Shunting device of flat tube heat exchanger and air conditioner

Abstract

The invention provides a flow dividing device of a flat tube heat exchanger and an air conditioner, relates to the technical field of air conditioner heat exchange, and is designed for solving the problem that a refrigerant leakage risk exists when welding is insufficient in the mode that a partition plate is welded in a collecting pipe to adjust the pressure and the flow speed of the refrigerant in the prior art. The flow dividing device of the flat tube heat exchanger comprises a flow collecting pipe and a backflow pipe, a refrigerant inlet is formed in the lower end of the flow collecting pipe, a refrigerant outlet is formed in the upper end of the flow collecting pipe, a heat exchange pipe section is formed in the pipe section, between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, of the flow collecting pipe, and flat holes used for being connected with flat tubes in an inserted mode are formed in the heat exchange pipe section; the upper end of the backflow pipe communicates with the refrigerant outlet, and the lower end of the backflow pipe communicates with the heat exchange pipe section. A partition plate does not need to be welded in the collecting pipe, so that the risk of refrigerant leakage caused by insufficient welding is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioning heat exchange, and in particular to a flow diversion device of a flat tube heat exchanger and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] To reduce the negative environmental impact of refrigerants while maintaining cooling capacity, the industry has begun adopting flat tube heat exchangers. These consist of a series of flat tubes housed within a heat exchanger shell. Hot and cold fluids flow inside and outside the tubes, exchanging heat through the tube walls. This ensures a more uniform flow of fluid within the tubes, improving heat exchange efficiency.

[0003] Currently, the manifolds of flat tube heat exchangers are typically placed vertically. When used as evaporators, this type of flat tube heat exchanger can cause the refrigerant to remain at the bottom of the manifold due to gravity, preventing it from fully exchanging heat with the flow path above. Especially when the refrigerant flow is insufficient, the difference between the refrigerant flow below and above the manifold is more pronounced. To address this issue, existing technologies often weld a number of vertically and horizontally arranged baffles inside the manifold to divide the internal space of the manifold, and then provide injection holes in the vertical baffles to sequentially adjust the refrigerant pressure and flow rate distribution to prevent refrigerant flow deviation between the various flow paths.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned method of adjusting the refrigerant pressure and flow rate by welding partitions inside the collecting pipe has multiple welding locations on the collecting pipe. Not only does it pose a risk of refrigerant leakage when the welding is insufficient, but multiple welding also complicates the production process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The first object of the present invention is to provide a diversion device for a flat tube heat exchanger to solve the technical problem that the existing method of welding partitions inside the collecting tube to adjust the refrigerant pressure and flow rate has the risk of refrigerant leakage when the welding is insufficient.

[0006] The flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger provided by the present invention includes a collecting pipe and a return pipe, the lower end of the collecting pipe is provided with a refrigerant inlet, the upper end of the collecting pipe is provided with a refrigerant outlet, the pipe section of the collecting pipe between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet forms a heat exchange pipe section, and the heat exchange pipe section is provided with a flat hole for plugging in the flat tube; the upper end of the return pipe is connected to the refrigerant outlet, and the lower end of the return pipe is connected to the heat exchange pipe section.

[0007] When the flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger is in use, the refrigerant enters through the refrigerant inlet at the lower end of the manifold and flows upward to the heat exchange tube section under the flow inertia to exchange heat with the flat tubes plugged into the heat exchange tube section. When the refrigerant flows through the manifold to the refrigerant outlet, it enters the return pipe connected to the refrigerant outlet and returns to the heat exchange tube section through the return pipe to form a circulation flow path. In this process, the circulation flow path does not use a jet flow, but instead utilizes the inertial flow of the refrigerant, making the refrigerant flow pattern closer to a laminar state, less prone to turbulence, and more uniform and efficient heat transfer.

[0008] In the diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger, a fluid loop is formed by using a return pipe with both ends connected to the collecting pipe, so that no additional partition is needed to open up a flow path inside the collecting pipe. Not only is the structure simple, but also, since there is no need to weld partitions inside the collecting pipe, the tedious steps of welding quality inspection inside the collecting pipe can be omitted, and the related tests for refrigerant leakage detection inside the collecting pipe can also be omitted. On the basis of reducing costs and improving production efficiency, refrigerant leakage at the partition welding part inside the collecting pipe can also be avoided, so that the heat exchange efficiency and performance of the flat tube heat exchanger can be guaranteed.

[0009] Furthermore, the lower end of the return pipe is connected to the heat exchange pipe section via an inclined pipe, and along the flow direction of the refrigerant in the manifold, the inclined pipe extends obliquely toward the manifold. The arrangement of the inclined pipe ensures that the refrigerant's velocity is directed obliquely upward at the moment it enters the manifold from the inclined pipe. On the one hand, this can reduce the impact resistance caused to the refrigerant in the manifold, thereby ensuring the smooth flow of the refrigerant entering the manifold through the refrigerant inlet. On the other hand, after the refrigerant in the return pipe flows out through the inclined pipe, under the action of the refrigerant flow, according to Bernoulli's principle, a negative pressure is formed at the outlet of the inclined pipe, which produces an adsorption effect on the refrigerant entering through the refrigerant inlet, thereby enhancing the flow effect of this part of the refrigerant, thereby improving its flow smoothness.

[0010] Furthermore, the inclined tubes and at least a portion of the manifold are integrally formed. This arrangement reduces the number of components that make up the flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger, improving assembly efficiency. It also avoids the formation of welds at the intersection of the inclined tubes and the manifold, creating a sealed connection between the two at the intersection and preventing refrigerant leakage.

[0011] Furthermore, the return pipe includes a vertical pipe section and a first U-shaped pipe section connected to the lower end of the vertical pipe section. The vertical pipe section is arranged side by side with the header, and the free end of the first U-shaped pipe section is connected to the inclined pipe. By bending the lower end of the return pipe into a U-shape, the flow inertia of the refrigerant is increased as it flows downward from the vertical section of the return pipe through the first U-shaped pipe section, thereby promoting the circulation of the refrigerant in the diverter device of the flat tube heat exchanger.

[0012] Furthermore, the manifold includes a lower section having the refrigerant inlet and a middle section located above the lower section. The inner diameter of the lower section is smaller than that of the middle section. This arrangement increases the flow area as the refrigerant flows upward from the lower section to the middle section. This not only slows the refrigerant flow rate, thereby reducing resistance to the refrigerant flowing to the middle section, but also increases the refrigerant flow rate in the middle section, ensuring that the middle section, which is connected to a larger number of flat tubes, has sufficient refrigerant to ensure the performance of the flat tube heat exchanger.

[0013] Furthermore, the lower end of the return pipe is connected to the middle section, so that when the refrigerant flows back to the manifold through the return pipe, it directly enters the middle section opposite to the larger number of flat tubes, thereby increasing the refrigerant amount in the second flow path and optimizing the refrigerant distribution.

[0014] Furthermore, the manifold includes an upper section located above the middle section, and the inner diameter of the upper section is smaller than that of the middle section. This arrangement reduces the flow area of ​​the refrigerant as it flows from the middle section to the upper section, thereby increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant and compensating for insufficient refrigerant flow pressure caused by the height difference between the upper and middle sections.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper section, the middle section, and the lower section are integrally formed. This arrangement allows the upper, middle, and lower sections of the manifold to be manufactured together, which not only reduces the number of parts and improves assembly efficiency, but also prevents refrigerant leakage at the connection points between the upper and middle sections, and between the middle and lower sections.

[0016] Furthermore, a constricted portion is provided at the top of the upper section, forming the refrigerant outlet. The return pipe includes a second U-shaped pipe section at the upper end, the free end of which is securely connected to the constricted portion. This arrangement, on the one hand, eliminates the need for an upper cover and transition pipe, further reducing the number of welds. On the other hand, it also allows the refrigerant outlet to face upward, i.e., aligns the refrigerant outlet direction with the refrigerant flow direction in the manifold, thereby reducing resistance along the flow path. Furthermore, the provision of the second U-shaped pipe section can further increase the refrigerant's flow inertia.

[0017] Furthermore, the flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger also includes a transition connecting pipe, one end of which is fixedly connected to the upper section, and the other end of which is fixedly connected to the upper end of the return pipe. The provision of the transition connecting pipe enables a transition connection between the refrigerant outlet of the header and the return pipe, eliminating the need for a complex piping structure at the upper end of the return pipe and simplifying the return pipe manufacturing process.

[0018] The second object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner to solve the technical problem that the existing method of welding partitions inside the manifold to adjust the refrigerant pressure and flow rate has the risk of refrigerant leakage when the welding is insufficient.

[0019] The air conditioner provided by the present invention includes multiple flat tubes and a diverter device of the above-mentioned flat tube heat exchanger. The heat exchange tube section is provided with multiple flat holes arranged at intervals along the upper and lower directions. The multiple flat tubes are respectively plugged and fixed in the multiple flat holes in a one-to-one correspondence; the flat tubes are straight or serpentine.

[0020] By arranging the flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger in the air conditioner, the air conditioner accordingly has all the advantages of the flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger, which will not be described in detail here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying any creative work.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a flow diversion device for a flat tube heat exchanger provided in the prior art;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a flow diversion device of a first flat tube heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a second type of flow diversion device for a flat tube heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a flow diversion device of a third flat tube heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a flow diversion device of a fourth flat tube heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6A schematic structural diagram of a flow diversion device of a fifth flat tube heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Description of reference numerals:

[0029] 100'-header; 110'-heat exchange chamber; 120'-return chamber; 130'-header inlet; 200'-first vertical plate; 300'-second vertical plate; 310'-injection hole; 400'-horizontal plate; 010'-flat tube;

[0030] 100 - manifold; 200 - return pipe; 300 - refrigerant inlet pipe; 400 - inclined pipe; 500 - transition connecting pipe; 600 - upper cover; 700 - lower cover; 010 - flat tube; 021 - first flow path; 022 - second flow path; 023 - third flow path;

[0031] 110-refrigerant inlet; 120-refrigerant outlet; 130-flat hole; 141-upper section; 1411-constriction; 142-middle section; 143-lower section;

[0032] 210 - vertical pipe section; 220 - first U-shaped pipe section; 230 - second U-shaped pipe section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] At present, the manifold of a flat tube heat exchanger is usually placed vertically. When a flat tube heat exchanger with this structure is used as an evaporator, the refrigerant will be retained at the bottom of the manifold due to gravity and cannot fully exchange heat with the flow path above.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger provided by the prior art. Figure 1 As shown, a first vertical plate 200' is welded and fixed to the interior of the manifold 100'. The first vertical plate 200' divides the interior space of the manifold 100' into a heat exchange chamber 110' and a return chamber 120', which are arranged side by side on the left and right. Multiple second vertical plates 300' and multiple horizontal plates 400' are arranged in the heat exchange chamber 110'. The second vertical plates 300', which are used for the flow paths with a large number of flat tubes 010', also have injection holes 310' to increase the refrigerant flow in this area. Through this arrangement, after entering the manifold inlet 130', the refrigerant can smoothly flow upward in the heat exchange chamber 110' and return through the return chamber 120', preventing the refrigerant from drifting between the various flow paths.

[0035] However, since the above-mentioned partitions are fixed inside the manifold 100' by welding, and the welding conditions inside the manifold 100' are difficult to judge by visual inspection, the manifold 100' has multiple welding locations. Not only is there a risk of refrigerant leakage when the welding is insufficient, but multiple welding also complicates the production process.

[0036] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the following detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present invention is given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first type of diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger provided in this embodiment. Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a diversion device for a flat tube heat exchanger, including a collecting pipe 100 and a return pipe 200, wherein a refrigerant inlet 110 is provided at the lower end of the collecting pipe 100, and a refrigerant outlet 120 is provided at the upper end of the collecting pipe 100. The pipe section of the collecting pipe 100 between the refrigerant inlet 110 and the refrigerant outlet 120 forms a heat exchange pipe section, and the heat exchange pipe section is provided with a flat hole 130 for plugging in the flat tube 010; the upper end of the return pipe 200 is connected to the refrigerant outlet 120, and the lower end of the return pipe 200 is connected to the heat exchange pipe section.

[0038] When the flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger is in use, the refrigerant enters through the refrigerant inlet 110 opened at the lower end of the manifold 100 and flows upward to the heat exchange tube section under the flow inertia to exchange heat with the flat tube 010 plugged into the heat exchange tube section. When the refrigerant flows to the refrigerant outlet 120 in the manifold 100, it will enter the return pipe 200 connected to the refrigerant outlet 120 and return to the heat exchange tube section through the return pipe 200 to form a circulation flow path. In the above process, the circulation flow path does not use a jet flow, but instead utilizes the inertial flow of the refrigerant, making the flow of the refrigerant closer to a laminar state, less likely to generate turbulence, and more uniform and efficient heat transfer.

[0039] In the diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger, a fluid loop is formed by using a return pipe 200 connected to the collecting pipe 100 at both ends, so that no additional partition is required to open a flow path inside the collecting pipe 100. Not only is the structure simple, but also, since there is no need to weld a partition inside the collecting pipe 100, the tedious steps of welding quality inspection inside the collecting pipe 100 can be omitted, and the related tests for refrigerant leakage detection inside the collecting pipe 100 can also be omitted. On the basis of reducing costs and improving production efficiency, refrigerant leakage at the partition welding part inside the collecting pipe 100 can also be avoided, so that the heat exchange efficiency and performance of the flat tube heat exchanger can be guaranteed.

[0040] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 In this embodiment, a refrigerant inlet pipe 300 is fixedly provided at the lower end of the manifold 100 and is connected thereto. The refrigerant enters the manifold 100 through the refrigerant inlet pipe 300. That is, the outlet end of the refrigerant inlet pipe 300 forms a refrigerant inlet 110 located at the lower end of the manifold 100.

[0041] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 In this embodiment, the lower end of the return pipe 200 is connected to the heat exchange pipe section via an inclined pipe 400. The inclined pipe 400 extends obliquely toward the header 100 along the refrigerant flow direction. In other words, with the refrigerant flow direction in the header 100 as the positive direction, the angle between the inclined pipe 400 and the positive direction of the header 100 is an acute angle.

[0042] By allowing the refrigerant in the return pipe 200 to enter the collecting pipe 100 through the inclined pipe 400 to merge with the refrigerant in the collecting pipe 100, the setting of the inclined pipe 400 makes the speed direction of the refrigerant be inclined upward at the moment it enters the collecting pipe 100 from the inclined pipe 400. On the one hand, it can reduce the impact resistance caused to the refrigerant in the collecting pipe 100 to ensure the smooth flow of the refrigerant entering the collecting pipe 100 through the refrigerant inlet 110. On the other hand, after the refrigerant in the return pipe 200 flows out through the inclined pipe 400, under the action of the flow of the refrigerant, according to the Bernoulli principle, a negative pressure will be formed at the outlet of the inclined pipe 400, which will produce an adsorption effect on the refrigerant entering through the refrigerant inlet 110, so as to enhance the flow effect of this part of the refrigerant, thereby improving its flow smoothness.

[0043] In this embodiment, the inclined tube 400 and at least a portion of the header 100 are integrated into one structure, that is, the inclined tube 400 is integrated with the header 100 .

[0044] This arrangement can reduce the number of components constituting the diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger to improve assembly efficiency. Moreover, it can also avoid the formation of a weld at the intersection of the inclined tube 400 and the collecting tube 100, so that the inclined tube 400 and the collecting tube 100 form a closed connection at the intersection to prevent refrigerant leakage at this location.

[0045] Specifically, the inclined tube 400 can be integrally formed with the header 100 through a mold. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the inclined tube 400 is formed by stamping.

[0046] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 In this embodiment, the inclined tube 400 and the header 100 form a three-way structure at their intersection. One opening of the three-way structure is connected to the refrigerant inlet 110, one opening is connected to the refrigerant outlet 120, and one opening is connected to the return pipe 200.

[0047] Please continue to refer to Figure 2In this embodiment, the return pipe 200 includes a vertical pipe section 210 and a first U-shaped pipe section 220 connected to the lower end of the vertical pipe section 210, wherein the vertical pipe section 210 is arranged side by side with the collecting pipe 100, and the free end of the first U-shaped pipe section 220 is connected to the inclined pipe 400.

[0048] By bending the lower end of the return pipe 200 into a U shape, the flow inertia of the refrigerant can be increased when the refrigerant flows downward from the vertical section of the return pipe 200 through the first U-shaped pipe section 220, thereby promoting the circulation of the refrigerant in the diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger.

[0049] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 In this embodiment, the manifold 100 includes a lower section 143 having a refrigerant inlet 110 and a middle section 142 located above the lower section 143 , wherein the inner diameter of the lower section 143 is smaller than the inner diameter of the middle section 142 .

[0050] By setting the inner diameter of the middle section 142 of the collecting pipe 100 to be larger than the inner diameter of the lower section 143, the flow area is increased when the refrigerant flows upward from the lower section 143 to the middle section 142. On the one hand, the flow rate of the refrigerant can be slowed down to reduce the resistance of the refrigerant flowing to the middle section 142. On the other hand, the refrigerant flow rate of the middle section 142 can be increased, so that the middle section 142 connected to a large number of flat tubes 010 has sufficient refrigerant to ensure the performance of the flat tube heat exchanger.

[0051] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 The manifold 100 further includes an upper section 141 located above the middle section 142. Figure 2 In the solution shown, the inner diameters of the upper section 141 and the middle section 142 are the same, and the upper section 141 and the middle section 142 are an integral structure to simplify the manufacturing cost of the header 100; the inclined tube 400 and the lower section 143 of the header 100 are an integral structure.

[0052] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second type of diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger provided in this embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, in the flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger, the inner diameter of the upper section 141 can be set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the middle section 142.

[0053] By setting the inner diameter of the upper section 141 to be smaller than the inner diameter of the middle section 142, the flow area of ​​the refrigerant is reduced when the refrigerant flows from the middle section 142 to the upper section 141, thereby increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant to compensate for the insufficient refrigerant flow pressure caused by the height difference between the upper section 141 and the middle section 142.

[0054] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3In this embodiment, flat tubes 010 are inserted into the upper section 141, middle section 142 and lower section 143 of the manifold 100. The multiple flat tubes 010 inserted into the lower section 143 form a first flow path 021, the multiple flat tubes 010 inserted into the middle section 142 form a second flow path 022, and the multiple flat tubes 010 inserted into the upper section 141 form a third flow path 023. Among them, the second flow path 022 corresponds to a larger number of flat tubes 010. Figure 2 and Figure 3 By setting the inner diameter of the middle section 142 larger, the amount of refrigerant in the middle section 142 opposite to the second flow path 022 can be increased, thereby ensuring the performance of the flat tube heat exchanger.

[0055] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flow diversion device of the third flat tube heat exchanger provided in this embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, in the flow dividing device of the flat tube heat exchanger, the lower end of the return pipe 200 is connected to the middle section 142. In other words, the lower end of the return pipe 200 is connected to the middle section 142 opposite to the larger number of flat tubes 010.

[0056] With the above arrangement, when the refrigerant flows back to the collecting pipe 100 through the return pipe 200 , it directly enters the middle section 142 opposite to the larger number of flat tubes 010 , thereby increasing the amount of refrigerant in the second flow path 022 and optimizing the refrigerant distribution.

[0057] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flow diversion device of the fourth flat tube heat exchanger provided in this embodiment. Figure 5 As shown, in the flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger, the upper section 141, the middle section 142 and the lower section 143 are an integrally formed structure.

[0058] This arrangement allows the upper section 141, the middle section 142 and the lower section 143 of the collecting tube 100 to be manufactured together, which not only reduces the number of parts and improves assembly efficiency, but also avoids refrigerant leakage at the connection parts between the upper section 141 and the middle section 142 and the connection parts between the middle section 142 and the lower section 143.

[0059] for Figures 2 to 5 In the scheme shown, the diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger also includes an upper cover 600 and a lower cover 700, wherein the upper cover 600 is welded and fixed to the top of the upper section 141, and is used to close the collecting pipe 100 at the upper end of the collecting pipe 100; the lower end is welded and fixed to the bottom of the lower section 143, and is used to close the collecting pipe 100 at the lower end of the collecting pipe 100.

[0060] Also, please continue to refer to Figures 2 to 5The diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger also includes a transition connecting pipe 500, wherein one end of the transition connecting pipe 500 is connected and fixed to the upper section 141, and the other end of the transition connecting pipe 500 is connected and fixed to the upper end of the return pipe 200.

[0061] Specifically, the transition connecting pipe 500 is L-shaped, the horizontal section of the transition connecting pipe 500 is used to be connected and fixed with the upper section 141 , and the vertical section of the transition connecting pipe 500 is used to be connected and fixed with the upper end of the return pipe 200 .

[0062] The setting of the above-mentioned transition connecting pipe 500 can realize the connection transition between the refrigerant outlet 120 of the collecting pipe 100 and the return pipe 200, without the need to set a complex pipeline structure at the upper end of the return pipe 200, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the return pipe 200.

[0063] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the diversion device of the fifth flat tube heat exchanger provided in this embodiment. Figure 6 As shown, in the diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger, a necked portion 1411 is provided at the top of the upper section 141, and the necked portion 1411 forms the refrigerant outlet 120. The return pipe 200 includes a second U-shaped pipe section 230 located at the upper end, and the free end of the second U-shaped pipe section 230 is sleeved and fixed to the necked portion 1411.

[0064] for Figure 6 The diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger shown is such that after the refrigerant flows upward to the upper section 141, it will directly enter the second U-shaped pipe section 230 through the necking portion 1411, and continue to flow downward along the vertical section to the first U-shaped pipe section 220, and finally enter the collecting pipe 100 through the inclined tube 400.

[0065] Through this setting, on the one hand, it is possible to save Figures 2 to 5 The upper cover 600 and transition pipe 500 shown in FIG. 3 further reduce the number of welds. Furthermore, the refrigerant outlet 120 faces upward, aligning the direction of refrigerant flow in the manifold 100 to reduce flow resistance. Furthermore, the second U-shaped pipe section 230 further increases the refrigerant's flow inertia.

[0066] Please continue to refer to Figure 6 , the flat tube 010 is serpentine.

[0067] In this solution, the length of the free end of the second U-shaped tube segment 230 is used to compensate for the length of the upper section 141 of the header 100, lowering the refrigerant outlet 120 of the header 100 and bringing it closer to the top row of flat tubes 010. By configuring the flat tubes 010 in a serpentine shape, the effective length of the flat tubes 010 is increased, lowering the top row of flat tubes 010 and shortening the distance between the top row of flat tubes 010 and the return pipe 200.

[0068] In this embodiment, the cross-section of the manifold 100 is circular. It is understood that in other embodiments, the cross-section of the manifold 100 may also be elliptical or quadrilateral. Specifically, the cross-sectional shapes of the upper section 141, the middle section 142, and the lower section 143 may all be the same, partially the same, or different from each other.

[0069] Specifically, for Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the cross sections of the upper section 141 , the middle section 142 and the lower section 143 of the collecting pipe 100 are all circular, and the lower section 143 is fixed to the middle section 142 by welding; the inclined pipe 400 is formed by stamping.

[0070] for Figure 3 In the scheme shown, the cross sections of the upper section 141, the middle section 142 and the lower section 143 of the collecting pipe 100 are all circular, the upper section 141 and the middle section 142 are welded and fixed, and the middle section 142 and the lower section 143 are welded and fixed; the inclined tube 400 is stamped.

[0071] for Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sections of the upper section 141 , the middle section 142 and the lower section 143 of the collecting pipe 100 are all circular. The upper section 141 and the middle section 142 are welded and fixed, and the middle section 142 and the lower section 143 are welded and fixed; the inclined pipe 400 is welded and fixed to the middle section 142 .

[0072] for Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the solution shown, the manifold 100 is a special-shaped tube, and the cross-sections of the upper section 141 , the middle section 142 and the lower section 143 are all circular and form an integral structure; the inclined tube 400 is welded and fixed to the lower section 143 .

[0073] In addition, this embodiment also provides an air conditioner, including multiple flat tubes and a diversion device of the above-mentioned flat tube heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchange tube section of the collecting pipe 100 is provided with multiple flat holes 130 arranged at intervals along the up and down directions, and the multiple flat tubes 010 are respectively plugged and fixed in the multiple flat holes 130 in a one-to-one correspondence; the flat tubes 010 are straight or serpentine.

[0074] Specifically in this embodiment, for Figures 2 to 5In the embodiment shown, the flat tube 010 is in a straight line; Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the flat tube 010 is serpentine-shaped.

[0075] By arranging the flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger in the air conditioner, the air conditioner accordingly has all the advantages of the flow diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger, which will not be described in detail here.

[0076] Although the present invention is disclosed as above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope defined by the claims.

[0077] Finally, it should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "comprises" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device that includes a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprises a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that includes the element.

[0078] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of directions such as “upper”, “lower”, and “side” are all based on the drawings.

[0079] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is intended to enable one skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown herein but is intended to conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A flow diversion device for a flat tube heat exchanger, characterized in that: The heat exchange pipe comprises a collecting pipe (100) and a return pipe (200), wherein a refrigerant inlet (110) is provided at the lower end of the collecting pipe (100), and a refrigerant outlet (120) is provided at the upper end of the collecting pipe (100), and a pipe section between the refrigerant inlet (110) and the refrigerant outlet (120) of the collecting pipe (100) forms a heat exchange pipe section, and the heat exchange pipe section is provided with a flat hole (130) for plugging a flat tube (010); the upper end of the return pipe (200) is connected to the refrigerant outlet (120), and the lower end of the return pipe (200) is connected to the heat exchange pipe section.

2. The flow distribution device of the flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the return pipe (200) is connected to the heat exchange pipe section via an inclined pipe (400), and along the flow direction of the refrigerant in the header (100), the inclined pipe (400) extends obliquely toward the header (100).

3. The flow distribution device of the flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inclined tube (400) and at least a portion of the pipe section of the collecting tube (100) are an integrally formed structure.

4. The flow distribution device of the flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that: The return pipe (200) comprises a vertical pipe section (210) and a first U-shaped pipe section (220) connected to the lower end of the vertical pipe section (210); the vertical pipe section (210) and the collecting pipe (100) are arranged side by side; the free end of the first U-shaped pipe section (220) is connected to the inclined pipe (400).

5. The flow dividing device of the flat tube heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The collecting pipe (100) includes a lower section (143) provided with the refrigerant inlet (110) and a middle section (142) located above the lower section (143), and the inner diameter of the lower section (143) is smaller than the inner diameter of the middle section (142).

6. The flow dividing device of the flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lower end of the return pipe (200) is connected to the middle section (142).

7. The flow dividing device of the flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that: The collecting pipe (100) further comprises an upper section (141) located above the middle section (142), and the inner diameter of the upper section (141) is smaller than the inner diameter of the middle section (142).

8. The flow dividing device of the flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 7, characterized in that: The upper section (141), the middle section (142) and the lower section (143) are an integrally formed structure.

9. The flow distribution device of the flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 7, characterized in that: A necked portion (1411) is provided at the top of the upper section (141), and the necked portion (1411) forms the refrigerant outlet (120); the return pipe (200) includes a second U-shaped pipe section (230) located at the upper end, and the free end of the second U-shaped pipe section (230) is sleeved and fixed to the necked portion (1411); or, the diversion device of the flat tube heat exchanger also includes a transition connecting pipe (500), one end of the transition connecting pipe (500) is connected and fixed to the upper section (141), and the other end of the transition connecting pipe (500) is connected and fixed to the upper end of the return pipe (200).

10. An air conditioner, characterized in that: The invention comprises a plurality of flat tubes (010) and a flow diversion device of a flat tube heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the heat exchange tube section is provided with a plurality of flat holes (130) spaced apart in the vertical direction, and the plurality of flat tubes (010) are respectively plugged and fixed in the plurality of flat holes (130) in a one-to-one correspondence; the flat tubes (010) are in a straight line or a serpentine shape.

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