Flat tube heat exchanger and air conditioner

Abstract

The invention provides a flat tube heat exchanger and an air conditioner, and relates to the technical field of air conditioners. The flat tube heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchange fins and flat tubes. The multiple heat exchange fins are sequentially arranged at intervals, and mounting grooves are formed in all the heat exchange fins. Heat exchange runners are arranged in the flat pipes, and the flat pipes are installed in the installation grooves so as to exchange heat with all the heat exchange fins. A flow guide part is arranged on the outer side of the flat pipe and used for guiding condensate water so as to prevent the condensate water from flowing in the length direction of the flat pipe. The problem that condensate water leaks out of a water pan due to the fact that the condensate water flows in the length direction of a flat pipe can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat exchange equipment technology, and more specifically, to a flat tube heat exchanger and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] Flat tube heat exchangers have high heat transfer efficiency due to the increased contact area of ​​the heat transfer surface caused by using flat tubes for heat exchange, and the flow channels inside the flat tubes can also promote fluid turbulence. They are widely used in the HVAC field.

[0003] However, in air conditioners, condensate on the surface of the flat pipes flows along the length of the pipes due to surface tension, eventually reaching the outside of the drip tray and causing leaks. Current technology typically addresses this by increasing the size of the drip tray. However, increasing the size of the drip tray leads to a larger air conditioner and higher costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem solved by this invention is how to improve the leakage problem caused by condensate flowing along the length of the flat pipe without increasing the size of the air conditioner.

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a flat tube heat exchanger and an air conditioner that can improve the problem of condensate leaking out of the drip tray due to condensate flowing along the length of the flat tube.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a flat tube heat exchanger, comprising a plurality of heat exchange fins and a flat tube;

[0007] Multiple heat exchange fins are arranged sequentially at intervals, and all of the heat exchange fins are provided with mounting grooves;

[0008] The flat tube is provided with a heat exchange channel, and the flat tube is installed in the mounting groove to exchange heat with all the heat exchange fins;

[0009] A flow guide is provided on the outer side of the flat tube. The flow guide is used to guide the condensate water to block the condensate water from flowing along the length of the flat tube.

[0010] This application provides a flow guide on the outside of the flat tube of the heat exchanger to block the flow of condensate along the length of the flat tube. The flow guide promotes the downward flow of condensate, shortens the accumulation and residence time of condensate between the fins, and thus avoids the formation of a condensate path between the condensate and the drip tray. This improves the problem of condensate leaking out of the drip tray due to the flow of condensate along the length of the flat tube.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the flow guide is disposed on one or both sides of the width of the flat tube.

[0012] Because condensate can easily form between the two sides of the flat pipe in the width direction and the side wall corresponding to the drip tray, causing condensate to leak out of the drip tray. This application addresses this by placing a guide section on one or both sides of the flat pipe's width. This guide section directs water downwards, preventing condensate from overlapping with the side wall of the drip tray and forming a condensate path. Furthermore, this design reduces the distance between the side wall of the drip tray and the end of the flat pipe, thereby reducing the thickness of the air conditioner.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the outer periphery of the flat tube is provided with a plurality of flow guides spaced apart along the length direction.

[0014] This application features multiple flow guide sections to better guide the flow.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the flow guide is a groove disposed on the outer periphery of the flat tube.

[0016] In this application, the guide part is set as a groove. The position of the groove will increase the gap between the flat pipe and the side wall of the water receiving tray. When the condensate flows along the length direction of the flat pipe and the side wall of the water receiving tray to form a condensate water path, the condensate will fall into the water receiving tray from the groove due to the increased gap at the groove.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, the groove is positioned perpendicular to the length direction of the flat tube.

[0018] In this application, the groove is positioned perpendicular to the length of the flat pipe, which facilitates the downward flow of condensate after it reaches the recess.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, the cross-section of the groove is one of a circular arc, a triangle, or a quadrilateral.

[0020] This application sets the groove as one of the above-mentioned structures, which makes it easier for condensate to flow downward.

[0021] In an optional embodiment, each of the flat tubes has at least one groove on its outer periphery, the groove being located between two adjacent heat exchange fins of the flat tube or at a location of the flat tube corresponding to a heat exchange fin.

[0022] This application positions the grooves to correspond to the fins or the gaps between the fins, which makes it easier for condensate to flow downwards.

[0023] In an optional embodiment, the mounting groove is provided along the width direction of the heat exchange fins, and the mounting groove penetrates one side of the heat exchange fins in the width direction. The flat tube is installed in the mounting groove through the mounting groove penetrating one side of the heat exchange fins.

[0024] The flat tube has a flow guide portion on at least one side corresponding to the mounting groove that penetrates the heat exchange fins.

[0025] This application features a fin-through mounting groove at one end, facilitating the installation of the flat tube. Because the fins penetrate the tube, one end of the flat tube is unobstructed along its length, allowing condensate to flow more easily. Placing the guide section on this side prevents condensate leakage.

[0026] In an optional embodiment, the heat exchange fins include a first section, a second section, and a third section that are bent and connected together;

[0027] The first segment, the second segment, and the third segment are all provided with multiple mounting slots;

[0028] The second segment bends inward relative to the first segment at the corresponding mounting groove, and the third segment bends inward relative to the second segment at the corresponding mounting groove;

[0029] The mounting groove of the aforementioned type corresponds to one side of the outer side of the flat tube heat exchanger, through which the heat exchange fins penetrate.

[0030] This application designs the flat tube heat exchanger with three bent sections, which facilitates the installation of a larger area flat tube heat exchanger inside the air conditioner, thus improving heat exchange. Secondly, the fins extend through the outer side of the mounting groove, which facilitates the bending of the flat tube heat exchanger.

[0031] Secondly, the present invention provides an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising an indoor unit body and a flat tube heat exchanger as described in any of the foregoing embodiments;

[0032] The flat tube heat exchanger is installed inside the indoor unit body, and a water receiving tray is provided inside the indoor unit body, the water receiving tray corresponding to the end of the flat tube heat exchanger.

[0033] This application uses a guide section on the outside of the flat pipe to guide the condensate downwards, thereby preventing the condensate from forming a condensate path between the flat pipe and the side wall of the drip tray, thus improving the problem of water leakage in the indoor unit. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the thickness direction cross-section of the indoor unit of an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a flat tube heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3This is a partial schematic diagram of a flat tube heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the axial structure of a flat tube heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the flat tube heat exchanger and the water receiving tray provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Icons: 100 - Flat tube heat exchanger; 110 - Heat exchange fins; 111 - Mounting groove; 113 - First section; 115 - Second section; 117 - Third section; 130 - Flat tube; 131 - Heat exchange channel; 133 - Flow guide; 135 - Groove; 300 - Air conditioner; 310 - Indoor unit; 311 - Indoor unit body; 313 - Drain tray; 315 - Cross-flow fan; 316 - Front panel; 317 - Rear panel. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 This embodiment provides an air conditioner 300, whose indoor unit 310 includes an indoor unit body 311 and a flat tube heat exchanger 100. The flat tube heat exchanger 100 is installed inside the indoor unit body 311, and a drip tray 313 is provided inside the indoor unit body 311, corresponding to the bottom end of the flat tube heat exchanger 100. Condensate on the flat tube heat exchanger 100 can fall into the drip tray 313.

[0042] Furthermore, a front drain pan 313 and a rear drain pan 313 are provided inside the indoor unit body 311, and the front drain pan 313 and the rear drain pan 313 are spaced apart in the thickness direction of the indoor unit body 311. A cross-flow fan 315 is also provided inside the indoor unit body 311. The flat tube heat exchanger 100 is semi-enclosed on the outside of the cross-flow fan 315. The bottom end of the front side of the flat tube heat exchanger 100 extends into the front drain pan 313, while the bottom end of the rear side of the flat tube heat exchanger 100 extends into the rear drain pan 313.

[0043] Generally, both the front and rear water trays 313 include a base plate, a front side plate 316 and a rear side plate 317 disposed on both sides of the base plate in the front-rear direction, and a left side plate and a right side plate disposed on the left and right sides of the base plate. The base plate, the front side plate 316, the rear side plate 317, the left side plate, and the right side plate together enclose a chamber for containing condensate.

[0044] Because the existing copper tube heat exchanger has an arc-shaped outer cross section and is far from the front side plate 316 and the rear side plate 317, the condensate on the outside of the copper tube generally flows directly down and does not flow along the length of the copper tube. It also prevents the condensate from forming a condensate path between the front side plate 316 and the copper tube or between the rear side plate 317 and the copper tube, thus preventing the condensate from leaking out of the drip tray 313. When using a flat tube heat exchanger 100, the flat tube 130 is relatively large, and its two ends are close to the front panel 316 and the rear panel 317. Furthermore, as the air conditioner 300 is used for a longer period, the hydrophobic surface of the drip tray 313 becomes hydrophilic. Therefore, under the surface tension of the condensate, the top of the drip tray 313 (the tops of the front panel 316 and the rear panel 317) forms a condensate path with the end of the flat tube 130, causing water to leak outwards from the tops of the front panel 316 and the rear panel 317. One solution is to increase the distance between the front panel 316 and the rear panel 317, i.e., increase the gap between the front panel 316 and the rear panel 317 and the two ends of the flat tube 130 in the width direction, thereby improving the condensate leakage problem. However, this method increases the thickness of the indoor unit 310.

[0045] In this embodiment, the flat tube heat exchanger 100 includes a plurality of heat exchange fins 110 and a flat tube 130. The plurality of heat exchange fins 110 are arranged sequentially at intervals, and all heat exchange fins 110 are provided with mounting grooves 111. A heat exchange flow channel 131 is provided inside the flat tube 130, and the flat tube 130 is installed in the mounting groove 111 to exchange heat with all the heat exchange fins 110. A flow guide portion 133 is provided on the outer side of the flat tube 130, which is used to guide condensate water to block the flow of condensate water along the length direction of the flat tube 130.

[0046] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 In this embodiment, a guide section 133 is provided on the outside of the flat tube 130 of the heat exchanger to block the flow of condensate along the length of the flat tube 130. The guide section 133 promotes the downward flow of condensate, shortens the accumulation and residence time of condensate between the fins, thereby avoiding the formation of a condensate path between the condensate and the water receiving pan 313, thus improving the problem of condensate leaking out of the outside of the water receiving pan 313 due to the flow of condensate along the length of the flat tube 130.

[0047] It should be noted that when the flat tube heat exchanger 100 is installed in the indoor unit 310, the length direction of the flat tube 130 of the flat tube heat exchanger 100 is parallel to the length direction of the indoor unit body 311. Multiple heat exchange channels 131 are provided inside the flat tube 130. The portion of the outer periphery of the flat tube 130 that abuts against the mounting groove 111 is generally connected by brazing.

[0048] In this embodiment, the flow guide 133 is disposed on both sides of the width of the flat tube 130.

[0049] Because the two sides of the flat pipe 130 in the width direction can easily form condensate channels with the side walls corresponding to the water tray 313, condensate can leak out of the water tray 313. In this embodiment, the guide part 133 is set on one or both sides of the width of the flat pipe 130. In this way, the guide part 133 can guide the water downward, thereby avoiding the condensate from overlapping with the side walls of the water tray 313 (i.e., the top of the front side plate 316 and the top of the rear side plate 317) to form a condensate channel. Moreover, this setting can reduce the distance between the side wall of the water tray 313 and the end of the flat pipe 130, thereby reducing the thickness dimension of the air conditioner 300.

[0050] Of course, in some other embodiments of this application, the guide portion 133 may also be provided on one side of the width direction of the flat tube 130, or the guide portion 133 may be provided around the outer periphery of the flat tube 130.

[0051] In this embodiment, a plurality of flow guides 133 are provided at intervals along the length direction on the outer periphery of the flat tube 130. The provision of multiple flow guides 133 in this embodiment can better achieve flow guidance.

[0052] In this embodiment, the guide portion 133 is a groove 135 provided on the outer periphery of the flat tube 130.

[0053] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 In this example, the guide section 133 is set as a groove 135. The location of the groove 135 increases the gap between the flat pipe 130 and the side wall (front side plate 316 and rear side plate 317) of the water receiving tray 313. When the condensate flows along the length direction of the flat pipe 130 and the side wall of the water receiving tray 313 to form a condensate path, the condensate will fall into the water receiving tray 313 from the groove 135 due to the increased gap at the groove 135. Secondly, the groove 135 is easy to process.

[0054] Of course, in this embodiment, the guide portion 133 can also be a boss, which blocks the condensate from flowing along the length direction.

[0055] In this embodiment, the flat tube 130 is roughly rectangular in shape with a rectangular cross-section and is threaded through multiple heat exchange fins 110. The grooves 135 are located on both sides or either side of the flat tube 130 in the width direction. Whether they are located on one side or both sides can be determined based on the gap between the side wall of the water receiving tray 313 and the flat tube 130.

[0056] Secondly, the groove 135 can also be an annular groove, with a ring formed around the circumference of the flat tube 130.

[0057] In this embodiment, the groove 135 is positioned perpendicular to the length of the flat tube 130. That is, the groove 135 is positioned vertically.

[0058] In this embodiment, the groove 135 is positioned perpendicular to the length of the flat tube 130, which facilitates the downward flow of condensate after it reaches the groove.

[0059] In some embodiments of this application, the cross-section of the groove 135 is one of a circular arc, a triangle, or a quadrilateral.

[0060] In this embodiment, the groove 135 is set as one of the above-mentioned structures, which makes it easier for condensate to flow downward.

[0061] Of course, in other embodiments of this application, the shape of the groove 135 can also be a pentagon, hexagon, or other regular or irregular shape.

[0062] Secondly, the two sides of the flat pipe 130 in the width direction can be processed into a wavy or serrated shape to prevent condensate from flowing along the length direction of the flat pipe 130.

[0063] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 In this embodiment, multiple grooves 135 are provided on both sides of the flat tube 130 along its length direction in the width direction. By providing multiple grooves 135, the flat tube 130 can be divided into multiple segments, which is more conducive to the downward flow of condensate.

[0064] Of course, in some other embodiments of this application, a groove 135 may only be provided at the corresponding position of the flat tube 130. For example, when the shape of the water receiving tray 313 is irregular, a groove 135 may be provided only in the area with smaller gaps, while no groove 135 may be provided in other areas. Secondly, the groove 135 may be provided between two adjacent heat exchange fins 110 of the flat tube 130, or the groove 135 may be provided at the position of the flat tube 130 corresponding to the heat exchange fins 110. It can be seen that the number, size, shape and position of the grooves 135 can be specifically set according to the shape of the water receiving tray 313.

[0065] In this application, the position of the groove 135 is set to correspond to the fins or the gap between the fins, which makes it easier for the condensate to flow downward.

[0066] In this embodiment, the mounting groove 111 is provided along the width direction of the heat exchange fin 110, and the mounting groove 111 penetrates one side of the heat exchange fin 110 in the width direction. The flat tube 130 is installed in the mounting groove 111 through one side of the heat exchange fin 110. The flat tube 130 is provided with a flow guide 133 at least on the side of the mounting groove 111 that penetrates the heat exchange fin 110.

[0067] In this embodiment, one end of the mounting groove 111 is designed with fins through it, which facilitates the installation of the flat tube 130. Because the fins are designed to penetrate through it, one end of the flat tube 130 in the length direction is not blocked, so condensate can flow more easily along the length direction. The guide part 133 is set on this side, which can prevent condensate leakage.

[0068] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 In this embodiment, the mounting groove 111 is located at one end outside the flat tube heat exchanger 100, penetrating the end of the heat exchange fin 110. Of course, in other embodiments of this application, the mounting groove 111 may also penetrate the heat exchange fin 110 from the inside.

[0069] It should be noted that because the mounting groove 111 of the heat exchange fin 110 extends through the outer side of the heat exchange fin 110, the outer end of the flat tube 130 in the width direction is not shielded by fins. This allows condensate to flow more easily along this side in the length direction, causing a large accumulation of condensate in a certain area, which then overlaps with the side wall of the drip tray 313, forming a condensate path and resulting in leakage. Therefore, when the gap on this side is small, more grooves 135 can be provided to prevent condensate leakage.

[0070] In this embodiment, the heat exchange fin 110 includes a first section 113, a second section 115, and a third section 117 that are bent and connected. Each of the first section 113, second section 115, and third section 117 is provided with multiple mounting grooves 111. The second section 115 is bent inward relative to the first section 113 at the corresponding mounting groove 111, and the third section 117 is bent inward relative to the second section 115 at the corresponding mounting groove 111. Some mounting grooves 111 penetrate the heat exchange fin 110 on one side of the outer side of the flat tube heat exchanger 100.

[0071] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 In this embodiment, the flat tube heat exchanger 100 is bent into three sections by bending the heat exchange fins 110. This makes it easier to install a larger area of ​​flat tube heat exchanger 100 in the air conditioner 300, which is more conducive to heat exchange. Secondly, the fins penetrate through the outside of the mounting groove 111, which facilitates the bending of the flat tube heat exchanger 100.

[0072] In some embodiments of this application, all flat tubes 130 have grooves 135 at both ends in the width direction. This arrangement makes all flat tubes 130 of the flat tube heat exchanger 100 have the same structure, which facilitates installation.

[0073] Of course, in some embodiments of this application, only one or a few flat tubes 130 extending into the water receiving tray 313 at both ends may be provided with grooves 135, while the rest may not be provided with grooves 135. This arrangement can save costs.

[0074] In summary, the flat tube heat exchanger 100 and air conditioner 300 provided in this embodiment, by providing a guide portion 133 on the outside of the flat tube 130 of the heat exchanger, can block the flow of condensate along the length direction of the flat tube 130. The guide portion 133 promotes the downward flow of condensate, shortens the accumulation and residence time of condensate between the fins, thereby avoiding the formation of a condensate path between the condensate and the water collection pan 313, thus improving the problem of condensate leaking out of the outside of the water collection pan 313 due to the flow of condensate along the length direction of the flat tube 130.

[0075] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A flat tube heat exchanger, characterized in that, It includes multiple heat exchange fins (110) and a flat tube (130); the multiple heat exchange fins (110) are arranged sequentially at intervals, and all the heat exchange fins (110) are provided with mounting grooves (111); The flat tube (130) is provided with a heat exchange channel (131), and the flat tube (130) is installed in the mounting groove (111) to exchange heat with all the heat exchange fins (110); A flow guide (133) is provided on the outside of the flat tube (130). The flow guide (133) is used to guide the condensate water to block the condensate water from flowing along the length of the flat tube (130).

2. The flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow guide (133) is disposed on one or both sides of the width of the flat tube (130).

3. The flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the flat tube (130) is provided with a plurality of flow guides (133) at intervals along the length direction.

4. The flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flow guide (133) is a groove (135) provided on the outer periphery of the flat tube (130).

5. The flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, The groove (135) is positioned perpendicular to the length direction of the flat tube (130).

6. The flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cross-section of the groove (135) is one of a circular arc, a triangle, or a quadrilateral.

7. The flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, At least one groove (135) is provided on the outer periphery of each of the flat tubes (130). The groove (135) is located between two adjacent heat exchange fins (110) of the flat tube (130) or at the position of the flat tube (130) corresponding to the heat exchange fins (110).

8. The flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The mounting groove (111) is arranged along the width direction of the heat exchange fin (110), and the mounting groove (111) penetrates one side of the heat exchange fin (110) in the width direction. The flat tube (130) is installed in the mounting groove (111) through the side of the heat exchange fin (110) via the mounting groove (111). The flat tube (130) is provided with the flow guide (133) at least on the side of the mounting groove (111) through the heat exchange fin (110).

9. The flat tube heat exchanger according to claim 8, characterized in that, The heat exchange fins (110) include a first section (113), a second section (115), and a third section (117) that are bent and connected. The first segment (113), the second segment (115) and the third segment (117) are each provided with a plurality of the mounting slots (111); The second segment (115) bends inward relative to the first segment (113) at the corresponding mounting groove (111), and the third segment (117) bends inward relative to the second segment (115) at the corresponding mounting groove (111); The mounting groove (111) corresponds to one side of the outer side of the flat tube heat exchanger (100) and penetrates the heat exchange fins (110).

10. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The air conditioner (300) includes an indoor unit body (311) and a flat tube heat exchanger (100) as described in any one of claims 1-9; The flat tube heat exchanger (100) is installed inside the indoor unit body (311), and a water receiving tray (313) is provided inside the indoor unit body (311), the water receiving tray (313) corresponding to the end of the flat tube heat exchanger (100).

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