Heat exchange structure, air conditioner and control method

Abstract

The application provides a heat exchange structure, an air conditioner and a control method. The recovery assembly is arranged corresponding to the evaporator, so that the condensed water generated by the evaporator can be collected. The heat exchange component is arranged, the heat exchange component is connected with the cooling pipeline, the refrigerant in the cooling pipeline can flow through the heat exchange component, the heat exchange component is connected with the recovery assembly through the heat exchange pipeline, the heat exchange component exchanges the heat of the refrigerant and the condensed water through the driving of the water pump, and the effective utilization of the cold energy of the condensed water is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioner technology, specifically to a heat exchange structure, an air conditioner, and a control method. Background Technology

[0002] Air conditioners are now quite common. For the finned heat exchangers in air conditioners, condensate is produced when the air conditioner is in cooling mode. In conventional air conditioners, this low-temperature condensate is mostly discharged directly outside the air conditioner, wasting its cooling capacity.

[0003] In existing technologies, most air conditioners with cooling water recovery devices utilize condensate water in a single application via heat exchangers or spray systems. However, these methods fail to fully utilize the cooling capacity of the condensate water.

[0004] Therefore, existing technologies need further development. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and provide a heat exchange structure, an air conditioner, and a control method to solve the technical problem that the cooling capacity of air conditioning condensate cannot be effectively utilized in related technologies.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: providing a heat exchange structure, comprising:

[0007] Cooling piping, with an evaporator and a condenser installed on the cooling piping;

[0008] A recovery unit is installed corresponding to the evaporator to collect the condensate produced by the evaporator;

[0009] The heat exchange component is connected to the cooling pipeline so that the refrigerant in the cooling pipeline flows through the heat exchange component.

[0010] The heat exchange piping is connected to the recovery assembly and the heat exchange components so that the condensate collected by the recovery assembly flows through the heat exchange components, thereby allowing the heat exchange components to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the condensate.

[0011] A water pump is installed on the heat exchange pipeline to drive the condensate in the heat exchange pipeline into the heat exchange components.

[0012] Preferably, the heat exchange structure further includes:

[0013] The first water storage tank is located below the evaporator and has a first water storage cavity for collecting condensate falling from the evaporator.

[0014] The second water tank has a second water storage cavity for collecting condensate flowing out from the heat exchange component; the bottom of the second water storage cavity is located above the bottom of the first water storage cavity.

[0015] A connecting pipe is provided, with one end connected to the first water storage chamber and the other end connected to the second water storage chamber.

[0016] Preferably, the heat exchange pipeline further includes:

[0017] The water inlet pipe is connected at one end to the first water storage tank and at the other end to the input end of the heat exchange component. The water pump is installed on the water inlet pipe.

[0018] The water outlet pipe is connected at one end to the second water storage tank and at the other end to the output end of the heat exchange component.

[0019] Preferably, the heat exchange structure further includes:

[0020] The control module is connected to the water pump signal to control the water pump speed;

[0021] The first level gauge is installed inside the first water storage chamber to measure the liquid level in the first water storage tank; the first level gauge is connected to the control module via signal.

[0022] The second level gauge is installed inside the second water storage chamber to measure the liquid level in the first water storage tank; the second level gauge is connected to the control module via signal.

[0023] Preferably, the cooling piping includes:

[0024] The cooling inlet pipe has one end connected to the condenser and the other end connected to the input end of the heat exchange component.

[0025] The cooling outlet pipe is connected to the evaporator at one end and to the output end of the heat exchange component at the other end.

[0026] A temperature sensor is installed on the cooling outlet pipe to measure the temperature of the refrigerant inside the cooling outlet pipe. The temperature sensor is connected to the control module signal.

[0027] Preferably, the heat exchange structure further includes:

[0028] A drainage pipe is connected to the bottom of the second water storage chamber, and a first control valve is installed on the drainage pipe to control the on / off state of the drainage pipe; and / or,

[0029] An evaporator fan is located on the side of the evaporator away from the first water storage tank, and the air outlet of the evaporator fan faces the first water storage tank.

[0030] An air conditioner includes the above-described heat exchange structure, wherein the heat exchange component is located outdoors.

[0031] A control method, applicable to the above heat exchange structure, includes:

[0032] The temperature T1 of the refrigerant in the cooling pipe is detected, and the speed of the water pump is controlled based on the temperature T1, thereby controlling the flow rate of condensate into the heat exchange components in the heat exchange pipe.

[0033] Preferably, the method for controlling the flow rate of condensate in the heat exchange pipeline into the heat exchange component based on temperature T1 includes:

[0034] Set thresholds T and ΔT;

[0035] If T-ΔT<T1≤T+ΔT, then the speed of the water pump should be controlled at V1;

[0036] If T1 > T + ΔT, then increase the pump speed;

[0037] If T1 < T - ΔT, then reduce the pump speed.

[0038] Preferably, the control method further includes:

[0039] Detect the liquid level height H of the recovery component;

[0040] Set a threshold H2; compare H with H2;

[0041] If H < H2, then control the water pump to stop working;

[0042] If H > H2, and after a preset time, control the water pump to run at speed V1.

[0043] Beneficial effects:

[0044] 1. By providing the recovery component corresponding to the evaporator, the condensate produced by the evaporator can be collected.

[0045] 2. By setting up the heat exchange component and connecting it to the cooling pipeline, the refrigerant in the cooling pipeline can flow through the heat exchange component and be connected to the recovery component through the heat exchange pipeline. Driven by the water pump, the heat exchange component exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the condensate, thereby achieving effective utilization of the condensate cooling capacity. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the heat exchange structure used in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the control method used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0049] 1. Cooling pipes; 11. Cooling inlet pipe; 12. Cooling outlet pipe; 13. Temperature sensor; 2. Recovery assembly; 21. First water tank; 211. First water storage chamber; 212. First level gauge; 22. Second water tank; 221. Second water storage chamber; 222. Second level gauge; 223. First control valve; 224. Drainage pipe; 23. Connecting pipe; 3. Heat exchange components; 4. Heat exchange pipes; 41. Inlet pipe; 42. Outlet pipe; 5. Water pump; 6. Evaporator fan; 7. Evaporator; 8. Condenser. Detailed Implementation

[0050] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0051] Example 1

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a heat exchange structure is provided; please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 ,include:

[0053] Cooling pipe 1, on which an evaporator 7 and a condenser 8 are provided;

[0054] Recovery component 2, which is provided correspondingly to the evaporator 7, to collect the condensate produced by the evaporator 7;

[0055] Heat exchange component 3 is connected to the cooling pipe 1 so that the refrigerant in the cooling pipe 1 flows through the heat exchange component 3;

[0056] Heat exchange pipe 4 is connected to the recovery component 2 and the heat exchange element 3, so that the condensate collected by the recovery component 2 flows through the heat exchange element 3, thereby allowing the heat exchange element 3 to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the condensate.

[0057] A water pump 5 is installed on the heat exchange pipeline 4 to drive the condensate in the heat exchange pipeline 4 into the heat exchange component 3.

[0058] It should be noted that in the cooling state, when water vapor in the air comes into contact with the cold surface of the evaporator 7, it will turn into condensate.

[0059] It should be noted that the heat exchange component 3 is provided with multiple refrigerant channels and condensate channels. On the one hand, it can transfer the temperature of the low-temperature condensate to the refrigerant, thereby reducing the temperature of the refrigerant; on the other hand, it can separate the refrigerant and condensate.

[0060] It is understood that by providing the recovery component 2 corresponding to the evaporator 7, the condensate produced by the evaporator 7 can be collected; by providing the heat exchange component 3 and connecting the heat exchange component 3 to the cooling pipe 1, the refrigerant in the cooling pipe 1 can flow through the heat exchange component 3, and through the heat exchange pipe 4, the heat exchange component 3 is connected to the recovery component 2, driven by the water pump 5, thereby allowing the heat exchange component 3 to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the condensate, achieving effective utilization of the condensate cooling capacity.

[0061] The heat exchange structure also includes:

[0062] The first water storage tank 21 is located below the evaporator 7, and the first water storage tank 21 has a first water storage cavity 211 for collecting condensate falling from the evaporator 7.

[0063] The second water tank 22 has a second water storage cavity 221 for collecting condensate flowing out of the heat exchange component 3; the bottom of the second water storage cavity 221 is located above the bottom of the first water storage cavity 211.

[0064] A connecting pipe 23 is provided, one end of which is connected to the first water storage chamber 211, and the other end of which is connected to the second water storage chamber 221.

[0065] It should be noted that the bottom of the second water storage chamber 221 is higher than the bottom of the first water storage chamber 211, which can store the condensate flowing out of the heat exchange component 3 and transport it to the first water storage chamber 211 through the connecting pipe, thereby further transporting it to the heat exchange component 3 to form a condensate circulation.

[0066] It is understandable that by setting the first water storage chamber 211, the condensate falling from the evaporator 7 can be collected; by setting the second water storage chamber 221, the condensate flowing out from the heat exchange component 3 can be collected and transported to the first water storage chamber 211 through the connecting pipe 23, thus avoiding the waste of condensate and facilitating the further utilization of the cooling capacity of the condensate.

[0067] The heat exchange pipeline 4 also includes:

[0068] Water inlet pipe 41, one end of which is connected to the first water storage tank 21, and the other end of which is connected to the input end of the heat exchange component 3, and the water pump 5 is installed on the water inlet pipe 41;

[0069] Water outlet pipe 42, one end of which is connected to the second water storage tank 22, and the other end of which is connected to the output end of the heat exchange component 3.

[0070] It should be noted that after the refrigerant enters the heat exchange component 3 from the water inlet pipe 41, the refrigerant and condensate exchange heat. After that, the condensate is diverted and flows into the second water storage tank 22 from the water outlet pipe 42, forming a condensate recycling process.

[0071] It is understood that by setting the water inlet pipe 41 and installing the water pump 5 on the water inlet pipe 41, condensate can flow into the heat exchange component 3, and the cooling capacity of the condensate can be used to reduce the refrigerant temperature; by setting the water outlet pipe 42, the condensate after heat exchange in the heat exchange component 3 can be recovered to the second water storage tank 22, thereby realizing the recycling of condensate.

[0072] The heat exchange structure also includes:

[0073] A control module is connected to the water pump 5 via a signal to control the rotational speed of the water pump 5.

[0074] A first level gauge 212 is installed inside the first water storage chamber 211 to measure the liquid level in the first water storage tank 21; the first level gauge 212 is signal-connected to the control module.

[0075] The second level gauge 222 is installed in the second water storage chamber 221 to measure the liquid level in the first water storage tank 21; the second level gauge 222 is signal-connected to the control module.

[0076] It should be noted that the controller includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0077] PLC controllers, ARM processors, microcontrollers, DSP processors, FPGA controllers, etc.

[0078] It should be noted that the first level gauge 212 is used to measure the level of the first water tank 21. The comparison result between this level and the preset minimum level is used as the primary basis for determining whether the water pump 5 is running. When the level in the first water tank 21 is higher than the preset minimum level, the water pump 5 can run normally; otherwise, the water pump 5 stops running.

[0079] It should be noted that the second level gauge 222 is used to measure the level of the second water tank 22. When the level is higher than the preset maximum level, it is determined that the water level in the second water tank 22 is too high and some condensate needs to be drained to prevent condensate from overflowing.

[0080] It is understandable that by setting the first level gauge 212, the level in the first water storage tank 21 can be measured, and it can be determined whether the water pump 5 is running, thus ensuring the normal operation of the system; by setting the second level gauge 222, the level in the second water storage tank 22 can be measured, thereby determining whether the condensate level in the second water storage tank 22 is too high, thus preventing condensate from overflowing.

[0081] The cooling pipe 1 includes:

[0082] Cooling inlet pipe 11, one end of which is connected to the condenser 8, and the other end of which is connected to the input end of the heat exchange component 3;

[0083] Cooling outlet pipe 12, one end of which is connected to the evaporator 7, and the other end of which is connected to the output end of the heat exchange component 3;

[0084] Temperature sensor 13 is installed on the cooling outlet pipe 12 to measure the temperature of the refrigerant in the cooling outlet pipe 12. Temperature sensor 13 is connected to the control module for signal transmission.

[0085] It is understood that by setting the cooling inlet pipe 11 and connecting it to the output ends of the condenser 8 and the heat exchange component 3 respectively, the refrigerant can flow through the heat exchange component 3, thereby utilizing the cooling capacity of the condensate to cool the refrigerant; by setting the cooling outlet pipe 12 and connecting it to the input ends of the evaporator 7 and the heat exchange component 3 respectively, the refrigerant after heat exchange can be transported to the evaporator 7 for cooling, thereby effectively utilizing the cooling capacity of the condensate.

[0086] The heat exchange structure also includes:

[0087] A drain pipe 224 is connected to the bottom of the second water storage chamber 221, and a first control valve 223 is provided on the drain pipe 224 to control the opening and closing of the drain pipe 224; and / or,

[0088] An evaporator fan 6 is located on the side of the evaporator 7 away from the first water storage tank 21, and the air outlet of the evaporator fan 6 faces the first water storage tank 21.

[0089] It should be noted that the airflow generated by the evaporator fan 6 enables the condensate to flow more quickly to the first water storage tank 21, thereby completing the collection of condensate.

[0090] It should be noted that the second level gauge measures the liquid level height of the second water tank. If the liquid level height of the second water tank is greater than or equal to the liquid level threshold H... 1， If the first control valve is opened, some of the condensate will be discharged; if the liquid level in the second water tank is less than the liquid level threshold H1, the first control valve will remain closed to prevent condensate from overflowing.

[0091] It is understood that by setting the drain pipe 224 to connect to the bottom of the second water storage chamber 221 and setting the first control valve 223 on the drain pipe 224, excess condensate can be discharged from the second water storage chamber 221 in a timely manner, preventing the condensate in the recovery component 2 from overflowing; with the help of the airflow generated by the evaporator fan 6, the condensate can flow to the recovery component 2 more quickly, which facilitates the recovery of condensate.

[0092] Example 2

[0093] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an air conditioner is provided, comprising:

[0094] In the above-mentioned heat exchange structure, the heat exchange component 3 is located outdoors.

[0095] It is understood that by setting the heat exchange structure in the air conditioner, the condensate produced by the evaporator 7 can be collected; by setting the heat exchange component 3 and connecting the heat exchange component 3 to the cooling pipe 1, the refrigerant in the cooling pipe 1 can flow through the heat exchange component 3, and through the heat exchange pipe 4, the heat exchange component 3 is connected to the recovery component 2, driven by the water pump 5, so that the heat exchange component 3 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the condensate, thereby realizing the effective utilization of the cooling capacity of the condensate.

[0096] Example 3

[0097] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a control method is provided, applicable to the above-described heat exchange structure. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 2 The control method includes:

[0098] The temperature T1 of the refrigerant in the cooling pipe 1 is detected, and the speed of the water pump 5 is controlled according to the temperature T1, thereby controlling the flow rate of condensate in the heat exchange pipe 4 into the heat exchange component 3.

[0099] It is understandable that by detecting the temperature T1 of the refrigerant in the cooling pipe 1, it can be determined that the cooling effect can be achieved. Then, the speed of the water pump 5 is controlled, thereby controlling the flow rate of condensate in the heat exchange pipe 4 into the heat exchange component 3, thereby adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant in the cooling pipe 1 and ensuring the cooling effect.

[0100] The control method described herein, which controls the flow rate of condensate in the heat exchange pipe 4 into the heat exchange component 3 based on temperature T1, includes:

[0101] Set thresholds T and ΔT;

[0102] If T-ΔT<T1≤T+ΔT, then the speed of the water pump 5 is controlled to be V1;

[0103] If T1 > T + ΔT, then increase the speed of the water pump 5;

[0104] If T1 < T - ΔT, then reduce the speed of the water pump 5.

[0105] It should be noted that V1 is the initial operating speed of water pump 5, T is the preset temperature value, and ΔT is the temperature deviation value. If T-ΔT < T1 ≤ T+ΔT, it means that the refrigerant temperature is normal, and the initial speed of water pump 5 is maintained. If T1 > T+ΔT, it means that the refrigerant temperature is too high, and the speed of water pump 5 needs to be increased to reduce the refrigerant temperature. If T1 < T-ΔT, it means that the refrigerant temperature is too low, and the speed of water pump 5 needs to be reduced to increase the refrigerant temperature.

[0106] It is understandable that by detecting the temperature T1 of the refrigerant in the cooling pipe 1 and comparing it with a preset value, the speed of the water pump 5 can be controlled, thereby keeping the refrigerant temperature within the normal range, thus avoiding overcooling of the refrigerant and ensuring the cooling effect.

[0107] The control method further includes:

[0108] Detect the liquid level height H of the recovery component 2;

[0109] Set a threshold H2; compare H with H2;

[0110] If H < H2, then control water pump 5 to stop working;

[0111] If H > H2, and after a preset time, control water pump 5 to run at speed V1.

[0112] It is understandable that by detecting the liquid level height H of the recovery component 2 and comparing it with the threshold H2, the working state of the water pump 5 can be controlled according to the amount of condensate in the water storage tank, which can make full use of the cooling capacity of the condensate and also serve as a basis for detecting whether the water pump 5 is working, thereby ensuring the supply of condensate.

[0113] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0114] Optionally, specific examples in this embodiment can refer to the examples described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0115] The sequence numbers of the embodiments in this application are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0116] In the above embodiments of this application, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0117] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A heat exchange structure, characterized in that, include: Cooling piping, wherein an evaporator and a condenser are installed on the cooling piping; A recovery assembly, provided corresponding to the evaporator, is provided to collect the condensate produced by the evaporator. A heat exchange component is connected to the cooling pipeline so that the refrigerant in the cooling pipeline flows through the heat exchange component; A heat exchange pipeline is connected to the recovery assembly. The heat exchange component is connected to the recovery assembly through the heat exchange pipeline so that the condensate collected by the recovery assembly flows through the heat exchange component, thereby allowing the heat exchange component to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the condensate. A water pump is installed on the heat exchange pipeline to drive the condensate in the heat exchange pipeline into the heat exchange component; A first water storage tank is located below the evaporator and has a first water storage cavity for collecting condensate falling from the evaporator. The second water tank has a second water storage cavity for collecting condensate flowing out of the heat exchange component; the bottom of the second water storage cavity is located above the bottom of the first water storage cavity; A connecting pipe, one end of which is connected to the first water storage chamber and the other end of which is connected to the second water storage chamber; A water inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the first water storage tank, and the other end of which is connected to the input end of the heat exchange component; the water pump is installed on the water inlet pipe. The water outlet pipe has one end connected to the second water storage tank and the other end connected to the output end of the heat exchange component. A control module is connected to the water pump via a signal to control the speed of the water pump; A first level gauge is installed inside the first water storage chamber to measure the liquid level in the first water storage tank. The first level gauge is signal-connected to the control module; The second level gauge is installed inside the second water storage chamber to measure the liquid level in the second water storage tank; The second level gauge is connected to the control module via a signal connection; The cooling piping includes: A cooling inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the condenser, and the other end of which is connected to the input end of the heat exchange component; A cooling outlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the evaporator, and the other end of which is connected to the output end of the heat exchange component; A temperature sensor is installed on the cooling outlet pipe to measure the temperature of the refrigerant inside the cooling outlet pipe. The temperature sensor is connected to the control module via a signal connection. A drainage pipe is connected to the bottom of the second water storage chamber, and a first control valve is provided on the drainage pipe to control the opening and closing of the drainage pipe.

2. The heat exchange structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange structure also includes: An evaporating fan is located on the side of the evaporator away from the first water storage tank, and the air outlet of the evaporating fan faces the first water storage tank.

3. An air conditioner, comprising the heat exchange structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The heat exchange component is located outdoors.

4. A control method applicable to the heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The control method includes: The temperature T1 of the refrigerant in the cooling pipe is detected, and the speed of the water pump is controlled according to the temperature T1, thereby controlling the flow rate of condensate in the heat exchange pipe into the heat exchange component.

5. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method for controlling the flow rate of condensate in the heat exchange pipeline into the heat exchange component based on temperature T1 includes: Set thresholds T and ΔT; If T-ΔT<T1≤T+ΔT, then the speed of the water pump is controlled to be V1; If T1 > T + ΔT, then increase the speed of the water pump; If T1 < T - ΔT, then reduce the speed of the water pump.

6. The control method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control method further includes: The liquid level H of the condensate in the recovery component is detected; Set a threshold H2; compare H with H2; If H < H2, then control the water pump to stop working; If H > H2, and after a preset time, the water pump is controlled to run at a speed of V1; where, the liquid level height H refers to the height of the condensate liquid level detected in real time by the first liquid level gauge in the first water storage chamber; the set threshold H2 refers to the minimum liquid level critical value preset to ensure the normal operation of the water pump.

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