Variable heat exchange unit, heat exchanger and air conditioner

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of air conditioning, and discloses an exchangeable heat exchange unit which comprises a plurality of refrigerant pipes, a first confluence assembly, a second confluence assembly and a flow path switching assembly, and the refrigerant pipes form a plurality of heat exchange channels; the first confluence assembly comprises a first confluence pipe, a first inlet and outlet is formed in one end of the first confluence pipe, and the first end of each heat exchange channel is connected to the first confluence pipe; the second confluence assembly is provided with a second inlet and outlet, and the second end of each heat exchange channel is connected to the second confluence assembly; and the flow path switching assembly is arranged on the first confluence assembly and the second confluence assembly, and the flow path switching assembly is configured to switch the series connection and parallel connection states of the multiple heat exchange paths when the flow directions of refrigerants are different. The utility model further discloses the heat exchanger and the air conditioner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of air conditioning, for example, to a transformable heat unit, a heat exchanger, and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] When an air conditioner switches between the cooling and heating modes, the function of the heat exchanger needs to be changed. Taking the outdoor heat exchanger as an example, in the cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger acts as a condenser to cool the refrigerant, and in the heating mode, it acts as an evaporator to absorb heat from the outdoor environment through refrigerant evaporation. When the heat exchanger acts as a condenser, the pressure drop of the gaseous refrigerant is not obvious, and a longer refrigerant pipeline is beneficial for the refrigerant to be fully cooled and obtain a certain degree of subcooling. When the heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, a shorter refrigerant pipeline is beneficial for reducing the refrigerant pressure drop so that the liquid refrigerant can fully evaporate.

[0003] In order to enable the heat exchanger to have different refrigerant flow paths when acting as an evaporator and as a condenser, a heat exchanger is disclosed in the related art. The heat exchanger includes a first main pipeline, a second main pipeline, a first heat exchange passage, a second heat exchange passage, a third heat exchange passage, a first bypass pipeline, and a second bypass pipeline. A first one-way valve is provided on the first bypass pipeline, and a second one-way valve is provided on the second bypass pipeline. When the refrigerant enters the first flow dividing element from the first main pipeline, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows in the heating direction, which can effectively shorten the flow path of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, thereby facilitating the rapid circulation of the refrigerant; when the refrigerant enters the fourth flow dividing element from the second main pipeline, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows in the cooling direction, which can extend the flow path and flow duration of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the pressure drop in the heat exchanger.

[0004] In the process of implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is found that there are at least the following problems in the related art:

[0005] Connecting multiple heat exchange passages and configuring one-way valves requires connecting a relatively large number of pipes, which is difficult to configure in a limited installation space, and the processing technology is relatively complex and the cost is relatively high.

[0006] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background art section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this application, and thus may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Utility Model

[0007] To have a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed embodiments, a simple summary is given below. This summary is not a general review, nor is it intended to identify key / important constituent elements or delineate the protection scope of these embodiments, but rather serves as a preface to the subsequent detailed description.

[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a transformable heat unit, a heat exchanger, and an air conditioner to optimize the structure of the heat exchanger and simplify the processing procedure of the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the cost of the heat exchanger.

[0009] In some embodiments, the transformable heat unit includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes, a first manifold assembly, a second manifold assembly, and a flow path switching assembly. Among them, the plurality of refrigerant pipes form a plurality of heat exchange paths; the first manifold assembly includes a first manifold pipe, one end of the first manifold pipe forms a first inlet / outlet, and the first end of each heat exchange path is connected to the first manifold pipe; the second manifold assembly is provided with a second inlet / outlet, and the second end of each heat exchange path is connected to the second manifold assembly; the flow path switching assembly is connected to the first manifold assembly and the second manifold assembly, and the flow path switching assembly is configured to switch the series-parallel state of the plurality of heat exchange paths when the refrigerant flow direction is different.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first end of the heat exchange path is connected to the side wall of the first manifold pipe and / or the other end of the first manifold pipe.

[0011] In some embodiments, both ends of the heat exchange path are located at the same end of the refrigerant pipe along the length direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first manifold pipe is vertically arranged, and the top end of the first manifold pipe forms the first inlet / outlet.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second manifold assembly includes a second manifold pipe, the second manifold pipe is vertically arranged, and the bottom end forms the second inlet / outlet.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second end of the heat exchange path is connected to the side wall of the second manifold pipe and / or the top end of the second manifold pipe.

[0015] In some embodiments, at least three heat exchange passages are formed by the plurality of refrigerant pipes, such as a first heat exchange passage, a second heat exchange passage, and a third heat exchange passage. The first ends of the three heat exchange passages are sequentially connected to a first position, a second position, and a third position of the first manifold, and the second ends of the three heat exchange passages are sequentially connected to a fourth position, a fifth position, and a sixth position of the second manifold assembly. The flow path switching assembly includes a first conducting member and a second conducting member. Among them, the first conducting member is disposed on the first manifold and located between the first position and the second position. The second conducting member is disposed on the second manifold assembly and located between the fifth position and the sixth position. When the refrigerant flows from the first inlet and outlet to the second inlet and outlet, both the first conducting member and the second conducting member are blocked to connect the three heat exchange passages in series. When the refrigerant flows from the second inlet and outlet to the first inlet and outlet, both the first conducting member and the second conducting member are conducted to connect the three heat exchange passages in parallel.

[0016] In some embodiments, the distance between the second position and the first position is greater than the distance between the second position and the third position; and / or, the distance between the fifth position and the sixth position is greater than the distance between the fifth position and the fourth position.

[0017] In some embodiments, the variable heat unit further includes a three-way connector having a first interface, a second interface, and a third interface. The second end of the first heat exchange passage is connected to the first interface, the second end of the second heat exchange passage is connected to the second interface, and the third interface communicates with the second manifold assembly.

[0018] In some embodiments, the three-way connector includes a U-shaped pipe and a connecting pipe. Among them, for the U-shaped pipe, the two ends respectively form the first interface and the second interface. For the connecting pipe, one end is connected to the U-shaped pipe and the other end forms the third interface.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first conducting member includes a first check valve, and the conducting direction of the first check valve is from the first check valve to the first inlet and outlet direction.

[0020] In some embodiments, the second conducting member includes a second check valve, and the conducting direction of the second check valve is from the second inlet and outlet to the second check valve.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first conducting member includes a first cylinder body, the first manifold includes a first pipe section and a second pipe section that are separately arranged, and the first pipe section and the second pipe section are respectively connected to two ends of the first cylinder body along the axial direction.

[0022] In some embodiments, when the second current collecting component includes a second current collecting pipe, the second conducting component includes a second cylinder body, the second current collecting pipe includes a third pipe section and a fourth pipe section which are separately arranged, and the third pipe section and the fourth pipe section are respectively connected to two ends of the second cylinder body along the axial direction.

[0023] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger includes a plurality of the above-mentioned heat exchange units capable of transformation and a connecting pipe group for connecting the plurality of heat exchange units capable of transformation.

[0024] In some embodiments, the connecting pipe group includes a gas collecting pipe, a plurality of connecting branch pipes and a liquid distributor. One end of the gas collecting pipe forms a first pipe orifice; the plurality of connecting branch pipes are arranged corresponding to the plurality of heat exchange units capable of transformation, one end of each connecting branch pipe is connected to the side wall of the gas collecting pipe, and the other end is connected to the first inlet / outlet of the heat exchange unit capable of transformation; the liquid distributor is connected to the second inlet / outlets of the plurality of heat exchange units capable of transformation, and the liquid distributor is further provided with a second pipe orifice.

[0025] In some embodiments, the air conditioner includes the above-mentioned heat exchange unit capable of transformation and the above-mentioned heat exchanger.

[0026] The heat exchange unit capable of transformation, the heat exchanger and the air conditioner provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve the following technical effects:

[0027] One end of the first current collecting pipe of the heat exchange unit capable of transformation forms a first inlet / outlet, which can optimize the structure of the heat exchange unit capable of transformation and improve the process consistency and performance consistency of the heat exchange unit capable of transformation. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange units capable of transformation, and even if the number of heat exchange paths of the heat exchanger is large, the refrigerant can still be evenly distributed among the plurality of heat exchange units capable of transformation. When the air conditioner operates in the refrigeration mode or the heating mode, the heat exchanger can achieve a good heat exchange effect, so that the air conditioner can obtain a better refrigeration and heating effect.

[0028] The above general description and the following description are only exemplary and explanatory and are not used to limit the present application. Description of the Drawings

[0029] One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by corresponding drawings. These exemplary illustrations and the drawings do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are shown as similar elements. The drawings do not constitute a proportional limitation, and among them:

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a heat exchange unit capable of transformation provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a three-way connecting part of a heat exchange unit capable of transformation provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3 FIG. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the connection of multiple transformable heat units provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the refrigerant pipes are removed;

[0033] Figure 4 FIG. is another schematic diagram showing the connection of multiple transformable heat units provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the refrigerant pipes are removed;

[0034] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a heat exchanger provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6 FIG. is another schematic structural diagram of a heat exchanger provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 7 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant cycle when a transformable heat unit serves as an evaporator provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 8 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant cycle when a transformable heat unit serves as a condenser provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Reference numerals:

[0039] 10 refrigerant pipe; 11: first heat exchange passage; 12: second heat exchange passage; 13: third heat exchange passage; 100: first confluence assembly; 110: first confluence pipe; 111: first pipe segment; 112: second pipe segment; 101: first inlet / outlet; 200: second confluence assembly; 210: second confluence pipe; 211: third pipe segment; 212: fourth pipe segment; 201: second inlet / outlet; 300: flow path switching assembly; 310: first conducting member; 311: first one-way valve; 301: first cylinder; 320: second conducting member; 321: second one-way valve; 302: second cylinder; 400: three-way connector; 401: first interface; 402: second interface; 403: third interface; 410: U-shaped pipe; 420: connecting pipe; 500: gas collecting pipe; 501: first pipe orifice; 600: liquid distributor; 601: second pipe orifice. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] In order to more fully understand the features and technical content of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are for reference and illustration purposes only and are not used to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the following technical description, for the sake of explanation, numerous details are provided to give a full understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, one or more embodiments may still be implemented without these details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices may be shown in a simplified manner to simplify the drawings.

[0041] In the description, claims, and the above-mentioned drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so as to implement the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0042] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "middle", "outer", "front", and "rear" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. These terms are mainly used to better describe the embodiments of the present disclosure and their implementations, and are not used to limit that the indicated devices, elements, or components must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. And, in addition to being able to represent an orientation or positional relationship, some of the above terms may also be used to represent other meanings. For example, the term "upper" may also be used to represent a certain attachment relationship or connection relationship in some cases. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of these terms in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0043] In addition, the terms "arranged", "connected", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or there is internal communication between two devices, elements, or components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0044] Unless otherwise specified, the term "plurality" means two or more.

[0045] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the character " / " indicates that the front and rear objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B.

[0046] The term "and / or" is an associative relationship describing an object, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A or B, or, A and B these three relationships.

[0047] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be combined with each other.

[0048] When the air conditioner switches between the cooling and heating modes, the function of the heat exchanger needs to be changed. Taking the outdoor heat exchanger as an example, in the cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger acts as a condenser to cool the refrigerant, and in the heating mode, it acts as an evaporator to absorb the heat of the outdoor environment through refrigerant evaporation. When the heat exchanger acts as a condenser, the pressure drop of the gaseous refrigerant is not obvious, and a longer refrigerant pipeline is beneficial for the refrigerant to be fully cooled and obtain a certain degree of subcooling. When the heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, a shorter refrigerant pipeline is beneficial for reducing the refrigerant pressure drop so that the liquid refrigerant can be fully evaporated.

[0049] In order to enable the heat exchanger to have different refrigerant flow paths when acting as an evaporator and a condenser, a heat exchanger is disclosed in the related art. The heat exchanger includes a first main pipeline, a second main pipeline, a first heat exchange passage, a second heat exchange passage, a third heat exchange passage, a first bypass pipeline, and a second bypass pipeline. A first one-way valve is provided on the first bypass pipeline, and a second one-way valve is provided on the second bypass pipeline. When the refrigerant enters the first flow splitting element from the first main pipeline, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows in the heating direction, which can effectively shorten the flow path of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, thus facilitating the rapid circulation of the refrigerant; when the refrigerant enters the fourth flow splitting element from the second main pipeline, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows in the cooling direction, which can extend the flow path and flow duration of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the pressure drop in the heat exchanger. The problem of the related art is that if the number of heat exchange passages is small, the effect of switching between the cooling and heating flow paths is not obvious, and if the number of heat exchange passages is large, connecting multiple heat exchange passages and configuring one-way valves requires connecting more pipes, which is difficult to configure in a limited installation space, and the processing technology is relatively complex and the cost is high.

[0050] In order to optimize the structure of the heat exchanger and simplify the processing process of the heat exchanger, as shown in Figures 1 to 8 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a heat exchange unit capable of transformation is provided. The heat exchange unit capable of transformation includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes, a first confluence assembly 100, a second confluence assembly 200, and a flow path switching assembly 300. Among them, the plurality of refrigerant pipes form a plurality of heat exchange passages; the first confluence assembly 100 includes a first confluence pipe 110, one end of the first confluence pipe 110 forms a first inlet / outlet 101, and the first end of each heat exchange passage is connected to the first confluence pipe 110; the second confluence assembly 200 is provided with a second inlet / outlet 201, and the second end of each heat exchange passage is connected to the second confluence assembly 200; the flow path switching assembly 300 is connected to the first confluence assembly 100 and the second confluence assembly 200, and the flow path switching assembly 300 is configured to switch the series-parallel state of the plurality of heat exchange passages when the refrigerant flow direction is different.

[0051] The transformable heat unit provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be used as a heat exchanger with a single transformable heat unit, or can be used as a heat exchanger by connecting multiple transformable heat units. When multiple transformable heat units are combined into a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger has more heat exchange passages, and better evaporation or condensation heat exchange effects can be achieved when it is used as an evaporator or a condenser.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5 , the transformable heat unit includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes 10, and the relative positions of the plurality of refrigerant pipes 10 are kept fixed and are taken as a whole. As an alternative embodiment, the transformable heat unit includes a bracket, and the plurality of refrigerant pipes are fixed to the bracket in a substantially parallel form.

[0053] Some of the refrigerant pipes are connected by hairpin tubes or other similar connecting pipe parts 420, and these refrigerant pipes are combined to form a heat exchange passage. The heat exchange passage has a continuous refrigerant flow path, and the heat exchange passage has an inlet end and an outlet end. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "the first end of the heat exchanger passage" refers to one of the inlet end and the outlet end, and "the second end of the heat exchange passage" refers to the other of the inlet end and the outlet end. It should be noted that the plurality of refrigerant pipes combined into a heat exchange passage can be in a series connection form, a parallel connection form, or in a series-parallel combination manner in some cases, as long as there is an inlet end and an outlet end for the refrigerant. When the diameter of the refrigerant pipe is relatively large, the refrigerant pipes in the heat exchange passage are preferably in a series connection manner. When the diameter of the refrigerant pipe is relatively small, the refrigerant pipes in the heat exchange passage are preferably in a parallel connection manner.

[0054] For conventional heat exchangers, most of them adopt the form of connecting one end of multiple heat exchange passages with a gas collecting pipe 500 and connecting the other end of multiple heat exchange passages with multiple liquid collecting pipes.

[0055] As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 , for the transformable heat unit provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the series-parallel relationship of multiple heat exchange passages is switched by a conducting component. Specifically, when the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the multiple heat exchange passages are switched to a parallel connection state through a flow path switching component 300. When the multiple heat exchange passages are in parallel connection and the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the refrigerant is in a low-temperature and low-pressure area, and the heat transfer performance is mainly restricted by both the heat transfer coefficient and the pressure drop. Connecting the multiple heat exchange passages in parallel can greatly reduce the system pressure drop and thus improve the heat transfer performance.

[0056] As shown in Figure 8As shown in the figure, when the heat exchanger serves as a condenser, the flow path switching component 300 switches multiple heat exchange paths to a series-connected state. When the heat exchanger serves as a condenser, the refrigerant is in the high-temperature and high-pressure region. At this time, the heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger is mainly affected by the heat transfer coefficient. Connecting multiple heat exchange paths in series can accelerate the refrigerant circulation and increase the heat transfer coefficient. In addition, when multiple heat exchange paths are connected in series, the flow path of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger is relatively long, and it can continue to cool down after condensing into a liquid state, thereby obtaining a certain degree of subcooling. This can further improve the refrigeration and heating efficiency of the system.

[0057] When configuring the first confluence component 100, the second confluence component 200, and the flow path switching component 300 for multiple heat exchange paths, limited by the installation space, the connecting branch pipes such as each hairpin tube are prone to affect each other, making the shaping and welding difficult during the production process, with poor process and performance consistency, and a relatively high overall machine cost.

[0058] Combined with Figure 1 As shown in the figure, in order to optimize the structure of the heat exchanger and simplify the processing procedure of the heat exchanger, the transformable heat unit provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first confluence component 100, and the first confluence component 100 includes a first confluence pipe 110. One end of the first confluence pipe 110 forms a first inlet / outlet 101. The first inlet / outlet 101 is in terms of the entire transformable heat unit, and the transformable heat unit has a first inlet / outlet 101 and a second inlet / outlet 201. Since one end of the first confluence pipe 110 forms the first inlet / outlet 101, the transformable heat unit does not need to be provided with corresponding refrigerant inlets / outlets or connecting branch pipes on the side wall of the first confluence pipe 110, the structure of the transformable heat unit is optimized, and the processing procedure of the transformable heat unit is also simplified.

[0059] Optionally, multiple heat exchange paths include the same number of refrigerant pipes.

[0060] This can make the lengths of each heat exchange path close, so that the flow rates of the refrigerant in multiple heat exchange paths are close and evenly distributed.

[0061] Optionally, the first end of the heat exchange path is connected to the side wall of the first confluence pipe 110 and / or the other end of the first confluence pipe 110.

[0062] When the first end of the heat exchange path is connected to the side wall of the first confluence pipe 110, a relatively large number of heat exchange paths can be connected when the length of the first confluence pipe 110 is fixed. In addition, after the refrigerant enters the first confluence branch pipe from the first inlet / outlet 101, the first sections of the multiple heat exchange paths connected to the side wall of the first confluence branch pipe serve as the intake ends, and the difference in the refrigerant entering the multiple heat exchange paths in the first confluence branch pipe is relatively small, which is beneficial to the uniform distribution of the refrigerant in the multiple heat exchange paths.

[0063] The first end of the heat exchange passage is connected to the other end of the first manifold branch pipe, which can reduce the length of the first manifold branch pipe and further improve the integration degree of the variable heat exchange unit.

[0064] Combined with Figure 5 As shown, optionally, both ends of the heat exchange passage are located at the same end of the refrigerant pipe along the length direction.

[0065] Exemplarily, the refrigerant pipe is horizontally arranged, with two ends along the length direction. One end of the refrigerant pipe is connected to the hairpin pipe, and the first end and the second end of the heat exchange passage are all formed at the other end of the refrigerant pipe. When configuring the first manifold assembly 100, the second manifold assembly 200 and the flow path switching assembly 300 for the heat exchange passage, all are completed at the same end of the refrigerant pipe. This can further improve the integration degree of the variable heat exchange unit and is beneficial to the processing of the variable heat exchange unit.

[0066] Combined with Figure 1 As shown, optionally, the first manifold pipe 110 is vertically arranged, and the top end of the first manifold pipe 110 forms the first inlet / outlet 101.

[0067] When the first manifold pipe 110 is vertically arranged, the top end of the first manifold pipe 110 serves as the first inlet / outlet 101. When the variable heat exchange unit functions as a condenser, the gaseous refrigerant enters the first manifold pipe 110 from the first inlet / outlet 101. Since the first inlet / outlet 101 is located at the top end of the first manifold branch pipe, even if a small amount of liquid refrigerant is formed in the first inlet / outlet 101, the liquid refrigerant is not easily introduced into the compressor in the front stage of the variable heat exchange unit from the first inlet / outlet 101. Adopting such a setting method is beneficial to the orderly flow of the refrigerant.

[0068] Combined with Figure 1 As shown, optionally, the second manifold assembly 200 includes a second manifold pipe 210, and the second manifold pipe 210 is vertically arranged and its bottom end forms the second inlet / outlet 201.

[0069] The bottom end of the second manifold pipe 210 forms the second inlet / outlet 201. When the variable heat exchange unit functions as an evaporator, the liquid refrigerant enters the second manifold pipe 210 from the second inlet / outlet 201. Since the second inlet / outlet 201 is located at the bottom end of the second manifold pipe 210, the liquid refrigerant can fill the second manifold pipe 210 when entering the second manifold pipe 210 and enter each heat exchange passage in a liquid state. Even if a small amount of gaseous refrigerant is formed in the second manifold pipe 210, the gaseous refrigerant will float upward under the action of the density difference between the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and is not easily formed into bubbles in the second manifold pipe 210. Adopting such a setting method is beneficial to the orderly flow of the refrigerant and can reduce the flow noise of the refrigerant.

[0070] Optionally, the variable heat exchange unit further includes a liquid distribution structure, and the liquid distribution structure is arranged corresponding to the second inlet / outlet 201.

[0071] When the liquid refrigerant enters the second manifold 210 from the second refrigerant inlet and outlet, the inertia of the liquid refrigerant is relatively large, and it is easy to cause uneven distribution of the refrigerant in each heat exchange passage. The variable heat exchange unit includes a liquid equalizing structure, which is beneficial to the uniform distribution of the liquid refrigerant in each heat exchange passage.

[0072] Optionally, the liquid equalizing structure includes a perforated plate or a filter screen.

[0073] The perforated plate or the filter screen plays a role in decelerating and defoaming. The flow rate of the liquid refrigerant decreases, the inertia decreases, and the amount of the liquid refrigerant entering each heat exchange passage will be more balanced. In addition, since the perforated plate or the filter screen also has a defoaming effect, the operating noise of the variable heat exchange unit can be reduced.

[0074] Optionally, the second end of the heat exchange passage is connected to the side wall and / or the top end of the second manifold 210.

[0075] The first end of the heat exchange passage is connected to the side wall of the second manifold 210. When the length of the second manifold 210 is fixed, a relatively large number of heat exchange passages can be connected. In addition, after the refrigerant enters the second manifold branch from the second inlet and outlet 201, the second ends of the multiple heat exchange passages connected to the side wall of the second manifold branch serve as the liquid inlet ends, and the difference in the refrigerant entering the multiple heat exchange passages is small, which is beneficial to the uniform distribution of the refrigerant in the multiple heat exchange passages.

[0076] The second end of the heat exchange passage is connected to the other end of the second manifold branch, which can reduce the length of the second manifold branch and further improve the integration degree of the variable heat exchange unit.

[0077] Combined Figure 1 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, optionally, multiple refrigerant pipes form at least three heat exchange passages such as a first heat exchange passage 11, a second heat exchange passage 12, and a third heat exchange passage 13. The first ends of the three heat exchange passages are sequentially connected to a first position, a second position, and a third position of a first manifold 110, and the second ends of the three heat exchange passages are sequentially connected to a fourth position, a fifth position, and a sixth position of a second manifold assembly 200. The flow path switching assembly 300 includes a first conducting member 310 and a second conducting member 320. Among them, the first conducting member 310 is disposed on the first manifold 110 and is located between the first position and the second position; the second conducting member 320 is disposed on the second manifold assembly 200 and is located between the fifth position and the sixth position. When the refrigerant flows from the first inlet / outlet 101 to the second inlet / outlet 201, both the first conducting member 310 and the second conducting member 320 are cut off so that the three heat exchange passages are connected in series; when the refrigerant flows from the second inlet / outlet 201 to the first inlet / outlet 101, both the first conducting member 310 and the second conducting member 320 are conducted so that the three heat exchange passages are connected in parallel.

[0078] Combined with Figure 7 As shown, when the variable heat exchange unit functions as an evaporator, the first conducting member 310 and the second conducting member 320 are in a conducting state, and the three heat exchange passages are connected in parallel. The liquid refrigerant enters the second manifold 210 from the second inlet / outlet 201, and then is divided into three paths and enters the three heat exchange passages. The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates into a gaseous state in the three heat exchange passages, and then enters the first manifold 110. The gaseous refrigerant entering the first manifold 110 leaves the variable heat exchange unit from the first inlet / outlet 101.

[0079] Combined with Figure 8 As shown, when the variable heat exchange unit functions as a condenser, the first conducting member 310 and the second conducting member 320 are in a cut-off state, and the three heat exchange passages are connected in series. The gaseous refrigerant enters the first manifold 110 from the first inlet / outlet 101, and then flows from the first end of the first heat exchange passage 11 to the second end of the first heat exchange passage 11 and enters the second manifold 210. The gaseous refrigerant entering the second manifold 210 flows from the second end of the second heat exchange passage 12 to the first end of the second heat exchange passage 12 and enters the first manifold 110. Then the refrigerant flows from the first end of the third heat exchange passage 13 to the second end of the third heat exchange passage 13 and enters the second manifold 210, and then leaves the variable heat exchange unit from the second inlet / outlet.

[0080] The first conducting member 310 is disposed on the first manifold 110 and the second conducting member 320 is disposed on the second manifold 210. The first conducting member 310 and the first manifold 110 can be pre-assembled, and the second conducting member 320 and the second manifold 210 can be pre-assembled. This can improve process consistency and performance consistency and reduce the production cost of the variable heat exchange unit.

[0081] It should be noted that multiple refrigerant pipes can form three-way, five-way or more heat exchange paths. When the number of heat exchange paths exceeds three, a part of the heat exchange paths are connected in parallel with the first heat exchange path 11, the second heat exchange path 12 or the third heat exchange path 13. Exemplarily, multiple refrigerant pipes form a first heat exchange path 11, a second heat exchange path 12, a third heat exchange path 13, a fourth heat exchange path, a fifth heat exchange path and a sixth heat exchange path, wherein the fourth heat exchange path is connected in parallel with the first heat exchange path 11, the fifth heat exchange path is connected in parallel with the second heat exchange path 12, and the sixth heat exchange path is connected in parallel with the third heat exchange path 13. The cases of these heat exchange paths with more than three paths are still within the scope disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0082] Combined with Figure 1 shown, optionally, the distance between the second position and the first position is greater than the distance between the second position and the third position; and / or, the distance between the fifth position and the sixth position is greater than the distance between the fifth position and the fourth position.

[0083] The larger distance between the second position and the first position is beneficial to arranging the first conduction component 310 on the first manifold 110.

[0084] The larger distance between the fifth position and the sixth position is beneficial to arranging the second conduction component 320 on the second manifold 210.

[0085] Combined with Figure 1 、 Figure 2 shown, optionally, the heat exchange unit that can be transformed further includes a three-way connector 400. The three-way connector 400 has a first interface 401, a second interface 402 and a third interface 403. The second end of the first heat exchange path 11 is connected to the first interface 401, the second end of the second heat exchange path 12 is connected to the second interface 402, and the third interface 403 communicates with the second manifold assembly 200.

[0086] The second ends of the first heat exchange path 11 and the second heat exchange path 12 are joined through the three-way connector 400 and then connected to the second manifold 210. This can reduce the number of interfaces required for the second manifold 210, thereby reducing the length of the second manifold 210.

[0087] When the transformable heat unit serves as a condenser, the third interface 403 of the three-way connector 400 to the second conduction component 320 is in a cut-off state, and the three-way connector 400 only serves as the connecting pipe 420 that connects the second end of the first heat exchange path 11 and the second end of the second heat exchange path 12. When the transformable heat unit serves as an evaporator, the liquid refrigerant enters the three-way connector 400 from the third interface 403 of the three-way connector 400, and then is divided into two paths through the three-way connector 400 and enters the first heat exchange path 11 and the second heat exchange path 12 respectively. Adopting such a setting method is beneficial to the uniform distribution of the liquid refrigerant.

[0088] Combined Figure 1 、 Figure 2 Optionally, the three-way connector 400 includes a U-shaped pipe and a connecting pipe 420. Among them, for the U-shaped pipe, the two end parts respectively form a first interface 401 and a second interface 402; for the connecting pipe 420, one end is connected to the U-shaped pipe and the other end forms a third interface 403.

[0089] The three-way connector 400 includes a U-shaped pipe and a connecting pipe 420. When the transformable heat unit serves as a condenser, the gaseous refrigerant in the first heat exchange path 11 enters the second heat exchange path 12 through the U-shaped pipe. Adopting such a setting method is beneficial to the orderly flow of the gaseous refrigerant.

[0090] Optionally, the first conduction component 310 includes a first check valve 311, and the conduction direction of the first check valve 311 is from the first check valve 311 to the first inlet / outlet 101 direction.

[0091] When the variable flow splitting unit functions as an evaporator, the refrigerant flows from the second inlet / outlet 201 to the first inlet / outlet 101. When the variable flow splitting unit functions as a condenser, the refrigerant flows from the first inlet / outlet 101 to the second inlet / outlet 201.

[0092] The first conduction component 310 includes a first check valve 311, and the first check valve 311 can automatically switch between the conduction and cut-off states when the refrigerant flows bidirectionally. Adopting such a setting method can improve the working reliability of the transformable heat unit. In addition, compared with a control valve with control functions, the check valve has a lower cost, a simpler structure, and a lower failure rate.

[0093] Optionally, the second conduction component 320 includes a second check valve 321, and the conduction direction of the second check valve 321 is from the second inlet / outlet 201 to the second check valve 321.

[0094] The second conduction component 320 includes a second one-way valve 321. When the refrigerant flows bidirectionally, the second one-way valve 321 can automatically switch between the conducting and cutoff states. By adopting such a setting method, the working reliability of the variable heat exchange unit can be improved. In addition, since the second conduction component 320 includes the second one-way valve 321, the cost of the variable heat exchange unit can be reduced and the working reliability of the variable heat exchange unit can be improved.

[0095] Combined with Figure 1 As shown, optionally, the first conduction component 310 includes a first cylinder 301. The first manifold 110 includes a separately arranged first pipe section 111 and a second pipe section 112. The first pipe section 111 and the second pipe section 112 are respectively connected to the two axial ends of the first cylinder 301.

[0096] The first manifold 110 is in a segmented form. The first pipe section 111 and the second pipe section 112 of the first manifold 110 can be respectively connected to the two ends of the first cylinder 301. By adopting such a setting method, the assembly of the first manifold 110 and the first conduction component 310 is easier. After the first manifold 110 and the first conduction component 310 are pre-assembled and then connected to a plurality of heat exchange passages, the assembly of the variable heat exchange unit can be made easier.

[0097] Optionally, when the second manifold assembly 200 includes a second manifold 210, the second conduction component includes a second cylinder 302. The second manifold 210 includes a separately arranged third pipe section 211 and a fourth pipe section 212. The third pipe section 211 and the fourth pipe section 212 are respectively connected to the two axial ends of the second cylinder 302.

[0098] The second manifold 210 is also in a segmented form. The first pipe section 111 and the second pipe section 112 of the second manifold 210 are respectively connected to the two ends of the second cylinder 302. This is beneficial to the assembly of the second manifold 210 and the second conduction component 320.

[0099] Combined with Figures 3 to 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of the above-mentioned variable heat exchange units and a set of connecting pipes 420 for connecting the plurality of variable heat exchange units.

[0100] In the use state of the heat exchanger, the refrigerant pipes are arranged horizontally and vertically. When the number of heat exchange passages is small, the effect of changing the flow path under different refrigeration and heating conditions is not obvious; when the number of heat exchange passages is large, the plurality of heat exchange passages are far apart in the vertical direction, which is not conducive to the distribution of the refrigerant.

[0101] The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange units that can be transformed. The heat exchange units that can be transformed can adopt a smaller number of heat exchange paths to ensure the effect of variable flow paths. And the heat exchanger including a plurality of heat exchange units that can be transformed can enable the overall heat exchanger to have more flow paths, thereby strengthening the variable flow path effect of the heat exchanger. By adopting such a setting method, better heat exchange effects can be achieved when the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator and as a condenser.

[0102] Combined Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, optionally, the connecting pipe 420 group includes a header pipe 500, a plurality of connecting branch pipes and a liquid distributor 600. Among them, one end of the header pipe 500 forms a first pipe orifice 501; the plurality of connecting branch pipes are arranged corresponding to the plurality of heat exchange units that can be transformed. One end of the connecting branch pipe is connected to the side wall of the header pipe 500 and the other end is connected to the first inlet / outlet 101 of the heat exchange unit that can be transformed; the liquid distributor 600 is connected to the second inlet / outlets 201 of the plurality of heat exchange units that can be transformed, and the liquid distributor 600 is also provided with a second pipe orifice 601.

[0103] The header pipe 500 is used to connect the first inlet / outlets 101 of the plurality of heat exchange units that can be transformed, and the liquid distributor is used to connect the second inlet / outlets 201 of the plurality of heat exchange units that can be transformed.

[0104] One end of the header pipe 500 forms a first pipe orifice 501, and the liquid distributor 600 forms a second pipe orifice 601. The refrigerant flows from the first pipe orifice 501 of the heat exchanger to the second pipe orifice 601, or flows from the second pipe orifice 601 to the first pipe orifice 501.

[0105] Since the first pipe orifice 501 is formed at one end of the header pipe 500, it is convenient for the operator to connect the first pipe orifice 501 to the refrigerant circulation system.

[0106] The plurality of heat exchange units that can be transformed are connected to the side wall of the header pipe 500 through the connecting branch pipes, which is beneficial to the uniform distribution of the gaseous refrigerant among the various heat exchange units that can be transformed.

[0107] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner, which includes the above-mentioned heat exchange unit that can be transformed and the above-mentioned heat exchanger.

[0108] The above-mentioned heat exchanger can be used in the indoor unit of the air conditioner or in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0109] Using the air conditioner provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger can achieve good heat exchange effects when the air conditioner operates in the cooling mode or the heating mode, and the air conditioner can obtain better cooling and heating effects. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of transformable heat exchange units, and even if the number of heat exchange paths of the heat exchanger is large, the refrigerant can still be evenly distributed among the plurality of transformable heat exchange units. One end of the first manifold 110 of the transformable heat exchange unit forms a first inlet / outlet 101, which can optimize the structure of the transformable heat exchange unit and improve the process consistency and performance consistency of the transformable heat exchange unit.

[0110] The above description and drawings fully illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art can practice them. Other embodiments may include structural and other changes. Embodiments represent only possible variations. Unless explicitly required, individual components and functions are optional, and the order of operations may vary. Parts and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for parts and features of other embodiments. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the structures described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A convertible thermal unit, characterized in that: include: Multiple refrigerant pipes form multiple heat exchange paths; A first manifold assembly includes a first manifold, one end of the first manifold forms a first inlet and outlet, and a first end of each heat exchange passage is connected to the first manifold; A second confluence component is provided with a second inlet and outlet, and the second end of each heat exchange passage is connected to the second confluence component; The flow path switching component is connected to the first confluence component and the second confluence component, and the flow path switching component is configured to switch the series and parallel states of the multiple heat exchange paths when the refrigerant flows in different directions.

2. The convertible thermal unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The first end of the heat exchange passage is connected to the side wall of the first manifold and / or the other end of the first manifold.

3. The convertible thermal unit according to claim 1, characterized in that Both ends of the heat exchange passage are located at the same end of the refrigerant pipe along the length direction.

4. The convertible thermal unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The first manifold is vertically arranged, and the top end of the first manifold forms the first inlet and outlet.

5. The convertible thermal unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The second manifold assembly includes a second manifold, which is vertically arranged and has a bottom end forming the second inlet and outlet.

6. The convertible thermal unit according to claim 5, characterized in that The second end of the heat exchange passage is connected to the side wall of the second manifold and / or the top end of the second manifold.

7. The convertible thermal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The plurality of refrigerant tubes form at least three heat exchange passages, the three heat exchange passages include a first heat exchange passage, a second heat exchange passage and a third heat exchange passage, the first ends of the three heat exchange passages are sequentially connected to the first position, the second position and the third position of the first manifold, and the second ends of the three heat exchange passages are sequentially connected to the fourth position, the fifth position and the sixth position of the second manifold assembly; The flow path switching component comprises: A first conducting component is disposed on the first manifold and is located between the first position and the second position; A second conducting component is disposed on the second busbar assembly and is located between the fifth position and the sixth position; Among them, when the refrigerant flows from the first inlet and outlet to the second inlet and outlet, the first conductive component and the second conductive component are both cut off to connect the three heat exchange paths in series; when the refrigerant flows from the second inlet and outlet to the first inlet and outlet, the first conductive component and the second conductive component are both turned on to connect the three heat exchange paths in parallel.

8. The convertible thermal unit according to claim 7, characterized in that include: The distance between the second position and the first position is greater than the distance between the second position and the third position; and / or, A distance between the fifth position and the sixth position is greater than a distance between the fifth position and the fourth position.

9. The convertible thermal unit according to claim 7, characterized in that Also includes: The three-way connector has a first interface, a second interface and a third interface. The second end of the first heat exchange path is connected to the first interface, the second end of the second heat exchange path is connected to the second interface, and the third interface is connected to the second confluence component.

10. The convertible thermal unit according to claim 9, characterized in that The three-way connector comprises: A U-shaped tube, two ends of which respectively form the first interface and the second interface; A connecting tube has one end connected to the U-shaped tube and the other end forming the third interface.

11. The convertible thermal unit according to claim 7, characterized in that The first conducting component includes a first one-way valve, and the conducting direction of the first one-way valve is from the first one-way valve to the first inlet and outlet; and / or, The second conducting component includes a second one-way valve, and the conducting direction of the second one-way valve is from the second inlet and outlet to the second one-way valve.

12. The convertible thermal unit according to claim 7, characterized in that The first conducting component includes a first cylinder, the first manifold includes a first pipe segment and a second pipe segment which are separately arranged, the first pipe segment and the second pipe segment are respectively connected to two ends of the first cylinder along the axial direction; and / or, When the second busbar assembly includes a second busbar, the second conductive component includes a second cylinder, and the second busbar includes a third pipe segment and a fourth pipe segment that are separately arranged, and the third pipe segment and the fourth pipe segment are respectively connected to two ends of the second cylinder along the axial direction.

13. A heat exchanger, characterized in that: comprising a plurality of convertible thermal units as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12; and, The connecting tube group is used to connect multiple convertible heat units.

14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, characterized in that The connecting pipe group comprises: A gas collecting pipe, one end of which forms a first pipe opening; A plurality of connecting branches are provided corresponding to the plurality of convertible heat units, one end of the connecting branch is connected to the side wall of the collecting pipe, and the other end is connected to the first inlet and outlet of the convertible heat unit; The liquid distributor is connected to the second inlet and outlet of the plurality of convertible heat units, and the liquid distributor is also provided with a second pipe opening.

15. An air conditioner, characterized in that: include: A convertible thermal unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12; or, The heat exchanger according to claim 13 or 14.

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