Heat exchanger

Abstract

The heat exchanger comprises a first collecting pipe and at least two heat exchange pipes, the first collecting pipe comprises a pipe body part and a protruding part, the at least two heat exchange pipes are stacked in the length direction of the pipe body part, one end of each heat exchange pipe in the length direction is connected with the pipe body part, and the pipe body part is provided with a first pipe cavity; the protruding parts are at least partially located in the first pipe cavity, the protruding parts are connected with the pipe body part, the number of the protruding parts is at least two, and the at least two protruding parts are arranged at intervals. The number of the protruding parts is at least two, and the at least two protruding parts are arranged at intervals, so that compared with the related technology, the structure of the protruding parts can be conveniently adjusted according to the positions of the protruding parts, and the shape, the size and the like of each protruding part can be matched with the pressure of a working medium; therefore, the working medium can be uniformly distributed into the heat exchange pipes by the protruding parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of heat exchange technology, and more particularly to a heat exchanger for vehicle air conditioning. Background Technology

[0002] The heat exchanger includes a first manifold and multiple heat exchange tubes. The working medium flows through different heat exchange tubes along different paths, potentially leading to uneven flow rates. In related technologies, the wall of the first manifold protrudes into its cavity, forming a continuous arc-shaped protrusion. This protrusion can adjust the pressure of the working medium near it and distribute it relatively evenly into the heat exchange tubes in that area. However, since the working medium pressure varies at different locations, the structure of this protrusion may be incompatible with the working medium pressure in some areas, resulting in poor uniformity in the distribution of the working medium. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application aims to provide a heat exchanger with a more uniform distribution of the working medium.

[0004] An embodiment of this application provides a heat exchanger, including: a first manifold and at least two heat exchange tubes. The first manifold includes a tube body and a protrusion. The at least two heat exchange tubes are stacked along the length of the tube body. One end of the heat exchange tube along the length is connected to the tube body. The tube body has a first cavity. The protrusion is at least partially located in the first cavity and is connected to the tube body. The number of protrusions is at least two, and the at least two protrusions are arranged at intervals.

[0005] This application uses at least two protrusions arranged at intervals. Compared with related technologies, this application makes it easier to set each protrusion into a structure that is more compatible with the working medium pressure, so that the protrusions can distribute the working medium into each heat exchange tube more evenly. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the heat exchanger of this application;

[0007] Figure 2 This application Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the first manifold of the heat exchanger shown;

[0008] Figure 3 This application Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment of the heat exchanger shown.

[0009] Figure 4 This application Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the heat exchanger shown. Detailed Implementation

[0010] To better understand the technical solution of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. All other technical solutions obtained by those skilled in the art based on the technical solutions in this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0012] According to a specific embodiment of the heat exchanger of this application, such as Figures 1 to 4As shown, the heat exchanger includes a first manifold 1 and multiple heat exchange tubes 2. All heat exchange tubes 2 have the same thickness direction and are spaced apart along their thickness direction. The length direction of the first manifold 1 is substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the heat exchange tubes 2. The first manifold 1 includes a tube body 11, and one end of each heat exchange tube 2 along its length direction is connected to the tube body 11. The heat exchange tubes 2 can be flat tubes. The tube body 11 has a first cavity 111, and each heat exchange tube 2 has a heat exchange chamber 21, which is connected to the first cavity 111. When the heat exchanger is in operation, the working medium flows from the first cavity 111 into each heat exchange chamber 21, or vice versa. Due to the different relative positions of the heat exchange tubes 2 and the first manifold 1, the flow paths of the working medium through different heat exchange tubes 2 are different, resulting in potentially uneven flow rates of the working medium in different heat exchange tubes 2. The first manifold 1 includes a first protrusion 12 and a second protrusion 13, both located in the first cavity 111 and connected to the pipe body 11. The first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 are arranged at intervals. The first protrusion 12 can adjust the flow resistance of the working medium near it, allowing the working medium to flow relatively evenly into the heat exchange tubes 2 near it. The second protrusion 13 can adjust the flow resistance of the working medium near it, allowing the working medium to flow relatively evenly into the heat exchange tubes 2 near it. The working medium at the interval between the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 can also flow relatively evenly into each heat exchange tube 2 under the influence of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13. Meanwhile, when the heat exchanger is in operation, the pressure of the working medium varies at different locations. The first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 can be easily adjusted according to their positions, allowing their shapes and sizes to adapt to the pressure of the working medium at different locations. This enables the working medium to be distributed more evenly into each heat exchange tube 2. Furthermore, the small size of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 minimizes the deformation of the first manifold 1, ensuring its strength and thus improving the overall strength of the heat exchanger.

[0013] like Figure 3 As shown, the protrusion 10 includes a flow guiding structure 15 and a transition structure 16. The transition structure 16 is connected to the flow guiding structure 15 and to the pipe body 11. That is, the flow guiding structure 15 is connected to the pipe body 11 through the transition structure 16. The transition structure 15 is an arc-shaped structure. Arc-shaped structures are prone to a certain degree of elastic deformation, giving the connection between the flow guiding structure 15 and the pipe body 11 good strength and toughness. Furthermore, the surface of the arc-shaped structure is relatively smooth, which can reduce the risk of interference or impact to the transition structure 15.

[0014] like Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchanger also includes a second manifold 3, the length direction of which is substantially parallel to that of the first manifold 1. The two ends of each heat exchange tube 2 with opposite length directions are connected to the first manifold 1 and the second manifold 3, respectively. The second manifold 3 has a second cavity 31, and the heat exchange cavity 21 of each heat exchange tube 2 is connected to the second cavity 31.

[0015] like Figure 4 As shown, the first manifold 1 includes an inlet portion 14 connected to the pipe body portion 11. The inlet portion 14 has an inlet 141 communicating with the first cavity 111. When the heat exchanger is in operation, the working medium flows into the first cavity 111 through the inlet 141 and then into each heat exchange chamber 21. After heat exchange with air in the heat exchange chamber 21, the working medium flows into the second cavity 31. The first protrusion 12, the second protrusion 13, and the inlet portion 14 are arranged along the length direction of the pipe body portion 11. Along the length direction of the pipe body portion 11, the first protrusion 12 is at least partially located between the second protrusion 13 and the inlet portion 14. Specifically, the heat exchanger has a first plane 101, which is perpendicular to the length direction of the tube body 11. The projection of the first protrusion 12 onto the first plane 101 is a first projection, the projection of the second protrusion 13 onto the first plane 101 is a second projection, and the projection of the inlet 14 onto the first plane 101 is a third projection. The first projection is at least partially located between the second and third projections. Along the flow direction of the working medium, the inlet 14 is upstream of the first protrusion 12, and the first protrusion 12 is upstream of the second protrusion 13.

[0016] like Figure 4As shown, along the length of the tube body 11, the distance between the second protrusion 13 and the inlet 14 is greater than that between the first protrusion 12 and the tube body 11. The pressure of the working medium flowing through the first protrusion 12 is greater than that flowing through the second protrusion 13, or the flow resistance of the working medium flowing through the first protrusion 12 is less than that flowing through the second protrusion 13. As an alternative embodiment, the height of the first protrusion 12 is greater than or equal to the height of the second protrusion 13, so that the pressure of the working medium flowing through the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 can be better balanced, allowing the working medium to flow evenly into each heat exchange tube 2. Specifically, the first protrusion 12 has a first end face 121, which is the end face of the first protrusion 12 facing the heat exchange tube 2. The tube body 11 has an inner wall surface 114, which is the wall surface of the tube body 11 facing the first tube cavity 111. The second protrusion 13 has a second end face 131, which is the end face of the second protrusion 13 facing the heat exchange tube 2. The distance between the first end face 121 and the inner wall surface 114 is H1, and the distance between the second end face 131 and the inner wall surface 114 is H2. H1 is greater than or equal to H2, so that the height of the first protrusion 12 is greater than or equal to the height of the second protrusion 13.

[0017] like Figure 4 As shown, in one alternative embodiment, along the length of the tube body 11, the distance between the second protrusion 13 and the inlet 14 is greater than that between the first protrusion 12 and the inlet 14. The distance between the first protrusion 12 and the inlet 14 is less than or equal to the distance between the second protrusion 13 and the first protrusion 12. This structure also allows the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 to better balance the pressure of the working medium flowing through the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13, so that the working medium can flow into each heat exchange tube 2 more evenly. Specifically, the tube body 11 includes a first part 112 and a second part 113. Along the length of the tube body 11, the two ends of the first part 112 are connected to the inlet 14 and the first protrusion 12, respectively, and the two ends of the second part 113 are connected to the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13, respectively. Along the length of the tube body 11, the length of the first part 112 is L1, and the length of the second part 113 is L2, with L1 being less than or equal to L2, so that the distance between the first protrusion 12 and the inlet 14 is less than or equal to the distance between the second protrusion 13 and the first protrusion 12.

[0018] like Figure 4As shown, the number of heat exchange tubes 2 between the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 is greater than or equal to two, in order to reduce the risk of large deformation and reduced strength of the first manifold 1 due to the excessive density of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13. Furthermore, since the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 can distribute the working medium from their respective vicinity into the heat exchange tubes 2, this structure can also reduce the number of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 while ensuring uniform distribution of the working medium, thereby improving the utilization rate of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 and reducing the manufacturing cost of the heat exchanger. Specifically, the heat exchange tubes 2 include a first heat exchange tube 21 and a second heat exchange tube 22, the thickness direction of the first heat exchange tube 21 and the thickness direction of the second heat exchange tube 22 substantially coincide. The first heat exchange tube 21 has a third end face 211, which is the end of the first heat exchange tube 21 facing away from the second heat exchange tube 22. The second heat exchange tube 22 has a fourth end face 221, which is the end of the second heat exchange tube 22 that is away from the first heat exchange tube 21. The distance between the third end face 211 and the fourth end face 221 is L3, which is less than L2, so that the number of heat exchange tubes 2 between the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 is greater than or equal to 2.

[0019] like Figure 4 As shown, in one alternative implementation, the upstream end face of the first protrusion 12 is sloped along the flow direction of the working medium. This slope reduces the risk of working medium accumulation and guides the working medium into the heat exchange chamber 21 of the heat exchange tube 2. Furthermore, the slope angle can adjust the flow resistance of the working medium as it flows through the first protrusion 12, thus allowing the first protrusion 12 to better distribute the working medium into the manifold. Specifically, the first protrusion 12 includes a fifth end face 125, which is the end face of the first protrusion 12 facing the inlet 14. The first portion 112 includes a first wall surface 1121, which is the wall surface of the first portion 112 facing the first cavity 111. The angle between the fifth end face 125 and the first wall surface 112 is α, which is greater than 90°, so that the upstream end face of the first protrusion 12 is sloped. Of course, the angle between the fifth end face 125 and the first wall face 112 can also be a right angle to meet the different requirements of the heat exchanger for the flow resistance of the working medium.

[0020] like Figure 4As shown, further, along the flow direction of the working medium, the end face of the second protrusion 13 facing upstream is also a slope, and the slope of the second protrusion 13 is greater than or equal to the slope of the first protrusion 12, so that the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 can better balance the pressure of the working medium flowing through the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13, so that the working medium can flow into each heat exchange tube 2 more evenly. Specifically, the second protrusion 13 includes a sixth end face 134, which is the end face of the second protrusion 13 facing the first protrusion 12. The second part 113 includes a second wall surface 1131, which is the wall surface of the second part 113 facing the first cavity 111. The included angle between the sixth end face 134 and the second wall face 113 is β, where β is greater than or equal to α, so that the slope of the inclined surface of the second protrusion 13 is greater than or equal to the slope of the inclined surface of the first protrusion 12.

[0021] like Figure 4 As shown, along the length of the tube body 11, the length of the first protrusion 12 is L3 and the length of the second protrusion 13 is L4. L3 is greater than or equal to L4, so that the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 can better balance the pressure of the working medium flowing through the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13, so that the working medium can flow into each heat exchange tube 2 more evenly.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 are arranged along the length direction of the tube body 11. In other embodiments, the tube body 11 has a first axis 102 extending along the length direction of the tube body 11, and the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 may also be arranged at intervals around the first axis 102. At least one of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 is integral with the tube body 11. At least one of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 can be integrally stamped with the tube body 11 to make the structure of the first manifold 1 simpler and easier to form. Of course, at least one of the first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 can also be formed with the tube body 11 by casting, forging, extrusion, metal injection molding, or metal powder metallurgy.

[0023] In this application, the protrusions include a first protrusion 12 and a second protrusion 13, which are arranged at intervals. The first protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 13 can be adjusted according to their positions so that their shapes and sizes can be adapted to the pressure of the working medium at different positions, thereby enabling the working medium to be distributed more evenly into each heat exchange tube 2.

[0024] The technical solutions described in this application should be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, directional descriptions such as "front," "back," "left," "right," "up," and "down" are only used to describe the relationship between objects and are not substantive limitations. "Multiple" means at least two or more.

[0025] Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still make modifications or equivalent substitutions to this application, and all technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this application should be covered within this application.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, characterized in that, include: A first manifold and at least two heat exchange tubes, the first manifold including a tube body and a protrusion, at least two of the heat exchange tubes being stacked along the length of the tube body, one end of the heat exchange tube being connected to the tube body, the tube body having a first cavity, the protrusion being at least partially located in the first cavity, the protrusion being connected to the tube body, the number of the protrusions being at least two, and the at least two protrusions being arranged at intervals.

2. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusion includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion, both of which are connected to the tube body. The first manifold includes an inlet, which is connected to the tube body. The inlet, the first protrusion, and the second protrusion are arranged along the length of the tube body.

3. The heat exchanger as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first protrusion has a first end face, which is the end face of the first protrusion facing the end of the heat exchange tube. The tube body has an inner wall surface, which is the wall surface of the tube body facing the first tube cavity. The second protrusion has a second end face, which is the end face of the second protrusion facing the heat exchange tube. The distance between the first end face and the inner wall surface is H1, and the distance between the second end face and the inner wall surface is H2, wherein H1 ≥ H2.

4. The heat exchanger as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The tube body includes a first part and a second part. Along the length of the tube body, the two ends of the first part are respectively connected to the inlet and the first protrusion, and the two ends of the second part are respectively connected to the first protrusion and the second protrusion. Along the length direction of the tube body, the length of the first part is L1, and the length of the second part is L2, wherein L1≤L2.

5. The heat exchanger as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The heat exchange tube includes a first heat exchange tube and a second heat exchange tube, which are adjacent to each other. The first heat exchange tube has a third end face, which is the end face of the first heat exchange tube facing away from the second heat exchange tube. The second heat exchange tube has a fourth end face, which is the end face of the second heat exchange tube facing away from the first heat exchange tube. The distance between the third end face and the fourth end face is L3, where L3 ≤ L2.

6. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The tube body includes a first part, and along the length of the tube body, the two ends of the first part are respectively connected to the inlet and the first protrusion. The first protrusion has a fifth end face, which is the end face of the first protrusion facing the inlet. The first part includes a first wall surface, which is the wall surface of the first part facing the first lumen. The included angle between the fifth end face and the first wall surface is α, where α ≥ 90°.

7. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The tube body includes a second part, and along the length of the tube body, the two ends of the second part are respectively connected to the first protrusion and the second protrusion; The second protrusion has a sixth end face, which is the end face of the second protrusion facing one end of the first protrusion. The second part includes a second wall surface, which is the wall surface of the second part facing the first lumen. The included angle between the sixth end face and the second wall surface is β, where β≥α.

8. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, Along the length of the tube body, the length of the first protrusion is L3, and the length of the second protrusion is L4, wherein L3 ≥ L4.

9. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusion extends from the tube body toward the first tube cavity, and the protrusion is a stamped structure.

10. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusion includes a flow guiding structure and a transition structure, with both ends of the transition structure connected to the flow guiding structure and the tube body, respectively.

Images