Flat tube and heat exchanger

Abstract

The present invention provides a flat tube and a heat exchanger. The flat tube includes a body, a partition is provided on the width of the body, the partition is used to divide the body into a first channel and a second channel, the first end of the first channel and the first end of the second channel are connected, the body includes at least two straight sections, two adjacent straight sections are connected by a torsion section, and the width of the torsion section is not greater than the width of the straight section. When the transformation is actually bent, only one bending is required at the torsion section. After the torsion, there is only one row of core bodies, and there will be no gap between the front and rear rows of core bodies. The structure is compact, the space utilization rate is high, and the bending operation is convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of heat exchange devices, and in particular to a flat tube and a heat exchanger. Background Art

[0002] The existing flat tube is made of two composite aluminum plates that are stamped and welded together. The middle bulge and the edge bulge with a certain pattern are stamped out. The two formed plates are fitted together. After brazing, the corresponding bulges are welded to form a closed flow channel in the middle (except for the inlet and outlet). The middle bulge plays a role in mechanical strengthening and heat exchange enhancement, and the edge bulge plays a sealing role after welding.

[0003] The existing microchannel "A" type heat exchanger is widely used in household air conditioners, duct air conditioners, etc. due to its advantages of drainage, compactness, and high efficiency, and has huge market potential.

[0004] The double-row "A" type microchannel heat exchanger uses conventional microchannel flat tubes and is formed by two core bendings. When the double rows are bent (the second time), there is a gap between the front and rear rows of cores, making the bending operation difficult; there is a gap between the front and rear rows, the structure is not compact enough, and the space utilization can be further improved. Summary of the invention

[0005] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a flat tube and a heat exchanger to solve the problems of difficult bending and low space utilization of the A-shaped microchannel heat exchanger in the prior art.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flat tube, comprising a body, a partition is provided on the width of the body, the partition is used to separate the body into a first channel and a second channel, the first end of the first channel and the first end of the second channel are connected, the body comprises at least two straight sections, two adjacent straight sections are connected by a torsion section, and the width of the torsion section is not greater than the width of the straight section.

[0007] Furthermore, there are two straight sections, the two straight sections are connected by the torsion section, and the two straight sections and the torsion section are arranged in an A shape.

[0008] Furthermore, the partition is an isolation rib.

[0009] Furthermore, the straight section and the torsion section each include a plurality of guide channels, and the number of the guide channels of the torsion section is smaller than the number of the guide channels of the straight section.

[0010] Furthermore, the second end of the first channel and the second end of the second channel are both U-shaped openings.

[0011] Furthermore, the body includes two metal thin plates, and the two metal thin plates are welded to form the body.

[0012] Furthermore, protrusions protruding toward each other are stamped on the two metal sheets at the straight section, and the vertices of the protrusions on the two metal sheets are welded and fixed to form a first auxiliary connecting portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the two metal sheets at the torsion section are stamped with a plurality of convex strips protruding toward each other, and the convex strips extend along the length direction of the flat tube. The vertices of the convex strips on the two metal sheets are welded and fixed to form a second auxiliary connecting part, and a guide channel of the torsion section is formed between two adjacent second auxiliary connecting parts.

[0014] Furthermore, the second end of the first channel and the second end of the second channel are both provided with a necked connecting section, a transition connecting section is provided between the necked connecting section and the straight section, a first fastening positioning portion is provided on the transition connecting section, and the first fastening positioning portion is formed by welding two pieces of the metal sheet.

[0015] Furthermore, the first fastening positioning portion is a strip-shaped structure, there are a plurality of the first fastening positioning portions, and the plurality of the strip-shaped structures are arranged at intervals along a width direction of the transition connecting section.

[0016] Furthermore, the distance between two adjacent first fastening positioning parts gradually widens from the direction close to the necked connecting section to the straight section.

[0017] Furthermore, pressure strips are provided on both sides of the straight section, and the two metal sheets are welded and fixed together by the pressure strips, and the sides of the pressure strips close to the center of the flat tube are concave and convex edges, and the sides of the pressure strips away from the center of the flat tube are straight edges.

[0018] Furthermore, a second fastening positioning portion is provided at the connection position between the first channel and the second channel.

[0019] Furthermore, the second tightening positioning portion is an arc-shaped strip structure, there are multiple second tightening positioning portions, and the multiple arc-shaped strip structures are connected in an arc shape along the direction from the first channel to the second channel.

[0020] Furthermore, the cross section of the guide channel of the torsion section is circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, diamond or triangular.

[0021] Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​a single flow guiding channel of the torsion section is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​a single flow guiding channel of the straight section.

[0022] Furthermore, the bends between two adjacent straight sections form an obtuse angle, a right angle, an acute angle or a straight angle.

[0023] Furthermore, the first channel and the second channel have different widths.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, a heat exchanger is provided, comprising a flat tube, wherein the flat tube is the flat tube described above.

[0025] By applying the technical solution of the present invention, it is easier to twist the flat tube, and the flat tube is not easily damaged during the twisting process through the twisting section, and it is easier to bend to meet the installation requirements of the heat exchanger. When the transformation is actually bent, only one bending is required at the twisting section. After twisting, there is only one row of core bodies, and there will be no gap between the front and rear rows of core bodies. The structure is compact, the space utilization rate is high, and the bending operation is convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The drawings constituting a part of the present application are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. 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 A perspective view schematically shows a heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 Schematically shows an exploded view of a heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of the heat exchanger of the present invention before being bent is shown;

[0030] Figure 4 A schematic top view of the flat tube of the present invention before being bent is shown;

[0031] Figure 5 Schematically shows Figure 4 A magnified view of the M region in FIG.

[0032] Figure 6 Schematically shows Figure 4 A magnified view of the N region in FIG.

[0033] Figure 7 Schematically shows Figure 4 A magnified view of the P region in FIG.

[0034] Figure 8 Schematically shows Figure 4 AA section view in;

[0035] Fig. 9 Schematically shows Figure 4BB section view in;

[0036] Fig.10 Schematically shows Figure 4 CC section view in;

[0037] Fig.11 A first perspective view of a flat tube according to the present invention is schematically shown;

[0038] Fig.12 A second perspective view of a flat tube according to the invention is schematically shown.

[0039] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0040] 10. Main body; 11. Partition; 12. Straight section; 121. Pressure strip; 122. Concave and convex edge; 123. Straight edge; 13. Torsion section; 14. First channel; 15. Second channel; 16. Channel; 17. U-shaped opening; 18. Metal sheet; 19. Protrusion; 110. Raised strip; 111. Shrinkage connection section; 112. Transition connection section; 113. First fastening position; 114. Second fastening position; 20. Side plate; 30. Fin; 40. Inlet and outlet pipes; 50. End cover; 60. Collecting pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0042] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0043] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship between a device or feature and other devices or features as shown in the figure. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figure. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" may include both "above" and "below". The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations, and the spatially relative descriptions used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0044] See also Figures 1 to 12 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger in this embodiment includes flat tubes, inlet and outlet pipes 40, end covers 50 and a collecting pipe 60, wherein a plurality of flat tubes are arranged side by side, and a fin 30 is arranged between two adjacent flat tubes. Side plates 20 are arranged on both sides of the collecting pipe 60, and the two ends are respectively connected to the collecting pipe 60. The end cover 50 is arranged at the end of the collecting pipe 60, and the inlet and outlet pipes 40 are connected to the collecting pipe 60.

[0045] In the actual process of assembling the heat exchanger, the flat tube needs to be bent. However, the existing double-row "A" type microchannel heat exchanger uses conventional microchannel flat tubes, which are formed by bending the core twice. When the double rows are bent, there is a gap between the front and rear rows of cores, making the bending operation difficult; there is a gap between the front and rear rows, the structure is not compact enough, and the space utilization rate is relatively low. Therefore, the structure of the flat tube is improved in this embodiment.

[0046] Specifically, the flat tube in this embodiment includes a body 10, and a partition 11 is provided on the width of the body 10. The partition 11 is used to divide the body 10 into a first channel 14 and a second channel 15, and the first end of the first channel 14 and the first end of the second channel 15 are connected. In actual use, the fluid enters from the second end of the second channel 15, then flows to the first end of the second channel 15, then enters the first end of the first channel 14, and finally flows out from the second end of the first channel 14.

[0047] The main body 10 includes at least two straight sections 12, and the two adjacent straight sections 12 are connected by a torsion section 13. The width of the torsion section 13 is not greater than the width of the straight section 12. When twisting the flat tube, it is easier to twist. The torsion section 13 is not easy to damage the flat tube during the twisting process, and it is easier to bend to meet the installation requirements of the heat exchanger.

[0048] When the flat tube is actually bent, only one bending is required at the torsion section 13. After the torsion, there is only one row of core bodies, and there will be no gap between the front and rear rows of core bodies. The structure is compact, the space utilization rate is high, and the bending operation is convenient.

[0049] Specifically, there are two straight sections 12 in this embodiment, which are connected by a torsion section 13, and the two straight sections 12 and the torsion section 13 are arranged in an A-type. In actual arrangement, the torsion section 13 is located at the tip of the A-type structure.

[0050] Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, the straight sections 12 can also be set to three or more, and two adjacent straight sections 12 are connected by a torsion section 13 to facilitate torsion and bending of the flat tube. As long as it is other deformation methods based on the conception of the present invention, they are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0051] Preferably, the partition 11 in this embodiment is an isolation convex rib. The body 10 includes two metal thin plates 18, which are welded to form the body 10. The isolation convex rib is a convex rib respectively arranged on the two metal thin plates 18 and protruding toward each other. In actual production, the two convex ribs are welded and fixed together to separate the body 10 into the first channel 14 and the second channel 15. The structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0052] The straight section 12 and the torsion section 13 both include a plurality of flow guiding channels 16, and the number of the flow guiding channels 16 of the torsion section 13 is less than the number of the flow guiding channels 16 of the straight section 12, and the flow guiding channels 16 of the torsion section 13 are parallel to the long sides of the flat tubes. According to the above structure, it can be known that the flow guiding channels 16 of the torsion section 13 in this embodiment are parallel to the long sides of the flat tubes, and the flat tubes in this embodiment are not easily damaged during the bending process, and are easier to bend to meet the installation requirements of the heat exchanger.

[0053] The second end of the first channel 14 and the second end of the second channel 15 are both U-shaped openings 17 , which are convenient for matching with the outer wall surface of the manifold 60 to be connected with the manifold 60 .

[0054] The two metal sheets 18 at the straight section 12 are both stamped with protrusions 19 protruding toward each other, and the vertices of the protrusions 19 on the two metal sheets 18 are welded and fixed to form a first auxiliary connection portion. Through the function of the first auxiliary connection portion, the structural stability of the flat tube in this embodiment can be further improved, ensuring that the flat tube can meet the pressure requirements of the heat exchanger.

[0055] Preferably, the number of the guide channels 16 in this embodiment can be set to 1 to 20, for example, 5, 10, or 15.

[0056] In this embodiment, the two metal sheets 18 at the torsion section 13 are both stamped with a plurality of convex strips 110 protruding toward each other, and the convex strips 110 extend along the length direction of the flat tube. The vertices of the convex strips 110 on the two metal sheets 18 are welded and fixed to form a second auxiliary connecting portion, and a guide channel 16 of the torsion section 13 is formed between two adjacent second auxiliary connecting portions. The structure is simple and convenient for twisting to form the torsion section 13.

[0057] See also Figure 7 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the second end of the first channel 14 and the second end of the second channel 15 are both provided with a constricted connection section 111, and a transition connection section 112 is provided between the constricted connection section 111 and the straight section 12. The transition connection section 112 and the ends of the first channel 14 and the second channel 15 close to the torsion section 13 are both provided with a first fastening positioning portion 113, and the first fastening positioning portion 113 is formed by welding two metal sheets 18. The second end of the first channel 14 and the second end of the second channel 15 are provided with the first fastening positioning portion 113, which can play a role in local strengthening, ensuring that the matching place of the flat tube end and the notch of the manifold 60 (usually a weak link) can withstand high pressure. The present invention optimizes the refrigerant inlet distribution, ensures that the refrigerant is evenly distributed in the longitudinal cross section of the flat tube, maximizes the use of the heat exchange area of ​​the flat tube, and thus improves the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0058] Preferably, the first fastening positioning portion 113 is a strip-shaped structure, and there are multiple first fastening positioning portions 113. The multiple strip-shaped structures are arranged at intervals along the width direction of the main body 10, which can play a drainage role, optimize the refrigerant inlet distribution, ensure that the refrigerant is evenly distributed in the longitudinal cross-section of the flat tube, and maximize the use of the heat exchange area of ​​the flat tube, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0059] At the necked connection section 111, the distance between two adjacent first fastening positioning parts 113 gradually widens from the direction close to the necked connection section 111 to the straight section 12, so as to evenly distribute the refrigerant. Preferably, the connecting line of the ends of the plurality of first fastening positioning parts 113 close to the necked connection section 111 is arc-shaped, and the connecting line of the ends away from the necked connection section 111 is also arc-shaped.

[0060] The straight section 12 is provided with beading strips 121 on both sides extending in the length direction. Correspondingly, the two metal sheets 18 are welded and fixed together by the beading strips 121, and the side of the beading strip 121 close to the center of the flat tube is a concave-convex edge 122, and the side of the beading strip 121 away from the center of the flat tube is a straight edge 123. Through the effect of the beading strip 121 and the effect of the concave-convex edge 122, it is convenient to increase the weldable area of ​​the flat tube, ensure the sealing of the heat exchanger after the flat tube is welded, and at the same time play the role of edge strengthening, which can significantly improve the pressure bearing capacity of the flat tube itself and the heat exchanger, and meet the pressure resistance requirements of the heat exchanger in the refrigeration industry. In addition, the design of the concave-convex edge 122 can also serve the purpose of disturbing the refrigerant in the flat tube.

[0061] A second fastening and positioning portion 114 is provided at the connection position between the first channel 14 and the second channel 15, so as to improve the structural stability of the entire body 10. In this embodiment, the second fastening and positioning portion 114 is an arc-shaped strip structure, and there are multiple second fastening and positioning portions 114. The multiple arc-shaped strip structures are connected in an arc shape along the direction from the first channel 14 to the second channel 15, so as to guide the fluid inside the body 10.

[0062] In actual design, the cross-section of the guide channel 16 of the torsion segment 13 is circular, which is convenient for twisting to form the torsion segment 13. Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, the cross-section of the torsion segment 13 can also be set to an elliptical or rectangular or square or diamond or triangle or other heterogeneous structures. As long as it is other deformation methods under the conception of the present invention, they are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0063] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​a single flow guiding channel 16 of the torsion section 13 is larger than that of a single flow guiding channel 16 of the straight section 12, which can increase the flow area of ​​the torsion section 13 and reduce the local resistance of the flat tube.

[0064] In the actual twisting process, the bending between two adjacent straight sections 12 forms an obtuse angle, a right angle, an acute angle or a flat angle, which is specifically determined according to the actual installation requirements of the heat exchanger.

[0065] The widths of the first channel 14 and the second channel 15 are different, and the port at the second end of the second channel 15 forms the inlet of the body 10, and the port at the second end of the first channel 14 forms the outlet of the body 10, and the sizes of the inlet and outlet of the body 10 are different. And the sizes of the inlet and outlet of the flat tube are different, which can reduce the size of the manifold 60, reduce the internal volume of the heat exchanger, and reduce the refrigerant charge.

[0066] According to the above embodiments, it can be known that:

[0067] The heat exchanger of the present invention adopts stamped flat tubes, and its structure inherits most of the common features of stamped flat tubes, so the heat exchanger has higher efficiency.

[0068] The flat tube of the present invention is designed with a partition 11 in the middle of the flat tube in the width direction, and the partition 11 divides the body 10 into a first channel 14 and a second channel 15 in the width direction, and the two regions at the inlet end are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet pipes 40. The first end of the first channel 14 and the first end of the second channel 15 are provided with a U-shaped connection, and the refrigerant flows in the flat tube in a "U"-shaped path, and the refrigerant enters and exits on the same side, meeting the market's installation requirements for "A" type heat exchangers.

[0069] The heat exchanger in the present invention is an "A" type bending heat exchanger. In order to facilitate the bending operation, a long strip of guide channel 16 is provided in the middle of the stamped flat tube in the length direction. The long strip of guide channel 16 has a rectangular cross-section. This structure is more conducive to the bending operation, can significantly reduce the damage and cracking of the bending area (compared with the circular convex point structure), and is easier to implement in terms of process.

[0070] Compared with the existing double-row "A" type microchannel heat exchanger technical solution, the "A" type microchannel heat exchanger of the present invention has no gap in the middle of the core, a more compact structure, which can save installation space and reduce the size of the unit.

[0071] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, for example. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0072] 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 flat tube, characterized in that: The invention comprises a body (10), wherein a partition (11) is provided on the width of the body (10), wherein the partition (11) is used to partition the body (10) into a first channel (14) and a second channel (15), wherein a first end of the first channel (14) and a first end of the second channel (15) are connected, wherein the body (10) comprises at least two straight sections (12), wherein two adjacent straight sections (12) are connected via a twisting section (13), and wherein the width of the twisting section (13) is not greater than the width of the straight section (12); The body (10) comprises two metal thin plates (18), and the two metal thin plates (18) are welded to form the body (10); Protrusions (19) protruding toward each other are stamped on the two metal sheets (18) at the straight section (12), and the vertices of the protrusions (19) on the two metal sheets (18) are welded and fixed to form a first auxiliary connection portion; The second end of the first channel (14) and the second end of the second channel (15) are both provided with a necked connection section (111), a transition connection section (112) is provided between the necked connection section (111) and the straight section (12), a first fastening positioning portion (113) is provided on the transition connection section (112), and the first fastening positioning portion (113) is formed by welding two pieces of the metal thin plates (18); There are two straight sections (12), the two straight sections (12) are connected via the torsion section (13), and the two straight sections (12) and the torsion section (13) are arranged in an A-shape.

2. The flat tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The partition (11) is an isolation convex rib.

3. The flat tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The straight section (12) and the torsion section (13) both include a plurality of flow guide channels (16), and the number of the flow guide channels (16) of the torsion section (13) is smaller than the number of the flow guide channels (16) of the straight section (12).

4. The flat tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second end of the first channel (14) and the second end of the second channel (15) are both U-shaped openings (17).

5. The flat tube according to claim 3, characterized in that: A plurality of convex strips (110) protruding toward each other are stamped on the two metal sheets (18) at the torsion section (13), and the convex strips (110) extend along the length direction of the flat tube. The vertices of the convex strips (110) on the two metal sheets (18) are welded and fixed to form a second auxiliary connecting portion, and a guide channel (16) of the torsion section (13) is formed between two adjacent second auxiliary connecting portions.

6. The flat tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first tightening positioning portion (113) is a strip-shaped structure, there are a plurality of the first tightening positioning portions (113), and the plurality of the strip-shaped structures are arranged at intervals along the width direction of the transition connection section (112).

7. The flat tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between two adjacent first fastening positioning portions (113) gradually widens in a direction from close to the necked connecting section (111) to the straight section (12).

8. The flat tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The straight section (12) is provided with pressure strips (121) on both sides, and the two metal sheets (18) are welded and fixed together via the pressure strips (121). The side edge of the pressure strip (121) close to the center of the flat tube is a concave-convex edge (122), and the side edge of the pressure strip (121) away from the center of the flat tube is a straight edge (123).

9. The flat tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second fastening positioning portion (114) is provided at the connection position between the first channel (14) and the second channel (15).

10. The flat tube according to claim 9, characterized in that: The second tightening positioning portion (114) is an arc-shaped strip structure, there are a plurality of the second tightening positioning portions (114), and the plurality of the arc-shaped strip structures are connected in an arc shape along a direction from the first channel (14) to the second channel (15).

11. The flat tube according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cross section of the flow guide channel (16) of the torsion section (13) is circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, rhombus or triangular.

12. The flat tube according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​a single flow guiding channel (16) of the twisting section (13) is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​a single flow guiding channel (16) of the straight section (12).

13. The flat tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two adjacent straight sections (12) are bent to form an obtuse angle, a right angle, an acute angle or a straight angle.

14. The flat tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first channel (14) and the second channel (15) have different widths.

15. A heat exchanger comprising flat tubes, characterized in that: The flat tube is the flat tube according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images