Heat exchange device and method of manufacturing the same

By designing a detachable outer valve body and inner valve body structure, the problem of having to replace the entire expansion valve when changing the expansion valve interface was solved, thus achieving standardized production and cost reduction.

CN114688902BActive Publication Date: 2026-05-05ZHEJIANG SANHUA AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
ZHEJIANG SANHUA AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS CO LTD
Filing Date
2021-02-02
Publication Date
2026-05-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

When existing expansion valves are combined with plate heat exchangers, the entire expansion valve needs to be replaced when the interface is changed, resulting in high production costs and inconvenient management.

Method used

Design a heat exchange device in which the outer valve body is fixedly connected to the heat exchanger and the inner valve body is detachably connected. The inner valve body is standardized and the outer valve body is adjustable to adapt to different interface requirements. The detachable connection is achieved through positioning and limiting structures.

Benefits of technology

Standardized production of the inner valve body has been achieved, reducing manufacturing costs, simplifying production management, and reducing the need to replace the entire expansion valve due to interface changes.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

This invention discloses a heat exchange device and its manufacturing method. The heat exchange device includes a heat exchanger and an expansion valve. The expansion valve includes an outer valve body and an inner valve body. The heat exchanger is fixedly connected to the outer valve body, and the outer valve body and the inner valve body are detachably connected. A first heat exchange channel and a second heat exchange channel that are not directly connected are formed inside the heat exchanger. The outer valve body includes a first interface portion and a second interface portion, which respectively have a first interface and a second interface. The expansion valve has a first inner interface that corresponds to and is connected to the first interface. The outer valve body has a receiving cavity, and the inner valve body is at least partially located in the receiving cavity. The first interface is connected to the first heat exchange channel, and the second interface is connected to the first heat exchange channel. The expansion valve also includes a throttling portion with a valve port. Fluid flows into the throttling portion from the first inner interface and then flows into the heat exchanger after throttling. The inner valve body can be standardized, while the outer valve body can be adjusted according to system requirements to achieve a fit, which is beneficial for production management.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat exchange technology, and in particular to a heat exchange device and its manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, conventional expansion valves are combined with plate heat exchangers. The expansion valve has four ports: two connect to the plate heat exchanger, and the other two connect to the compressor and receiver. All four ports and the central control unit of the expansion valve are machined onto the same valve body. This structure has the following disadvantages:

[0003] 1. Once the interface of the newly designed expansion valve is changed, the entire expansion valve must be replaced;

[0004] 2. When assembling expansion valves, manufacturers need to customize corresponding equipment according to different valve body shapes and interface sizes, resulting in higher manufacturing costs for integrating expansion valves with plate heat exchangers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a heat exchange device that can be standardized and has low manufacturing cost, as well as a method for manufacturing the same.

[0006] This invention provides a heat exchange device, comprising a heat exchanger and an expansion valve. The expansion valve includes an outer valve body and an inner valve body. The heat exchanger is fixedly connected to the outer valve body, and the inner valve body is detachably connected to the outer valve body. The heat exchanger contains a first heat exchange channel and a second heat exchange channel that are not directly connected. The outer valve body includes a first interface portion and a second interface portion. The first interface portion has a first interface and a first outer interface, and the second interface portion has a second interface and a second outer interface. The first outer interface is the first inlet of the heat exchange device, and the second interface portion is fixedly connected to the heat exchanger. The inner valve body has a first interface and a second outer interface. The system includes an inner interface and a second inner interface, wherein the first inner interface corresponds to and is connected to the first interface, and the second inner interface corresponds to and is connected to the second interface; the outer valve body has a receiving cavity, at least a portion of the inner valve body is located within the receiving cavity, the second outer interface is connected to the first heat exchange channel, the inner valve body further includes a throttling section, the throttling section has a valve port, a first flow channel is formed between the first inner interface and the second inner interface, the first outer interface is connected to the first flow channel, the valve port is located in the first flow channel, and the flow area of ​​the valve port is smaller than the flow area of ​​other parts of the first flow channel.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a heat exchange device, the method comprising the following steps:

[0008] A heat exchanger and an outer valve body are provided. The outer valve body includes a first interface portion and a second interface portion. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange core with corner holes. The outer valve body is fixedly connected to the heat exchange core. The heat exchanger has a first heat exchange channel and a second heat exchange channel. The first interface portion is a first inlet. The second interface portion is connected to the first heat exchange channel or the second heat exchange channel of the heat exchanger.

[0009] An inner valve body and a sealing ring are provided, wherein the inner valve body or the outer valve body has a sealing groove, and the sealing ring is pressed into the sealing groove;

[0010] The inner valve body is pressed into the outer valve body by external pressure, so as to ensure that the inner interface of the inner valve body is connected to the interface of the outer valve body, so that the first interface part is connected to the first inner interface and the second interface part is connected to the second inner interface.

[0011] The outer valve body and the inner valve body include a positioning structure and a limiting structure, which allow the inner valve body and the outer valve body to be detachably connected to form the heat exchange device described above.

[0012] In this heat exchange device and its manufacturing method, the heat exchange device includes a heat exchanger and an expansion valve. The expansion valve includes an outer valve body and an inner valve body. The outer valve body is fixedly connected to the heat exchanger, and the inner valve body is detachably connected to the outer valve body. The outer valve body can be adjusted according to the shape and size of the heat exchanger interface, and the inner valve body can be standardized, reducing the need to replace the entire expansion valve due to changes in the expansion valve interface, shape, or interface size. The inner valve body of the expansion valve can be independently machined and formed. The inner valve body can be combined with different outer valve bodies to achieve different interfaces. The connection between the heat exchanger and the outer valve body is beneficial for production management. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of the heat exchange device of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of an exploded heat exchanger;

[0016] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A front view schematic diagram of the first and second plates of the heat exchange core;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the outer valve body in one direction;

[0018] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Top view of the heat exchanger;

[0019] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Another perspective of the exploded three-dimensional structure of the heat exchanger;

[0020] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the heat exchange device of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 8 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the heat exchanger in the BB direction;

[0022] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A front view schematic diagram of the inner valve body of the expansion valve;

[0023] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the expansion valve in the AA direction;

[0024] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the inner and outer valve bodies after assembly.

[0025] Figure 12 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the outer valve body from one perspective;

[0026] Figure 13 A three-dimensional structural diagram of a valve body with a positioning notch from one perspective;

[0027] Figure 14 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the heat exchange device with retaining ring of the present invention from one perspective;

[0028] Figure 15 for Figure 14 A top view of the structure of the clasp;

[0029] Figure 16 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the inner valve body with a latch from one perspective;

[0030] Figure 17 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of another embodiment of the external valve body. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, examples of which are shown in the drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0032] To address the technical problem of this invention, the heat exchange device includes a heat exchanger and an expansion valve. The expansion valve includes an outer valve body and an inner valve body. The outer valve body is fixedly connected to the heat exchanger, and the inner valve body is connected to the outer valve body. The outer valve body can be adjusted according to the shape and size of the heat exchanger interface, while the inner valve body can be standardized. This reduces the need to replace the entire expansion valve due to changes in the expansion valve interface, shape, or interface size. The inner valve body of the expansion valve can be independently machined. The inner valve body can be combined with different outer valve bodies to achieve different interfaces. The connection between the heat exchanger and the outer valve body facilitates production management.

[0033] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 According to one embodiment of the present invention, a heat exchange device 700 is provided. The heat exchange device 700 includes a heat exchanger 70 and an expansion valve 10. The heat exchanger 70 includes a heat exchange core 71, which includes at least two stacked plates 74. The plates 74 include a first plate 741 and a second plate 742. The first plate 741 has a first corner hole 751 and is generally rectangular in shape. There are four first corner holes 751, which are respectively located at the corners of the first plate 741. The second plate 742 has the same or similar structure as the first plate 741. The second plate has a second corner hole 752, which is also four in number and located at the corners of the second plate. The first corner hole 751 and the second corner hole 752 are respectively provided. The area between the first plate 741 and the second plate 742 is the heat exchange area of ​​the heat exchange core 71. The first plate 741 and the second plate 742 are stacked in sequence so that the heat exchange core 71 forms a first heat exchange channel 743 and a second heat exchange channel 744 that are not directly connected. Here, "not directly connected" means that they are not connected inside the heat exchange core 71, but may be indirectly connected or connected through the system after entering the system.

[0034] See Figure 11 The expansion valve 10 includes an inner valve body 200 and an outer valve body 100. The inner valve body 200 includes a valve body 11, a power head assembly 12, a transmission rod assembly 13, a valve core assembly 14, and an adjustment assembly 15.

[0035] The valve body 11 has an opening at the top. The power head assembly 12 is fixed to the valve body 11 by welding, and the power head assembly 12 is located at the top of the valve body 11. The adjusting assembly 15 is threadedly connected to the valve body 11 and is located near the bottom of the valve body 11. The inner valve body 200 has a valve chamber 16, and the valve core assembly 14 is located in the valve chamber 16. The valve core assembly 14 can change the flow area of ​​the valve port of the expansion valve through the power head assembly 12 and the transmission rod assembly 13, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the fluid passing through the expansion valve. The transmission rod assembly 13 is located in the inner valve... Inside body 200, transmission rod component 13 is connected to power head assembly 12 and valve core assembly 14. Transmission rod component 13 can abut against power head assembly 12, including direct and indirect abutment, and transmission rod component 13 can abut against valve core assembly 14, including direct and indirect abutment. Transmission rod component 13 can move accordingly when power head assembly 12 is heated or cooled, thereby abutting and driving valve core assembly 14 to move up and down, so that valve core assembly 14 can move up and down a certain distance under the action of power head assembly 12 to adjust the flow area of ​​valve port of expansion valve.

[0036] See Figure 10 The valve body 11 has a generally vertically extending structure and includes a first inner interface 111, a second inner interface 112, a third inner interface 113, and a fourth inner interface 114. The valve body 11 includes a first flow channel 115 and a throttling section 116. The first inner interface 111 is one interface of the first flow channel 115, and the second inner interface 112 is the other interface of the first flow channel 115. In this embodiment, the throttling section 116 has a valve port. The throttling section can cooperate with the valve core assembly to adjust the flow area of ​​the valve port, thereby regulating the flow rate of the fluid passing through the valve port. The valve body 11 also includes a second flow channel 117, with the third inner interface 113 being one interface of the second flow channel 117 and the fourth inner interface 114 being the other interface of the second flow channel 117. In one specific application, fluid flows in through the first internal port 111, is throttled by the valve port of the throttling section, flows out through the second internal port 112 and then through the outer valve body. The fluid then flows in again from the outer valve body through the third internal port 113 and out through the fourth internal port 114 into the system. Of course, the second internal port 112 and the fourth internal port 114 can also be used as inlets, and the first internal port 111 and the third internal port 113 can also be used as outlets. Alternatively, the expansion valve body can have only the first internal port 111 and the second internal port 112, with fluid flowing into the inner valve body through the first internal port 111 and out through the second internal port 112.

[0037] See Figure 10In this embodiment, the expansion valve has the first inner interface 111 and the fourth inner interface 114 located on the same side of the valve body 11, and the second inner interface 112 and the third inner interface 113 located on the other side of the valve body 11. Along the axial direction of the transmission rod component, the first inner interface 111 is lower than the second inner interface 112, and the third inner interface 113 and the fourth inner interface 114 are approximately at the same height. The valve body 11 includes a first sealing groove 118, a second sealing groove 119, and a third sealing groove 120. The expansion valve includes a first sealing ring 131, a second sealing ring 132, and a third sealing ring 133. The first sealing ring 131 is located on the periphery above the third inner interface 113 and the fourth inner interface 114 of the valve body. The second sealing ring 132 is located on the periphery below the third inner interface 113 and the fourth inner interface 114 of the valve body, and is located above the second inner interface 112 of the valve body. The third sealing ring 133 is located on the periphery above the first inner interface 111 of the valve body, and is located on the periphery below the second inner interface 112 of the valve body. The first sealing ring 131 is at least partially located in the first sealing groove 118, the second sealing ring 132 is at least partially located in the second sealing groove 119, and the third sealing ring 133 is at least partially located in the third sealing groove 120.

[0038] See Figure 9 The valve body 11 includes a valve body part 141, a valve body part 142, and a valve body part 143. The valve body part 141, valve body part 142, and valve body part 143 are generally cylindrical in shape. In cross-section, the radial diameter of the valve body part 141 is larger than that of the valve body part 142, and the radial diameter of the valve body part 142 is larger than that of the valve body part 143. In terms of height, the valve body part 143 is lower than the valve body part 142, and the valve body part 142 is lower than the valve body part 141. The maximum value of the valve body part 143 is smaller than that of the valve body part 142, and the maximum value of the valve body part 142 is smaller than that of the valve body part 141. The valve body part 142 is located between the valve body part 141 and the valve body part 143. Figure 10 The first sealing groove 118 is located above the valve body part 141, the second sealing groove 119 is located below the valve body part 141 and above the valve body part 142, and the third sealing groove 120 is located below the valve body part 141 and above the valve body part 143. Alternatively, the second sealing groove 119 is located between the valve body part 141 and the valve body part 142, and the third sealing groove 120 is located between the valve body part 142 and the valve body part 143. Figure 10The third inner interface 113, the fourth inner interface 114, and the second flow channel 117 are located in the first part of the valve body 141. The second inner interface 112 is located in the second part of the valve body 142. The first inner interface 111 is located in the third part of the valve body 143. The first flow channel 115 is partially located in the second part of the valve body 142 and partially located in the third part of the valve body 143. The throttling part 116 is approximately located inside one or two of the three parts of the valve body 142, the third sealing groove 120, and the third part of the valve body 143, or in corresponding positions of the three parts. The first inner interface 111 and the second inner interface 112 are connected to the valve core assembly through the throttling part 116. The third sealing ring 133 prevents the first inner interface 111 and the second inner interface 112 from communicating with the outer valve body through the space between the outer wall of the valve body and the outer valve body. The second sealing ring 132 prevents the second inner interface 112 from communicating with the third inner interface 113 and the fourth inner interface 114 through the space between the outer wall of the valve body and the outer valve body. The size, shape, and interface of the inner valve body of this expansion valve can be standardized. Different outer valve bodies with different structures can be selected to match the expansion valve according to the needs of different systems, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0039] See Figure 4 In this embodiment, the outer valve body 100 includes a first interface portion 121, a second interface portion 122, a third interface portion 123, and a fourth interface portion 124. The first interface portion 121 has a first interface 1211 and a first external interface 1212; the second interface portion 122 has a second interface 1221 and a second external interface 1222; the third interface portion 123 has a third interface 1231 and a third external interface 1232; and the fourth interface portion 124 has a fourth interface 1241 and a fourth external interface 1242. Figure 8 The first interface 1211 corresponds to and connects with the first inner interface 111 of the inner valve body; the second interface 1221 corresponds to and connects with the second inner interface 112 of the inner valve body; the third interface 1231 corresponds to and connects with the third inner interface 113 of the inner valve body; and the fourth interface 1241 corresponds to and connects with the fourth inner interface 114 of the inner valve body. Alternatively, only the first interface 121 and the second interface 122 may be included, and the cavity within the power head component can be connected to the area requiring temperature sensing via a connecting pipe.

[0040] See Figure 4 , Figure 8 as well as Figure 10 When the inner valve body 200 and the outer valve body 100 are assembled, the first inner interface 111 and the first interface 1211 are connected, the second inner interface 112 and the second interface 1221 are connected, the first interface 1211 is connected to the second interface 1221 through the first flow channel 115, the third inner interface 113 is connected to the third interface 1231, the fourth inner interface 114 is connected to the fourth interface 1241, and the third interface 1231 is connected to the fourth interface 1241 through the second flow channel 117.

[0041] The first interface 1211 is greater than or equal to the first inner interface 111 of the valve body 11; the second interface 1221 is greater than or equal to the second inner interface 112 of the valve body 11; the third interface 1231 is greater than or equal to the third inner interface 113 of the valve body 11; the fourth interface 1241 is greater than or equal to the fourth inner interface 114 of the inner valve body; the first outer interface 1212 of the first interface section 121 is greater than the first interface 1211; the second outer interface 1222 of the second interface section 122 is greater than the second interface 1221; the third outer interface 1232 of the third interface section 123 is greater than the third interface 1231; the fourth outer interface 1242 of the fourth interface section 124 is greater than the fourth interface 1241; the first outer interface 1212... The outer portion of the first external interface 1211 is greater than or equal to the inner portion of the first external interface 1221 near the inner valve body; the outer portion of the second external interface 1222 is greater than or equal to the inner portion of the second external interface 1221 near the inner valve body; the outer portion of the third external interface 1232 is greater than or equal to the inner portion of the third external interface 1231 near the inner valve body; and the outer portion of the fourth external interface 1242 is greater than or equal to the inner portion of the fourth external interface 1241 near the inner valve body. This has two advantages: firstly, it ensures that, within the allowable error range, each interface has sufficient flow area during the processing and assembly of the expansion valve, reducing flow resistance; secondly, it does not affect the position of the sealing groove and the installation of the internal disc spring, and it can reduce the overall size of the expansion valve. In this text, "size" refers to the size of the flow area. For example, "the outer portion of the first external interface 1212 is greater than or equal to the inner portion of the first external interface 1211 near the inner valve body." In cases where the shape is not perfectly regular, it means that the flow area of ​​the outer portion of the first external interface facing outward is greater than or equal to the flow area of ​​the inner portion facing inward.

[0042] The outer valve body of the expansion valve can be welded to the heat exchanger as a single unit, and then the inner valve body is assembled into the assembly of the outer valve body and the heat exchanger to form a heat exchange assembly. Alternatively, the expansion valve and the heat exchanger can be fixed together using bolts or other methods, which are not limited here. If the system has installation requirements regarding inlet and outlet dimensions and positions, only the structure or size of the outer valve body needs to be changed, while the inner valve body remains unchanged. This allows for the standardization of the inner valve body, reducing the number of parts and overall cost. The structure of the expansion valve can be referenced in the implementation method described above.

[0043] In the heat exchange device, the first external interface 1212 serves as the first inlet, which is the inlet for the first heat exchange medium. The fourth external interface 1242 serves as the first outlet, which is the outlet for the first heat exchange medium. In practical applications, fluids such as refrigerant can flow in from the first external interface 1212, pass through the first interface 1211, the first internal interface 111, the first flow channel 115, the valve port of the expansion valve, the second internal interface 112, the second interface 1221, and the second external interface 1222, and enter the first heat exchange channel of the heat exchanger. Heat exchange occurs between the fluid in the heat exchanger and the fluid in the first heat exchange channel. The fluid then exits the heat exchanger and flows out through the third external interface 1232, the third interface 1231, the third internal interface 113, the second flow channel 117, the fourth interface 1241, and finally out through the fourth external interface 1242.

[0044] The second interface 122 is fixedly connected to the heat exchanger 70, and the third interface 123 is fixedly connected to the heat exchanger 70. In this embodiment, the outer valve body and the heat exchanger are fixed by welding. Of course, other welding methods such as laser welding can also be used.

[0045] See Figure 1 and Figure 5 The heat exchanger 70 also includes a first connecting pipe 761 and a second connecting pipe 762. The first connecting pipe 761 has a second inlet 725, and the second connecting pipe 762 has a second outlet 726. The second inlet serves as the inlet for the second heat exchange medium, and the second outlet serves as the outlet for the second heat exchange medium. One end of the first connecting pipe 761 is welded and fixed to the heat exchange core 71 or the heat exchanger 70, and one end of the second connecting pipe 762 is welded and fixed to the heat exchange core 71 or the heat exchanger 70. Of course, other fixing methods such as screw fixing can also be used. The first connecting pipe 761 has a first connecting pipe channel 7611, and the second connecting pipe 762 has a second connecting pipe channel 7621. The first connecting pipe channel 7611 communicates with the second heat exchange channel 744 through a corner hole 75, and the second connecting pipe channel 7621 communicates with the second heat exchange channel 744 through a corner hole 75. The second heat exchange medium flows in from the second inlet and flows out from the second outlet.

[0046] See Figure 6 In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger 70 further includes a cover plate 73, which includes a plurality of mounting holes 731, and the cover plate 73 is fixedly connected to the heat exchange core 71 through the mounting holes 731.

[0047] See Figure 12 , Figure 13In one embodiment of the present invention, a positioning structure is included between the inner valve body and the outer valve body. The valve body 11 includes a positioning part 24, which is located at the top of the valve body 11 and above the first sealing groove 118. The positioning part 24 includes a positioning notch 25 and forms a first positioning surface 251 at the positioning notch 25. The first positioning surface 251 can be a plane. The outer valve body 100 includes a mating positioning part 26, which can be a protruding structure. The mating positioning part 26 is located on the inner wall surface of the outer valve body 100 and includes a second positioning surface 261. In this embodiment, the second positioning surface 261 of the mating positioning part 26 is a planar structure. The mating positioning part 26 and the positioning notch 25 are mated, and the first positioning surface 251 and the second positioning surface 261 are mated to prevent the inner valve body from rotating circumferentially relative to the outer valve body. In other words, when rotating, the first positioning surface 251 will abut against the second positioning surface 261, thereby achieving the positioning purpose. When the inner valve body 200 is assembled with the outer valve body 100, the positioning notch 25 and the mating positioning part 26 match. In this invention, a positioning notch 25 is provided in the circumferential direction of the positioning part 24, and a mating positioning part is provided in the corresponding part of the outer valve body. The two cooperate to prevent the inner valve body 200 from rotating circumferentially when the air conditioning system is working. Alternatively, the positioning and mating structure can be configured in the opposite way, i.e., a notch is provided on the inner wall of the outer valve body, and a corresponding mating protrusion is provided on the inner valve body, which can also achieve the corresponding positioning purpose. In this embodiment, the adjusting component is fixed relative to the valve body, such as by threads. Alternatively, the adjusting component can also be fixed to the outer valve body by threads. That is, the valve body component of the inner valve body is assembled with the outer valve body, and then the adjusting component is installed, or the valve core and adjusting component are installed, and the expansion valve is adjusted by the adjusting component. This avoids assembly errors and allows for more precise control of the expansion valve. The adjusting component can be threaded with the outer valve body or the inner valve body. In this embodiment, the positioning notch serves as the notch part of the positioning structure, and the mating positioning part serves as the protrusion part of the positioning structure. In this article, convex parts are structures that are relatively more numerous than regular shapes, while notches or concave parts are structures that are relatively lacking than regular shapes.

[0048] See Figure 16 In another embodiment of the present invention, the valve body 11 includes a positioning part 34, which is at least partially located on the upper side of the first sealing groove 118. In this embodiment, the valve body 11 has two positioning holes 372 in the positioning part 34, and the positioning part 34 also includes two pins 373. Each pin 373 is at least partially located in the positioning hole 372. The outer valve body has a recess at a position corresponding to the pin, and at least a portion of the pin is located in the recess of the outer valve body. The valve body 11 and the outer valve body are positioned by the pins 373. Alternatively, only one pin can be provided to achieve the same relative positioning purpose. In this embodiment, the pin serves as a protrusion in the positioning structure.

[0049] See Figure 14 , Figure 15 , Figure 17 The outer valve body 100 includes a limiting part 41, which includes a groove 411; the power head assembly 12 includes an air box head 102; the expansion valve also includes a retaining ring 42, which includes a main body 421 and a snap-fit ​​part 422. The retaining ring is made of an elastic material, and there is a certain distance between the two snap-fit ​​parts 422. After the retaining ring 42 is compressed, it can be inserted into the groove 411. After the retaining ring 42 is inserted into the groove 411, the retaining ring 42 springs open, and at least part of it is located in the groove. The groove 411 and the retaining ring 42 are at least partially located above the inner valve body, thereby restricting the inner valve body from axially disengaging from the outer valve body and achieving the limiting of the inner and outer valve bodies. Specifically, at least part of the main body 421 of the retaining ring 42 is located in the groove 411, and at least part of the retaining ring 42 is located above the gas box head 102. When the gas box head 102 is to be moved upward, it abuts against and limits the gas box head 102. The engaging part may also be provided with a through hole 423, which facilitates installation. The sealing method between the inner valve body and the outer valve body 100 can refer to the embodiment described above. In addition, a limiting structure is provided between the inner valve body and the outer valve body 100 to prevent relative rotation of the inner valve body, which can also refer to the above description, to prevent the inner valve body of the expansion valve from rotating in the circumferential direction when the air conditioning system is working.

[0050] See Figures 1-17 The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a heat exchange device, the method comprising the following steps:

[0051] S1): A heat exchanger 70 and an outer valve body 100 are provided. The outer valve body 100 includes a first interface portion 121 and a second interface portion 122. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange core 71 with a corner hole 75. The outer valve body 100 and the heat exchanger 70 are fixedly connected. The outer valve body 100 and the heat exchange core 71 are connected through the corner hole 75. The heat exchanger 70 has a first heat exchange channel 743 and a second heat exchange channel 744, such that the first interface portion 121 is connected to the first heat exchange channel 743 of the heat exchanger 70, and the second heat exchange channel 744 is able to exchange heat with the first heat exchange channel 743.

[0052] S2): Provide an inner valve body 200 and a sealing ring (131 / 132 / 133), and press the sealing ring into the sealing groove (118 / 119 / 120) of the inner valve body 200;

[0053] S3): Press the inner valve body 200 into the outer valve body 100 by external pressure, and try to ensure that the inner interface of the inner valve body 200 is connected to the interface of the outer valve body, so that the first outer interface is connected to the first inner interface and the second outer interface is connected to the second inner interface.

[0054] S4): The outer valve body 100 and the inner valve body 200 include positioning and limiting structures, which allow the inner valve body and the outer valve body to be detachably connected to form a heat exchange device.

[0055] The positioning structure includes a protrusion on the outer valve body and a recess or notch on the expansion valve, or the positioning structure includes a recess or notch on the outer valve body and a protrusion on the expansion valve. The limiting structure includes a limiting groove on the outer valve body, a power head assembly of the expansion valve, and a limiting retaining ring. The positioning structure positions and connects the expansion valve to the outer valve body, and the limiting structure limits and connects the expansion valve to the outer valve body.

[0056] This invention integrates the outer valve body with the heat exchanger, reducing the need to completely replace the entire expansion valve due to changes in its interface, shape, or size. This lowers manufacturing costs and facilitates production management. The inner and outer valve bodies are detachably connected, allowing for standardization of the entire heat exchange device.

[0057] Compared to existing technologies, this invention achieves the following technical advantages by first integrating the outer valve body and the heat exchanger, and then inserting the expansion valve to integrate the heat exchange device:

[0058] (1) The inner valve body can be standardized and is not limited by the structure of the outer valve body;

[0059] (2) When integrating the inner valve body with the outer valve body assembly and the heat exchange device, if the valve body size changes, only the size of the two interfaces of the outer valve body needs to be changed;

[0060] (3) The heat exchanger and expansion valve are integrated into a simple heat exchange device with low manufacturing cost.

[0061] See Figure 2 and Figure 6 The outer valve body also includes a limiting hole 77, and the heat exchanger also includes a limiting post 78. The limiting post is placed in the limiting hole 77 for limiting connection to ensure smooth flow of fluid.

[0062] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in the invention. For example, the directional definitions such as "front", "back", "left", "right", "up", and "down" are used. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify or make equivalent substitutions to the present invention. All technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat exchange device, characterized in that, The heat exchange device includes a heat exchanger and an expansion valve. The expansion valve includes an outer valve body and an inner valve body. The heat exchanger is fixedly connected to the outer valve body, and the inner valve body is detachably connected to the outer valve body. The heat exchanger has a first heat exchange channel and a second heat exchange channel that are not directly connected. The outer valve body includes a first interface portion and a second interface portion. The first interface portion has a first interface and a first outer interface, and the second interface portion has a second interface and a second outer interface. The first outer interface is the first inlet of the heat exchange device, and the second interface portion is fixedly connected to the heat exchanger. The inner valve body has a first inner interface and a second outer interface. Two internal interfaces: the first internal interface corresponds to and is connected to the first interface; the second internal interface corresponds to and is connected to the second interface; the outer valve body has a receiving cavity, at least a portion of the inner valve body is located within the receiving cavity; the second outer interface is connected to the first heat exchange channel; the inner valve body further includes a throttling section with a valve port; a first flow channel is formed between the first internal interface and the second internal interface; the first outer interface is connected to the first flow channel; the valve port is located in the first flow channel; and the flow area of ​​the valve port is smaller than the flow area of ​​other parts of the first flow channel.

2. The heat exchange device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger further includes a heat exchange core and a cover plate. The cover plate is fixedly connected to the heat exchange core. The heat exchange core includes multiple stacked plates. Each plate has corner holes. Each plate includes a first plate and a second plate. The second plate has the same or similar structure as the first plate. The first plate has a first corner hole located at an opposite corner of the first plate. The second plate has a second corner hole located at an opposite corner of the second plate. The first plate and the second plate are fixedly connected. The first corner hole and the second corner hole are arranged opposite to each other. A first heat exchange channel or a second heat exchange channel is formed between adjacent first plates and second plates.

3. The heat exchange device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The outer valve body further includes a third interface portion and a fourth interface portion. The third interface portion has a third outer interface and a third interface, and the fourth interface portion has a fourth outer interface and a fourth interface. The inner valve body has a third inner interface and a fourth inner interface. The third inner interface corresponds to and is connected to the third interface. The fourth inner interface corresponds to and is connected to the fourth interface. A second flow channel is formed between the third inner interface and the fourth inner interface. The third interface portion is fixedly connected to the heat exchange core. The fourth outer interface is the first outlet of the heat exchange device. The third outer interface is connected to the first heat exchange channel, and the fourth outer interface is connected to the second flow channel. The heat exchanger further includes a first connecting pipe and a second connecting pipe. The first connecting pipe has a second inlet, and the second connecting pipe has a second outlet. One end of the first connecting pipe is fixedly connected to the heat exchange core, and one end of the second connecting pipe is fixedly connected to the heat exchange core. The first connecting pipe has a first connecting pipe channel, which is connected to the second heat exchange channel through the corner hole. The second connecting pipe has a second connecting pipe channel, which is connected to the second heat exchange channel through the corner hole.

4. The heat exchange device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first port of the expansion valve is greater than or equal to the first inner port, and the second port of the expansion valve is greater than or equal to the second inner port. The outer side of the first port facing outward is greater than or equal to the inner side of the first port near the inner valve body, and the outer side of the second port facing outward is greater than or equal to the inner side of the second port near the inner valve body. At least two sealing rings are provided between the expansion valve and the outer valve body, and corresponding sealing grooves are provided in the inner valve body and / or the outer valve body. In the axial height direction of the expansion valve, at least one of the sealing rings is higher than the first inner port and lower than the second inner port.

5. The heat exchange device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first port of the expansion valve is greater than or equal to the first inner port, and the second port of the expansion valve is greater than or equal to the second inner port. The outer side of the first port facing outward is greater than or equal to the inner side of the first port near the inner valve body, and the outer side of the second port facing outward is greater than or equal to the inner side of the second port near the inner valve body. At least two sealing rings are provided between the expansion valve and the outer valve body, and corresponding sealing grooves are provided in the inner valve body and / or the outer valve body. In the axial height direction of the expansion valve, at least one of the sealing rings is higher than the first inner port and lower than the second inner port.

6. The heat exchange device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first port of the expansion valve is greater than or equal to the first inner port, and the second port of the expansion valve is greater than or equal to the second inner port. The outer side of the first port facing outward is greater than or equal to the inner side of the first port near the inner valve body, and the outer side of the second port facing outward is greater than or equal to the inner side of the second port near the inner valve body. At least two sealing rings are provided between the expansion valve and the outer valve body, and corresponding sealing grooves are provided in the inner valve body and / or the outer valve body. In the axial height direction of the expansion valve, at least one of the sealing rings is higher than the first inner port and lower than the second inner port.

7. The heat exchange device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The valve body includes a valve body part, a valve body part two, and a valve body part three. In terms of height, the valve body part three is lower than the valve body part two, and the valve body part two is lower than the valve body part one. The maximum point of the valve body part three is smaller than the maximum point of the valve body part two, and the maximum point of the valve body part two is smaller than the maximum point of the valve body part one. The first inner interface is disposed in the valve body part three, and the second inner interface is disposed in the valve body part two. The first interface is greater than or equal to the first inner interface, and the second interface is greater than or equal to the second inner interface.

8. The heat exchange device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The valve body includes a valve body part, a valve body part two, and a valve body part three. In terms of height, the valve body part three is lower than the valve body part two, and the valve body part two is lower than the valve body part one. The maximum point of the valve body part three is smaller than the maximum point of the valve body part two, and the maximum point of the valve body part two is smaller than the maximum point of the valve body part one. The first inner interface is disposed in the valve body part three, and the second inner interface is disposed in the valve body part two. The first interface is greater than or equal to the first inner interface, and the second interface is greater than or equal to the second inner interface.

9. The heat exchange device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The valve body includes a valve body part, a valve body part two, and a valve body part three. In terms of height, the valve body part three is lower than the valve body part two, and the valve body part two is lower than the valve body part one. The maximum point of the valve body part three is smaller than the maximum point of the valve body part two, and the maximum point of the valve body part two is smaller than the maximum point of the valve body part one. The first inner interface is disposed in the valve body part three, and the second inner interface is disposed in the valve body part two. The first interface is greater than or equal to the first inner interface, and the second interface is greater than or equal to the second inner interface.

10. The heat exchange device as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The third inner interface and the fourth inner interface are disposed on a portion of the valve body, and the third inner interface and the fourth inner interface are connected; the inner valve body is provided with a first sealing groove, a second sealing groove, and a third sealing groove, and the expansion valve includes a first sealing ring, a second sealing ring, and a third sealing ring, wherein the first sealing ring is at least partially located in the first sealing groove, the second sealing ring is at least partially located in the second sealing groove, and the third sealing ring is at least partially located in the third sealing groove; in the height direction, the first sealing groove is located above the third inner interface and the fourth inner interface, the second sealing groove is located below the third inner interface and the fourth inner interface, the second sealing groove is located above the second inner interface, the third sealing groove is located below the second inner interface, and the third sealing groove is located above the first inner interface.

11. The heat exchange device according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The expansion valve is provided with a positioning structure, which includes a protrusion provided on the outer valve body and a recess or notch provided on the inner valve body; or, the positioning structure includes a recess or notch provided on the outer valve body and a protrusion provided on the inner valve body. Alternatively, the inner valve body includes a positioning part, the positioning part includes a positioning notch, the positioning notch includes a first contact surface, the first contact surface is a plane, the outer valve body includes a mating positioning part, the mating positioning part is located on the inner wall surface of the outer valve body, the mating positioning part includes a second contact surface, the second contact surface is a plane, and when the mating positioning part and the positioning notch are mated, the first contact surface abuts against the second contact surface.

12. The heat exchange device as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The outer valve body also includes a limiting part, which includes a groove. The inner valve body also includes a power head assembly, which includes an air box head. The expansion valve includes a retaining ring, which is made of an elastic material. The retaining ring includes a main body and a snap-fit ​​part. The retaining ring can be inserted into the groove after compression. When the retaining ring is inserted into the groove, it springs open. At least a portion of the main body of the retaining ring is located in the groove, and at least a portion of the retaining ring is located above the air box head, abutting and limiting the air box head. The snap-fit ​​part has a through hole. The main material of the retaining ring is aluminum.

13. A method for manufacturing a heat exchange device, characterized in that, The manufacturing method includes the following steps: A heat exchanger and an outer valve body are provided. The outer valve body includes a first interface portion and a second interface portion. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange core with corner holes. The outer valve body is fixedly connected to the heat exchange core. The heat exchanger has a first heat exchange channel and a second heat exchange channel. The first interface portion is a first inlet. The second interface portion is connected to the first heat exchange channel or the second heat exchange channel of the heat exchanger. An inner valve body and a sealing ring are provided, wherein the inner valve body or the outer valve body has a sealing groove, and the sealing ring is pressed into the sealing groove; The inner valve body is pressed into the outer valve body by external pressure, so as to ensure that the inner interface of the inner valve body is connected to the interface of the outer valve body, so that the first interface part is connected to the first inner interface and the second interface part is connected to the second inner interface. The outer valve body and the inner valve body include a positioning structure and a limiting structure, so that the inner valve body and the outer valve body can be detachably connected to form a heat exchange device as described in any one of claims 1-12.

14. The manufacturing method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The positioning structure includes a protrusion on the outer valve body and a recess or notch on the expansion valve; or, the positioning structure includes a recess or notch on the outer valve body and a protrusion on the expansion valve. The limiting structure includes a limiting groove on the outer valve body, a power head assembly on the inner valve body, and a limiting retaining ring. The positioning structure positions and connects the inner valve body to the outer valve body, and the limiting structure limits and connects the inner valve body to the outer valve body.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Expansion valve and heat exchange device

    CN114688769A