Air conditioner
By designing a distributor of an annular circulation flow path in the air conditioner, the problem of uneven distribution of refrigerant in the heat exchanger is solved, and the heat exchange efficiency is improved. Especially in the heat exchanger with higher heights, the uniform distribution of refrigerant in each heat exchange tube is ensured.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422349047.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-08
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-09-25
AI Technical Summary
The gas-liquid and liquid two-phase fluid of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger may be separated before distributing, resulting in uneven distribution and affecting the heat exchange efficiency.
The distributor design is adopted, including the inflow plate, the flow path forming plate, the diverter plate and the circulation communication plate, forming an annular circulation flow path, using the impact force of the refrigerant itself to achieve uniform mixing of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and through the design of the main body part and the circulation communication part, the refrigerant is evenly distributed to each heat exchange tube.
The uniform distribution of refrigerant in the heat exchanger is achieved, and the heat exchange efficiency is improved. Especially in the heat exchanger with higher heights, the flow uniformity of refrigerant in each heat exchanger is ensured.
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Figure CN223077060U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, and particularly to an air conditioner. Background Art
[0002] The heat exchanger is an important component of an air conditioner. When the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the refrigerant needs to be depressurized by a throttling device first to form a gas-liquid two-phase fluid with a certain dryness. Before these two-phase fluids are distributed to the heat exchange tubes, there may be gas-liquid separation, resulting in uneven distribution. Utility Model Content
[0003] This application provides an air conditioner that can improve the uneven distribution of the refrigerant.
[0004] On one hand of this application, an air conditioner includes: a heat exchanger, which serves as one of an evaporator or a condenser; the heat exchanger includes: a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged along a first direction for the flow of the refrigerant; and a distributor for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of heat exchange tubes; wherein, the distributor includes: an inflow plate on which an inflow portion is formed for the refrigerant to flow in; a flow path forming plate on which a loop main portion communicating with the inflow portion is provided, and the loop main portion is in a disconnected ring shape; a shunt plate on which a plurality of flow-through portions for the refrigerant in the loop main portion to flow out in a shunt manner are formed; a circulation connecting plate provided between the inflow plate and the flow path forming plate, or between the flow path forming plate and the shunt plate, and a circulation connecting portion is formed on the circulation connecting plate, and the circulation connecting portion connects the two disconnected ends of the loop main portion.
[0005] In this application, the loop main portion in a disconnected ring shape is provided on the flow path forming plate, and the circulation connecting portion is formed on the circulation connecting plate, and the circulation connecting portion connects the two disconnected ends of the loop main portion. Thus, the loop main portion and the circulation connecting portion are connected to form a complete ring-shaped circulation flow path, and the refrigerant forms a self-circulation by its own impact in the circulation flow path, which can make the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant mix evenly and then be shunted to each flow-through portion, ensuring the even distribution of the refrigerant.
[0006] On the other hand of this application, an air conditioner includes a heat exchanger, which serves as one of an evaporator or a condenser; the heat exchanger includes: a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged along a first direction for the flow of the refrigerant; and a distributor for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of heat exchange tubes; wherein, the distributor includes: an inflow plate on which an inflow portion is formed; a flow path forming plate on which a loop main portion communicating with the inflow portion is provided, and the loop main portion is in a disconnected ring shape; a shunt plate on which a plurality of flow-through portions for the refrigerant in the loop main portion to flow out in a shunt manner are formed;
[0007] Wherein, a groove-shaped circulation connecting portion is provided on the inflow plate or the shunt plate, and the circulation connecting portion connects the two disconnected ends of the loop main portion.
[0008] In the present application, a loop main body in the form of a disconnected ring is provided on the flow path forming plate, and a groove-shaped circulation connecting part is formed on the inflow plate or the diverter plate, and the circulation connecting part connects the two ends of the disconnected loop main body. Thus, the loop main body and the circulation connecting part are connected to form a complete annular circulation flow path, and the refrigerant forms a self-circulation in the circulation flow path by its own impact, which can make the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant mix evenly, and then divert to each circulation part, which can ensure the uniform distribution of the refrigerant.
[0009] In the present application, the circulation flow section is provided as a split plate or an inflow plate, and a circulation connecting plate can be omitted.
[0010] In some embodiments, the portion on the loop main body that is connected to the inlet portion is the loop inlet portion; the loop main body is provided with a neck portion that reduces the flow path cross-section, and the neck portion is connected to the downstream side of the loop inlet portion.
[0011] In the present application, a necking portion connected to the loop inlet portion is provided on the loop main body. Since the flow path cross-section of the necking portion is small, the refrigerant flowing into the loop inlet portion continues to flow toward the circulation flow path while the flow velocity is increased in the necking portion. Therefore, the necking portion can promote the circulation of the refrigerant in the circulation flow path.
[0012] In some embodiments, the two ends of the loop body that are in the disconnected position are respectively the first disconnected end and the second disconnected end; the loop body includes: a first loop section, which is in a disconnected ring shape, and the two ends of the first loop section are respectively the first disconnected end and the loop inflow part; a second loop section, one end of which is connected to the neck portion, and the other end of which is the second disconnected end located between the two ends of the first loop section.
[0013] In the present application, the loop main body is arranged to be formed by connecting the first loop segment and the second loop segment, and three ends can be formed on the loop main body, two ends are two disconnected ends, and the other end can be used as the loop inlet part. In this way, the refrigerant entering the loop inlet part can only flow in one direction, ensuring the single flow direction of the refrigerant in the circulation flow path.
[0014] In some embodiments, the necking portion is located at the lower side of the loop inlet portion; the portion where the second loop section connects to the necking portion is the first flow path portion; the first flow path portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction in a direction away from the necking portion or extends obliquely upward.
[0015] In the present application, the first flow path portion of the second loop section extends horizontally or obliquely upward, which can prevent the refrigerant in the constricted portion from flowing toward the first flow path portion as much as possible, and allows the refrigerant in the constricted portion to flow downward toward the main body of the loop.
[0016] In some embodiments, the two ends of the loop main body at the disconnected position are the first disconnected end and the second disconnected end respectively; on the projection of the flow path forming plate, the two ends of the circulation connection part are respectively connected to the first disconnected end and the second disconnected end, and the middle part of the circulation connection part is located between the first disconnected end and the second disconnected end.
[0017] In the present application, the circulation connection part is located between the two disconnected ends, so that the loop main body is connected by the shortest path.
[0018] In some embodiments, the loop main body has a first part and a second part extending along a first direction, the inflow part is communicatively connected to the first part in an opposite direction, and the circulation part is communicatively connected to the second part in an opposite direction.
[0019] In the present application, the inflow position and the outflow position of the loop main body are respectively located in the first part and the second part, so that the path of the inflow position and the outflow position is extended, and the problem that when both the inflow position and the outflow position are located in the first part or the second part, some refrigerant flows out of the loop main body without circulation just after flowing in can be avoided as much as possible.
[0020] In some embodiments, the loop main body has a first part and a second part extending along a first direction, wherein the first part is close to the windward side of the heat exchanger; the circulation part is communicatively connected to the first part in an opposite direction.
[0021] In the present application, the circulation part is arranged close to the windward side of the heat exchanger. When the refrigerant flows to the heat exchange tubes through the circulation part, it will first flow into the holes close to the windward side of the heat exchange tubes. Thus, more refrigerant flow is obtained in the holes close to the windward side in the heat exchange tubes, which can adapt to the energy of the air in the windward direction and make the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger higher.
[0022] In some embodiments, the distributor further includes: a branch flow path plate, on which a plurality of branch flow paths are formed for the refrigerant flowing in from the circulation part to branch and flow out.
[0023] In the present application, by arranging the branch flow paths downstream of the circulation part, the number of branches of the distributor can be increased, and the application range of the distributor can be expanded.
[0024] In some embodiments, the branch flow path includes a branch inflow part communicated with the circulation part; the branch inflow part includes two branch inflow parts arranged at intervals and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
[0025] In the present application, there are two branch inflow parts arranged at intervals, so that the refrigerant is directly divided into two parts at the branch inflow part, and there is no need to increase the lateral dimension of the branch flow path part to achieve horizontal shunt, solving the problem that the lateral dimension of the branch flow path is relatively large when the branch inflow part in the prior art is a horizontal straight line segment. The lateral dimension of the branch flow path in the present application is more compact.
[0026] In some embodiments, the branch flow path includes a plurality of branch portions for the refrigerant to branch out; the branch portions extend linearly in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
[0027] In this application, the branch portions extend linearly in a direction orthogonal to the first direction, that is, the length direction of the branch portions is not the first direction. Then, the size of the branch portions in the first direction is small, and the arrangement of the heat exchange tubes communicating with the branch portions in the first direction can be more compact. For a heat exchanger of the same size, this application can arrange a larger number of heat exchange tubes in the first direction, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.
[0028] In some embodiments, it further includes: a blower, located above the heat exchanger, for driving air to flow through the heat exchanger; the heat exchanger is connected with a plurality of distributors; the number of heat exchange tubes connected to the distributor is the number of outlets of the distributor; for a plurality of distributors with different numbers of outlets, the number of outlets of the distributor increases from top to bottom.
[0029] In this application, the number of heat exchange tubes connected to the distributor increases from top to bottom. The fewer the number of outlets of the distributor, the more refrigerant flow in the corresponding heat exchange tubes. This makes the refrigerant flow on the heat exchanger increase from bottom to top, matching the distribution trend that the wind speed also increases with the height on the heat exchanger, so as to maximize the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Figure 1 A view showing the appearance of an air conditioner according to some embodiments;
[0031] Figure 2 A view showing the refrigerant system in an air conditioner according to some embodiments;
[0032] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to some embodiments;
[0033] Figure 4 A schematic structural view of a heat exchanger in an air conditioner according to some embodiments;
[0034] Figure 5 A side view of a heat exchanger in an air conditioner according to some embodiments;
[0035] Figure 6 A partial schematic view of a microchannel heat exchanger in an air conditioner according to some embodiments;
[0036] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the gas header in a heat exchanger according to some embodiments;
[0037] Figure 8 A view showing the distributor in a disassembled and laid - flat state according to the first embodiment;
[0038] Figure 9 Shows a schematic diagram of the flow path forming plate in the dispenser according to the first embodiment;
[0039] Figure 10 Shows a view of the dispenser according to the second embodiment in a disassembled and flattened state;
[0040] Figure 11 and Figure 12 Shows a schematic diagram of the branch flow path in the dispenser according to the second embodiment;
[0041] Figure 13 Shows a perspective view of the dispenser according to the third embodiment in a disassembled state;
[0042] Figure 14 Shows a view of the dispenser according to the fourth embodiment in a disassembled and flattened state;
[0043] Figure 15 Shows a schematic diagram of the flow path forming plate in the dispenser according to the third and fourth embodiments;
[0044] Figure 16 Shows a view of the dispenser according to the fifth embodiment in a disassembled and flattened state;
[0045] Figure 17 Shows a schematic diagram of the flow path forming plate in the dispenser according to the sixth embodiment;
[0046] Figure 18 Shows a view of the dispenser according to the seventh embodiment in a disassembled and flattened state;
[0047] Figure 19 Shows a perspective view of the inflow plate in the dispenser according to the seventh embodiment;
[0048] Figure 20 Shows a top view of the dispenser according to the eighth embodiment;
[0049] Figure 21 Shows a line graph of the correspondence between the heat exchanger height and the wind speed / refrigerant flow rate;
[0050] Figure 22 Shows a partial view of the heat exchanger according to some embodiments.
[0051] 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 accumulator; 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 hole; 320 is the fin; 330 is the gas header; 331 is the confluent flow path; 340 is the heat exchanger body; 400 is the distributor; 410 is the inflow plate; 411 is the inflow part; 420 is the circulation connection plate; 421 is the inflow extension part; 422 is the circulation connection part; 423 is the shunt port; 430 is the flow path forming plate; 431 is the loop main body part; 431a is the first part; 431b is the second part; 431c is the third part; 431d is the fourth part; 4311 is the loop inflow part; 4312 is the constricted part; 432 is the partition part; 433 is the first loop section; 433a is the first disconnection end; 434 is the second loop section; 434a is the second disconnection end; 434b is the first flow path part; 440 is the shunt plate; 441 is the flow through part; 450 is the outflow plate; 451 is the outflow part; 460 is the heat exchange tube mounting plate; 461 is the heat exchange tube insertion part; 470 is the branch inflow plate; 471 is the branch flow path; 472 is the branch inflow part; 472a is the first branch inflow part; 472b is the second branch inflow part; 473 is the branch part; 474 is the partition part; 510 is the fan; 600 is the shunt; 610 is the capillary tube. Detailed implementation manners
[0052] To make the objectives and implementation manners of this application clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the exemplary implementation manners of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the exemplary embodiments of this application. Apparently, the described exemplary embodiments are only a part rather than all of the embodiments of this application.
[0053] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to this application.
[0054] The terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.
[0055] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "coupling" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.
[0056] <Structure of the air conditioner>
[0057] Referring to Figure 1 , the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present application includes: an outdoor unit 100 located in an outdoor space and configured to perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and outdoor air; and an indoor unit 200 located in an indoor space and configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air.
[0058] Figure 1 The multi-connected air conditioner is taken as an example for illustration. In this embodiment, there are multiple indoor units 200. However, the air conditioner of the present application is also applicable to the case of one indoor unit 200.
[0059] Referring to Figure 2 , the outdoor unit 100 includes: a compressor 111 configured to compress the refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger 112 configured to perform heat exchange between outdoor air and the refrigerant; a four-way valve 113 configured to selectively direct the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 111 to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 or the indoor unit 200 according to a heating mode or a cooling mode; an outdoor throttling device 114 configured to decompress the refrigerant directed to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 in the heating mode; and a liquid receiver 115 configured to prevent unevaporated liquid refrigerant from flowing to the compressor 111.
[0060] When the compressor 111 is powered on, it compresses the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant to high pressure by using the rotational force of a compressor motor (not shown).
[0061] The four-way valve 113 directs the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 111 to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 in the cooling mode, and directs the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 111 to the indoor unit 200 in the heating mode.
[0062] The outdoor heat exchanger 112 condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 111 in the cooling mode, and evaporates the refrigerant decompressed by the indoor unit 200 in the heating mode.
[0063] An outdoor fan 116 blows outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 112.
[0064] The outdoor throttling device 114 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant by utilizing the throttling action on the refrigerant. When the refrigerant passes through a narrow passage, the pressure of the refrigerant decreases without heat exchange with the outside. The outdoor throttling device 114 can specifically be an expansion valve or a capillary tube, etc.
[0065] The indoor unit 200 includes: an indoor heat exchanger 211 that performs heat exchange between the 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 the cooling mode.
[0066] The indoor heat exchanger 211 evaporates the refrigerant in the cooling mode and condenses the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant in the heating mode.
[0067] Hereinafter, the flow of the refrigerant in the air conditioner in the cooling mode or the heating mode will be described.
[0068] When the air conditioner operates in the cooling mode, the compressor 111 of the outdoor unit 100 compresses the refrigerant to a high pressure. As the refrigerant is compressed, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant increase.
[0069] The compressed refrigerant is guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 through the four-way valve 113. The refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 112, and heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air is performed while the refrigerant is being condensed. Specifically, the state of the refrigerant changes from gaseous to liquid.
[0070] After passing through the outdoor throttling device 124, the condensed refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit 200.
[0071] The refrigerant supplied to the indoor unit 200 is reduced in pressure by the indoor throttling device 212, and at the same time, the refrigerant becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase refrigerant.
[0072] The pressure-reduced refrigerant is evaporated by the indoor heat exchanger 222, and heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air is performed while the refrigerant is evaporating. Specifically, the state of the refrigerant changes to gaseous.
[0073] After passing through the indoor heat exchanger 222, the evaporated gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor unit 100, and the evaporated gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the accumulator 115 via the four-way valve 113. In the accumulator 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 cycle of the refrigerant.
[0074] As described above, in the cooling mode, the air conditioner can use the heat exchange between the refrigerant generated in the indoor heat exchanger 211 and indoor air to cool the indoor air.
[0075] When the air conditioner operates in the heating mode, the refrigerant is compressed to a high pressure by the compressor 111 of the outdoor unit 100, and the temperature of the refrigerant increases with the pressure of the refrigerant.
[0076] After passing through the four-way valve 113, the compressed refrigerant is guided to the indoor unit 200.
[0077] The refrigerant is condensed by the indoor heat exchanger 211, and heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and the indoor air while the refrigerant is being condensed. Specifically, the state of the refrigerant changes from a gas state to a liquid state.
[0078] After passing through the indoor heat exchanger 211, the condensed refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor unit 100 again.
[0079] The refrigerant supplied to the outdoor unit 100 is decompressed by the outdoor throttling device 114, and at the same time the refrigerant becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase state.
[0080] The decompressed refrigerant is evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 112, and heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and the outdoor air while the refrigerant is evaporating. Specifically, the state of the refrigerant changes to a gas state.
[0081] The gaseous refrigerant evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 112 is supplied to the accumulator 115 via the four-way valve 113. In the accumulator 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 cycle of the refrigerant.
[0082] As described above, in the 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.
[0083] In this application, the outdoor heat exchanger 112 and the indoor heat exchanger 211 are collectively referred to as the heat exchanger 300. The outdoor fan 116 and the indoor fan 213 are collectively referred to as the fan 510. The outdoor throttling device 114 and the indoor throttling device 212 are collectively referred to as the throttling device.
[0084] Figure 3 The display is made with a top-outlet type outdoor unit as an example, that is, the fan 510 is located above the heat exchanger 300. Figure 3 The arrows in the figure indicate the air flow direction. When the fan 510 operates, 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.
[0085] A plurality of heat exchange tubes 310 arranged from top to bottom (to be introduced later) extend from the end of the heat exchanger 300 to be used as the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet.
[0086] When the heat exchanger 300 is used as an evaporator, the two-phase refrigerant after throttling by the throttling device enters the evaporator. When the two-phase refrigerant is in a large space or the flow rate decreases, phase separation will occur, resulting in uneven distribution. Especially for Figure 3 the outdoor unit shown Figure 3 in, the heat exchanger 300 is very large and has a high height, and the number of heat exchange tubes 310 in the vertical direction is very large. Therefore, this type of air conditioner is more likely to have the problem of uneven distribution.
[0087] In the following, the present application will be introduced in detail in combination with the structure of the heat exchanger 300.
[0088] <Structure of Heat Exchanger 300>
[0089] Referring to Figures 4 to 7 , the heat exchanger 300 includes a heat exchanger main body 340. The heat exchanger main body 340 has a plurality of heat exchange tubes 310 and fins 320.
[0090] Heat exchange tubes 310, through which the refrigerant flows; fins 320, connected to the heat exchange tubes 310, to improve the heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant and the air by increasing the surface area of the heat exchange tubes 310.
[0091] The heat exchange tubes 310 can be flat tubes or round tubes.
[0092] When the heat exchange tubes 310 are round tubes, the heat exchanger 300 is a finned tube heat exchanger with tubes passing through. Viewed from the side of the heat exchanger 300, the heat exchange tubes 300 extend in an "S" shape from top to bottom. The heat exchange tubes 310 pass through the fins 320.
[0093] When the heat exchange tubes 310 are flat tubes, the heat exchanger 300 is a microchannel heat exchanger. A plurality of flat tubes are arranged at intervals in the first direction (vertical direction Z). Fins 320 are connected between the flat tubes.
[0094] The following takes the microchannel heat exchanger as an example for illustration: The heat exchange tubes 310 can be made of aluminum, and the fins 320 can be made of aluminum. The heat exchange tubes 310 and the fins 320 are connected by welding.
[0095] The heat exchange tubes 310 are porous tubes having a plurality of holes 310a, and these holes 310a form refrigerant flow paths. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the air when flowing through each hole 310a of the heat exchange tubes 310. The plurality of holes 310a are arranged in the heat exchange tubes 310 along the flow direction of the air relative to the heat exchanger main body 340.
[0096] At the two lateral ends of the heat exchanger main body 340, a plurality of heat exchange tubes 310 extend out relative to the fins 320 for connection to the refrigerant system.
[0097] The heat exchanger 300 includes a pair of headers connected to both ends of the heat exchanger body 340, and the headers are respectively connected to the extended heat exchange tubes 310.
[0098] One header is the distributor 400 through which the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows. The other header is the gas header 330 through which the gaseous refrigerant flows. The splitter 600 having a plurality of capillaries 610 is connected to the distributor 400.
[0099] The refrigerant needs to be split and enter the multiple heat exchange tubes 310 of the heat exchanger 300. If the distribution of the refrigerant entering the heat exchange tubes 310 is uneven, it will affect the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 300.
[0100] The distributor 400 is connected to the heat exchange tubes 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 exert the maximum effectiveness of the heat exchanger 300.
[0101] When the heat exchanger 300 is used as a condenser, since the refrigerant entering the condenser is the superheated gas compressed by the compressor 111, generally, the refrigerant can be evenly distributed at the inlet of the condenser. That is to say, when one end of the heat exchanger 300 connected to the four-way valve 113 is used as the inflow end, there is usually no uneven distribution phenomenon. Therefore, a conventional gas header 330 can be provided at this end of the heat exchanger 300, and the distributor 400 is only provided at the end of the heat exchanger 300 connected to the throttling device. In other embodiments, the gas header 330 can also adopt the structural form of a distributor.
[0102] The distributor 400 is provided with a refrigerant inflow portion as the inflow port of the refrigerant and a plurality of refrigerant outflow portions as the outflow ports of the refrigerant.
[0103] Refer to Figure 7 , the gas header 330 can be in a closed cylindrical shape or a rectangular cylindrical shape. The cavity inside the gas header 330 forms a confluent flow path 331. A plurality of heat exchange tubes 310 are connected to the inflow side of the confluent flow path 331. A refrigerant pipe is connected to the outflow side of the confluent flow path 331.
[0104] A plurality of refrigerant inflow portions and one or more refrigerant outflow portions are provided on the gas header 330. Capillaries 610 are connected to the refrigerant inflow portion of the distributor 400, and a refrigerant pipe of the refrigerant system is connected to the refrigerant outflow portion of the gas header 330. Heat exchange tubes 310 are connected to the refrigerant outflow portion of the distributor 400 and the refrigerant inflow portion of the gas header 330.
[0105] When the heat exchanger 300 functions as an evaporator, the refrigerant flows into the distributor 400 through the refrigerant inflow part and is split, and then flows out to the plurality of heat exchange tubes 310 through the plurality of refrigerant outflow parts. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the air driven by the blower 510 in the plurality of heat exchange tubes 310. The refrigerant flowing in the plurality of heat exchange tubes 310 flows into the gas header 330 through the plurality of refrigerant inflow parts and merges, and then flows out to the refrigerant pipe through the refrigerant outflow part.
[0106] In addition, when the heat exchanger 300 functions as a condenser, the refrigerant flows in the opposite direction to the above flow.
[0107] <Structure of the distributor 400>
[0108] Hereinafter, the structure of the distributor 400 will be described in detail.
[0109] First, the distributor 400 is taken as an example of a laminated distributor for illustration.
[0110] Refer to Figure 13 , the distributor 400 is formed by laminating multiple layers of plate bodies. In this application, the length direction of the plate body is set as the first direction Z, the direction in which the plate bodies are laminated orthogonally to the first direction (which is also the direction in which the refrigerant flows into the heat exchange tube 310) is set as the second direction X, and the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction X is set as the third direction Y. The distributor 400 of the present embodiment is arranged in the up and down direction of the first direction Z, in the front and back direction of the second direction X, and in the left and right direction of the third direction Y. Therefore, in the following description, the first direction Z can be converted into the up and down direction, the second direction X can be converted into the front and back direction, and the third direction Y can be converted into the left and right direction.
[0111] Next, taking the case where the heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the flow direction of the refrigerant at the distributor 400 will be described as an example.
[0112] Refer to Figure 10 , the multi-layer plate body includes an inflow plate 410. The inflow plate 410 is a rectangular plate that is long in the up and down direction Z. In the inflow plate 410, the plate surface is arranged along the up and down direction Z and the left and right direction Y.
[0113] The inflow plate 410 is provided with through holes penetrating in the front and back direction X to form an inlet flow path 411. The inlet flow path 411 corresponds to the refrigerant inflow part of the distributor 400.
[0114] The inflow plate 410 may include one or a plurality of stacked layers.
[0115] The flow path cross-section of the inlet flow path 411 is circular and can be connected to the capillary tube 610 (or refrigerant pipe). The inlet flow path 411 can be directly connected to the capillary tube 610 (or refrigerant pipe) by welding. Alternatively, a pipe joint can be connected to the inlet flow path 411 and connected to the capillary tube 610 through the pipe joint.
[0116] It should be noted that the flow path cross-section here refers to the cross-section obtained by cutting the flow path orthogonally to the flow direction of the refrigerant. The flow direction of the refrigerant refers to the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the inlet flow path 411.
[0117] <Circulation connection plate 420>
[0118] The multi-layer plate body includes the circulation connection plate 420. The circulation connection plate 420 is a rectangular plate that is relatively long in the vertical direction Z. In the circulation connection plate 420, the length in the vertical direction Z and the length in the horizontal direction Y are substantially the same as the length in the vertical direction Z and the length in the horizontal direction Y of the inflow plate 410, and the plate surface is arranged along the vertical direction Z and the horizontal direction Y.
[0119] The circulation connection plate 420 is provided with through holes. The through holes form an inflow extension part 421, and the inflow extension part 421 communicates with the inflow part of the inflow plate 410.
[0120] The flow path cross-section shape of the inflow extension part 421 can be the same as that of the inflow part 411. The inflow extension part 421 can serve as an extension of the inflow part 411 and play a role in allowing the refrigerant to flow in.
[0121] The circulation connection plate 420 is provided with through grooves. The through grooves form a circulation connection part 422. The circulation connection part 422 is used as a part of the subsequent circulation flow path to connect the disconnection part of the loop main body part 431.
[0122] The circulation connection part 422 can be in the shape of a rectangular groove, and its flow path cross-section shape can be the same as that of the subsequent loop main body part 431.
[0123] It should be noted that the flow path cross-section here refers to the cross-section obtained by cutting the flow path orthogonally to the flow direction of the refrigerant. The flow direction of the refrigerant refers to the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the circulation connection part 422.
[0124] <Flow path forming plate 430>
[0125] The multi-layer plate body includes the flow path forming plate 430. The flow path forming plate 430 is a rectangular plate that is relatively long in the vertical direction Z. In the flow path forming plate 430, the length in the vertical direction Z and the length in the horizontal direction Y are substantially the same as the length in the vertical direction Z and the length in the horizontal direction Y of the inflow plate 410, and the plate surface is arranged along the vertical direction Z and the horizontal direction Y.
[0126] The flow path forming plate 430 is provided with a through groove, and the through groove forms a loop main body portion 431, enabling the refrigerant to circulate. The loop main body portion 431 is a disconnected ring.
[0127] At the disconnected portion of the loop main body portion 431, that is, the partition portion 432, it corresponds to the circulation connection portion 422 of the circulation connection plate 420. The circulation connection portion 422 enables the loop main body portion 431 to be connected at the disconnected portion.
[0128] In the projection of the flow path forming plate 430, both ends of the circulation connection portion 422 are respectively connected to both ends of the loop main body portion 431, and the middle portion of the circulation connection portion 422 is located between both ends of the loop main body portion 431.
[0129] The loop main body portion 431 and the circulation connection portion 422 are connected to form a circulation flow path. The refrigerant circulates within the circulation flow path, which can make the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant mix evenly.
[0130] The loop main body portion 431 is a disconnected ring when viewed from the front. The outer periphery and the inner periphery of the loop main body portion 431 are rectangular shapes with a longer length in the up-down direction Z. The loop main body portion 431 has a first portion 431a, a second portion 431b, a third portion 431c, and a fourth portion 431d. The first portion 431a is arranged at a position biased to one side in the left-right direction Y ( Figure 9 the right side in the figure). The second portion 431b is arranged at a position biased to the other side in the left-right direction Y ( Figure 9 the left side in the figure). The first portion 431a and the second portion 431b have a length in the up-down direction Z. The first portion 431a (or the second portion 431b) can be connected to the inflow portion 411.
[0131] The third portion 431c of the loop main body portion 431 connects the upper end portions of the first portion 431a and the second portion 431b. The fourth portion 431d connects the lower end portions of the first portion 431a and the second portion 431b.
[0132] After the refrigerant enters the circulation flow path from the inflow portion 411, a self-circulation is formed by relying on the impact of the refrigerant.
[0133] The portion on the loop main body portion 431 corresponding to and connected to the inflow portion 411 is defined as the loop inflow portion 4311.
[0134] If the loop inflow portion 4311 is arranged on the third portion 431c or the fourth portion 431d, and the third portion 431c or the fourth portion 431d extends horizontally, the refrigerant flows in two directions to the left and right after entering the loop main body portion 431, making it impossible for the refrigerant to circulate around the loop.
[0135] Therefore, in the present application, the loop inflow part 4311 can be arranged on the first part 431a or the second part 431b of the loop main body part 431. The first part 431a and the second part 431b extend vertically, and the refrigerant flows downward under the action of gravity after entering the loop main body part 431.
[0136] <Flow dividing plate 440>
[0137] The multi-layer plate body includes a flow dividing plate 440. The flow dividing plate 440 is a rectangular plate that is relatively long in the up-down direction Z. In the flow dividing plate 440, the length in the up-down direction Z and the length in the left-right direction Y are substantially the same as the length in the up-down direction Z and the length in the left-right direction Y of the inflow plate 410, and the plate surface is arranged in the up-down direction Z and the left-right direction Y.
[0138] A plurality of through grooves are provided on the flow dividing plate 440. The plurality of through grooves form a plurality of flow-through parts 441. The flow-through parts 441 communicate with the loop main body part 431 and are used for dividing the refrigerant in the circulation flow path into multiple paths and flowing out.
[0139] The communication part 441 can communicate with the heat exchange tube 310, so that the refrigerant in the circulation flow path flows to different heat exchange tubes 310 through the plurality of flow-through parts 441 respectively.
[0140] In the present application, static pressure flow division is used to achieve self-balancing of the refrigerant at each heat exchange tube 310. Since the flow direction of the refrigerant in the circulation flow path is perpendicular to the direction in which the refrigerant flows into the flow-through part 441 of the flow dividing plate 440, the flow of the refrigerant has no kinetic energy impact on each flow-through part 441. Therefore, the influence of dynamic pressure impact is avoided, and the flow rate of each downstream branch completely depends on the flow resistance of the refrigerant in the downstream heat exchange tube 310. When the refrigerant flow rate in the heat exchange tube 310 is small, its flow resistance is also small. Due to the action of downstream suction, the flow rate will automatically increase, thereby achieving self-balancing of the refrigerant at the heat exchange tube 310.
[0141] In addition, since the number of the flow-through parts 441 on the flow dividing plate 440 can be set more flexibly, the end branches of the distributor 400 can be even or odd, avoiding the problem in the prior art that the number of branches of the distributor 400 can only be even, which limits its scope of use.
[0142] When observed from the front, the flow-through part 441 is rectangular. The length of the flow-through part 441 in the left-right direction Y can be close to the width of the circulation flow path in the left-right direction Y. The length of the flow-through part 441 in the up-down direction Z can be close to the thickness of the outflow part 451 of the outflow plate 450 described later in the up-down direction Z.
[0143] According to an embodiment of the present application, when projected onto the plate surface of the flow path forming plate 430, the loop inflow portion 4311 and the flow through portion 441 are misaligned in position, which can prevent some of the refrigerant flowing into the loop main body portion 431 from the loop inflow portion 4311 from directly flowing to the flow through portion 441 without passing through the cycle, ensuring that more refrigerant circulates within the circulation flow path.
[0144] According to an embodiment of the present application, when projected onto the plate surface of the flow path forming plate 430, one of the loop inflow portion 4311 and the flow through portion 441 is located in the first portion 431a of the loop main body portion 431, and the other is located in the second portion 431b of the loop main body portion 431.
[0145] Assume that the first portion 431a of the loop main body portion 431 is closer to the windward side of the heat exchanger 300 than the second portion 431b.
[0146] The flow through portion 441 can be communicatively connected to the first portion 431a of the loop main body portion 431. In this way, when the refrigerant flows through the flow through portion 441 to the heat exchange tube 310, it will first flow into the hole 310a near the windward side of the heat exchange tube 310. Thus, a relatively large refrigerant flow rate is obtained in the hole 310a near the windward side within the heat exchange tube 310.
[0147] Due to the heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant within the heat exchange tube 310, the temperature of the air gradually decreases when flowing from the windward end to the leeward end of the heat exchange tube 310 (when the heat exchanger is an evaporator). And the refrigerant flow rate near the windward side within the heat exchange tube 310 is relatively large, which can adapt to the energy of the air in the windward direction, making the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 300 higher.
[0148] <Outlet plate 450>
[0149] The multi-layer plate body includes an outlet plate 450. The outlet plate 450 is a rectangular plate that is relatively long in the up-down direction Z. In the outlet plate 450, the length in the up-down direction Z and the length in the left-right direction Y are substantially the same as the length in the up-down direction Z and the length in the left-right direction Y of the inlet plate 410, and the plate surface is arranged along the up-down direction Z and the left-right direction Y.
[0150] A plurality of through grooves are provided on the outlet plate 450. The plurality of through grooves form an outlet portion 451. The outlet portion 451 is communicatively connected to the flow through portion 441 of the flow dividing plate 440. The outlet portion 451 is communicatively connected to the heat exchange tube 310 on the heat exchange tube mounting plate 460 described later. Thus, the outlet portion 451 connects the flow through portion 441 and the heat exchange tube 310.
[0151] The cross-sectional shape of the flow path of the outlet portion 451 can be the same as the shape of the heat exchange tube 310.
[0152] It should be noted that the cross-section of the flow path here refers to the cross-section obtained by orthogonally cutting the flow path in the direction of refrigerant flow. The direction of refrigerant flow refers to the direction in which the refrigerant flows within the outflow portion 451.
[0153] In other embodiments, the outflow plate 450 can be omitted, that is, the distributor 400 does not include the outflow plate 450.
[0154] The communication portion 441 of the flow dividing plate 440 is directly communicated with the heat exchange tube 310 on the heat exchange tube mounting plate 460 described later.
[0155] <Heat exchange tube mounting plate 460>
[0156] The multi-layer plate body includes the heat exchange tube mounting plate 460. The heat exchange tube mounting plate 460 is a rectangular plate that is long in the vertical direction Z. In the heat exchange tube mounting plate 460, the length in the vertical direction Z and the length in the left-right direction Y are substantially the same as the length in the vertical direction Z and the length in the left-right direction Y of the inflow plate 410, and the plate surface is arranged along the vertical direction Z and the left-right direction Y.
[0157] A plurality of through grooves are provided on the heat exchange tube mounting plate 460 to form a plurality of heat exchange tube insertion portions 461. The heat exchange tube insertion portions 461 are arranged corresponding to the outflow portions 451 of the outflow plate 440.
[0158] The heat exchange tube 310 can be installed on the heat exchange tube mounting plate 460 from the heat exchange tube insertion portion 461 and then communicated with the outflow portion 451.
[0159] The heat exchange tube 310 can be connected to the heat exchange tube mounting plate 460 by welding.
[0160] In other embodiments, the heat exchange tube mounting plate 460 can be omitted, that is, the distributor 400 does not include the heat exchange tube mounting plate 460. The heat exchange tube 310 is directly connected to the outflow plate 450 or the flow dividing plate 440.
[0161] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 10 , in order to increase the number of branches of the distributor, a branch flow path plate 470 can be provided between the flow dividing plate 440 and the outflow plate 450.
[0162] <Branch flow path plate 470>
[0163] The multi-layer plate body includes the branch flow path plate 470. The branch flow path plate 470 is a rectangular plate that is long in the vertical direction Z. In the branch flow path plate 470, the length in the vertical direction Z and the length in the left-right direction Y are substantially the same as the length in the vertical direction Z and the length in the left-right direction Y of the inflow plate 410, and the plate surface is arranged along the vertical direction Z and the left-right direction Y.
[0164] A plurality of through grooves penetrating in the front-rear direction X are provided on the branch flow path plate 470 to form a plurality of branch flow paths 471.
[0165] Combined Figure 11 and Figure 12 , the branch flow path 471 has a branch inflow portion 472 and at least two branch portions 473.
[0166] The branch inflow portion 472 of the branch flow path 471 communicates with the flow-through portion 441 of the flow splitting plate 440 in an opposite manner. The branch portion 473 of the branch flow path 471 communicates with the outflow portion 451 of the outflow plate 450 in an opposite manner.
[0167] In an embodiment of the present application, the branch inflow portion 472 includes a first branch inflow portion 472a and a second branch inflow portion 472b separated by a separating portion 474. The first branch inflow portion 472a and the second branch inflow portion 472b are arranged along the left-right direction Y and are symmetric with respect to the separating portion 474.
[0168] When projected onto a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction X, the overlapping areas of the first branch inflow portion 472a and the second branch inflow portion 472b with the flow-through portion 441 of the flow splitting plate 440 are the same respectively.
[0169] The length w of the first branch inflow portion 472a in the left-right direction Y is not greater than the length u of the branch portion 473 in the up-down direction.
[0170] Since the length w of the first branch inflow portion 472a in the left-right direction Y is relatively small, after the refrigerant flows into the first branch inflow portion 472a, it flows along the up-down direction X.
[0171] The width w of the second branch inflow portion 472b in the left-right direction Y is not greater than the length u of the branch portion 473 in the up-down direction.
[0172] Since the width w of the second branch inflow portion 472b in the left-right direction Y is relatively small, after the refrigerant flows into the second branch inflow portion 472b, it flows along the up-down direction X.
[0173] In the present application, a separating portion 474 is provided at the branch inflow portion 472, and the first branch inflow portion 472a and the second branch inflow portion 472b are arranged horizontally, which can prevent the uneven flow caused by the gas-liquid stratification in the capillary tube 610.
[0174] The branch portion 473 of the branch flow path 471 extends linearly along the left-right direction Y. The shape of the branch portion 473 can be the same as the shape of the heat exchange tube 310, and it communicates with the outflow portion 451 of the outflow plate 450 in an opposite manner.
[0175] For each branch flow path 471, the two branch portions 473 are respectively located on the upper and lower sides of the branch inflow portion 472.
[0176] <Distributor 400 with injection structure>
[0177] In this embodiment, only the differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and the same parts as the above-described embodiment will not be repeated.
[0178] An injection structure is provided on the loop main body 431 in this embodiment:
[0179] Refer to Figures 13 to 15 , the part on the loop main body 431 that communicates with the inflow part 411 of the inflow plate 410 is the loop inflow part 4311.
[0180] A necking part 4312 with a reduced flow path cross-section is provided on the loop main body 431. The necking part 4312 is connected to the loop inflow part 4311.
[0181] Here, the flow path cross-section refers to the cross-section obtained by cutting the flow path orthogonally to the flow direction of the refrigerant. The flow direction of the refrigerant refers to the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the necking part 4312.
[0182] Since the inflow cross-section of the necking part 4312 is smaller than that of the loop inflow part 4311, that is, the length of the necking part 4312 in the left-right direction Y is smaller than that of the loop inflow part 4311.
[0183] The necking part 4312 is located on the downstream side of the loop inflow part 4311, where the downstream side is referenced by the flow direction of the refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing into the loop inflow part 4311 continues to flow into the circulation flow path in a state where the flow velocity increases in the necking part 4312. Therefore, the circulation of the refrigerant in the circulation flow path can be promoted.
[0184] The loop main body 431 may include a first loop section 433. The first loop section 433 is in a disconnected ring shape.
[0185] The loop inflow part 4311 is located at one end of the first loop section 433. The other end of the first loop section 433 is the first disconnection end 433a.
[0186] The loop main body 431 may include a second loop section 434. One end of the second loop section 434 is connected to the locking part 431b; the other end of the second loop section 434 is located between the two ends of the first loop section 433 and is defined as the second disconnection end 434a.
[0187] The first disconnection end 433a and the second disconnection end 434a form the disconnection end of the loop main body 431. The part on the flow path forming plate 430 between the first disconnection end 433a and the second disconnection end 434a is the partition part 432.
[0188] The circulation connection part 422 is provided corresponding to the partition part 432.
[0189] According to an embodiment of the present application, the loop inflow portion 4311 is located below the first disconnection end 433a, and the necking portion 4312 is provided below the loop inflow portion 4311.
[0190] The second loop section 434 includes a first flow path portion 434b. The first flow path portion 434b is connected to the necking portion 4312. The first flow path portion 434b extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity, that is, the first flow path portion 434b is horizontal. Alternatively, the first flow path portion 434b gradually rises in the extending direction away from the locking portion 431b.
[0191] Due to the influence of gravity, the refrigerant will continue to flow downward in the first loop section 433 at the necking portion 4312, and will not enter the first flow path portion 434b of the second loop section 434.
[0192] <Another embodiment of the circulation connection plate 420>
[0193] In this embodiment, only the differences from the above-described embodiment will be described as the center, and the same parts as the above-described embodiment will not be repeated.
[0194] Refer to Figure 16 and Figure 17 , the circulation connection plate 420 is disposed between the flow path forming plate 430 and the flow dividing plate 440.
[0195] The circulation connection plate 420 is provided with a through groove. The through groove forms a circulation connection portion 422 for communicating the disconnection portion of the loop main body portion 431.
[0196] The circulation connection plate 420 is provided with a plurality of through holes. The plurality of through holes form a flow dividing port 423, and the flow dividing port 423 is communicatively connected to the flow through portion 441 of the flow dividing plate 440.
[0197] <Another embodiment of the circulation connection portion 422>
[0198] In this embodiment, only the differences from the above-described embodiment will be described as the center, and the same parts as the above-described embodiment will not be repeated.
[0199] Refer to Figure 18 and Figure 19 , in the distributor 400, there is no circulation connection plate 420, but the circulation connection portion 422 is provided on the inflow plate 410.
[0200] A groove is provided on one side of the inflow plate 410 facing the flow path forming plate 430, and the groove forms the circulation connection portion 422.
[0201] By setting the circulation connection part 422 in the form of a groove located in the inflow plate 410, while achieving the connection of the loop main body part 431 by the circulation connection part 422, one plate (the circulation flow plate 420) is omitted.
[0202] In other embodiments, the circulation connection part 422 can also be arranged on the flow splitting plate 440.
[0203] On one side of the flow splitting plate 440 facing the flow path forming plate 430, there is a groove, and this groove forms the circulation connection part 422.
[0204] By setting the circulation connection part 422 in the form of a groove located in the flow splitting plate 440, while achieving the connection of the loop main body part 431 by the circulation connection part 422, one plate (the circulation flow plate 420) is omitted.
[0205] In the above embodiments, the distributor 400 is in the shape of a cuboid. However, in other embodiments, referring to Figure 20 , the outer shape of the distributor 400 can also be made into a cylindrical shape. The outer side surface of each plate in the plate body is an arc surface forming a cylindrical shape.
[0206] Therefore, the present application does not limit the outer shape of the distributor.
[0207] Next, taking the distributor 400 as an integral structure as an example for illustration.
[0208] In this embodiment, the distributor 400 is made by using a mold. The first mold with the same shape as the distribution flow path is placed into the second mold corresponding to the outer shape of the distributor 400, and then aluminum liquid is injected into the second mold; after the aluminum solidifies, the first mold is melted and flows out.
[0209] In this embodiment, the distributor 400 is an integral structure, and except that the distributor 400 in this embodiment is different from that in the above embodiment in that it is formed by laminating multiple plate bodies, the others are the same.
[0210] For an air conditioner with top air discharge, referring to Figure 3 and Figure 21 , the blower 510 is located above the heat exchanger 300, which will cause the wind speed at the upper part of the heat exchanger 300 closer to the blower 510 to be higher than the wind speed at the lower part farther from the blower 510.
[0211] As the height of the heat exchanger 300 increases, the wind speed on the heat exchanger 300 also shows an increasing trend. And only when the refrigerant flow rate on the heat exchanger 300 matches the wind speed distribution can the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 300 be maximized.
[0212] In the embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 22, in the heat exchanger 300, the distributor 400 has at least one first distributor 4001, at least one second distributor 4002, ……, at least one Nth distributor 400n distributed from top to bottom;
[0213] The number of heat exchange tubes 310 connected by the first distributor 4001, the second distributor 4002, ……, the Nth distributor 400n increases.
[0214] In this application, the number of heat exchange tubes 310 connected by the distributor 400 is defined as the outlet number of the distributor.
[0215] Exemplarily, the first distributor 4001 is a four-outlet distributor connecting four heat exchange tubes 310, the second distributor 4002 is an eight-outlet distributor connecting eight heat exchange tubes 310, and the Nth distributor 400n is a sixteen-outlet distributor connecting sixteen heat exchange tubes 310.
[0216] From top to bottom, the number of heat exchange tubes 310 connected by the distributor 400 increases, which can make the refrigerant flow rates of the respective capillary tubes 610 at the first-stage shunt of the shunt 600 close, the refrigerant dryness at the outlet of the heat exchanger close, and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger optimal.
[0217] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present application, the distributor 400 includes an inflow plate 410, on which an inflow portion 411 is formed for the refrigerant to flow in; a flow path forming plate 430, on which a loop main body portion 431 communicating with the inflow portion 411 is provided, and the loop main body portion 431 is in a disconnected ring shape; a shunt plate 440, on which a plurality of flow-through portions 441 for shunting and flowing out the refrigerant of the loop main body portion 431 are formed; a circulation connection plate 420, which is disposed between the inflow plate 410 and the flow path forming plate 430, or between the flow path forming plate 430 and the shunt plate 440, and a circulation connection portion 422 is formed on the circulation connection plate 420, and the circulation connection portion 422 connects the two disconnected ends of the loop main body portion 431. Thus, the loop main body portion 431 and the circulation connection portion 422 are connected to form a circulation flow path, and the refrigerant circulates in the circulation flow path and then is shunted to each flow-through portion 441, which can ensure uniform distribution of the refrigerant.
[0218] In addition, the dispenser 400 includes an inflow plate 410 on which an inflow portion 411 is formed for the inflow of refrigerant; a flow path forming plate 430 on which a loop main body portion 431 communicating with the inflow portion 411 is provided, and the loop main body portion 431 is in a disconnected ring shape; a shunt plate 440 on which a plurality of flow-through portions 441 for shunting and flowing out the refrigerant in the loop main body portion 431 are formed; a groove-shaped circulation communication portion 420 is provided on the inflow plate 410 or the shunt plate 440, and the circulation communication portion 420 connects the two disconnected ends of the loop main body portion 431. Thus, the loop main body portion 431 and the circulation communication portion 422 are connected to form a circulation flow path, and the refrigerant circulates in the circulation flow path and then is shunted to each flow-through portion 441, which can ensure uniform distribution of the refrigerant.
[0219] In addition, a constriction portion 4312 connected to the loop inflow portion 4311 is provided on the loop main body portion 431, and the constriction portion 4312 can accelerate the refrigerant and promote the circulation of the refrigerant in the circulation flow path.
[0220] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.
[0221] For the sake of convenience in explanation, the above description has been made in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the above exemplary discussions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed above. According to the above teachings, various modifications and variations can be obtained. The selection and description of the above embodiments are for the purpose of better explaining the principles and practical applications, so that those skilled in the art can better use the embodiments and various different variations of the embodiments suitable for specific uses.
Claims
1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, Comprising: A heat exchanger, serving as one of an evaporator or a condenser; The heat exchanger includes: A plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged in a first direction for the circulation of refrigerant; and A distributor for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of heat exchange tubes; Wherein, the distributor includes: An inflow plate on which an inflow portion is formed for the inflow of refrigerant; A flow path forming plate on which a loop main body portion communicating with the inflow portion is provided, and the loop main body portion is in a disconnected ring shape; A flow splitting plate on which a plurality of flow through portions for splitting and flowing out the refrigerant of the loop main body portion are formed, and the flow through portions communicate with the heat exchange tubes; A circulation connection plate provided between the inflow plate and the flow path forming plate, or between the flow path forming plate and the flow splitting plate, and a circulation connection portion is formed on the circulation connection plate, and the circulation connection portion connects the two disconnected ends of the loop main body portion.
2. An air conditioner, characterized in that, Comprising: A heat exchanger, serving as one of an evaporator or a condenser; The heat exchanger includes: A plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged in a first direction for the circulation of refrigerant; and A distributor for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of heat exchange tubes; Wherein, the distributor includes: An inflow plate on which an inflow portion is formed; A flow path forming plate on which a loop main body portion communicating with the inflow portion is provided, and the loop main body portion is in a disconnected ring shape; A flow splitting plate on which a plurality of flow through portions for splitting and flowing out the refrigerant of the loop main body portion are formed, and the flow through portions communicate with the heat exchange tubes; Wherein, a groove-shaped circulation connection portion is provided on the inflow plate or the flow splitting plate, and the circulation connection portion connects the two disconnected ends of the loop main body portion.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The portion of the loop main body portion communicating with the inflow portion in an opposite direction is the loop inflow portion; A constricted portion with a reduced flow path cross-section is provided on the loop main body portion, and the constricted portion is connected to the downstream side of the loop inflow portion.
4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The two ends of the loop main body portion at the disconnected position are respectively a first disconnected end and a second disconnected end; The loop main body portion includes: A first loop section, which is in a disconnected ring shape, and the two ends of the first loop section are respectively the first disconnected end and the loop inflow portion; A second loop section, one end of which communicates with the constricted portion, and the other end is a second disconnected end located between the two ends of the first loop section.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that, The constricted portion is located below the loop inflow portion; the portion of the second loop section connecting the constricted portion is the first flow path portion; the first flow path portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction or extends obliquely upward in a direction away from the constricted portion.
6. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The two ends of the loop main body portion at the disconnected position are respectively a first disconnected end and a second disconnected end; in the projection of the flow path forming plate, the two ends of the circulation connection portion respectively coincide with the first disconnected end and the second disconnected end, and the middle portion of the circulation connection portion is located between the first disconnected end and the second disconnected end.
7. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The loop main body portion has two first portions and second portions extending in a first direction, the inflow portion communicates with the first portion in an opposite direction, and the flow through portion communicates with the second portion in an opposite direction.
8. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The loop main body has two first parts and a second part extending in a first direction, wherein the first part is close to the windward side of the heat exchanger; the flow-through part communicates with the first part face to face.
9. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The distributor further includes: A branch flow path plate, on which a plurality of branch flow paths are formed for branching and flowing out the refrigerant flowing in from the flow-through part; The branch flow path includes a branch inflow part communicating with the flow-through part; the branch inflow part includes two branch inflow parts arranged at intervals and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first direction; The branch flow path includes a plurality of branch parts for the refrigerant to branch and flow out; the branch parts extend linearly in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
10. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It further includes: A fan, located above the heat exchanger, for driving air to flow through the heat exchanger; A plurality of distributors are connected to the heat exchanger; The number of heat exchange tubes connected to the distributor is the number of outlets of the distributor; for distributors with different numbers of outlets, the number of outlets of the distributor increases from top to bottom.