support bar (31-1).

[4] The heat exchanger assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the air distribution bars (36) comprises: a distribution support bar (36-1) formed in an elongated hexahedron shape; air distribution openings (37) formed equidistantly in the distribution support bar (36-1); and coupling openings (38) to communicate with the outer side and formed on both ends of the distribution support bar (36-1).

[5] The heat exchanger assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the closing bars (40) is formed with coupling openings (41) or divided coupling openings (42) in a longitudinal direction and on both inner ends of each of the closing bars (40) in an elongated hexahedron shape.

[6] The heat exchanger assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the corner connections (50) comprises: a part (51) bent for both ends thereof to be at a given angle; a coupling opening (54) to communicate upward and downward and formed in the bent part (51); a coupling opening (55) formed around the upper end of the coupling opening

(54); a coupling protrusion (56) formed to protrude downward around the lower end of the coupling opening (54); and an integrated coupling means (52) and a divided coupling means (53) protruding toward the outside and formed as a unity, respectively, on both ends of the bent part (51).

[7] The heat exchanger assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the air distribution support bars (31, 36) and the closing bars (40; 40-2) are molded with a plastic corrugated sheet.

Description:

Description

A SECTIONAL TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER OF VENTILATING

SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a counterflow heat exchanger assembly equipped in an air conditioner for purifying, circulating and supplying room air, and introducing the air from the outside of a room while discharging a part of the room air to keep it fresh, wherein heat exchange between the room air and the air introduced from the outside is performed in order to heat the introduced air.

[2] More particularly, the invention relates to a counterflow heat exchanger assembly produced by stacking hexagonal support frames alternately with heat exchanger plates and for cross-distributing, in each of the support frames just above and below the heat exchanger plates, the room air discharged from the inside of a room to the outside thereof with the air introduced from the outside to the inside of the room in order to achieve heat exchange therebetween. Here, each of the support frames is assembled and formed to comprise inner and outer air distribution support bars formed with air distribution openings uniformly spaced, closing bars and corner connections. Each of the heat exchanger plates is formed with a corrugated portion in the center thereof to widen the heat exchange area (contact area) in order to improve heat transfer efficiency (heat recovery ratio). Each corner of the sequential stacks of the support frames and the heat exchanger plates is assembled and disassembled with a long bolt and nuts, respectively. Background Art

[3] Conventional counterflow heat exchangers are disclosed in the Korea Utility Model

Registration No. 20-281171, the Korea Utility Model Registration No. 20-305350, the Korea Utility Model Registration No. 20-343593, the published Korea Patent Application No. 10-2005-87798 and the Korea Patent Registration No. 10-437531. The Korea Utility Model Registration No. 20-281171, entitled "A plastic heat exchanger for recovering exhaust heat", discloses a heat exchanger in which flow passages shaped a waveform are formed on the plates in which pits facing edges and joints are formed repeatedly to cross each other in order to widen areas of heat transfer.

[4] The Korea Utility Model Registration No. 20-305350 discloses "A plastic heat exchanger for recovering exhaust heat" in which joints are formed to project on both sides of plastic plates for heat transfer on the upper side of which support protrusions and turbulence generating protrusions are formed alternately one by one to enable fluid to pass through the support protrusions and the turbulence generating protrusions in a

staggered way.

[5] The Utility Model Registration No. 20-343593, entitled "A plate-type heat exchange unit for heat exchangers", discloses a heat exchanger in which a plate for heat transfer and an air induction fin are formed one above the other in a support frame formed quadrangular (equilateral quadrangular or diamond) wherein the plate for heat transfer of the air distributed along the air induction fin is formed separately from the air induction fin in the support frame. The plate for heat transfer is also divided into a paper plate for heat transfer absorbing moisture and a non-paper plate for heat transfer not absorbing moisture. The separately formed plates for heat transfer are integrated to and fixed in the support frame by means of a typical gluing means.

[6] The published Korea Patent Application No. 10-2005-87798, entitled "A heat exchanger for ventilators", discloses a heat exchanger comprising a heat transfer stack in which a first air passage for room air passage and a second air passage for the air introduced from the outside of a room are alternately formed, a first puckered plate attached to the first air passage and for securing a space for air passage from the outside, and a second puckered plate attached to the second air passage for securing a space for air passage from the outside, wherein the plate for heat transfer is made of fine porous paper. The Korea Patent Registration No. 10-437531, entitled "A plastic heat exchanger for recovering exhaust heat", discloses a heat exchanger in which a heat transfer stack is made of plastic, turbulence facilitating bars are formed, on top of the plate for heat transfer, to be uniformly spaced between the turbulence facilitating frames arranged one by one. In the plastic heat exchanger, the turbulence facilitating bars are also formed with vortex generating protrusions uniformly spaced in order to generate horseshoe vortexes around the vortex generating protrusions, and the heat transfer stack is formed so that the turbulence facilitating bars adjacent above and below the stack cross each other.

[7] However, in the heat exchangers formed as described above, since the plates for heat transfer are shaped a regular square (or a diamond), the heat exchange area of room air with the air introduced from the outside is small, which results in short crossing time (heat exchange). Since the distribution space (for distributing room air or the air introduced from the outside) formed above or below the plates for heat transfer is integrated for air distribution, the air (room air or the air introduced from the outside) introduced through the inlet cannot stay in the plates for heat transfer and is immediately discharged, so that the heat exchange time is very short to result in significantly low heat efficiency (heat exchange).

[8] Also, since, for such heat exchangers, the plate stack for heat transfer is enclosed in an external integrated housing, the stack being formed with a plurality of plates for heat transfer. Therefore, since it is impossible to separate the plate stack for heat

transfer from the enclosing housing, the plate stack for heat transfer cannot be disassembled to clean it. Accordingly, if the heat exchanger is used for a long period of time, foreign matters gather in the plate stack for heat transfer and the housing, causing heat efficiency to be lowered.

[9] "A fixed heat exchanger" disclosed in the Korea Utility Model Registration

No.20-255149 and "A heat exchanger" disclosed in the Korea Patent Registration No. 10-724225 are known in the art. In those known heat exchangers one side (upper side or lower side) of the hexagonal divided heat exchange plate formed with frames on both ends (both sides) thereof in parallel is integrated with flow division ribs, the ribs being shaped trapezoid to enable the flow to be introduced in an inclined manner, to travel horizontally and then be discharged to the opposite side in the same direction. Also, in the exchangers, the area for heat transfer is widened somewhat and air passing times are extended by means of the flow division ribs.

[10] However, although the divided heat exchange plates are shaped hexagonal to extend air distribution length and thus to keep the heat transfer times somewhat longer, the air introduced through the inlet (room air or the air introduced from the outside) does not stay in the divided heat exchange plates and is thus discharged immediately since the distribution space (for distribution of room air or the air introduced from the outside) is formed in an integrated distribution type and the air is induced by means of the flow division ribs, the distribution space being formed above or below the divided heat exchange plate. As a result, the heat exchange time is very short, resulting in heat efficiency (heat exchange) to be lowered significantly.

[11] Also, the heat exchange stack is bonded via a band, so that bonding thereof is not so strong as required, the stack being formed by stacking divided heat exchange plates. In disassembling the heat exchange stack bonded via a band, the band should be cut and a new band should be used in order to bond the stack again. Therefore, it is hard to bond the stack again and it is also a very annoying thing. Also, since the outer side of the heat exchange stack is enclosed by a housing in an integrated manner, it is impossible to separate the heat exchange stack from the housing. It is also impossible to disassemble the stack for cleaning. As a result, in the case of using the heat exchanger assembly for a long period of time, foreign matters gather in the heat exchange stack and the housing to result in lowered heat efficiency. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[12] It is an object of the present invention to provide a counterflow heat exchanger assembly to address the aforementioned prior art problems.

[13] It is another object of the invention to provide a counterflow heat exchanger

assembly in which each of hexahedronal support frames is stacked alternately with heat exchange plates and the room air discharged from the inside to the outside of a room and the air introduced from the outside to the inside thereof is cross-distributed above/below the heat exchange plates to achieve heat exchange between the room air and the air introduced from the outside, wherein the support frame is formed and assembled to comprise air distribution support bars formed with air distribution openings uniformly spaced inside and on the outer side, closing bars and corner connections, each of the heat exchange plates is formed with a corrugated portion in the center thereof, and each corner of the support frames and the heat exchange plates alternately stacked is coupled with a long bolt and nuts to enable them to be assembled and disassembled easily.

[14] It is another object of the invention to provide a counterflow heat exchanger assembly, wherein each of the support frames alternately stacked with heat exchange plates is formed and assembled to comprise inner air distribution support bars and outer air distribution support bars formed with air distribution openings uniformly spaced, closing bars and corner connections, and each corner of the support frames and the heat exchange plates alternately stacked is coupled with a long bolt and nuts to enable them to be assembled and disassembled easily.

[15] It is still another object of the invention to provide a counterflow heat exchanger assembly, in which, for forming the support frames alternately stacked with the heat exchange plates, each one pair of the inner air distribution support bars and closing bars are assembled in the same plane by means of corner connections to form a rectangular distribution compartment, and in which the outer air distribution support bars and closing bars are assembled to form a triangular space by means of corner connections on the outer side of each of the inner air distribution support bars for forming the distribution compartment to form an inlet compartment and an outlet compartment on both sides of the distribution compartment. As a result, the introduced and discharged air (room air and the air introduced from the outside) can stay in the inlet compartment, the outlet compartment and the distribution compartment when the air passes therethrough to keep the heat exchange time longer and thereby to improve heat exchange efficiency (heat exchange effect).

[16] It is still another object of the invention to provide a counterflow heat exchanger assembly in which each of the heat exchange plates stacked alternately with the support frames is formed with a corrugated portion in the center thereof in order to widen heat exchange area (contact area) and thereby to improve heat exchange efficiency (heat recovery ratio). Technical Solution

[17] The aforementioned and other objects of the invention are achieved by a counterflow heat exchanger assembly, in which each of the integrated hexagonal heat exchange plates 20 is stacked alternately with the support frames 30 which enable the room air RA discharged to the outside and the outdoor air OA introduced from the outside to be cross-distributed above/below the heat exchange plates 20 in order to achieve heat exchange between the room air RA and the outdoor air OA. The heat exchanger assembly according to the invention is characterized by comprising the support frames, each comprising, as described above: a pair of air distribution support bars 31 formed with air distribution openings 33 uniformly spaced and connected to the rectangular closing bars 40-2 to be at right angles, a pair of air distribution support bars 36 formed with air distribution openings 37 uniformly spaced and adjacent to and facing the closing support bars 40- 1 side by side and formed to face each other on the outer side of the air distribution support bars 31, closing support bars 40 equipped in sequence between the respective air distribution bars 36 arranged to face each other side by side, and corner connections 50 for connecting the ends of the air distribution support bars 31, 36 and the closing support bars 40, corrugated portions 23 formed in the center of each of the heat exchange plates 20, long bolts 13 and nuts 14 for coupling each corner of the heat exchange plates 20 and the support frames 30 stacked alternately.

Advantageous Effects

[18] The counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the invention comprises hexagonal support frames and heat exchange plates stacked alternately with the support frames, wherein the room air discharged from the inside to the outside of a room and the air introduced from the outside is cross-distributed in the support frames above/below the heat exchange plates to achieve heat exchange between the room air and the outer air. Here, each of the support frames is formed and assembled to comprise air distribution support bars formed on the inner and outer side of the frames, closing bars and corner connections, the air distribution support bars being formed with air distribution openings uniformly spaced. Each of the heat exchange plates is formed with a corrugated portion in the center thereof. Each corner of the support frames and the heat exchange plates stacked alternately with the frames is coupled with a long bolt and nuts to enable them to be assembled and disassembled easily.

[19] According to the invention, each of the support frames stacked alternately with the heat exchange plates is formed and assembled to comprise inner air distribution support bars and outer air distribution support bars formed with air distribution openings uniformly spaced, closing bars and corner connections. Each of the corners in the support frames and the heat exchange plates stacked alternately therewith is clamped with a long bolt and nuts for easy assembling and disassembling.

[20] Also, according to the invention, for forming the support frames and the heat exchange plates stacked alternately therewith, each pair of the inner air distribution support bars and the closing bars are assembled in the same plane by means of the corner connections in order to form rectangular distribution compartments. On the outer side of each of the inner air distribution support bars forming the distribution compartments, the outer air distribution support bars are assembled with the closing bars to form a triangular shape by means of the corner connections in order to form inlet compartments and outlet compartments on both sides of the distribution compartments. As a result, the introduced and discharged air (room air and the air introduced from the outside) stays longer when passing through the inlet compartments, the distribution compartments and the outlet compartments sequentially, and the heat exchange time is extended in order to improve heat efficiency (heat exchange effect).

[21] Furthermore, according to the invention, each of the heat exchange plates stacked alternately with the support frames comprises a corrugated portion in the center thereof in order to widen the heat exchange area (contact area) and thereby to improve heat exchange efficiency (heat recovery ratio). Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following description, illustrated in the appended drawings, in which like components are referred to by like reference numerals. The various features of the drawings may not be to scale. In the drawings:

[23] Fig. 1 illustrates an air conditioning system in which a counterflow heat exchanger assembly according to the invention is equipped;

[24] Figs. 2, 3a, 3b and 4 are perspective top and front views representing a counterflow heat exchanger assembly according to the invention ;

[25] Figs.5a to 5c, 6a and 6b are perspective and cross sectional views representing heat exchange plates in each different embodiment equipped in the heat exchanger assembly according to the invention;

[26] Figs.7a to 7d are a top view, a front view, a rear view, a left side view and a right side view, respectively, representing a corner connection equipped in the counterflow heat exchanger assembly according to the invention; and

[27] Figs.8a to 8d are perspective views representing different embodiments of the air distribution support bars and the closing bars equipped in the counterflow heat exchanger assembly according to the invention, respectively.

[28] Description for reference numerals in the drawings

[29] 1: air conditioning system 2: room 3: ceiling

[30] 5: air conditioning device 10: counterflow heat exchanger assembly

[31] 11 : top plate 12: bottom plate 13: long bolt

[32] 20: heat exchange plate 21: hexagonal plate

[33] 23: corrugated portion

[34] 30: support frame 31.36: air distribution support bar

[35] 32: coupling means 33: air distribution opening

[36] 34: coupling opening 35: indented coupling portion

[37] 40: closing bar 41: coupling groove

Mode for the Invention

[38] The aforementioned and other objects and features of the invention will be more clearly understood by reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[39] The appended Figs.2 to 8d illustrate specifically implemented examples of a counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the invention. Figs.2, 3a, 3b and 4 represent a perspective view, a top view and a front view, respectively, representing the counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the invention. Figs.5a to 5c, 6a and 6b are perspective and cross sectional views representing heat exchange plates 20 in each different embodiment equipped in the heat counterflow exchanger assembly according to the invention.

[40] Figs.7a to 7d are perspective views representing air distribution support bars 31, 36 and closing bars 40 equipped in the counterflow heat exchanger assembly in each different embodiment according to the invention.

[41] Figs.8a to 8d are a top view, a front view, a rear view, a left side view and a right side view, respectively, representing a corner connection 50 equipped in the counterflow heat exchanger assembly according to the invention.

[42] The counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the invention comprises support frames 30 and heat exchange plates 20 stacked alternately with the frames 30, as illustrated in Figs.2 to 4. On the upper side and the lower side of the stack, long bolts 13 are inserted in each corner while the top plate 11 is coupled to the bottom plate 12. The nuts 14 are applied to screw down/up each of the upper ends and the lower ends of the long bolts 13 protruding to the outside of the top plate 11 and the bottom plate 12, respectively. As shown in Figs.5a to 6b, for the heat exchange plates 20, the plates 21 are made of typical synthetic resin, metal or paper and formed to be hexagonal. Each corner (6 places) of each of the hexagonal plates 21 is formed with an opening 22 for inserting the bolts. The center of each of the hexagonal plates 21 is formed with a corrugated portion 23 in a longitudinal direction in a waveform for air distribution.

[43] The corrugated portion 23 formed in the center of each of the hexagonal plates 21 is formed with upward protrusions 24 and downward protrusions 25 repeatedly to form upper distribution paths 24-1 and lower distribution path 25-1. However, as shown in Figs.5a to 5c, on the basis of the hexagonal plates 21, the upward protrusion 24 and downward protrusions 25 may protrude above and below the plates 21. Otherwise, all of the upward protrusions 24 and downward protrusions 25 may protrude only below (or only above) the plates 21 as shown in Figs.6a to 6b.

[44] With the upward protrusions 24 and the downward protrusions 25 being formed to protrude above and below or only above (or only below) the hexagonal plates 21, it is possible selectively to equip the counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 as required depending on the features of the assembly and installed places.

[45] As shown in Figs.3a and 3b, each of the support frames 30 is formed by assembling a pair of air distribution support bars 31 equipped inside, a pair of air distribution support bars 36 equipped on the outer side, and a pair of closing bars 40 (40-1, 40-2) by means of 6 corner connections 50 applied in each corner.

[46] As shown in Fig.8a, an air distribution support bar 31 equipped inside comprises a cuboid distribution support bar 31-1 long in the longitudinal direction. Air distribution openings 33 are formed in the air distribution support bar 31-1, the openings 33 being equidistantly spaced for communication in width. On both ends of the distribution support bars 31-1, an indented coupling portion 35 is formed, respectively, to form a coupling means 32 shorter than the distribution support bars 31-1 in width in the same direction as the support bars 31-1.

[47] As shown in Fig.8b, an air distribution support bar 36 equipped on the outer side comprises a cuboid distribution support bar 36-1 long in the longitudinal direction. Air distribution openings 37 are formed in the distribution support bar 36-1 equidistantly for communication in width. Coupling openings 38 are formed on both ends of the distribution support bar 36-1 for communication with the outside.

[48] As shown in Figs.8c and 8d, the closing bars 40 (40-1,40-2) are formed to be a cuboid long in the longitudinal direction. In the cuboid, an integrated coupling opening 41 or divided coupling openings 42 is/are formed to communicate with both ends, so that the heat exchanger assembly can thereby be selectively used depending on the features of an application.

[49] The air distribution support bars 31, 36 and the closing bars 40 (40-1,40-2) may be formed with typical plastic corrugated sheets (also, called danpla sheets) or molded with synthetic resin (plastics).

[50] As shown in Figs.7a to 7e, corner connections 50 applied in each corner are formed so that both ends of the bent part 51 keep a given angle. A coupling opening 54 is formed on the inner sides of the bent part 51 to communicate with the upper and lower

sides. A coupling groove 55 is formed around the upper side of the coupling opening 54 and a coupling protrusion 56 protrudes downward under the lower side of the coupling opening 54. An integrated coupling means 52 and a divided coupling means 53 are integrated to protrude outward from both ends of the part 51.

[51] As shown in Figs.3a and 3b, each of the support frames 30 is formed with a pair of air distribution support bars 31 equipped inside and a pair of air distribution support bars 36 equipped on the outer side, a pair of closing bars 40 (40-1,40-2) and 6 corner connections 50, each of them being produced as described above.

[52] With a pair of air distribution support bars 31, the coupling means 32 formed on both sides of each of the air distribution support bars 31 is coupled to the corner connection by inserting the divided coupling means 53 of the corner connection 50 in the coupling opening 34 on the indented coupling portion 35, respectively. The air distribution support bar 31 coupled to the corner connection 50 on both ends thereof is spaced apart so that the divided coupling means 53 protruding toward the coupling means 32 on both ends may face the inner side of the frame 30.

[53] While the air distribution support bars 31 are spaced, the closing bar 40-2 is coupled between the divided coupling means 53 and the bars 31 protruding into the coupling means 32. The divided coupling means 53 are inserted in the divided coupling openings 42 so that a distribution compartment 30-2 is formed in the space formed by a pair of the air distribution support bars 31 and a pair of the closing bars 40-2 coupled to be a rectangular by means of 4 corner connections 50.

[54] In the coupling grooves 38, 41 formed each end of the air distribution support bars 36 and the closing bars 40-1, the integrated coupling means 52 of each of the corner connections 50 coupled to both sides of the air distribution support bar 31 on the outer side of both of the same air distribution support bar 31 is inserted. The coupling grooves 38, 41 formed on each of the end of the adjacent other air distribution support bars 36 and the closing bars 40-1 are coupled to the integrated coupling means 52 and the divided coupling means 53 of the corner connections 50, respectively in order to form an inlet compartment 30-1 and an outlet compartment 30-3 on the outer side of the air distribution support bar 31 on both sides, respectively. The air distribution support bar 36 and the closing bar 40-1 of the inlet compartment 30-1 are coupled to face the air distribution support bar 36 and the closing bar 40-1 of the outlet compartment 30-3 each other on a diagonal line.

[55] The support frames 30 formed as described above are stacked alternately with the heat exchange plates 21 separately molded to form a counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 as illustrated in Figs.2 to 4.

[56] The support frames 30 are stacked alternately with the heat exchange plates 21. In this case, the upper support frame 30 and the lower support frame 30 above and below

the same heat exchange plate 21 are stacked so that one air distribution support bar 36 is arranged at a different position from the other, as shown in Figs.3a and 3b. Since the coupling protrusion 56 of the corner connection 50 positioned on the upper side is inserted in the coupling groove 55 of the corner connection 50 positioned on the lower side when stacking the support frames 30 positioned above and below the plate 21, the corner connections 50 of the support frames 30 stacked above and below the plate 21 are firmly coupled.

[57] While the support frames 30 are stacked alternately with the heat exchange plates 21 as described above, the resultant stack is covered with a top plate 11 and a bottom plate 12, respectively, on the upper and the lower sides thereof.

[58] Long bolts 13 are inserted in each corner of the top plate 11 and bottom plate 12 coupled and stacked and the stack of the support frames 30 and the heat exchange plates 21, respectively. Nuts 14 are screwed at each end of the long bolts 13, each of the bolts protruding from the outer side of the top plate 11 and the bottom plate 12, respectively, so that the process of assembling the counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 is then completed.

[59] The state of use (operation mechanism) of the counterflow heat exchanger assembly

10 according to the invention assembled and formed as described above will now be described.

[60] The counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the invention assembled and formed as described above is equipped in an air conditioning device 4 for forming an air conditioning system 1 as illustrated in Fig.l.

[61] The air conditioning system 1 performs the air circulation process of sucking through a suction inlet equipped on the ceiling 3 and purifying room air RA and then discharging it through the discharging openings in the ceiling 3, while a blower for suction 5-1 installed in an air suction compartment 5 and an air supply blower 7-1 installed in an outlet compartment 7 in the air conditioning device 4 operate simultaneously.

[62] When the blower for suction 5-1 installed in the suction compartment 5 of the air conditioning device 4 is activated, the room air RA in the room 2 is sucked and then supplied to the first suction compartment 6-1. The room air RA supplied to the first suction compartment 6-1 passes through a damper 8-1 to be supplied to the second inlet compartment 6-2. The room air RA supplied to the second inlet compartment 6-2 passes through a filter 8-2 by means of a suction force generated for air supply in the outlet compartment 7 and is purified then to be supplied to the room 2 by means of the blower for air supply 7-1, while the blower 7-1 is activated.

[63] If the damper 8-1 is fully open when performing the circulation process of sucking and purifying room air RA by means of the filter 8-2, and then supplying it back to the

room 2, the sucked air passes through the damper 8-1 and is discharged as much as the amount of suction (100%) to be supplied to the room 2, assuming the amount of sucked room air RA is 100%.

[64] On the other hand, for some of outdoor air for introducing and supplying it with room air RA in order to ventilate circulating room air RA, or for heating the temperature of the introduced and supplying the outdoor air OA, the counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the invention is activated.

[65] If the level of opening the damper 8-1 is kept at 50%, only a part (50%) of the room air RA (100%) introduced in the suction compartment 5 can pass through the damper 8-1. The rest (50%) of RA which can not pass through the damper 8-1 is supplied to the counterflow heat exchanger assembly according to the invention from the first inlet compartment 6- 1 and then exhausted to the outside EA.

[66] In this case, the amount (50%) which is not supplied while the outdoor air OA is sucked by means of the activation (suction force) of the blower for air supply 7-1 equipped in the outlet compartment 7 passes through the counterflow heat exchanger assembly and is then supplied to the second inlet compartment 6-2. The outdoor air OA (50%) supplied (sucked) to the second inlet compartment 6-2 is mixed with the room air RA(50%) which passes through the damper 8-1 and passes through the filter 8-2 then to be purified and then supplied to the room 2. As such, 50% of the room air RA and the outdoor air OA, respectively, is supplied to purify the air.

[67] In particular, when the amount (50%) of the room air RA and the amount (50%) of the outdoor air OA is supplied to pass through the counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10, it passes through the support frames 30 equipped above and below each of heat exchange plates 20, respectively, for heat exchange as described below.

[68] As shown in Fig.3a for the room air RA supplied from the first inlet compartment

6-1, the room air RA is supplied to the inlet compartment 30-1 through the air distribution openings 37 of the air distribution support bar 36. The room air RA supplied to the inlet compartment 30-1 is introduced to and passes through the distribution compartment 30-2 through the air distribution openings 33 of the air distribution support bar 31 on the inlet side. The room air passing through the distribution compartment 30-2 is supplied to the outlet compartment 30-3 via the air distribution openings 33 of the air distribution support bar 31 on the outlet side. The room air RA supplied to the outlet compartment 30-3 is discharged to the outside via the air distribution openings 37 of the air distribution support bar 36.

[69] On the contrary, as illustrated in Fig.3b, the outdoor air OA is introduced to the inlet compartment 30-4 through the air distribution openings 37 of the air distribution support bar 36 positioned on the opposite side to the direction in which the outdoor air OA is supplied.

[70] The outdoor air OA supplied to the inlet compartment 30-4 is introduced to and passes through the distribution compartment 30-5 through the air distribution openings 33 of the air distribution support bar 31 on the inlet side. The outdoor air OA passing through the distribution compartment 30-6 is supplied to the outlet compartment 30-6 through the air distribution openings 33 of the air distribution support bar 31 on the outlet side. The outdoor air OA supplied to the outlet compartment 30-6 is supplied to the second inlet compartment 6-2 through the air distribution openings 37 of the air distribution support bar 36.

[71] As such, heat exchange between the room air RA and the outdoor air OA is performed when it passes through the distribution compartments 30-2 and 30-6 of the support frames 30 equipped above and below the heat exchange plate 20.

[72] Assuming that the room air RA passes through the upper side of a heat exchange plate 20 and the outdoor air OA passes through the lower side the of the plate 20, as shown in Figs.5b and 6b, the room air passes through the upper side of the hexagonal plate 21 and the upper distribution path 24-1 formed between the upper protrusions 24 and the lower protrusions 25. The outdoor air OA passes through the lower side of the hexagonal plate 21 and the upper distribution path 25-1 formed between the upper protrusions 24 and the lower protrusions 25. During the process, heat exchange is carried out between RA and OA.

[73] For example, if the discharged room air kept at about 25 0 C is introduced into the support frames 30, passes through the frames 30 and then is discharged after heat exchange, the room air is lowered to a temperature of 5 0 C and discharged. If the outdoor air OA at about O 0 C is introduced, it is heated to about 2O 0 C after heat exchange and supplied. Therefore, it is possible to maximize the heat recovery ratio (heat exchange efficiency) to avoid unnecessary energy dissipation.

[74] In particular, the counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the invention is equipped in a heat exchange housing 9- 1 in an air conditioning device 4 and may be separated and disassembled for cleaning if required. For disassembling the heat exchanger assembly 10 according to the invention, it should be separated and taken out from the heat exchange housing 9-1. The counterflow heat exchanger assembly 10 separated and taken out can be disassembled by releasing the nuts 14 screwed on the upper and lower ends of the long bolts and then taking the long bolts out to separate the top plate 11, the bottom plate 12 and the stack of the support frames 30 and the heat exchange plates 20, respectively. The upper and lower sides of the separated top plate 11, the bottom plate 12 and the heat exchange plates 20 are washed for cleaning. The separated support frames 30 are disassembled into air distribution support bars 31 (36), closing bars 40 and corner connections 50 for cleaning (washing).

[75] For reassembling the components after cleaning, it is required to combine the air dis-

tribution support bars 31(36), closing bars 40 and corner connections 50 to form support frames 30, respectively, and then to stack them alternately with the heat exchange plates 20. On the upper side and the lower side of the stack, the top plate 11 and the bottom plate 12 are combined and the long bolts 13 and the nuts 14 are applied to form the counterflow heat exchanger assembly according to the invention. [76] The invention was described in detail for the specific embodiment thereof, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied by modifications and variations thereof within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is intended that those modifications and variations of the inventions are covered by the accompanying claims.