Refrigerant runner plate and manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of automobile refrigerant runner plate manufacturing, and particularly discloses a refrigerant runner plate and a manufacturing method, and the refrigerant runner plate comprises a connector assembly, a cover plate and a refrigerant plate. The refrigerant plate, the cover plate and the connector assembly are arranged to be of the integrated structure formed through brazing, compared with a forging or extruding forming technology in the prior art, the connecting mode formed through brazing is simple in structure, fast in production takt and good in product compactness, the production efficiency is improved, and the production cost is reduced. The problem that in the prior art, when a refrigerant runner plate is manufactured, the production takt is slow is solved. The refrigerant plate is provided with a plurality of refrigerant valve seats communicated with the refrigerant channel, the refrigerant channel and the connector assembly are used for being connected with a heat exchanger, an evaporator, a condenser and a gas-liquid separator in an automobile in series, and an electromagnetic switch valve or an electronic expansion valve or a check valve can be installed through the refrigerant valve seats. On-off and flow among the heat exchanger, the evaporator, the condenser and the gas-liquid separator can be controlled according to actual needs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automobile refrigerant flow channel plate manufacturing, and in particular to a refrigerant flow channel plate and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] As the integration of automotive thermal management systems becomes more and more complex, the structure of the refrigerant flow channel plate in the automotive thermal management system, which serves as the integrated installation of refrigerant-side parts and the carrier of the pipeline, is also becoming more and more complex.

[0003] At present, the manufacturing process of refrigerant flow channel plates is usually forging or extrusion die-casting. Among them, the forging production method has disadvantages such as high cost and slow production cycle; the extrusion die-casting production method requires die-casting pins, and the mold structure is complex. At the same time, there are disadvantages such as long molding time and poor product density; and the refrigerant flow channel plates in the existing technology cannot be connected by brazing, resulting in problems such as long molding time and slow production cycle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant flow channel plate and a manufacturing method thereof, so as to solve the problems of long molding time and slow production cycle of the refrigerant flow channel plate in the prior art.

[0005] On the one hand, the present invention provides a refrigerant flow plate, including a joint assembly, a cover plate and a refrigerant plate. The refrigerant plate, the cover plate and the joint assembly are an integral structure formed by brazing. A refrigerant channel is formed between the refrigerant plate and the cover plate. The refrigerant plate is provided with a plurality of refrigerant valve seats connected to the refrigerant channel. The refrigerant valve seats are used to install an electromagnetic switch valve or an electronic expansion valve or a check valve. The refrigerant channel and the joint assembly are used to connect in series the heat exchanger, evaporator, condenser and gas-liquid separator in the automobile.

[0006] As an optional technical solution for the refrigerant flow channel plate, the refrigerant plate is provided with a heat exchanger water inlet interface and a heat exchanger water outlet interface, the heat exchanger water inlet interface and the heat exchanger water outlet interface are both connected to the refrigerant channel, and the heat exchanger water inlet interface and the heat exchanger water outlet interface can be connected to the water outlet and water inlet of the heat exchanger respectively.

[0007] As an optional technical solution for the refrigerant flow channel plate, the refrigerant plate is provided with a gas-liquid separator water inlet interface, the gas-liquid separator water inlet interface is connected to the refrigerant channel, and the gas-liquid separator water inlet interface can be connected to the water outlet of the gas-liquid separator.

[0008] As an optional technical solution for the refrigerant flow channel plate, the joint assembly includes a first joint, which has an evaporator water inlet interface and an evaporator water outlet interface connected to the refrigerant channel, and the evaporator water inlet interface and the evaporator water outlet interface can be connected to the water outlet and water inlet of the evaporator respectively.

[0009] As an optional technical solution for the refrigerant flow channel plate, the joint assembly further includes a condenser water outlet interface whose first joint is connected to the refrigerant channel, and the condenser water outlet interface can be connected to the water inlet of the condenser.

[0010] As an optional technical solution for the refrigerant flow channel plate, the refrigerant plate is provided with a plurality of sensor mounting seats arranged on the refrigerant channels, and the sensor mounting seats are used to install temperature sensors or pressure sensors.

[0011] As an optional technical solution for the refrigerant flow channel plate, the refrigerant flow channel plate further includes a welding piece, and the joint assembly is brazed to the cover plate via the welding piece.

[0012] As an optional technical solution of the refrigerant flow channel plate, the refrigerant flow channel plate further includes a mounting bracket, which is mounted on the bottom of the refrigerant plate and can be connected to a vehicle frame.

[0013] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a refrigerant flow channel plate, which is applied to the refrigerant flow channel plate in any of the above solutions. The method for manufacturing the refrigerant flow channel plate comprises:

[0014] Cleaning the joint assembly, the cover plate, and the refrigerant plate;

[0015] riveting the cover plate and the refrigerant plate;

[0016] Press-fitting the riveted cover plate, the refrigerant plate, the joint assembly, and the welding piece of the refrigerant flow channel plate;

[0017] The cover plate, the refrigerant plate, the joint assembly and the welding piece that have been press-assembled are brazed to obtain the refrigerant flow channel plate.

[0018] As an optional technical solution for the refrigerant flow channel plate manufacturing method, the refrigerant flow channel plate manufacturing method further includes:

[0019] After obtaining the refrigerant flow channel plate, performing an appearance inspection on the refrigerant flow channel plate;

[0020] Perform helium inspection on the refrigerant flow channel plate.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0022] The present invention provides a refrigerant flow channel plate, comprising a joint assembly, a cover plate and a refrigerant plate. The refrigerant flow channel plate of the present invention is used to set the refrigerant plate, the cover plate and the joint assembly into an integrated structure formed by brazing. Compared with the forging or extrusion forming process in the prior art, the brazing integrated forming connection method has a simple structure, a fast production cycle and good product density, which improves production efficiency and effectively solves the problem of slow production cycle in the manufacture of refrigerant flow channel plates in the prior art. At the same time, a refrigerant channel is formed between the refrigerant plate and the cover plate, and a plurality of refrigerant valve seats connected to the refrigerant channel are provided on the refrigerant plate, and the refrigerant channel and the joint assembly are used to connect the heat exchanger, evaporator, condenser and gas-liquid separator in series in the automobile. The electromagnetic switch valve or electronic expansion valve or check valve can be installed through the refrigerant valve seat, and the on-off and flow rate between the heat exchanger, evaporator, condenser and gas-liquid separator can be controlled according to actual needs. At the same time, the refrigerant flow channel plate adopts an integrated design, which can reduce the occupied space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the refrigerant flow channel plate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 An exploded view of the refrigerant flow channel plate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 2 is a side view of the refrigerant flow channel plate in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a refrigerant channel plate in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In the picture:

[0028] 1. Refrigerant flow channel plate; 11. Connector assembly; 111. First connector; 1111. Evaporator water inlet; 1112. Evaporator water outlet; 112. Second connector; 1121. Condenser water outlet; 12. Cover plate; 13. Refrigerant plate; 131. Refrigerant channel; 132. Refrigerant valve seat; 133. Sensor mounting seat; 134. Heat exchanger water inlet; 135. Heat exchanger water outlet; 136. Gas-liquid separator water inlet; 137. External heat exchanger water inlet; 138. External heat exchanger water outlet; 14. Welding piece; 15. Mounting bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Among them, the terms "first position" and "second position" are two different positions, and the first feature being "above", "above" and "above" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "below" and "below" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0031] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a refrigerant flow channel plate, including a joint assembly 11, a cover plate 12, and a refrigerant plate 13. The refrigerant plate 13, the cover plate 12, and the joint assembly 11 are brazed into an integral structure. A refrigerant channel 131 is formed between the refrigerant plate 13 and the cover plate 12. The refrigerant plate 13 is provided with a plurality of refrigerant valve seats 132 connected to the refrigerant channel 131. The refrigerant valve seats 132 are used to install electromagnetic switching valves, electronic expansion valves, or check valves. The refrigerant channel 131 and the joint assembly 11 are used to connect the heat exchanger, evaporator, condenser, and gas-liquid separator in series in the vehicle.

[0034] The refrigerant flow channel plate of the present invention is used to set the refrigerant plate 13, the cover plate 12 and the joint assembly 11 into an integrated structure formed by brazing. Compared with the forging or extrusion forming process used in the prior art, the brazing integrated forming connection method has a simple structure, a fast production cycle and good product density, which improves production efficiency and effectively solves the problem of slow production cycle in the manufacture of refrigerant flow channel plates in the prior art. At the same time, a refrigerant channel 131 is formed between the refrigerant plate 13 and the cover plate 12. The refrigerant plate 13 is provided with a plurality of refrigerant valve seats 132 connected to the refrigerant channel 131. The refrigerant channel 131 and the joint assembly 11 are used to connect the heat exchanger, evaporator, condenser and gas-liquid separator in series. The refrigerant valve seat 132 can be installed with an electromagnetic switch valve or an electronic expansion valve or a check valve, so that the on-off and flow rate between the heat exchanger, evaporator, condenser and gas-liquid separator can be controlled according to actual needs. At the same time, the integrated design of the refrigerant flow channel plate can reduce the occupied space.

[0035] Specifically, the refrigerant plate 13 is provided with a heat exchanger water inlet interface 134 and a heat exchanger water outlet interface 135. Both the heat exchanger water inlet interface 134 and the heat exchanger water outlet interface 135 are in communication with the refrigerant channel 131, and the heat exchanger water inlet interface 134 and the heat exchanger water outlet interface 135 can be respectively in communication with the water outlet and water inlet of the heat exchanger, thereby achieving communication between the heat exchanger and the refrigerant channel 131.

[0036] In some embodiments, a gas-liquid separator water inlet port 136 is provided on the refrigerant plate 13. The gas-liquid separator water inlet port 136 is connected to the refrigerant channel 131. At the same time, the gas-liquid separator water inlet port 136 can be connected to the water outlet of the gas-liquid separator. In this way, the gas-liquid separator and the refrigerant channel 131 can be connected.

[0037] Furthermore, the joint assembly includes a first joint 111, wherein the first joint 111 has an evaporator water inlet interface 1111 and an evaporator water outlet interface 1112 connected to the refrigerant channel 131, and the evaporator water inlet interface 1111 and the evaporator water outlet interface 1112 can be connected to the water outlet and water inlet of the evaporator respectively, so as to achieve the purpose of connecting the evaporator and the refrigerant channel 131.

[0038] Similarly, the connector assembly also includes a second connector 112. The second connector 112 has a condenser water outlet interface 1121 that communicates with the refrigerant channel 131. At the same time, the condenser water outlet interface 1121 can be connected to the water inlet of the condenser. In this way, the connection between the condenser and the refrigerant channel 131 can be achieved.

[0039] Specifically, the refrigerant plate 13 is provided with a plurality of sensor mounting blocks 133 disposed on the refrigerant passage 131. The sensor mounting blocks 133 are used to mount temperature sensors or pressure sensors. These sensors can be mounted on the sensor mounting blocks 133 to monitor the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant passage 131 in real time.

[0040] In this embodiment, the refrigerant flow channel plate 1 further includes a welding piece 14, and the joint assembly 11 is brazed to the cover plate 12 via the welding piece 14. The welding piece 14 facilitates brazing of the joint assembly 11 and the cover plate 12.

[0041] Optionally, the shape of the welding piece 14 matches the shape of the joint assembly 11 , which can improve the connection strength between the joint assembly 11 and the cover plate 12 .

[0042] Specifically, the refrigerant flow channel plate further includes a mounting bracket 15 , which is mounted on the bottom of the refrigerant plate 13 , so that it is convenient to connect the refrigerant plate 13 to the vehicle frame through the mounting bracket 15 .

[0043] Optionally, the refrigerant plate 13 is further provided with an external heat exchanger water inlet interface 137 and an external heat exchanger water outlet interface 138 , so that the external heat exchanger and the refrigerant channel 131 can be connected.

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment also provides a method for manufacturing a refrigerant flow channel plate, which is applied to the refrigerant flow channel plate in the above scheme. The method for manufacturing the refrigerant flow channel plate includes: first cleaning the joint assembly 11, the cover plate 12 and the refrigerant plate 13; then riveting the cover plate 12 and the refrigerant plate 13; then press-fitting the riveted cover plate 12 and the refrigerant plate 13 with the joint assembly 11 and the welding piece 14 of the refrigerant flow channel plate; finally, brazing the press-fitted cover plate 12, the refrigerant plate 13, the joint assembly 11 and the welding piece 14 to obtain the refrigerant flow channel plate. The above manufacturing method can effectively improve the manufacturing efficiency of the refrigerant flow channel plate and solve the problem of slow production cycle in the manufacture of the refrigerant flow channel plate in the prior art.

[0045] During the cleaning process, the joint assembly 11, the cover plate 12 and the refrigerant plate 13 are put into the cleaning machine, wherein the cleaning machine has an ultrasonic rinsing tank (50-60°C), a drying chamber (60-90°C), vacuum drying, an ultrasonic current (5-5.5A) frequency 28KHZ, a cleaning liquid pH value 10-12, and a cleaning time of 6 minutes.

[0046] Brazing the press-assembled cover plate 12, refrigerant plate 13, joint assembly 11 and welding piece 14 includes: placing the above parts on the brazing furnace mesh belt, first entering the heating and degreasing zone temperature: 180C°±5C°, then entering the baking zone: 290C°±5℃, then entering the welding zone: 600℃±10℃, the belt speed is 500mm / min, and finally entering the cooling zone and taking out of the furnace.

[0047] Furthermore, the refrigerant flow plate manufacturing method also includes: after obtaining the refrigerant flow plate, performing a visual inspection of the refrigerant flow plate; and then performing a helium test on the refrigerant flow plate to ensure the refrigerant flow plate's sealing. Helium testing is a highly sensitive gas leak detection method based on helium mass spectrometry. Its core principle is to use helium as a tracer gas and accurately locate leak points through mass spectrometry analysis. It is mainly used in industrial fields with strict sealing requirements.

[0048] In addition, another embodiment of the present invention provides a production process for a refrigerant plate 13, which comprises first placing the raw material into a smelting furnace for smelting to obtain a molten liquid, wherein the temperature of the smelting furnace is set at 790°C-810°C to ensure that the raw material can be completely melted; then the mold is closed, and the clamping force during the mold closing is greater than or equal to 8000KN to prevent the mold from separating under the impact of the molten liquid and ensure the molding accuracy of the product; then the molten liquid is transferred to the mold cavity of the mold, and the mold cavity is vacuumed; then The molten liquid in the mold cavity is subjected to high-pressure die-casting to obtain a refrigerant plate sample, wherein the die-casting pressure is set at 39-41Mpa, the die-casting temperature is set at 720℃-740℃, and the temperature of the mold is set at 2100℃-230℃, which can effectively ensure the effect of high-pressure die-casting; the refrigerant plate sample is then heat-treated to enable the refrigerant plate sample to reach the preset performance parameters; the heat-treated refrigerant plate sample can then be machined according to the requirements of the drawing to obtain the required refrigerant plate sample; finally, the machined refrigerant plate sample is cleaned. Compared with the forging or extrusion molding process used in the prior art, the mold used in the above-mentioned production process has a simple structure, a fast production cycle, and good product density, which can prepare for the subsequent brazing of the refrigerant plate 13, effectively solving the problem of slow production cycle in the production process of the refrigerant plate 13 in the prior art.

[0049] In some embodiments, the temperature of the molten liquid is set between 730°C and 750°C during the transfer process to the mold cavity. This ensures that the molten liquid is within the appropriate temperature range and that the finished refrigerant plate sample meets the preset performance. Preferably, the temperature of the molten liquid is set at 740°C during the transfer process to the mold cavity to ensure the performance of the refrigerant plate sample.

[0050] Furthermore, the vacuum degree in the mold cavity is less than or equal to 30 mbar. This arrangement can ensure that the vacuum degree in the mold cavity is within a suitable range during high-pressure die casting.

[0051] Specifically, when high-pressure die-casting is performed on the molten liquid in the mold cavity, the injection speed is 3m / s-4m / s. This ensures the mechanical properties of the refrigerant plate sample during high-pressure die-casting.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the refrigerant plate sample is heat-treated, the heat treatment temperature is 510°C-610°C, and the heat treatment time is 55 minutes-65 minutes. Setting the heat treatment temperature and heat treatment time within the above ranges can ensure the heat treatment effect of the refrigerant plate sample.

[0053] Furthermore, the performance parameters of the refrigerant plate sample include tensile strength, yield strength, elongation and hardness. In order to ensure the performance of the refrigerant plate sample, the following performance parameters must be guaranteed: the tensile strength of the refrigerant plate sample ≥130Mpa, the yield strength of the refrigerant plate sample ≥53Mpa, the elongation of the refrigerant plate sample ≥5%, and the hardness of the refrigerant plate sample ≥40HB, so as to meet the preset performance parameters.

[0054] In some embodiments, the refrigerant plate sample is cleaned and dried using ultrasound; the pH value of the cleaning solution is 7-8, the temperature of the cleaning solution is 45°C-55°C, and the drying temperature is 55°C-65°C. This configuration can ensure that the refrigerant plate sample is not damaged while still being able to clean the refrigerant plate sample.

[0055] Optionally, during the cleaning process, the vacuum degree is maintained between -90 kPa and -100 kPa.

[0056] Specifically, after the mold is closed, the mold cavity is degassed for 297s-303s, so as to avoid the influence of gas on the molten liquid in the mold cavity during high-pressure die casting.

[0057] The molten metal in the mold cavity is then high-pressure die-casted to produce a refrigerant plate sample. The sample is then inspected for defects and cleaned. The plate sample must be free of die-casting defects and must also be cleaned of gates, slag lumps, and excess material.

[0058] Specifically, after the machined refrigerant plate sample is cleaned, the flow channel in the refrigerant plate sample is tested for air tightness, thereby achieving the purpose of detecting whether the flow channel in the refrigerant plate sample is leaking, and further ensuring the integrity of the refrigerant plate sample.

[0059] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerant channel plate, characterized in that: The invention comprises a joint assembly (11), a cover plate (12) and a refrigerant plate (13); the refrigerant plate (13), the cover plate (12) and the joint assembly (11) are an integral structure formed by brazing; a refrigerant channel (131) is formed between the refrigerant plate (13) and the cover plate (12); the refrigerant plate (13) is provided with a plurality of refrigerant valve seats (132) connected to the refrigerant channel (131); the refrigerant valve seats (132) are used to install an electromagnetic switch valve or an electronic expansion valve or a check valve; the refrigerant channel (131) and the joint assembly (11) are used to connect in series a heat exchanger, an evaporator, a condenser and a gas-liquid separator in a car.

2. The refrigerant channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerant plate (13) is provided with a heat exchanger water inlet interface (134) and a heat exchanger water outlet interface (135), and the heat exchanger water inlet interface (134) and the heat exchanger water outlet interface (135) are both connected to the refrigerant channel (131), and the heat exchanger water inlet interface (134) and the heat exchanger water outlet interface (135) can be connected to the water outlet and water inlet of the heat exchanger respectively.

3. The refrigerant channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerant plate (13) is provided with a gas-liquid separator water inlet interface (136), the gas-liquid separator water inlet interface (136) is connected to the refrigerant channel (131), and the gas-liquid separator water inlet interface (136) can be connected to the water outlet of the gas-liquid separator.

4. The refrigerant channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The joint assembly includes a first joint (111), the first joint (111) having an evaporator water inlet interface (1111) and an evaporator water outlet interface (1112) connected to the refrigerant channel (131), and the evaporator water inlet interface (1111) and the evaporator water outlet interface (1112) can be connected to the water outlet and water inlet of the evaporator respectively.

5. The refrigerant channel plate according to claim 4, characterized in that: The joint assembly further includes a second joint (112), the second joint (112) having a condenser water outlet interface (1121) connected to the refrigerant channel (131), and the condenser water outlet interface (1121) can be connected to the water inlet of the condenser.

6. The refrigerant channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerant plate (13) is provided with a plurality of sensor mounting seats (133) arranged on the refrigerant channel (131), and the sensor mounting seats (133) are used to mount temperature sensors or pressure sensors.

7. The refrigerant channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerant flow channel plate (1) further includes a welding sheet (14), and the joint assembly (11) is brazed to the cover plate (12) via the welding sheet (14).

8. The refrigerant channel plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The refrigerant flow channel plate further comprises a mounting bracket (15), wherein the mounting bracket (15) is mounted on the bottom of the refrigerant plate (13), and the mounting bracket (15) can be connected to a vehicle frame.

9. A method for manufacturing a refrigerant channel plate, characterized in that: The refrigerant flow channel plate according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the manufacturing method of the refrigerant flow channel plate comprises: Cleaning the joint assembly (11), the cover plate (12) and the refrigerant plate (13); Riveting the cover plate (12) and the refrigerant plate (13); Press-fitting the riveted cover plate (12) and the refrigerant plate (13) with the joint assembly (11) and the welding piece (14) of the refrigerant flow channel plate; The cover plate (12), the refrigerant plate (13), the joint assembly (11) and the welding piece (14) that have been pressed together are brazed to obtain the refrigerant flow channel plate.

10. The method for manufacturing a refrigerant channel plate according to claim 9, wherein: The refrigerant channel plate manufacturing method further includes: After obtaining the refrigerant flow channel plate, performing an appearance inspection on the refrigerant flow channel plate; Perform helium inspection on the refrigerant flow channel plate.

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