Air conditioner

Abstract

The application discloses an air conditioner, and belongs to the technical field of air treatment. The air conditioner comprises a distributor for distributing refrigerant into a plurality of heat exchange pipes, and the distributor comprises an inlet flow path, a liquid phase inflow part in communication with the inlet flow path, a gas phase injection part in communication with the upper side of the liquid phase inflow part, a mixing cavity, a bottom end of the mixing cavity in communication with the upper end of the gas phase injection part, a side of the mixing cavity away from the inlet flow path in communication with the heat exchange pipes, a liquid phase flow path extending in a height direction, a lower end of the liquid phase flow path in communication with the liquid phase inflow part, and an upper end of the liquid phase flow path in communication with the top of the mixing cavity. The distributor enables gas-liquid mixed refrigerant to flow to the top of the mixing cavity through the liquid phase inflow part and the liquid phase flow path, and to flow downward from the top of the mixing cavity, and to be mixed with gas phase refrigerant injected upward into the mixing cavity by the gas phase injection part, and then to flow into the heat exchange pipes. The air conditioner can solve the problem of uneven distribution at the heat exchanger due to gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of air handling technology, and more particularly to an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, to reduce the refrigerant charge in air conditioning systems and improve heat exchanger performance, heat exchanger tubes for air conditioning systems have been trending towards smaller diameters. Microchannel heat exchangers use flat, porous tubes brazed to aluminum fins. The hydraulic diameter of a single hole in the flat tube is typically less than 1 mm. As the flow area of ​​the heat exchanger tube decreases, the number of heat exchanger tubes must be increased compared to traditional tube-fin heat exchangers to suppress refrigerant pressure loss. Since commercial air conditioning outdoor unit heat exchangers are very large, typically exceeding 800 mm in height, and the spacing between the flat tubes is usually between 10 and 18 mm, the number of flat tubes in the vertical direction often exceeds 60. Whether the refrigerant can be evenly distributed among these flat tubes has become a bottleneck restricting the performance of microchannel heat exchangers.

[0003] Currently, refrigerant is distributed to each heat exchanger tube in a secondary distribution method. The primary distribution is consistent with existing tube-fin heat exchangers, using a combination of distributors and capillary tubes, with each capillary tube connected to a secondary distributor. Secondary distributors often use manifold distributors, but these have a large internal space. After the refrigerant enters the manifold cavity, due to gravity, the denser liquid refrigerant settles at the bottom, while the gaseous refrigerant accumulates at the top, resulting in uneven refrigerant distribution between the upper and lower flat tubes.

[0004] In related technologies, secondary distributors use stacked distributors, which increase flow velocity and prevent gas-liquid separation by forming narrow channels between plates. The distributors distribute in layers in a 1-to-2 or 2-to-4 manner, which can achieve a good distribution effect. However, due to the existence of bends in the channels, phase separation also occurs when the refrigerant passes through due to centrifugal force. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an air conditioner that can solve the problem of uneven distribution of refrigerant at the heat exchanger due to refrigerant gas-liquid separation.

[0006] According to one aspect of this application, an air conditioner includes: a heat exchanger; the heat exchanger includes: a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged at intervals along the height direction for heat exchange and flow of refrigerant; a distributor for distributing refrigerant into the plurality of heat exchange tubes, the distributor including: an inlet flow path for refrigerant to flow into; a liquid inlet section communicating with the inlet flow path; a gas injection section communicating with the upper side of the liquid inlet section for forming an injection path for gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant; a mixing chamber, the bottom end of the mixing chamber communicating with the upper end of the gas injection section, and the side of the mixing chamber away from the inlet flow path communicating with the heat exchange tubes; and a liquid flow path extending along the height direction, the lower end of the liquid flow path communicating with the liquid inlet section, and the upper end of the liquid flow path communicating with the top of the mixing chamber.

[0007] The distributor causes the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant to flow through the liquid phase inlet and liquid phase flow path to the top of the mixing chamber, and then flow downward from the top of the mixing chamber to mix with the gas phase refrigerant injected upward from the gas phase injection section into the mixing chamber, and then flow into the heat exchange tube.

[0008] In this technical solution, by setting a gas phase injection section connected to the lower end of the mixing chamber and a liquid phase flow path connected to the top of the mixing chamber on the distributor, the gas phase refrigerant in the refrigerant can be sprayed upward into the mixing chamber through the gas phase injection section; the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant flows to the top of the mixing chamber through the liquid phase inlet section and the liquid phase flow path, and flows downward from the top of the mixing chamber. The gas phase refrigerant is sprayed upward by the gas phase injection section. When it encounters the liquid refrigerant sprayed downward, it disperses and atomizes the liquid refrigerant, thereby achieving uniform mixing of the gas and liquid phase refrigerants in the mixing chamber, and thus achieving uniform distribution of the refrigerant at the heat exchanger.

[0009] In some embodiments, at least the upper part of the gas phase jet is located above the inlet flow path in the height direction.

[0010] In this technical solution, after the refrigerant flows from the inlet flow path to the gas phase injection section, it needs to flow upward in the gas phase injection section. Since the gas is relatively light, it will flow upward, so it can be ensured that the refrigerant injected into the mixing chamber from the gas phase injection section is gas phase refrigerant.

[0011] In some embodiments, the centerline of the gas phase jet, which is parallel to the height direction, passes through the center of the inlet flow path when projected onto a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the refrigerant in the inlet flow path.

[0012] In this technical solution, the gaseous refrigerant can flow into the gaseous injection section through a shorter path.

[0013] In some embodiments, the width w1 of the gas phase jet is less than the maximum width w2 of the inlet flow path.

[0014] In this technical solution, the width of the gas phase injection section is relatively small, which can create a spraying effect and ensure the height of the gas phase refrigerant sprayed upward, thereby facilitating the mixing of the gas phase refrigerant and the liquid phase refrigerant.

[0015] In some embodiments, the heat exchange tube has a plurality of spaced holes; projected onto a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the refrigerant in the inlet flow path, the plurality of holes are all located within the mixing chamber.

[0016] In some embodiments, the liquid inflow portion extends in a straight line and is projected onto a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the refrigerant in the inlet flow path, and the dimension h of the liquid inflow portion in the height direction is not greater than the maximum width w2 of the inlet flow path.

[0017] In this technical solution, by setting h to be no greater than w2, the flow rate of refrigerant in the liquid phase inflow section can be avoided when h is relatively large.

[0018] In another aspect of this application, an air conditioner includes: a heat exchanger; the heat exchanger includes: a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged at intervals along the height direction for heat exchange and flow of refrigerant; a distributor for distributing refrigerant into the plurality of heat exchange tubes, the distributor including: an inlet plate having an inlet flow path for refrigerant to flow into; a two-phase mixing plate having: a liquid phase inlet section communicating with the inlet flow path; and a gas phase injection section communicating with the upper side of the liquid phase inlet section for forming an injection path for gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant. A mixing chamber, the bottom of which is connected to the upper end of the gas phase injection section, and the side of the mixing chamber away from the inlet flow path is connected to the heat exchange tube; a first liquid phase flow path section, extending along the height direction, the upper end of which is connected to the top of the mixing chamber; a connecting plate, connected to the side of the two-phase mixing plate away from the inflow plate, the connecting plate is provided with: a flow section, which is connected to the liquid phase inflow section; a second liquid phase flow path section, one end of which is connected to the flow section, and the other end of which is connected to the bottom of the first liquid phase flow path section.

[0019] The distributor causes the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant to flow through the liquid phase inlet, the flow section, the second liquid phase flow section, and the first liquid phase flow section to the top of the mixing chamber, and then flow downward from the top of the mixing chamber to mix with the gas phase refrigerant sprayed upward into the mixing chamber by the gas phase injection section, and then flow into the heat exchange tube.

[0020] In this technical solution, by providing a gas phase injection section connected to the lower end of the mixing chamber, a first liquid phase flow path section connected to the top of the mixing chamber, a flow section connected to the liquid phase inlet section, and a second liquid phase flow path section connecting the flow section and the bottom end of the first liquid phase flow path section on the distributor, the gas phase refrigerant in the refrigerant can be injected upward into the mixing chamber through the gas phase injection section; the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant flows to the top of the mixing chamber through the liquid phase inlet section, the flow section, the second liquid phase flow path section, and the first liquid phase flow path section, and flows downward from the top of the mixing chamber; the gas phase refrigerant is injected upward by the gas phase injection section, and when it encounters the liquid refrigerant injected downward, it disperses and atomizes the liquid refrigerant, thereby achieving uniform mixing of the gas and liquid two-phase refrigerants in the mixing chamber, and thus achieving uniform distribution of the refrigerant at the heat exchanger.

[0021] In some embodiments, the connecting plate is further provided with a mixing expansion cavity, which is connected to the mixing cavity.

[0022] In this technical solution, the mixing expansion cavity can increase the mixing space of the refrigerant, thereby improving the mixing effect of the refrigerant.

[0023] In some embodiments, the distributor further includes: a flow divider plate connected to the side of the connecting plate away from the two-phase mixing plate, the flow divider plate having a plurality of flow dividers communicating between the mixing expansion chamber and the heat exchange tube; and a heat exchange tube mounting plate having a plurality of heat exchange tube insertion portions for inserting heat exchange tubes.

[0024] In this technical solution, the refrigerant in the mixing expansion cavity is distributed to multiple heat exchange tubes through a flow divider.

[0025] In another aspect of this application, an air conditioner includes: a heat exchanger; the heat exchanger includes: a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged at intervals along the height direction for heat exchange and flow of refrigerant; a distributor for distributing refrigerant into the plurality of heat exchange tubes, the distributor including: an inlet plate having an inlet flow path for refrigerant to flow into; a two-phase mixing plate having: a liquid phase inlet section communicating with the inlet flow path; a gas phase injection section communicating with the upper side of the liquid phase inlet section; and a mixing chamber, the bottom end of which communicates with the top end of the gas phase injection section, and the side of the mixing chamber away from the inlet flow path communicating with the heat exchange tubes. A liquid phase flow section extends along the height direction, with its upper end connected to the top of the mixing chamber; a second liquid phase flow section is located below the first liquid phase flow section, with one end connected to the liquid phase inlet and the other end spaced apart from the bottom of the first liquid phase flow section; a connecting plate is connected to the side of the two-phase mixing plate away from the inlet plate, or connected between the inlet plate and the two-phase mixing plate, and the connecting plate is provided with: a liquid phase flow path connecting section, a part of which is connected to the first liquid phase flow section in the opposite direction, and the other part of which is connected to the second liquid phase flow section in the opposite direction;

[0026] The distributor causes the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant to flow through the liquid phase inlet, the second liquid phase flow section, the liquid phase flow connecting section, and the first liquid phase flow section to the top of the mixing chamber, and then flow downward from the top of the mixing chamber to mix with the gas phase refrigerant injected upward from the gas phase injection section into the mixing chamber, and then flow into the heat exchange tube.

[0027] In this technical solution, by setting a gas phase injection section connected to the lower end of the mixing chamber, a first liquid phase flow path section connected to the top of the mixing chamber, a second liquid phase flow path section connected to the liquid phase inlet section, and a liquid phase flow path connecting section connecting the first and second liquid phase flow path sections on the distributor, the gas phase refrigerant in the refrigerant can be injected upward into the mixing chamber through the gas phase injection section; the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant flows to the top of the mixing chamber through the liquid phase inlet section, the second liquid phase flow path section, the liquid phase flow path connecting section, and the first liquid phase flow path section, and flows downward from the top of the mixing chamber; the gas phase refrigerant is injected upward by the gas phase injection section, and when it encounters the liquid refrigerant injected downward, it disperses and atomizes the liquid refrigerant, thereby achieving uniform mixing of the gas and liquid two-phase refrigerants in the mixing chamber, and thus achieving uniform distribution of the refrigerant at the heat exchanger. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 An illustration of the appearance of an air conditioner according to some embodiments is shown;

[0029] Figure 2 A diagram of a refrigerant system associated with an air conditioner is shown according to some embodiments;

[0030] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to some embodiments is shown;

[0031] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a heat exchanger in an air conditioner according to some embodiments is shown;

[0032] Figure 5 A side view of a heat exchanger in an air conditioner according to some embodiments is shown;

[0033] Figure 6 A partial schematic diagram of a microchannel heat exchanger in an air conditioner according to some embodiments is shown;

[0034] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the gas manifold in a heat exchanger according to some embodiments is shown;

[0035] Figure 8 A perspective view of a dispenser according to some embodiments is shown;

[0036] Figure 9 and Figure 10 A perspective view of a dispenser in a disassembled state according to some embodiments is shown;

[0037] Figure 11 A diagram is shown of a dispenser in a decomposed tiling state according to some embodiments;

[0038] Figure 12 A simulation diagram of the mixing chamber in a dispenser according to some embodiments is shown;

[0039] Figure 13 A diagram is shown of a dispenser in a decomposed tiling state according to some other embodiments;

[0040] Figure 14 A diagram is shown of a dispenser in a decomposed tiling state according to yet another embodiment;

[0041] Figure 15 A diagram is shown of a distributor in a decomposed tiling state according to some other embodiments;

[0042] Figure 16 A side view of a two-phase mixing plate in a distributor according to some embodiments is shown.

[0043] In the above figures, 100 is the outdoor unit; 111 is the compressor; 112 is the outdoor heat exchanger; 113 is the four-way valve; 114 is the outdoor throttling device; 115 is the liquid receiver; 116 is the outdoor fan; 200 is the indoor unit; 211 is the indoor heat exchanger; 212 is the indoor throttling device; 213 is the indoor fan; 300 is the heat exchanger; 310 is the heat exchange tube; 310a is the orifice; 320 is the fin; 330 is the gas manifold; 331 is the confluence flow path; 340 is the heat exchanger body; 400 is the distributor; 410 is the inflow plate; 411 is the inlet flow path; 420 is the two-phase mixing plate; 421 is the two-phase inflow section; 4211 is the liquid phase inflow section; 4212 is the liquid phase inflow section; 422. Gas phase injection section; 423. Mixing chamber; 424. First liquid phase flow section; 4231. Third vertical flow section; 4232. Fourth vertical flow section; 424. Liquid phase flow path; 430. Connecting plate; 431. Flow section; 432. Second liquid phase flow section; 4321. First vertical flow section; 4322. Second vertical flow section; 433. Mixing expansion chamber; 434. Liquid phase flow path connecting section; 440. Flow divider plate; 441. Flow divider section; 450. Heat exchanger tube mounting plate; 451. Heat exchanger tube mounting section; 460. Through plate; 461. Through section; 470. Flow path connecting plate; 510. Fan; 600. Flow divider; 610. Capillary tube. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the objectives and implementation methods of this application clearer, the exemplary implementation methods of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the exemplary embodiments of this application. Obviously, the exemplary embodiments described are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0045] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0046] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0047] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0048] <Structure of an Air Conditioner>

[0049] Reference Figure 1 An air conditioner according to an embodiment of this application includes: an outdoor unit 100 located in an outdoor space for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and outdoor air; and an indoor unit 200 located in an indoor space for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and indoor air.

[0050] Figure 1 The demonstration uses a multi-split air conditioner as an example, in which multiple indoor units 200 are used. However, the air conditioner of this application is also applicable to the case of a single indoor unit 200.

[0051] Reference Figure 2 The outdoor unit 100 includes: a compressor 111 for compressing refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger 112 for performing heat exchange between outdoor air and refrigerant; a four-way valve 113 for selectively guiding the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 111 to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 or the indoor unit 200 according to the heating mode or cooling mode; an outdoor throttling device 114 for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 in the heating mode; and a liquid receiver 115 for preventing unevaporated liquid refrigerant from flowing to the compressor 111.

[0052] When the compressor 111 is powered on, it uses the rotational force of the compressor motor (not shown) to compress the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant to a high pressure.

[0053] In cooling mode, the four-way valve 113 guides the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 111 to the outdoor heat exchanger 112, and in heating mode, it guides the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 111 to the indoor unit 200.

[0054] In cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger 112 condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 111, and in heating mode, it evaporates the refrigerant depressurized by the indoor unit 200.

[0055] Outdoor fan 116 blows outdoor air to outdoor heat exchanger 112.

[0056] The outdoor throttling device 114 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant by throttling it. When the refrigerant passes through a narrow passage, its pressure decreases without heat exchange with the outside. Specifically, the outdoor throttling device 114 can be an expansion valve or a capillary tube, etc.

[0057] The indoor unit 200 includes: an indoor heat exchanger 211 that performs heat exchange between refrigerant and indoor air; and an indoor throttling device 212 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 211 in cooling mode.

[0058] Indoor heat exchanger 211 evaporates the refrigerant in cooling mode and condenses the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant in heating mode.

[0059] The flow of refrigerant in the air conditioner in cooling or heating mode will be described below.

[0060] When the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, the compressor 111 of the outdoor unit 100 compresses the refrigerant to a high pressure. As the refrigerant is compressed, its pressure and temperature increase.

[0061] Compressed refrigerant is guided to outdoor heat exchanger 112 via four-way valve 113. The refrigerant condenses in outdoor heat exchanger 112, and heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and outdoor air during this process. Specifically, the refrigerant changes from a gaseous state to a liquid state.

[0062] After passing through the outdoor throttling device 114, the condensed refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit 200.

[0063] The refrigerant supplied to the indoor unit 200 is depressurized by the indoor throttling device 212, and at the same time the refrigerant becomes a two-phase refrigerant with low temperature, low pressure and a certain degree of dryness.

[0064] The depressurized refrigerant is evaporated through the indoor heat exchanger 211, and heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air is performed simultaneously during the evaporation of the refrigerant. Specifically, the refrigerant changes to a gaseous state.

[0065] The evaporated gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor unit 100 after passing through the indoor heat exchanger 211, and is also supplied to the receiver 115 via the four-way valve 113. In the receiver 115, the refrigerant is separated into unevaporated liquid refrigerant and evaporated gaseous refrigerant, and the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 111 again, completing one refrigerant cycle.

[0066] As described above, in cooling mode, the air conditioner can use the heat exchange between the refrigerant generated in the indoor heat exchanger 211 and the indoor air to cool the indoor air.

[0067] When the air conditioner is in heating mode, the refrigerant is compressed to high pressure by the compressor 111 of the outdoor unit 100, and the temperature of the refrigerant increases with the pressure of the refrigerant.

[0068] After passing through the four-way valve 113, the compressed refrigerant is guided to the indoor unit 200.

[0069] The refrigerant is condensed by the indoor heat exchanger 211, and heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and the indoor air during the condensation process. Specifically, the refrigerant changes from a gaseous state to a liquid state.

[0070] After passing through the indoor heat exchanger 211, the condensed refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor unit 100 again.

[0071] The refrigerant supplied to the outdoor unit 100 is depressurized by the outdoor throttling device 114, and at the same time the refrigerant becomes a two-phase state with low temperature, low pressure and a certain degree of dryness.

[0072] The depressurized refrigerant is evaporated through the outdoor heat exchanger 112, and heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and the outdoor air during the evaporation process. Specifically, the refrigerant changes to a gaseous state.

[0073] The gaseous refrigerant evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 112 is supplied to the receiver 115 via the four-way valve 113. In the receiver 115, the refrigerant is separated into unevaporated liquid refrigerant and evaporated gaseous refrigerant, and the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 111 again to complete one refrigerant cycle.

[0074] As described above, in heating mode, the air conditioner can use the heat exchange between the refrigerant generated in the indoor heat exchanger 211 and the indoor air to heat the indoor air.

[0075] In this application, the outdoor heat exchanger 112 and the indoor heat exchanger 211 are collectively referred to as heat exchanger 300. The outdoor fan 116 and the indoor fan 213 are collectively referred to as fan 510. The outdoor throttling device 114 and the indoor throttling device 212 are collectively referred to as throttling device.

[0076] Figure 3 The demonstration uses a top-discharge outdoor unit as an example, where the fan 510 is located above the heat exchanger 300. Figure 3 The middle arrow indicates the airflow direction. When the fan 510 is running, air enters the outdoor unit from the lower side, exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 300, and then flows out from the top of the outdoor unit.

[0077] The heat exchanger 300 extends from the end with multiple heat exchange tubes 310 arranged from top to bottom (to be described later) to serve as the refrigerant inlet and outlet.

[0078] When heat exchanger 300 is used as an evaporator, the refrigerant entering the evaporator is a two-phase refrigerant that has been throttled by the throttling device. However, in large spaces or when the flow rate decreases, phase separation can occur in the two-phase refrigerant, leading to uneven distribution. This is especially true for... Figure 3 The outdoor unit shown is Figure 3 The heat exchanger 300 is very large and tall, and there are a large number of heat exchange tubes 310 in the vertical direction. Therefore, this type of air conditioner is more prone to uneven distribution problems.

[0079] The following section will provide a detailed description of this application in conjunction with the structure of the heat exchanger 300.

[0080] <Structure of Heat Exchanger 300>

[0081] Reference Figures 4 to 7 The heat exchanger 300 includes a heat exchanger body 340. The heat exchanger body 340 has a plurality of heat exchange tubes 310 and fins 320.

[0082] Heat exchange tube 310, on which refrigerant flows; fins 320, connected to heat exchange tube 310, increase the heat exchange efficiency between refrigerant and air by increasing the surface area of ​​heat exchange tube 310.

[0083] The heat exchange tube 310 can be a flat tube or a round tube.

[0084] When the heat exchange tube 310 is a circular tube, the heat exchanger 300 is a through-fin heat exchanger. Viewed from the side of the heat exchanger 300, the heat exchange tube 300 extends in an "S" shape from top to bottom. The heat exchange tube 310 passes through the fins 320.

[0085] When the heat exchange tube 310 is a flat tube, the heat exchanger 300 is a microchannel heat exchanger. Multiple flat tubes are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. Fins 320 are connected between the flat tubes, or the flat tubes are inserted into the fins 320.

[0086] The following explanation uses a microchannel heat exchanger as an example: the heat exchange tube 310 can be made of aluminum, and the fins 320 can be made of aluminum. The heat exchange tube 310 and the fins 320 are connected by welding.

[0087] The heat exchange tube 310 is a porous tube with multiple holes 310a that form a refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the air as it flows through each hole 310a of the heat exchange tube 310. The multiple holes 310a are arranged inside the heat exchange tube 310 along the air flow direction relative to the heat exchanger body 340.

[0088] At both ends of the heat exchanger body 340, multiple heat exchange tubes 310 extend relative to the fins 320 for connection to the refrigerant system.

[0089] The heat exchanger 300 includes a pair of manifolds connected to both ends of the heat exchanger body 340, and the manifolds are respectively connected to the extended heat exchange tubes 310.

[0090] One manifold is a distributor 400 through which a two-phase refrigerant (gas and liquid) flows. The other manifold is a gas manifold 330 through which a gaseous refrigerant flows. A distributor 600 with multiple capillary tubes 610 is connected to the distributor 400.

[0091] The refrigerant needs to be distributed into multiple heat exchange tubes 310 of the heat exchanger 300. If the refrigerant entering the heat exchange tubes 310 is not evenly distributed, it will affect the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 300.

[0092] The distributor 400 is connected to the heat exchange tube 310 to ensure that the refrigerant distributed into each heat exchange tube 310 of the heat exchanger 300 is basically the same, so as to maximize the efficiency of the heat exchanger 300.

[0093] When heat exchanger 300 is used as a condenser, the refrigerant entering the condenser is a superheated gas compressed by compressor 111. Therefore, the refrigerant can generally be evenly distributed at the condenser inlet. In other words, when the end of heat exchanger 300 connected to the four-way valve 113 is used as the inlet, there is usually no uneven distribution. Therefore, a conventional gas manifold 330 can be installed at this end of heat exchanger 300, and the distributor 400 is only installed at the end of heat exchanger 300 connected to the throttling device. In other embodiments, the gas manifold 330 can also adopt a distributor structure.

[0094] The distributor 400 is provided with a refrigerant inlet section as a refrigerant inlet and multiple refrigerant outlet sections as refrigerant outlets.

[0095] Specific reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The gas manifold 330 can be a closed cylindrical or rectangular tube. The cavity inside the gas manifold 330 forms a confluence flow path 331. Multiple heat exchange tubes 310 are connected to the inflow side of the confluence flow path 331. A refrigerant piping is connected to the outflow side of the confluence flow path 331.

[0096] The gas manifold 330 is provided with multiple refrigerant inlet sections and one or more refrigerant outlet sections.

[0097] Refrigerant piping for the refrigerant system is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the distributor 400 and the refrigerant outlet of the gas manifold 330. Heat exchanger tube 310 is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the distributor 400 and the refrigerant inlet of the gas manifold 330.

[0098] When the heat exchanger 300 functions as an evaporator, the refrigerant flows into the distributor 400 via the refrigerant inlet and is divided, then flows out to the multiple heat exchange tubes 310 via multiple refrigerant outlets. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the air driven by the fan 510 within the multiple heat exchange tubes 310. The refrigerant flowing in the multiple heat exchange tubes 310 merges with the gas manifold 330 via the multiple refrigerant inlets and flows out to the refrigerant piping via the refrigerant outlets.

[0099] In addition, when the heat exchanger 300 functions as a condenser, the refrigerant flows in the opposite direction to this flow.

[0100] <Structure of Distributor 400>

[0101] The structure of the distributor 400 will be described in detail below.

[0102] Reference Figures 8 to 11 The distributor 400 is composed of multiple layers of plates. The plates can be made of aluminum plates with flow channels engraved on them, and are integrally brazed in a brazing furnace.

[0103] The multi-layer board includes an inflow board 410. The inflow board 410 is a rectangular board that is longer in the vertical direction (height direction). In the inflow board 410, the board surface is arranged along the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0104] The inflow plate 410 has a through hole running through the front and rear directions to form an inlet flow path 411. The inlet flow path 411 corresponds to the refrigerant inflow section of the distributor 400.

[0105] The inflow plate 410 may include one or multiple plates stacked together.

[0106] The inlet flow path 411 has a circular cross-section and can be connected to the capillary tube 610 (or refrigerant piping). The inlet flow path 411 can be directly connected to the capillary tube 610 (or refrigerant piping) by welding; or, a pipe fitting can be connected to the inlet flow path 411 and connected to the capillary tube 610 through the pipe fitting.

[0107] The flow path cross-section here refers to the cross-section obtained by cutting off the flow path orthogonally to the refrigerant flow direction. The refrigerant flow direction refers to the direction in which the refrigerant flows within the inlet flow path 411.

[0108] The multilayer panel includes a two-phase hybrid panel 420. The two-phase hybrid panel 420 is a rectangular panel that is longer in the vertical direction. In the two-phase hybrid panel 420, the panel surfaces are arranged in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0109] The two-phase mixing plate 420 is provided with a through hole running through the front and rear directions to form a two-phase inflow section 421. The two-phase inflow section 421 is connected to the inlet flow path 411 of the inflow plate 410.

[0110] The two-phase inflow section 421 includes a liquid phase inflow section 4211. The liquid phase inflow section 4211 can extend linearly in the left-right direction. The middle part of the liquid phase inflow section 4211 can communicate with the inlet flow path 4211.

[0111] The two-phase inflow section 421 includes a gas phase injection section 4212. The gas phase injection section 4212 is orifice-shaped and has a throttling effect. The gas phase injection section 4212 is connected to the upper end of the liquid phase inflow section 4221. Specifically, the gas phase injection section 4212 can communicate with the upper middle part of the liquid phase inflow section 4211.

[0112] The two-phase mixing plate 420 has a through cavity running through the front and rear directions to form a mixing cavity 422. The mixing cavity 422 is used to mix the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant.

[0113] The mixing chamber 422 is connected to the heat exchange tube 310 so that the refrigerant in the mixing chamber 422 can flow to the heat exchange tube 310.

[0114] In two-phase refrigerants, the gaseous and liquid phases have a significant density difference, resulting in different inertia during flow. The liquid phase refrigerant has a higher density, larger mass flow rate, and greater inertia; the gaseous phase refrigerant has a lower density, smaller mass flow rate, and less inertia.

[0115] After the refrigerant flows into the two-phase inflow section 421 through the inlet flow path 411 of the inflow plate 410, the gaseous refrigerant is sprayed upward into the mixing chamber 422 through the gaseous injection section 4212 in the two-phase mixing plate 420. The liquid phase refrigerant mixed with a large amount of gaseous phase flows into the liquid phase inflow section 4211 and then into the liquid phase flow path (described below).

[0116] The two-phase mixing plate 420 is provided with a through groove running through the front and rear directions to form the first liquid phase flow section 423.

[0117] The first liquid phase flow section 423 can be located on the left and right sides of the mixing chamber 422. The top end of the first liquid phase flow section 423 is connected to the top end of the mixing chamber 422.

[0118] The first liquid phase flow section 423 is part of the liquid phase flow path and is used to supply the flow of gas-liquid mixed refrigerant.

[0119] The multi-layer panel includes a connecting plate 430. The connecting plate 430 is a rectangular panel that is longer in the vertical direction. In the connecting plate 430, the panel surfaces are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0120] The connecting plate 430 is connected to the side of the two-phase mixing plate 420 away from the inflow plate 410.

[0121] The connecting plate 430 is provided with a first through hole in the front-to-back direction to form a flow section 431. The flow section 431 is connected to the liquid phase inflow section 4211 of the two-phase mixing plate 420.

[0122] The connecting plate 430 is provided with a second through hole in the front and rear directions to form a second liquid phase flow section 432.

[0123] The second liquid phase flow section 432 is connected to the flow section 431. Specifically, the bottom end of the second liquid phase flow section 432 is connected to the end of the flow section 431, and the top end of the second liquid phase flow section 432 is connected to the bottom end of the first liquid phase flow section 423.

[0124] The second liquid phase flow section 432 is connected to the first liquid phase flow section 423 to form a liquid phase flow path.

[0125] The gas-liquid mixed refrigerant flows into the liquid phase flow path through the liquid phase inlet 4211 and the flow section 431, and then flows from the top of the liquid phase flow path to the top of the mixing chamber 422 of the two-phase mixing plate 420. The gas-liquid mixed refrigerant continues to flow downward from the top of the mixing chamber 422, and mixes with the gas phase refrigerant sprayed upward into the mixing chamber 422 by the gas phase injection section 4212, and then flows into the heat exchange tube 310.

[0126] The gaseous refrigerant is injected upwards by the gas phase injection section 4212. When it encounters the liquid refrigerant injected downwards, it disperses and atomizes the liquid refrigerant, thereby achieving uniform mixing of the gas and liquid two-phase refrigerants in the mixing chamber 422.

[0127] In this application, the refrigerant injected upward by the gas phase injection section 4212 is mainly in a gaseous state, while the refrigerant injected into the mixing chamber 422 from the top is a mixture of liquid and gas phases, with a large proportion of gas phase volume fraction. The liquid phase basically consists of all the liquid phase of the refrigerant flowing into the distributor, as shown in the simulation. Figure 12 The proportion of the liquid phase of the fluid sprayed upward by the two-phase mixing plate 420 is basically 0, and the proportion of the liquid phase of the fluid sprayed downward by the two-phase mixing plate 420 is basically about 0.2%.

[0128] The distributor 400 proposed in this application differs from existing methods that achieve gas-liquid separation through gravity. Instead, it utilizes the inertial difference between the gas and liquid phases to achieve separation. The mixed refrigerant of the liquid and gas phases flows downwards from the top of the distributor 400, while the gaseous refrigerant flows upwards from the bottom. The two streams of refrigerant collide and mix within the mixing chamber 422, achieving uniform distribution of the refrigerant.

[0129] In some embodiments, continue to refer to Figures 9 to 11 The connecting plate 430 may be provided with a through cavity that extends through the front and rear directions to form a mixed expansion cavity 433.

[0130] The mixing expansion cavity 433 is connected to the mixing cavity 422. The mixing expansion cavity 433 increases the volume of the mixing cavity 422. The combination of the mixing expansion cavity 433 and the mixing cavity 422 forms a larger cavity, allowing sufficient space for the refrigerant to mix thoroughly in the forward and backward directions. The mixing expansion cavity 433 can improve the mixing effect of the refrigerant.

[0131] In some embodiments, the multilayer panel includes a diversion plate 440, which is a rectangular plate that is longer in the vertical direction. In the diversion plate 440, the plate surface is arranged in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0132] The splitter plate 440 is connected to the side of the connecting plate 430 away from the two-phase mixing plate 420.

[0133] The flow divider plate 440 has multiple through holes running through the front and rear directions to form multiple flow dividers 441. The flow dividers 441 are connected to the mixing expansion cavity 433, so that the refrigerant in the mixing expansion cavity 433 is divided into multiple streams and flows into the multiple flow dividers 441 respectively.

[0134] In some other embodiments, unlike the above-described method where the diversion section 441 is disposed on the diversion plate 440, the mixing expansion cavity 433 on the diversion plate 440 and the connecting plate 430 is omitted, and the diversion section 441 is disposed on the connecting plate 430.

[0135] The connecting plate 430 has multiple through holes running through the front and rear directions to form multiple flow dividers 441. The flow dividers 441 are connected to the mixing chamber 422, so that the refrigerant in the mixing chamber 422 is divided into multiple streams and flows into the multiple flow dividers 441 respectively.

[0136] The flow divider 441 is connected to the heat exchange tube 310 inserted into the heat exchange tube mounting plate 450 (which will be described later) to distribute the mixed refrigerant into the heat exchange tube 310. The flow divider 441 and the heat exchange tube 310 are connected in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0137] In some embodiments, the multilayer plate includes a heat exchanger tube mounting plate 450, which is a rectangular plate that is longer in the vertical direction. The heat exchanger tube mounting plate 450 has its surface arranged in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0138] The heat exchanger tube mounting plate 450 is the plate on the distributor 400 closest to the heat exchanger body 340. The inflow plate 410 is the plate on the distributor 400 furthest from the heat exchanger body 340.

[0139] The heat exchanger tube mounting plate 450 has multiple through holes running in the front-to-back direction to form a heat exchanger tube mounting section 451. The heat exchanger tube mounting section 451 is used for inserting the heat exchanger tube 310.

[0140] Projected onto a plane orthogonal to the front-back direction, the shape of the heat exchanger tube mounting part 451 can be the same as the shape of the heat exchanger tube 310. The heat exchanger tube mounting part 451 is connected to the heat exchanger tube 310 in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0141] After the heat exchange tube 310 is inserted into the heat exchange tube mounting part 451, it is connected to the flow distribution part 441.

[0142] In some embodiments, the multilayer panel includes a through-plate 460.

[0143] The through-plate 460 is a rectangular plate that is longer in the vertical direction. In the through-plate 460, the plate surface is arranged in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0144] The through plate 460 is connected to the side of the heat exchanger tube mounting plate 450 away from the heat exchanger body 340.

[0145] The through plate 460 is provided with multiple through holes in the front and rear directions to form the through part 461.

[0146] Projected onto a plane orthogonal to the front and rear directions, the shape of the through-hole 461 can be the same as that of the heat exchange tube 310, and the size of the through-hole 461 can be larger than that of the heat exchange tube 310, so as to facilitate the through-hole connection of the heat exchange tube 310 to the through-hole 461.

[0147] When the distributor 400 does not have a flow divider plate 440, the heat exchange tube 310 passes through the flow divider plate 460 and then abuts against the rear plate surface of the connecting plate 430.

[0148] When the distributor 400 includes a flow divider 440, the heat exchange tube 310 passes through the flow divider 460 and abuts against the rear surface of the flow divider 440.

[0149] In some embodiments, continue to refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 The liquid inflow section 4211 can extend in a straight line in the left-right direction, and the inlet flow path 411 corresponds to the middle of the liquid inflow section 4211. The flow section 431 also extends in a straight line in the left-right direction.

[0150] The second liquid flow section 432 includes a first vertical flow section 4321. The first vertical flow section 4321 extends in the vertical direction, and the bottom end of the first vertical flow section 4321 is connected to the left end of the flow section 431. The first vertical flow section 4321 is located on the left side of the mixing expansion cavity 433.

[0151] The second liquid flow section 432 includes a second vertical flow section 4322. The second vertical flow section 4322 extends in the vertical direction, and its bottom end is connected to the right end of the flow section 431. The second vertical flow section 4322 is located on the right side of the mixing expansion chamber 433.

[0152] The first liquid flow section 423 includes a third vertical flow section 4231. The third vertical flow section 4231 extends in the vertical direction and is located on the left side of the mixing chamber 422.

[0153] The first liquid flow section 423 includes a fourth vertical flow section 4232. The fourth vertical flow section 4232 extends in the vertical direction and is located on the right side of the mixing chamber 422.

[0154] <Refrigerant Flow>

[0155] Reference Figure 10 The arrows in the diagram indicate the flow direction of the refrigerant. The refrigerant flows through the inlet flow path 411 to the two-phase inflow section 421. At the two-phase inflow section 421, the gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant is sprayed upward into the mixing chamber 422 through the gaseous injection section 4212. The liquid phase mixed with the gaseous refrigerant flows through the liquid phase inflow section 4211 to the flow section 431 of the connecting plate 430, and is divided into two paths in the flow section 431: one path flows upward from the left along the first vertical flow path section 4321 to the third vertical flow path section 4231, and then from the top of the third vertical flow path section 4231 to the top of the mixing chamber 422, and continues to flow downward from the top of the mixing chamber 422; the other path flows upward from the right along the second vertical flow path section 4322 to the fourth vertical flow path section 4232, and then from the top of the fourth vertical flow path section 4232 to the top of the mixing chamber 422, and continues to flow downward from the top of the mixing chamber 422.

[0156] The downward-flowing liquid phase mixed with the gaseous refrigerant is mixed with the upward-sprayed gaseous refrigerant and then splits into multiple streams that flow to multiple branch sections 441, and then flows from the branch sections 441 to the heat exchange tube 310.

[0157] In another embodiment of the distributor 400, the difference from the above embodiment is:

[0158] Reference Figure 13 A second liquid phase flow section 432 is provided on the two-phase mixing plate 420. The second liquid phase flow section 432 is located below the first liquid phase flow section 423, and the top end of the second liquid phase flow section 432 is spaced from the bottom end of the first liquid phase flow section 423. The bottom end of the second liquid phase flow section 432 is connected to the end of the liquid phase inlet 4211.

[0159] In some embodiments, the second liquid flow path 432 and the liquid inlet 4211 are generally U-shaped. The liquid inlet 4211 forms the bottom of the U-shape, and the second liquid flow path 432 forms the two sides of the U-shape.

[0160] The flow section 431 and the second liquid phase flow section 432 are removed from the connecting plate 430.

[0161] The connecting plate 430 is provided with a through hole running through the front and back directions to form a liquid phase flow path connecting section 434.

[0162] The upper part of the liquid phase flow path connecting section 434 is connected to the bottom end of the first liquid phase flow path section 423, and the lower part of the liquid phase flow path connecting section 434 is connected to the top end of the second liquid phase flow path section 432. The liquid phase flow path connecting section 434 is used to connect the first liquid phase flow path section 423 and the second liquid phase flow path section 432.

[0163] The gas-liquid mixed refrigerant flows through the liquid phase inlet 4211 to the second liquid phase flow section 432, continues to flow through the liquid phase flow path connecting section 434 and the first liquid phase flow path section 423 to the top of the mixing chamber 422, and flows downward from the top of the mixing chamber 422 to mix with the upward-sprayed gaseous refrigerant, and then flows into the heat exchange tube 310.

[0164] The gaseous refrigerant is injected upwards by the gaseous injection section 4212. When it encounters the liquid refrigerant injected downwards, it disperses and atomizes the liquid refrigerant, thereby achieving uniform mixing of the gas and liquid two-phase refrigerants in the mixing chamber 422 and thus achieving uniform distribution of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger body 340.

[0165] In another embodiment of the distributor 400, the difference from the above embodiment is that: (Referring to...) Figure 14 A second liquid phase flow section 432 is provided on the two-phase mixing plate 420. The second liquid phase flow section 432 is located below the first liquid phase flow section 423, and the top end of the second liquid phase flow section 432 is spaced from the bottom end of the first liquid phase flow section 423. The bottom end of the second liquid phase flow section 432 is connected to the end of the liquid phase inlet 4211.

[0166] The second liquid flow section 432 and the liquid inflow section 4211 are approximately "U" shaped. The liquid inflow section 4211 forms the bottom of the "U" shape, and the second liquid flow section 432 forms the two sides of the "U" shape.

[0167] The flow section 431 and the second liquid phase flow path 432 are removed from the connecting plate 430 on the rear side of the two-phase mixing plate 420.

[0168] A flow path connecting plate 470 is added between the inflow plate 410 and the two-phase mixing plate 420. The flow path connecting plate 470 is provided with a liquid phase flow path connecting section 434.

[0169] The upper part of the liquid phase flow path connecting section 434 is connected to the bottom end of the first liquid phase flow path section 423, and the lower part of the liquid phase flow path connecting section 434 is connected to the top end of the second liquid phase flow path section 432. The liquid phase flow path connecting section 434 is used to connect the first liquid phase flow path section 423 and the second liquid phase flow path section 432.

[0170] The liquid-phase mixed with gaseous refrigerant flows through the liquid inlet section 4211 to the second liquid flow section 432, continues through the liquid flow path connecting section 434 and the first liquid flow path section 423 to the top of the mixing chamber 422, and flows downward from the top of the mixing chamber 422 to mix with the upward-sprayed gaseous refrigerant, and then flows into the heat exchange tube 310.

[0171] The gaseous refrigerant is injected upwards by the gaseous injection section 4212. When it encounters the liquid refrigerant injected downwards, it disperses and atomizes the liquid refrigerant, thereby achieving uniform mixing of the gas and liquid two-phase refrigerants in the mixing chamber 422 and thus achieving uniform distribution of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger body 340.

[0172] In another embodiment of the distributor 400, the difference from the above embodiment is that: (Referring to...) Figure 15 The two-phase mixing plate 421 is provided with a grooved liquid phase flow path 424. The liquid phase flow path 424 is located outside the mixing chamber 422.

[0173] The lower part of the liquid flow path 424 is connected to the liquid inlet 421, and the top of the liquid flow path 424 is connected to the top of the mixing chamber 422.

[0174] In some other embodiments of the distributor 400, unlike the embodiments described above, the distributor 400 is made using a mold. A first mold with the same shape as the refrigerant flow path is placed into a second mold corresponding to the shape of the distributor 400, and then molten aluminum is poured into the second mold; after the aluminum solidifies, the first mold is melted and flows out.

[0175] In this embodiment, the dispenser 400 is of an integral structure. Except that the dispenser 400 in this embodiment is different from that in the above embodiment in that it is composed of multiple stacked plates, the rest are the same.

[0176] The dispenser includes: an inlet flow path 411 for allowing refrigerant to flow in; a gas-phase injection part 4212 communicating with the inlet flow path 411 in an opposite direction; a liquid-phase inlet part 4211 communicating with the bottom end of the gas-phase injection part 4212; a liquid-phase flow path extending in the height direction, and the lower end of the liquid-phase flow path communicating with the end of the liquid-phase inlet part 4211; a mixing chamber 422, the bottom end of the mixing chamber 422 communicating with the upper end of the gas-phase injection part 4212, the top end of the mixing chamber 422 communicating with the upper end of the liquid-phase flow path, and the side of the mixing chamber 422 away from the inlet flow path 411 communicating with the heat exchange tube 310 in an opposite direction.

[0177] The gas-phase refrigerant in the refrigerant is sprayed upward into the mixing chamber 422 through the gas-phase injection part 4212; the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant flows through the liquid-phase inlet part 4211 and the liquid-phase flow path to the top of the mixing chamber 422 and flows downward from the top of the mixing chamber 422 to collide and mix with the upwardly sprayed gas-phase refrigerant, and then flows into the heat exchange tube 310.

[0178] The gas-phase refrigerant is sprayed upward by the gas-phase injection part 4212. When it encounters the liquid refrigerant sprayed from top to bottom, it disperses and atomizes the liquid refrigerant, realizing the uniform mixing of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in the mixing chamber 422, so as to achieve the uniform distribution of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger main body 340.

[0179] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 16 , the width w1 of the gas-phase injection part 4212 in the left-right direction is smaller than the maximum width w2 of the inlet flow path 411 in the left-right direction.

[0180] When the flow path cross-section of the inlet flow path 411 is circular, w2 is the inner diameter of the inlet flow path 411.

[0181] The width w1 of the gas-phase injection part 4212 < w2, making the gas-phase injection part 4212 relatively narrow, so as to achieve the injection effect at the outlet of the injection part 4212.

[0182] If the width w1 of the gas-phase injection part 4212 is relatively large, the flow velocity of the fluid flowing through the gas-phase injection part 4212 is not fast enough, which will cause the problem of short upward injection distance of the gas-phase refrigerant, thus affecting the effect of the upper and lower refrigerant collision and mixing.

[0183] In some embodiments, the projection onto the surface of the two-phase mixing plate 420 is also a projection onto a plane orthogonal to the refrigerant flow direction within the inlet flow path 411, with at least the upper part of the gas phase injection section 4212 located above the inlet flow path 411. Thus, after the refrigerant enters the two-phase inflow section 421 from the inlet flow path 411, it needs to flow upwards within the gas phase injection section 4212. Since gas is lighter and tends to flow upwards, it ensures that the refrigerant injected into the mixing chamber 422 from the gas phase injection section 4212 is gaseous refrigerant.

[0184] If the upper part of the gas phase injection section 4212 coincides with the inlet flow path 411 when projected onto the surface of the two-phase mixing plate 420, then liquid refrigerant will flow from the gas phase injection section 4212 into the mixing chamber 422.

[0185] In some embodiments, the inlet flow path 411 is located at the bottom of the inflow plate 410 and at the middle in the left-right direction.

[0186] The liquid inflow section 4211 extends in a straight line in the left-right direction. The gas jet section 4212 is connected to the middle of the top of the liquid inflow section 4211.

[0187] Projected onto the surface of the two-phase mixing plate 420, the vertical centerline of the gas phase injection section 4212 passes through the center of the inlet flow path 411. In this way, the gas phase refrigerant from the inlet flow path 411 flows directly upward into the gas phase injection section 4212, ensuring that the path of the gas phase refrigerant is relatively short.

[0188] The vertical dimension h of the liquid inflow section 4211 is not greater than the maximum width w2 of the inlet flow path 411 in the horizontal direction.

[0189] If h > w2, then h in the liquid inflow section 4211 is relatively large, which will slow down the flow rate of the refrigerant in the liquid inflow section 4211.

[0190] In some embodiments, the width w3 of the flow path cross section of the liquid flow path 424 is not greater than the maximum width w2 of the inlet flow path 411 in the left-right direction. This avoids the refrigerant from depositing in the liquid flow path 424 due to a slower flow rate when the liquid flow path 424 is wider.

[0191] In some embodiments, the mixing chamber 422 is rectangular. Projected onto the surface of the two-phase mixing plate 420, the holes 310a on the heat exchange tubes 310 are all located within the mixing chamber 422. In this way, the space of the mixing chamber 422 is large enough to ensure the counter-mixing effect of the upper and lower refrigerants.

[0192] If the mixing chamber 422 is small, the refrigerant will flow into the downstream branch section 441 before the upper and lower refrigerants are mixed.

[0193] As described above, according to the embodiments of this application, the separation of the gas and liquid phases is achieved by utilizing the inertial difference during the flow of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The mixed refrigerant of the liquid and gas phases flows downwards from the top of the distributor, while the gas phase refrigerant flows upwards from the bottom. The two streams of refrigerant flow against each other within the mixing chamber of the distributor, mixing to achieve uniform distribution of the refrigerant.

[0194] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0195] For ease of explanation, the above description has been provided in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the above exemplary discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed above. Various modifications and variations can be obtained based on the above teachings. The selection and description of the above embodiments are for the purpose of better explaining the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better utilize the described embodiments and various different variations of embodiments suitable for specific use considerations.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, include: Heat exchanger; The heat exchanger includes: Multiple heat exchange tubes are arranged at intervals along the height direction for heat exchange and circulation of refrigerant; A distributor for distributing refrigerant into a plurality of the heat exchange tubes, the distributor comprising: Inlet flow path, used for refrigerant to flow in; The liquid inflow section is connected to the inlet flow path. The gas phase injection section is connected to the upper side of the liquid phase inflow section and is used to form an injection path for the gas phase refrigerant in the refrigerant. The mixing chamber has its bottom end connected to the upper end of the gas phase injection section, and the side of the mixing chamber away from the inlet flow path is connected to the heat exchange tube. A liquid flow path extends along the height direction, with its lower end connected to the liquid inlet and its upper end connected to the top of the mixing chamber. The distributor causes the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant to flow through the liquid phase inlet and the liquid phase flow path to the top of the mixing chamber, and then flow downward from the top of the mixing chamber to mix with the gas phase refrigerant sprayed upward into the mixing chamber by the gas phase injection section, and then flow into the heat exchange tube.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the vertical direction, at least the upper part of the gas phase jet is located above the inlet flow path.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Projected onto a plane perpendicular to the refrigerant flow direction within the inlet flow path, the centerline of the gas phase injection unit, parallel to the height direction, passes through the center of the inlet flow path.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width w1 of the gas phase injection section is less than the maximum width w2 of the inlet flow path.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange tube has a plurality of spaced holes; projected onto a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the refrigerant in the inlet flow path, all of the plurality of holes are located within the mixing chamber.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid inflow section extends in a straight line and is projected onto a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the refrigerant in the inlet flow path. The dimension h of the liquid inflow section in the height direction is not greater than the maximum width w2 of the inlet flow path.

7. An air conditioner, characterized in that, include: Heat exchanger; The heat exchanger includes: Multiple heat exchange tubes are arranged at intervals along the height direction for heat exchange and circulation of refrigerant; A distributor for distributing refrigerant into a plurality of the heat exchange tubes, the distributor comprising: The inlet plate has an inlet flow path for refrigerant to flow in; Two-phase mixing plate, on which are provided: The liquid inflow section is connected to the inlet flow path. The gas phase injection section is connected to the upper side of the liquid phase inflow section and is used to form an injection path for the gas phase refrigerant in the refrigerant. The mixing chamber has its bottom end connected to the upper end of the gas phase injection section, and the side of the mixing chamber away from the inlet flow path is connected to the heat exchange tube. The first liquid phase flow path extends along the height direction, and the upper end of the first liquid phase flow path is connected to the top of the mixing chamber; A connecting plate, connected to the side of the two-phase mixing plate away from the inflow plate, the connecting plate being provided with: A flow section, which is connected to the liquid inflow section; The second liquid phase flow section has one end connected to the flow section, and the other end of the second liquid phase flow section is connected to the bottom of the first liquid phase flow section. The distributor causes the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant to flow through the liquid phase inlet, the flow section, the second liquid phase flow path, and the first liquid phase flow path to the top of the mixing chamber, and then flow downward from the top of the mixing chamber to mix with the gas phase refrigerant sprayed upward into the mixing chamber by the gas phase injection section, and then flow into the heat exchange tube.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that, The connecting plate is also provided with: A mixing expansion cavity, which is in communication with the mixing cavity.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, characterized in that, The distributor also includes: A flow divider plate is connected to the side of the connecting plate away from the two-phase mixing plate. The flow divider plate is provided with multiple flow dividers, which are connected between the mixing expansion chamber and the heat exchange tube. A heat exchanger tube mounting plate is provided with multiple heat exchanger tube insertion parts for inserting the heat exchanger tubes.

10. An air conditioner, characterized in that, include: Heat exchanger; The heat exchanger includes: Multiple heat exchange tubes are arranged at intervals along the height direction for heat exchange and circulation of refrigerant; A distributor for distributing refrigerant into a plurality of the heat exchange tubes, the distributor comprising: The inlet plate has an inlet flow path for refrigerant to flow in; Two-phase mixing plate, on which are provided: The liquid inflow section is connected to the inlet flow path. The gas phase injection section is connected to the upper side of the liquid phase inflow section; The mixing chamber has its bottom end connected to the top end of the gas phase injection section, and the side of the mixing chamber away from the inlet flow path is connected to the heat exchange tube. The first liquid phase flow path extends along the height direction, and the upper end of the liquid phase flow path is connected to the top of the mixing chamber; The second liquid phase flow section is located below the first liquid phase flow section. One end of the second liquid phase flow section is connected to the liquid phase inlet, and the other end of the second liquid phase flow section is spaced from the bottom end of the first liquid phase flow section. A connecting plate is connected to the side of the two-phase mixing plate away from the inflow plate, or connected between the inflow plate and the two-phase mixing plate, and the connecting plate is provided with: A liquid phase flow path connecting section, a part of which is connected to the first liquid phase flow path section in the opposite direction, and another part of which is connected to the second liquid phase flow path section in the opposite direction; The distributor causes the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant to flow through the liquid phase inlet, the second liquid phase flow section, the liquid phase flow connecting section, and the first liquid phase flow section to the top of the mixing chamber, and then flow downward from the top of the mixing chamber to mix with the gas phase refrigerant sprayed upward into the mixing chamber by the gas phase injection section, and then flow into the heat exchange tube.

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