Flat tube and microchannel heat exchanger

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a flat tube and a microchannel heat exchanger, which belong to the field of air conditioning heat exchange technology. The flat tube has a plurality of microchannels inside, the extension direction of the microchannels is the same as the extension direction of the flat tube, and the plurality of microchannels are arranged at intervals perpendicular to the extension direction of the flat tube; the flat tube has a first surface, the first surface is parallel to the extension direction of the flat tube and the arrangement direction of the plurality of microchannels; the flat tube has a drainage channel, the extension direction of the drainage channel is the same as the extension direction of the flat tube, and at least part of the drainage channel is located in the first surface. The flat tube and microchannel heat exchanger provided by the present disclosure can improve the heat exchange efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of air conditioning heat exchange, and in particular relates to a flat tube and a microchannel heat exchanger. Background Art

[0002] Microchannel heat exchangers have the advantages of high heat transfer efficiency, light weight and small refrigerant charge, and are increasingly valued by air-conditioning manufacturers.

[0003] In the related art, a microchannel heat exchanger includes a plurality of parallel and stacked flat tubes. A plurality of microchannels are arranged inside the flat tubes. The microchannels provide circulation channels for the refrigerant. Fins are arranged outside the flat tubes, and the fins are connected between two adjacent flat tubes, and the fins are roughly perpendicular to the flat tubes. In this way, the heat exchange in the air can be further enhanced by the fins.

[0004] However, when the microchannel heat exchanger is used as an indoor cooling unit, it is generally necessary to place the flat tubes vertically so that the condensed water can flow out as quickly as possible along the surface of the vertically placed flat tubes. However, due to the positional relationship between the flat tubes and the fins, when the flat tubes are placed vertically, the fins are roughly horizontal. As a result, the condensed water cannot flow smoothly in the connection area between the fins and the flat tubes. The condensed water can only flow along the angle between the connection between the fins and the flat tubes under the action of external forces (such as wind force) and then flow down along the surface of the flat tubes, resulting in low drainage efficiency of the microchannel heat exchanger and reducing the heat exchange efficiency of the microchannel heat exchanger. Utility Model Content

[0005] The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a flat tube and a microchannel heat exchanger, which can improve the heat exchange efficiency of the microchannel heat exchanger. The technical solution is as follows:

[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a flat tube, wherein a plurality of microchannels are provided inside the flat tube, wherein the extension direction of the microchannels is the same as the extension direction of the flat tube, and the plurality of microchannels are arranged at intervals perpendicular to the extension direction of the flat tube; the flat tube has a first surface, and the first surface is parallel to the extension direction of the flat tube and the arrangement direction of the plurality of microchannels; the flat tube has a drainage channel, wherein the extension direction of the drainage channel is the same as the extension direction of the flat tube, and at least a portion of the drainage channel is located in the first surface.

[0007] In yet another implementation of the present disclosure, the drainage channel is an open groove structure, and the drainage channel is entirely located on the first surface.

[0008] In yet another implementation of the present disclosure, the drainage channel is a V-shaped groove.

[0009] In yet another implementation of the present disclosure, an angle formed between two interconnected sidewall surfaces of the V-shaped groove is greater than 90°.

[0010] In yet another implementation of the present disclosure, along the arrangement direction of the plurality of microchannels, the drainage channel is located in the middle of the first surface.

[0011] In yet another implementation of the present disclosure, the microchannels are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the drainage channel.

[0012] In yet another implementation of the present disclosure, there are a plurality of drainage channels, and the plurality of drainage channels are arranged at intervals along an extension direction perpendicular to the flat tube.

[0013] In yet another implementation of the present disclosure, an anti-corrosion coating is provided on the inner wall surface of the drainage channel.

[0014] In yet another implementation of the present disclosure, the flat tube is an aluminum structural member.

[0015] In another implementation of the present disclosure, a microchannel heat exchanger is provided. The microchannel heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes and fins. The plurality of flat tubes are stacked and arranged. The fins are connected between two adjacent flat tubes. The flat tubes are the flat tubes described above.

[0016] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure brings the following beneficial effects:

[0017] When the flat tube provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is used in a microchannel heat exchanger, since the flat tube has a drainage channel, and the extension direction of the drainage channel is the same as the extension direction of the flat tube, at least part of the drainage channel is located in the first surface. In this way, when the flat tube is placed vertically for use, condensed water on the surface of the flat tube can enter the drainage channel and be smoothly discharged along the extension direction of the drainage channel, thereby greatly improving the drainage efficiency and heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0018] That is to say, by setting a drainage channel penetrating the surface of the flat tube on the flat tube, the condensed water retained on the surface of the flat tube can be quickly discharged through the drainage channel, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the flat tube and thus improving the heat exchange performance of the microchannel heat exchanger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0020] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a flat tube provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a microchannel heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of another microchannel heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] The symbols in the figure mean the following:

[0024] 1. Flat tube; 101. First surface; 103. Drainage channel; 10. Microchannel; 2. Fin; 3. Collecting pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more clear, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] In the related art, the microchannel heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes 1 and fins 2, wherein the plurality of flat tubes 1 are stacked and a fin 2 is connected between two adjacent flat tubes 1. When in use, the drainage performance of the microchannel heat exchanger is poor, mainly because the fins form resistance to the condensed water from top to bottom, causing a large amount of condensed water to be stored on the fins, which has a relatively large impact on the heat exchange performance.

[0027] To this end, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a flat tube that can solve the above problems.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a flat tube provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, see Figure 1 The flat tube 1 has a plurality of microchannels 10 in its interior. The extension direction of the microchannels 10 is the same as the extension direction of the flat tube 1, and the plurality of microchannels 10 are arranged at intervals along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the flat tube 1. The flat tube 1 has a first surface 101. The first surface 101 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the flat tube 1 (see Figure 1 The direction a) in the drawing and the arrangement direction of the plurality of microchannels 10 are parallel.

[0029] The flat tube 1 has a drainage channel 103 . The extension direction of the drainage channel 103 is the same as the extension direction of the flat tube 1 . At least a portion of the drainage channel 103 is located in the first surface 101 .

[0030] When the flat tube provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is used in a microchannel heat exchanger, since the flat tube 1 has a drainage channel 103, and the extension direction of the drainage channel 103 is the same as the extension direction of the flat tube 1, at least part of the drainage channel 103 is located in the first surface 101. In this way, when the flat tube is placed vertically for use, the condensed water on the surface of the flat tube 1 can enter the drainage channel 103 and be smoothly discharged along the extension direction of the drainage channel 103, thereby greatly improving the drainage efficiency and heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0031] That is to say, by setting a drainage channel penetrating the surface of the flat tube on the flat tube, the condensed water retained on the surface of the flat tube can be quickly discharged through the drainage channel, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the flat tube and thus improving the heat exchange performance of the microchannel heat exchanger.

[0032] It should be noted that Figure 1 This is the corresponding top view when the flat tube is placed vertically.

[0033] In addition, the extending direction of the flat tube 1 in this embodiment can be referred to as Figure 1 Direction a or Figure 3 Direction b.

[0034] Optionally, the drainage channel 103 is an open groove structure, and the drainage channel 103 is entirely located on the surface.

[0035] In the above implementation, the drainage channel 103 is configured as an open groove structure, which not only facilitates the arrangement of the drainage channel 103 , but also enables the condensed water on the surface of the flat tube 1 to flow out smoothly along the inner wall surface of the drainage channel 103 .

[0036] Of course, the drainage channel 103 can also be other structures, for example, the drainage channel 103 is a drainage hole arranged inside the flat tube 1 and a plurality of openings arranged on the first surface 101. The drainage hole extends along the extension direction of the flat tube 1. The plurality of openings are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the flat tube 1. The plurality of openings are all connected to the drainage hole. In this way, the condensed water on the surface of the flat tube 1 can also enter the drainage hole through the opening, and then be discharged from the channel drainage hole.

[0037] In other words, as long as the condensed water on the surface of the flat tube 1 can be quickly drained away, the specific structure of the drainage channel 103 is not limited.

[0038] Optionally, the drainage channel 103 is a V-shaped groove.

[0039] In the above implementation, the drainage channel 103 is a V-shaped groove, and the inclined wall of the V-shaped groove can make the condensed water flow quickly, thereby improving the discharge efficiency of the condensed water.

[0040] Of course, the structure of the above drainage channel 103 can also be other open grooves, such as a U-shaped groove, a semicircular groove, etc.

[0041] Optionally, an angle formed between two interconnected sidewall surfaces of the V-shaped groove is greater than 90°.

[0042] In the above implementation, the angle formed by the drainage channel 103 is greater than 90°, so that the area occupied by the drainage channel 103 in the surface can be increased through a larger angle, thereby further improving the drainage efficiency through a larger area.

[0043] Of course, the angle formed by the drainage channel 103 can be set according to the thickness of the flat tube 1, etc., and can also be less than 90°, as long as it does not affect the normal use of the flat tube 1 and can improve the drainage efficiency.

[0044] Optionally, along the arrangement direction of the plurality of microchannels 10 , the drainage channel 103 is located in the middle of the surface.

[0045] In the above implementation, the microchannel 10 provides a circulation channel for the refrigerant, and the drainage channel 103 is arranged in the middle of the surface, so that the condensed water on the surface of the flat tube 1 can be quickly discharged through the drainage channel 103 .

[0046] Of course, along the arrangement direction of the plurality of microchannels 10 , the drainage channel 103 may also be located on a side of the first surface that deviates from the middle.

[0047] Optionally, the microchannels 10 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the drainage channel 103 .

[0048] In the above implementation, the microchannels 10 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the drainage channel 103, so that when heat exchange is performed inside and outside the microchannels 10, the condensed water generated on the surface of the flat tube 1 can be distributed as symmetrically as possible so that it can be quickly discharged through the drainage channel 103.

[0049] Optionally, there are multiple drainage channels 103 , such as two, etc. The multiple drainage channels 103 are arranged at intervals along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the flat tube 1 .

[0050] In the above implementation, the provision of multiple drainage channels 103 can further improve the drainage efficiency of condensed water on the surface of the flat tube 1 .

[0051] Optionally, an anti-corrosion coating is provided on the inner wall surface of the drainage channel 103 .

[0052] In the above implementation, an anti-corrosion coating is provided on the inner wall surface of the drainage channel 103 , which can increase the anti-corrosion performance of the drainage channel 103 and further increase the overall service life of the flat tube 1 .

[0053] Exemplarily, the anti-corrosion coating may be a hydrophilic film and a passivating film.

[0054] In addition, in order to prevent the flat tube 1 from corrosion, etc., an anti-corrosion coating is also provided on the surface of the flat tube 1. When the anti-corrosion coating is sprayed on the flat tube 1, it can be sprayed on the inner wall surface of the drainage channel 103 in one piece.

[0055] Optionally, the flat tube 1 is an aluminum structural member, which can further improve the heat exchange efficiency of the flat tube 1.

[0056] Of course, the flat tube 1 can also be made of other metal materials with good heat dissipation performance, such as copper, that is, the flat tube 1 can also be a copper structural member.

[0057] On the other hand, the present disclosure also provides a microchannel heat exchanger, such as Figure 2 As shown, the microchannel heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes 1 and fins 2. The plurality of flat tubes 1 are stacked and arranged, and the fins 2 are connected between two adjacent flat tubes 1. At least one flat tube 1 is the flat tube mentioned above.

[0058] The above channel heat exchanger has the same beneficial effects as the flat tubes mentioned above.

[0059] When the above microchannel heat exchanger is used as an indoor unit, since the flat tube 1 is placed vertically, the extension direction of the flat tube 1 is the vertical direction. In this way, the drainage channel 103 is naturally also in the vertical direction. Therefore, the condensed water remaining on the surface of the flat tube 1 can be discharged from top to bottom along the drainage channel 103 as quickly as possible, thereby improving the heat exchange performance of the microchannel heat exchanger.

[0060] In this embodiment, the fin 2 is welded between two adjacent flat tubes 1 .

[0061] Optionally, at least one drainage channel 103 is provided in two adjacent flat tubes 1 .

[0062] In the above implementation, at least one drainage channel 103 is provided in two adjacent flat tubes 1 , so that after the flat tubes 1 are installed, it can be ensured that the condensed water between each fin 2 and the flat tube 1 can flow out along the drainage channel 103 .

[0063] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another microchannel heat exchanger provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 The microchannel heat exchanger further includes two headers 3, which are arranged in parallel and are respectively located on both sides of the extension direction of the flat tubes 1. Each header 3 extends along the stacking direction of the flat tubes 1, and each header 3 is connected to the microchannels 10 inside each flat tube 1.

[0064] The arrangement of the manifold 3 is used to introduce refrigerant into the microchannels 10 in the flat tubes 1 so that the refrigerant can flow inside the flat tubes 1 to achieve heat exchange.

[0065] It should be noted that the above Figure 3 This is the side view corresponding to the flat tube placed vertically.

[0066] The following is a brief introduction to the use of the microchannel heat exchanger provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure:

[0067] When the above microchannel heat exchanger is used as an indoor unit, the flat tube 1 is placed vertically. At this time, the extension direction of the flat tube 1 is the vertical direction. In this way, the drainage channel 103 is naturally also in the vertical direction. Therefore, the condensed water remaining on the surface of the flat tube 1 can be discharged from top to bottom along the drainage channel 103 as quickly as possible, thereby improving the heat exchange performance of the microchannel heat exchanger.

[0068] The above description is only an optional embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A flat tube for a microchannel heat exchanger, characterized in that: The flat tube (1) has a plurality of microchannels (10) inside, the extension direction of the microchannels (10) is the same as the extension direction of the flat tube (1), and the plurality of microchannels (10) are arranged at intervals along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the flat tube (1); The flat tube (1) has a first surface (101), and the first surface (101) is parallel to the extension direction of the flat tube (1) and the arrangement direction of the plurality of microchannels (10); The flat tube (1) has a drainage channel (103), the extension direction of the drainage channel (103) is the same as the extension direction of the flat tube (1), and at least part of the drainage channel (103) is located in the first surface (101).

2. The flat tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drainage channel (103) is an open groove structure, and the drainage channel (103) is entirely located on the first surface (101).

3. The flat tube according to claim 2, characterized in that: The drainage channel (103) is a V-shaped groove.

4. The flat tube according to claim 3, characterized in that: The angle formed between the two interconnected side walls of the V-shaped groove is greater than 90°.

5. The flat tube according to claim 2, characterized in that: Along the arrangement direction of the plurality of microchannels (10), the drainage channel (103) is located in the middle of the first surface (101).

6. The flat tube according to claim 5, characterized in that: The microchannels (10) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the drainage channel (103).

7. The flat tube according to claim 2, characterized in that: There are a plurality of drainage channels (103), and the plurality of drainage channels (103) are arranged at intervals along an extension direction perpendicular to the flat tube (1).

8. The flat tube according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: An anti-corrosion coating is provided on the inner wall surface of the drainage channel (103).

9. The flat tube according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The flat tube (1) is an aluminum structural component.

10. A microchannel heat exchanger, characterized in that: The microchannel heat exchanger comprises a plurality of flat tubes (1) and fins (2), wherein the plurality of flat tubes (1) are arranged in a stacked manner, and the fins (2) are connected between two adjacent flat tubes (1), and at least one of the flat tubes (1) is a flat tube as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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