A heat exchanger with a manifold structure

Abstract

The application discloses a distribution flow structure and a heat exchanger with the same, and belongs to the technical field of heat exchangers. The distribution flow structure comprises a distribution pipe part and a brazing plate part. The distribution pipe part is provided with an internal fluid passage, an external first brazing surface and a flow-equalizing hole communicating between the inside and the outside. The brazing plate part is provided with a heat exchange tube insertion hole and a second brazing surface. One of the first brazing surface and the second brazing surface is provided with a flow-equalizing cavity. The first brazing surface and the second brazing surface are integrally brazed. The heat exchange tube insertion hole communicates with the fluid passage through the corresponding flow-equalizing cavity and the flow-equalizing hole. The number and size of the flow-equalizing hole can be used to control the medium flow entering the flow-equalizing cavity. The heat exchanger with the distribution flow structure can meet the requirements of high pressure bearing and uniform distribution flow. The production process of the existing micro-channel heat exchanger is adopted, and the processing difficulty is low and the batch production is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat exchange technology, and more particularly to a flow distribution structure and a heat exchanger having the same. Background Technology

[0002] Microchannel heat exchangers are constructed by connecting multiple flat tubes with single or multiple holes between two parallel manifolds. The manifold structure distributes the heat exchange medium from the inner cavity of the manifold to multiple connected heat exchange tubes at different locations, allowing for heat exchange with the external circulating medium. With the increasing popularity of microchannel heat exchangers, primarily based on aluminum-to-copper technology, their high heat exchange efficiency and low manufacturing difficulty have led to their growing importance in numerous fields of daily life, including automotive, electronics, air conditioning, chemical, and medical industries.

[0003] Existing manifold structures are generally formed by directly punching holes in the wall of a cylindrical column with a circular or "D"-shaped cross-section, and then brazing the ends of the heat exchange flat tubes to the corresponding flat tube insertion holes on the manifold. Among these, the circular cross-section manifold structure has a large volume and requires a high amount of circulating working fluid, posing a greater risk of environmental pollution; the "D"-shaped cross-section manifold structure has low pressure resistance, is difficult to process and assemble, and has a low welding yield. Especially when used in three-medium heat exchangers, existing manifold structures are complex, the solutions are immature, and mass production is difficult.

[0004] Furthermore, existing manifold structures cannot ensure precise distribution of the circulating fluid to the connected flat tubes during the circulation medium distribution process, which may lead to uneven heat exchange. To address this issue, Chinese Invention Patent Application No. CN201410410165.6 proposes an improved refrigerant distribution structure. This structure places a column containing a distribution cavity within a traditional manifold. By adjusting parameters such as the curvature, length, cross-sectional area, and shape of the channel in the structure, the flow rate of the circulating medium entering different cavities can be controlled to achieve uniform heat distribution. However, the above structure still faces some difficulties in its promotion: (1) The design of the channel and the manufacturing of the column are relatively complex, making it difficult to integrate and form, thus increasing the difficulty of mass production; (2) The distribution cavity increases the difficulty of stamping the heat exchange tube interface of the manifold. If the distribution cavity is installed first and then processed, it is not easy to stamp and open the hole; if the hole is opened first and then processed, the problem of the smaller inner diameter of the manifold also increases the difficulty of installing the distribution cavity.

[0005] In summary, further exploration of flow distribution structures with easy processing and high flow uniformity is a key technological breakthrough urgently needed for the widespread adoption of microchannel heat exchangers. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to disclose a flow distribution structure and a heat exchanger having the same structure. While meeting the requirements of high pressure resistance and uniform flow distribution, it adopts the existing microchannel heat exchanger manufacturing process, which is easy to process and facilitates mass production.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A flow distribution structure includes a flow distribution pipe section and a brazing plate section. The flow distribution pipe section has an internal fluid channel, an external first brazing surface, and a flow equalization hole that communicates with the internal and external fluid channels. The brazing plate section has a heat exchange tube insertion hole and a second brazing surface. One of the first brazing surface and the second brazing surface has a flow equalization cavity. The first brazing surface and the second brazing surface are brazed together. The heat exchange tube insertion hole communicates with the fluid channel through the corresponding flow equalization cavity and flow equalization hole.

[0009] Optionally, the flow equalization cavity has a groove structure and is disposed on the first brazing surface, the flow equalization hole is disposed in the flow equalization cavity, and the flow equalization cavity communicates with the fluid channel through the flow equalization hole.

[0010] Furthermore, a brazed narrow slit is provided between adjacent heat exchange tube insertion holes.

[0011] Optionally, the flow equalization cavity has a groove structure and is disposed on the second brazing surface, and the heat exchange tube insertion hole is disposed at the bottom of the flow equalization cavity and communicates with the flow equalization cavity.

[0012] Furthermore, a brazing narrow slit is provided between adjacent flow equalization cavities.

[0013] Preferably, the flow equalization cavity is similar in shape to the heat exchange tube insertion hole, but slightly larger in size.

[0014] Preferably, at least one of the manifold section and the brazing plate section is provided with a positioning side.

[0015] Preferably, the flow equalization hole is one or more of a combination of circular holes and irregularly shaped holes.

[0016] The present invention also provides a heat exchanger, including a flow distribution structure, a heat exchange flat tube, and fins, wherein the flow distribution structure is the flow distribution structure described in any of the preceding claims.

[0017] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0018] By brazing the first brazing surface and the second brazing surface together, the manifold section and the brazing plate section are firmly combined to form a high-pressure manifold structure.

[0019] By setting the number and size of the flow equalization holes, the flow rate of the medium entering the flow equalization cavity can be controlled, so that the flow rate of the heat exchange medium in different heat exchange flat tubes is kept consistent, which facilitates efficient heat exchange between various heat exchange media inside and outside the tube.

[0020] The present invention provides a heat exchanger that is manufactured using existing microchannel heat exchanger production technology. The manifold section, brazing plate section, heat exchange flat tube and fins are brazed in one furnace, which is easy to process and facilitates mass production. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this 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 some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is an overall breakdown diagram of a diversity flow structure in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is an overall cross-sectional view of a diversity flow structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a partial view of the brazing plate portion of a flow distribution structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is an overall breakdown diagram of a diversity flow structure in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is an overall breakdown diagram of a diversity flow structure in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is an overall structural diagram of the brazing plate portion of a flow distribution structure in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 This is one of the overall breakdown diagrams of a diversity flow structure in Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 This is the second overall breakdown diagram of a diversity flow structure in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0030] Figure label:

[0031] 1. Manifold section; 11. Fluid channel; 12. First brazed surface; 13. Flow equalization cavity; 14. Positioning side; 10. Flow equalization hole;

[0032] 2. Brazing plate section; 21. Heat exchanger tube insertion hole; 22. Second brazing surface; 23. Brazing narrow seam. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To clearly express the inventive objective, technical solution, and technical advantages of this invention, the technical solution of this invention will be further described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0034] The present invention provides an embodiment 1 of a diversity stream structure, as follows: Figures 1 to 3 As shown, it includes a manifold section 1 and a brazing plate section 2. The manifold section 1 is provided with an internal fluid channel 11, an external first brazing surface 12 and a flow equalization hole 10 that communicates with the inside and outside. The brazing plate section 2 is provided with a heat exchange tube insertion hole 21 and a second brazing surface 22.

[0035] The flow equalization cavity 13 has a groove structure and is located on the first brazing surface 12. The flow equalization hole 10 is located in the flow equalization cavity 13, and the flow equalization cavity 13 communicates with the fluid channel 11 through the flow equalization hole 10.

[0036] A brazing slit 23 is provided between adjacent heat exchange tube insertion holes 21.

[0037] The first brazing surface 12 and the second brazing surface 22 are brazed together. The heat exchange tube insertion hole 21 is connected to the fluid channel 11 through the corresponding flow equalization cavity 13 and flow equalization hole 10, forming a flow distribution structure of the orifice plate flow equalization mode.

[0038] During the brazing process, some of the solder flows into the brazing slit 23, which improves the brazing quality between the first brazing surface 12 and the second brazing surface 22, and enhances the effect of keeping the media in different flow equalization cavities 13 isolated from each other and not mixed.

[0039] In this embodiment, the flow equalization cavity 13 is similar in shape to the heat exchange tube insertion hole 21, but slightly larger in size.

[0040] In the structure of this embodiment, the flow equalization hole 10 is one or more combinations of circular holes and irregularly shaped holes.

[0041] The number of flow equalization holes 10 in each flow equalization cavity 13 can be one or more, which is not limited here. By setting the number and size of the flow equalization holes 10 in each flow equalization cavity 13, the flow rate of the medium entering each flow equalization cavity 13 can be controlled, so that the flow rate of the heat exchange medium in different heat exchange flat tubes is kept consistent, which facilitates efficient heat exchange between various heat exchange media inside and outside the tube.

[0042] The present invention provides an embodiment 2 of a diversity stream structure, such as... Figure 4As shown, its main structure is basically the same as that of Embodiment 1. The same parts will not be described again here. The difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that the length of the flow equalization cavity 13 is equal to the width of the first brazing surface 12, which makes the fabrication of the manifold section 1 smoother. Correspondingly, the brazing plate section 2 is provided with positioning side edges 14 on both sides. The positioning side edges 14 need to completely cover the flow equalization cavity 13 so that the media in different flow equalization cavities 13 remain isolated from each other and do not mix.

[0043] The present invention provides an embodiment 3 of a diversity stream structure, such as... Figures 5 to 6 As shown, its main structure is basically the same as that of Embodiment 1. The same parts will not be described again here. The difference between Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 1 is that: the flow equalization cavity 13 is a groove structure and is set on the second brazing surface 22; the heat exchange tube insertion hole 21 is set at the bottom of the flow equalization cavity 13 and communicates with the flow equalization cavity 13; a brazing narrow slit 23 is provided between adjacent flow equalization cavities 13.

[0044] The number of fluid channels 11 can be two or more, which is not limited here; each fluid channel 11 is connected to the corresponding flow equalization cavity 13 through its corresponding flow equalization hole 10, so as to keep the medium in each fluid channel 11 isolated from each other and not mixed, so that different media can be introduced into different fluid channels 11.

[0045] Positioning sides 14 are provided on both sides of the manifold section 1. Alternatively, at least one of the manifold section 1 and the brazing plate section 2 may be provided with positioning sides 14, which is not limited here.

[0046] The function of the positioning side 14 is: on the one hand, to facilitate finding the contact position between the manifold section 1 and the brazing plate section 2, which can ensure that the flow equalization hole 10 and each flow equalization cavity 13 are aligned, thereby improving the brazing quality; on the other hand, to increase the pressure resistance of the flow equalization structure.

[0047] The present invention provides an embodiment 4 of a diversity stream structure, such as... Figures 7 to 8 As shown, its main structure is basically the same as that of Embodiment 3. The same parts will not be described again here. The difference between Embodiment 4 and Embodiment 3 is that the second brazing surface 22 is removed, and the flow equalization cavity 13 is divided into upper and lower parts. The lower part of the flow equalization cavity 13 is similar in shape to the upper part of the flow equalization cavity 13 but slightly larger in size. The lower part of the flow equalization cavity 13 is a groove structure and is set on the first brazing surface 12. The upper part of the flow equalization cavity 13 is a groove structure and is set at the lower part of the heat exchange tube insertion hole 21. By brazing the lower part of the heat exchange tube insertion hole 21 and the lower part of the flow equalization cavity 13 together, the heat exchange tube insertion hole 21 is connected to the fluid channel 11 through the corresponding flow equalization cavity 13 and flow equalization hole 10, thus forming a flow distribution structure of the orifice plate flow equalization method.

[0048] The structure of this embodiment ensures high pressure resistance of the flow distribution structure while improving the welding quality of keeping the media in different flow equalization cavities 13 isolated from each other and not mixed.

[0049] The present invention also provides a heat exchanger embodiment 5, including a manifold, heat exchange flat tubes, and fins. The manifold is the aforementioned manifold structure. The heat exchange flat tubes are inserted and brazed in the heat exchange tube insertion holes. The heat exchange flat tubes are connected to the fluid channel through the flow equalization cavity and flow equalization orifice. The fins are brazed between the heat exchange flat tubes.

[0050] The heat exchanger proposed in this embodiment 5 divides the flow distribution structure into a distribution tube section 1 and a brazed plate section 2, which facilitates mass production using existing processes. After the first brazed surface 12 and the second brazed surface 22 are bonded together, the heat exchange medium in the fluid channel 11 can flow sequentially along the flow equalization holes 10, the flow equalization chambers 13 and the heat exchange tube insertion holes 21 to reach the heat exchange flat tube. By setting the number and size of the flow equalization holes 10 in each flow equalization chamber 13, the flow rate of the medium entering each flow equalization chamber 13 can be controlled, so that the flow rate of the heat exchange medium in different heat exchange flat tubes is kept consistent, which facilitates efficient heat exchange between various heat exchange media inside and outside the tube.

[0051] The heat exchanger proposed in this embodiment 5 adopts the existing brazing process for microchannel heat exchanger production during the manufacturing process. The manifold section, brazing plate section, heat exchange flat tube and fins are brazed in one furnace, which is easy to process and facilitates mass production.

[0052] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising a flow distribution structure, heat exchange flat tubes, and fins, characterized in that, The flow distribution structure includes a flow distribution pipe section (1) and a brazing plate section (2). The flow distribution pipe section (1) is provided with an internal fluid channel (11), an external first brazing surface (12) and a flow equalization hole (10) that communicates with the inside and outside. The brazing plate section (2) is provided with a heat exchange tube insertion hole (21) and a second brazing surface (22). One of the first brazing surface (12) and the second brazing surface (22) is provided with a flow equalization cavity (13). The first brazing surface (12) and the second brazing surface (22) are brazed together. The heat exchange tube insertion hole (21) communicates with the fluid channel (11) through the corresponding flow equalization cavity (13) and flow equalization hole (10), thus forming a flow distribution structure with orifice plate flow equalization mode. The flow equalization cavity (13) has a groove structure and is disposed on the first brazing surface (12). The flow equalization hole (10) is disposed in the flow equalization cavity (13). The flow equalization cavity (13) is connected to the fluid channel (11) through the flow equalization hole (10). A brazing slit (23) is provided between adjacent heat exchange tube insertion holes (21), so that during the brazing process of the first brazing surface and the second brazing surface being bonded together, some of the solder flows into the brazing slit, so that the media in different flow equalization cavities (13) remain isolated from each other and do not mix. At least one of the manifold section (1) and the brazing plate section (2) is provided with a positioning side (14), which covers the flow equalization cavity (13) to ensure that the flow equalization hole (10) is aligned with the flow equalization cavity (13) and to increase the pressure resistance of the flow equalization structure.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow equalization cavity (13) of the flow distribution structure is similar in shape to the heat exchange tube insertion hole (21), but slightly larger in size.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flow equalization orifice (10) of the flow distribution structure is one or more of a combination of circular orifice and irregular orifice.

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