Outdoor heat exchanger and air conditioner having the same

Abstract

The application provides an outdoor heat exchanger and an air conditioner with the same. The outdoor heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger body, an overcooling pipe section in communication with the heat exchanger body, and a valve body assembly in communication with the indoor heat exchanger and the heat exchanger body at two ends, respectively. The valve body assembly comprises a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve and a first pipe line. The first one-way valve is connected with the second one-way valve through the first pipe line to form a first valve body group. The first pipe line is in communication with the overcooling pipe section through the heat exchanger body. The conducting direction of the first one-way valve is opposite to the conducting direction of the second one-way valve. The conducting direction of the first one-way valve is from the indoor heat exchanger to the heat exchanger body. The application effectively solves the problem of poor heating efficiency of the air conditioner in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioner technology, and more specifically, to an outdoor heat exchanger and an air conditioner having the same. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, when designing the flow path of air conditioners, the U-tube at the bottom of the outdoor heat exchanger is usually designed as a subcooling section to increase the subcooling degree when the outdoor heat exchanger acts as a condenser, thereby improving the cooling effect.

[0003] However, when the outdoor heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the refrigerant passes through the aforementioned U-tube after being throttled, resulting in a significant pressure loss of the refrigerant and affecting the heating efficiency of the air conditioner. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide an outdoor heat exchanger and an air conditioner having the same, so as to solve the problem of poor heating efficiency of air conditioners in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, an outdoor heat exchanger is provided, comprising: a heat exchanger body; a subcooling pipe section communicating with the heat exchanger body; and a valve body assembly, the two ends of which are respectively connected to an indoor heat exchanger and the heat exchanger body. The valve body assembly includes a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, and a first pipeline. The first one-way valve is connected to the second one-way valve through the first pipeline to form a first valve body group. The first pipeline is connected to the subcooling pipe section through the heat exchanger body. The conduction direction of the first one-way valve is opposite to that of the second one-way valve, and the conduction direction of the first one-way valve is from the indoor heat exchanger to the heat exchanger body.

[0006] Furthermore, the valve body assembly also includes: a third check valve, the conduction direction of which is opposite to that of the first check valve; a fourth check valve; a second pipeline, the third check valve being connected in series with the fourth check valve through the second pipeline to form a second valve body group, the first valve body group and the second valve body group being connected in parallel; wherein, the conduction direction of the third check valve is opposite to that of the fourth check valve; the outdoor heat exchanger also includes: a throttling device connected to the heat exchanger body; a third pipeline, the two ends of which are connected to the second pipeline and the throttling device, respectively.

[0007] Furthermore, the valve body assembly also includes: a fourth pipeline, the two ends of which are connected to the first check valve and the third check valve, respectively; the outdoor heat exchanger also includes: a fifth pipeline, the two ends of which are connected to the fourth pipeline and the indoor heat exchanger, respectively.

[0008] Furthermore, the valve body assembly also includes: a sixth pipeline, the two ends of which are connected to the second check valve and the fourth check valve, respectively; the outdoor heat exchanger also includes: a distributor, which is connected to the heat exchanger body; and a seventh pipeline, the two ends of which are connected to the sixth pipeline and the distributor or the heat exchanger body, respectively.

[0009] Furthermore, the heat exchanger body is a single unit, with the two ends of the seventh pipe connected to the sixth pipe and the distributor, respectively.

[0010] Furthermore, there are multiple heat exchanger bodies, with the first pipeline connected to one heat exchanger body and the seventh pipeline connected to another heat exchanger body.

[0011] Furthermore, the subcooled pipe section is one; or, the subcooled pipe section is multiple.

[0012] Furthermore, the outdoor heat exchanger also includes: an eighth pipe; a first tee pipe, which is installed on the first pipe, and the two ends of the eighth pipe are respectively connected to the first tee pipe and the heat exchanger body.

[0013] Furthermore, the outdoor heat exchanger also includes: a second tee pipe, which is installed on the second pipe, and the two ends of the third pipe are connected to the second tee pipe and the throttling device, respectively.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner is provided, comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger is the outdoor heat exchanger described above.

[0015] By applying the technical solution of this invention, when the air conditioner is in heating mode, the outdoor heat exchanger acts as the evaporator. After passing through the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant first enters the first one-way valve, and then passes through the heat exchanger body into the subcooling pipe section. This allows the refrigerant to fully release heat in the subcooling pipe section before being throttled. Compared to the prior art where the refrigerant is throttled before passing through the subcooling pipe section, this improves the heating efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger, thereby solving the problem of poor heating efficiency in existing air conditioners. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of refrigerant flow during heating is shown in Embodiment 1 of the outdoor heat exchanger according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the refrigerant flow in the outdoor heat exchanger during refrigeration.

[0019] Figure 3A schematic diagram of refrigerant flow during heating is shown in Embodiment 2 of the outdoor heat exchanger according to the present invention; and

[0020] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the refrigerant flow in the outdoor heat exchanger during refrigeration.

[0021] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0022] 10. Heat exchanger body; 30. Valve body assembly; 31. First check valve; 32. Second check valve; 33. First pipeline; 34. Third check valve; 35. Fourth check valve; 36. Second pipeline; 37. Fourth pipeline; 38. Sixth pipeline; 40. Throttling device; 50. Third pipeline; 60. Fifth pipeline; 70. Flow divider; 80. Seventh pipeline; 90. Eighth pipeline; 100. Gas collection pipe assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0023] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0024] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.

[0025] In this invention, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "up" and "down" are generally used in relation to the direction shown in the accompanying drawings, or in relation to the vertical, perpendicular, or gravitational direction; similarly, for ease of understanding and description, "left" and "right" are generally used in relation to the left and right shown in the accompanying drawings; "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours of each component itself, but the above directional terms are not intended to limit this invention.

[0026] To address the problem of poor heating efficiency in existing air conditioners, this application provides an outdoor heat exchanger and an air conditioner incorporating the same.

[0027] Example 1

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger body 10, a subcooled pipe section, and a valve assembly 30. The subcooled pipe section is connected to the heat exchanger body 10. The valve assembly 30 is connected at both ends to the indoor heat exchanger and the heat exchanger body 10, respectively. The valve assembly 30 includes a first check valve 31, a second check valve 32, and a first pipe 33. The first check valve 31 is connected to the second check valve 32 via the first pipe 33 to form a first valve assembly. The first pipe 33 is connected to the subcooled pipe section via the heat exchanger body 10. The conduction direction of the first check valve 31 is opposite to that of the second check valve 32, and the conduction direction of the first check valve 31 is from the indoor heat exchanger to the heat exchanger body 10.

[0029] Applying the technical solution of this embodiment, when the air conditioner is heating, the outdoor heat exchanger acts as the evaporator. After passing through the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant first enters the first one-way valve 31, and then enters the subcooling pipe section through the heat exchanger body 10. This allows the refrigerant to fully release heat in the subcooling pipe section before being throttled. Compared with the prior art where the refrigerant is throttled before passing through the subcooling pipe section, this improves the heating efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger, thereby solving the problem of poor heating efficiency in existing air conditioners.

[0030] In this embodiment, if the air conditioner is heating in a low-temperature environment, the bottom of the outdoor heat exchanger is always at a higher temperature in the subcooled section, preventing ice buildup on the surrounding chassis and improving the air conditioner's operational reliability. Simultaneously, compared to conventional heat exchanger flow paths, this embodiment adds a valve assembly 30. Without altering the refrigerant flow path within the bottom subcooled section during cooling or heating, the bottom U-tube remains the subcooled section of the circulation system regardless of whether the air conditioner is cooling or heating. Therefore, while cooling is unaffected, the bottom U-tube's function is no longer limited to reducing pressure loss during heating; instead, it enhances the air conditioner's heating capacity.

[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the valve body assembly 30 also includes a third one-way valve 34, a fourth one-way valve 35, and a second pipeline 36. The conduction direction of the third one-way valve 34 is opposite to that of the first one-way valve 31. The third one-way valve 34 is connected in series with the fourth one-way valve 35 through the second pipeline 36 to form a second valve body group, and the first valve body group and the second valve body group are connected in parallel. The conduction direction of the third one-way valve 34 is opposite to that of the fourth one-way valve 35. The outdoor heat exchanger also includes a throttling device 40 and a third pipeline 50. The throttling device 40 is connected to the heat exchanger body 10. The two ends of the third pipeline 50 are connected to the second pipeline 36 and the throttling device 40, respectively. This arrangement not only ensures that the refrigerant can circulate between the outdoor and indoor heat exchangers when the air conditioner is cooling or heating, but also ensures that the refrigerant can return to the indoor heat exchanger through the third one-way valve 34 when the air conditioner is cooling, ensuring the normal operation of the air conditioner. At the same time, the above configuration allows the subcooling pipe section to have a subcooling effect when the air conditioner is cooling, and it can also be subcooled when the air conditioner is heating, ensuring the cooling effect while improving the heating capacity.

[0032] Specifically, the first check valve 31 and the fourth check valve 35 have the same conduction direction, and the second check valve 32 and the third check valve 34 have the same conduction direction.

[0033] This proposal discloses a flow path structure for a heat exchanger. In a single-row heat exchanger, the bottom U-tube of the original outer heat exchanger serves as a subcooled section for the system's refrigerant circulation, ensuring both cooling and heating performance. This application also proposes a flow path structure for multi-row heat exchangers, ensuring that the bottom U-tubes of all rows of condensers are subcooled sections.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the valve body assembly 30 also includes a fourth pipe 37, the two ends of which are connected to the first one-way valve 31 and the third one-way valve 34, respectively. The outdoor heat exchanger also includes a fifth pipe 60, the two ends of which are connected to the fourth pipe 37 and the indoor heat exchanger, respectively. This arrangement improves the reliability of refrigerant flow within the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, thereby enhancing the operational reliability of the air conditioner.

[0035] Optionally, the valve body assembly 30 further includes a sixth pipe 38. The two ends of the sixth pipe 38 are connected to the second one-way valve 32 and the fourth one-way valve 35, respectively. The outdoor heat exchanger also includes a distributor 70 and a seventh pipe 80. The distributor 70 is connected to the heat exchanger body 10. The two ends of the seventh pipe 80 are connected to the sixth pipe 38 and the distributor 70 or the heat exchanger body 10, respectively. This arrangement improves the reliability of refrigerant flow within the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, thereby enhancing the operational reliability of the air conditioner.

[0036] In this embodiment, there is one heat exchanger body 10, and the two ends of the seventh pipe 80 are connected to the sixth pipe 38 and the distributor 70, respectively.

[0037] Optionally, there may be one subcooled pipe section; or there may be multiple subcooled pipe sections. This configuration allows for more flexible selection of subcooled pipe sections to meet different usage requirements and operating conditions, thereby improving the processing flexibility of the workers.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger also includes an eighth pipe 90 and a first tee pipe. The first tee pipe is installed on the first pipe 33, and the two ends of the eighth pipe 90 are connected to the first tee pipe and the heat exchanger body 10, respectively. This arrangement improves the flow of refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger, thereby enhancing the operational reliability of the air conditioner.

[0039] Optionally, the outdoor heat exchanger also includes a second tee pipe. The second tee pipe is installed on the second pipe 36, and both ends of the third pipe 50 are connected to the second tee pipe and the throttling device 40, respectively. This arrangement improves the flow smoothness of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger, thereby enhancing the operational reliability of the air conditioner.

[0040] Specifically, when the air conditioner is cooling, the outdoor heat exchanger acts as the condenser. High-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas is evenly distributed to the heat exchanger body 10 via the gas collector assembly to release heat. Liquid refrigerant is collected by the distributor 70 and flows to the sixth pipe 38. Since the second one-way valve 32 is open while the fourth one-way valve 35 is closed, the liquid refrigerant flows through the second one-way valve 32 to the eighth pipe 90. Because the first one-way valve 31 is closed, the refrigerant can only flow to the subcooled section at the bottom of the heat exchanger. After subcooling, the refrigerant is throttled by the throttling device 40 into a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid and flows to the third pipe 50. Since the sixth pipe 38, connected to the fourth one-way valve 35, is on the high-temperature, high-pressure side, the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant can only pass through the second one-way valve 32. Simultaneously, since the eighth pipe 90, connected to the first one-way valve 31, is also on the high-temperature, high-pressure side, the throttled refrigerant can only flow from the first one-way valve 31 to the indoor heat exchanger to absorb heat, completing the entire cycle.

[0041] When the air conditioner is in heating mode, the outdoor heat exchanger acts as the evaporator. High-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant releases heat in the indoor heat exchanger, and the liquid refrigerant flows to the fourth pipe 37. Since the first one-way valve 31 is open while the third one-way valve 34 is closed, the liquid refrigerant flows through the first one-way valve 31 to the eighth pipe 90. Because the second one-way valve 32 is closed, the refrigerant can only flow to the bottom subcooling section for subcooling. After subcooling, the refrigerant is throttled by the throttling device 40, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid that flows to the third pipe 50. Since the fourth pipe 37, connected to the third one-way valve 34, is on the high-temperature, high-pressure side, the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant can only pass through the fourth one-way valve 35. Simultaneously, since the eighth pipe 90, connected to the second one-way valve 32, is also on the high-temperature, high-pressure side, the throttled refrigerant can only flow from the sixth pipe 38 to the distributor 70, which then diverts it to the heat exchanger to absorb heat, completing the entire cycle.

[0042] This application also provides an air conditioner (not shown) including an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger is the outdoor heat exchanger described above.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] The difference between the outdoor heat exchanger in Example 2 and Example 1 is that the number of heat exchanger bodies is different.

[0045] Optionally, there are multiple heat exchanger bodies 10, with the first pipe 33 connected to one heat exchanger body 10 and the seventh pipe 80 connected to another heat exchanger body 10. This arrangement makes the outdoor heat exchanger a multi-row heat exchanger.

[0046] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, there are two heat exchanger bodies 10. The first pipe 33 is connected to one heat exchanger body 10, and the seventh pipe 80 is connected to the other heat exchanger body 10.

[0047] Specifically, when the air conditioner is cooling, the outdoor heat exchanger acts as a condenser. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas is evenly distributed to the heat exchanger through the gas collection pipe assembly 100 to release heat. The liquid refrigerant is collected by the distributor 70, passes through two subcooled pipe sections, and then flows to the sixth pipe 38. Since the second one-way valve 32 is open and the fourth one-way valve 35 is closed, the liquid refrigerant will flow to the eighth pipe 90 through the second one-way valve 32. Since the first one-way valve 31 is closed, the refrigerant can only flow to the remaining two subcooled pipe sections at the bottom of the heat exchanger. After being subcooled, the refrigerant is throttled by the throttling device 40 into a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid and flows to the third pipe 50. Since the sixth pipe 38 connected to the fourth one-way valve 35 is on the high-temperature, high-pressure side, the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant can only pass through the third one-way valve 34. At the same time, since the eighth pipe 90 connected to the first one-way valve 31 is also on the high-temperature, high-pressure side, the throttled refrigerant can only flow from the fourth pipe 37 to the indoor heat exchanger to absorb heat. The entire subcooling section consists of four U-shaped subcooling pipe sections, completing the entire cycle.

[0048] Specifically, when the air conditioner is heating, the outdoor heat exchanger acts as the evaporator, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant releases heat in the indoor heat exchanger. The liquid refrigerant flows to the fourth pipe 37. Since the first one-way valve 31 is open and the third one-way valve 34 is closed, the liquid refrigerant will flow through the first one-way valve 31 to the eighth pipe 90. Since the second one-way valve 32 is closed, the refrigerant can only flow to the bottom two U-pipes for subcooling. After being subcooled, the refrigerant is throttled by the throttling device and becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid that flows to the third pipe 50. Since the fourth pipe 37 connected to the third check valve 34 is on the high-temperature, high-pressure side, the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant can only pass through the fourth check valve 35. At the same time, since the eighth pipe 90 connected to the second check valve 32 is also on the high-temperature, high-pressure side, the throttled refrigerant can only flow from the sixth pipe 38 to the first two U-tubes. Although the flow to the U-tubes is a pressure loss for heating, it has been reduced compared to other methods. The refrigerant is then diverted by the distributor to the heat exchanger to absorb heat, completing the entire cycle.

[0049] As can be seen from the above description, the embodiments of the present invention achieve the following technical effects:

[0050] When the air conditioner is in heating mode, the outdoor heat exchanger acts as the evaporator. After passing through the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant first enters the first one-way valve, and then passes through the heat exchanger body into the subcooling pipe section. This allows the refrigerant to fully release heat in the subcooling pipe section before being throttled. Compared to existing technologies where the refrigerant is throttled before passing through the subcooling pipe section, this improves the heating efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger, thus solving the problem of poor heating efficiency in existing air conditioners.

[0051] Obviously, the embodiments described above are merely some, not all, embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0052] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0053] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0054] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An outdoor heat exchanger, characterized in that, include: Heat exchanger body (10); The subcooled pipe section is connected to the heat exchanger body (10); Valve body assembly (30), the two ends of the valve body assembly (30) are respectively connected to the indoor heat exchanger and the heat exchanger body (10), the valve body assembly (30) includes a first one-way valve (31), a second one-way valve (32) and a first pipeline (33), the first one-way valve (31) is connected to the second one-way valve (32) through the first pipeline (33) to form a first valve body group; The first pipeline (33) is connected to the subcooled pipe section through the heat exchanger body (10). The conduction direction of the first check valve (31) is opposite to that of the second check valve (32). The conduction direction of the first check valve (31) is from the indoor heat exchanger to the heat exchanger body (10). The valve body assembly (30) also includes: The third check valve (34) is configured to have a conduction direction opposite to that of the first check valve (31). Fourth check valve (35); The second pipeline (36) is used to connect the third check valve (34) and the fourth check valve (35) in series to form a second valve body group. The first valve body group and the second valve body group are connected in parallel. The conduction direction of the third check valve (34) is opposite to that of the fourth check valve (35). The outdoor heat exchanger also includes: A throttling device (40) is connected to the heat exchanger body (10); The third pipeline (50) is connected at both ends to the second pipeline (36) and the throttling device (40), respectively. Eighth pipeline (90); The first tee pipe is installed on the first pipe (33), and the two ends of the eighth pipe (90) are respectively connected to the first tee pipe and the heat exchanger body (10); The second three-way pipe is installed on the second pipe (36), and the two ends of the third pipe (50) are respectively connected to the second three-way pipe and the throttling device (40).

2. The outdoor heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body assembly (30) also includes: The fourth pipeline (37) is connected at both ends to the first check valve (31) and the third check valve (34), respectively. The outdoor heat exchanger also includes: The fifth pipe (60) is connected at both ends to the fourth pipe (37) and the indoor heat exchanger, respectively.

3. The outdoor heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body assembly (30) also includes: The sixth pipeline (38) is connected at both ends to the second check valve (32) and the fourth check valve (35), respectively. The outdoor heat exchanger also includes: The distributor (70) is connected to the heat exchanger body (10); The seventh pipe (80) is connected at both ends to the sixth pipe (38) and the distributor (70) or the heat exchanger body (10).

4. The outdoor heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heat exchanger body (10) is one unit, and the two ends of the seventh pipe (80) are respectively connected to the sixth pipe (38) and the distributor (70).

5. The outdoor heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that, There are multiple heat exchanger bodies (10), the first pipeline (33) is connected to one of the heat exchanger bodies (10), and the seventh pipeline (80) is connected to another heat exchanger body (10).

6. The outdoor heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The subcooled pipe section is one; or, the subcooled pipe section is multiple.

7. An air conditioner, characterized in that, It includes an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger is the outdoor heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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