Additive-manufactured checkerboard micro-channel heat exchange core body and split-flow type leading-out structure thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of heat exchangers, and discloses an additive-manufactured checkerboard micro-channel heat exchange core body and a split-flow type lead-out structure thereof, the additive-manufactured checkerboard micro-channel heat exchange core body comprises a heat exchange core body, and a plurality of cold side flow channels and hot side flow channels which are arranged in a checkerboard staggered mode are arranged in the heat exchange core body; the leading-out section comprises a cold side fluid inlet and outlet structure and a hot side fluid inlet and outlet structure; the at least one transition section is connected to one end or two ends of the heat exchange core body; the cold side connecting pipe comprises a cold side inlet connecting pipe and a cold side outlet connecting pipe; and the hot side connecting pipe comprises a hot side inlet connecting pipe, a hot side inlet connecting pipe and a hot side outlet connecting pipe. Through the checkerboard micro-channel core body and the integrated shunting type lead-out structure, the heat transfer efficiency and the heat exchange area utilization rate are remarkably improved, meanwhile, the compact structure, uniform fluid distribution and low flow resistance are achieved, and the defects of a traditional printed circuit board heat exchanger and a complex topology additive heat exchanger in the aspects of performance, size and integration are effectively overcome.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of heat exchangers, and particularly to an additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core and its split-flow lead-out structure. Background Art

[0002] Heat exchangers play a crucial role in many industrial fields. Their core function is to effectively transfer heat between fluids at different temperatures while ensuring that these fluids are isolated from each other and do not mix. A key indicator for measuring the performance of a heat exchanger is the heat transfer per unit volume, which is usually jointly determined by the effective heat transfer area per unit volume, the logarithmic mean temperature difference between the hot and cold fluids, and the total heat transfer resistance, and can be expressed by the formula Q = A·ΔT m / R. In actual design, the logarithmic mean temperature difference ΔT m is often restricted by process conditions and is difficult to adjust significantly. Therefore, the main way to increase the heat transfer per unit volume Q is to increase the effective heat transfer area A or reduce the total heat transfer resistance R. To achieve this goal, the concept of a microchannel heat exchanger was proposed. By significantly reducing the flow channel size, not only can the specific heat transfer area be greatly increased, but also the heat transfer can be enhanced using the scale effect and the thermal resistance can be reduced, thereby improving the heat transfer capacity per unit volume. However, due to the limitations of the mechanical properties of the heat transfer tube material in traditional shell-and-tube heat exchangers, the tube diameter is usually difficult to be lower than 6 - 8 mm, which directly restricts the way to increase the specific heat transfer area by further reducing the tube diameter. This limitation has prompted researchers to actively explore new heat exchanger manufacturing technologies and structural forms.

[0003] In the prior art, to achieve miniaturization of the flow channel and improve the heat transfer performance, two major types of technical solutions have mainly been formed, but these solutions all expose their respective deficiencies in practical applications.

[0004] The first type is the printed circuit board heat exchanger (PCHEs), such as the technologies disclosed in patents CN112146485B and CN118640730A. This type of heat exchanger usually uses chemical etching or machining methods to manufacture micron-level or millimeter-level flow channels on a metal thin plate, and then alternately stacks the plates with cold and hot flow channels engraved on them, and bonds them into one body through processes such as diffusion welding or brazing. Although PCHEs can achieve a relatively high specific heat transfer area (allegedly up to 2000m 2 / m 3), and its heat transfer efficiency is several times that of traditional shell and tube heat exchangers, but its structural characteristics also bring some inherent problems. One major problem is that its actual effective heat exchange area has not been fully utilized. Since its cold and hot runner plates are stacked, heat is mainly transferred between adjacent cold and hot runners along the thickness direction of the plate. In the plane of the same plate, the direct heat exchange between different runners is very limited. This results in that although the overall geometric heat exchange area is large, the effective area that actually participates in the efficient heat transfer between cold and hot fluids is discounted, and all microchannel surfaces are not fully utilized.

[0005] In addition, the design of the fluid inlet and outlet distribution and lead-out structure of PCHEs is also a challenge. In order to import and export the cold and hot fluids separately and evenly into and out of the multi-layer stacked plates, designers have proposed some solutions. For example, a Z-shaped channel design is adopted to keep the cold runner straight and set inlet and outlet manifolds (headers) at both ends of the heat exchanger, while the hot runner is designed in a Z shape, and its inlet and outlet are deflected to the side of the heat exchanger, and a manifold is also required. Although this design can achieve the separation of cold and hot fluids, its manifold is usually large in size, which increases the overall size of the heat exchanger and partially offsets the compactness advantage brought by microchannelization. Another lead-out solution is to try to open a through longitudinal channel on the plate, lead the linear hot runner through these channels to the two ends of the heat exchanger, and then lead it out from the top pipe; similarly, the Z-shaped cold runner is led to the longitudinal channels on both sides. Although this method can avoid large-sized manifolds, it may require an increase in the plate area. More importantly, these longitudinal channels often have narrow apertures and large penetration depths. When the fluid flows through them, it is difficult to ensure that the flow distribution between the plates remains highly uniform, which may lead to significant differences in heat transfer performance between different plates.

[0006] The second category is a complex topological heat exchanger based on additive manufacturing technology, such as the use of three-periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) as the basic unit to build a heat exchange core, such as the technologies disclosed in patents CN118427488B, CN119533165A and CN118746210A. Additive manufacturing technology makes it possible to achieve highly complex geometric structures. TPMS has attracted attention in heat exchanger design due to its high specific surface area and diverse topological forms. However, this type of structure also has its limitations. First, under the same hydraulic diameter and wall thickness conditions, the specific heat transfer area of the TPMS structure is sometimes slightly lower than that of the optimized printed circuit board heat exchanger; at the same time, because the TPMS surface usually has a large span, its pressure bearing capacity may not be as good as the PCHEs with a more regular structure in terms of bearing the pressure difference between the cold and hot fluids.

[0007] More importantly, the channel characteristics of the TPMS are continuous and smoothly varying, which may lead to "non-uniform distribution of the flow channel size in space, with narrow channels at some positions". When the fluid flows through these channels with complex internal structures and circuitous paths, it often undergoes multiple changes in direction and velocity, which easily leads to higher flow resistance and increases the pumping power consumption. Moreover, due to its highly complex internal topological morphology, designing an inlet and outlet structure that can achieve efficient and low-resistance fluid distribution and collection, and smoothly introduce the fluid into these complex networks and export it, is also a challenging task. These factors have restricted the promotion of such heat exchangers with complex topological structures in specific application scenarios to a certain extent, especially in situations where high requirements are placed on compactness, low flow resistance, and efficient heat transfer. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides an additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core and its split-flow type lead-out structure, which solve the problems commonly existing in existing microchannel heat exchangers, such as insufficient utilization of the effective heat transfer area, high flow resistance, complex or redundant volume of the inlet and outlet lead-out structures, and uneven internal fluid distribution, while achieving high heat transfer efficiency and a compact structure.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is realized through the following technical solutions: An additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core, comprising:

[0010] A heat exchange core, in which a plurality of cold-side flow channels and hot-side flow channels are arranged in a checkerboard staggered pattern inside the heat exchange core;

[0011] A lead-out section, including an inlet and outlet structure for cold-side fluid and an inlet and outlet structure for hot-side fluid;

[0012] At least one transition section, which is connected to one or both ends of the heat exchange core. The transition section has a transition starting surface and a transition ending surface. The transition starting surface is used to separate the heat exchange core and the transition section, and the transition ending surface is used to separate the transition section and the lead-out section. The transition section is used to deflect some of the flow channels to change the arrangement mode of the flow channels at the transition ending surface;

[0013] A cold-side connection pipe, which includes a cold-side inlet connection pipe and a cold-side outlet connection pipe, and is respectively connected to the cold-side fluid inlet and outlet structures of the lead-out section;

[0014] A hot-side connection pipe, which includes a hot-side inlet connection pipe and a hot-side outlet connection pipe, and is respectively connected to the hot-side fluid inlet and outlet structures of the lead-out section.

[0015] Preferably, on one side of the heat exchange core, one type of flow channel is alternately deleted.

[0016] Preferably, the cold-side fluid flows in from the cold-side inlet nozzle, successively passes through the lead-out section and the transition section, enters the cold-side flow channel in the heat exchange core for heat exchange, and then successively passes through the transition section and the lead-out section and flows out from the cold-side outlet nozzle; the hot-side fluid flows in from the hot-side inlet nozzle, successively passes through the lead-out section and the transition section, enters the hot-side flow channel in the heat exchange core for heat exchange, and then successively passes through the transition section and the lead-out section and flows out from the hot-side outlet nozzle.

[0017] Preferably, in the flow channel arrangement of the heat exchanger:

[0018] There is a first group of flow channel extension planes. The cold fluid flows in from the lead-out section of the first cold flow channel inlet, passes through the transition section of the first cold flow channel inlet and enters the heat exchange section of the first cold flow channel. After absorbing heat, it respectively flows through the transition section of the first cold flow channel outlet and the lead-out section of the first cold flow channel outlet and flows out. The hot fluid flows in from the lead-out section of the first hot flow channel inlet, passes through the transition section of the first hot flow channel inlet and enters the heat exchange section of the first hot flow channel. After absorbing heat, it respectively flows through the transition section of the first hot flow channel outlet and the lead-out section of the first hot flow channel outlet and flows out. On this plane, the cold and hot flow channels and their transition sections and lead-out sections arranged are not deflected within this plane. The fluid in the cold flow channel flows from left to right, and the fluid in the hot flow channel flows from right to left.

[0019] Preferably, in the flow channel arrangement of the heat exchanger:

[0020] There is a second group of flow channel extension planes. The transition section of the first hot flow channel inlet is deflected so that the lead-out section of the first hot flow channel inlet is in the same plane as the lead-out section of the first hot flow channel inlet in the first group of flow channel extension planes. The transition section of the first hot flow channel outlet is deflected so that the lead-out section of the first hot flow channel outlet is in the same plane as the lead-out section of the first hot flow channel outlet in the first group of flow channel extension planes. The transition section of the first cold flow channel inlet is deflected so that the lead-out section of the first cold flow channel inlet is in the same plane as the lead-out section of the first cold flow channel inlet in the first group of flow channel extension planes. The transition section of the first cold flow channel outlet is deflected so that the lead-out section of the first cold flow channel outlet is in the same plane as the lead-out section of the first cold flow channel outlet in the first group of flow channel extension planes, so that the fluid in the cold flow channel flows from left to right and the fluid in the hot flow channel flows from right to left.

[0021] Preferably, in the flow channel arrangement of the lead-out section:

[0022] There is a third group of flow channel extension planes, which, in addition to the first group of cold flow channels, also includes the lead-out section of the second cold flow channel inlet, the transition section of the second cold flow channel inlet, the transition section of the second hot flow channel outlet, the heat exchange section of the second hot flow channel, the transition section of the second hot flow channel inlet, the transition section of the second cold flow channel outlet, and the lead-out section of the second cold flow channel outlet.

[0023] Preferably, in the flow channel arrangement of the lead-out section:

[0024] There is a fourth group of runner extension planes, which, in addition to the first group of hot runners, also includes a second hot runner inlet lead-out section, a second hot runner inlet transition section, a second cold runner outlet transition section, a second cold runner heat exchange section, a second cold runner inlet transition section, a second hot runner outlet transition section, and a second hot runner outlet lead-out section.

[0025] Preferably, the second cold runner inlet lead-out section in the third group of runner extension plane is deflected from the second cold runner inlet transition section and connected with the second cold runner inlet transition section in the fourth group of runner extension plane, the second cold runner outlet transition section in the fourth group of runner extension plane is deflected and connected with the second cold runner outlet transition section in the third group of runner extension plane, and is connected to the cold side outlet pipe of the heat exchanger through the second cold runner outlet lead-out section.

[0026] Preferably, the shapes of the heat exchange core, the cold side flow channel, the hot side flow channel, the cold side inlet pipe, the cold side outlet pipe, the hot side inlet pipe and the hot side outlet pipe are optionally selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, circular, elliptical and polygonal.

[0027] The present invention also provides a split-flow outlet structure of an additively manufactured chessboard microchannel heat exchange core using the additively manufactured chessboard microchannel heat exchange core described above.

[0028] The present invention provides an additively manufactured chessboard microchannel heat exchange core and a split-flow lead-out structure thereof.

[0029] It has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] 1. The present invention adopts additive manufacturing technology to construct a checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core. This design increases the local heat exchange temperature difference between the cold and hot fluids, thereby improving the overall heat transfer efficiency. Compared with the prior art printed circuit board type heat exchanger in which the cold and hot channels are alternating in layers and heat is mainly transferred along the thickness direction, the present invention effectively solves the problem of reduced effective heat exchange area due to the limitation of heat transfer direction.

[0031] 2. The present invention realizes an integrated split-flow outlet structure through additive manufacturing, which makes the overall structure of the heat exchanger more compact and improves the uniformity of internal fluid distribution. Compared with the prior art printed circuit board heat exchanger using an external large-size header or using internal long and deep channels for drainage, which may lead to uneven flow distribution, the present invention overcomes the defects of large device size or unsatisfactory fluid distribution.

[0032] 3. By leveraging the flexibility of additive manufacturing, the present invention constructs a checkerboard microchannel with a relatively regular structure and coordinates it with a clear split-flow lead-out design. This technical solution makes the structure of the heat exchange core clear, reduces the flow resistance of the fluid therein, and makes the design of the inlet and outlet lead-out structures more direct. Compared with the heat exchanger solution that also uses additive manufacturing but is based on a complex triply periodic minimal surface topology structure in the prior art, the present invention to a certain extent avoids problems such as high flow resistance, uneven channel sizes, and increased difficulty in integrating lead-out structures that may be brought about by a highly complex structure. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] Figure 1 is the overall structure of the additive manufacturing microchannel heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the additive manufacturing microchannel heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 is the internal flow channel diagram (A-A view) of the heat exchanger core part of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 is the flow channel diagram of the transition end surface (B-B view) of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 is the D-D sectional view of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 is the E-E sectional view of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7 is the F-F sectional view of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 8 is the G-G sectional view of the present invention.

[0041] Among them, 1. heat exchange core; 2. transition section; 21. transition starting surface; 22. transition ending surface; 3. lead-out section; 4. cold-side connection pipe; 41. cold-side inlet connection pipe; 42. cold-side outlet connection pipe; 43. cold-side flow channel; 431. first cold flow channel inlet lead-out section; 432. first cold flow channel inlet transition section; 433. first cold flow channel heat exchange section; 434. first cold flow channel outlet transition section; 435. first cold flow channel outlet lead-out section; 436. second cold flow channel heat exchange section; 437. second cold flow channel inlet lead-out section; 438. second cold flow channel inlet transition section; 439. second cold flow channel outlet transition section; 4310. second cold flow channel outlet lead-out section; 5. hot-side connection pipe; 51. hot-side inlet connection pipe; 52. hot-side outlet connection pipe; 53. hot-side flow channel; 531. first hot flow channel inlet lead-out section; 532. first hot flow channel inlet transition section; 533. first hot flow channel heat exchange section; 534. first hot flow channel outlet transition section; 535. first hot flow channel outlet lead-out section; 536. second hot flow channel inlet lead-out section; 537. second hot flow channel heat exchange section; 538; second hot flow channel outlet transition section; 539. second hot flow channel inlet transition section; 5310. second hot flow channel outlet lead-out section. Detailed implementation mode

[0042] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0043] Please refer to the attached Figure 1 - attached Figure 4 , the embodiment of the present invention provides an additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core, including:

[0044] A heat exchange core 1, in which a plurality of cold-side flow channels 43 and hot-side flow channels 53 arranged in a checkerboard staggered manner are provided;

[0045] A lead-out section 3, including the inlet and outlet structures of the cold-side fluid and the inlet and outlet structures of the hot-side fluid;

[0046] At least one transition section 2, which is connected to one or both ends of the heat exchange core 1. The transition section 2 has a transition starting surface 21 and a transition ending surface 22. The transition starting surface 21 is used to separate the heat exchange core 1 and the transition section 2, and the transition ending surface 22 is used to separate the transition section 2 and the lead-out section 3. The transition section 2 is used to deflect some of the flow channels to change the arrangement mode of the flow channels at the transition ending surface 22;

[0047] The cold-side connection pipe 4 includes a cold-side inlet connection pipe 41 and a cold-side outlet connection pipe 42, which are respectively connected to the cold-side fluid inlet and outlet structures of the lead-out section 3 in a communicating manner;

[0048] The hot-side connection pipe 5 includes a hot-side inlet connection pipe (the hot-side inlet connection pipe 51) and a hot-side outlet connection pipe 52, which are respectively connected to the hot-side fluid inlet and outlet structures of the lead-out section 3 in a communicating manner.

[0049] On one side of the heat exchange core 1, one type of flow channel is alternately deleted.

[0050] The outer shapes of the heat exchange core 1, the cold-side flow channel 43, the hot-side flow channel 53, the cold-side inlet connection pipe 41, the cold-side outlet connection pipe 42, the hot-side inlet connection pipe 51, and the hot-side outlet connection pipe 52 are optionally one of a square, a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon.

[0051] Specifically, the core components of the additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core include the heat exchange core 1, the transition section 2, and the lead-out section 3, as well as the complex internal cold-side flow channel 43 and hot-side flow channel 53, all of which are integrally formed by additive manufacturing. The cold-side connection pipe 4 and the hot-side connection pipe 5 can also be integrally formed with the main structure as part of the additive manufacturing process, or connected to the additively manufactured lead-out section 3 as standard parts by means of welding, threaded connection, etc.

[0052] A plurality of cold-side flow channels 43 and a plurality of hot-side flow channels 53 are arranged inside the heat exchange core 1. These cold-side flow channels 43 and hot-side flow channels 53 are arranged in a staggered manner in a checkerboard pattern. Specifically, in the four directions (or the periphery of its cross-section) of up, down, left, and right of each hot-side flow channel, cold-side flow channels are adjacent to each other, and vice versa. For reference, see the appendix Figure 3 , which shows that around each hot flow channel (H) there are cold flow channels (C), and around each cold flow channel (C) there are hot flow channels (H). This layout increases the contact area between the cold and hot fluids and the heat transfer direction.

[0053] The cross-sectional shapes of the cold-side flow channel 43 and the hot-side flow channel 53 can be selected according to design requirements, such as being square, rectangular, circular, elliptical, or other polygons. In a specific embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes of these flow channels are square.

[0054] On at least one side of the heat exchange core 1, one type of flow channel (such as the hot-side flow channel, as shown in the appendix Figure 3 ) will be deleted in an alternating manner. This means that on this side, the flow channels of this type at certain predetermined positions will not exist, forming rows or columns with missing channels.

[0055] The transition section 2 is connected to one end or both ends of the heat exchange core 1. Its transition starting surface 21 is the separating surface and connecting surface between the heat exchange core 1 and the transition section 2; the transition ending surface 22 is the separating surface and connecting surface between the transition section 2 and the lead-out section 3.

[0056] For the channel rows with missing channels on the side of the heat exchange core 1 due to the deletion of flow channels, the corresponding flow channels inside the transition section 2 will be deflected. The distance of this deflection is usually designed to be the spacing of one channel.

[0057] Through this deflection, the transition section 2 adjusts the cold and hot flow channels that were originally arranged alternately in a checkerboard pattern at the transition starting surface 21 (i.e., the outlet of the heat exchange core 1) (as shown in the attachment Figure 3 ), into a layout where they are arranged in rows horizontally (or vertically, depending on the design) at the transition end surface 22 (i.e., the inlet of the lead-out section 3) (as shown in the B-B view of the attachment Figure 4 ).

[0058] In addition, as shown in the D-D and E-E cross-sections, some of the cold and hot flow channels inside the transition section 2 (such as the first hot flow channel inlet transition section 537, the first cold flow channel inlet transition section 437, etc.) will be deflected in a specific direction, so that the corresponding parts in the lead-out section 3 connected downstream of them can be aligned in space with the flow channels led out from other planes, preparing for the subsequent unified confluence into the main pipeline.

[0059] The inside of the lead-out section 3 contains inlet and outlet structures designed for the cold-side fluid and the hot-side fluid respectively (depending on whether the fluid flows into or out of the heat exchanger from this end). Its main function is to finally separate, collect the cold and hot fluids that have flowed out of the transition section 2 and have been preliminarily rearranged, and direct them to their respective connection pipes.

[0060] The flow channels inside the lead-out section 3 are designed with a three-dimensional path to collect the fluids from multiple cold-side flow channels 43 (which may be located on different levels or have passed through different deflection paths) to the connection ports of the cold-side inlet connection pipe 41 or the cold-side outlet connection pipe 42; similarly, the fluids from multiple hot-side flow channels 53 are collected to the connection ports of the hot-side inlet connection pipe 51 or the hot-side outlet connection pipe 52. This collection process may involve further bending and merging of the flow channels inside the lead-out section. As described in the F-F and G-G cross-sections, the second cold flow channels between different levels are connected across layers through the deflection of specific lead-out sections and transition sections and finally flow into the cold-side outlet connection pipe.

[0061] The cross-sectional shape of the flow channels inside the lead-out section 3 can be designed according to the flow and structural requirements, and can be circular, square, rectangular, etc., and may gradually change during the confluence process.

[0062] The cold-side inlet connection pipe 41 is used to introduce the external cold-side fluid into the cold-side fluid inlet structure of the lead-out section 3. The cold-side outlet connection pipe 42 is connected to the cold-side fluid outlet structure of the lead-out section 3 and is used to export the heat-exchanged cold-side fluid.

[0063] The port shape of the pipe (such as circular, square flange, threaded port, etc.) is determined according to the connection method with the external pipeline. The channel cross section of the pipe itself can be circular, square, rectangular, elliptical or other polygonal. In one embodiment, its shape is square.

[0064] The hot side inlet pipe 51 is used to introduce the external hot side fluid into the hot side fluid inlet structure of the outlet section 3. The hot side outlet pipe 52 is connected to the hot side fluid outlet structure of the outlet section 3 to output the hot side fluid after heat exchange.

[0065] Similar to the cold side pipe 4, its port shape and channel cross section are determined according to actual needs, and can be circular, square, rectangular, elliptical or other polygonal. In one embodiment, its shape is square.

[0066] Please see attached Figure 5 The cold side fluid flows in from the cold side inlet pipe 41, passes through the lead-out section 3 and the transition section 2 in turn into the cold side flow channel 43 in the heat exchange core 1 for heat exchange, and after heat exchange, passes through the transition section 2 and the lead-out section 3 in turn and flows out from the cold side outlet pipe 42; the hot side fluid flows in from the hot side inlet pipe 51, passes through the lead-out section 3 and the transition section 2 in turn into the hot side flow channel 53 in the heat exchange core 1 for heat exchange, and after heat exchange, passes through the transition section 2 and the lead-out section 3 in turn and flows out from the hot side outlet pipe 52.

[0067] In the flow path arrangement of the heat exchanger:

[0068] There is a first set of runner extension planes, the cold fluid flows in from the first cold runner inlet lead-out section 431, passes through the first cold runner inlet transition section 432 and enters the first cold runner heat exchange section 433, and flows out through the first cold runner outlet transition section 434 and the first cold runner outlet lead-out section 435 after absorbing heat, the hot fluid flows in from the first hot runner inlet lead-out section 531, passes through the first hot runner inlet transition section 532 and enters the first hot runner heat exchange section 533, and flows out through the first hot runner outlet transition section 534 and the first hot runner outlet lead-out section 535 after absorbing heat, the cold and hot runners and their transition sections and lead-out sections arranged on this plane have no deflection in this plane, the fluid in the cold runner flows from left to right, and the fluid in the hot runner flows from right to left.

[0069] Specifically, in the overall flow channel arrangement of the heat exchanger, the first group of flow channel extension planes are as shown in the attached Figure 5 The core feature of this plane is that the internal cold and hot fluid channels and their related inlet and outlet parts are straight in this plane without any deflection perpendicular to the plane.

[0070] In the first group of flow channel extension planes, the cold fluid flows in from the first cold flow channel inlet lead-out section 431, and successively enters the first cold flow channel heat exchange section 433 through the first cold flow channel inlet transition section 432. In the first cold flow channel heat exchange section 433, the cold fluid absorbs the heat from the hot fluid in the adjacent first hot flow channel heat exchange section 533, and its own temperature rises. The heat-exchanged cold fluid then successively flows through the first cold flow channel outlet transition section 434 and the first cold flow channel outlet lead-out section 435, and leaves this plane.

[0071] Meanwhile, the hot fluid flows in from the first hot flow channel inlet lead-out section 531, and successively enters the first hot flow channel heat exchange section 533 through the first hot flow channel inlet transition section 532. In the first hot flow channel heat exchange section 533, the hot fluid transfers the heat it carries to the cold fluid in the adjacent first cold flow channel heat exchange section 433, and its own temperature drops. The heat-exchanged hot fluid then successively flows through the first hot flow channel outlet transition section 534 and the first hot flow channel outlet lead-out section 535, and leaves this plane.

[0072] According to the description, the fluid in the cold flow channel flows from left to right, while the fluid in the hot flow channel flows from right to left, forming an efficient countercurrent heat exchange method.

[0073] Please refer to the attached Figure 6 , in the flow channel arrangement of the heat exchanger:

[0074] There is a second group of flow channel extension planes. The first hot flow channel inlet transition section 532 is deflected, so that the first hot flow channel inlet lead-out section 531 and the first hot flow channel inlet lead-out section 531 in the first group of flow channel extension planes are in the same plane. The first hot flow channel outlet transition section 534 is deflected, so that the first hot flow channel outlet lead-out section 535 and the first hot flow channel outlet lead-out section 535 in the first group of flow channel extension planes are in the same plane. The first cold flow channel inlet transition section 432 is deflected, so that the first cold flow channel inlet lead-out section 431 and the first cold flow channel inlet lead-out section 431 in the first group of flow channel extension planes are in the same plane. The first cold flow channel outlet transition section 434 is deflected, so that the first cold flow channel outlet lead-out section 435 and the first cold flow channel outlet lead-out section 435 in the first group of flow channel extension planes are in the same plane, making the fluid in the cold flow channel flow from left to right and the fluid in the hot flow channel flow from right to left.

[0075] Specifically, in the complex flow channel network of the heat exchanger, in addition to the "first group of flow channel extension planes" where the flow channels have no deflection (as shown in the D-D section of the attached Figure 5 ), there is also a "second group of flow channel extension planes" designed, and its attached Figure 6The E-E cross-sectional view. The core feature of these "second group of runner extension planes" is that the first hot runner inlet transition section 532 and the first hot runner outlet transition section 534 inside them, as well as the corresponding first cold runner inlet transition section 432 and the first cold runner outlet transition section 434, are all designed to include specific deflections.

[0076] This "second group of runner extension planes" containing deflected runners is integrally formed by additive manufacturing technology. Specifically, the deflection of the first hot runner inlet transition section 532 enables the first hot runner inlet lead-out section 531 (within this plane) connected to it to be spatially aligned with the first hot runner inlet lead-out section 531 in the "first group of runner extension planes" (D-D cross-section). Similarly, the deflection of the first hot runner outlet transition section 534 aligns the first hot runner outlet lead-out section 535 (within this plane) connected to it with the first hot runner outlet lead-out section 535 in the "first group of runner extension planes". This principle also applies to the cold-side runners: the deflection of the first cold runner inlet transition section 432 ensures that the first cold runner inlet lead-out section 431 within this plane is aligned with the corresponding part in the "first group of runner extension planes", and the deflection of the first cold runner outlet transition section 434 aligns their respective first cold runner outlet lead-out sections 435. Att Figure 6 (in the E-E cross-section) of the transition sections and the lead-out sections connected to them and Att Figure 5 (in the D-D cross-section) of the alignment relationship of the corresponding lead-out sections clearly demonstrates this implementation.

[0077] In terms of the working principle, despite the deflections of these transition sections, the cold fluid still flows from left to right within the "second group of runner extension planes", and the hot fluid still flows from right to left. They conduct countercurrent heat exchange within their respective first cold runner heat exchange sections 433 and first hot runner heat exchange sections 533. Therefore, the main purpose of the deflection is not to change the flow direction in the core heat exchange area, but to adjust the spatial position of the entire runner unit, especially its lead-out section part, in the three-dimensional structure of the heat exchanger.

[0078] The core function of this design is to achieve the effective alignment of multi-layer runners, enabling the corresponding lead-out sections of the cold and hot runners at different levels (the levels represented by the D-D cross-section and the E-E cross-section) to converge to a common plane or a preset alignment position when entering and leaving the core heat exchange area. This greatly simplifies the design and manufacturing of the subsequent lead-out section 3 (i.e., the overall inlet and outlet manifold structure) because the aligned lead-out sections are easier to connect to the overall cold-side inlet nozzle 41, cold-side outlet nozzle 42, hot-side inlet nozzle 51, and hot-side outlet nozzle 52. Ultimately, this structural design can achieve the compactification of the heat exchanger structure on the premise of ensuring the uniformity of flow distribution, allowing more heat exchange units to be stacked in the direction perpendicular to these planes while maintaining the orderliness of the inlet and outlet fluid distribution and collection.

[0079] Please refer to the attached Figure 7 - Attachment Figure 8 , in the runner layout of the lead-out section 3:

[0080] There is a third group of runner extension planes, which, in addition to the first group of cold runners, also includes the second cold runner inlet lead-out section 437, the second cold runner inlet transition section 438, the second hot runner outlet transition section 538, the second hot runner heat exchange section 537, the second hot runner inlet transition section 539, the second cold runner outlet transition section 439, and the second cold runner outlet lead-out section 4310.

[0081] There is a fourth group of runner extension planes, which, in addition to the first group of hot runners, also includes the second hot runner inlet lead-out section 536, the second hot runner inlet transition section 539, the second cold runner outlet transition section 439, the second cold runner heat exchange section 436, the second cold runner inlet transition section 438, the second hot runner outlet transition section 538, and the second hot runner outlet lead-out section 5310.

[0082] In the third group of runner extension planes, the second cold runner inlet lead-out section 437 deflects from the second cold runner inlet transition section 438 and communicates with the second cold runner inlet transition section 438 in the fourth group of runner extension planes. The second cold runner outlet transition section 439 in the fourth group of runner extension planes deflects and communicates with the second cold runner outlet transition section 439 in the third group of runner extension planes, and is connected to the cold side outlet nozzle 42 of the heat exchanger through the second cold runner outlet lead-out section 4310.

[0083] Specifically, in the lead-out section 3 of the heat exchanger, the layout of the runners adopts a complex three-dimensional structure to achieve efficient fluid distribution and collection, which involves your "third group of runner extension planes" and "fourth group of runner extension planes". This precise runner network is integrally formed by additive manufacturing technology, making it possible to achieve cross-plane fluid communication that was previously difficult. Specifically, please refer to the attached Figure 7 (F-F sectional view) and the attached Figure 8 (G-G sectional view).

[0084] The "third group of runner extension planes" and "fourth group of runner extension planes" are specific cross-sections or regions inside the lead-out section 3. They not only contain the extended parts of some of the "first group of cold runners" or "first group of hot runners", but also particularly arrange the lead-out, transition, and partial heat exchange sections of the "second cold runner" and "second hot runner".

[0085] For the specific path of the "second cold runner": Its flow starts from the second cold runner inlet lead-out section 437 within the "third set of runner extension planes". The cold fluid then enters the second cold runner inlet transition section 438 within the same plane. This second cold runner inlet transition section 438 is designed to deflect within the "third set of runner extension planes", and this deflection causes the runner to cross the plane boundary and directly connect to the second cold runner inlet transition section 438 within the "fourth set of runner extension planes".

[0086] After entering the "fourth set of runner extension planes", the cold fluid continues to flow, passes through the second cold runner heat exchange section 436 within this plane, and finally reaches the second cold runner outlet transition section 439 within the "fourth set of runner extension planes". The second cold runner outlet transition section 439 here deflects again within the "fourth set of runner extension planes".

[0087] This second deflection causes the runner to cross the plane again and connect back to the second cold runner outlet transition section 439 within the "third set of runner extension planes". After the fluid returns to the "third set of runner extension planes", it passes through the second cold runner outlet lead-out section 4310 within this plane and finally converges and connects to the cold side outlet nozzle 42 of the heat exchanger.

[0088] This implementation method of making two key deflections through the second cold runner inlet transition section 438 and the second cold runner outlet transition section 439 between different runner extension planes (the third set and the fourth set) realizes the complex three-dimensional detour and final convergence of the "second cold runner". This design is crucial for effectively organizing multiple runners within a limited space and guiding them from different regions of the heat exchange core to a unified outlet.

[0089] Meanwhile, structures such as the second hot runner outlet transition section 538, the second hot runner heat exchange section 537, and the second hot runner inlet transition section 539 also exist within the "third set of runner extension planes"; and the "fourth set of runner extension planes" also includes the second hot runner inlet lead-out section 536, the second hot runner inlet transition section 539, the second hot runner outlet transition section 538, and the second hot runner outlet lead-out section 5310, etc. The existence of these hot runner structures indicates that these so-called "runner extension planes" are complex manifold area profiles, where the lead-out / introduction channels of cold and hot fluids are intertwined but remain separated within this area, each going to the corresponding main pipe or core area.

[0090] All in all, the core function of this deflection design through specific planes (the third set and the fourth set) and key transition sections within the lead-out section 3 is to achieve the cross-plane transportation and precise guidance of fluids (such as the "second cold runner"), so as to be able to complete the effective separation, convergence, and external connection of multiple fluids within a compact space.

[0091] The flow-dividing outlet structure of the additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core described below and the additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core described above can correspond to each other.

[0092] A split-flow outlet structure of an additively manufactured chessboard microchannel heat exchange core uses the additively manufactured chessboard microchannel heat exchange core.

[0093] The principles and technical effects of this embodiment are similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiment, and will not be described in detail here.

[0094] Working principle: The cold side fluid is injected from the cold side inlet pipe, and the hot side fluid is injected from the hot side inlet pipe. The two fluids pass through the inlet structure of the lead-out section and the transition section respectively and enter the heat exchange core.

[0095] Inside the heat exchange core, multiple cold-side flow channels and multiple hot-side flow channels are arranged in a checkerboard pattern, and the cold and hot fluids exchange heat here. In a first group of flow channel extension planes, the cold fluid flows in from the first cold flow channel inlet lead-out section, passes through the first cold flow channel inlet transition section into the first cold flow channel heat exchange section, and flows out through the first cold flow channel outlet transition section and the first cold flow channel outlet lead-out section after absorbing heat; the hot fluid flows in from the first hot flow channel inlet lead-out section, passes through the first hot flow channel inlet transition section into the first hot flow channel heat exchange section, and flows out through the first hot flow channel outlet transition section and the first hot flow channel outlet lead-out section after releasing heat. In this plane, the cold and hot flow channels and their transition sections and lead-out sections have no deflection, and the fluid in the cold flow channel flows in the opposite direction to the fluid in the hot flow channel.

[0096] At the same time, in another group, i.e., the second group of runner extension planes, the first hot runner inlet transition section and the first hot runner outlet transition section are deflected, so that the first hot runner inlet lead-out section and the first hot runner outlet lead-out section connected thereto are respectively located in the same plane as the corresponding lead-out sections in the first group of runner extension planes; similarly, the first cold runner inlet transition section and the first cold runner outlet transition section are also deflected, so that the first cold runner inlet lead-out section and the first cold runner outlet lead-out section connected thereto are respectively located in the same plane as the corresponding lead-out sections in the first group of runner extension planes. These deflections align the runner lead-out sections in different extension planes.

[0097] After leaving the heat exchange core, the fluid enters the transition section, which adjusts the flow channel to a specific arrangement on the transition end surface through internal flow channel deflection.

[0098] Subsequently, the fluid enters the extraction section. Within the extraction section, through a specific flow channel arrangement, such as the flow channel structures within the third set of flow channel extension planes and the fourth set of flow channel extension planes, further separation and collection of the cold and hot fluids are achieved. Specifically, for a partial flow path of the second cold flow channel, the second cold flow channel inlet extraction section located within the third set of flow channel extension planes is deflected through the second cold flow channel inlet transition section and connected to the second cold flow channel inlet transition section within the fourth set of flow channel extension planes; subsequently, the second cold flow channel outlet transition section within the fourth set of flow channel extension planes is deflected again and connected to the second cold flow channel outlet transition section within the third set of flow channel extension planes, and finally connected to the cold side outlet nozzle through the second cold flow channel outlet extraction section. This split-type extraction structure uniformly directs the cold side fluid from the heat exchange core to the cold side outlet nozzle, while the hot side fluid is directed to the hot side outlet nozzle.

[0099] Finally, the cold side fluid flows out from the cold side outlet nozzle, and the hot side fluid flows out from the hot side outlet nozzle. The entire structure is completed through an additive manufacturing process.

[0100] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. The checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core body for additive manufacturing, characterized in that, Comprising: A heat exchange core body (1), within which a plurality of cold-side flow channels (43) and hot-side flow channels (53) are arranged in a checkerboard staggered pattern; A lead-out section (3), including an inlet and outlet structure for the cold-side fluid and an inlet and outlet structure for the hot-side fluid; At least one transition section (2), which is connected to one or both ends of the heat exchange core body (1), the transition section (2) having a transition starting surface (21) and a transition ending surface (22), the transition starting surface (21) being used to separate the heat exchange core body (1) and the transition section (2), the transition ending surface (22) being used to separate the transition section (2) and the lead-out section (3), the transition section (2) being used to deflect some of the flow channels to change the arrangement of the flow channels at the transition ending surface (22); A cold-side connection pipe (4), which includes a cold-side inlet connection pipe (41) and a cold-side outlet connection pipe (42), and is respectively communicated with the cold-side fluid inlet and outlet structures of the lead-out section (3); A hot-side connection pipe (5), which includes a hot-side inlet connection pipe (51) and a hot-side outlet connection pipe (52), and is respectively communicated with the hot-side fluid inlet and outlet structures of the lead-out section (3).

2. The additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core according to claim 1, wherein On one side surface of the heat exchange core body (1), one type of flow channel is alternately deleted.

3. The additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cold-side fluid flows in from the cold-side inlet connection pipe (41), sequentially passes through the lead-out section (3) and the transition section (2) and enters the cold-side flow channels (43) in the heat exchange core body (1) for heat exchange, and after heat exchange, sequentially passes through the transition section (2) and the lead-out section (3) and flows out from the cold-side outlet connection pipe (42); the hot-side fluid flows in from the hot-side inlet connection pipe (51), sequentially passes through the lead-out section (3) and the transition section (2) and enters the hot-side flow channels (53) in the heat exchange core body (1) for heat exchange, and after heat exchange, sequentially passes through the transition section (2) and the lead-out section (3) and flows out from the hot-side outlet connection pipe (52).

4. The additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core according to claim 3, wherein In the flow channel arrangement of the heat exchanger: There is a first group of flow channel extension planes. The cold fluid flows in from the first cold flow channel inlet lead-out section (431), passes through the first cold flow channel inlet transition section (432) and enters the first cold flow channel heat exchange section (433), and after absorbing heat, respectively flows through the first cold flow channel outlet transition section (434) and the first cold flow channel outlet lead-out section (435) and flows out. The hot fluid flows in from the first hot flow channel inlet lead-out section (531), passes through the first hot flow channel inlet transition section (532) and enters the first hot flow channel heat exchange section (533), and after absorbing heat, respectively flows through the first hot flow channel outlet transition section (534) and the first hot flow channel outlet lead-out section (535) and flows out. In the plane where the cold and hot flow channels and their transition sections and lead-out sections are arranged, there is no deflection within the plane. The fluid in the cold flow channels flows from left to right, and the fluid in the hot flow channels flows from right to left.

5. The additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the flow channel arrangement of the heat exchanger: There is a second set of runner extension planes. The first hot runner inlet transition section (532) deflects, causing the first hot runner inlet leading section (531) to be in the same plane as the first hot runner inlet leading section (531) in the first set of runner extension planes. The first hot runner outlet transition section (534) deflects, causing the first hot runner outlet leading section (535) to be in the same plane as the first hot runner outlet leading section (535) in the first set of runner extension planes. The first cold runner inlet transition section (432) deflects, causing the first cold runner inlet leading section (431) to be in the same plane as the first cold runner inlet leading section (431) in the first set of runner extension planes. The first cold runner outlet transition section (434) deflects, causing the first cold runner outlet leading section (435) to be in the same plane as the first cold runner outlet leading section (435) in the first set of runner extension planes, such that the fluid in the cold runner flows from left to right and the fluid in the hot runner flows from right to left.

6. The additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the runner layout of the said leading section (3): There is a third set of runner extension planes, which, in addition to the first set of cold runners, also includes a second cold runner inlet leading section (437), a second cold runner inlet transition section (438), a second hot runner outlet transition section (538), a second hot runner heat exchange section (537), a second hot runner inlet transition section (539), a second cold runner outlet transition section (439), and a second cold runner outlet leading section (4310).

7. The additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core according to claim 6, wherein In the runner layout of the said leading section (3): There is a fourth set of runner extension planes, which, in addition to the first set of hot runners, also includes a second hot runner inlet leading section (536), a second hot runner inlet transition section (539), a second cold runner outlet transition section (439), a second cold runner heat exchange section (436), a second cold runner inlet transition section (438), a second hot runner outlet transition section (538), and a second hot runner outlet leading section (5310).

8. The additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core according to claim 7, characterized in that, In the third set of runner extension planes, the second cold runner inlet leading section (437) deflects from the second cold runner inlet transition section (438) and is connected to the second cold runner inlet transition section (438) in the fourth set of runner extension planes. The second cold runner outlet transition section (439) in the fourth set of runner extension planes deflects and is connected to the second cold runner outlet transition section (439) in the third set of runner extension planes, and is connected to the cold side outlet nozzle (42) of the heat exchanger through the second cold runner outlet leading section (4310).

9. The additive manufacturing checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core according to claim 1, wherein The outer shapes of the said heat exchange core (1), cold side runner (43), hot side runner (53), cold side inlet nozzle (41), cold side outlet nozzle (42), hot side inlet nozzle (51), and hot side outlet nozzle (52) can be any one of a square, a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon.

10. A split leading structure of an additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core uses the additively manufactured checkerboard microchannel heat exchange core according to any one of claims 1 - 9.

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