An air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention discloses an air conditioner, which includes a heat exchange circuit. A heat exchanger is provided on the heat exchange circuit. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange parts arranged side by side. Each heat exchange part is provided with a plurality of flat tubes. Adjacent two heat exchange parts are communicated through an intermediate header. Each intermediate header includes a plurality of sub-cavities. Inside each sub-cavity, a first cavity, a second cavity, and a third cavity are formed. The first cavity is communicated with the flat tubes on one of the heat exchange parts. The second cavity is communicated with the flat tubes on the other heat exchange part. The third cavity is communicated with the first cavity. A first flow part is provided below the third cavity. The first flow part communicates the third cavity with the second cavity. A second flow part is provided above the second cavity. The second flow part communicates the second cavity with the first cavity. The intermediate header makes the refrigerant flow in different flat tubes in the next process more uniform, realizes the uniform distribution of the refrigerant, and improves the heat exchange effect of the air conditioner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, and particularly to an air conditioner with uniform refrigerant flow distribution. Background Art

[0002] Currently, heat pump type air conditioners are a frequently used type of air conditioner for heating and cooling. During summer cooling, the air conditioner cools the indoor environment and dissipates heat outdoors. While during winter heating, the direction is opposite to that in summer, i.e., it heats the indoor environment and cools the outdoor environment. The air conditioner performs heat exchange between different environments through a heat pump. For example, in winter, outdoor air, surface water, groundwater, etc. are low-temperature heat sources, while indoor air is a high-temperature heat source. The function of a heat pump type air conditioner for heating is to transfer the heat from the outdoor environment to the indoor environment.

[0003] Refer to Figure 1 As shown, a schematic diagram of the heating cycle of a heat pump in the prior art is shown. The heat pump includes: an evaporator 1, a compressor 2, a condenser 3, an expansion valve 4, and a four-way reversing valve C. The specific working process of the heat pump for heating is as follows: First, the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant (a mixture of liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant) in the evaporator 1 absorbs heat from the low-temperature environment; after being sucked in by the compressor 2, it is compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant; then, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant releases heat energy to the indoor environment in the condenser 3, and at the same time its temperature decreases; finally, after throttling through the expansion valve mechanism 4, it becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant and enters the evaporator 1 again to repeat the above heating cycle process. The heat exchangers described in this article include the above-mentioned evaporator 1 and condenser 3.

[0004] The heat pump air conditioner changes the working condition mode through this four-way reversing valve C. In the summer cooling working condition, the indoor heat exchanger serves as the evaporator 1, and the outdoor heat exchanger serves as the condenser 3. The indoor air is cooled by passing through the surface of the evaporator 1 to achieve the purpose of lowering the indoor temperature, and the heat is transferred to the outdoor through the condenser 3. When heating in winter, the position of the valve block of the four-way reversing valve C is switched to change the flow direction of the refrigerant. At this time, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the environment through the outdoor heat exchanger and releases heat to the indoor environment to achieve the purpose of heating.

[0005] The evaporator 1 is a device that outputs cold. Its function is to evaporate the refrigerant liquid flowing in through the expansion valve 4 to absorb the heat of the object to be cooled and achieve the purpose of refrigeration. The condenser 3 is a device that outputs heat. The heat absorbed from the evaporator 1 and the heat converted from the work consumed by the compressor 2 are taken away by the cooling medium in the condenser 3 to achieve the purpose of heating. The evaporator 1 and the condenser 3 are important parts for heat exchange in the air conditioner heat pump unit, and the quality of their performance will directly affect the performance of the entire system.

[0006] Compared with fin-tube heat exchangers, microchannel heat exchangers have significant advantages in terms of material cost, refrigerant charge, and heat flux density, etc., which conform to the development trend of energy conservation and environmental protection of heat exchangers. A microchannel heat exchanger includes components such as flat tubes, fins, header pipes, and end caps. In a multi-pass microchannel heat exchanger, a partition plate is inserted into the header pipe, and the partition plate divides the header pipe into multiple independent cavities, and each header pipe cavity communicates with a certain number of flat tubes. When the microchannel heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, when the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant enters multiple flat tubes from the header pipe cavity, due to the differences in density and viscosity between the gas phase and the liquid phase, the flowing refrigerant is prone to separation under the action of gravity and viscous force, resulting in uneven refrigerant entering the multiple flat tubes. The uneven refrigerant not only deteriorates the heat transfer efficiency but also causes fluctuations in the refrigeration system. Therefore, achieving uniform distribution of the two-phase refrigerant inside different flat tubes in the same pass is an important issue. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of this, the present invention provides an air conditioner. When the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows between multiple rows of microchannel heat exchangers, the intermediate header pipe makes the refrigerant flow rate entering different flat tubes in the next pass more uniform, realizes the uniform distribution of the refrigerant, and improves the heat transfer effect of the air conditioner.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0009] An air conditioner includes a heat exchange circuit for performing heat exchange between indoors and outdoors, and a heat exchanger is provided on the heat exchange circuit; the heat exchanger includes: a heat exchange part having a plurality of them arranged side by side, and a plurality of flat tubes are provided inside the heat exchange part, and the refrigerant flows through the flat tubes; an intermediate header pipe communicating with the flat tubes on two adjacent heat exchange parts for flowing and uniformly distributing the refrigerant; wherein, the intermediate header pipe includes: sub-cavities having a plurality of them arranged along the height direction of the intermediate header pipe; each sub-cavity includes: a first cavity communicating with some of the flat tubes on one of the heat exchange parts for flowing the refrigerant; a second cavity communicating with some of the flat tubes on the other heat exchange part for flowing the refrigerant; a third cavity communicating with the first cavity for flowing the refrigerant; a first flow part located below the third cavity for communicating the second cavity and the third cavity; a second flow part located above the second cavity for communicating the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0010] Further, a first mounting part for mounting the flat tube is provided on the side wall of the first cavity, and a second mounting part for mounting the flat tube is provided on the side wall of the second cavity; the first mounting part and the second mounting part are located on the same side of the sub-cavity.

[0011] Further, a first partition plate, a second partition plate, and a third partition plate are disposed in the sub-cavity; the first partition plate is disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity, and the second flow portion is disposed above the first partition plate; the second partition plate is disposed between the first cavity and the third cavity, and a plurality of third flow portions for the refrigerant to flow through are provided on the second partition plate; the third partition plate is disposed between the second cavity and the third cavity, and the first flow portion is disposed below the third partition plate.

[0012] Further, there is a certain distance between the end of the flat tube in the first cavity and the third flow portion, and the end is directly opposite to the third flow portion.

[0013] Further, the heat exchanger includes a first row of heat exchange portions and a second row of heat exchange portions. The first heat exchange portion is located in the downwind area in the air supply direction, and the second heat exchange portion is located in the upwind area in the air supply direction; the heat exchanger has a first process, a second process, a third process, and a fourth process. Among them, the first process and the fourth process are located on the first row of heat exchange portions, and the second process and the third process are located on the second row of heat exchange portions; the flat tubes disposed in the first process are connected and communicated through the intermediate header; the flat tubes disposed in the third process are connected and communicated through the intermediate header with the flat tubes disposed in the fourth process.

[0014] Further, the number of flat tubes in the first process, the second process, the third process, and the fourth process gradually increases.

[0015] Further, one end of the flat tube disposed in the second process is connected to a third header, and one end of the flat tube disposed in the third process is connected to a second header. The second header and the third header are connected and communicated through a connecting pipe.

[0016] Further, a cavity portion, a plurality of channel portions evenly spaced apart, and a flow disturbing portion disposed in the cavity portion are formed in the second header; the cavity portion is connected to one end of the connecting pipe, and one end of the channel portion is connected to the cavity portion and the other end is connected to the flat tube disposed in the third process.

[0017] Further, the second manifold has at least one; a plurality of third partitions are provided in the third manifold, and the plurality of third partitions divide the inner space of the third manifold into a plurality of independent third chambers. One of the third chambers is simultaneously communicated with a part of the flat tubes in the second process and a part of the flat tubes in the third process, and the number of the remaining third chambers is the same as the number of the second manifolds. Each of the remaining third chambers is in one-to-one correspondence and communication with each of the second manifolds through the connecting tubes.

[0018] Further, one end of the first row of heat exchange parts is provided with a first manifold, and an upper chamber and a lower chamber for circulating refrigerant are formed therein. The upper chamber is communicated with the flat tubes provided in the fourth process, and the lower chamber is communicated with the flat tubes provided in the first process; a gas distribution pipe group and a liquid distribution pipe group are connected to the lower chamber, and both the gas distribution pipe group and the liquid distribution pipe group are connected to a separator; the separator is used for separating gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant enters the lower chamber through the gas distribution pipe group, and the liquid refrigerant enters the lower chamber through the liquid distribution pipe group.

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention has the following technical effects compared with the prior art:

[0020] Adjacent two heat exchangers are communicated through an intermediate manifold. A plurality of independent sub-chambers are formed inside the intermediate manifold. A first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber are formed inside each sub-chamber. The first chamber is communicated with a part of the flat tubes on one of the heat exchangers, the second chamber is communicated with a part of the flat tubes on the other heat exchanger, the third chamber is communicated with the first chamber, a first flow-through part is provided below the third chamber, the first flow-through part communicates the third chamber with the second chamber, a second flow-through part is provided above the second chamber, and the second flow-through part communicates the second chamber with the first chamber.

[0021] When the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the refrigerant first enters the first cavity. Most of the refrigerant in the first cavity will flow into the third cavity. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant entering the third cavity tends to separate under the action of gravity and the uniformity deteriorates. The refrigerant in the third cavity enters the second cavity through the first flow part below. Since the flow rate of the gas-phase refrigerant is higher than that of the liquid-phase refrigerant, when the gas-phase refrigerant above the third cavity flows downward through the first flow part, it will inevitably mix with the liquid-phase refrigerant below, and then enter the second cavity through the acceleration effect of the first flow part, and flow into the flat tube communicated with the second cavity from bottom to top, realizing the uniform distribution of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in the flat tube. During the upward flow of the refrigerant in the second cavity, the speed decreases, and an eddy current is formed in the upper part of the second cavity. The refrigerant flow rate in the flat tube at the eddy current is small, while the second flow part will introduce the extra refrigerant during the upward flow of the refrigerant into the first cavity, mix it with the high-speed refrigerant in the first cavity, and participate in the distribution process of the next cycle, so as to further improve the uniform distribution of the refrigerant and then improve the heat exchange effect of the air conditioner. Description of the Drawings

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the principle of an air conditioner in the prior art;

[0024] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 For Figure 2 Enlarged view of part A in

[0026] Figure 4 Top view of the separator of the first embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 Internal structure schematic diagram of the separator of the first embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 For Figure 5 Cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in

[0029] Figure 7 For Figure 5 Cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in

[0030] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second header pipe in the second embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention Figure One ;

[0032] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second header pipe in the second embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention Figure Two (Side plates omitted);

[0033] Figure 11 Top view of the second header pipe in the second embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 12 is Figure 11 Cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in

[0035] Figure 13 is Figure 11 Cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in

[0036] Figure 14 Schematic diagram of the refrigerant flow inside the second header pipe in the second embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 15 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second form of the second header pipe in the second embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 16 Schematic diagram of the structure of the third form of the second header pipe in the second embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 17 Schematic diagram of the structure of the third embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention Figure One (Evaporation condition);

[0040] Figure 18 Schematic diagram of the structure of the third embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention Figure Two (Condensation condition);

[0041] Figure 19 Schematic diagram of the actually installed structure of the third embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 20 Schematic diagram of the structure of the intermediate header pipe in the third embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention Figure One ;

[0043] Figure 21 Schematic diagram of the structure of the intermediate header pipe in the third embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention from another perspective Figure Two ;

[0044] Figure 22 Schematic diagram of the structure of the intermediate header pipe connecting the flat pipes in the third embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 23It is the top view of the middle manifold in the third embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 24 It is the top view of another structural form of the middle manifold in the third embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 25 It is Figure 23 the cross-sectional view taken along the H1-H1 direction in

[0048] Figure 26 It is Figure 23 the cross-sectional view taken along the H2-H2 direction in

[0049] Figure 27 It is Figure 23 the cross-sectional view taken along the H3-H3 direction in

[0050] Reference numerals:

[0051] 1 - Evaporator, 2 - Compressor, 3 - Condenser, 4 - Expansion valve, 5 - Four-way reversing valve;

[0052] 01 - First manifold, 011 - Upper chamber, 012 - Lower chamber, 013 - Small chamber, 014 - First partition;

[0053] 02 - Second manifold, 021 - Cavity part, 022 - Channel part, 023 - Turbulence part, 024 - Inner wall, 025 - Insertion part, 026 - Bending part;

[0054] 03 - Third manifold, 031 - Third partition, 032 - Third chamber;

[0055] 04 - Fourth manifold;

[0056] 05 - Middle manifold, 051 - Sub-cavity, 0511 - First separator, 0512 - Second separator, 0513 - Third separator, 052 - First cavity, 053 - Second cavity, 054 - Third cavity, 055 - First flow-through part, 056 - Second flow-through part, 057 - Third flow-through part, 058 - First installation part, 059 - Second installation part;

[0057] 06 - Separator, 061 - Separator cavity, 062 - First baffle, 063 - Second baffle, 064 - Gap, 065 - Refrigerant flow port;

[0058] 07 - Gas distribution pipe group, 071 - Gas distribution main pipe, 0711 - First gas distribution main pipe, 0712 - Second gas distribution main pipe, 072 - Gas distribution branch pipe;

[0059] 08 - Liquid separation pipe group, 081 - Liquid separation main pipe;

[0060] 09 - Connecting pipe, 091 - First connecting pipe, 092 - Second connecting pipe;

[0061] 10 - Finned tube;

[0062] 11 - Flat tube;

[0063] 12 - Air pipe group, 121 - Air pipe branch;

[0064] 13 - Heat exchange part, 131 - First row of heat exchange parts, 132 - Second row of heat exchange parts. Detailed implementation mode

[0065] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0066] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention.

[0067] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations. In the description of the above embodiments, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0068] The terms "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise stated, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

[0069] The invention discloses an air conditioner, in particular a heat pump air conditioner. The air conditioner comprises a heat exchange circuit for performing heat exchange between indoor and outdoor areas so as to adjust the indoor temperature.

[0070] The heat exchange circuit can use existing technology Figure 1 The heat exchange principle shown in the figure, that is, the heat exchange circuit includes an evaporator 1, a compressor 2, a condenser 3, an expansion valve 4 and a four-way reversing valve C. The phase change processes of the refrigerants in the evaporator 1 and the condenser 3 are opposite. The evaporator 1 and the condenser 3 are collectively referred to as a heat exchanger.

[0071] One of the purposes of the present invention is to improve the structure of the heat exchanger, improve the balanced distribution of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, improve the heat exchange effect of the heat exchanger, and further improve the overall heat exchange effect of the air conditioner.

[0072] The present invention improves the structures of the refrigerant inflow end, outflow end, connecting transitions between different processes, and connecting transitions of parallel heat exchangers in the heat exchanger, so as to improve the uniform distribution of the refrigerant.

[0073] The heat exchanger includes a plurality of equally spaced flat tubes 11 and fins 10. A plurality of microchannels for circulating refrigerant are formed in the flat tubes 11. The fins 10 are arranged between two adjacent flat tubes 11. The flow direction of air passing through the fins 10 is perpendicular to the flow direction of the refrigerant passing through the flat tubes 11. The heat / cold released by the refrigerant in the flat tubes 11 is taken away by the heat dissipation fins 10 and the air flow.

[0074] The flat tube 11 is made of porous microchannel aluminum alloy, and the fin 10 is made of aluminum alloy with a brazing composite layer on the surface, which is light in weight and high in heat exchange efficiency.

[0075] Embodiment 1

[0076] Figures 2 to 7 It is used to illustrate the structure of the first embodiment of the heat exchanger. In the first embodiment, the heat exchanger has a first flow path and a second flow path. The refrigerant flows in opposite directions in the two flows. Figure 2 The figure shows the flow direction of the refrigerant in the flat tubes 11 when the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator.

[0077] The heat exchanger further includes a first header 01 and a fourth header 04 . The first header 01 is disposed at one end of the heat exchanger and communicates with one end of the flat tube 11 . The fourth header 04 is disposed at the other end of the heat exchanger and communicates with the other end of the flat tube 11 .

[0078] An upper chamber 011 and a lower chamber 012 for circulating refrigerant are formed in the first manifold 01 . The upper chamber 011 is connected to the flat tubes 11 in the second flow path, and the lower chamber 012 is connected to the flat tubes 11 in the first flow path.

[0079] The heat exchanger further includes a separator 06, a gas distribution pipe group 07, and a liquid distribution pipe group 08.

[0080] Among them, the separator 06 is used to separate the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant.

[0081] The gas distribution pipe group 07 is connected between the separator 06 and the lower chamber 012 and is used for circulating the gaseous refrigerant.

[0082] The liquid distribution pipe group 08 is connected between the separator 06 and the lower chamber 012 and is used for circulating the liquid refrigerant.

[0083] When the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, before the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant enters the lower chamber 012, it is first effectively separated by the separator 06. The gaseous refrigerant enters the lower chamber 012 through the gas distribution pipe group 07, and the liquid refrigerant enters the lower chamber 012 through the liquid distribution pipe group 08. Fundamentally, the interaction and separation between the two-phase refrigerants during the flow process are avoided, so as to ensure that the quality and flow rate of the gaseous and liquid refrigerants entering the lower chamber 012 are approximately equal, so that there is no gas-liquid separation phenomenon in the lower chamber 012, and further improve the distribution uniformity of the refrigerant in the flat tube 11.

[0084] For the structural schematic diagram of the separator 06, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a separator cavity 061 is formed inside the separator 06, and a refrigerant flow port 065 is provided on the side wall of the separator 06. The refrigerant flow port 065 is communicated with the separator cavity 061, and the refrigerant flows into the separator cavity 061 through the refrigerant flow port 065.

[0085] Refer to Figures 3 to 5 , the gas distribution pipe group 07 includes a gas distribution main pipe 071 and a plurality of moisture gas distribution branch pipes 072 communicated with the gas distribution main pipe 071. The gas distribution main pipe 071 extends into the separator cavity 061, and the gas distribution branch pipes 072 extend in the horizontal direction and are communicated with the lower chamber 012. The gaseous refrigerant in the separator cavity 061 flows out from the gas distribution main pipe 071 and then enters the lower chamber 012 through the plurality of gas distribution branch pipes 072, so that the flow rate of the gaseous refrigerant at each place in the lower chamber 012 is uniform.

[0086] Further, refer to Figure 3, the gas distribution main pipe 071 includes a first gas distribution main pipe 0711 and a second gas distribution main pipe 0712 that are interconnected. The first gas distribution main pipe 0711 is connected to the separator cavity 061. The first gas distribution main pipe 0711 extends upward from within the separator cavity 061 for a certain distance and then is connected to the second gas distribution main pipe 0712 through an arc portion. The second gas distribution main pipe 0712 extends downward. A plurality of gas distribution branch pipes 072 are arranged at equal intervals along the height direction of the second gas distribution main pipe 0712. The gaseous refrigerant is shunted into the plurality of gas distribution branch pipes 072 from top to bottom along the second gas distribution main pipe 0712, improving the uniform distribution of the gaseous refrigerant.

[0087] Within the separator cavity 061, the gaseous refrigerant tends to flow upward to the upper part of the separator cavity 061. Refer to Figure 5 , and one end of the first gas distribution main pipe 0711 is arranged near the top of the separator cavity 61 to facilitate the inflow of the upper gaseous refrigerant.

[0088] Continue to refer to Figures 3 to 5 , the liquid separation pipe group 08 includes a liquid separation main pipe 081 and a plurality of liquid separation branch pipes (not shown) connected to the liquid separation main pipe. The liquid separation main pipe 081 extends into the separator cavity 61. The liquid separation branch pipes extend horizontally and are connected to the lower chamber 012. The liquid refrigerant within the separator cavity 061 flows out from the liquid separation main pipe 081 and then enters the lower chamber 012 through the plurality of liquid separation branch pipes, making the liquid refrigerant flow rate uniform at every place within the lower chamber 012.

[0089] Further, the liquid separation main pipe 081 includes a connected first liquid separation main pipe and a second liquid separation main pipe. The first liquid separation main pipe is connected to the separator cavity 061. The first liquid separation main pipe extends upward from within the separator cavity 061 for a certain distance and then is connected to the second liquid separation main pipe through an arc portion. The second liquid separation main pipe extends downward. A plurality of liquid separation branch pipes 082 are arranged at equal intervals along the height direction of the second liquid separation main pipe. The liquid refrigerant is shunted into the plurality of liquid separation branch pipes from top to bottom along the second liquid separation main pipe, improving the uniform distribution of the liquid refrigerant.

[0090] Within the separator cavity 061, the liquid refrigerant tends to flow downward to the bottom of the separator cavity 061. Refer to Figure 5 , and one end of the first liquid separation main pipe is close to the bottom of the separator cavity 061 and has a certain distance to facilitate the inflow of the lower liquid refrigerant.

[0091] After being separated by the gas distribution pipe group 07 and the liquid separation pipe group 08, the refrigerant enters the lower chamber 012 from top to bottom and then is shunted into the flat tubes 11. Compared with the traditional shunting method from bottom to top, it can suppress the influence of gravity and the resulting separation phenomenon during the upward shunting process of the refrigerant.

[0092] Refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6, a first baffle 062 is provided in the separator cavity 061, which is located below the end of the first gas distribution main pipe 0711 and has a certain distance from the end of the first gas distribution main pipe 0711. The first baffle 0662 can improve the separation efficiency of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant during the upward flow and can prevent the liquid-phase refrigerant from entering the first gas distribution main pipe 0711 under the action of inertia.

[0093] To further improve the separation efficiency of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 7 , a second baffle 063 is also provided in the separator cavity 061. The first baffle 062 and the second baffle 063 are arranged on both sides of the liquid separation main pipe 081. There is a certain gap 064 between the second baffle 063 and the liquid separation main pipe 081, and the gas-phase refrigerant continues to flow upward through this gap 064.

[0094] Referring to Figure 3 , a plurality of first partitions 014 are provided in the lower chamber 012 at equal intervals. The plurality of first partitions 014 divide the lower chamber 012 into a plurality of small chambers 013. Each small chamber 013 is connected to the same number of flat tubes 11. Each small chamber 013 is connected to a gas distribution branch pipe 072 and a liquid separation branch pipe. In this way, the refrigerant flow rate entering each small chamber 013 is made uniform, and the refrigerant with the same flow rate is evenly distributed into the same number of flat tubes 11, so as to achieve uniform refrigerant flow rate in each flat tube 11.

[0095] In this embodiment, 10 small chambers 013 are formed in the lower chamber 012, and two flat tubes 11 are connected to each small chamber 013. Of course, in other embodiments, the number of small chambers 013 and the number of flat tubes 11 in each small chamber 013 can be flexibly set according to actual situations, and no specific limitations are made in this embodiment.

[0096] This embodiment gives a specific implementation manner for the fourth header pipe 04. Referring to Figure 2 , independent chambers M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 are formed in the fourth header pipe 04. Chamber M1 is connected to chamber M5 through a first connecting pipe 091, and chamber M2 is connected to chamber M4 through a second connecting pipe 092. The refrigerant flowing into chamber M1 enters chamber M5 through the first connecting pipe 091, and the refrigerant flowing into chamber M2 enters chamber M4 through the second connecting pipe 092. The refrigerant entering chamber M3 flows upward and enters the flat tubes 11 in the second process.

[0097] The interiors of the lower chamber 012 and the fourth header pipe 04 adopt a partitioned chamber design to ensure that the pressure loss along the way and the local pressure loss are equal in the process of the refrigerant from entering the first header pipe 01 to leaving the first header pipe 01, and to ensure good flow distribution uniformity of the overall heat exchanger.

[0098] Furthermore, when the two-phase refrigerant boils and exchanges heat in the flat tube 11, the specific volume and flow velocity gradually increase, the degree of gas-liquid mixing increases, and the separation uniformity improves. Therefore, the number of flat tubes along the refrigerant flow direction should gradually decrease; conversely, when the two-phase refrigerant condenses and exchanges heat in the flat tube, the specific volume and flow velocity gradually decrease, and the gas and liquid tend to separate. In order to reduce the spatial separation of the gas-liquid two-phase, therefore, the number of flat tubes along the refrigerant flow direction should gradually increase. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the number of flat tubes 11 connected to the chamber M1 is less than the number of flat tubes 11 connected to the chamber M5, and the number of flat tubes 11 connected to the chamber M2 is less than the number of flat tubes 11 connected to the chamber M4. When the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the number of flat tubes 11 flowing into the chamber M3 is greater than the number of flat tubes 11 flowing out of the chamber M3.

[0099] Furthermore, one end of the first connecting pipe 091 is connected to the lower end of the chamber M1, facilitating the inflow of the liquid-phase refrigerant at the lower part of the chamber M1 into the first connecting pipe 091; the other end of the first connecting pipe 091 is connected to the upper end of the chamber M5, and the refrigerant in the first connecting pipe 091 flows into the chamber M5 from top to bottom, using gravity to improve the flow uniformity of the refrigerant in the flat tube 11 connected to the chamber M5.

[0100] Similarly, one end of the second connecting pipe 092 is connected to the lower end of the chamber M2, facilitating the inflow of the liquid-phase refrigerant at the lower part of the chamber M2 into the second connecting pipe 092; the other end of the second connecting pipe 092 is connected to the upper end of the chamber M4, and the refrigerant in the second connecting pipe 092 flows into the chamber M4 from top to bottom, using gravity to improve the flow uniformity of the refrigerant in the flat tube 11 connected to the chamber M4.

[0101] Refer to Figure 2 , in the first embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes an air pipe group 12. The air pipe group 12 includes a plurality of air pipe branches 121, and the plurality of air pipe branches 121 are all connected to the upper chamber 011. The refrigerant in the upper chamber 011 flows out after being aggregated from the plurality of air pipe branches 121.

[0102] In the first embodiment, when the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the refrigerant enters the separator 06 from the refrigerant flow port 065. The gaseous refrigerant enters the lower chamber 012 of the first manifold 01 through the gas manifold group 07, and the liquid-phase refrigerant enters the lower chamber 012 of the first manifold 01 through the liquid separation tube group 08. Then, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant simultaneously enters the plurality of flat tubes 11 in the first process, and then enters the plurality of flat tubes 11 in the second process through the first connecting pipe 091, the second connecting pipe 092, and the fourth manifold 04, and finally flows out from the air pipe group 12 through the upper chamber 011 of the first manifold 01.

[0103] In the first embodiment, when the heat exchanger is used as a condenser, the flow direction of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger is opposite to that when it is used as an evaporator, which will not be elaborated here.

[0104] Embodiment 2

[0105] Referring to Figure 8 , the heat exchanger has an upward flow path and a downward flow path. The upward flow path and the downward flow path are defined with respect to the flow direction of the refrigerant. For the convenience of explaining the technical solution, taking the first embodiment above as an example, the first flow path can be called the upward flow path, and the second flow path can be called the downward flow path.

[0106] In Embodiment 2, taking the heat exchanger having a first flow path and a second flow path as an example to illustrate the technical solution, the first flow path is the upward flow path, and the second flow path is the downward flow path.

[0107] The first flow path and the second flow path are connected through a second header 02 and a third header 03. Specifically, the second header 02 is connected to the flat tubes 11 in the second flow path, and the third header is simultaneously connected to the flat tubes 11 in the first flow path and some of the flat tubes 11 in the second flow path. The second header 02 and the third header 03 are connected through a connecting pipe 09.

[0108] Referring to Figures 9 to 14 , the second header 02 includes a cavity portion 021, a channel portion 022, and a flow disturbing portion 023. The cavity portion 021 is connected to the connecting pipe 09. One end of the channel portion 022 is connected to the cavity portion 021, and the other end of the channel portion 022 is connected to the flat tubes 11 in the second flow path. The flow disturbing portion 023 is disposed in the cavity portion 021 and is used to disturb the flow path of the refrigerant in the cavity portion 021, so as to promote the mixing of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area and the low-pressure area in the cavity portion 021.

[0109] Specifically, the refrigerant in the flat tubes 11 of the first flow path enters the second header 02 through the third header 03 and the connecting pipe 09. When the refrigerant enters the second header 02, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant first enters the cavity portion 021. The larger the refrigerant flow rate, the more obvious the uneven distribution of the refrigerant. A low pressure will be generated at the refrigerant inlet end, and then a high-pressure area and a low-pressure area will be formed in the cavity portion 021. The flow disturbing portion 023 can effectively avoid the flow dead zone caused by eddy current in the cavity portion 021. The flow disturbing portion 023 disturbs the flow path of the refrigerant in the cavity portion 021, so as to promote the mixing of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area and the low-pressure area in the cavity portion 021. The refrigerant circulates in the cavity portion 021, and the refrigerant circulation path formed by the flow disturbing portion 023 can automatically adapt to the change of the refrigerant flow rate, so that the refrigerant entering different channel portions 022 can be evenly distributed, and the refrigerant flow rates in different micro-channels in the same flat tube 11 and different flat tubes 11 in the same flow path can be made uniform.

[0110] Referring toFigure 9 and Figure 10 The second manifold 02 includes a manifold body, wherein a plurality of channel portions 022 are formed inside the manifold body through a plurality of spaced inner walls 024, wherein the plurality of channel portions 022 are evenly spaced, and a cavity portion 021 is formed at the bottom of the manifold body, wherein a plurality of flat tubes 11 are connected to the side wall of the manifold body, and a connecting tube 09 is connected to the other side wall of the manifold body opposite to the flat tubes, wherein one end of the channel portion 022 is connected to the cavity portion 021, and the other end of the channel portion 022 is connected to the flat tube 11, Figure 10 In order to conveniently illustrate the internal structure of the collecting tube body, one side wall thereof is hidden and not shown.

[0111] In the second embodiment, the collecting pipe body is a square structure, and the channel portion 022 formed by multiple inner wall surfaces is a flat structure. In other embodiments, the collecting pipe body can be a cylindrical structure, an elliptical cylindrical structure, etc. This embodiment does not make specific restrictions.

[0112] The multiple channel portions 022 are evenly spaced apart, so that the refrigerant in the cavity portion 021 can flow evenly into different channel portions 022 , thereby ensuring that the refrigerant flow in the flat tubes 11 connected to each channel portion 022 is even.

[0113] The channel portion 022 has a bending portion 026. The side of the channel portion 022 close to the cavity portion 021 is perpendicular to the cavity portion 021, and the side of the channel portion 022 close to the flat tube 11 is parallel to the flat tube 11, which facilitates the circulation of the refrigerant between the cavity portion 021 and the channel portion 022 and between the flat tube 11 and the channel portion 022.

[0114] In other embodiments, the channel portion 022 may be a flow channel of other structural forms, such as a flow channel with an arc surface. In order to balance the resistance between different channels, the number of channel turns may be changed, the surface roughness of the channel portion may be changed, etc.

[0115] An inserting portion 025 is provided on the side wall of the collecting pipe body. The inserting portion 025 is communicated with the channel portion 022 . The flat tube 11 is inserted into the inserting portion 025 to achieve communication between the flat tube 11 and the channel portion 022 .

[0116] The number of flat tubes 11 that can be connected to each second header 02 can be flexibly set according to actual conditions. In the second embodiment, the number of flat tubes 11 that can be connected to each second header 02 is 1-20.

[0117] Reference Figures 10 to 14 , Figure 12 for Figure 11 CC section view, Figure 13 for Figure 11In the D-D direction cross-sectional view, the spoiler part 023 is a partition structure arranged in the cavity part 021. The partition structure extends in a direction parallel to the inflow direction of the refrigerant. The partition structure is an incomplete partition, that is, there are certain gaps between the partition structure and the inner walls around the cavity part 021.

[0118] Figure 14 As shown by the arrow in, when the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant evaporates in the heat exchanger, the refrigerant flowing into the cavity part 021 from the connecting pipe 09, a part directly flows upward and directly enters the channel part 022, and another part of the refrigerant bypasses the spoiler part 023 and enters the side of the cavity part 021 far from the refrigerant inlet (that is, Figure 14 the left part in the shown orientation). While this part of the refrigerant flows around the spoiler part 023, some of the refrigerant will flow into the channel part 022, and the remaining refrigerant bypasses the spoiler part 023 and then mixes with the newly flowing-in refrigerant and enters the next flow cycle. Since the flow rate of the refrigerant is relatively high when it enters the cavity part 021 from the connecting pipe 09 and the pressure at the inlet of the refrigerant in the cavity part 021 is relatively low, it promotes the refrigerant that cannot flow into the channel part 022 in time to circulate around the spoiler part 023. The refrigerant circulation flow path formed in the cavity part 021 is beneficial to improving the uniform distribution of the refrigerant in the cavity part 021, making the refrigerant entering different channel parts 022 uniform, and further making the refrigerant in different flat tubes uniform.

[0119] At high flow rates, the uneven distribution of the refrigerant is more obvious. When the refrigerant flow rate is relatively large, the effect of the present solution on the uniform distribution of the refrigerant is more significant. Because the greater the flow rate, the more significant the low-pressure effect caused by the injection at the refrigerant inlet of the cavity part 021, which promotes the more significant circulation loop of the refrigerant flowing around the spoiler part 023. The refrigerant automatically adapts to the change of the external refrigerant flow rate through the refrigerant circulation loop, improving the uniform distribution of the refrigerant.

[0120] Since the channel part 022 is a flat structure, this flat structure exactly matches the structure of the flat tube 11. The uniform distribution of the refrigerant in the channel part 022 is also beneficial to improving the uniformity of the refrigerant in different micro-channels in the same flat tube 11.

[0121] Refer to Figure 11 and Figure 14 , the connecting pipe 09 is preferably arranged on the side of the cavity part 021 far from the air supply direction, which is beneficial to improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

[0122] Figure 15 and Figure 16 show two other deformed structural forms of the spoiler part 023. By increasing the number of the spoiler parts 023, multiple paths of reflux and multiple paths of turbulence are formed in the cavity part 021, further improving the effect of the uniform distribution of the refrigerant.

[0123] Figure 15 In it, the spoiler part 023 is two partition structures arranged at intervals, and the partition structure is the same as that of Figure 14 the partition structure shown, except for the arrangement method. Figure 15 In it, the two spoiler parts 023 are symmetrically distributed in the cavity part 021 at the position where the refrigerant flows into the cavity part 021. The refrigerant flowing into the cavity part 021 first enters between the two spoiler parts 023, and then is divided into two paths. One path of refrigerant forms a circulation loop around the left spoiler part 023, and the other path of refrigerant forms a circulation loop around the right spoiler part 023.

[0124] Figure 16 In it, the spoiler part 023 is three partition structures arranged at intervals, and the partition structure is the same as that of Figure 14 the partition structure shown, except for the arrangement method. Figure 16 In it, the three spoiler parts 023 are symmetrically distributed in the cavity part 021 at the position where the refrigerant flows into the cavity part 021, and the spoiler part 023 in the middle is directly opposite to the connecting pipe 09. The refrigerant flowing into the cavity part 021 is divided into two paths. One path flows along the gap between the left spoiler part 023 and the middle spoiler part 023 and forms a circulation loop around the left spoiler part 023, and the other path flows along the gap between the right spoiler part 023 and the middle spoiler part 023 and forms a circulation loop around the right spoiler part 023.

[0125] Return to Figure 8 , the second header pipe 02 has at least one. A plurality of third partitions 031 are provided in the third header pipe 03, and the plurality of third partitions 031 divide the internal space of the third header pipe 03 into a plurality of independent third chambers 032. One of the third chambers 032 is simultaneously communicated with a part of the flat tubes 11 in the upstream process (the first process) and a part of the flat tubes 11 in the downstream process (the second process). The number of the remaining third chambers 032 is the same as the number of the second header pipes 02, and each of the remaining third chambers 032 is in one-to-one correspondence and communication with each second header pipe 02 through a connecting pipe 09.

[0126] In the second embodiment, the second header pipe 02 has two. Three third partitions 031 are provided in the third header pipe 03. The third partitions 031 divide the inside of the third header pipe 03 into three independent third chambers 032, which are sequentially marked as N1, N2, and N3. The upper second header pipe 02 is communicated with the third chamber N1 through a first connecting pipe 091, the lower second header pipe 02 is communicated with the third chamber N2 through a second connecting pipe 092, and the third chamber N3 is simultaneously communicated with a part of the flat tubes 11 in the first process and a part of the flat tubes 11 in the second process.

[0127] The cooperation of multiple third chambers 032 and multiple second manifolds 02 is conducive to further improving the uniform distribution of the refrigerant.

[0128] One end of the first connecting pipe 091 communicates with the lower end of the third chamber N1, facilitating the liquid-phase refrigerant in the third chamber N1 to flow into the first connecting pipe 091. The other end of the first connecting pipe 091 communicates with the lower end of the second manifold 02 and is connected to the cavity portion 021, facilitating the uniform distribution of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant through the second manifold 02.

[0129] Similarly, one end of the second connecting pipe 092 communicates with the lower end of the third chamber N2, facilitating the liquid-phase refrigerant in the third chamber N2 to flow into the second connecting pipe 092. The other end of the second connecting pipe 092 communicates with the lower end of the second manifold 02 and is connected to the cavity portion 021, facilitating the uniform distribution of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant through the second manifold 02.

[0130] Among the third chamber 032 and the second manifold 02 connected to both ends of the same connecting pipe 09, the number of flat tubes connected to the third chamber 032 is less than the number of flat tubes 11 connected to the second manifold 02. In the second embodiment, the number of flat tubes connected to the third chamber N1 is less than the number of flat tubes connected to the second manifold 02, the number of flat tubes connected to the third chamber N2 is less than the number of flat tubes connected to the second manifold 02, and the number of flat tubes in the first flow path connected to the third chamber N3 is less than the number of flat tubes in the second flow path connected thereto. The reason for such a design is the same as the reason for the multi-layer partition design of the fourth manifold 04 in the first embodiment, and will not be elaborated here.

[0131] Embodiment Three

[0132] In order to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger, multiple heat exchangers can be connected in parallel. One of the purposes of the third embodiment is to improve the uniform distribution of the refrigerant between two adjacent connected heat exchangers to improve the heat exchange uniformity of the entire heat exchanger assembly.

[0133] Refer to Figures 17 to 19 , the heat exchanger includes multiple heat exchange portions 13, and the multiple heat exchange portions 13 are connected in parallel. The flat tubes 11 on two adjacent heat exchangers are connected through an intermediate manifold 05.

[0134] Figure 17 The arrows in Figure 18 indicate the flow direction of the refrigerant when the heat exchanger is in the evaporation working condition, Figure 19 The arrows in

[0135] In the third embodiment, taking the heat exchanger having two heat exchange parts 13 as an example, the technical solution will be described. The two heat exchange parts 13 are defined as the first row of heat exchange parts 131 and the second row of heat exchange parts 132. The first row of heat exchange parts 131 is located in the downwind area in the air supply direction, and the second row of heat exchange parts 132 is located in the upwind area in the air supply direction. Both the first row of heat exchange parts 131 and the second row of heat exchange parts 132 include a number of flat tubes 11 and fins 10 arranged at equal intervals. Air flows through the gap between the flat tubes 11 and the fins 10 to achieve the heat exchange effect.

[0136] The two heat exchange parts are connected through an intermediate header 05. The heat exchanger includes a first process, a second process, a third process, and a fourth process. The first process and the fourth process are located on the first row of heat exchange parts 131, and the second process and the third process are located on the second row of heat exchange parts 132. The flat tubes provided in the first process are connected to the flat tubes provided in the second process through the intermediate header 05, and the flat tubes provided in the third process are connected to the flat tubes provided in the fourth process through the intermediate header 05.

[0137] The setting of one end of the first row of heat exchange parts 131 can refer to Figure 2 the structure setting of the first embodiment shown, which will not be elaborated here.

[0138] The setting of one end of the second row of heat exchange parts 132 can refer to Figure 8 the structure setting of the second embodiment shown, which will not be elaborated here.

[0139] Referring to Figure 17 , when the heat exchanger is in the evaporation condition, after the refrigerant passes through the separator 06, the gas distribution pipe group 07, and the liquid distribution pipe group 08 and enters the lower chamber 012 of the first header 01, it then flows through the first process, the intermediate header 05, and the second process in sequence to enter the third header 03, and then enters the second header 02 through the first connecting pipe 091 and the second connecting pipe 092. Then it flows through the third process, the intermediate header 05, and the fourth process in sequence to enter the upper chamber 011 of the first header 01, and finally flows out from the gas pipe group 12.

[0140] Referring to Figure 18 , when the heat exchanger is in the condensation condition, after the refrigerant enters the upper chamber 011 of the first header 01 through the gas pipe group 12, it then flows through the fourth process, the intermediate header 05, and the third process in sequence to enter the second header 02, and then enters the third header 03 through the first connecting pipe 091 and the second connecting pipe 092. Then it flows through the second process, the intermediate header 05, and the first process in sequence to enter the lower chamber 012 of the first header 01, and finally flows out through the gas distribution pipe group 07, the liquid distribution pipe group 08, and the separator 06.

[0141] For the number of flat tubes in each process, the number of flat tubes in the first process, the second process, the third process, and the fourth process gradually increases. That is, the number of flat tubes in the fourth process is greater than the number of flat tubes in the third process, the number of flat tubes in the third process is greater than the number of flat tubes in the second process, and the number of flat tubes in the second process is greater than the number of flat tubes in the first process.

[0142] Inside the intermediate manifold 05, a plurality of sub-chambers 051 are formed by partitions and arranged along the height direction of the intermediate manifold 05. The plurality of sub-chambers 051 are independent of each other, and the structure of each sub-chamber 051 is the same. Figures 20 to 27 The following shows a schematic structural view of a single sub-chamber 051, where Figure 21 is a view observed from the Figure 20 Q direction.

[0143] Referring to Figures 20 to 23 , each sub-chamber 051 includes a first chamber 052, a second chamber 053, a third chamber 054, a first flow-through part 055, and a second flow-through part 056. The first chamber 052 is communicated with some of the flat tubes on the first row of heat exchange parts 131. The second chamber 053 is communicated with some of the flat tubes on the second row of heat exchange parts 132. The third chamber 054 is communicated with the first chamber 052. The first flow-through part 055 is located below the third chamber 054 and is used to communicate the second chamber 053 and the third chamber 054. The second flow-through part 056 is located above the second chamber 052 and is used to communicate the first chamber 052 and the second chamber 053.

[0144] When the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the refrigerant first enters the first chamber 052. Most of the refrigerant in the first chamber 052 will flow into the third chamber 054. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant entering the third chamber 054 tends to separate under the action of gravity and the uniformity becomes poor. The refrigerant in the third chamber 054 enters the second chamber 053 through the first flow-through part 055 below. Since the flow rate of the gas-phase refrigerant is higher than that of the liquid-phase refrigerant, when the gas-phase refrigerant above the third chamber 054 flows downward through the first flow-through part 055, it will surely mix with the liquid-phase refrigerant below, and then enter the second chamber 053 with the acceleration effect of the first flow-through part 055 and flow upward into the flat tubes communicated with the second chamber 053, realizing the uniform distribution of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in the flat tubes. During the upward flow of the refrigerant in the second chamber 053, the speed decreases. An eddy current is formed in the upper part of the second chamber 053, and the refrigerant flow rate in the flat tubes at the eddy current is small. The second flow-through part 056 will introduce the extra refrigerant during the upward flow of the refrigerant into the first chamber 052, mix it with the high-speed refrigerant in the first chamber 052, and participate in the distribution process of the next cycle, so as to further improve the uniform distribution of the refrigerant and thus improve the heat exchange effect of the air conditioner.

[0145] The diameter of the first flow-through part 055 is preferably larger than that of the flat tube 11, so that the refrigerant in the third cavity 054 can smoothly enter the second cavity 053 through the first flow-through part 055.

[0146] A plurality of first mounting parts 058 for mounting the flat tube 11 are provided on the side wall of the first cavity 052, and a plurality of second mounting parts 059 for mounting the flat tube 11 are provided on the side wall of the second cavity 053. The first mounting parts 058 and the second mounting parts 059 are located on the same side of the sub-cavity 051. In this way, after the first row of heat exchange parts 131 and the second row of heat exchange parts 132 are connected through the intermediate manifold 05, a front-to-back side-by-side structure can be formed, and the structure is more compact, which is beneficial to reducing the volume of the entire heat exchanger.

[0147] The first mounting parts 058 and the second mounting parts 059 can be insertion holes provided on the side wall of the sub-cavity 051, and the flat tube 11 can be directly inserted into the insertion holes, which is convenient for installation and has a reliable structure.

[0148] The number of the first mounting parts 058 and the second mounting parts 059 is the same, so that the number of flat tubes connected to the first cavity 052 is the same as the number of flat tubes connected to the second cavity 053, in order to improve the uniformity of the refrigerant in the flat tubes of different processes.

[0149] As a preferred implementation, a first partition plate 0511, a second partition plate 0512, and a third partition plate 0513 are provided in the sub-cavity 051. The sub-cavity 051 is internally partitioned into a first cavity 052, a second cavity 053, and a third cavity 054 by the first partition plate 0511, the second partition plate 0512, and the third partition plate 0513.

[0150] The second partition plate 0512 is preferably in the same plane as the third partition plate 0513, and the first partition plate 0511 is preferably perpendicular to the second partition plate 0512 and the third partition plate 0513, which is convenient for forming the first cavity 052 and the second cavity 053 with equal volumes, so as to facilitate the uniform distribution of the refrigerant.

[0151] Refer to Figure 23 、 Figures 25 to 27 , the first partition plate 0511 is provided between the first cavity 052 and the second cavity 053, the second flow-through part 056 is provided at the upper part of the first partition plate 0511, the second partition plate 0512 is provided between the first cavity 052 and the third cavity 054, a plurality of third flow-through parts 057 for the refrigerant to flow through are provided on the second partition plate 0512, the third partition plate 0513 is provided between the second cavity 053 and the third cavity 054, and the first flow-through part 055 is provided at the lower part of the third partition plate 0513.

[0152] When the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, most of the refrigerant flowing into the first cavity 052 through multiple flat tubes enters the third cavity 054 through the third flow portion 057. The refrigerant in the third cavity 054 enters the second cavity 053 through the first flow portion 055 below. By arranging the first flow portion 055 below, when the gaseous refrigerant above the third cavity 054 flows downward through the first flow portion 055, it will surely mix with the liquid-phase refrigerant below, and then enter the second cavity 053 under the acceleration effect of the first flow portion 055, and flow upward into the flat tubes communicating with the second cavity 053, realizing the uniform distribution of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in the flat tubes. During the upward flow of the refrigerant in the second cavity 053, the speed decreases, and an eddy current is formed in the upper part of the second cavity 053. The refrigerant flow rate in the flat tubes at the eddy current is relatively small, while the second flow portion 056 located above will introduce the excess refrigerant during the upward flow of the refrigerant into the first cavity 052, mix it with the high-speed refrigerant in the first cavity 052, and participate in the distribution process of the next cycle, so as to further improve the uniform distribution of the refrigerant and thus improve the heat exchange effect of the air conditioner.

[0153] Preferably, the number of the third flow portions 057 is the same as the number of the flat tubes communicating with the first cavity 052. There is a certain distance between the ends of the flat tubes in the first cavity 052 and the third flow portions 057 and they are directly opposite to the third flow portions 057, facilitating most of the refrigerant ejected from the flat tubes to be injected into the third cavity 054.

[0154] In addition, Figures 20 to 23 The shown sub-cavity 051 is in the form of a rectangular structure. In other embodiments, the third cavity 054 can be in other structural forms such as D-shaped, O-shaped, etc., and this embodiment does not make specific limitations. As Figure 24 shown, the third cavity 054 is D-shaped.

[0155] In the third embodiment, when the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows between the first row of heat exchange portions 131 and the second row of heat exchange portions 132, regardless of whether the upstream refrigerant is evenly split, after passing through the intermediate manifold 05, it can ensure the dynamic regulation and uniform distribution of the refrigerant entering the flat tubes in the next process.

[0156] In the description of the above embodiments, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0157] The above is only the specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, comprising: A heat exchange circuit for performing heat exchange between indoors and outdoors, and a heat exchanger is provided on the heat exchange circuit; It is characterized in that the heat exchanger comprises: A heat exchange part, which has a plurality of them arranged side by side, and a plurality of flat tubes are provided in the heat exchange part, and a refrigerant flows through the flat tubes; An intermediate header, which is communicated with the flat tubes on two adjacent heat exchange parts for flowing and evenly distributing the refrigerant; Wherein, the intermediate header comprises: Sub-cavities, which have a plurality of them arranged along the height direction of the intermediate header; Each of the sub-cavities comprises: A first cavity, which is communicated with some of the flat tubes on one of the heat exchange parts for flowing the refrigerant; A second cavity, which is communicated with some of the flat tubes on the other heat exchange part for flowing the refrigerant; A third cavity, which is communicated with the first cavity for flowing the refrigerant; A first flow part, which is located below the third cavity for communicating the second cavity and the third cavity; A second flow part, which is located above the second cavity for communicating the first cavity and the second cavity; A first mounting part for mounting the flat tube is provided on the side wall of the first cavity, and a second mounting part for mounting the flat tube is provided on the side wall of the second cavity; The first mounting part and the second mounting part are located on the same side of the sub-cavity; A first partition plate, a second partition plate, and a third partition plate are provided in the sub-cavity; The first partition plate is provided between the first cavity and the second cavity, and the second flow part is provided on the upper part of the first partition plate; The second partition plate is provided between the first cavity and the third cavity, and a plurality of third flow parts for the refrigerant to flow through are provided on the second partition plate; The third partition plate is provided between the second cavity and the third cavity, and the first flow part is provided on the lower part of the third partition plate.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein , There is a certain distance between the end of the flat tube in the first cavity and the third flow part and they are facing the third flow part.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that , The heat exchanger comprises a first row of heat exchange parts and a second row of heat exchange parts. The first row of heat exchange parts is located in the downwind area in the air supply direction, and the second row of heat exchange parts is located in the upwind area in the air supply direction; The heat exchanger has a first process, a second process, a third process, and a fourth process. Among them, the first process and the fourth process are located on the first row of heat exchange parts, and the second process and the third process are located on the second row of heat exchange parts; The flat tubes provided in the first process are communicated with the flat tubes provided in the second process through the intermediate header; The flat tubes provided in the third process are communicated with the flat tubes provided in the fourth process through the intermediate header.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that , The number of flat tubes in the first process, the second process, the third process, and the fourth process gradually increases.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that , One end of the flat tube provided in the second process is communicated with a third header, and one end of the flat tube provided in the third process is communicated with a second header. The second header and the third header are communicated through a connecting pipe.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein , A cavity portion, a plurality of channel portions arranged at uniform intervals, and a flow disturbing portion disposed in the cavity portion are formed in the second header pipe; The cavity portion communicates with one end of the connecting pipe, one end of the channel portion communicates with the cavity portion, and the other end communicates with the flat tube disposed in the third process.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that , The second header pipe has at least one; A plurality of third partition plates are provided in the third header pipe, and the plurality of third partition plates divide the internal space of the third header pipe into a plurality of independent third chambers. One of the third chambers communicates with a part of the flat tubes in the second process and a part of the flat tubes in the third process at the same time. The number of the remaining third chambers is the same as the number of the second header pipes, and each of the remaining third chambers is in one-to-one correspondence and communicates with each second header pipe through the connecting pipe.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein , A first header pipe is provided at one end of the first row of heat exchange portions, and an upper chamber and a lower chamber for circulating refrigerant are formed therein. The upper chamber communicates with the flat tubes disposed in the fourth process, and the lower chamber communicates with the flat tubes disposed in the first process; The lower chamber is connected with a gas distribution pipe group and a liquid distribution pipe group, and both the gas distribution pipe group and the liquid distribution pipe group are connected with a separator; The separator is used for separating gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant enters the lower chamber through the gas distribution pipe group, and the liquid refrigerant enters the lower chamber through the liquid distribution pipe group.

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