Heat exchanger and air conditioner

Abstract

This invention provides a heat exchanger and an air conditioner. The heat exchanger includes: a heat exchanger body, on which a condenser inlet manifold and a condenser outlet manifold are provided; multiple refrigerant inlets and multiple refrigerant outlets, the multiple refrigerant inlets and outlets being located on the heat exchanger body, and the multiple refrigerant inlets being connected to the condenser inlet manifold; wherein the number of multiple refrigerant inlets is greater than the number of multiple refrigerant outlets. Embodiments of this invention increase the mass flow rate of the refrigerant in the low dryness zone, thereby improving the heat transfer effect.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the improvement of living standards and the widespread use of air conditioners, air conditioners have become an indispensable part of modern life.

[0003] However, in actual construction, the following problem exists: Currently, in air conditioning systems without check valves, the refrigerant flow path of the heat exchanger typically uses the same number of inlet and outlet branches, all converging into a single common pipe. With only one common pipe, the refrigerant distribution is uneven, and the pressure loss in the common pipe is excessive. Furthermore, during heating, the refrigerant prematurely enters the subcooled state, causing premature frosting on the lower part of the heat exchanger. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide a heat exchanger that increases the mass flow rate of the refrigerant in the low dryness zone, thereby improving the heat transfer effect.

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a heat exchanger, comprising: a heat exchanger body, wherein the heat exchanger body is provided with a condenser inlet manifold and a condenser outlet manifold; a plurality of refrigerant inlets and a plurality of refrigerant outlets, wherein the plurality of refrigerant inlets and the plurality of refrigerant outlets are disposed on the heat exchanger body, and the plurality of refrigerant inlets are connected to the condenser inlet manifold; wherein the number of the plurality of refrigerant inlets is greater than the number of the plurality of refrigerant outlets.

[0006] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by this solution are as follows: In the absence of a check valve, the refrigerant flow path in a heat exchanger typically uses the same number of inlet and outlet branches, all converging into a single common pipe. This results in uneven refrigerant distribution and excessive pressure loss in the common pipe. Therefore, this invention addresses this by setting the number of refrigerant inlets to be greater than the number of refrigerant outlets, employing a multi-inlet, multi-outlet heat exchanger flow path. This utilizes the difference in refrigerant density upon entering the heat exchanger compared to entering the condenser, as well as the difference in average flow velocity between the inlet and outlet points. This increases the refrigerant mass flow rate in the low-dryness zone, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the invention further includes: a plurality of subcooled zones, at least one of which is located between the refrigerant pipeline outlet and the condenser liquid outlet main pipe, and the remaining subcooled zones are located between the plurality of refrigerant pipeline outlets. The number of the plurality of subcooled zones and the number of refrigerant pipeline outlets are the same.

[0008] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by adopting this technical solution are as follows: by setting a subcooling zone between the refrigerant pipeline outlet and the condenser liquid outlet main pipe, and by setting a subcooling zone between multiple refrigerant pipeline outlets, the efficiency of the heat exchanger during refrigeration and heating is improved, thereby increasing the refrigeration energy efficiency of the finished product.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes: a plurality of common pipes, wherein each of the plurality of common pipes corresponds to one of the plurality of subcooled zones.

[0010] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by adopting this technical solution are as follows: by setting a common pipe for each subcooled zone, on the one hand, the common pipe can avoid the simultaneous convergence of multiple branches; on the other hand, the common pipe can reduce the pressure of refrigerant flow, thereby improving the energy efficiency of heating and cooling, reducing the manufacturing cost of pipe fittings, and improving production efficiency.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant pipeline inlet includes: a liquid inlet branch pipe, which is connected to the condenser liquid inlet main pipe; and a liquid outlet branch pipe, one end of which is connected to the liquid inlet branch pipe, and the other end of which is connected to the refrigerant pipeline outlet.

[0012] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by adopting this technical solution are as follows: by setting the refrigerant pipeline inlet as a liquid inlet branch pipe and a liquid outlet branch pipe, the refrigerant can be discharged through the liquid inlet branch pipe and the liquid outlet branch pipe.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of refrigerant pipeline inlets are provided with three, namely a first refrigerant pipeline inlet, a second refrigerant pipeline inlet, and a third refrigerant pipeline inlet; the plurality of refrigerant pipeline outlets are provided with two, namely a first refrigerant pipeline outlet and a second refrigerant pipeline outlet; wherein, the first refrigerant pipeline inlet and the third refrigerant pipeline inlet are connected to the first refrigerant pipeline outlet; and the second refrigerant pipeline inlet is connected to the second refrigerant pipeline outlet.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by this technical solution are as follows: by setting up a first refrigerant inlet, a second refrigerant inlet, and a third refrigerant inlet, and corresponding first refrigerant outlet and second refrigerant outlet, with the first and third refrigerant inlets connected to the first refrigerant outlet and the second refrigerant inlet connected to the second refrigerant outlet, the mass flow rate of the refrigerant in the low dryness zone is increased, thereby improving the heat transfer effect.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes: a first subcooling zone, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the first refrigerant pipeline, and the other end of which is connected to the outlet of the second refrigerant pipeline; and a second subcooling zone, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the second refrigerant pipeline, and the other end of which is connected to the condenser liquid outlet main pipe.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by this technical solution are as follows: By setting up a first subcooling zone, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the first refrigerant pipeline and the outlet of the second refrigerant pipeline; and by setting up a second subcooling zone, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the second refrigerant pipeline and the condenser liquid outlet manifold, the inlet of the first refrigerant pipeline and the inlet of the third refrigerant pipeline can first enter the first subcooling zone for initial subcooling, and then the refrigerant in the first subcooling zone is discharged to the second subcooling zone, so that the refrigerant discharged from the inlet of the second refrigerant pipeline and the refrigerant in the first subcooling zone can both be subcooled again in the second subcooling zone before being discharged from the condenser liquid outlet manifold, thereby improving the efficiency of the heat exchanger during cooling and heating, and improving the cooling energy efficiency of the finished product.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes: a first common pipe, one end of which is connected to the first subcooled zone and the other end of which is connected to the second subcooled zone; and a second common pipe, one end of which is connected to the second subcooled zone and the other end of which is connected to the condenser outlet main pipe.

[0018] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by adopting this technical solution are as follows: by setting up a first common pipe and a second common pipe, with the first common pipe corresponding to the first subcooled zone and the second common pipe corresponding to the second subcooled zone, each subcooled zone can be equipped with a single common pipe for refrigerant transmission, reducing the pressure of refrigerant flow, thereby improving the energy efficiency of heating and cooling, reducing the manufacturing cost of pipe fittings, and improving production efficiency.

[0019] On the other hand, the present invention also provides an air conditioner, comprising: an air conditioner body; and a heat exchanger as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed within the air conditioner body.

[0020] The air conditioner in this embodiment includes an air conditioner body and a heat exchanger as described in any of the above embodiments. The heat exchanger is disposed on the air conditioner body, and therefore has all the beneficial effects of the heat exchanger as described in any embodiment of the present invention, which will not be repeated here.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger includes: a throttling device connected to the condenser outlet manifold; an evaporator connected to the throttling device; and a condenser connected to the throttling device. The air conditioner further includes: a compressor connected to the evaporator and the condenser. When the heat exchanger is in cooling mode, the condenser outlet manifold allows refrigerant to enter the evaporator through the throttling device and finally discharge it to the condenser via the compressor. When the heat exchanger is in heating mode, the condenser outlet manifold allows refrigerant to enter the condenser through the throttling device and finally discharge it to the evaporator via the compressor.

[0022] (1) By setting the number of multiple refrigerant inlets to be greater than the number of multiple refrigerant outlets, a heat exchanger flow path with more inlets and fewer outlets is adopted. This utilizes the characteristics that the density of the refrigerant is different when it enters the heat exchanger and when it enters the condenser, as well as the characteristics that the average flow velocity of the refrigerant is different when it enters the heat exchanger and when it leaves the heat exchanger. This improves the mass flow rate of the refrigerant in the low dryness zone, thereby improving the heat transfer effect.

[0023] (2) By setting a subcooling zone between the refrigerant pipeline outlet and the condenser liquid outlet main pipe, and by setting a subcooling zone between multiple refrigerant pipeline outlets, the efficiency of the heat exchanger during refrigeration and heating is improved, thereby improving the refrigeration energy efficiency of the finished product.

[0024] (3) By setting up common pipes for each subcooled zone, on the one hand, the common pipes can avoid the simultaneous convergence of multiple branches; on the other hand, the common pipes can reduce the pressure of refrigerant flow, thereby improving the energy efficiency of heating and cooling, reducing the manufacturing cost of pipe fittings, and improving production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings to be used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a heat exchanger provided in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air conditioner provided in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0029] 100 is the heat exchanger; 110 is the condenser inlet manifold; 111 is the first refrigerant line inlet; 112 is the second refrigerant line inlet; 113 is the third refrigerant line inlet; 121 is the first refrigerant line outlet; 122 is the second refrigerant line outlet; 131 is the first subcooling zone; 132 is the second subcooling zone; 141 is the first common pipe; 142 is the second common pipe; 150 is the throttling device; 160 is the condenser; 170 is the evaporator.

[0030] 200 is for air conditioner; 210 is for compressor. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] [First Embodiment]

[0033] See Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat exchanger 100 provided in the first embodiment of the present invention. The heat exchanger 100 includes, for example, a heat exchanger 100 body, on which a condenser inlet manifold 110 and a condenser outlet manifold are provided; multiple refrigerant inlets and multiple refrigerant outlets are provided on the heat exchanger 100 body, and the multiple refrigerant inlets are connected to the condenser inlet manifold 110; wherein, the number of multiple refrigerant inlets is greater than the number of multiple refrigerant outlets.

[0034] For example, in the case of a refrigerant flow path in heat exchanger 100 without a check valve, the number of inlet and outlet branches is usually the same, eventually converging into a single common pipe. This results in uneven refrigerant distribution and excessive pressure loss in the common pipe. Therefore, this invention addresses this by setting the number of refrigerant inlets to be greater than the number of refrigerant outlets, employing a multi-inlet, multi-outlet flow path in heat exchanger 100. This utilizes the difference in refrigerant density upon entering heat exchanger 100 compared to entering the condenser, as well as the difference in average flow velocity between the entry and exit points of heat exchanger 100. This increases the mass flow rate of the refrigerant in the low-dryness zone, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency.

[0035] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 100 also includes, for example, multiple subcooled zones, at least one of which is located between the refrigerant pipeline outlet and the condenser liquid outlet main, while the remaining subcooled zones are located between the multiple refrigerant pipeline outlets. The number of subcooled zones and refrigerant pipeline outlets is the same.

[0036] For example, by setting a subcooling zone between the refrigerant pipeline outlet and the condenser liquid outlet main pipe, and by setting a subcooling zone between multiple refrigerant pipeline outlets, the efficiency of the heat exchanger 100 during cooling and heating can be improved, thereby increasing the cooling energy efficiency of the finished product.

[0037] Preferably, the heat exchanger 100 further includes, for example, multiple common pipes, each corresponding to a different subcooling zone. For instance, by providing common pipes corresponding to each subcooling zone, on the one hand, the common pipes can avoid the simultaneous convergence of multiple branches; on the other hand, the common pipes can reduce the pressure of refrigerant flow, thereby improving the energy efficiency of heating and cooling, reducing the manufacturing cost of pipe fittings, and increasing production efficiency.

[0038] Specifically, the refrigerant pipeline inlet includes: a liquid inlet branch pipe, which connects to the condenser liquid inlet main pipe 110; and a liquid outlet branch pipe, one end of which connects to the liquid inlet branch pipe, and the other end of which connects to the refrigerant pipeline outlet.

[0039] For example, by setting the refrigerant inlet as a liquid inlet branch and a liquid outlet branch, the refrigerant can be discharged through the liquid inlet branch and the liquid outlet branch.

[0040] In one specific embodiment, the plurality of refrigerant pipeline inlets are provided with three, namely a first refrigerant pipeline inlet 111, a second refrigerant pipeline inlet 112, and a third refrigerant pipeline inlet 113; the plurality of refrigerant pipeline outlets are provided with two, namely a first refrigerant pipeline outlet 121 and a second refrigerant pipeline outlet 122; wherein, the first refrigerant pipeline inlet 111 and the third refrigerant pipeline inlet 113 are connected to the first refrigerant pipeline outlet 121; and the second refrigerant pipeline inlet 112 is connected to the second refrigerant pipeline outlet 122.

[0041] For example, by setting up a first refrigerant inlet 111, a second refrigerant inlet 112, and a third refrigerant inlet 113, and corresponding first refrigerant outlet 121 and second refrigerant outlet 122, with the first refrigerant inlet 111 and the third refrigerant inlet 113 connected to the first refrigerant outlet 121 and the second refrigerant inlet 112 connected to the second refrigerant outlet 122, the mass flow rate of the refrigerant in the low dryness zone is increased, thereby improving the heat transfer effect.

[0042] Preferably, there can be four or more refrigerant pipe inlets and three or more refrigerant pipe outlets.

[0043] Preferably, at least one of the multiple refrigerant pipe outlets is connected to two refrigerant pipe inlets, and the remaining refrigerant pipe outlets are connected to one refrigerant pipe inlet and one refrigerant pipe outlet in sequence.

[0044] For example, heat exchanger 100 has n refrigerant inlets, namely refrigerant inlet N1, refrigerant inlet N2, refrigerant inlet N3... refrigerant inlet Nn, and correspondingly m refrigerant outlets, namely refrigerant outlet M1, refrigerant outlet M2... refrigerant outlet Mm, where m = n-1. Refrigerant inlets N1 and N2 are connected to refrigerant outlet M1; refrigerant outlet M2 is connected to refrigerant inlet N3 and refrigerant inlet N2, and so on, until the final refrigerant outlet Mm is connected to refrigerant inlet Nn and the condenser outlet manifold.

[0045] Specifically, the refrigerant pipeline inlet also includes: a first subcooling zone 131, one end of which is connected to the first refrigerant pipeline outlet 121, and the other end of which is connected to the second refrigerant pipeline outlet 122; and a second subcooling zone 132, one end of which is connected to the second refrigerant pipeline outlet 122, and the other end of which is connected to the condenser liquid outlet main pipe.

[0046] For example, by setting a first subcooling zone 131 and connecting one end of the first subcooling zone 131 to the first refrigerant pipeline outlet 121 and the second refrigerant pipeline outlet 122; by setting a second subcooling zone 132 and connecting one end of the second subcooling zone 132 to the second refrigerant pipeline outlet 122 and the condenser liquid outlet main pipe, when the first refrigerant pipeline inlet 111 and the third refrigerant pipeline inlet 113 can first enter the first subcooling zone 131 for initial subcooling, and then discharge the refrigerant in the first subcooling zone 131 to the second subcooling zone 132, the refrigerant discharged from the second refrigerant pipeline inlet 112 and the refrigerant in the first subcooling zone 131 can both be subcooled again in the second subcooling zone 132, and then discharged from the condenser liquid outlet main pipe, thereby improving the efficiency of the heat exchanger 100 during cooling and heating, and improving the cooling energy efficiency of the finished product.

[0047] Specifically, the heat exchanger 100 also includes, for example, a first common pipe 141, one end of which is connected to a first subcooled zone 131 and the other end of which is connected to a second subcooled zone 132; and a second common pipe 142, one end of which is connected to a second subcooled zone 132 and the other end of which is connected to the condenser outlet main pipe.

[0048] For example, by setting a first common pipe 141 and a second common pipe 142, with the first common pipe 141 corresponding to the first subcooled zone 131 and the second common pipe 142 corresponding to the second subcooled zone 132, each subcooled zone can be equipped with a single common pipe for transmitting refrigerant, reducing the pressure of refrigerant flow, thereby improving the energy efficiency of heating and cooling, reducing the manufacturing cost of pipe fittings, and improving production efficiency.

[0049] [Second Embodiment]

[0050] The present invention also provides an air conditioner 200, which includes, for example, an air conditioner body and a heat exchanger 100 as described in any of the first embodiments.

[0051] The air conditioner 200 in this embodiment includes an air conditioner body and a heat exchanger 100 as described in any one of the first embodiments of the present invention. The heat exchanger 100 is disposed on the air conditioner body, and therefore has all the beneficial effects of the heat exchanger 100 as described in any one of the first embodiments of the present invention, which will not be repeated here.

[0052] Preferred, see Figure 2 The heat exchanger 100 includes: a throttling device 150 connected to the condenser outlet manifold 110; an evaporator 170 connected to the throttling device 150; and a condenser 160 connected to the throttling device 150. The air conditioner 200 also includes: a compressor 210 connected to the evaporator 170 and the condenser 160. When the heat exchanger 100 is in cooling mode, the condenser outlet manifold of the condenser 160 allows refrigerant to enter the evaporator 170 through the throttling device 150, and finally discharges it to the condenser 160 through the compressor 210. When the heat exchanger 100 is in heating mode, the condenser outlet manifold of the condenser 110 allows refrigerant to enter the condenser 160 through the throttling device 150, and finally discharges it to the evaporator 170 through the compressor 210.

[0053] 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, characterized in that, include: The heat exchanger body is provided with a condenser inlet manifold (110) and a condenser outlet manifold. Multiple refrigerant inlets and multiple refrigerant outlets are provided on the heat exchanger body, and the multiple refrigerant inlets are connected to the condenser liquid inlet main pipe (110). Wherein, the number of inlets of the plurality of refrigerant pipelines is greater than the number of outlets of the plurality of refrigerant pipelines; Multiple subcooled zones, at least one of which is located between the refrigerant pipeline outlet and the condenser liquid outlet main pipe, and the remaining subcooled zones are located between the multiple refrigerant pipeline outlets; The number of subcooled zones and refrigerant pipeline outlets are the same. Multiple common pipes are provided, each corresponding to one of the multiple subcooling zones.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerant pipeline inlet includes: Liquid inlet branch pipe, which is connected to the condenser liquid inlet main pipe (110). A liquid outlet branch pipe, one end of which is connected to the liquid inlet branch pipe, and the other end of which is connected to the refrigerant pipeline outlet.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of refrigerant pipe inlets are provided with three inlets: a first refrigerant pipe inlet (111), a second refrigerant pipe inlet (112), and a third refrigerant pipe inlet (113). The plurality of refrigerant pipe outlets are provided with two outlets, namely a first refrigerant pipe outlet (121) and a second refrigerant pipe outlet (122). The first refrigerant pipeline inlet (111) and the third refrigerant pipeline inlet (113) are connected to the first refrigerant pipeline outlet (121); the second refrigerant pipeline inlet (112) is connected to the second refrigerant pipeline outlet (122).

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: The first subcooling zone (131) has one end connected to the first refrigerant pipeline outlet (121) and the other end connected to the second refrigerant pipeline outlet (122). The second subcooling zone (132) has one end connected to the outlet (122) of the second refrigerant pipeline and the other end connected to the main outlet pipe of the condenser.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: The first common pipe (141) has one end connected to the first subcooled zone (131) and the other end connected to the second subcooled zone (132). The second common pipe (142) has one end connected to the second subcooled zone (132) and the other end connected to the condenser outlet main pipe.

6. An air conditioner, characterized in that, include: Air conditioner body; The heat exchanger (100) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the heat exchanger (100) is disposed within the air conditioner body.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat exchanger (100) includes: A throttling device (150) is connected to the condenser outlet manifold; Evaporator (170), the evaporator (170) being connected to the throttling device (150); A condenser (160) is connected to the throttling device (150). The air conditioner (200) further includes a compressor (210) connected to the evaporator (170) and the condenser (160). When the heat exchanger is in cooling mode, the condenser outlet manifold allows the refrigerant to enter the evaporator (170) through the throttling device (150), and finally discharges it to the condenser (160) through the compressor (210); when the heat exchanger is in heating mode, the condenser outlet manifold allows the refrigerant to enter the condenser (160) through the throttling device (150), and finally discharges it to the evaporator (170) through the compressor (210).

Images