Air conditioner and heat exchanger thereof

Abstract

The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchange assemblies provided with heat exchange flow paths, a first inlet and outlet, a second inlet and outlet and a switching pipeline. The switching pipeline is connected to the first inlet and outlet, the second inlet and outlet and the two ends of each heat exchange flow path. And the switching pipeline has a first working state in which the plurality of heat exchange flow paths can be connected in parallel between the first inlet / outlet and the second inlet / outlet, and a second working state in which the plurality of heat exchange flow paths can be connected in series between the first inlet / outlet and the second inlet / outlet. According to the technical scheme, the technical problem that an existing air conditioner is low in overall energy efficiency is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of heat exchangers, and in particular to an air conditioner and a heat exchanger thereof. Background Art

[0002] Some existing air conditioners can adjust the frequency of the compressor according to environmental parameters, thereby achieving energy conservation and emission reduction.

[0003] When the compressor works at different frequencies, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger will change greatly. The heat exchange efficiency of refrigerants with different flow rates in the heat exchanger varies greatly, resulting in lower overall energy efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the technical problem of how to improve the energy efficiency of an air conditioner.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a heat exchanger, which comprises: a plurality of heat exchange components provided with heat exchange flow paths, a first inlet and outlet, a second inlet and outlet, and a switching pipeline;

[0006] Wherein, the switching pipeline is connected to the first inlet and outlet, the second inlet and outlet and both ends of each of the heat exchange flow paths, and the switching pipeline has a first working state capable of connecting multiple heat exchange flow paths in parallel between the first inlet and outlet and the second inlet and outlet, and a second working state capable of connecting multiple heat exchange flow paths in series between the first inlet and outlet and the second inlet and outlet.

[0007] In one illustrative embodiment, the plurality of heat exchange components include:

[0008] A first heat exchange component is provided with a first heat exchange flow path and a first opening and a second opening respectively communicating with two ends of the first heat exchange flow path; and

[0009] A second heat exchange component is provided with a second heat exchange flow path and a third opening and a fourth opening respectively connected to both ends of the second heat exchange flow path;

[0010] Wherein, the switching pipeline is connected to the first opening, the second opening, the third opening and the fourth opening.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the switching pipeline connects the first opening and the third opening to the first inlet and outlet and connects the second opening and the fourth opening to the second inlet and outlet to achieve the first working state;

[0012] The switching pipeline connects the first inlet and outlet to the first opening, connects the second opening to the third opening, and connects the fourth opening to the second inlet and outlet to achieve the second working state.

[0013] In an illustrative embodiment, the switching pipeline includes:

[0014] a first pipeline connecting the first inlet and outlet with the first opening;

[0015] A second pipeline, two ends of which are respectively connected to the first inlet and outlet and the third opening, and is provided with a first valve and a first one-way valve that can only pass the fluid flowing from the first inlet and outlet to the third opening;

[0016] A third pipeline, two ends of which are connected to the second inlet and outlet and the second opening respectively, and is provided with a second valve and a second one-way valve that can only pass the fluid flowing from the second opening to the second inlet and outlet;

[0017] a fourth pipeline connecting the second inlet and outlet with the fourth opening; and

[0018] A fifth pipeline, two ends of which are respectively connected to the second opening and the third opening, and is provided with a third valve;

[0019] The first valve and the second valve are both opened and the third valve is closed to achieve the first working state, and the first valve and the second valve are closed and the third valve is opened to achieve the second working state.

[0020] In an illustrative embodiment, the first valve, the second valve and / or the third valve are solenoid valves.

[0021] In an illustrative embodiment, the switching pipeline includes:

[0022] A sixth pipeline, two ends of which are respectively connected to the first inlet and outlet and the first opening;

[0023] a fourth valve connected to the second opening, the first inlet and outlet, and the third opening;

[0024] a fifth valve connected to the second inlet and outlet, the second opening and the fourth opening;

[0025] Among them, the fourth valve connects the first inlet and outlet to the third opening and the fifth valve connects the second inlet and outlet to the second opening and the fourth opening to achieve the first working state; the fourth valve connects the second opening to the third opening and the fifth valve connects the second inlet and outlet to the fourth opening to achieve the second working state.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the heat exchanger is a parallel flow heat exchanger.

[0027] The present application also proposes an air conditioner, which comprises the heat exchanger as described above.

[0028] In an illustrative embodiment, the air conditioner further comprises a compressor, and the compressor can deliver refrigerant to the heat exchanger through the first inlet and outlet or the second inlet and outlet;

[0029] In which, the heat exchanger acts as an evaporator in the refrigeration mode, and the switching pipeline is configured to switch to the first working state when the compressor operates at a first frequency in the refrigeration mode, and to switch to the second working state when the compressor operates at a second frequency less than the first frequency in the refrigeration mode.

[0030] In an illustrative embodiment, the value range of the first frequency is greater than or equal to 60 Hz, and the value range of the second frequency is greater than zero and less than 60 Hz.

[0031] In an illustrative embodiment, the heat exchanger functions as a condenser in the heating mode, and the switching pipeline is further configured to switch to a second working state in the heating mode.

[0032] When a refrigerant with a large flow rate is transported to the first inlet and outlet, the switching pipeline can be switched to the first working state, so that a plurality of heat exchange paths are connected in parallel between the first inlet and outlet and the second inlet and outlet. The refrigerant has a short flow path and a large number of paths, which can effectively reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant with a large flow rate in the heat exchange path, reduce pressure loss, increase the heat exchange coefficient, and improve the heat exchange effect between the refrigerant and the air.

[0033] When a refrigerant with a smaller flow rate is transported to the first inlet and outlet, the switching pipeline can be switched to the second working state. A plurality of heat exchange flow paths are connected in series between the first inlet and outlet and the second inlet and outlet. The refrigerant flow path is long and the number of flow paths is small. The refrigerant with a small flow rate can fully exchange heat in a longer flow path, thereby increasing the heat exchange coefficient and improving the heat exchange effect between the refrigerant and the air.

[0034] In this way, the working state of the switching pipeline can be adjusted according to the flow rate of the refrigerant input into the heat exchanger, so that the heat exchanger can maintain a high heat exchange efficiency and improve the overall energy efficiency of the air conditioner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying creative work.

[0036] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat exchanger in Example 1 of the present application;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger in Example 1 of the present application with the switching pipeline in the first working state;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat exchanger in the first embodiment of the present application with the switching pipeline in the second working state;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of a heat exchange component in Example 1 of the present application;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the pipe connection of the air conditioner in Example 1 of the present application;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat exchanger in Example 2 of the present application;

[0042] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger in Example 2 of the present application with the switching pipeline in a first working state;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat exchanger in the second embodiment of the present application, in which the switching pipeline is in the second working state.

[0044] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0045] 100, heat exchanger; 1, heat exchange component; 101, first header; 102, second header; 103, heat exchange tube; 104, opening; 11, first heat exchange component; 110, first heat exchange flow path; 111, first opening; 112, second opening; 12, second heat exchange component; 121, third opening; 120, second heat exchange flow path; 121, third opening; 122, fourth opening; 2, first inlet and outlet; 3, second inlet and outlet; 4, switching pipeline; 41, first pipeline; 42, second pipeline; 421, first valve Door; 422, first one-way valve; 43, third pipeline; 431, second valve; 432, second one-way valve; 44, fourth pipeline; 45, fifth pipeline; 451, third valve; 100a, heat exchanger; 5, switching pipeline; 51, fourth valve; 52, fifth valve; 53, sixth pipeline; 54, seventh pipeline; 55, eighth pipeline; 56, ninth pipeline; 57, tenth pipeline; 59, eleventh pipeline; 58, twelfth pipeline; 200, throttling element; 300, outdoor heat exchanger; 400, compressor.

[0046] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0049] In addition, in the present invention, descriptions such as "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0050] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connection", "fixation", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "fixation" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0051] In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that ordinary technicians in the field can implement it. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0052] Embodiment 1

[0053] The present application provides an air conditioner, which includes a heat exchanger 100 .

[0054] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the heat exchanger 100 includes a first inlet and outlet 2 , a second inlet and outlet 3 , a plurality of heat exchange components 1 and a switching pipeline 4 .

[0055] The number of heat exchange components 1 is greater than or equal to 2, and can be 2, 3 or 4. The heat exchange component 1 is made of a good thermal conductor, and can be made of a metal material, such as copper or aluminum. A heat exchange flow path (such as a first heat exchange flow path 110 and a second heat exchange flow path 120) is provided in the heat exchange component 1. The shape of the heat exchange flow path is not limited. The heat exchange flow path is for the refrigerant to flow through, and the refrigerant flows in from one end of the heat exchange flow path and flows out from the other end of the heat exchange flow path. When the refrigerant flows through the heat exchange flow path, it exchanges heat with the air outside the heat exchange component 1 through the wall of the heat exchange flow path to heat or cool the air.

[0056] The first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3 can serve as the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet of the heat exchanger 100. When one of the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3 serves as the refrigerant inlet of the heat exchanger 100, the other of the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3 serves as the refrigerant outlet of the heat exchanger 100.

[0057] The switching pipeline 4 is provided with a plurality of pipelines and a plurality of valves. Different valves can control the on and off of different pipelines. The pipeline of the switching pipeline 4 is connected to the first inlet and outlet 2, the second inlet and outlet 3 and both ends of the heat exchange flow path of each heat exchange component 1. The first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3 can be connected to the heat exchange flow path of each heat exchange component 1 through the switching pipeline 4. The working state of the pipeline 4 can be switched by changing the working state of the valve in the switching pipeline 4. The switching pipeline 4 has a first working state and a second working state.

[0058] In the first working state, the switching pipeline 4 can connect multiple heat exchange flow paths in parallel between the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3 , and both ends of each switching pipeline 4 are respectively connected to the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3 through the switching pipeline 4 .

[0059] In the second working state, the switching pipeline 4 can connect multiple heat exchange flow paths in series between the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3. The multiple heat exchange flow paths are connected end to end in sequence through the switching pipeline 4. The first inlet and outlet 2 is connected to the end of the first heat exchange flow path that is not connected to other heat exchange flow paths through the switching pipeline 4, and the second inlet and outlet 3 is connected to the end of the last heat exchange flow path that is not connected to other heat exchange flow paths through the switching pipeline 4.

[0060] When the heat exchanger 100 is used as an evaporator of an air conditioner, when a refrigerant with a large flow rate is transported to the first inlet and outlet 2, the switching pipeline 4 can be switched to the first working state, so that a plurality of heat exchange flow paths are connected in parallel between the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3. After the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger 100 from the first inlet and outlet 2, it can be diverted to different heat exchange flow paths, and then gathered from different heat exchange flow paths to the second inlet and outlet 3, and flows out of the heat exchanger 100 from the second inlet and outlet 3. From the first inlet and outlet 2 to the second inlet and outlet 3, the refrigerant has a short flow path and a large number of flow paths, which can effectively reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant with a large flow rate in the heat exchange flow path, reduce pressure loss, increase the heat exchange coefficient, and improve the heat exchange effect between the refrigerant and the air.

[0061] When the heat exchanger 100 is used as an evaporator of an air conditioner, when a refrigerant with a smaller flow rate is transported to the first inlet and outlet 2, the switching pipeline 4 can be switched to the second working state. A plurality of heat exchange flow paths are connected in series between the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3. After the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger 100 from the first inlet and outlet 2, it flows through a plurality of heat exchange flow paths in sequence, and finally flows out of the heat exchanger 100 from the second inlet and outlet 3. From the first inlet and outlet 2 to the second inlet and outlet 3, the refrigerant has a long flow path and a small number of flow paths. The refrigerant with a small flow rate can fully exchange heat in a longer flow path, thereby increasing the heat exchange coefficient and improving the heat exchange effect between the refrigerant and the air.

[0062] Therefore, the heat exchanger 100 in this embodiment can adjust the working state of the switching pipeline 4 according to the flow rate of the input refrigerant, so that the heat exchanger 100 can maintain a high heat exchange efficiency and improve the overall energy efficiency of the air conditioner.

[0063] In an illustrative embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the heat exchanger 100 is a parallel flow heat exchanger. The heat exchange assembly 1 includes a first header 101, a second header 102 and a plurality of heat exchange tubes 103. The first header 101 and the second header 102 may be straight tubes. The first header 101 and the second header 102 are parallel to each other. The heat exchange tubes 103 are arranged between the first header 101 and the second header 102. One end of the heat exchange tube 103 is connected to the first header 101 and communicates with the first header 101; the other end of the heat exchange tube 103 is connected to the second header 102 and communicates with the second header 102. The heat exchange tube 103 may be a flat tube. The arrangement direction of the plurality of heat exchange tubes 103 may be arranged in sequence along the extension direction of the first header 101. Two adjacent heat exchange tubes 103 are arranged at intervals, and the spacing between the two adjacent heat exchange tubes 103 is uniform. The first header 101 and the second header 102 are both provided with openings 104 , and the openings 104 on the first header 101 and the second header 102 are both connected to the switching pipeline 4 .

[0064] The first header 101 of the heat exchange assembly 1, the plurality of heat exchange tubes 103 and the internal channels of the second header 102 constitute the heat exchange flow path of the heat exchange tubes 103. For example, after the refrigerant is injected into the first header 101 from the opening 104 of the first header 101, it is divided into the plurality of heat exchange tubes 103 through the first header 101, and the refrigerant in the plurality of heat exchange tubes 103 is then collected in the second header 102 and flows out from the opening 104 of the second header 102. Air can flow through the gap between two adjacent heat exchange tubes 103 and exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchange tubes 103.

[0065] Adjacent heat exchange components 1 may be arranged in a V shape, with the headers at one end of two adjacent heat exchange components 1 being close to each other and the headers at the other end being far away from each other, forming a positive V-shaped or inverted V-shaped structure.

[0066] The heat exchanger 100 of this structure is compact and has high heat exchange efficiency.

[0067] In an illustrative embodiment, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the plurality of heat exchange components 1 include a first heat exchange component 11 and a second heat exchange component 12 .

[0068] The first heat exchange assembly 11 is provided with a first opening 111, a second opening 112 and a first heat exchange flow path 110. The first opening 111 and the second opening 112 are connected to opposite ends of the first heat exchange flow path 110, respectively.

[0069] The second heat exchange assembly 12 is provided with a third opening 121, a fourth opening 122 and a second heat exchange passage 120. The third opening 121 and the fourth opening 122 are connected to opposite ends of the first heat exchange passage 110, respectively.

[0070] The switching pipeline 4 connects the first opening 111 and the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11 and the third opening 121 and the fourth opening 122 of the second heat exchange component 12. The switching pipeline 4 connects the first inlet and outlet 2 to the first opening 111 of the first heat exchange component 11 and the third opening 121 of the second heat exchange component 12, and also connects the second inlet and outlet 3 to the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11 and the fourth opening 122 of the second heat exchange component 12, so as to realize the first working state of the switching pipeline 4. At this time, the first heat exchange flow path 110 of the first heat exchange component 11 and the second heat exchange flow path 120 of the second heat exchange component 12 are connected in parallel, and the refrigerant flowing in from the first inlet and outlet 2 is divided into the first heat exchange flow path 110 and the second heat exchange flow path 120, and then merges from the first heat exchange flow path 110 and the second heat exchange flow path 120 to flow out from the second inlet and outlet 3.

[0071] The switching pipeline 4 connects the first opening 111 of the first heat exchange component 11 to the first inlet and outlet 2, and connects the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11 to the third opening 121, and also connects the fourth opening 122 of the second heat exchange component 12 to the second inlet and outlet 3, so as to realize the second working state of the switching pipeline 4. At this time, the first heat exchange flow path 110 of the first heat exchange component 11 and the second heat exchange flow path 120 of the second heat exchange component 12 are connected in series, and the refrigerant input from the first inlet and outlet 2 flows through the first heat exchange flow path 110 and the second heat exchange flow path 120 in sequence, and then flows out from the second inlet and outlet 3.

[0072] In an illustrative embodiment, the switching pipeline 4 includes a first pipeline 41 , a second pipeline 42 , a third pipeline 43 , a fourth pipeline 44 and a fifth pipeline 45 .

[0073] One end of the first pipeline 41 is connected to the first inlet and outlet 2 , and the other end of the first pipeline 41 is connected to the first opening 111 of the first heat exchange component 11 .

[0074] One end of the second pipeline 42 is connected to the first inlet and outlet 2, and the other end of the second pipeline 42 is connected to the third opening 121 of the second heat exchange component 12. The second pipeline 42 is provided with a first valve 421 and a first one-way valve 422. The first valve 421 and the first one-way valve 422 are connected in series on the second pipeline 42. The first one-way valve 422 is closer to the third opening 121 of the second heat exchange component 12 than the first valve 421. The first one-way valve 422 is configured to only allow fluid to pass from the first inlet and outlet 2 to the third opening 121 of the second heat exchange component 12. The first valve 421 can connect and disconnect the second pipeline 42. The first valve 421 can be a solenoid valve.

[0075] One end of the third pipeline 43 is connected to the second inlet and outlet 3, and the other end of the third pipeline 43 is connected to the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11. The third pipeline 43 is provided with a second valve 431 and a second one-way valve 432. The second valve 431 and the second one-way valve 432 are connected in series to the third pipeline 43. The second one-way valve 432 is closer to the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11 than the second valve 431. The second one-way valve 432 can only pass the fluid flowing from the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11 to the second inlet and outlet 3. The second valve 431 can connect and cut off the third pipeline 43. The second valve 431 can be a solenoid valve.

[0076] One end of the fourth pipeline 44 is connected to the second inlet and outlet 3 , and the other end is connected to the fourth opening 122 of the second heat exchange component 12 .

[0077] One end of the fifth pipeline 45 is connected to the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange assembly 11, and the other end of the fifth pipeline 45 is connected to the third opening 121 of the second heat exchange assembly 12. The fifth pipeline 45 is provided with a third valve 451, which can connect and disconnect the fifth pipeline 45. The third valve 451 can be a solenoid valve.

[0078] like Figure 2 As shown, the first valve 421 and the second valve 431 of the switching pipeline 4 are both opened, and the third valve 451 is closed, so that the switching pipeline 4 is switched to the first working state. At this time, the first pipeline 41 connects the first inlet and outlet 2 with the first opening 111 of the first heat exchange component 11, the second pipeline 42 connects the first inlet and outlet 2 with the third opening 121 of the second heat exchange component 12, and the fluid can only flow from the first inlet and outlet 2 to the third opening 121, the third pipeline 43 connects the second inlet and outlet 3 with the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11, and the fluid can only flow from the second opening 112 to the second inlet and outlet 3, the fourth pipeline 44 connects the second inlet and outlet 3 with the fourth opening 122 of the second heat exchange component 12, the fifth pipeline 45 is cut off by the third valve 451, and the first heat exchange flow path 110 of the first heat exchange component 11 and the second heat exchange flow path 120 of the second heat exchange component 12 are connected in parallel between the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3.

[0079] like Figure 3 As shown, the first valve 421 and the second valve 431 of the switching pipeline 4 are closed, and the third valve 451 is opened, so as to switch the switching pipeline 4 to the second working state. At this time, the first pipeline 41 connects the first inlet and outlet 2 and the first opening 111 of the first heat exchange component 11, the second pipeline 42 is cut off by the first valve 421, the third pipeline 43 is cut off by the second valve 431, the fourth pipeline 44 connects the second inlet and outlet 3 and the fourth opening 122 of the second heat exchange component 12, and the fifth pipeline 45 connects the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11 and the third opening 121 of the second heat exchange component 12, and the fluid can only flow from the second opening 112 to the third opening 121, and the first heat exchange flow path 110 of the first heat exchange component 11 and the second heat exchange flow path 120 of the second heat exchange component 12 are connected in series between the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3.

[0080] In an illustrative embodiment, Figure 5As shown, the air conditioner further includes a compressor 400, an outdoor heat exchanger 300 and a throttling element 200. The compressor 400, the outdoor heat exchanger 300, the throttling element 200 and the heat exchanger 100 are sequentially connected to form a loop through pipelines. The first inlet and outlet 2 of the heat exchanger 100 is connected to the throttling element 200, and the second inlet and outlet 3 of the heat exchanger 100 is connected to the compressor 400. The outdoor heat exchanger 300 can exchange heat with outdoor air. The heat exchanger 100, as an indoor heat exchanger, can exchange heat with indoor air.

[0081] The air conditioner has a cooling mode. In the cooling mode, the compressor 400 drives the refrigerant toward the outdoor heat exchanger 300, and the refrigerant can flow through the outdoor heat exchanger 300, the throttling element 200 and the heat exchanger 100 in sequence and flow back to the compressor 400.

[0082] In the cooling mode, the compressor 400 compresses the gaseous refrigerant into liquid and then transports it to the outdoor heat exchanger 300. The outdoor heat exchanger 300 acts as a condenser at this time. The high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant exchanges heat with the outdoor air and cools down when flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 300. The pressure of the cooled liquid refrigerant decreases when flowing through the throttling element 200, and a part of the refrigerant is vaporized to form a gas-liquid mixed refrigerant. The heat exchanger 100 acts as an evaporator at this time. When the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant flows through the heat exchanger 100, the refrigerant absorbs the heat of the indoor air and completely evaporates into a gaseous state to cool down the indoor air. The gaseous refrigerant finally flows back to the compressor 400, thereby completing a refrigeration cycle.

[0083] In the cooling mode, the compressor 400 can operate at different operating frequencies. In this embodiment, the compressor 400 can operate at a first frequency or a second frequency, and the first frequency is greater than the second frequency. The first frequency is preferably a high-frequency operating frequency of the compressor 400, and its value range may be greater than or equal to 60 Hz. The second frequency is preferably a low-frequency operating frequency of the compressor 400, and its value range may be less than 60 Hz.

[0084] The switch pipeline 4 is configured to switch to a first working state when the compressor 400 operates at a first frequency in the cooling mode, and to switch to a second working state when the compressor 400 operates at a second frequency.

[0085] In this way, when the compressor 400 operates at the first frequency, the flow rate of the refrigerant entering the heat exchanger 100 from the first inlet and outlet 2 is relatively large. At this time, the switching pipeline 4 is switched to the first working state, and multiple heat exchange flow paths are connected in parallel with each other. The refrigerant flow path is short and the number of flow paths is large, which can effectively reduce the flow rate of the large flow of refrigerant in the heat exchange flow path, reduce the pressure loss, increase the heat exchange coefficient, and improve the heat exchange effect between the refrigerant and the air.

[0086] When the compressor 400 operates at the second frequency, the flow rate of the refrigerant entering the heat exchanger 100 from the first inlet and outlet 2 is relatively large. At this time, the switching pipeline 4 is switched to the second working state, and multiple heat exchange flow paths are connected in series in sequence. The refrigerant flow path is long and the number of flow paths is small. The refrigerant with a small flow rate can fully exchange heat in a longer process, thereby increasing the heat exchange coefficient and improving the heat exchange effect between the refrigerant and the air.

[0087] In an exemplary embodiment, the air conditioner has a heating mode. In the heating mode, the compressor 400 drives the refrigerant toward the heat exchanger 100 , and the refrigerant can flow through the heat exchanger 100 , the throttling element 200 and the outdoor heat exchanger 300 in sequence and flow back to the compressor 400 .

[0088] In the heating mode, the compressor 400 compresses the gaseous refrigerant into liquid and then transports it to the heat exchanger 100. The heat exchanger 100 acts as a condenser at this time. The high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant exchanges heat with the indoor air when flowing through the heat exchanger 100 and cools down, while the indoor air is heated and warms up. The pressure of the cooled liquid refrigerant decreases when flowing through the throttling element 200, and a part of the refrigerant is vaporized to form a gas-liquid mixed refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 300 acts as an evaporator at this time. When the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 300, the refrigerant absorbs the heat of the indoor air and completely evaporates into a gaseous state. The gaseous refrigerant finally flows back to the compressor 400, thereby completing a heating cycle.

[0089] In the heating mode, the switching pipeline 4 is configured to switch to the second working state in the heating mode of the air conditioner.

[0090] In this way, in the heating mode, the heat exchanger 100 acts as a condenser, and the refrigerant flow rate entering the heat exchanger 100 from the second inlet and outlet 3 is relatively small. The switching pipeline 4 is switched to the second working state, and multiple heat exchange flow paths are connected in series in sequence. The refrigerant flow path is long and the number of flow paths is small, which can increase the flow rate of the refrigerant and enable the liquid refrigerant to fully exchange heat in the flow path, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0091] Embodiment 2

[0092] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, this embodiment further proposes another heat exchanger 100a. The difference between the heat exchanger 100a in the second embodiment and the heat exchanger 100 in the first embodiment mainly lies in the different structures of the switching pipelines.

[0093] The heat exchanger 100 a includes a first inlet and outlet 2 , a second inlet and outlet 3 , a first heat exchange component 11 , a second heat exchange component 12 and a switching pipeline 5 .

[0094] The first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3 can serve as the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet of the heat exchanger 100a. When one of the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3 serves as the refrigerant inlet of the heat exchanger 100a, the other of the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3 serves as the refrigerant outlet of the heat exchanger 100a.

[0095] The first heat exchange assembly 11 is provided with a first opening 111, a second opening 112 and a first heat exchange flow path 110. The first opening 111 and the second opening 112 are connected to opposite ends of the first heat exchange flow path 110, respectively.

[0096] The second heat exchange assembly 12 is provided with a third opening 121, a fourth opening 122 and a second heat exchange passage 120. The third opening 121 and the fourth opening 122 are connected to opposite ends of the first heat exchange passage 110, respectively.

[0097] The switching pipeline 5 includes a fourth valve 51 , a fifth valve 52 , a sixth pipeline 53 , a seventh pipeline 54 , an eighth pipeline 55 , a ninth pipeline 56 , a tenth pipeline 57 , an eleventh pipeline 59 and a twelfth pipeline 58 .

[0098] The fourth valve 51 may be a three-way valve, such as an electromagnetic three-way valve. The fourth valve 51 includes a first interface 511, a second interface 512 and a third interface 513. The fourth valve 51 may selectively connect the first interface 511 to one of the second interface 512 and the third interface 513.

[0099] The fifth valve 52 may be a three-way valve, such as an electromagnetic three-way valve. The fifth valve 52 includes a fourth interface 521, a fifth interface 523, and a sixth interface 522. The fifth valve 52 may connect the fourth interface 521, the fifth interface 523, and the sixth interface 522 to each other, or may only connect the fourth interface 521 to the fifth interface 523.

[0100] One end of the sixth pipeline 53 is connected to the first inlet and outlet 2 , and the other end of the sixth pipeline 53 is connected to the first opening 111 of the first heat exchange component 11 .

[0101] One end of the seventh pipeline 54 is connected to the first inlet and outlet 2 , and the other end of the seventh pipeline 54 is connected to the second port 512 of the fourth valve 51 .

[0102] One end of the eighth pipeline 55 is connected to the first interface 511 of the fourth valve 51 , and one end of the eighth pipeline 55 is connected to the third opening 121 of the second heat exchange assembly 12 .

[0103] One end of the ninth pipeline 56 is connected to the third interface 513 of the fourth valve 51 , and the other end of the ninth pipeline 56 is connected to the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11 .

[0104] One end of the tenth pipeline 57 is connected to the second inlet and outlet 3 , and the other end of the tenth pipeline 57 is connected to the fourth interface 521 of the fifth valve 52 .

[0105] One end of the eleventh pipeline 59 is connected to the fifth interface 523 of the fifth valve 52 , and the other end of the eleventh pipeline 59 is connected to the fourth opening 122 of the second heat exchange assembly 12 .

[0106] One end of the twelfth pipeline 58 is connected to the sixth interface 522 of the fifth valve 52 , and the other end of the twelfth pipeline 58 is connected to the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11 .

[0107] like Figure 7 As shown, the fourth valve 51 of the switching pipeline 5 is switched to connect only the first interface 511 with the second interface 512, and the fifth valve 52 is switched to connect the fourth interface 521, the fifth interface 523 and the sixth interface 522 to each other, so that the switching pipeline 5 is switched to the first working state. At this time, the sixth pipeline 53 connects the first inlet and outlet 2 with the first opening 111 of the first heat exchange component 11, the seventh pipeline 54, the fourth valve 51 and the eighth pipeline 55 connect the first inlet and outlet 2 with the third opening 121 of the second heat exchange component 12, and the fifth valve 52 connects the tenth pipeline 57, the eleventh pipeline 59 and the twelfth pipeline 58 to each other so that the second inlet and outlet 3 are respectively connected to the fourth opening 122 of the second heat exchange component 12 and the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11, and the first heat exchange flow path 110 of the first heat exchange component 11 and the second heat exchange flow path 120 of the second heat exchange component 12 are connected in parallel between the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3.

[0108] like Figure 8 As shown, the fourth valve 51 of the switching pipeline 5 is switched to connect only the first interface 511 with the third interface 513, and the fifth valve 52 is switched to connect the fourth interface 521 with the fifth interface 523, so that the switching pipeline 5 is switched to the second working state. At this time, the sixth pipeline 53 connects the first inlet and outlet 2 with the first opening 111 of the first heat exchange component 11, the fourth valve 51, the eighth pipeline 55 and the ninth pipeline 56 connect the third opening 121 of the second heat exchange component 12 with the second opening 112 of the first heat exchange component 11, the fifth valve 52, the tenth pipeline 57 and the eleventh pipeline 59 connect the second inlet and outlet 3 with the fourth opening 122 of the second heat exchange component 12, and the first heat exchange flow path 110 of the first heat exchange component 11 and the second heat exchange flow path 120 of the second heat exchange component 12 are connected in series between the first inlet and outlet 2 and the second inlet and outlet 3.

[0109] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural changes made by using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the concept of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, characterized in that: include: A plurality of heat exchange components provided with heat exchange flow paths, a first inlet and outlet, a second inlet and outlet, and a switching pipeline; Wherein, the switching pipeline is connected to the first inlet and outlet, the second inlet and outlet and both ends of each of the heat exchange flow paths, and the switching pipeline has a first working state capable of connecting multiple heat exchange flow paths in parallel between the first inlet and outlet and the second inlet and outlet, and a second working state capable of connecting multiple heat exchange flow paths in series between the first inlet and outlet and the second inlet and outlet.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple heat exchange components include: A first heat exchange component is provided with a first heat exchange flow path and a first opening and a second opening respectively communicating with two ends of the first heat exchange flow path; and A second heat exchange component is provided with a second heat exchange flow path and a third opening and a fourth opening respectively connected to both ends of the second heat exchange flow path; Wherein, the switching pipeline is connected to the first opening, the second opening, the third opening and the fourth opening.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that: The switching pipeline connects the first opening and the third opening to the first inlet and outlet and connects the second opening and the fourth opening to the second inlet and outlet to achieve the first working state; The switching pipeline connects the first inlet and outlet to the first opening, connects the second opening to the third opening, and connects the fourth opening to the second inlet and outlet to achieve the second working state.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that: The switching pipeline comprises: a first pipeline connecting the first inlet and outlet with the first opening; A second pipeline, two ends of which are respectively connected to the first inlet and outlet and the third opening, and is provided with a first valve and a first one-way valve that can only pass the fluid flowing from the first inlet and outlet to the third opening; A third pipeline, two ends of which are connected to the second inlet and outlet and the second opening respectively, and is provided with a second valve and a second one-way valve that can only pass the fluid flowing from the second opening to the second inlet and outlet; a fourth pipeline connecting the second inlet and outlet with the fourth opening; and A fifth pipeline, two ends of which are respectively connected to the second opening and the third opening, and is provided with a third valve; The first valve and the second valve are both opened and the third valve is closed to achieve the first working state, and the first valve and the second valve are closed and the third valve is opened to achieve the second working state.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that: At least one of the first valve, the second valve and the third valve is a solenoid valve.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that: The switching pipeline comprises: A sixth pipeline, two ends of which are respectively connected to the first inlet and outlet and the first opening; a fourth valve connected to the second opening, the first inlet and outlet, and the third opening; a fifth valve connected to the second inlet and outlet, the second opening and the fourth opening; Among them, the fourth valve connects the first inlet and outlet to the third opening and the fifth valve connects the second inlet and outlet to the second opening and the fourth opening to achieve the first working state; the fourth valve connects the second opening to the third opening and the fifth valve connects the second inlet and outlet to the fourth opening to achieve the second working state.

7. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The heat exchanger is a parallel flow heat exchanger.

8. An air conditioner, characterized in that: Comprising the heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, characterized in that: The air conditioner further comprises a compressor, and the compressor can deliver refrigerant to the heat exchanger through the first inlet and outlet or the second inlet and outlet; In which, the heat exchanger acts as an evaporator in the refrigeration mode, and the switching pipeline is configured to switch to the first working state when the compressor operates at a first frequency in the refrigeration mode, and to switch to the second working state when the compressor operates at a second frequency less than the first frequency in the refrigeration mode.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, characterized in that: The value range of the first frequency is greater than or equal to 60 Hz, and the value range of the second frequency is greater than zero and less than 60 Hz.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 9, characterized in that: The heat exchanger functions as a condenser in the heating mode, and the switching pipeline is further configured to switch to a second working state in the heating mode.

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