Heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger (500) comprises an upper end plate-shaped element (502) and a lower end plate-shaped element (503), wherein the lower end plate-shaped element is provided with a first partition part (5031) extending vertically upwards; a plurality of intermediate plate-like elements (504) vertically stacked between the upper end plate-like element and the lower end plate-like element so as to together form a heat exchange stack defining a heat exchange space between adjacent plate-like elements, a first partition (5031) and a second partition (5041) dividing the heat exchange stack into an intermediate heat exchange side (505) and a heat exchange side (506); and a conducting device (5032) arranged in the lower end plate-like element (503) so that an intermediate heat exchange medium, which has exchanged heat with the second fluid at the heat exchange side (506), can be led to the intermediate heat exchange side (505). According to the heat exchanger provided by the invention, the conduction device is arranged, so that the middle heat exchange side and the heat exchange side can share one fluid with a simple structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a heat exchanger. Background Art

[0002] Heat exchanger solutions for specific applications are known in the prior art and are intended to manage the temperature of a given fluid circulating in a given system. The heat exchanger is adapted to perform a heat exchange operation between two fluids, namely, between a working fluid and an exchange fluid.

[0003] Conventionally, the working fluid is oil, which circulates in one or more operating groups (such as a gearbox group, a transmission group, an engine group) of a given system to manage the temperature of the operating group. The working fluid can also be a refrigerant fluid. For example, a refrigerant fluid refers to one of the fluids commonly used in a refrigeration cycle (such as R134a, R744, R290, R718, R717, R1234yfa or R1234yf). Generally, the exchange fluid is a water-based liquid. It is necessary to manage the temperature of the operating group in the best possible way to improve the efficiency of the operating group and extend its life cycle, thereby improving the performance and life cycle of the entire system. Therefore, there is an increasing expectation to manage the temperature of each operating group in the best possible way by providing specific components such as a heat exchanger.

[0004] Existing plate heat exchangers only have the functions of condensation or evaporation. Insufficient subcooling during condensation will reduce the cooling capacity, and insufficient superheating during evaporation will cause liquid slugging of the liquid entering the compressor, reducing the service life of the compressor. Generally, to solve such problems, an additional intermediate heat exchanger can be added to achieve sufficient subcooling of the refrigerant liquid and sufficient superheating of the gas. However, the added intermediate heat exchanger will significantly increase the structural complexity of the heat exchanger and add additional components.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to obtain a heat exchanger that can use a common fluid for heat exchange between one side of the intermediate heat exchanger and the evaporator side, thereby simplifying the complexity of the circulation pipeline. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present application, a heat exchanger is provided, which includes: an upper end plate-like element and a lower end plate-like element, the lower end plate-like element having a first partition portion extending vertically upward; a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, a second fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet, and an intermediate heat exchange medium inlet and an intermediate heat exchange medium outlet, which are respectively arranged on the upper end plate-like element or the lower end plate-like element; a plurality of intermediate plate-like elements, vertically stacked between the upper end plate-like element and the lower end plate-like element, thereby together forming a heat exchange stack that defines heat exchange spaces between adjacent plate-like elements. Each intermediate plate-like element has a second partition portion extending vertically upward. The first partition portion and the second partition portion divide the heat exchange stack into an intermediate heat exchange side and a heat exchange side. The heat exchange spaces on the intermediate heat exchange side are arranged to be alternately passed through by the first fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium, and the heat exchange spaces on the heat exchange side are arranged to be alternately passed through by the second fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium. Among them, the intermediate heat exchange medium inlet is located on the heat exchange side, and the intermediate heat exchange medium outlet is located on the intermediate heat exchange side; a conductor is arranged in the lower end plate-like element, so that the intermediate heat exchange medium that has undergone heat exchange with the second fluid on the heat exchange side can lead to the intermediate heat exchange side.

[0007] In this way, by providing the conductor, it is possible to enable the intermediate heat exchange side and the heat exchange side to share a fluid with a simple structure.

[0008] Furthermore, it further includes: an electronic expansion valve, arranged between the first fluid outlet and the intermediate heat exchange medium inlet, for converting the high-pressure first fluid into a low-pressure intermediate heat exchange medium.

[0009] In this way, by providing the electronic expansion valve, the high-pressure first fluid can be converted into a low-pressure intermediate heat exchange medium, so that the heat exchange on the intermediate heat exchange side can be completed with one refrigerant.

[0010] Furthermore, the projections of the first partition portion and the second partition portion in the vertical direction coincide.

[0011] In this way, by making the projections of the first partition portion and the second partition portion in the vertical direction coincide, the shapes of the intermediate heat exchange side and the heat exchange side are regular in the vertical direction, ensuring the heat insulation effect.

[0012] Furthermore, the lower end plate-like element has multiple layers of plates, and the conductor includes a channel in one of the multiple layers of plates that fluidly connects the heat exchange side and the intermediate heat exchange side.

[0013] In this way, by providing the multi-layer plate structure of the lower end plate-like element, it is possible to easily manufacture and assemble the conductor.

[0014] Furthermore, the heat exchange side is used as an evaporator.

[0015] In this way, by setting up the intermediate heat exchange side and the evaporator, the liquid can be sufficiently subcooled and the gas can be sufficiently superheated, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0016] Furthermore, the intermediate plate-like element is provided with a plurality of first guiding protrusions on the intermediate heat exchange side, and the plurality of first guiding protrusions are configured to guide the first fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium in each heat exchange space on the intermediate heat exchange side into an I-shaped flow.

[0017] In this way, by guiding both the first fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium into an I-shaped flow, it is convenient for the two to achieve efficient heat exchange.

[0018] Furthermore, the I-shaped flow of the first fluid is arranged crosswise with the I-shaped flow of the intermediate heat exchange medium.

[0019] In this way, by arranging the I-shaped flow of the first fluid to cross the I-shaped flow of the intermediate heat exchange medium, the heat exchange efficiency between the first fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium can be increased.

[0020] Furthermore, the intermediate plate-like element is provided with a plurality of second guiding protrusions on the heat exchange side, and the plurality of second guiding protrusions are configured to guide the second fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium in each heat exchange space on the heat exchange side into a U-shaped flow.

[0021] In this way, by guiding both the second fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium into a U-shaped flow, it is convenient for the two to achieve efficient heat exchange.

[0022] Furthermore, the U-shaped flow of the second fluid is arranged opposite to the U-shaped flow of the intermediate heat exchange medium.

[0023] In this way, by arranging the U-shaped flow of the second fluid opposite to the U-shaped flow of the intermediate heat exchange medium, the heat exchange efficiency between the second fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium can be increased.

[0024] Furthermore, the first fluid is a refrigerant, and the second fluid is a coolant for cooling the refrigerant.

[0025] In this way, by setting the first fluid as a refrigerant and the second fluid as a coolant, the cooling of the refrigerant can be completed.

[0026] Through the heat exchanger of the present application, at least the following beneficial technical effects can be achieved.

[0027] First, it can enable the intermediate heat exchange side and the heat exchange side to share a single fluid with a simple structure.

[0028] Second, it is capable of converting the high-pressure first fluid into a low-pressure intermediate heat exchange medium, so that heat exchange on the intermediate heat exchange side can be completed with a single refrigerant.

[0029] Third, it enables the fluids in adjacent heat exchange spaces to be arranged in an I-shaped cross or U-shaped opposition, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present application provided with reference to the accompanying drawings in a non-limiting indicative manner. In the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an intermediate plate-like element according to an embodiment of the present application, in which the I-shaped flow and U-shaped flow are schematically shown.

[0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an upper end plate-like element according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] 500. Heat exchanger; 502. Upper end plate-like element; 503. Lower end plate-like element; 5031. First partition; 5032. Conducting device; 504. Intermediate plate-like element; 5041. Second partition; 505. Intermediate heat exchange side; 506. Heat exchange side; 511. First fluid inlet; 512. First fluid outlet; 521. Second fluid inlet; 522. Second fluid outlet; 531. Intermediate heat exchange medium inlet; 532. Intermediate heat exchange medium outlet; 540. Electronic expansion valve; 5055. First guiding protrusion; 5065. Second guiding protrusion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and in no way restrictive of the present application and its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0036] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless otherwise clearly specified in the context, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form.

[0037] Figure 1 It is an exploded view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a heat exchanger, which includes: an upper end plate-like element 502 and a lower end plate-like element 503, the lower end plate-like element 503 having a first partition portion 5031 extending vertically upward; a first fluid inlet 511, a first fluid outlet 512, a second fluid inlet 521, a second fluid outlet 522, and an intermediate heat exchange medium inlet 531 and an intermediate heat exchange medium outlet 532, which are respectively arranged on the upper end plate-like element 502 or the lower end plate-like element 503; a plurality of intermediate plate-like elements 504, vertically stacked between the upper end plate-like element 502 and the lower end plate-like element 503, thereby together forming a heat exchange stack that defines a heat exchange space between adjacent plate-like elements. Each intermediate plate-like element 504 has a second partition portion 5041 extending vertically upward. The first partition portion 5031 and the second partition portion 5041 divide the heat exchange stack into an intermediate heat exchange side 505 and a heat exchange side 506. The heat exchange space on the intermediate heat exchange side 505 is arranged to be alternately passed through by the first fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium, and the heat exchange space on the heat exchange side 506 is arranged to be alternately passed through by the second fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium. Among them, the intermediate heat exchange medium inlet 531 is located on the heat exchange side 506, and the intermediate heat exchange medium outlet 532 is located on the intermediate heat exchange side 505; a conductor 5032 is arranged in the lower end plate-like element 503, so that the intermediate heat exchange medium that has undergone heat exchange with the second fluid on the heat exchange side 506 can lead to the intermediate heat exchange side 505.

[0039] By providing the conductor, the intermediate heat exchange side 505 and the heat exchange side 506 can share a kind of fluid with a simple structure.

[0040] The heat exchanger further includes: an electronic expansion valve 540, arranged between the first fluid outlet 512 and the intermediate heat exchange medium inlet 531, for converting the high-pressure first fluid into a low-pressure intermediate heat exchange medium. By providing the electronic expansion valve, the high-pressure first fluid can be converted into a low-pressure intermediate heat exchange medium, so that the heat exchange on the intermediate heat exchange side 505 can be completed with one kind of refrigerant.

[0041] The projections of the first partition part 5031 and the second partition part 5041 in the vertical direction coincide. By making the projections of the first partition part and the second partition part coincide in the vertical direction, the shapes of the intermediate heat exchange side 505 and the heat exchange side 506 are regular in the vertical direction, ensuring the heat insulation effect. The lower end plate-like element 503 has multiple layers of plates, and the conductor 5032 includes a channel that fluidly connects the heat exchange side 506 and the intermediate heat exchange side 505 in one of the multiple layers of plates. By providing the multi-layer plate structure of the lower end plate-like element 503, the conductor 5032 can be easily manufactured and assembled.

[0042] The heat exchange side 506 serves as an evaporator. By providing the intermediate heat exchange side 505 and the evaporator, the liquid can be sufficiently subcooled and the gas can be sufficiently superheated, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0043] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an intermediate plate-like element according to an embodiment of the present application, in which the I-shaped flow and the U-shaped flow are schematically shown. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an upper end plate-like element according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] The intermediate plate-like element 504 is provided with a plurality of first guiding protrusions 5055 on the intermediate heat exchange side 505, and the plurality of first guiding protrusions 5055 are configured to guide the first fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium in each heat exchange space on the intermediate heat exchange side 505 into an I-shaped flow. By guiding both the first fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium into an I-shaped flow, it is convenient for the two to achieve efficient heat exchange.

[0045] The I-shaped flow of the first fluid and the I-shaped flow of the intermediate heat exchange medium are arranged crosswise. By arranging the I-shaped flow of the first fluid to cross the I-shaped flow of the intermediate heat exchange medium, the heat exchange efficiency between the first fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium can be increased. The intermediate plate-like element 504 is provided with a plurality of second guiding protrusions 5065 on the heat exchange side 506, and the plurality of second guiding protrusions 5065 are configured to guide the second fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium in each heat exchange space on the heat exchange side 506 into a U-shaped flow. By guiding both the second fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium into a U-shaped flow, it is convenient for the two to achieve efficient heat exchange. The U-shaped flow of the second fluid and the U-shaped flow of the intermediate heat exchange medium are arranged opposite to each other. By arranging the U-shaped flow of the second fluid to be opposite to the U-shaped flow of the intermediate heat exchange medium, the heat exchange efficiency between the second fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium can be increased.

[0046] The first fluid is a refrigerant, and the second fluid is a coolant for cooling the refrigerant. By setting the first fluid as the refrigerant and the second fluid as the coolant, the cooling of the refrigerant can be completed.

[0047] Through the heat exchanger of the present application, at least the following beneficial technical effects can be achieved.

[0048] First, it enables the intermediate heat exchange side and the heat exchange side to share a fluid with a simple structure.

[0049] Second, it can convert the high-pressure first fluid into a low-pressure intermediate heat exchange medium, so that the heat exchange on the intermediate heat exchange side can be completed with one refrigerant.

[0050] Third, it enables the fluids in adjacent heat exchange spaces to be arranged in an I-shaped intersection or U-shaped opposition, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0051] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principle of the present application, several improvements and refinements can be made, and these improvements and refinements should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger (500), characterized in that, The heat exchanger (500) includes: an upper end plate-like element (502) and a lower end plate-like element (503), the lower end plate-like element (503) having a first partition portion (5031) extending vertically upward; a first fluid inlet (511), a first fluid outlet (512), a second fluid inlet (521), a second fluid outlet (522), and an intermediate heat exchange medium inlet (531) and an intermediate heat exchange medium outlet (532), which are respectively arranged on the upper end plate-like element (502) or the lower end plate-like element (503); a plurality of intermediate plate-like elements (504), vertically stacked between the upper end plate-like element (502) and the lower end plate-like element (503), thereby together forming a heat exchange stack that defines heat exchange spaces between adjacent plate-like elements. Each intermediate plate-like element (504) has a second partition portion (5041) extending vertically upward. The first partition portion (5031) and the second partition portion (5041) divide the heat exchange stack into an intermediate heat exchange side (505) and a heat exchange side (506). The heat exchange spaces on the intermediate heat exchange side (505) are arranged to be alternately passed through by the first fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium, and the heat exchange spaces on the heat exchange side (506) are arranged to be alternately passed through by the second fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium. Among them, the intermediate heat exchange medium inlet (531) is located on the heat exchange side (506), and the intermediate heat exchange medium outlet (532) is located on the intermediate heat exchange side (505); a conductor (5032), arranged in the lower end plate-like element (503), such that the intermediate heat exchange medium that has undergone heat exchange with the second fluid on the heat exchange side (506) can lead to the intermediate heat exchange side (505).

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes: an electronic expansion valve (540), arranged between the first fluid outlet (512) and the intermediate heat exchange medium inlet (531), for converting the high-pressure first fluid into a low-pressure intermediate heat exchange medium.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein, The projections of the first partition portion (5031) and the second partition portion (5041) in the vertical direction coincide.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end plate-like element (503) has multiple layers of plates, and the conductor (5032) includes a channel in one layer of the multiple layers of plates that fluidly connects the heat exchange side (506) and the intermediate heat exchange side (505).

5. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The heat exchange side (506) serves as an evaporator.

6. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The intermediate plate-like element (504) is provided with a plurality of first guiding protrusions (5055) on the intermediate heat exchange side (505), and the plurality of first guiding protrusions (5055) are configured to guide both the first fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium in each heat exchange space on the intermediate heat exchange side (505) into an I-shaped flow.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, characterized in that, The I-shaped flow of the first fluid and the I-shaped flow of the intermediate heat exchange medium are arranged to cross each other.

8. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The intermediate plate-like element (504) is provided with a plurality of second guiding protrusions (5065) on the heat exchange side (506), and the plurality of second guiding protrusions (5065) are configured to guide both the second fluid and the intermediate heat exchange medium in each heat exchange space on the heat exchange side (506) into a U-shaped flow.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, characterized in that, The U-shaped flow of the second fluid is arranged opposite to the U-shaped flow of the intermediate heat exchange medium.

10. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first fluid is a refrigerant, and the second fluid is a coolant for cooling the refrigerant.

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