Parking air conditioner indoor heat exchange unit with branch pipe
By optimizing the refrigerant flow path design and the three-row tube layout of the parking air conditioner evaporator, the problems of uneven heat exchange and thermal resistance of the refrigerant oil film in the parking air conditioner were solved, thereby improving the cooling performance and system stability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511633952.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-12
AI Technical Summary
The evaporator of the parking air conditioner has problems such as wake interference, insufficient air intake at the bottom, and uneven temperature, resulting in low heat exchange efficiency and the thermal resistance of the refrigerant oil film affecting the cooling effect.
The refrigerant flow path is designed in parallel, including a first intake branch pipe and a second intake branch pipe connected in parallel. The diameter of the branch pipe is designed in a certain proportion and combined with the three-row pipe hole layout to ensure uniform flow and sufficient heat exchange of the refrigerant in the evaporator and avoid excessive thickness of the refrigeration oil film.
It improves the cooling response speed and intensity of the parking air conditioner, reduces energy consumption, minimizes the negative impact of refrigeration oil, and ensures heat exchange efficiency and system stability.
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Figure CN121105708A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The application relates to the technical field of parking air conditioner heat exchange, in particular to an evaporator primary branch pipe and secondary branch pipe structure optimization for a parking air conditioner in a refrigeration mode. BACKGROUND
[0002] The parking air conditioner is an air conditioner that can work by relying on a storage battery when a vehicle is parked and rested, and is mainly used for large vehicles such as trucks, motor homes and passenger cars. The parking air conditioner does not need to rely on the power provided by the engine of the vehicle, and can be directly connected to the vehicle storage battery, and can work normally even if the engine is turned off.
[0003] The application patent application 2025114222231 for the indoor heat exchange unit of the parking air conditioner proposed by the applicant in the prior art discloses a coil assembly which has a parallel branch A upper inlet lower outlet and a parallel branch B lower inlet upper outlet cross arrangement and a windward side blank area design, and aims to solve the problems of wake interference, insufficient lower inlet air and uneven temperature caused by full coil of the traditional evaporator. The technical scheme of the present application is further improved on the basis of the above-mentioned technical scheme, so as to achieve higher heat exchange efficiency. SUMMARY
[0004] In view of the above problems, an indoor heat exchange unit of a parking air conditioner has a branch pipe, which can be used as an evaporator in a refrigeration mode, comprising: a body, the body comprising fins and a coil assembly inserted in the fins; a coil assembly, at least comprising a first inlet branch pipe and a second inlet branch pipe of a refrigerant flow path in parallel, the first inlet branch pipe at least comprising a third branch pipe and a fourth branch pipe in parallel; the second inlet branch pipe at least comprising a first branch pipe and a second branch pipe in parallel; the first, second, third and fourth branch pipes are all collected at the outlet pipe, wherein the first, second, third and fourth branch pipes are close to the windward side of the body, and the first inlet branch pipe and the second inlet branch pipe are located on the downstream side of the airflow passing through the body.
[0005] Preferably, the pipe diameter area of the third branch pipe and the fourth branch pipe is larger than the pipe diameter area of the first inlet branch pipe; and the pipe diameter area of the first branch pipe and the second branch pipe is larger than the pipe diameter area of the second inlet branch pipe.
[0006] The volume expansion promotes the refrigerant speed, and the pipe diameter area of the secondary branch pipe is larger than that of the corresponding primary branch pipe, so that after the refrigerant flows from the primary branch to the secondary branch, the flow space is significantly expanded and the distribution is more uniform, and the refrigerant flow rate is promoted. The high-speed flowing superheated gaseous refrigerant can produce stronger fluid shear force to flush the frozen oil film attached to the inner wall of the coil, reduce the thickness of the oil film, reduce the negative influence of the oil film thermal resistance on the heat exchange efficiency, and avoid the heat exchange failure caused by the local deposition of the frozen oil.
[0007] Preferably, the sum of the pipe diameters of the third and fourth branch pipes is greater than the sum of the pipe diameters of the first intake branch pipe; and the sum of the pipe diameters of the first and second branch pipes is greater than the sum of the pipe diameters of the second intake branch pipe.
[0008] Volume expansion promotes refrigerant acceleration, while reducing oil film thickness. The diameter and area of the secondary branch pipe are larger than those of the corresponding primary branch pipe, resulting in a significantly expanded and more uniform flow space for the refrigerant after it enters the secondary branch from the primary branch, thus increasing the refrigerant velocity. The high-speed flow of superheated gaseous refrigerant generates stronger fluid shear force, which washes away the refrigerant oil film adhering to the inner wall of the coil, reducing the oil film thickness and mitigating the negative impact of oil film thermal resistance on heat exchange efficiency. Simultaneously, it avoids heat exchange failure caused by localized refrigerant oil deposition.
[0009] Preferably, the main body is arranged vertically and has an upper region and a lower region; the first intake branch pipe guides the refrigerant through the upper region of the main body and then connects to the third branch pipe and the fourth branch pipe in parallel in the lower region of the main body; the second intake branch pipe guides the refrigerant through the lower region of the main body and then connects to the first branch pipe and the second branch pipe in parallel in the upper region of the main body.
[0010] After the first intake branch pipe covers the upper area of the main body, it branches into the third and fourth branch pipes in the lower area; after the second intake branch pipe covers the lower area of the main body, it branches into the first and second branch pipes in the upper area. This cross-branch layout allows the primary and secondary branch pipes to work together to cover the entire upper and lower areas of the main body, completely solving the problem of "dense flow channels in some areas and no flow channels in others" in traditional coils. This ensures that the air in the vehicle and the refrigerant flowing through the fins are in full contact, improving the overall cooling comfort.
[0011] Preferably, the main body is provided with a first column of tube holes, a second column of tube holes, and a third column of tube holes in the direction of the reverse airflow. The first and second air intake branches are located in the first column of tube holes and are divided into first, second, third, and fourth branches at the second column of tube holes. The first, second, third, and fourth branches converge at the air outlet after passing through the third column of tube holes.
[0012] This technical solution, through its core design of "orderly arrangement of three rows of tubes + precise matching of branch pipes for distribution and convergence," offers multiple advantages in heat exchange process optimization, airflow and refrigerant synergy, system stability, and production and maintenance. The primary branch pipes within the first row of tubes, namely the first and second inlet branch pipes, provide the initial heat exchange channel for the refrigerant's transformation from a gas-liquid mixture to a gaseous state, completing the basic phase change. The second row of tubes acts as a diversion node, allowing the refrigerant to smoothly enter the secondary branch pipes. The secondary branch pipes within the third row of tubes provide sufficient heat exchange for the refrigerant to further transform into a superheated gaseous state. The thermal space forms a stepped heat absorption path of phase change and superheating, ensuring that the refrigerant can fully contact the air at each heat exchange stage, increasing the total heat exchange per unit time, and enhancing the cooling response speed and cooling intensity of the parking air conditioner. The air flowing through the fins can form a counter-current heat exchange effect with the coil assembly. The air flow direction is opposite to the refrigerant heat exchange process, widening the temperature difference between the air and the refrigerant, increasing the heat transfer driving force, and avoiding the problem of temperature difference shrinkage and heat exchange efficiency reduction in the later stages of traditional co-current heat exchange, making heat exchange more thorough and reducing energy waste. At the same time, the fixed tube hole row serves as the installation positioning reference for the branch pipes, ensuring that the secondary branch pipes are evenly distributed in the third tube hole row without dead zones, effectively preventing refrigerant stagnation and congestion in local areas, and preventing the deposition of refrigeration oil due to uneven flow velocity. The high-speed flowing superheated gaseous refrigerant can more efficiently carry oil droplets back to the compressor, reducing oil residue in the coils and reducing the negative impact of oil film thermal resistance on heat exchange.
[0013] The arrangement of the coils optimizes the wind resistance distribution and reduces the energy consumption of the fan. The regular three-row tube hole layout makes the pipes on the fins more evenly blocked, and the wind resistance distribution when the airflow passes through the gap between the fins and the coil tends to be stable, avoiding the increase in fan load caused by excessive local wind resistance.
[0014] Preferably, the coiling dimension A of the first and second intake manifolds in the longitudinal height direction of the body is greater than the coiling dimension B of the first, second, third, and fourth manifolds.
[0015] This technical solution precisely matches the needs of staged heat exchange of refrigerant through the differentiated coiling dimensions of the primary and secondary branch pipes along the longitudinal height of the pipe body. This results in significant advantages in heat exchange efficiency, flow stability, space utilization, and system safety. When airflow passes through the indoor heat exchange unit, it first passes through the secondary branch pipe and then the primary branch pipe. The smaller windward area of the secondary branch pipe does not obstruct the windward area of the larger primary branch pipe, reducing wake interference. Furthermore, it ensures sufficient phase change in the primary heat exchange, achieving a foundation for efficient heat absorption. The primary branch pipe undertakes the core task of converting the refrigerant from a gas-liquid mixture to a gaseous state. Its larger longitudinal coiling dimension A means a more ample heat exchange area and a longer heat exchange path. This provides sufficient heat absorption time and space for the gas-liquid mixture refrigerant, ensuring that the refrigerant completes most of the phase change before entering the secondary branch pipe. This avoids uneven secondary heat exchange load due to insufficient phase change, thus improving the superheating efficiency of the secondary heat exchange and increasing the heat exchange intensity per unit area. The smaller coiling dimension B of the secondary branch pipe allows for a denser distribution in the longitudinal space. At this point, the refrigerant is already in a gaseous state, so there is no need for a large single branch coiling space. The densely distributed secondary branch pipes can increase the number of flow channels in a limited longitudinal area, increase the refrigerant flow rate, expand the frequency of contact with air, accelerate the conversion of gaseous refrigerant to superheated gas, significantly improve the heat exchange intensity per unit longitudinal height, and enhance the overall cooling capacity.
[0016] Preferably, on the windward side of the body, there are blank areas in the upper and lower regions of the third row of tube holes, and only fins are provided in the blank areas.
[0017] The third row of pipes corresponds to the secondary branch pipe area. The unobstructed areas above and below it provide a smoother airflow path, avoiding the airflow congestion caused by traditional full-area pipe layouts. This design effectively reduces overall wind resistance, lowering the power required by the fan for the same airflow output. The fins in the unobstructed areas guide airflow evenly across the entire windward surface, reducing localized eddies caused by wind speed differences between dense and sparse pipe areas. This allows airflow to flow more smoothly through the core heat exchange area containing the pipes, improving the contact efficiency between air and the coils and preventing heat waste caused by turbulent airflow.
[0018] Preferably, in the second row of tubes, the uppermost end is the first intake branch pipe, the lowermost end is the second intake branch pipe, and the first, second, third and fourth branch pipes are located between the first intake branch pipe and the second intake branch pipe.
[0019] This design achieves uniform flow distribution and reduces pressure loss. The second tube orifice is the transition area from the primary branch to the secondary branch. The first intake branch is located at the uppermost end of the second tube orifice, and the second intake branch is located at the lowermost end, forming a longitudinally symmetrical flow distribution starting point. The first to fourth branches in the middle area serve as the secondary branches after flow distribution, allowing the refrigerant in the primary branch to be distributed to each secondary branch along the shortest path, avoiding uneven flow distribution caused by branch intersections or chaotic layouts. This design can reduce local eddies and pressure surges during refrigerant flow distribution, reduce system circulation resistance, and thus reduce the compressor operating load. The beneficial effects of this application will be further explained in specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the parking air conditioner in this invention after part of the upper cover has been removed; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The 3D view of the parking air conditioner after removing the evaporator has been further enhanced. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the indoor heat exchange unit of the parking air conditioner in this invention; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A diagram of the coil assembly after the fins have been removed; Figure 5 for Figure 4 A stereoscopic view from another perspective; Figure 6 for Figure 4 The left view; Figure 7 for Figure 4 Based on the color-coded diagrams of different pipelines. In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Indoor heat exchange unit; 3. Indoor fan; 4. Outdoor fan; 5. Outdoor heat exchange unit; 6. Compressor; 7. Controller; 8. Water tank windward baffle; 9. Water tank leeward baffle; 10. Support rib; 20. Inlet pipe; 21. First inlet branch pipe; 22. Second inlet branch pipe; 23. First branch pipe; 24. Second branch pipe; 25. Third branch pipe; 26. Fourth branch pipe; 27. First row of tube holes; 28. Second row of tube holes; 29. Third row of tube holes; 30. Outlet pipe; 31. Blank area; A. Primary heat exchange area; B. Secondary heat exchange area. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0022] The parking air conditioner operates on the same principle as a conventional air conditioner. An indoor heat exchange unit 2, an indoor fan 3, a compressor 6, an outdoor heat exchange unit 5, an expansion valve, and a controller are installed on the base 1, forming a heat pump circulation system. The indoor heat exchange unit 2 and the outdoor heat exchange unit 5 can be selectively used as condensers or evaporators, respectively. When the indoor heat exchange unit 2 acts as a condenser, the parking air conditioner operates in heating mode; when the indoor heat exchange unit 2 acts as an evaporator, the parking air conditioner operates in cooling mode. On the outdoor side, due to the action of the outdoor fan 4, airflow from the outside environment is introduced through the outdoor air inlet, passes upwards through the outdoor heat exchange unit 5, and is further discharged upwards from the outdoor fan 4, completing the heat exchange between the outdoor air and the heat exchanger.
[0023] A water receiving trough is provided on the base 1. The water receiving trough has a windward baffle 8 and a leeward baffle 9, and a water guiding space between them. The water receiving trough is also provided with a support rib 10. The bottom of the indoor heat exchange unit 2 rests on the support rib 10 of the water receiving trough. When the indoor heat exchange unit 2 acts as an evaporator, the parking air conditioner operates in cooling mode. The refrigeration system of the parking air conditioner compresses the refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas through the compressor. After being dissipated by the outdoor heat exchange unit 5, which acts as a condenser, it becomes a low-temperature, high-pressure liquid. The low-temperature, high-pressure liquid enters the indoor heat exchange unit 2, which acts as an evaporator, through the expansion valve or throttle valve and the air intake pipe 27. In the evaporator, it rapidly depressurizes and evaporates, absorbing a large amount of heat, causing the temperature of the evaporator fins and coils to drop below the air dew point, typically 5°C to 10°C. Water vapor in the air condenses upon contact with the condenser. During this process, the indoor fan 3 blows hot, humid air from the cab across the evaporator fins. When the humid air comes into contact with the low-temperature evaporator surface, the temperature of the water vapor in the air rapidly drops below the dew point temperature, and the water vapor loses heat and condenses into liquid water. As the indoor heat exchange unit 2, acting as the evaporator, operates, the condensed water droplets adhere to the fin surface of the indoor heat exchange unit 2, gradually accumulating into water droplets that flow down the fins and drip into the water collection tank of the base 1. The bottom of the water collection tank has a drain hole and a drain pipe to lead the condensate outside the vehicle for discharge, typically dripping onto the ground or under the vehicle.
[0024] In the entire unit, indoor heat exchange unit 2 is placed vertically. The condensate produced collects downwards due to gravity. However, the fin spacing is typically only 1.4-2.0 mm, making it easy for liquid water to form a "water film" or "water droplet bridge" between the fins. This reduces the cross-sectional area of the airflow channel, significantly increasing airflow resistance. Ultimately, this results in a much lower actual airflow rate in the lower half of the fins compared to the upper half. Based on the heat calculation formula related to specific heat capacity: Q = cmΔt, where c is the specific heat capacity of air, m is the mass flow rate, and Δt is the temperature difference. Since the heat exchange rate is positively correlated with the air volume, the lower section cannot fully exchange heat with the low-temperature fins due to insufficient air volume, resulting in an uneven heat exchange phenomenon of "strong at the top and weak at the bottom". Because the fan power is usually lower when the vehicle is parked than when it is in motion, the air volume reserve is insufficient and it is more susceptible to the effects of condensate. This problem is particularly prominent in parking air conditioners.
[0025] Meanwhile, the applicant discovered that refrigerant oil negatively impacts the heat exchange efficiency of the coil assembly, forming an oil film with thermal resistance and hindering heat transfer. The compressor is the core component of the air conditioning refrigeration system, containing numerous high-speed moving parts, such as the piston and cylinder wall of a reciprocating compressor, and the rotor and vanes of a rotary compressor. These parts have precise clearances; without lubrication, severe friction occurs, leading to wear, overheating, and even seizure. Refrigerant oil forms a uniform oil film on the surface of the components, separating the metal contact surfaces and converting dry friction into liquid friction between the oil films, significantly reducing the coefficient of friction and wear, and extending the compressor's lifespan. The core purpose of mixing refrigerant oil into the air conditioning refrigerant is to provide crucial support for the stable operation of the compressor, while also ensuring the overall reliability of the air conditioning refrigeration system; its role permeates the core aspects of compressor operation. Therefore, in the air conditioning system, refrigerant oil enters the evaporator, condenser, and other coil assemblies along with the refrigerant, with some adhering to the inner wall of the coils, forming a continuous oil film. Because the thermal conductivity of refrigeration oil is much lower than that of the refrigerant and the metal of the coil, this oil film acts as a barrier to heat transfer. Therefore, in cooling mode, the low-temperature refrigerant in the evaporator coil needs to absorb heat from the air inside the vehicle. The oil film hinders the transfer of heat from the air to the refrigerant, resulting in decreased heat exchange efficiency and weakened air conditioning cooling capacity. If the refrigeration oil and refrigerant are not miscible, oil stratification may occur. That is, the denser refrigeration oil may deposit at the bottom of the coil or stagnate at bends or narrow points in the pipes, obstructing the flow path of the refrigerant within the coil and causing uneven flow distribution. In some areas, the refrigerant flow rate is too slow, failing to remove heat in time; in other areas, due to oil blockage, localized heat exchange failures, such as "empty coils," may even occur, further exacerbating the overall decrease in the heat exchange efficiency of the coil.
[0026] Experiments have shown that in refrigeration cycles, especially within the evaporator, increasing the flow rate of superheated gaseous refrigerant can, to some extent, reduce the thickness of the refrigerant oil film on the inner wall of the coil. The refrigerant oil film adheres to the inner wall of the coil through molecular adhesion and surface tension. Increased flow rate of the superheated gaseous refrigerant generates stronger fluid shear forces on the oil film. When the shear force exceeds the adhesion between the oil film and the coil wall, it will peel off part of the adhered oil film, reducing its thickness. This peeling effect is particularly significant for thicker oil films or locally deposited oil droplets. The high-speed flow of superheated gaseous refrigerant can also promote uniform flow of the oil film with the airflow, reducing the problem of excessively thick localized oil films and making the oil film thickness more uniform across the entire inner wall of the coil, thereby reducing the average oil film thermal resistance. Furthermore, increased flow rate of the superheated gaseous refrigerant enhances its ability to carry liquid oil droplets. The stripped oil film will mix into the refrigerant in the form of tiny oil droplets and flow back to the compressor with the high-speed airflow, reducing the amount of refrigeration oil remaining in the coil and further inhibiting the thickening of the oil film.
[0027] In this embodiment, the overall inventive concept is to comprehensively utilize the accelerated flow of superheated refrigerant steam to improve heat exchange performance while also ensuring the uniformity of coil arrangement.
[0028] Figures 3-6 As shown, the main body has a first row of tube holes 27, a second row of tube holes 28, and a third row of tube holes 29 sequentially arranged on the windward side along the direction of the airflow. Different branches of the coil assembly pass through each row of tube holes. The first intake branch pipe 21 and the second intake branch pipe 22 are located in the first row of tube holes 27. At the second row of tube holes 28, the flow splits to form the first branch pipe 23, the second branch pipe 24, the third branch pipe 25, and the fourth branch pipe 26. The above four branch pipes converge at the outlet pipe 30 after passing through the third row of tube holes 29. In addition, the windward side of the main body has blank areas in the upper and lower parts of the third row of tube holes 29. These blank areas are only equipped with fins, which can reduce the obstruction of airflow by the pipes, optimize the airflow path, reduce wind resistance, and improve the overall heat exchange utilization rate of the fins.
[0029] Specifically, the primary refrigeration branch consists of a first intake branch pipe 21 and a second intake branch pipe 22 arranged in parallel. The input ends of both branches are connected to the intake pipe to receive the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant after pressure reduction by the expansion valve. In terms of structural arrangement, the first intake branch pipe 21 guides the refrigerant through the upper region of the body, while the second intake branch pipe 22 guides the refrigerant through the lower region of the body. The two form an intersecting direction, which can fully cover the entire windward surface of the body, ensuring that the refrigerant has sufficient contact with the air flowing through the fins during the primary heat exchange stage and avoiding local heat exchange dead zones. In the second row of pipe holes 28, the uppermost end is the first intake branch pipe 21, and the lowermost end is the second intake branch pipe 22. This arrangement provides reasonable space for the subsequent secondary branches formed by diversion, and further optimizes the uniformity of refrigerant distribution along the longitudinal height of the body.
[0030] In addition, the coiling size A of the first intake branch pipe 21 and the second intake branch pipe 22 in the longitudinal height direction of the body is larger than the coiling size B of the subsequent secondary branch. The larger coiling size can ensure that the primary heat exchange stage has sufficient heat exchange area, providing the necessary heat exchange conditions for the refrigerant to change from a gas-liquid mixed state to a gaseous state, thus becoming the basis for efficient heat exchange.
[0031] The secondary refrigeration branch consists of the first branch pipe 23, the second branch pipe 24, the third branch pipe 25, and the fourth branch pipe 26. The third branch pipe 25 and the fourth branch pipe 26 are connected in parallel to the output end of the first intake branch pipe 21, and the first branch pipe 23 and the second branch pipe 24 are connected in parallel to the output end of the second intake branch pipe 22. The four branch pipes are parallel to each other and have the same upward direction. Their output ends converge at the outlet pipe 30.
[0032] In terms of structural design, the sum of the pipe diameters of the third branch pipe 25 and the fourth branch pipe 26 is greater than the sum of the pipe diameters of the first intake branch pipe 21, and the sum of the pipe diameters of the first branch pipe 23 and the second branch pipe 24 is greater than the sum of the pipe diameters of the second intake branch pipe 22. This design significantly increases the pipe volume after the refrigerant enters the secondary branch from the primary branch, which is conducive to the flow of superheated refrigerant vapor. On the other hand, it can make the refrigerant more evenly distributed in the secondary branch, avoiding the problem of local pipe refrigerant congestion or insufficient flow.
[0033] In terms of layout, the third branch pipe 25 and the fourth branch pipe 26 receive the refrigerant from the first intake branch pipe 21 and extend in the lower part of the body; the first branch pipe 23 and the second branch pipe 24 receive the refrigerant from the second intake branch pipe 22 and extend in the upper part of the body. Combined with the intersection of the primary branch pipes, this further improves the uniformity of refrigerant coverage on the entire windward side and vertical height of the body, ensuring all-round heat exchange with the air inside the vehicle.
[0034] When using the parking air conditioner: When the parking air conditioner is in cooling mode, the compressor starts and delivers high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to the condenser. The refrigerant releases heat in the condenser and condenses into a liquid state. After being depressurized by the expansion valve, it is transformed into a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid mixture of refrigerant, which then enters the first-stage cooling branch of the indoor heat exchange unit through the intake pipe.
[0035] The gas-liquid mixture of refrigerant entering the first intake manifold 21 and the second intake manifold 22 exchanges heat with the air flowing through the fins during the first-stage heat exchange process. After absorbing heat from the air, the refrigerant gradually evaporates, changing from a gas-liquid mixture to a gaseous state. The gaseous refrigerant that has completed the first-stage heat exchange enters the corresponding second-stage refrigeration branches at the second row of tube holes 28. Specifically, the refrigerant from the first intake manifold 21 is diverted to the third manifold 25 and the fourth manifold 26, while the refrigerant from the second intake manifold 22 is diverted to the first manifold 23 and the second manifold 24.
[0036] During the secondary heat exchange process, the gaseous refrigerant continues to absorb heat from the vehicle's interior air in the larger and more evenly distributed secondary branch, further transforming into superheated gaseous refrigerant. Because the pipe diameter and area of the secondary branch are larger than those of the primary branch, the refrigerant flow space is expanded, resulting in a more stable flow state. Simultaneously, the high-speed flow of the superheated gaseous refrigerant can flush away the refrigerant oil adhering to the inner wall of the coil, effectively reducing the thickness of the refrigerant oil film and minimizing its obstruction to heat exchange, thus significantly improving the heat exchange efficiency of the interior heat exchange unit. After completing the secondary heat exchange, the superheated gaseous refrigerant returns to the compressor via the outlet pipe 30, entering the next cycle and continuously providing cooling for the vehicle interior.
[0037] Cooling test: The cooling test shall be conducted in accordance with GB / T21361-2017 "Standard for Automotive Air Conditioners" As shown in the table above, the 2-inlet, 4-outlet evaporator of this application has a greater cooling capacity than the 2-inlet, 2-outlet evaporator, and also consumes less energy and has a higher energy efficiency ratio (EER / COP). This embodiment, through a staged heat exchange design of primary and secondary refrigeration branches, combined with the coordinated optimization of pipe diameter, layout, and orifice distribution, effectively improves heat exchange efficiency while ensuring heat exchange uniformity, reduces refrigerant flow resistance and the negative impact of refrigeration oil, and features a compact and reasonable structural layout that adapts to the installation space requirements of parking air conditioners, significantly improving the cooling performance and operational stability of parking air conditioners.
[0038] Furthermore, there is no need to reconstruct the core structure of the existing evaporator. The original horizontal pipe routing channels can still be used, and the original horizontal pipe routing channels of the evaporator can still be used. Only the selection of whether to use a certain pipe channel and the connection relationship between the coils needs to be made. There is no need to adjust the channel size or add new fixing structures. The original evaporator has reserved space for pipe turning in the vertical direction. The turning of the primary branch, secondary branch and the associated bend can be directly adjusted without adding new turning structures or changing the fin arrangement.
[0039] Compared to reconstructing the evaporator frame, this technical solution allows for maximum reuse of core components such as the fin forming mold and the frame stamping mold. Only the hole positions for primary and secondary supports need to be marked on the fin mold without altering the mold cavity. The production line adjustment cycle is short, and it can be directly integrated into existing mass production lines without requiring production shutdowns. Furthermore, the optimized solution's evaporator dimensions, refrigerant inlet / outlet, and fixing hole positions are completely identical to the original evaporator, allowing for direct replacement of existing parking air conditioner evaporators. Aftermarket modifications require no changes to the air conditioning unit, fan, or other peripheral components, facilitating widespread adoption.
[0040] It should be noted that the specific parameter values given in this embodiment should not be construed as limiting the claims, but are used to illustrate the feasibility of the technical solution given in this embodiment.
[0041] In this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled 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 invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A parking air conditioner with an indoor heat exchange unit having branch pipes, which can be used as an evaporator in cooling mode, includes a body, which includes fins and a coil assembly inserted in the fins. Its features are: The coil assembly includes at least two parallel refrigerant flow paths: a first intake branch pipe (21) and a second intake branch pipe (22). The first intake branch pipe (21) includes at least two parallel branch pipes: a third branch pipe (25) and a fourth branch pipe (26). The second intake branch pipe includes at least two parallel branch pipes: a first branch pipe (23) and a second branch pipe (24). The first, second, third, and fourth branch pipes all converge at the outlet pipe (30). Among them, the first, second, third and fourth branch pipes are close to the windward side of the main body, and the first intake branch pipe (21) and the second intake branch pipe (22) are located on the downstream side of the airflow passing through the main body.
2. The indoor heat exchange unit of the parking air conditioner with branch pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The combined pipe diameter area of the third branch pipe (25) and the fourth branch pipe (26) is greater than the pipe diameter area of the first intake branch pipe (21); The pipe diameter area of the first branch pipe (23) and the second branch pipe (24) is greater than the pipe diameter area of the second intake branch pipe (22).
3. The indoor heat exchange unit with branch pipes for parking air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body is vertically arranged and has an upper area and a lower area; The first intake branch pipe (21) guides the refrigerant through the upper part of the body and then connects to the third branch pipe (25) and the fourth branch pipe (26) in the lower part of the body. The second intake branch pipe (22) guides the refrigerant from the lower part of the body to the upper part of the body, where it is connected in parallel with the first branch pipe (23) and the second branch pipe (24).
4. The indoor heat exchange unit of the parking air conditioner with branch pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body is provided with a first row of tube holes (27), a second row of tube holes (28), and a third row of tube holes (29) in the direction of the reverse airflow. The first intake branch pipe (21) and the second intake branch pipe (22) are located in the first row of tube holes (27) and split into the first, second, third, and fourth branch pipes at the second row of tube holes (28). The first, second, third, and fourth branch pipes converge at the outlet pipe (30) after passing through the third row of tube holes (29).
5. The parking air conditioner with branch pipes indoor heat exchange unit according to claim 4, characterized in that: The coiling dimension A of the first intake branch pipe (21) and the second intake branch pipe (22) in the longitudinal height direction of the body is greater than the coiling dimension B of the first, second, third and fourth branch pipes.
6. The parking air conditioner with branch pipes indoor heat exchange unit according to claim 4, characterized in that: On the windward side of the main body, there are blank areas in the upper and lower parts of the third column of tube holes (29), and only fins are set in the blank areas.
7. The indoor heat exchange unit of the parking air conditioner with branch pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the second row of pipe holes (28), the uppermost end is the first intake branch pipe (21) and the lowermost end is the second intake branch pipe (22). The first, second, third and fourth branch pipes are located between the first intake branch pipe (21) and the second intake branch pipe (22).
8. The indoor heat exchange unit of the parking air conditioner with branch pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intake pipe and the return pipe are both located on the same side of the main body.