Air conditioner

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an air conditioner. The air conditioner comprises an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit comprises an indoor heat exchanger, the outdoor unit comprises an outdoor heat exchanger, and at least one of the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger is a micro-channel heat exchanger. The micro-channel heat exchanger comprises a first collecting pipe, a second collecting pipe, a plurality of heat exchange pipes and a plurality of heat exchange fins. The first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe are arranged in a spaced mode. The multiple heat exchange pipes are arranged between the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe at intervals, and the two ends of at least one heat exchange pipe in the multiple heat exchange pipes communicate with the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe correspondingly. And at least one heat exchange tube in the plurality of heat exchange tubes is positioned between two adjacent heat exchange fins in the plurality of heat exchange fins.

Description

Air Conditioner

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202310489979.2, filed on April 28, 2023, priority to Chinese patent application No. 202321034686.7, filed on April 28, 2023, priority to Chinese patent application No. 202321034772.8, filed on April 28, 2023, and priority to Chinese patent application No. 202321034803.X, filed on April 28, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of air conditioning, and in particular to an air conditioner.

[0003] At present, air conditioners have entered thousands of households and become essential appliances in people's daily lives. During the operation of the air conditioner, the refrigerant needs to circulate in the refrigerant circulation pipeline between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The heat exchanger in some air conditioners is a microchannel heat exchanger (a heat exchanger with a channel equivalent diameter between 10-1000μm), which has the characteristics of compact structure and high heat exchange efficiency.

[0004]

[0005] An air conditioner is provided, the air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit comprises an indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit is connected to the indoor unit, the outdoor unit comprises an outdoor heat exchanger, and at least one of the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger is a microchannel heat exchanger. The microchannel heat exchanger comprises a first header, a second header, a plurality of heat exchange tubes and a plurality of heat exchange fins. The first header and the second header are arranged spaced apart from each other. The plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged spaced apart from each other between the first header and the second header, and the two ends of at least one of the plurality of heat exchange tubes are respectively connected to the first header and the second header. The plurality of heat exchange fins are configured to exchange heat with the plurality of heat exchange tubes, and at least one of the plurality of heat exchange tubes is located between two adjacent heat exchange fins of the plurality of heat exchange fins. Wherein, at least one of the plurality of heat exchange fins comprises a connector, a plurality of heat exchange fin bodies and a receiving portion. The plurality of heat exchange fin bodies are connected to the connecting body, and the plurality of heat exchange fin bodies are spaced apart. The accommodating portion is formed between two adjacent heat exchange fin bodies among the plurality of heat exchange fin bodies to accommodate the corresponding heat exchange tubes. The connecting body includes a first corrugated portion; at least one heat exchange fin body among the plurality of heat exchange fin bodies also includes a second corrugated portion and a spoiler, and in the flow direction of the airflow, the second corrugated portion is closer to the first corrugated portion than the spoiler; the first corrugated portion and the second corrugated portion are configured to guide the airflow entering a first airflow channel formed between the two adjacent heat exchange fins; a portion of the airflow flowing through the first corrugated portion and the second corrugated portion enters at least one of the remaining first airflow channels other than the first airflow channel via the spoiler, so that the airflows in different first airflow channels are mixed with each other.

[0006] FIG1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to some embodiments;

[0007] FIG2 is a structural diagram of a microchannel heat exchanger according to some embodiments;

[0008] FIG3 is a structural diagram of another microchannel heat exchanger according to some embodiments;

[0009] FIG4 is another structural diagram of another microchannel heat exchanger according to some embodiments;

[0010] FIG5 is a structural diagram of a heat exchange fin according to some embodiments;

[0011] FIG6 is a partial enlarged view of the circle W in FIG5 ;

[0012] FIG7 is a partial structural diagram of a heat exchange fin according to some embodiments;

[0013] FIG8 is a structural diagram of another heat exchange fin according to some embodiments;

[0014] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of an airflow path in a first airflow channel according to some embodiments;

[0015] 10 is a structural diagram of opening angles of a first sub-spoiler and a second sub-spoiler according to some embodiments;

[0016] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a positioning portion according to some embodiments;

[0017] FIG12 is a partial structural diagram of a microchannel heat exchanger according to some embodiments;

[0018] FIG13 is another partial structural diagram of a microchannel heat exchanger according to some embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 14 is a structural diagram of a drainage channel according to some embodiments;

[0020] FIG15 is a structural diagram of a heat exchange tube according to some embodiments;

[0021] FIG16 is another structural diagram of a heat exchange tube according to some embodiments;

[0022] FIG17 is a structural diagram of yet another microchannel heat exchanger according to some embodiments;

[0023] FIG18 is a partial enlarged view of the circle V in FIG17;

[0024] FIG19 is a structural diagram of a protection portion according to some embodiments;

[0025] FIG20 is a partial enlarged view of the circle Z in FIG19;

[0026] 21 is a side view of a guard according to some embodiments.

[0027] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments provided by the present disclosure are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0028] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprise" and other forms thereof, such as the third person singular form "comprises" and the present participle form "comprising", are to be interpreted as open, inclusive, that is, "including, but not limited to". In the description of the specification, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "exemplary embodiments", "example", "specific example" or "some examples" and the like are intended to indicate that specific features, structures, materials or characteristics associated with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. The schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. In addition, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be included in any one or more embodiments or examples in any appropriate manner.

[0029] In the following, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0030] When describing some embodiments, the expressions "coupled" and "connected" and their derivatives may be used. The term "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. The term "coupled" indicates, for example, that two or more components are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term "coupled" or "communicatively coupled" may also refer to two or more components that are not in direct contact with each other, but still cooperate or interact with each other. The embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the contents of this document.

[0031] The use of "adapted to" or "configured to" herein is meant to be open and inclusive language that does not exclude devices adapted or configured to perform additional tasks or steps.

[0032] In the description of the present disclosure, it is necessary to understand that the terms "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "axial" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner 1000 includes an indoor unit 110 and an outdoor unit 120. The indoor unit 110 includes an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor expansion valve. The outdoor unit includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor expansion valve.

[0034] The compressor, condenser (indoor heat exchanger or outdoor heat exchanger), expansion valve (indoor expansion valve and outdoor expansion valve) and evaporator (outdoor heat exchanger or indoor heat exchanger) perform the refrigerant cycle of the air conditioner 1000. The refrigerant cycle includes a series of processes involving compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation, and circulates and supplies refrigerant to the conditioned side.

[0035] The indoor heat exchanger exchanges heat between indoor air and the refrigerant transmitted in the indoor heat exchanger to liquefy or vaporize the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant transmitted in the outdoor heat exchanger to liquefy or vaporize the refrigerant.

[0036] In some embodiments, the indoor unit 110 of the air conditioner 1000 further includes an indoor fan configured to drive indoor air to flow through the indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit 120 further includes an outdoor fan configured to drive outdoor air to flow through the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0037] In some embodiments, the outdoor unit 120 further includes a four-way valve, which is configured to switch the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit so that the air conditioner 1000 operates in different working modes (eg, cooling mode or heating mode).

[0038] In some embodiments, the air conditioner 1000 further includes a control device. The control device is configured to control the operating frequency of the compressor, the opening of the expansion valve, the speed of the outdoor fan, and the speed of the indoor fan. The control device is coupled to the compressor, the expansion valve, the outdoor fan, and the indoor fan.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, at least one of the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner 1000A adopts a microchannel heat exchanger 100A (a heat exchanger having a channel equivalent diameter between 10 and 1000 μm). The microchannel heat exchanger 100A has the characteristics of compact structure, high heat exchange efficiency, light weight, and safe and reliable operation.

[0040] The microchannel heat exchanger 100A includes at least two headers 10A and a plurality of heat exchange fins 30A.

[0041] In some embodiments, the at least two current headers 10A include a first current header 11A and a second current header 12A, and the first current header 11A and the second current header 12A are disposed spaced apart from each other.

[0042] In some embodiments, the microchannel heat exchanger 100A further comprises a plurality of heat exchange tubes 20A, which are arranged between the first header 11A and the second header 12A at intervals from each other, and at least one of the plurality of heat exchange tubes 20A has two ends connected to the first header 11A and the second header 12A, respectively. The plurality of heat exchange tubes 20A are configured to perform contact heat exchange with the plurality of heat exchange fins 30A.

[0043] In the related art, in order to reduce the wind resistance of the microchannel heat exchanger, a positioning portion protruding from the corresponding heat exchange fin is usually provided on the multiple heat exchange fins of the microchannel heat exchanger. The positioning portion is provided on the axis in the length direction of at least one of the multiple heat exchange fins, and is configured to control the distance between two adjacent heat exchange fins. In this way, when the airflow passes through the airflow channel formed between two adjacent heat exchange fins, the positioning portion will generate resistance to the airflow, resulting in obstruction of the convection of the airflow, thereby reducing the heat exchange efficiency. Moreover, when the condensed water passes through the airflow channel, it will also be obstructed, reducing the efficiency of discharging the condensed water. In addition, adjusting the distance between two adjacent heat exchange fins by the positioning portion will cause wear of the positioning portion and the heat exchange fins, which may cause misalignment of the heat exchange fins.

[0044] In some embodiments, openings are provided at the edges of the plurality of heat exchange fins to reduce the wind resistance of the plurality of heat exchange fins to the airflow. However, since the positioning portion is provided on the axis in the length direction of the heat exchange fin, after the airflow enters the airflow channel, it will still encounter a large resistance when passing through the positioning portion, thereby affecting the heat exchange effect of the microchannel heat exchanger.

[0045] To solve the above problems, as shown in FIG3 , some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a microchannel heat exchanger 100, which includes at least two headers 10, a plurality of heat exchange tubes 20, and a plurality of heat exchange fins 30. By respectively providing a first corrugated portion, a second corrugated portion, and a spoiler portion on the plurality of heat exchange fins 30, the airflow in the microchannel heat exchanger 100 can exchange heat with the plurality of heat exchange fins 30 multiple times, thereby increasing airflow disturbance and facilitating improving the heat exchange efficiency of the microchannel heat exchanger 100.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 4 , another microchannel heat exchanger 100 is provided. Different from the microchannel heat exchanger 100 in FIG. 3 , a plurality of heat exchange fins 30 in FIG. 4 are arranged in a bent manner. Thus, a corresponding microchannel heat exchanger 100 can be selected according to the available installation space, thereby better meeting the requirements of different usage scenarios.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , at least two headers 10 include a first header 11 and a second header 12 , which are spaced apart from each other, and both ends of the heat exchange tube 20 are respectively inserted into the first header 11 and the second header 12 .

[0048] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first header 11 further includes an end cover 111 and a first header body 112, and the end cover 111 is configured to close the upper and lower ports of the first header body 112. The second header 12 has a similar structure to the first header 11.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second header 12 further includes a gas pipe 121 and a liquid pipe 122, and the liquid pipe 122 and the gas pipe 121 are arranged on the second header 12 at intervals. The liquid refrigerant enters the inner space of the second header 12 from the liquid pipe 122, and becomes a gaseous refrigerant after heat exchange through the plurality of heat exchange tubes 20 and the plurality of heat exchange fins 30, and the gaseous refrigerant is discharged from the gas pipe 121 of the second header 12.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, at least two headers 10 further include at least one first partition 13, at least one first partition 13 is disposed on the second header 12, and can be disposed between any two heat exchange tubes 20, at least one first partition 13 is configured to divide the internal space of the second header 12 into a gaseous refrigerant area and a liquid refrigerant area, so that the direction of the refrigerant when passing through the heat exchange tube 20 can be controlled, thereby playing a role in regulating the flow path.

[0051] For example, when the microchannel heat exchanger 100 is used as a condenser, the gaseous refrigerant enters the gaseous refrigerant area from the gas pipe 121 of the second header 12, and enters the at least one heat exchange tube 20 connected to the liquid refrigerant area after passing through the at least one heat exchange tube 20 connected to the gaseous refrigerant area and the first header 11 defined by the first partition 13. At this time, the refrigerant in the at least one heat exchange tube 20 connected to the gaseous refrigerant area flows from the second header 12 to the first header 11, and the refrigerant in the at least one heat exchange tube 20 connected to the liquid refrigerant area flows from the first header 11 to the second header 12.

[0052] It can be understood that since the volume of the same mass of gaseous refrigerant is greater than that of liquid refrigerant, the volume required for the refrigerant gradually increases from the liquid refrigerant area to the gaseous refrigerant area, and the number of heat exchange tubes 20 can be gradually increased. This can reduce the flow resistance at the end of the gaseous refrigerant area and increase the overall flow rate of the refrigerant circulation, thereby increasing the heat exchange capacity.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 5, the plurality of heat exchange fins 30 of the microchannel heat exchanger 100 includes a connector 31 and a plurality of heat exchange fin bodies 32. The plurality of heat exchange fin bodies 32 are connected to the connector 31, and the plurality of heat exchange fin bodies 32 are spaced apart from each other.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the microchannel heat exchanger 100 further includes a receiving portion 39, which is formed between two adjacent heat exchange fin bodies 32 of the corresponding heat exchange fin bodies 32 and is configured to accommodate the corresponding heat exchange tube 20. In this way, the heat exchange tube 20 can be easily fixed by the receiving portion 39.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the multiple heat exchange fins 30 also include a windward end 33 and a leeward end 34, the windward end 33 is an end of the heat exchange fin 30 close to the connector 31; the leeward end 34 is an end of the heat exchange fin 30 away from the connector 31, and the airflow entering the microchannel heat exchanger 100 flows from the windward end 33 to the leeward end 34.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 9, a first airflow channel 35 is defined between two adjacent heat exchange fins 30 among the plurality of heat exchange fins 30, and in the flow direction of the airflow, the length of the first airflow channel 35 is greater than the distance between the windward end 33 and the leeward end 34. For example, the length of the first airflow channel 35 is greater than the size of the microchannel heat exchanger 100 in the flow direction of the airflow.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first airflow channel 35 may include at least one bending portion, for example, a first corrugated portion 311, a second corrugated portion 321 and a spoiler 322. In this way, it can be effectively ensured that the flow direction of the airflow changes during the process of the airflow flowing through the first airflow channel 35, thereby strengthening the airflow disturbance and effectively improving the heat exchange efficiency of the microchannel heat exchanger 100.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7 , the connecting body 31 includes a first corrugated portion 311 , and the first corrugated portion 311 is configured to guide the airflow entering a first airflow channel 35 .

[0059] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first corrugated portion 311 may include a first plate body 3111 and a second plate body 3112 connected to each other. In the flow direction of the airflow, the first plate body 3111 and the second plate body 3112 are connected and form an angle of a first predetermined angle. The angle of the first predetermined angle is any value greater than zero and less than 180 degrees. For example, the first predetermined angle may be an acute angle. In this way, the airflow can generate airflow disturbances in the two inclined plates, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0060] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 8, the first corrugated portion 311 may further include a third plate 3113, which is connected to the first plate 3111 and the second plate 3112, respectively, and is located between the first plate 3111 and the second plate 3112. The third plate 3113 is not in the same plane as the first plate 3111, and the third plate 3113 is not in the same plane as the second plate 3112.

[0061] For example, one end of the first plate 3111 and one end of the second plate 3112 are respectively connected to both sides of the width direction of the third plate 3113, and the other end of the first plate 3111 and the other end of the second plate 3112 are both located on the same side of the thickness direction of the third plate 3113. In this case, the connection between the first plate 3111 and the third plate 3113 is a bent portion, and the connection between the second plate 3112 and the third plate 3113 is a bent portion.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 7, at least one of the plurality of heat exchange fin bodies 32 includes a second corrugated portion 321. In the flow direction of the airflow, the second corrugated portion 321 is disposed close to the first corrugated portion 311, and is configured to guide the airflow entering a first airflow channel 35 formed between two adjacent heat exchange fins 30, and enhance the airflow disturbance entering the microchannel heat exchanger 100.

[0063] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second corrugated portion 321 includes: a fourth plate 3211, a fifth plate 3212, a first side plate 3213, and a second side plate 3214. In the flow direction of the airflow, the fourth plate 3211 is connected to the fifth plate 3212 and forms an angle of a second predetermined angle, and the second predetermined angle is any value greater than zero and less than 180 degrees.

[0064] The first side plate 3213 is connected between the fourth plate body 3211 and the fifth plate body 3212. The second side plate 3214 is arranged opposite to the first side plate 3213 in the width direction of the heat exchange fin, and the second side plate 3214 is connected between the fourth plate body 3211 and the fifth plate body 3212. In this way, by providing the first side plate 3213 and the second side plate 3214, the accumulation of condensed water can be reduced, and the discharge speed of condensed water can also be accelerated.

[0065] As shown in FIG9 , in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the length of the second corrugated portion 321 in the flow direction of the airflow is K1, and the height of the second corrugated portion 321 in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the heat exchange fin body 32 is located is K2, and K1 and K2 satisfy: K1>K2. In this way, while ensuring that the airflow passes smoothly through the first airflow channel 35, the airflow disturbance is increased, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the microchannel heat exchanger 100.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, by providing the first corrugated portion 311 and the second corrugated portion 321, when the airflow flows through the first airflow channel 35, the flow direction of the airflow can be changed at least once, so that the airflow can more fully contact the surface of the connector 31, and the disturbance of the airflow in the first airflow channel 35 can be enhanced, while avoiding the formation of laminar flow on the surface of the connector 31, further improving the heat exchange efficiency of the microchannel heat exchanger 100. In addition, when water droplets from the outside of the air conditioner 1000 enter the first airflow channel 35, it can also be ensured that they contact the heat exchange fins 30 as much as possible, so that they can evaporate in the first airflow channel 35, thereby effectively preventing water droplets from entering the interior of the air conditioner 1000, reducing the risk of live parts in the air conditioner 1000 contacting water, and extending the service life of the air conditioner 1000.

[0067] In addition, the first air flow channel 35 in some embodiments of the present disclosure can also block external vision to prevent the user from directly seeing the internal structure of the air conditioner 1000.

[0068] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the plurality of heat exchange fin bodies 32 includes a spoiler 322. The spoiler 322 is disposed away from the first corrugated portion 311, and the spoiler 322 may include an opening, and is configured to enhance the disturbance of the airflow entering the microchannel heat exchanger 100.

[0069] After the airflow enters the microchannel heat exchanger 100, it undergoes two heat exchanges when passing through the first corrugated portion 311 and the second corrugated portion 321. A portion of the airflow that has completed the two heat exchanges can be heat exchanged again at the spoiler 322 and discharged from the outlet of the first airflow channel 35 close to the leeward end 34. Another portion of the airflow passes through the spoiler 322 and enters at least one other first airflow channel 35, so that the airflows in different channels are mixed with each other. Air circulation is formed between the multiple first airflow channels 35, which increases the airflow disturbance and significantly improves the heat exchange efficiency.

[0070] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the spoiler 322 includes at least one first sub-spoiler 3221 and at least one second sub-spoiler 3222. In the flow direction of the airflow, the first sub-spoiler 3221 and the second sub-spoiler 3222 are arranged in sequence. The length of the second sub-spoiler 3222 in the width direction of the heat exchange fin is less than the length of the first sub-spoiler 3221 in the width direction of the heat exchange fin 30.

[0071] In the case where the at least one second sub-spoiler 3222 includes a plurality of second sub-spoilers 3222 , at least two of the plurality of second sub-spoilers 3222 are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the heat exchange fin 30 .

[0072] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first sub-spoiler 3221 and the second sub-spoiler 3222 are openings arranged on the plane where the heat exchange fin body 32 is located, toward both ends of the heat exchange fin in the width direction. Since the second sub-spoiler 3222 is close to the edge of the heat exchange fin body 32 close to the leeward end 34, it is easy to fall over and requires a higher structural strength. Therefore, the opening area of ​​the first sub-spoiler 3221 is larger than the opening area of ​​the second sub-spoiler 3222, so that the supporting force of the second sub-spoiler 3222 can be increased, thereby strengthening the structural strength of the edge of the heat exchange fin body 32.

[0073] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 10 , the first inclination angle of the first sub-spoiler 3221 is α1, and the second inclination angle of the second sub-spoiler 3222 is α2. Wherein, α1 and α2 satisfy: 10°≤α1≤30°, 10°≤α2≤30°. In this way, sufficient heat exchange of the airflow in the spoiler 322 can be ensured.

[0074] It should be noted that when the angles α1 and α2 are less than 10°, the opening areas of the first sub-spoiler 3221 and the second sub-spoiler 3222 are small. At this time, the ventilation volume of the spoiler 322 is small, which is not conducive to heat exchange; when the angles α1 and α2 are greater than 30°, the wind resistance is large in the flow direction of the airflow, resulting in a decrease in the ventilation volume of the spoiler 322, which is also not conducive to heat exchange.

[0075] As shown in FIG6 , in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the heat exchange fin body 32 further includes at least one flange 326. When the heat exchange fin body 32 includes multiple flanges 326, two flanges 326 of the multiple flanges 326 are arranged on both sides of the heat exchange fin body 32 in the width direction of the heat exchange fin 30, and the two flanges 326 extend toward the same side in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the heat exchange fin body 32 is located. In this way, the heat exchange fin body 32 can be prevented from scratching the heat exchange tube 20, and can also guide the airflow.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the flange 326 includes at least two positioning portions 327, which are spaced apart in the flow direction of the airflow, and the positioning portions 327 are configured to control the distance between two adjacent heat exchange fins 30 in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the heat exchange fin body 32 is located. For example, the size of the positioning portion 327 between two adjacent heat exchange fins 30 is the distance between the two adjacent heat exchange fins 30.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 11 , in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the size of one of the at least two positioning portions 327 between two adjacent heat exchange fins 30 is less than or equal to the width of the accommodation portion 39. For example, the size of the positioning portion 327 between two adjacent heat exchange fins 30 is D, the width of the accommodation portion 39 is H, and D and H satisfy: H ≥ D. In this way, the contact area between the airflow and the plurality of heat exchange fins 30 can be increased, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0078] As shown in FIG6 , in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the heat exchange fin body 32 further includes a first guide bevel 324 and a second guide bevel 325, which are arranged on the side of the heat exchange fin body 32 facing the leeward end 34, and the first guide bevel 324 extends obliquely from one end of the heat exchange fin body 32 in the width direction toward the other end of the heat exchange fin body 32 in the width direction; the second guide bevel 325 extends obliquely from the other end of the heat exchange fin body 32 in the width direction toward the first guide bevel 324. The structural arrangement of the first guide bevel 324 and the second guide bevel 325 can guide the insertion of the heat exchanger and improve the convenience of processing.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 14, the microchannel heat exchanger 100 further includes a drainage channel 40, which is defined by the first corrugated portion 311 of the adjacent connector 31 and is configured to discharge condensed water. After the airflow exchanges heat with the plurality of heat exchange fins 30, the temperature of the airflow decreases, and the water molecules in the airflow condense into condensed water. Due to gravity, the condensed water flows through the first airflow channel 35 and enters the drainage channel 40, and is finally discharged from the microchannel heat exchanger 100.

[0080] During the flow of condensed water, the amount of condensed water increases, and the water flow resistance is reduced due to the simplified structure along the drainage path of the second sub-spoiler 3222, the first sub-spoiler 3221, the second corrugated portion 321 and the first corrugated portion 311. In this way, the drainage capacity of the microchannel heat exchanger 100 is improved, and the frosting speed of the microchannel heat exchanger 100 can be reduced, thereby increasing its heating capacity in a low temperature environment.

[0081] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 7 , the connector 31 further includes a windward plate 312, which is connected to the first plate body 3111 of the first corrugated portion 311, and the windward plate 312 is arranged parallel to the flow direction of the airflow. The heat exchange fin body 32 further includes a leeward plate 323, which is arranged on the side of the heat exchange fin body 32 close to the leeward end 34, and the leeward plate 323 is arranged parallel to the flow direction of the airflow. In this way, the airflow enters from the windward plate 312 and then flows out from the leeward plate 323, which can maximize the air inlet and outlet, thereby reducing the resistance of the heat exchange fin 30 when the air enters and the air exits.

[0082] In some disclosed embodiments, as shown in FIG12 , on the side of the microchannel heat exchanger 100 close to the leeward end 34, the edge of the heat exchange fin body 32 does not exceed the edge of the plurality of heat exchange tubes 20. In this way, the plurality of heat exchange fins 30 can be prevented from falling over during the bending process.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 15 , in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of heat exchange tubes 20 may be flat tubes.

[0084] At least one of the plurality of heat exchange tubes 20 includes a heat exchange tube body 21 and a plurality of second partition plates 22. The plurality of second partition plates 22 are disposed spaced apart from each other in the length direction of the heat exchange tube 20 (direction A in FIG. 15 ).

[0085] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the plurality of heat exchange tubes 20 further includes a plurality of heat exchange channels 23, which are defined by a plurality of second partitions 22 and the heat exchange tube body 21. The heat exchange tube 20 is connected to at least two headers 10 through the plurality of heat exchange channels 23.

[0086] After the airflow enters the microchannel heat exchanger 100, it flows into the first airflow channel 35 from the windward end 33 of the multiple heat exchange fins 30. During the process of the airflow contacting and exchanging heat with the multiple heat exchange fins 30 in the first airflow channel 35, the temperature of the airflow approaches the temperature of the multiple heat exchange fins 30, that is, the temperature difference between the temperature of the airflow and the temperature of the multiple heat exchange fins 30 is reduced. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency between the airflow and the multiple heat exchange fins 30 is reduced, and the heat exchange amount is reduced. As a result, the amount of refrigerant required for the heat exchange channel 23 in the heat exchange tube 20 from the windward end 33 to the leeward end 34 is reduced.

[0087] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the widths of the multiple heat exchange channels 23 decrease successively in the flow direction of the airflow. In this way, when the lengths and heights of the multiple heat exchange channels 23 are equal, the internal volume of the heat exchange channels 23 decreases in the flow direction of the airflow, and the amount of refrigerant contained therein also decreases.

[0088] In this way, it is consistent with the changing trend required by the heat exchange process, making the refrigerant heat exchange more balanced, improving the overall heat exchange efficiency and heat exchange capacity of the microchannel heat exchanger 100, and preventing the refrigerant in the heat exchange channel 23 close to the windward end 33 from overheating, causing local heat exchange imbalance and low overall heat exchange.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 16, at least one heat exchange tube 20 further includes a first heat exchange tooth 24 and a second heat exchange tooth 25. The first heat exchange tooth 24 and the second heat exchange tooth 25 are disposed in a portion of the heat exchange channels 23 close to the leeward end 34 among the plurality of heat exchange channels 23.

[0090] The first heat exchange teeth 24 and the second heat exchange teeth 25 are opposite to each other in the height direction of the heat exchange tube body 21, and extend in the direction close to each other. In this way, the volume of the heat exchange channel 23 can be reduced, the amount of refrigerant passing through can be reduced, thereby reducing the work done by the refrigerant to flow and reducing power consumption; at the same time, the contact area between the refrigerant and the inner wall of the heat exchange channel 23 is increased, the heat exchange area between the refrigerant and the heat exchange tube 20 is increased, and the refrigerant phase variable in the heat exchange channel 23 is increased, thereby improving the overall heat exchange efficiency of the microchannel heat exchanger 100.

[0091] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the height direction of the heat exchange tube body 21 (i.e., direction E in FIG. 16 ), the size of at least one of the partial heat exchange channels 23 is greater than the sum of the size of the first heat exchange tooth 24 and the size of the second heat exchange tooth 25 , that is, the first heat exchange tooth 24 and the second heat exchange tooth 25 are close to each other in the height direction of the heat exchange tube body 21 but are not connected.

[0092] For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , the height dimension of the partial heat exchange channel 23 is Q, and the height dimensions of the first heat exchange tooth 24 and the second heat exchange tooth 25 are both C, then Q and C satisfy: Q>2C.

[0093] Since the heat exchange fin body 32 includes a first guide bevel 324 and a second guide bevel 325, the side of the plurality of heat exchange tube bodies 21 close to the leeward end 34 is not wrapped by the plurality of heat exchange fins 30, which reduces the protective effect and makes the side of the heat exchange tube body 21 close to the leeward end 34 susceptible to corrosion.

[0094] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 16 , the wall thickness of the heat exchange tube body 21 close to the windward end 33 is L1, and the wall thickness of the heat exchange tube body 21 close to the leeward end 34 is L2, and L1 and L2 satisfy: L1<L2.

[0095] In this way, the wall thickness of the heat exchange channel 23 of the heat exchange tube 20 close to the leeward end 34 is increased, and the time required for corrosion penetration is prolonged, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of the microchannel heat exchanger 100.

[0096] As shown in FIG17 , in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the microchannel heat exchanger 100 further includes at least one protective portion 50. The protective portion 50 is disposed on at least one of the first header 11 or the second header 12, and the protective portion 50 protrudes from the corresponding header toward at least one heat exchange fin 30 and abuts against at least one heat exchange fin 30, that is, the protective portion 50 is located between the corresponding header 10 and the corresponding heat exchange fin 30.

[0097] In this way, the main body can support and shore up the heat exchange fins 30 on both sides of the length direction of the channel heat exchanger 100, thereby preventing the heat exchange fins 30 from tipping over, thereby avoiding rework due to unqualified appearance of the microchannel heat exchanger 100 caused by the tipping over of the heat exchange fins 30, and improving production efficiency.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 , in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the protection portion 50 includes a protection portion body 51 and a plurality of support portions 52 .

[0099] A plurality of support portions 52 are disposed on one side of the protection portion body 51 facing at least one heat exchange fin 30, and the protection portion 50 abuts against at least one heat exchange fin 30 through the plurality of support portions 52. The plurality of support portions 52 are spaced apart from each other in the length direction of the protection portion 50. The length direction of the protection portion 50 is consistent with the length direction of the plurality of heat exchange fins 30.

[0100] The plurality of support parts 52 include a connecting section 521 and a supporting section 522. The connecting section 521 is connected to the protection part body 51 and has an inner rounded corner and an outer rounded corner. The supporting section 522 is connected to the connecting section 521 and is located on a side of the connecting section 521 away from the protection part body 51. The supporting section 522 is arranged perpendicular to the plane where the protection part body 51 is located. The plurality of support parts 52 abut against at least one of the plurality of heat exchange fins 30 through the supporting section 522.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 21 , in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the protection portion body 51 includes a connecting plate 511 and a protection plate 512 , and the connecting plate 511 is connected to the corresponding collecting pipe 10 .

[0102] The connecting plate 511 may be an arc-shaped structure, and the connecting plate 511 may fit together with the portion of the collecting tube 10 connected to the connecting plate 511. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting plate 511 and the first collecting tube 11 or the second collecting tube 12 may be fixedly connected together by welding.

[0103] In this way, most of the gap between the manifold 10 and at least one of the multiple heat exchange fins 30 can be filled, preventing air leakage due to excessive gap between the manifold and the heat exchange fin 30, resulting in reduced ventilation in other areas and reduced heat exchange efficiency.

[0104] The protective plate 512 is connected to the connecting plate 511 and is arranged at a third predetermined angle with the connecting plate 511, wherein the third predetermined angle is any value greater than zero and less than 180 degrees. A plurality of support parts 52 are arranged on the protective plate 512 of the protective part body 51.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the support portion 52 is obtained by cutting part of the main body of the protective plate 512 and bending it toward the side away from the connecting plate 511. At this time, the protective plate 512 includes a via hole 5121. The length of the via hole 5121 is X1, and the length of the support portion 52 is X2. X1 and X2 satisfy: X1>X2; the width of the via hole 5121 is Y1, and the width of the support portion 52 is Y2. Y1 and Y2 satisfy: Y1>Y2.

[0106] In this way, the support part 52 can be easily manufactured and the cost can be saved. In addition, since the support part 52 and the protection part body 51 and the protection plate 512 are integrated, the overall strength of the protection part 50 can be effectively improved.

[0107] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the protective portion 50 also includes a second airflow channel 53, which is jointly defined by multiple protective portion bodies 51, support portions 52 and at least one heat exchange fin 30 among the multiple heat exchange fins 30. In this way, a certain airflow can pass between the protective portion 50 and at least one heat exchange fin 30 among the multiple heat exchange fins 30, which is beneficial to improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange fins 30 on both sides of the length of the microchannel heat exchanger 100.

[0108] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the protection part body 51 further includes a transition plate 513, and the transition plate 513 is connected between the connecting plate 511 and the protection plate 512. In this way, the connecting plate 511 and the protection plate 512 are separated, thereby separating the manifold 10 and the protection plate 512, so that a second airflow channel 53 is formed between the protection plate 512 and at least one of the plurality of heat exchange fins 30.

[0109] Those skilled in the art will understand that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and certain elements of the embodiments may be modified and replaced without departing from the spirit of the present application. The scope of the present application is limited by the appended claims.

Claims

An air conditioner, comprising: an indoor unit, the indoor unit comprising an indoor heat exchanger; and An outdoor unit, the outdoor unit is connected to the indoor unit, the outdoor unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger, and at least one of the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger is a microchannel heat exchanger, the microchannel heat exchanger includes: a first header; a second header, the first header and the second header are arranged to be spaced apart from each other; a plurality of heat exchange tubes, the plurality of heat exchange tubes are arranged between the first header and the second header to be spaced apart from each other, and the two ends of at least one of the plurality of heat exchange tubes are respectively connected to the first header and the second header; a plurality of heat exchange fins, the plurality of heat exchange fins are configured to exchange heat with the plurality of heat exchange tubes, at least one of the plurality of heat exchange tubes is located between two adjacent heat exchange fins of the plurality of heat exchange fins; wherein, at least one of the plurality of heat exchange fins includes: a connector; and a plurality of heat exchange fin bodies, the A plurality of heat exchange fin bodies are connected to the connecting body, and the plurality of heat exchange fin bodies are arranged at intervals; a accommodating portion, the accommodating portion is formed between two adjacent heat exchange fin bodies among the plurality of heat exchange fin bodies to accommodate corresponding heat exchange tubes; wherein the connecting body includes a first corrugated portion; at least one heat exchange fin body among the plurality of heat exchange fin bodies also includes a second corrugated portion and a spoiler portion, and in the flow direction of the airflow, the second corrugated portion is closer to the first corrugated portion than the spoiler portion; the first corrugated portion and the second corrugated portion are configured to guide the airflow entering a first airflow channel formed between the two adjacent heat exchange fins; a portion of the airflow flowing through the first corrugated portion and the second corrugated portion enters at least one of the remaining first airflow channels except the first airflow channel via the spoiler portion, so that the airflows in different first airflow channels are mixed with each other. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: The first corrugated portion includes: a first plate body; and a second plate body. In the flow direction of the airflow, the second plate body is connected to the first plate body and forms an included angle of a first predetermined angle; wherein the first predetermined angle is any value greater than zero and less than 180 degrees. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein: The first corrugated portion further includes a third plate body, which is connected between the first plate body and the second plate body; the third plate body and the first plate body are located in different planes, and the third plate body and the second plate body are located in different planes. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second corrugated portion includes: a fourth plate body; a fifth plate body, wherein in the flow direction of the airflow, the fourth plate body and the fifth plate body are connected at one end close to each other and form an included angle of a second predetermined angle; wherein the second predetermined angle is any value greater than zero and less than 180 degrees; a first side plate, wherein the first side plate is connected between the fourth plate body and the fifth plate body; and a second side plate, wherein the second side plate and the first side plate are arranged opposite to each other in the width direction of the heat exchange fin, and the second side plate is connected between the fourth plate body and the fifth plate body. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein: The connecting body also includes a windward plate, which is connected to the first plate body of the first corrugated part; and the windward plate is arranged parallel to the flow direction of the airflow; the heat exchange fin body also includes a leeward plate, which is connected to the leeward side of the spoiler; and the leeward plate is arranged parallel to the windward plate; wherein the leeward side refers to the side of the spoiler away from the first corrugated part; the windward side refers to the other side of the first corrugated part opposite to the one side. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein: The spoiler includes: a first sub-spoiler; and at least one second sub-spoiler, wherein the first sub-spoiler and the second sub-spoiler are arranged in sequence at intervals in the flow direction of the airflow; wherein, in the width direction of the heat exchange fin, the length of the second sub-spoiler is smaller than the length of the first sub-spoiler; and when the at least one second sub-spoiler includes a plurality of second sub-spoilers, in the width direction of the heat exchange fin, at least two of the plurality of second sub-spoilers are arranged at intervals. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein: The first inclination angle of the first sub-spoiler relative to the plane where the heat exchange fin body is located is α1, and the second inclination angle of the second sub-spoiler relative to the plane where the heat exchange fin body is located is α2; wherein α1 and α2 satisfy the relationship: 10°≤α1≤30°, 10°≤α2≤30°. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The second corrugated portion further includes flanges, and the flanges are arranged on both sides of the heat exchange fin body in the width direction of the heat exchange fin; wherein the flanges include at least two positioning portions, and the at least two positioning portions are spaced apart in the flow direction of the airflow. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein: A dimension of at least one of the at least two positioning portions between the two adjacent heat exchange fins is smaller than or equal to a width of the accommodating portion. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The length of the first airflow channel is greater than the dimension of the microchannel heat exchanger in the flow direction of the airflow. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein: At least one of the first header or the second header further includes a first partition plate, and the first partition plate is configured to divide the internal space of the corresponding header into a gaseous refrigerant area and a liquid refrigerant area. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The heat exchange fin also includes: a windward end, which is an end of the heat exchange fin close to the connector; a leeward end, which is an end of the heat exchange fin away from the connector; the at least one heat exchange tube includes: a heat exchange tube body; a plurality of second partitions, which are arranged at intervals from each other in the length direction of the heat exchange tube; and a plurality of heat exchange channels, which are defined by the plurality of second partitions and the heat exchange tube body, and the widths of the plurality of heat exchange channels decrease successively in the direction from the windward end to the leeward end of the heat exchange fin. The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein: The at least one heat exchange tube also includes: a first heat exchange tooth and a second heat exchange tooth; wherein the first heat exchange tooth and the second heat exchange tooth are arranged in some heat exchange channels among the multiple heat exchange channels, close to the leeward end, and the first heat exchange tooth and the second heat exchange tooth are opposite to each other in the height direction of the heat exchange tube body and extend in a direction close to each other. The air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein: In the height direction of the heat exchange tube body, a size of at least one heat exchange channel in the partial heat exchange channels is larger than the sum of a size of the first heat exchange tooth and a size of the second heat exchange tooth. The air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein The wall thickness of the heat exchange tube body on the side close to the windward end is smaller than the wall thickness of the heat exchange tube body on the side close to the leeward end. The air conditioner according to claim 15, wherein The heat exchange fin body also includes: a first guide bevel, which is arranged on the side of the heat exchange fin body toward the leeward end, and is configured to extend obliquely from one end in the width direction of the heat exchange fin toward the other end in the width direction of the heat exchange fin; and a second guide bevel, which is arranged on the side of the heat exchange fin body toward the leeward end, and is configured to extend from the other end in the width direction of the heat exchange fin toward the first guide bevel. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The microchannel heat exchanger further includes a protection portion, which is disposed on at least one of the first header or the second header, and the protection portion protrudes from the corresponding header and abuts against the at least one heat exchange fin. The air conditioner according to claim 17, wherein: The protective part includes: a protective part main body; and a plurality of support parts, wherein the plurality of support parts are arranged on a side of the protective part main body facing the at least one heat exchange fin, and the plurality of support parts are spaced apart from each other in the length direction of the protective part; wherein the protective part abuts against the at least one heat exchange fin through the plurality of support parts; the protective part main body, at least one of the plurality of support parts and the at least one heat exchange fin jointly define a second airflow channel. The air conditioner according to claim 18, wherein The main body of the protection part includes: a connecting plate, which is connected to the corresponding collecting pipe; and a protective plate, which is connected to the connecting plate, and the protective plate and the connecting plate are arranged at an angle of a third predetermined angle; wherein the angle of the third predetermined angle is any value greater than zero and less than 180 degrees; the multiple supporting parts are arranged on the protective plate. The air conditioner according to claim 19, wherein The protection part body further includes a transition plate connected between the connecting plate and the protection plate.

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