A splitter and air conditioner having the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a flow divider and an air conditioner having the flow divider, comprising a cylinder, the cylinder having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a liquid separator head at the fluid outlet end, a liquid inlet head at the inlet end, and a vortex generator for making the fluid flow in axially and out radially provided in the cylinder between the liquid inlet head and the liquid separator head. The flow divider and the air conditioner having the flow divider provided in the present invention can reduce the fluid noise caused by the flow of refrigerant inside the air conditioning system in actual use, improve the uniformity and stability of the distribution of the air-conditioning refrigerant gas-liquid mixture, improve the efficiency of the heat exchanger, and reduce the fluctuation of the air conditioning performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a splitter and an air conditioner having the same. Background Art

[0002] In the refrigeration cycle, the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator plays a vital role in the performance of the entire system, and the diverter is one of the important factors affecting the uniform heat exchange of each pipe of the evaporator.

[0003] Flow dividers are widely used in the field of air conditioning. Air conditioning flow dividers are mainly used to distribute the refrigerant in the main pipe to each branch, and then allow the refrigerant to enter the evaporator for heat exchange. However, the existing air conditioning flow dividers will produce segregation at the bends in the pipes of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, causing the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to be stratified and placed on both sides of the pipe, making it difficult to mix the refrigerant evenly after entering the flow divider. At the same time, when the installation angle of the flow divider is not vertically upward, the refrigerant inside it cannot be evenly diverted to each diversion pipe due to the influence of gravity, affecting the diversion effect and thus affecting the performance of the whole machine. As a result, the current flow dividers have the following problems:

[0004] 1) Household air conditioner manifolds are prone to generate fluid noise.

[0005] 2) The distribution uniformity of gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is poor and the heat exchange efficiency is low;

[0006] 3) The stability of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant distribution is poor, resulting in unstable evaporator thermal efficiency and large fluctuations in air conditioning performance.

[0007] 4) Due to production fluctuations and different installation angles, there are obvious differences in uniformity and stability, the efficiency and stability of the heat exchanger are poor, and the air conditioning performance fluctuates greatly.

[0008] The main reason is that the air conditioning refrigerant is a gas-liquid two-phase flow in the splitter, and its flow state has an important impact on noise and splitting performance. Since the refrigerant is a gas-liquid mixture, the flow is more complicated than single-phase gas or single-phase liquid; at the same time, under the influence of gravity, dryness, speed and other conditions, the gas and liquid present different flow states. The existing splitter technology has poor distribution performance for gas-liquid two-phase flow and is prone to noise.

[0009] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a diverter that can effectively reduce the fluid noise caused by the flow of refrigerant inside the air-conditioning system, improve the uniformity and stability of the distribution of the air-conditioning refrigerant gas-liquid mixture, improve the efficiency of the heat exchanger, and reduce the fluctuation of air-conditioning performance. Summary of the invention

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a diverter and an air conditioner having the same, which can reduce the fluid noise caused by the flow of refrigerant inside the air-conditioning system, improve the uniformity and stability of the distribution of the air-conditioning refrigerant gas-liquid mixture, improve the efficiency of the heat exchanger, and reduce the fluctuation of air-conditioning performance.

[0011] The present invention provides a flow divider, comprising a cylinder, the cylinder is formed with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the cylinder is provided with a liquid separator head at the fluid outlet end, a liquid inlet head is formed at the inlet end, a vortex generator is provided in the cylinder between the liquid inlet head and the liquid separator head for allowing the fluid to flow in axially and flow out radially, the vortex generator divides the cavity of the cylinder into a first cavity and a second cavity, the cavity portion between the vortex generator and the liquid separator head constitutes the first cavity, the cavity portion between the vortex generator and the liquid inlet head constitutes the second cavity, and the first cavity outlet diameter D1 is greater than the second cavity inlet diameter D2.

[0012] Preferably, the relationship between the first cavity outlet diameter D1 and the second cavity inlet diameter D2 is: D1 = (3-4) D2.

[0013] Preferably, the second cavity forms an expansion chamber; the relationship between the first cavity outlet diameter D1 and the second cavity inlet diameter D2 satisfies the following relationship:

[0014]

[0015] In the formula: △L represents the sound attenuation; m represents the expansion ratio of the expansion chamber, m=D1 / D2; k is the wave number, which is determined by the sound wave frequency, k=2π / λ=2πf / c, λ is the wavelength of the sound wave that needs to be attenuated; l represents the length of the expansion chamber; c is the sound velocity of the medium.

[0016] Preferably, the length L1 of the first cavity and the wavelength λ1 of the sound wave that needs to be silenced in the first cavity satisfy L1=(2n-1)*λ1 / 4, n is an integer and n≥1; and / or the length L2 of the second cavity and the wavelength λ2 of the sound wave that needs to be silenced in the second cavity satisfy L2=(2n-1)*λ2 / 4, n is an integer and n≥1.

[0017] Preferably, the vortex generator fluid forms an axial fluid channel and a radial fluid channel so that the fluid flows in axially and flows out radially. The minimum diameter d of the axial fluid channel is 1min The maximum diameter of the radial fluid channel d 2max Satisfy 1min / d 2max >0.25.

[0018] Preferably, the vortex generator includes a bracket and a fluid guide structure, the fluid guide structure is arranged in the middle of the bracket, and the bracket fixes the vortex generator in the middle of the cylinder.

[0019] Preferably, the cylinder includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder, the second cylinder is sleeved on the first cylinder, and the vortex generator bracket is arranged at the junction of the first cylinder and the second cylinder, so that the circumferential surface of the bracket is supported on the inner circumferential surface of the first cylinder, and the side surface thereof is against the end surface of the second cylinder.

[0020] Preferably, the flow area of ​​the axial fluid channel at the inlet of the radial flow channel of the vortex generator is or is substantially equal to S=(πd1-NT max )хh, where T max is the maximum thickness of the fluid guiding structure, h is the height of the fluid guiding structure, N is the number of radial fluid channels, and S ≥ πD2 2 / 4, where D2 is the diameter of the cylinder fluid inlet; and d1 is the inner diameter of the radial fluid passage of the vortex generator.

[0021] Preferably, the axial fluid channel and the radial fluid channel form a curved flow channel, the fluid inlet angle θ1 of the curved flow channel satisfies 135°≥θ1≥60°, and the fluid outlet angle θ2 of the curved flow channel satisfies 175°≥θ2≥90°.

[0022] Preferably, the liquid separation head has at least two axial flow branches, and each flow branch is distributed along the circumferential direction.

[0023] Preferably, the liquid dividing head forms a conical dividing head on the side facing the inflow of the fluid.

[0024] The present invention also provides an air conditioner provided with the above-mentioned diverter.

[0025] The splitter proposed in the present invention and the air conditioner equipped with the splitter can reduce the fluid noise caused by the flow of refrigerant inside the air-conditioning system in actual use, improve the uniformity and stability of the distribution of the air-conditioning refrigerant gas-liquid mixture, improve the efficiency of the heat exchanger, and reduce the fluctuation of the air-conditioning performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of this application. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the flow divider embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown schematically;

[0028] Figure 2 The exploded schematic diagram of the diverter provided in the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a front view of a vortex generator provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 4 A side view of a vortex generator according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0031] Figure 5 The working principle diagram provided in the embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated.

[0032] Figure 6 The structural diagram of embodiment 2 of the present invention is schematically illustrated.

[0033] Description of the symbols in the accompanying drawings:

[0034] 1-cylinder; 11-first cavity, 12-second cavity; 10-vortex generator; 101 vortex generator guide structure; 102 vortex generator bracket; 2-liquid inlet head; 3-liquid distributor head; 31 distributor head; 32 axial channel of distributor head DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments.

[0036] With reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention provides a diverter and an air conditioner provided with the diverter.

[0037] Embodiment 1:

[0038] like Figure 1-5 As shown, a flow divider used in an air conditioner is taken as an example, and the working object of the air conditioner flow divider is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

[0039] The flow divider of this embodiment includes a cylinder 1, which is formed with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The cylinder 1 is provided with a liquid separator 3 at the fluid outlet end, and a liquid inlet head 2 is formed at the inlet end. A vortex generator 10 is provided in the cylinder 1 between the liquid inlet head 2 and the liquid separator 3, which allows the fluid to flow in axially and out radially. The vortex generator 10 divides the cavity of the cylinder 1 into a first cavity 11 and a second cavity 12. The cavity portion between the vortex generator 10 and the liquid separator 3 constitutes the first cavity 11, and the cavity portion between the vortex generator 10 and the liquid inlet head 2 constitutes the second cavity 12. It is characterized in that: the outlet diameter D1 of the first cavity 11 is greater than the inlet diameter D2 of the second cavity 12. From the air intake base to the vortex generator 10 is the inlet, the cross section changes suddenly, which has a resistive silencing effect and can reduce the system noise. Preferably, the relationship between the outlet diameter D1 of the first cavity 11 and the inlet diameter D2 of the second cavity 12 is: D1 = (3~4) D2.

[0040] In order to further improve the stability and uniformity of the splitter of this patent, this embodiment also makes the following optimizations in terms of individual parameters, overall parameters, and correlations:

[0041] Preferably, the second cavity forms an expansion chamber; the relationship between the outlet diameter D1 of the first cavity 11 and the inlet diameter D2 of the second cavity 12 satisfies the following relationship:

[0042]

[0043] In the formula: △L represents the sound attenuation; m represents the expansion ratio of the expansion chamber, m=D1 / D2; k is the wave number, which is determined by the sound wave frequency, k=2π / λ=2πf / c, λ is the wavelength of the sound wave that needs to be attenuated; l represents the length of the expansion chamber; c is the sound velocity of the medium.

[0044] Preferably, the length L1 of the first cavity 11 and the wavelength λ1 of the sound wave that needs to be silenced in the first cavity 11 satisfy L1=(2n-1)*λ1 / 4, n is an integer and n≥1; and / or the length L2 of the second cavity 12 and the wavelength λ2 of the sound wave that needs to be silenced in the second cavity 12 satisfy L2=(2n-1)*λ2 / 4, n is an integer and n≥1.

[0045] Preferably, the vortex generator 10 has axial air intake and radial air outflow, and the fluid of the adaptive vortex generator 10 forms an axial fluid channel and a radial fluid channel, so that the fluid flows in axially and flows out radially, and the minimum diameter d of the axial fluid channel is 1min The maximum diameter of the radial fluid channel d 2max Satisfy 1min / d 2max >0.25. Further preferably, the guide structures 101 are arranged along the circumferential direction to form radial fluid channels, and the number of channels is N≥2, and further preferably, N=12-36.

[0046] Preferably, the flow area of ​​the axial fluid channel at the inlet of the radial flow channel of the vortex generator is or is substantially equal to S=(πd1-NT max )хh, where T max is the maximum thickness of the fluid guiding structure, h is the height of the fluid guiding structure, N is the number of radial fluid channels, and S ≥ πD2 2 / 4, wherein D2 is a preferred embodiment of the cylindrical fluid, the axial fluid channel and the radial fluid channel form a curved flow channel, the fluid inlet angle θ1 of the curved flow channel satisfies 135°≥θ1≥60°, and the fluid outlet angle θ2 of the curved flow channel satisfies 175°≥θ2≥90°.

[0047] Preferably, the vortex generator 10 includes a bracket 102 and a fluid guide structure 101 . The fluid guide structure 101 is disposed in the middle of the bracket 102 . The bracket 102 fixes the vortex generator 10 in the middle of the cylinder 1 .

[0048] Preferably, the cylinder 1 includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder, the second cylinder is sleeved on the first cylinder, and the vortex generator 10 bracket 102 is arranged at the junction of the first cylinder and the second cylinder, so that the circumferential surface of the bracket 102 is supported on the inner circumferential surface of the first cylinder, and the side surface thereof is against the end surface of the second cylinder.

[0049] The liquid separation head 3 has at least two axial flow branches, each of which is distributed circumferentially. The liquid separation head 3 has at least two flow branches, each of which is evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, to meet the various flow path requirements of the heat exchanger.

[0050] The liquid separation head 3 forms a conical flow separation head 31 on the side facing the inflow of the fluid, which reduces the flow resistance and makes the gas-liquid mixing more uniform.

[0051] The working principle of the air conditioner refrigerant when it flows through the diverter is as follows Figure 5 As shown. The air conditioning refrigerant enters from the diverter inlet, usually in a gas-liquid two-phase state. After passing through the vortex generator 10, the refrigerant flows to form a strong vortex. The visualization of the refrigerant streamline through fluid simulation is shown in the figure. Before the vortex generator 10, the refrigerant has no obvious tangential velocity, but after passing through the vortex generator 10, the refrigerant obtains a larger tangential velocity and shows a spiral flow trend. In this way, the refrigerant is reduced to form a clear gas-liquid boundary under the action of gravity, making the gas-liquid mixing more uniform.

[0052] Since the flow area of ​​the fluid channel of the vortex generator 10 is S≥πD2 2 / 4, reducing the pressure loss caused by fluid passing through the diverter.

[0053] This solution can effectively improve the diversion uniformity of the diverter, reduce the influence of gravity, improve the stability of the diversion, improve the efficiency of the heat exchanger, and reduce the fluctuation of air conditioning performance.

[0054] Embodiment 2:

[0055] In this embodiment, Figure 6 The liquid inlet head 2 and the liquid separation head 3 of the splitter are formed as one body with the cylinder 1, so as to improve the production efficiency of the splitter.

[0056] The rest is the same as Example 1.

[0057] Embodiment 3:

[0058] An air conditioner provided with the diverter according to the above embodiment.

[0059] The application of the diverter of the present invention in air conditioning has the following advantages:

[0060] 1) Household air conditioner diverters are not prone to generate fluid noise.

[0061] 2) The distribution uniformity of gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is better, and the heat exchange efficiency is improved;

[0062] 3) The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant distribution is more stable, the evaporator thermal efficiency is stable, and the air conditioning performance fluctuation is small.

[0063] 4) Due to production fluctuations, there is no obvious difference in uniformity and stability when the installation angle is different, the heat exchanger efficiency and stability are better, and the air conditioning performance fluctuation is smaller.

[0064] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow divider, comprising a cylinder, the cylinder being formed with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, characterized in that: The cylinder is provided with a liquid separator at the fluid outlet end and a liquid inlet at the fluid inlet end. A vortex generator is provided in the cylinder between the liquid inlet and the liquid separator to allow the fluid to flow in axially and out radially. The vortex generator divides the cavity of the cylinder into a first cavity and a second cavity. The cavity portion between the vortex generator and the liquid separator constitutes the first cavity, and the cavity portion between the vortex generator and the liquid inlet constitutes the second cavity. The outlet diameter D1 of the first cavity is greater than the inlet diameter D2 of the second cavity. The vortex generator includes a bracket and a fluid guide structure, the fluid guide structure is arranged in the middle of the bracket, and the bracket enables the vortex generator to be fixed in the middle of the cylinder; The vortex generator forms an axial fluid channel and a radial fluid channel inside, so that the fluid flows in axially and flows out radially. The flow area of ​​the axial fluid channel at the inlet of the radial fluid channel is S, and S=(πd1-NT max )*h, where T max is the maximum thickness of the fluid guiding structure, h is the height of the fluid guiding structure, N is the number of radial fluid channels, and S ≥ πD2 2 / 4, where D2 is the diameter at the fluid inlet of the cylinder; and d1 is the inner diameter of the radial fluid channel of the vortex generator.

2. The flow divider according to claim 1, characterized in that: The relationship between the first cavity outlet diameter D1 and the second cavity inlet diameter D2 is: D1 = (3-4) D2.

3. The flow divider according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second cavity forms an expansion chamber and the relationship between the first cavity outlet diameter D1 and the second cavity inlet diameter D2 satisfies the following relationship: In the formula: △L represents the sound attenuation; m represents the expansion ratio of the expansion chamber, m=D1 / D2; k is the wave number, which is determined by the sound wave frequency, k=2π / λ=2πf / c, λ is the wavelength of the sound wave that needs to be attenuated; l represents the length of the expansion chamber; c is the sound velocity of the medium.

4. The flow divider according to claim 3, characterized in that: The length L1 of the first cavity and the wavelength λ1 of the sound wave that needs to be silenced in the first cavity satisfy L1=(2n-1)*λ1 / 4, n is an integer and n≥1; and / or the length L2 of the second cavity and the wavelength λ2 of the sound wave that needs to be silenced in the second cavity satisfy L2=(2n-1)*λ2 / 4, n is an integer and n≥1.

5. The flow divider according to claim 1, characterized in that: The minimum diameter d of the axial fluid passage 1min The maximum diameter of the radial fluid channel d 2max Satisfy 1min / d 2max >0.

25.

6. The flow divider according to claim 1, characterized in that The axial fluid channel and the radial fluid channel form a curved flow channel, the fluid inlet angle θ1 of the curved flow channel satisfies 135°≥θ1≥60°, and the fluid outlet angle θ2 of the curved flow channel satisfies 175°≥θ2≥90°.

7. The flow divider according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid separation head has at least two axial flow branches, and each flow branch is distributed along the circumferential direction.

8. The flow divider according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid dividing head forms a conical flow dividing head on the inflow side facing the fluid.

9. The flow divider according to claim 8, characterized in that The cylinder includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder, the second cylinder is sleeved on the first cylinder, and the bracket of the vortex generator is arranged at the junction of the first cylinder and the second cylinder, so that the circumferential surface of the bracket is supported on the inner circumferential surface of the first cylinder, and the side surface thereof is against the end surface of the second cylinder.

10. An air conditioner, characterized in that: It is provided with a flow divider as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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