Heat exchangers and air conditioners

Abstract

This application relates to the field of air conditioner technology and discloses a heat exchanger, comprising: a heat exchange pipeline including a condensing section; a liquid storage tank disposed in the condensing section, having a first inlet / outlet pipe and a second inlet / outlet pipe; wherein, a first end of the first inlet / outlet pipe is connected to the liquid storage tank, and a second end is connected to a portion of the condensing section; a first end of the second inlet / outlet pipe is connected to the liquid storage tank, and a second end is connected to another portion of the condensing section; and the distance from the first end of the first inlet / outlet pipe to the bottom of the liquid storage tank is less than the distance from the first end of the second inlet / outlet pipe to the bottom of the liquid storage tank; a phase change heat storage device disposed on the outer wall of the liquid storage tank for absorbing heat from the refrigerant in the liquid storage tank through phase change. The refrigerant flow rate in the refrigerant circulation loop is adaptively adjusted by the liquid storage tank, resulting in a simple structure, low cost, and high system reliability without the need for control. This application also discloses an air conditioner.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of air conditioners, for example to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, as a very common electrical appliance, an air conditioner can run in a cooling mode or a heating mode to adjust the indoor temperature of a user, and is widely applied to various living or working environments such as families, offices and shopping malls. The optimal refrigerant amount required by the air conditioner is different when running at different ambient temperatures and under different loads. For example, when the air conditioner cools, the condenser has a larger heat exchange coefficient, and the content of liquid refrigerant in the condenser increases. However, the refrigerant flow required by the evaporator is smaller at this time, that is, the actual refrigerant flow is greater than the refrigerant flow required by the system, thereby causing energy loss of the system.

[0003] In the related art, a refrigerant storage device is generally arranged between indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, and an electromagnetic valve and a capillary tube are arranged at both ends of the refrigerant storage device to control the refrigerant flow, thereby playing a role of storing refrigerant.

[0004] In the process of implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is found that at least the following problems exist in the related art:

[0005] Because the electromagnetic valve and the capillary tube are required to be arranged at both ends of the refrigerant storage device to control the refrigerant flow, the pipe cost is high, and the control is complex, the system reliability is poor, and the temperature of the refrigerant storage device cannot be adjusted. SUMMARY

[0006] To provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed embodiments, a brief summary is given below. The summary is not an overall description of the application, nor is it intended to identify key / important elements or delineate the scope of the embodiments, but to serve as a prelude to the detailed description below.

[0007] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a heat exchanger and an air conditioner, which solve the problems of high pipe cost, complex control, poor system reliability and unadjustable temperature of the refrigerant storage device.

[0008] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger comprises:

[0009] The heat exchange pipeline comprises a condensing section.

[0010] A liquid storage tank is disposed in the condensation section and is provided with a first inlet / outlet pipe and a second inlet / outlet pipe; wherein, a first end of the first inlet / outlet pipe is connected to the liquid storage tank and a second end is connected to a portion of the condensation section; a first end of the second inlet / outlet pipe is connected to the liquid storage tank and a second end is connected to another portion of the condensation section; and the distance from the first end of the first inlet / outlet pipe to the bottom of the liquid storage tank is less than the distance from the first end of the second inlet / outlet pipe to the bottom of the liquid storage tank.

[0011] A phase change heat storage device is installed on the outer wall of the liquid storage tank to absorb heat from the refrigerant in the liquid storage tank through phase change.

[0012] Optionally, the phase change heat storage device includes:

[0013] Phase change heat storage material is wrapped around the outer wall of the liquid storage tank.

[0014] Optionally, the phase change thermal storage material wraps the sides and bottom of the liquid storage tank.

[0015] Optionally, the phase change thermal storage material wraps around the lower middle part of the side of the liquid storage tank.

[0016] Optionally, the thickness of the phase change heat storage material wrapped around the side of the liquid storage tank is greater than that of the other two options.

[0017] The phase change temperature of the phase change heat storage material is 20℃-30℃.

[0018] In some embodiments, the air conditioner includes the heat exchanger described in any of the above embodiments.

[0019] Optionally, the heat exchanger serves as the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0020] Optionally, when the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, refrigerant flows into the liquid storage tank from the first inlet / outlet pipe and flows out of the liquid storage tank from the second inlet / outlet pipe.

[0021] Optionally, when the air conditioner is operating in heating mode, refrigerant flows into the liquid storage tank from the second inlet / outlet pipe and flows out of the liquid storage tank from the first inlet / outlet pipe.

[0022] In some embodiments, the air conditioner includes the heat exchanger described in any of the above embodiments.

[0023] The heat exchanger and air conditioner provided in this disclosure can achieve the following technical effects:

[0024] When the heat exchanger functions as a condenser, refrigerant enters the storage tank through the first inlet / outlet pipe and exits through the second inlet / outlet pipe. Because of the height difference between the first and second inlet / outlet pipes, the volume of the storage tank corresponding to this height difference can store refrigerant, thus reducing the system's refrigerant flow rate. Conversely, when the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, refrigerant enters the storage tank through the second inlet / outlet pipe and exits through the first inlet / outlet pipe. In this case, the storage tank contains less refrigerant, with most of it being discharged through the first inlet / outlet pipe, thereby increasing the system's refrigerant flow rate. This allows for adaptive adjustment of the refrigerant flow rate in the refrigerant circulation loop under different operating conditions. The system is simple in structure, low in cost, requires no control, and boasts high reliability.

[0025] Furthermore, when the heat exchanger is used as a condenser, it absorbs heat from the refrigerant in the storage tank through a phase change heat storage device, thereby reducing the temperature of the refrigerant. This is equivalent to subcooling the refrigerant, which reduces the length of the subcooling section and lowers the cost and size of the heat exchanger.

[0026] The above general description and the description below are exemplary and illustrative only, and are not intended to limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0027] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These illustrations and drawings do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements having the same reference numerals in the drawings are shown as similar elements. The drawings are not to be scaled. And wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat exchanger provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of part A;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the semiconductor cooling device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heating coil provided in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the phase change thermal storage material provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fins provided in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0034] Figure label:

[0035] 100: Liquid storage tank; 101: First inlet / outlet pipe; 102: Second inlet / outlet pipe; 110: Semiconductor refrigeration device; 120: Heating coil; 130: Fin; 140: Phase change heat storage material;

[0036] 200: Heat exchanger; 201: First heat exchange passage; 202: Second heat exchange passage; 210: First main pipeline; 211: Second main pipeline; 220: First branching element; 221: Second branching element. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To provide a more detailed understanding of the features and technical content of the embodiments of this disclosure, the implementation of the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure. In the following technical description, for ease of explanation, several details are used to provide a full understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, one or more embodiments may still be implemented without these details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices may be simplified in their depiction to simplify the drawings.

[0038] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this disclosure 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 for the embodiments of this disclosure described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0039] In this disclosure, the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "middle," "outer," "front," and "rear," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for better description of the embodiments of this disclosure and their implementations, and are not intended to limit the indicated devices, elements, or components to having a specific orientation, or to require them to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Furthermore, some of the aforementioned terms may have other meanings besides indicating orientation or positional relationship; for example, the term "upper" may in some cases indicate a dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] Furthermore, the terms "set up," "connect," and "fix" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] Unless otherwise stated, the term "multiple" means two or more.

[0042] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the character " / " indicates that the objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B.

[0043] The term "and / or" describes an association between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A or B, or A and B.

[0044] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present disclosure can be combined with each other.

[0045] Combination Figures 1-6 As shown, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger 200, including heat exchange pipelines, a liquid storage tank 100, and a phase change heat storage device. The heat exchange pipelines include a condensing section and a subcooling section connected in series. The liquid storage tank 100 is disposed in the condensing section and is provided with a first inlet / outlet pipe 101 and a second inlet / outlet pipe 102. The first end of the first inlet / outlet pipe 101 is connected to the liquid storage tank 100, and its second end is connected to a portion of the condensing section. The first end of the second inlet / outlet pipe 102 is connected to the liquid storage tank 100, and its second end is connected to another portion of the condensing section. Furthermore, the distance from the first end of the first inlet / outlet pipe 101 to the bottom of the liquid storage tank 100 is less than the distance from the first end of the second inlet / outlet pipe 102 to the bottom of the liquid storage tank 100. The phase change heat storage device is disposed on the outer wall of the liquid storage tank 100 to absorb heat from the refrigerant within the liquid storage tank 100 through phase change.

[0046] Using the heat exchanger 200 provided in this embodiment, when the heat exchanger 200 functions as a condenser, refrigerant enters the storage tank 100 from the first inlet / outlet pipe 101 and flows out of the storage tank 100 from the second inlet / outlet pipe 102. Because there is a height difference between the first end of the first inlet / outlet pipe 101 and the first end of the second inlet / outlet pipe 102, the volume of the storage tank 100 corresponding to this height difference can store the refrigerant, thereby reducing the refrigerant flow rate of the system. Alternatively, when the heat exchanger 200 functions as an evaporator, refrigerant enters the storage tank 100 from the second inlet / outlet pipe 102 and flows out of the storage tank 100 from the first inlet / outlet pipe 101. In this case, there is less refrigerant in the storage tank 100, with most of it being discharged through the first inlet / outlet pipe 101, thereby increasing the refrigerant flow rate of the system. In this way, the refrigerant flow rate of the refrigerant circulation loop is adaptively adjusted by the storage tank 100 under different operating conditions. This design is simple, low-cost, requires no control, and has high system reliability.

[0047] Furthermore, when the heat exchanger 200 acts as a condenser, it absorbs heat from the refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 100 through a phase change heat storage device, thereby reducing the temperature of the refrigerant. This is equivalent to subcooling the refrigerant, which reduces the length of the subcooling section and lowers the cost and size of the heat exchanger 200.

[0048] Optionally, the first inlet / outlet pipe 101 is arranged vertically. This facilitates the inflow and outflow of refrigerant and reduces the travel distance of the refrigerant within the liquid storage tank 100.

[0049] Optionally, the second inlet / outlet pipe 102 is arranged vertically. This facilitates the inflow and outflow of refrigerant and reduces the travel distance of the refrigerant within the liquid storage tank 100.

[0050] Based on the phase state of the refrigerant flowing in the condensing section of the heat exchanger 200, the condensing section can be divided into a gaseous zone, a liquid zone, and a gas-liquid two-phase zone, and the liquid storage tank 100 is located in the gas-liquid two-phase zone.

[0051] For example, the heat exchange pipeline is configured as a vertical single-row structure, including twelve heat exchange tubes, with the eighth and ninth heat exchange tubes, counted from top to bottom, located in the gas-liquid two-phase region. A storage tank 100 is connected between the eighth and ninth heat exchange tubes.

[0052] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the heat exchange piping includes a first main pipe 210, a second main pipe 211, a first heat exchange passage 201, and a second heat exchange passage 202. The first end of the first heat exchange passage 201 and the first end of the second heat exchange passage 202 are connected to a first branching element 220, and the second ends of the first heat exchange passage 201 and the second ends of the second heat exchange passage 202 are connected to a second branching element 221. The first branching element 220 is connected to the first main pipe 210, and the second branching element 221 is connected to the second main pipe 211. The first heat exchange passage 201 flows through the first, second, eighth, and tenth heat exchange tubes counted from top to bottom; the second heat exchange passage 202 flows through the third to seventh heat exchange tubes counted from top to bottom; and the second main pipe 211 flows through the eleventh and twelfth heat exchange tubes counted from top to bottom. The liquid storage tank 100 is disposed on the first heat exchange passage 201, and the second end of the first inlet / outlet pipe 101 is connected to the eighth heat exchange tube counted from top to bottom; the second end of the second inlet / outlet pipe 102 is connected to the ninth heat exchange tube counted from top to bottom.

[0053] Optionally, such as Figure 5 As shown, the phase change heat storage device includes a phase change heat storage material 140. The phase change heat storage material 140 is wrapped around the outer wall of the liquid storage tank 100. The phase change heat storage material 140 absorbs heat from the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100 through the outer wall of the liquid storage tank 100, and stores this heat through phase change.

[0054] Optionally, the phase change heat storage material 140 is used to wrap the sides and bottom of the liquid storage tank 100. This facilitates the absorption of heat from the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100.

[0055] Optionally, the phase change heat storage material 140 covers the lower middle part of the side of the liquid storage tank 100. The liquid refrigerant stored in the liquid storage tank 100 is mainly located in its lower middle part, and the position of the phase change heat storage material 140 facilitates the absorption of heat from the refrigerant.

[0056] Optionally, the thickness of the phase change heat storage material 140 wrapped around the side of the liquid storage tank 100 is greater than the thickness of the phase change heat storage material 140 wrapped around the bottom of the liquid storage tank 100. The liquid storage tank 100 is cylindrical, and the area of ​​its side surface is greater than the area of ​​its bottom surface. Therefore, a thicker phase change heat storage material 140 wrapped around the side of the liquid storage tank 100 is more conducive to absorbing heat from the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100.

[0057] Optionally, the phase change heat storage material 140 has a phase change temperature of 20℃-30℃. When the heat exchanger 200 acts as a condenser, the refrigerant flowing through the liquid storage tank 100 has a temperature of 35-40℃. At this time, the temperature of the refrigerant is higher than the phase change temperature of the phase change heat storage material 140, and the heat of the refrigerant is transferred to the phase change heat storage material 140, causing it to undergo a phase change, thereby reducing the temperature of the refrigerant.

[0058] Optionally, the liquid storage tank 100 also includes a heat exchange device. The heat exchange device is disposed on the outer wall of the liquid storage tank 100 to facilitate heat exchange with the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100.

[0059] In this embodiment, when the heat exchanger 200 functions as a condenser, the refrigerant in the storage tank 100 exchanges heat with the external environment through the heat exchange device, thereby lowering the refrigerant temperature. This is equivalent to subcooling the refrigerant, which reduces the length of the subcooling section and lowers the cost and size of the heat exchanger 200. Furthermore, it increases the refrigerant dryness at the evaporator inlet.

[0060] Optionally, such as Figure 3 As shown, the heat exchanger 200 also includes a semiconductor refrigeration device 110. The semiconductor refrigeration device 110 is disposed on the outer wall of the liquid storage tank 100 and is used to regulate the temperature of the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100.

[0061] In this embodiment, the semiconductor refrigeration device 110 can transfer cooling or heating energy to the refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 100. When the heat exchanger 200 acts as a condenser, the semiconductor refrigeration device 110 supplies cooling energy to the refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 100, thereby lowering the refrigerant temperature. This is equivalent to subcooling the refrigerant, reducing the length of the subcooling section and lowering the cost and size of the heat exchanger 200. Furthermore, by controlling the cooling capacity of the semiconductor refrigeration device 110, the subcooling degree of the air conditioning system can be precisely controlled, thereby improving the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. When the heat exchanger 200 acts as an evaporator, the semiconductor refrigeration device 110 supplies heating energy to the liquid storage tank 100, thereby raising the refrigerant temperature. This causes the liquid refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 100 to vaporize and participate in the refrigerant circulation, thereby improving the heating capacity of the air conditioner.

[0062] Optionally, the semiconductor cooling device 110 includes a cooling chip. The cooling chip is attached to the outer wall of the liquid storage tank 100 and is used to supply cooling or heating to the refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 100.

[0063] In this embodiment, the cooling element operates using direct current, and the polarity of the direct current determines whether cooling or heating is achieved on the same cooling element. The cooling element supplies cooling or heating to the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100 through the outer wall of the tank.

[0064] Optionally, the semiconductor cooling device 110 also includes a mounting base. The mounting base is disposed on the outer wall of the liquid storage tank 100 for fixing the cooling chip.

[0065] Optionally, the semiconductor cooling device 110 is disposed at the bottom outside the liquid storage tank 100. In this embodiment, the cooling chip is fixed to the bottom of the liquid storage tank 100 by a mounting base, and the cooling chip supplies cooling or heating to the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100 through the bottom wall of the liquid storage tank 100.

[0066] Optionally, two semiconductor cooling devices 110 are disposed opposite to each other on the side walls of the liquid storage tank 100. In this embodiment, the cooling plates are fixed to both sides of the liquid storage tank 100 by mounting bases and are at the same height, so that the cooling plates on both sides simultaneously supply cooling or heating to the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100, and the temperature change of the refrigerant is more uniform.

[0067] Optionally, multiple semiconductor cooling devices 110 are evenly arranged on the side wall of the liquid storage tank 100 along the axis of the liquid storage tank 100. In this embodiment, multiple cooling chips are evenly arranged along the axis of the liquid storage tank 100, that is, along the height direction of the liquid storage tank 100, so as to ensure the cooling or heating effect when the liquid level in the liquid storage tank 100 is high.

[0068] Optionally, the heat exchanger 200 also includes a heating device. The heating device is disposed on the outer wall of the liquid storage tank 100 and is used to heat the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100.

[0069] In this embodiment, heat can be transferred to the refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 100 through a heating device. When the heat exchanger 200 acts as an evaporator, the heating device supplies heat to the liquid storage tank 100 to increase the temperature of the refrigerant, causing the liquid refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 100 to vaporize and participate in the refrigerant circulation, thereby improving the heating capacity of the air conditioner.

[0070] Optionally, such as Figure 4 As shown, the heating device includes a heating coil 120. The heating coil 120 is arranged around the side of the liquid storage tank 100. When the heating coil 120 is energized, it generates heat, which in turn supplies heat to the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100 through the side wall of the liquid storage tank 100. This causes the liquid refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100 to vaporize and participate in the refrigerant circulation, thereby improving the heating capacity of the air conditioner.

[0071] Optionally, the heating coil 120 is located in the lower middle part of the side of the liquid storage tank 100. The liquid refrigerant stored in the liquid storage tank 100 is mainly located in its lower middle part, and the position of the heating coil 120 facilitates the heating of the refrigerant.

[0072] Optionally, the power of the heating coil 120 is adjustable. In this embodiment, the vaporization rate of the refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 100 is adjusted by regulating the power of the heating coil 120, thereby adjusting the amount of refrigerant participating in the circulation. For example, the power of the heating coil 120 is set to three levels. As the outside temperature decreases, the level of the heating coil 120 is increased to increase the power of the heating coil 120, thereby increasing the refrigerant flow rate and improving the heating capacity of the air conditioner.

[0073] Optionally, the heat exchanger 200 also includes a plurality of fins 130. The plurality of fins 130 surround the side of the liquid storage tank 100 and are evenly arranged along the axis of the liquid storage tank 100; the heating coil 120 is disposed between adjacent fins 130.

[0074] In this embodiment, the heat exchange capacity of the liquid storage tank 100 is improved by setting fins 130, which helps to increase the refrigerant dryness at the evaporator inlet when the heat exchanger 200 is used as a condenser. The refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 100 can be heated by setting heating coil 120, which helps to increase the refrigerant flow rate when the heat exchanger 200 is used as an evaporator.

[0075] Optionally, the heating coils 120 between adjacent fins 130 have the same number of turns. This allows for more uniform heating of the refrigerant in the storage tank 100, thereby causing the liquid refrigerant in the storage tank 100 to vaporize and participate in the refrigerant circulation.

[0076] Optionally, such as Figure 6 As shown, the heat exchange device includes fins 130. The fins 130 are arranged around the side of the liquid storage tank 100. This facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100 and the external environment, thereby reducing the temperature of the refrigerant.

[0077] Optionally, multiple fins 130 are arranged along the axis of the liquid storage tank 100. In this embodiment, the multiple fins 130 are arranged along the axis of the liquid storage tank 100, that is, along the height direction of the liquid storage tank 100, so as to ensure the heat exchange effect when the liquid level in the liquid storage tank 100 is high.

[0078] Optionally, the spacing between adjacent fins 130 is the same. This facilitates more uniform heat exchange between the refrigerant inside the storage tank 100 and the external environment.

[0079] Optionally, the fin 130 is integrally formed with the liquid storage tank 100. This simplifies the connection structure between the fin 130 and the liquid storage tank 100.

[0080] Optionally, the fins 130 are made of aluminum, copper, or an aluminum alloy. Aluminum, copper, or aluminum alloys have excellent thermal conductivity, which is beneficial for heat exchange between the refrigerant inside the storage tank 100 and the external environment.

[0081] Optionally, a temperature sensor is installed inside the liquid storage tank 100. The temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature of the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100. In this way, the temperature of the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100 can be monitored in real time through the temperature sensor.

[0082] Optionally, a pressure sensor is installed inside the liquid storage tank 100. The pressure sensor is used to detect the pressure of the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100. In this way, the pressure of the refrigerant inside the liquid storage tank 100 can be monitored in real time through the pressure sensor.

[0083] This disclosure also provides an air conditioner including the heat exchanger 200 described in any of the above embodiments.

[0084] Optionally, the heat exchanger 200 can be used as the outdoor unit of an air conditioner.

[0085] In this embodiment, when the air conditioner operates in cooling mode, i.e., the heat exchanger 200 acts as a condenser, refrigerant flows into the liquid storage tank 100 from the first inlet / outlet pipe 101 and flows out of the liquid storage tank 100 from the second inlet / outlet pipe 102. Because there is a height difference between the first end of the first inlet / outlet pipe 101 and the first end of the second inlet / outlet pipe 102, the volume of the liquid storage tank 100 corresponding to this height difference can store refrigerant, thereby reducing the refrigerant flow rate. When the air conditioner operates in heating mode, i.e., the heat exchanger 200 acts as an evaporator, refrigerant flows into the liquid storage tank 100 from the second inlet / outlet pipe 102 and flows out of the liquid storage tank 100 from the first inlet / outlet pipe 101. At this time, there is less refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 100, with most of it being discharged through the first inlet / outlet pipe 101, thereby increasing the refrigerant flow rate in the refrigerant circulation loop. In this way, the air conditioner automatically adjusts the refrigerant flow rate in the refrigerant circulation loop through the liquid storage tank 100 in both cooling and heating modes, effectively improving the energy efficiency of the air conditioner.

[0086] This disclosure also provides a method for adjusting the refrigerant circulation volume of an air conditioner, including:

[0087] When the air conditioner is operating at low load, the amount of refrigerant stored in the liquid receiver is adjusted, thereby adjusting the amount of refrigerant circulating in the heat exchanger.

[0088] When an air conditioner operates in cooling mode, it includes different cooling operating conditions such as rated cooling, intermediate cooling, and low-temperature intermediate cooling. These different cooling operating modes have different loads, and the optimal amount of refrigerant required in the refrigerant circulation path is also different. Low-load operating conditions can be operating conditions below the rated cooling level, such as intermediate cooling and low-temperature intermediate cooling.

[0089] When the air conditioner is operating under low load, the amount of refrigerant stored in the liquid receiver is adjusted, which in turn adjusts the amount of refrigerant circulating in the heat exchanger. In other words, the amount of refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner under this low load condition is adjusted, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the air conditioner.

[0090] Optionally, adjusting the refrigerant storage amount in the receiver tank, and thus adjusting the refrigerant circulation volume in the heat exchanger, includes: obtaining the current operating capacity and current operating power of the air conditioner; when the current operating capacity meets preset conditions and the current operating power is greater than or equal to a first preset power threshold, increasing the refrigerant storage amount in the receiver tank to decrease the refrigerant circulation volume in the heat exchanger. Alternatively, when the current operating capacity is less than a preset capacity threshold and the current operating power is less than a second preset power threshold, decreasing the refrigerant storage amount in the receiver tank to increase the refrigerant circulation volume in the heat exchanger.

[0091] An air conditioner's energy efficiency is related to its operating capacity and power. If the current operating capacity meets preset conditions, and the current operating power is greater than or equal to a first preset power threshold, the air conditioner's current operating power is considered high, thus reducing its energy efficiency. In this case, increasing the refrigerant storage capacity in the receiver tank reduces the refrigerant circulation in the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the overall refrigerant circulation in the air conditioner's system, lowering its operating power, and ultimately improving its energy efficiency.

[0092] When the current operating capacity is less than a preset capacity threshold and the current operating power is less than a second preset power threshold, the air conditioner is considered to have a low current operating capacity and low current operating power, resulting in low energy efficiency. In this case, the amount of refrigerant stored in the receiver tank can be reduced to increase the refrigerant circulation in the heat exchanger, thereby increasing the circulation volume of the entire refrigerant circulation system, improving the air conditioner's operating capacity and power, and ultimately improving its energy efficiency.

[0093] Optionally, the current operating capacity meets the preset conditions, which can be understood as the current operating capacity of the air conditioner being greater than or equal to a preset basic capacity value. Optionally, the preset basic capacity value of the air conditioner may be different under different loads, and the preset basic capacity value corresponding to the current operating load can be selected according to the current operating load of the air conditioner.

[0094] Similarly, the first preset power threshold and the second preset power threshold of the air conditioner may be different under different loads. The first preset power threshold and the second preset power threshold corresponding to the current operating load of the air conditioner can be selected according to the current operating load of the air conditioner.

[0095] Optionally, after obtaining the current operating capacity and current operating power of the air conditioner, the method for adjusting the refrigerant circulation amount of the air conditioner further includes:

[0096] Establish a model curve of compressor operating frequency and first refrigerant pipe dryness; obtain the fitted dryness of the first refrigerant pipe at the current compressor operating frequency based on the model curve; obtain the refrigerant storage capacity of the receiver tank at the current compressor operating frequency based on the fitted dryness; wherein, the first refrigerant pipe refers to the refrigerant pipe connected to the second end of the first inlet and outlet pipes.

[0097] Optionally, the method for adjusting the refrigerant storage capacity of the liquid storage tank includes:

[0098] Based on the correlation between the compressor operating frequency and the dryness of the first refrigerant pipe in the model curve, the compressor operating frequency is adjusted, thereby adjusting the refrigerant storage amount in the receiver tank.

[0099] Here, when the proportion of liquid in the gas-liquid mixture of refrigerant in the receiver tank is relatively high, the refrigerant storage capacity of the receiver tank is relatively high; conversely, when the proportion of liquid in the gas-liquid mixture of refrigerant in the receiver tank is relatively low, the refrigerant storage capacity of the receiver tank is relatively low. The dryness of the first refrigerant pipe, which is in the gas-liquid two-phase region, varies at different compressor operating frequencies. Furthermore, the first refrigerant pipe is directly connected to the first inlet and outlet pipes of the receiver tank. Therefore, the proportion of gaseous and liquid states in the gas-liquid mixture of refrigerant entering the receiver tank can be obtained from the dryness value of the first refrigerant pipe, and thus the current refrigerant storage capacity of the receiver tank can be determined.

[0100] Optionally, the model curve of compressor operating frequency versus first refrigerant pipe dryness is as follows:

[0101] K1 = (PB) * M + K, where K1 is the fitted dryness of the first refrigerant pipe at the current operating frequency of the compressor, K is the initial dryness of the first refrigerant pipe or the fitted dryness of the first refrigerant pipe at the previous moment, B is the set frequency of the compressor, P is the current operating frequency of the compressor, and M is the correlation coefficient.

[0102] This disclosure also provides a method for adjusting the refrigerant circulation volume of an air conditioner, including:

[0103] When the air conditioner is operating under low load, the amount of refrigerant stored in the liquid receiver 100 is adjusted, thereby adjusting the amount of refrigerant circulating in the heat exchanger 200.

[0104] When an air conditioner operates in cooling mode, it includes different cooling operating conditions such as rated cooling, intermediate cooling, and low-temperature intermediate cooling. These different cooling operating modes have different loads, and the optimal amount of refrigerant required in the refrigerant circulation path is also different. Low-load operating conditions can be operating conditions below the rated cooling level, such as intermediate cooling and low-temperature intermediate cooling.

[0105] When the air conditioner is operating under low load, the amount of refrigerant stored in the liquid receiver 100 is adjusted, which in turn adjusts the amount of refrigerant circulating in the heat exchanger 200. In other words, the amount of refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner under this low load operating condition is adjusted, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the air conditioner.

[0106] Optionally, adjusting the refrigerant storage amount in the liquid receiver 100, thereby adjusting the refrigerant circulation rate in the heat exchanger 200, includes:

[0107] The system obtains the current operating capacity and current operating power of the air conditioner. When the current operating capacity meets preset conditions and the current operating power is greater than or equal to a first preset power threshold, the system increases the refrigerant storage capacity of the liquid receiver 100 to reduce the refrigerant circulation volume of the heat exchanger 200. Alternatively, when the current operating capacity is less than a preset capacity threshold and the current operating power is less than a second preset power threshold, the system decreases the refrigerant storage capacity of the liquid receiver 100 to increase the refrigerant circulation volume of the heat exchanger 200.

[0108] An air conditioner's energy efficiency is related to its operating capacity and power. When the current operating capacity meets preset conditions, and the current operating power is greater than or equal to a first preset power threshold, the air conditioner's operating power is considered high, thus reducing its energy efficiency. In this case, increasing the refrigerant storage capacity of the receiver 100 reduces the refrigerant circulation volume in the heat exchanger 200, thereby reducing the overall refrigerant circulation volume in the air conditioner's system, lowering its operating power, and ultimately improving its energy efficiency.

[0109] When the current operating capacity is less than a preset capacity threshold and the current operating power is less than a second preset power threshold, the air conditioner is considered to have a low current operating capacity and low current operating power, resulting in low energy efficiency. In this case, the amount of refrigerant stored in the receiver 100 can be reduced to increase the refrigerant circulation in the heat exchanger 200, thereby increasing the circulation volume of the entire refrigerant circulation system, improving the air conditioner's operating capacity and power, and ultimately improving its energy efficiency.

[0110] Optionally, the current operating capacity meets the preset conditions, which can be understood as the current operating capacity of the air conditioner being greater than or equal to a preset basic capacity value. Optionally, the preset basic capacity value of the air conditioner may be different under different loads, and the preset basic capacity value corresponding to the current operating load can be selected according to the current operating load of the air conditioner.

[0111] Similarly, the first preset power threshold and the second preset power threshold of the air conditioner may be different under different loads. The first preset power threshold and the second preset power threshold corresponding to the current operating load of the air conditioner can be selected according to the current operating load of the air conditioner.

[0112] Optionally, after obtaining the current operating capacity and current operating power of the air conditioner, the method for adjusting the refrigerant circulation amount of the air conditioner further includes:

[0113] Establish a model curve of compressor operating frequency and first refrigerant pipe dryness; obtain the fitted dryness of the first refrigerant pipe corresponding to the current operating frequency of the compressor based on the model curve; obtain the refrigerant storage amount of the liquid receiver 100 at the current operating frequency of the compressor based on the fitted dryness; wherein, the first refrigerant pipe refers to the refrigerant pipe connected to the second end of the first inlet / outlet pipe 101.

[0114] Optionally, the method for adjusting the refrigerant storage capacity of the liquid storage tank 100 includes:

[0115] Based on the correspondence between the compressor operating frequency and the dryness of the first refrigerant pipe in the model curve, the compressor operating frequency is adjusted, thereby adjusting the refrigerant storage amount in the liquid receiver 100.

[0116] Here, when the proportion of liquid in the gas-liquid mixture of refrigerant in the receiver 100 is relatively large, the refrigerant storage capacity of the receiver 100 is relatively large; conversely, when the proportion of liquid in the gas-liquid mixture of refrigerant in the receiver 100 is relatively small, the refrigerant storage capacity of the receiver 100 is relatively small. The dryness of the first refrigerant pipe, which is in the gas-liquid two-phase region, varies at different compressor operating frequencies. Furthermore, the first refrigerant pipe is directly connected to the first inlet / outlet pipe 101 of the receiver 100. Therefore, the proportion of gaseous and liquid states in the gas-liquid mixture of refrigerant entering the receiver 100 can be obtained from the dryness value of the first refrigerant pipe, thus providing the current refrigerant storage capacity of the receiver 100.

[0117] Optionally, the model curve of compressor operating frequency versus first refrigerant pipe dryness is as follows:

[0118] K1 = (PB) * M + K, where K1 is the fitted dryness of the first refrigerant pipe at the current operating frequency of the compressor, K is the initial dryness of the first refrigerant pipe or the fitted dryness of the first refrigerant pipe at the previous moment, B is the set frequency of the compressor, P is the current operating frequency of the compressor, and M is the correlation coefficient.

[0119] The model curves reveal the correlation between different compressor operating frequencies and the fitted dryness of the first refrigerant pipe. Optionally, at the beginning of model curve establishment, the current fitted dryness of the first refrigerant pipe is obtained based on its initial dryness. Then, the fitted dryness of the first refrigerant pipe at the previous moment is used as K to calculate the fitted dryness K1 of the first refrigerant pipe at the current compressor operating frequency. Optionally, the compressor's set frequency can be the set frequency of the compressor when the air conditioner is powered on and running.

[0120] Optionally, the refrigerant storage capacity of the liquid storage tank 100 is:

[0121] Q = (H1*K1 + H2*(1-K1))*V, where Q is the amount of refrigerant stored in the storage tank 100, H1 is the saturated gaseous refrigerant density of the first refrigerant pipe at the current refrigerant temperature, H2 is the liquid refrigerant density of the first refrigerant pipe at the current refrigerant temperature, and V is the volume of the storage tank 100.

[0122] Based on this formula, the refrigerant storage mass of the liquid receiver 100 under the current fitted dryness K1 can be calculated, and thus the refrigerant storage amount of the liquid receiver 100 under the current operating frequency of the compressor can be obtained.

[0123] Optionally, the value of M can range from 0.005 to 0.015.

[0124] Different correlation coefficients M can be selected based on the size of the air conditioner. For example, the larger the air conditioner, the smaller the correlation coefficient M, such as 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, or 0.010; the smaller the air conditioner, the larger the correlation coefficient M, such as 0.011, 0.012, 0.013, 0.014, or 0.015. Alternatively, different correlation coefficients M can be selected based on the number of refrigerant pipes in the outdoor heat exchanger 200 of the air conditioner. For example, the more refrigerant pipes, the smaller the correlation coefficient M, such as 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, or 0.010; the fewer refrigerant pipes, the larger the correlation coefficient M, such as 0.011, 0.012, 0.013, 0.014, or 0.015. Optionally, different correlation coefficients M can be selected according to the amount of refrigerant charged in the air conditioner. For example, the more refrigerant charged, the smaller the correlation coefficient M, such as 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009 or 0.010, etc., and the less refrigerant charged, the larger the correlation coefficient M, such as 0.011, 0.012, 0.013, 0.014 or 0.015, etc.

[0125] The method for adjusting the refrigerant circulation volume of an air conditioner provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the above embodiments.

[0126] S01, when the air conditioner is in a low-load operating condition, obtain the current operating capacity and current operating power of the air conditioner;

[0127] S02, establish a model curve of compressor operating frequency and first refrigerant pipe dryness, obtain the fitting dryness of first refrigerant pipe corresponding to the current operating frequency of compressor based on the model curve, obtain the refrigerant storage amount of receiver tank 100 at the current operating frequency of compressor based on the fitting dryness, that is, obtain the correspondence between compressor operating frequency and refrigerant storage amount of receiver tank 100.

[0128] S03, when the current operating capacity meets the preset conditions and the current operating power is greater than or equal to the first preset power threshold, according to the correspondence between the compressor's operating frequency and the refrigerant storage amount in the liquid receiver 100, the operating frequency of the compressor is adjusted to increase the refrigerant storage amount in the liquid receiver 100, thereby reducing the refrigerant circulation volume in the heat exchanger 200.

[0129] When the current operating capacity is less than the preset capacity threshold and the current operating power is less than the second preset power threshold, the operating frequency of the compressor is adjusted to reduce the amount of refrigerant stored in the liquid receiver 100, thereby increasing the refrigerant circulation volume of the heat exchanger 200, based on the correspondence between the operating frequency of the compressor and the amount of refrigerant stored in the liquid receiver 100.

[0130] The foregoing description and accompanying drawings fully illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may include structural and other changes. The embodiments represent only possible variations. Individual components and functions are optional unless explicitly required, and the order of operation may vary. Parts and features of some embodiments may be included or substituted for parts and features of other embodiments. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes may be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, characterized by, The heat exchanger comprises: a heat exchange pipeline including a condensing section; a liquid storage tank (100) disposed in the condensing section and provided with a first inlet and outlet pipe (101) and a second inlet and outlet pipe (102); wherein a first end of the first inlet and outlet pipe (101) is communicated with the liquid storage tank (100), and a second end of the first inlet and outlet pipe (101) is communicated with a part of the condensing section; a first end of the second inlet and outlet pipe (102) is communicated with the liquid storage tank (100), and a second end of the second inlet and outlet pipe (102) is communicated with another part of the condensing section; and a distance from the first end of the first inlet and outlet pipe (101) to a bottom of the liquid storage tank (100) is less than a distance from the first end of the second inlet and outlet pipe (102) to the bottom of the liquid storage tank (100); a phase change heat storage device disposed on an outer wall of the liquid storage tank (100) and used to absorb heat of refrigerant in the liquid storage tank (100) through phase change; a heating coil (120) disposed around a side of the liquid storage tank (100); a plurality of fins (130) disposed around a side of a tank body of the liquid storage tank (100) and uniformly along an axis of the liquid storage tank (100); and the heating coil (120) is disposed between adjacent fins (130).

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein The phase change heat storage device comprises: a phase change heat storage material (140) wrapped on the outer wall of the liquid storage tank (100).

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the phase change heat storage material (140) wraps a side and a bottom of the liquid storage tank (100).

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the phase change heat storage material (140) wraps a middle and lower part of the side of the liquid storage tank (100).

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein a thickness of the phase change heat storage material (140) wrapped on the side of the liquid storage tank (100) is greater than a thickness of the phase change heat storage material (140) wrapped on the bottom of the liquid storage tank (100).

6. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a phase change temperature of the phase change heat storage material (140) is 20-30℃.

7. An air conditioner characterized by comprising: The heat exchanger comprises the heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the heat exchanger (200) is used as an outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein when the air conditioner operates in a cooling mode, refrigerant flows into the liquid storage tank (100) from the first inlet and outlet pipe (101) and flows out of the liquid storage tank (100) from the second inlet and outlet pipe (102).

10. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein when the air conditioner operates in a heating mode, refrigerant flows into the liquid storage tank (100) from the second inlet and outlet pipe (102) and flows out of the liquid storage tank (100) from the first inlet and outlet pipe (101).

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